Hyperactivation of HER2-SHCBP1-PLK1 axis promotes tumor cell mitosis and impairs trastuzumab sensitivity to gastric cancer

Discussion on the mechanism of HER2 resistance in esophagogastric junction and gastric cancer in the era of immunotherapy

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a critical biomarker and therapeutic target in gastric/gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancers, despite the initial success of HER2-targeted therapies, such as trastuzumab, resistance to these drugs has emerged as a major impediment to effective long-term treatment. This review examines the mechanisms of drug resistance in HER2-positive G/GEJ cancer, the primary mechanisms of resistance explored include alterations in the HER2 receptor itself, such as mutations and changes in expression levels, as well as downstream signaling pathways, and interactions with the tumor microenvironment (TME). Furthermore, the review discusses the Novel therapeutic approaches, including the use of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and combination therapies are assessed for their potential to enhance outcomes. By integrating recent research findings and clinical trials, this review aims to provide oncologists and researchers with insights into developing more effective treatments for patients with drug-resistant HER2-positive G/GEJ cancer.

SHCBP1 promotes cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer through AKT/mTOR/Autophagy pathway

Ovarian cancer caused the highest cancer-related mortality among female reproductive system malignancies. Platinum-based chemotherapy is still the footstone of the chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying cisplatin insensitivity and resistance remain unclear. SHC SH2 domain-binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) plays critical roles in the progression and drug resistance of different types of cancer. However, the biological function of SHCBP1 in ovarian cancer progression and cisplatin resistance remains obscure. In this study, we found that SHCBP1 was upregulated in ovarian cancer and the upregulated SHCBP1 has growth-promoting effect on ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, SHCBP1 silencing sensitize ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin (hereafter referred to as CDDP). Mechanism analysis revealed that SHCBP1 activated the Akt/mTOR pathway and further inhibited autophagy in ovarian cancer cells. Meanwhile, autophagy inhibitors combined with SHCBP1 knockdown enhances CDDP sensitivity. In addition, knockdown of SHCBP1 restricted the proliferation of tumors and increased the cisplatin sensitivity in vivo. These findings suggested that upregulated SHCBP1 promoted the proliferation and CDDP resistance of ovarian cancer. The combination of SHCBP1 inhibition and cisplatin treatment might lead to substantial progress in ovarian cancer targeted therapy.

Jian Pi Hua Tan Fang Reverses Trastuzumab Resistance of HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer Through PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway: Integrating Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Experimental Validation

BACKGROUND

Currently, trastuzumab resistance significantly impacts the treatment outcome for individuals with HER2-positive gastric cancer. In clinical practice, Jian Pi Hua Tan Fang (JPHTF) has been shown to be effective in preventing recurrences and metastases caused by gastric cancer. Yet, the treatment process remains unknown. We aim to evaluate the potential pharmacological mechanism of JPHTF in interfering with resistance to trastuzumab in HER2-positive gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

In this study, network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were used to forecast the potential active ingredients, pathways, and targets of JPHTF in overcoming trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive GC. Then, in vitro models of NCI-N87/TR was developed, and JPHTF-containing serum was utilized for intervention to confirm these crucial targets.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology showed that 92 potential active compounds and 420 therapeutic targets of JPHTF. SRC, EGFR, TP53, and AKT1 were identified as the main targets associated with the PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and Ras pathways, playing crucial roles in angiogenesis, cell apoptosis, cell proliferation, and resistance to chemotherapy in the GC microenvironment. Molecular docking analysis showed that quercetin, formononetin, and luteolin, which are the main active ingredients, exhibit high binding affinity to the central targets PI3K, AKT, and mTOR. In vitro experiment, the JPHTF-containing serum has a significant alleviating effect on reversing trastuzumab resistance and cell apoptotic and proliferation of NCI-N87/TR. Further molecular biological experiments showed that JPHTF could regulate the expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

CONCLUSION

JPHTF has the ability to overcome trastuzumab resistance in NCI-N87 cells through the regulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

SHCBP1 is a novel regulator of PLK1 phosphorylation and promotes prostate cancer bone metastasis

Prostate cancer is a common male genitourinary malignancy with bone metastasis posing challenges for prognosis and treatment. This study aimed to investigate the role of SHC protein SH2 structural domain binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) in prostate cancer bone metastasis. Whole transcriptome sequencing of prostate cancer samples was conducted to identify oncogene expression, specifically focusing on SHCBP1. In vivo and in vitro models were used to study SHCBP1's impact on bone metastasis. Through co-immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and Western blot assays, the interaction between SHCBP1 and cell cycle-related proteins was elucidated, along with analysis of downstream protein partners. SHCBP1 was found to enhance prostate cancer cell development, metastasis, and mitosis, with the SHCBP1-polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1)-CDC25C axis playing a key role in promoting tumorigenesis. Therapeutic inhibition of SHCBP1 increased docetaxel sensitivity. Clinical data showed elevated SHCBP1 expression in advanced prostate cancer stages. These findings offer insights into potential therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer bone metastasis and highlight the significance of the SHCBP1-PLK1-CDC25C axis in docetaxel sensitivity.

MISP-mediated enhancement of pancreatic cancer growth through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is suppressed by Fisetin

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor characterized by high mortality and low survival rates. The mitotic interactor and substrate of Plk1 (MISP) is a cancer-associated protein that regulates mitotic spindle localization and is highly expressed in several malignant tumors, contributing to tumor development. However, the function and regulatory mechanisms of MISP in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed RNA sequencing data related to pancreatic cancer from the TCGA and GEO databases, identifying MISP as a potential prognostic marker for the disease. MISP was significantly upregulated in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues compared to normal pancreatic cells and tissues. Notably, in pancreatic cancer cells, high MISP protein expression promoted cell proliferation and growth. Mechanistically, the upregulation of MISP facilitated the nuclear accumulation of β-catenin, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and promoting pancreatic cancer growth. In search of effective inhibitors of MISP expression, we screened an FDA-approved drug library and identified Fisetin as a potential suppressor of MISP expression. Fisetin was found to downregulate the transcription factor MYB, thereby reducing MISP expression. Further experiments demonstrated that Fisetin effectively inhibited the in vitro and in vivo growth of pancreatic cancer by suppressing the MISP/Wnt/β-catenin signaling axis. In summary, our research has identified MISP as a novel therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer and uncovered its associated regulatory mechanisms.

Targeting SHCBP1 Inhibits Tumor Progression by Restoring Ciliogenesis in Ductal Carcinoma

Primary cilia detect and transmit environmental signals into cells. Primary cilia are absent in a subset of ductal carcinomas characterized by distinctive biological activities, and recovery of cilia with normal functionality has been shown to have therapeutic potential in some cancer types. Therefore, elucidation of the underlying mechanism and clinical significance of ciliary loss in ductal carcinomas could help develop effective treatment strategies. Here, we identified a link between Shc1-binding protein (SHCBP1) and cilia in ductal carcinomas. Shcbp1 knockout in transgenic mice profoundly impeded tumor progression and metastasis, prolonging survival. Single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed a functional connection between SHCBP1 deficiency and increased tumor ciliogenesis. SHCBP1 ablation restored ciliogenesis in unciliated ductal carcinoma by promoting the proximity between the midbody remnant (MBR) and centrosome through enhanced Rab8 GTPase activity and Rab8GTP positioning within the MBR. Inhibition of tumor progression by SHCBP1 loss relied on the recovery of ciliogenesis. Analysis of a large cohort of patients with ductal carcinoma revealed a negative correlation between SHCBP1-induced ciliary loss and patient prognosis. Restoring ciliogenesis via SHCBP1 ablation elicited therapeutic effects in patient-derived xenograft models. Together, this study delineates that induction of MBR-centrosome proximity through SHCBP1-deficiency reactivates ciliogenesis, offering unique opportunities for the treatment of unciliated ductal carcinomas. Significance: SHCBP1 depletion rescues tumor ciliogenesis by enhancing Rab8 GTPase activity to restore the proximity of the  midbody remnant to the centrosome, which impedes progression of ductal carcinomas and suggests potential therapeutic strategies.

Clinical significance of HER2 in urothelial carcinoma and analysis of its correlation with glycolytic metabolic characteristics

Objective

This study aimed to explore the clinical relevance of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2) in urothelial carcinoma (UC) and its association with glycolytic metabolic markers, insulin resistance, and beta-cell function, shedding light on potential therapies targeting both HER2 pathways and cancer metabolism.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, 237 UC patients from the Departments of Urology and Pathology at Shandong Provincial Hospital were examined. From 1 January 2023, to 1 October 2024, patients underwent HER2 testing using immunohistochemistry (IHC). We investigated the relationships between HER2 expression and metabolic indicators such as the Homeostatic Model Assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), beta-cell function (HOMA-β), the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. HER2 status was determined using a standardized scoring system from the 2021 Clinical Pathological Expert Consensus on HER2 Testing in UC, China. Statistical analysis followed CDC guidelines, using multivariate logistic regression to assess the independent impacts of HER2 on metabolic traits.

Results

Of the 237 evaluated UC samples, 87.76% exhibited positive HER2 expression. A significant correlation was found between positive HER2 status, advanced tumor stages, and increased LDH levels, suggesting a link between HER2 expression and heightened glycolytic activity. No significant relationships were observed between HER2 status and TyG levels, HOMA-IR, or HOMA-B. Subgroup analyses confirmed the consistency of the relationship between HER2 expression and LDH levels across different demographics and lifestyle factors.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm the significant role of HER2 as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in UC. The association of HER2 positivity with advanced tumor stages and high LDH levels underscores its complex involvement in disease progression. This study highlights the need to explore HER2's biological mechanisms further and pursue combined therapeutic strategies.

MST1 interactomes profiling across cell death in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Objectives

Resistance to apoptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) constitutes a significant impediment to treatment efficacy. Exploring alternative cell death pathways and their regulatory factors beyond apoptosis is crucial for overcoming drug resistance and enhancing therapeutic outcomes in ESCC.

Methods

Mammalian Ste 20-like kinase 1 (MST1) is implicated in regulating various cell deaths, including apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis. Employing enhanced ascorbate peroxidase 2 (APEX2) proximity labeling coupled with immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS), we elucidated the interactomes of MST1 across these three cell death paradigms.

Results

Proteomic profiling unveiled the functional roles and subcellular localization of MST1 and its interacting proteins during normal proliferation and various cell death processes. Notably, MST1 exhibited an expanded interactome during cell death compared to normal proliferation and chromosome remodeling functions consistently. In apoptosis, there was a notable increase of mitosis-associated proteins such as INCENP, ANLN, KIF23, SHCBP1 and SUPT16H, which interacted with MST1, alongside decreased expression of the pre-apoptotic protein STK3. During autophagy, the bindings of DNA repair-related proteins CBX8 and m6A reader YTHDC1 to MST1 were enhanced. In pyroptosis, LRRFIP2 and FLII which can inhibit pyroptosis increasingly binding to MST1.

Conclusions

Our findings delineate potential mechanisms through which MST1 and its interactomes regulate cell death, paving the way for further investigation to validate and consolidate these observations.

Biomimetic Modification of siRNA/Chemo Drug Nanoassemblies for Targeted Combination Therapy in Breast Cancer

The development and progression of tumors are characterized by intricate biological processes. Monotherapy not only struggles to achieve effective treatment but also tends to precipitate a series of issues, including multidrug resistance and limited antitumor effect. Consequently, it is imperative to adopt a synergistic multitherapy approach to enhance the efficacy of tumor treatment. The integration of chemotherapy drug with oligonucleotide drug for combinational treatment has shown significant promise in improving tumor therapeutic efficiency. However, the effective in vivo codelivery of oligonucleotide drugs and chemotherapy drugs faces substantial challenges such as poor stability of oligonucleotide drugs during the circulation time, limited tumor accumulation, and uncertain delivery ratios of different payloads. To overcome these obstacles, we have engineered cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (cRGD)-modified red blood cell membrane (RBCm)-coated multidrug nanocomplexes, which were self-assembled from the Polo-like kinase 1 siRNA (siPlk1) and an irreversible tyrosine kinase inhibitor neratinib targeted to human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpressed in breast cancer. Through electrostatic and amphiphilic interactions between the positively charged neratinib and negatively charged siPlk1, we have successfully fabricated uniform multidrug nanoparticles. The cRGD-modified red blood cell membranes coated on the surface of the multidrug nanoparticles could enhance drug stability in circulation and tumor accumulation. This targeted combinational therapy significantly enhanced the antitumor efficiency in HER2-positive breast cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Mitotic spindle positioning protein serves as prognostic biomarker in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most aggressive types of cancer globally. Currently, clinical tumor prognostic biomarkers still lack accuracy. Mitotic spindle positioning (MISP) protein connects microtubules to the actin cytoskeleton and adhesive plaques, playing a critical role in spindle positioning, orientation, and the process of cell division. MISP can regulate the malignant biological functions of pancreatic cancer and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and it acts as biomarker for prognosis, but its role in CRC remains unclear.

METHODS

This study has collected 37 CRC tissue samples and 37 corresponding adjacent nontumor tissue samples, and 57 additional CRC tissues samples. Clinical data were obtained from the patients with CRC. MISP mRNA and protein expression levels were analyzed in normal control and CRC tissues using the GEPIA and Human Protein Atlas website. MISP protein levels in the collected tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

MISP mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased in CRC tissues compared to adjacent nontumor tissues. Higher MISP protein levels were associated with distant metastasis, recurrence, and lower survival rates. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high expression levels of MISP protein were associated with recurrence and death in CRC patients. In addition, a high expression level of MISP protein, lymph node metastasis, and distance metastasis were risk factors for recurrence and a poor prognosis in patients with CRC.

CONCLUSION

Elevated MISP protein correlated with tumor metastasis, recurrence, and lower survival rates in patients with CRC, and thus, MISP has the potential to become a prognostic marker for CRC.

DHX34 as a promising biomarker for prognosis, immunotherapy and chemotherapy in Pan-Cancer: A Comprehensive Analysis and Experimental Validation

Background: As a member of the DExD/H-box RNA helicase family, DHX34 has demonstrated a significant correlation with the development of multiple disorders. Nevertheless, a comprehensive investigation between DHX34 and pan-cancer remains unexplored. Methods: We analyzed the value of DHX34 in pan-cancer based on some databases, such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and The Human Protein Atlas (HPA) by use the R language as well as some online analysis tools, including STRING, TISIDB, TISCH2. And based on our samples we performed Western blot (WB), qPCR and immunohistochemical staining (IHC) experiments. Results: DHX34 was highly expressed in most tumors, including Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LIHC), compared to corresponding normal tissues. Among cervical cancers, DHX34 mutation frequency was the highest. Intriguingly, a positive correlation was observed between DHX34 expression and Mutational Burden (TMB) across 12 tumor types, and Microsatellite Instability (MSI) across 10 tumor types. Remarkably, DHX34 exhibited a favorable diagnostic value in a multitude of tumors. High expression of DHX34 is associated with poor prognosis in tumors such as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), renal papillary cell carcinoma (KIRP), low-grade glioma (LGG), and LIHC. Correlation analysis indicated that DHX34 expression correlated with clinicopathological features in a variety of tumors. The Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network and GSCALite database suggested that DHX34 and its ten co-expression genes might promote cancer progression by regulating the cell cycle. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) results further showed that DHX34 was positively correlated with pathways such as cell cycle, mitosis, and gene transcription regulation. The TISIDB database showed that DHX34 expression was closely associated with immune infiltration. Based on the TISCH2 database, we found that DHX34 was expressed in a number of immune cells, with relatively high expression in monocyte macrophages in LIHC. Conclusions: In summary, our study found that DHX34 is highly expressed in pan-cancer and has diagnostic and prognostic value. Targeting DHX34 may improve the therapeutic efficacy of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in a multitude of tumors.

PDIA2 is associated with the prognosis of prostate cancer, and downregulation of PDIA2 delays the progression of prostate cancer cells

Protein Disulfide-Isomerase A2 (PDIA2) is a gene that encodes proteins, responsible for protein folding and modification within cells. The development and course of many disorders are intimately linked to the aberrant expression of PDIA2. Nevertheless, more research is necessary to fully understand PDIA2's biological significance in pan-cancer, notably in prostate cancer (PCa). PDIA2 expression is elevated in various tumors and closely related to patient prognosis. Patients with prostate cancer who express PDIA2 high in particular have a bad prognosis in terms of progression-free survival. In addition, the upregulation of PDIA2 expression in prostate cancer patients is accompanied by higher Gleason scores, advanced tumor staging, lymph node metastasis, and elevated PSA levels. Detailed experiments further demonstrate that PDIA2 is a carcinogenic gene affecting prostate cancer cells' response to dasatinib therapy. For patients with prostate cancer, there is a clear positive connection between the expression level of PDIA2 and a bad prognosis. The prostate cancer treatment efficacy of dasatinib is hampered by PDIA2, which is intimately linked to the growth, invasion, and metastasis of PCa cells. In summary, our research highlights the potential of PDIA2 as a biomarker for the diagnosis and management of PCa.

Targeting undruggable phosphatase overcomes trastuzumab resistance by inhibiting multi-oncogenic kinases

AIMS

Resistance to targeted therapy is one of the critical obstacles in cancer management. Resistance to trastuzumab frequently develops in the treatment for HER2+ cancers. The role of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) in trastuzumab resistance is not well understood. In this study, we aim to identify pivotal PTPs affecting trastuzumab resistance and devise a novel counteracting strategy.

METHODS

Four public datasets were used to screen PTP candidates in relation to trastuzumab responsiveness in HER2+ breast cancer. Tyrosine kinase (TK) arrays were used to identify kinases that linked to protein tyrosine phosphate receptor type O (PTPRO)-enhanced trastuzumab sensitivity. The efficacy of small activating RNA (saRNA) in trastuzumab-conjugated silica nanoparticles was tested for PTPRO upregulation and resistance mitigation in cell models, a transgenic mouse model, and human cancer cell line-derived xenograft models.

RESULTS

PTPRO was identified as the key PTP which influences trastuzumab responsiveness and patient survival. PTPRO de-phosphorated several TKs, including the previously overlooked substrate ERBB3, thereby inhibiting multiple oncogenic pathways associated with drug resistance. Notably, PTPRO, previously deemed "undruggable," was effectively upregulated by saRNA-loaded nanoparticles. The upregulated PTPRO simultaneously inhibited ERBB3, ERBB2, and downstream SRC signaling pathways, thereby counteracting trastuzumab resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

Antibody-conjugated saRNA represents an innovative approach for targeting "undruggable" PTPs.

HER2-targeted therapies beyond breast cancer - an update

The receptor tyrosine-kinase HER2 (also known as ErbB2) is a well-established therapeutic target in patients with breast or gastric cancer selected on the basis of HER2 overexpression on immunohistochemistry and/or ERBB2 amplification on in situ hybridization. With advances in cancer molecular profiling and increased implementation of precision medicine approaches into oncology practice, actionable HER2 alterations in solid tumours have expanded to include ERBB2 mutations in addition to traditional HER2 overexpression and ERBB2 amplification. These various HER2 alterations can be found in solid tumour types beyond breast and gastric cancer, although few HER2-targeted therapeutic options have been established for the other tumour types. Nevertheless, during the 5 years since our previous Review on this topic was published in this journal, obvious and fruitful progress in the development of HER2-targeted therapies has been made, including new disease indications, innovative drugs with diverse mechanisms of action and novel frameworks for approval by regulatory authorities. These advances have culminated in the recent histology-agnostic approval of the anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugate trastuzumab deruxtecan for patients with HER2-overexpressing solid tumours. In this new Review, we provide an update on the current development landscape of HER2-targeted therapies beyond breast cancer, as well as anticipated future HER2-directed treatment strategies to overcome resistance and thereby improve efficacy and patient outcomes.

Research progress on the functions and biosynthesis of theaflavins

Theaflavins are beneficial to human health due to various bioactivities. Biosynthesis of theaflavins using polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is advantageous due to cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness. In this review, studies on the mechanism of theaflavins formation, the procedures to screen and prepare PPOs, optimization of reaction systems and immobilization of PPOs were described. The challenges associated with the mass biosynthesis of theaflavins, such as poor enzyme activity, undesirable subproducts and inclusion bodies of recombinant PPOs were presented. Further strategies to solve these challenges and improve theaflavins production, including enzyme engineering, immobilization enzyme technology, water-immiscible solvent-water biphasic systems and recombinant enzyme technology, were proposed.

Dissecting phospho-motif-dependent Shc1 interactome using long synthetic protein fragments

Activated receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) rely on the assembly of signaling proteins into high-dimensional protein complexes for signal transduction. Shc1, a prototypical scaffold protein, plays a pivotal role in directing phosphotyrosine (pY)-dependent protein complex formation for numerous RTKs typically through its two pY-binding domains. The three conserved pY sites within its CH1 region (Shc1CH1) hold particular significance due to their substantial contribution to its functions. However, how Shc1 differentially utilizes these sites to precisely coordinate protein complex assembly remains unclear. Here, we employed multiple peptide ligation techniques to synthesize an array of long protein fragments (107 amino acids) covering a significant portion of the Shc1CH1 region with varying phosphorylation states at residues Y239, 240, 313, and S335. By combining these phospho-Shc1CH1 fragments with integrated proteomics sample preparation and quantitative proteomic analysis, we were able to comprehensively resolve the site-specific interactomes of Shc1 with single amino acid resolution. By applying this approach to different cancer cell lines, we demonstrated that these phospho-Shc1CH1 fragments can be effectively used as a diagnostic tool to assess cell type-specific RTK signaling networks. Collectively, these biochemical conclusions help to better understand the sophisticated organization of pY-dependent Shc1 adaptor protein complexes and their functional roles in cancer.

HER-2 positive gastric cancer: Current targeted treatments

Gastric cancer (GC) is highly metastatic and characterized by HER2 amplification. Aberrant HER2 expression drives metastasis, therapy resistance, and tumor recurrence. HER2 amplification contributes to drug resistance by upregulating DNA repair enzymes and drug afflux proteins, reducing drug efficacy. HER2 modulates transcription factors critical for cancer stem cell properties, further impacting drug resistance. HER2 activity is influenced by HER-family ligands, promoting oncogenic signaling. These features point to HER2 as a targetable driver in GC. This review outlines recent advances in HER2-mediated mechanisms and their upstream and downstream signaling pathways in GC. Additionally, it discusses preclinical research investigation that comprehends trastuzumab-sensitizing phytochemicals, chemotherapeutics, and nanoparticles as adjunct therapies. These developments hold promise for improving outcomes and enhancing the management of HER2-positive GC.

Inflammatory damage caused by Echovirus 30 in the suckling mouse brain and HMC3 cells

Echovirus 30 (E30), a member of the species B Enterovirus family, is a primary pathogen responsible for aseptic meningitis and encephalitis. E30 is associated with severe nervous system diseases and is a primary cause of child illness, disability, and even mortality. However, the mechanisms underlying E30-induced brain injury remain poorly understood. In this study, we used a neonatal mouse model of E30 to investigate the possible mechanisms of brain injury. E30 infection triggered the activation of microglia in the mouse brain and efficiently replicated within HMC3 cells. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis revealed inflammatory activation of microglia in response to E30 infection. We also detected a significant upregulation of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and found that its inhibition could limit E30 infection in a sucking mouse model. Collectively, E30 infection led to brain injury in a neonatal mouse model, which may be related to excessive inflammatory responses. Our findings highlight the intricate interplay between E30 infection and neurological damage, providing crucial insights that could guide the development of interventions and strategies to address the severe clinical manifestations associated with this pathogen.

Mechanisms of resistance to trastuzumab in HER2-positive gastric cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive cases account for approximately 20% of the total cases. Currently, trastuzumab + chemotherapy is the recommended first-line treatment for patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer, and the combination has exhibited definite efficacy in HER2-targeted therapy. However, the emergence of drug resistance during treatment considerably reduces its effectiveness; thus, it is imperative to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying resistance. In the present review article, we comprehensively introduce multiple mechanisms underlying resistance to trastuzumab in HER2-positive gastric cancer cases, aiming to provide insights for rectifying issues associated with resistance to trastuzumab and devising subsequent treatment strategies.

MISP Is Overexpressed in Intestinal Metaplasia and Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the fourth cause of global cancer mortality. The identification of new biomarkers and drug targets is crucial to allow the better prognosis and treatment of patients. The mitotic spindle positioning (MISP) protein has the function of correcting mitotic spindle positioning and centrosome clustering and has been implicated in the cytokinesis and migration of cancer cells. The goal of this work was to evaluate the expression and clinical relevance of MISP in gastric cancer. MISP expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a single hospital series (n = 286) of gastric adenocarcinomas and compared with normal gastric mucosa and intestinal metaplasia, a preneoplastic lesion. MISP was detected on the membrane in 83% of the cases, being overexpressed in gastric cancer compared to normal gastric mucosa (n = 10). Its expression was negatively associated with diffuse and poorly cohesive types. On the other hand, it was strongly expressed in intestinal metaplasia where it was associated with MUC2 and CDX2 expression. Furthermore, when we silenced MISP in vitro, a significant decrease in the viability of gastric carcinoma cells was observed. In conclusion, MISP is overexpressed in gastric cancer, being associated with an intestinal phenotype in gastric carcinogenesis and having a role in cellular proliferation.

Knockout of Shcbp1 sensitizes immunotherapy by regulating α-SMA positive cancer-associated fibroblasts

The crucial role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in promoting T-cell exclusion has a significant impact on tumor immune evasion and resistance to immunotherapy. Therefore, enhancing T-cell infiltration into solid tumors has emerged as a pivotal area of research. We achieved a conventional knockout of Shcbp1 (Shcbp1-/- ) through CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and crossed these mice with spontaneous breast cancer MMTV-PyMT mice, resulting in PyMT Shcbp1-/- mice. The different CAF subtypes were detected by flow cytometry analysis (FCA). We evaluated collagen and CAFs levels using Sirius red staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). Primary tumor cells and CAFs were isolated from both PyMT Shcbp1+/+ and PyMT Shcbp1-/- mice. We analyzed CAFs' proliferation, invasion, migration, apoptosis, and cell cycle. Transwell coculture experiments were performed with primary tumor cells and CAFs to evaluate the role of CAFs in increasing the sensitivity of tumor cells to Erdafitinib. Tumors from PyMT Shcbp1+/+ and PyMT Shcbp1-/- mice were orthotopically transplanted to assess the therapeutic effect of the Erdafitinib and PD-1 combination. CAFs and T-cell infiltration in these tumors were assessed using FCA and IF. Knockout of Shcbp1 leads to a significant reduction in tumor burden, promotes longer survival, and decreases CAFs in MMTV-PyMT. Moreover, knockout of Shcbp1 enhances the sensitivity of Erdafitinib, leading to effective inhibition of CAFs' proliferation and invasion, as well as the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, it results in cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in vitro. Meanwhile, Shcbp1-/- CAFs change the sensitivity of Shcbp1-/- tumor cells to Erdafitinib compared to Shcbp1+/+ CAFs. Importantly, knockout of Shcbp1 boosts the effectiveness of Erdafitinib in combination with immune checkpoint blockade therapy by augmenting T-cell infiltration through CAFs regulation in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that knockout of Shcbp1 holds significant potential in enhancing the therapeutic response of Erdafitinib combined with PD-1 antibody treatment, offering promising prospects for future breast cancer therapies.

SHCBP1 Overexpression Aggravates Pancreatitis by Triggering the Loss of Primary Cilia

Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles that mediate various biological processes. Pancreatic cells are typically ciliated; however, the role of primary cilia in acute pancreatitis (AP) is largely unknown. Here, we report that the loss of primary cilia, mediated by SHCBP1 (SHC1 binding protein), exerted a provocative effect on AP. Primary cilia are extensively lost in inflamed pancreatic cells in vitro and in mouse tissues with AP in vivo. Abrogation of primary cilia aggravated lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in pancreatic cells. Mechanistically, AP induced the overexpression of SHCBP1 mitotic factor, which is localized to the base of primary cilia. SHCBP1 deficiency relieved LPS- and cerulein-induced pancreatitis by preventing the loss of primary cilia in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, we reveal that inflammation-induced loss of primary cilia aggravates AP. Furthermore, abrogating SHCBP1 to prevent primary cilia loss is an efficient strategy to combat AP.

Therapeutic potential of SHCBP1 inhibitor AZD5582 in pancreatic cancer treatment

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive and deadly malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Identifying new therapeutic targets and developing effective strategies for PC treatment is of utmost importance. Here, we revealed that SHCBP1 is significantly overexpressed in PC and negatively correlated with patient prognosis. Knockout of SHCBP1 inhibits the proliferation and migration of PC cells in vitro, and suppresses the tumor growth in vivo. In addition, we identified AZD5582 as a novel inhibitor of SHCBP1, which efficiently restrains the growth of PC in cell lines, organoids, and patient-derived xenografts. Mechanistically, we found that AZD5582 induced the apoptosis of PC cells by inhibiting the activity of PI3K/AKT signaling and preventing the degradation of TP53. Collectively, our study highlights SHCBP1 as a potential therapeutic target and its inhibitor AZD5582 as a viable agent for PC treatment strategies.

The dynamic role of nucleoprotein SHCBP1 in the cancer cell cycle and its potential as a synergistic target for DNA-damaging agents in cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Malignant tumours seriously threaten human life and health, and effective treatments for cancer are still being explored. The ability of SHC SH2 domain-binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) to induce cell cycle disturbance and inhibit tumour growth has been increasingly studied, but its dynamic role in the tumour cell cycle and corresponding effects leading to mitotic catastrophe and DNA damage have rarely been studied.

RESULTS

In this paper, we found that the nucleoprotein SHCBP1 exhibits dynamic spatiotemporal expression during the tumour cell cycle, and SHCBP1 knockdown slowed cell cycle progression by inducing spindle disorder, as reflected by premature mitotic entry and multipolar spindle formation. This dysfunction was caused by G2/M checkpoint impairment mediated by downregulated WEE1 kinase and NEK7 (a member of the mammalian NIMA-related kinase family) expression and upregulated centromere/kinetochore protein Zeste White 10 (ZW10) expression. Moreover, both in vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed the significant inhibitory effects of SHCBP1 knockdown on tumour growth. Based on these findings, SHCBP1 knockdown in combination with low-dose DNA-damaging agents had synergistic tumouricidal effects on tumour cells. In response to this treatment, tumour cells were forced into the mitotic phase with considerable unrepaired DNA lesions, inducing mitotic catastrophe. These synergistic effects were attributed not only to the abrogation of the G2/M checkpoint and disrupted spindle function but also to the impairment of the DNA damage repair system, as demonstrated by mass spectrometry-based proteomic and western blotting analyses. Consistently, patients with low SHCBP1 expression in tumour tissue were more sensitive to radiotherapy. However, SHCBP1 knockdown combined with tubulin-toxic drugs weakened the killing effect of the drugs on tumour cells, which may guide the choice of chemotherapeutic agents in clinical practice.

CONCLUSION

In summary, we elucidated the role of the nucleoprotein SHCBP1 in tumour cell cycle progression and described a novel mechanism by which SHCBP1 regulates tumour progression and through which targeting SHCBP1 increases sensitivity to DNA-damaging agent therapy, indicating its potential as a cancer treatment.

Proteomic characterization identifies clinically relevant subgroups of soft tissue sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma is a broad family of mesenchymal malignancies exhibiting remarkable histological diversity. We portray the proteomic landscape of 272 soft tissue sarcomas representing 12 major subtypes. Hierarchical classification finds the similarity of proteomic features between angiosarcoma and epithelial sarcoma, and elevated expression of SHC1 in AS and ES is correlated with poor prognosis. Moreover, proteomic clustering classifies patients of soft tissue sarcoma into 3 proteomic clusters with diverse driven pathways and clinical outcomes. In the proteomic cluster featured with the high cell proliferation rate, APEX1 and NPM1 are found to promote cell proliferation and drive the progression of cancer cells. The classification based on immune signatures defines three immune subtypes with distinctive tumor microenvironments. Further analysis illustrates the potential association between immune evasion markers (PD-L1 and CD80) and tumor metastasis in soft tissue sarcoma. Overall, this analysis uncovers sarcoma-type-specific changes in proteins, providing insights about relationships of soft tissue sarcoma.

Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK Signaling Pathways in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, with more than 1 million cases diagnosed every year. Helicobacter pylori represents the main risk factor, being responsible for 78% of the cases. Increased amounts of salt, pickled food, red meat, alcohol, smoked food, and refined sugars negatively affect the stomach wall, contributing to GC development. Several gene mutations, including PIK3CA, TP53, ARID1A, CDH1, Ras, Raf, and ERBB3 are encountered in GC pathogenesis, leading to phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-PI3K/AKT/mTOR-and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway activation and promoting tumoral activity. Helicobacter pylori, growth factors, cytokines, hormones, and oxidative stress also activate both pathways, enhancing GC development. In clinical trials, promising results have come from monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab and ramucirumab. Dual inhibitors targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK signaling pathways were used in vitro studies, also with promising results. The main aim of this review is to present GC incidence and risk factors and the dysregulations of the two protein kinase complexes together with their specific inhibitors.

Natural products targeting the MAPK-signaling pathway in cancer: overview

PURPOSE

This article summarizes natural products that target the MAPK-signaling pathway in cancer therapy. The classification, chemical structures, and anti-cancer mechanisms of these natural products are elucidated, and comprehensive information is provided on their potential use in cancer therapy.

METHODS

Using the PubMed database, we searched for keywords, including "tumor", "cancer", "natural product", "phytochemistry", "plant chemical components", and "MAPK-signaling pathway". We also screened for compounds with well-defined structures that targeting the MAPK-signaling pathway and have anti-cancer effects. We used Kingdraw software and Adobe Photoshop software to draw the chemical compound structural diagrams.

RESULTS

A total of 131 papers were searched, from which 85 compounds with well-defined structures were selected. These compounds have clear mechanisms for targeting cancer treatment and are mainly related to the MAPK-signaling pathway. Examples include eupatilin, carvacrol, oridonin, sophoridine, diosgenin, and juglone. These chemical components are classified as flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, steroidal saponins, and quinones.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain MAPK pathway inhibitors have been used for clinical treatment. However, the clinical feedback has not been promising because of genomic instability, drug resistance, and side effects. Natural products have few side effects, good medicinal efficacy, a wide range of sources, individual heterogeneity of biological activity, and are capable of treating disease from multiple targets. These characteristics make natural products promising drugs for cancer treatment.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Target Gastric Cancer and Deliver Epirubicin via Tunneling Nanotubes for Enhanced Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

A reduced effective local concentration significantly contributes to the unsatisfactory therapeutic results of epirubicin in gastric cancer. Mesenchymal stem cells exhibit targeted chemotaxis towards solid tumors and form tunneling nanotubes with tumor cells, facilitating the delivery of various substances. This study demonstrates the novelty of mesenchymal stem cells in releasing epirubicin into gastric cancer cells through tunneling nanotubes.

OBJECTIVE

Epirubicin delivery to gastric cancer cells using mesenchymal stem cells.

METHODS

In vitro transwell migration assays, live cell tracking, and in vivo targeting assays were used to demonstrate the chemotaxis of mesenchymal stem cells towards gastric cancer. We verified the targeted chemotaxis of mesenchymal stem cells towards gastric cancer cells and the epirubicin loading ability using a high-content imaging system (Equipment type:Operetta CLS). Additionally, tunneling nanotube formation and the targeted release of epirubicin-loaded mesenchymal stem cells co-cultured with gastric cancer cells through mesenchymal stem cell-tunneling nanotubes into gastric cancer cells was observed using Operetta CLS.

RESULTS

Mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated targeted chemotaxis towards gastric cancer, with effective epirubicin loading and tolerance. Co-culturing induced tunneling nanotube formation between these cells. Epirubicin-loaded mesenchymal stem cells were released into gastric cancer cells through tunneling nanotubes, significantly increasing their non-viability compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a novel approach for precisely targeting epirubicin release in gastric cancer cells. Therefore, mesenchymal stem cell-tunneling nanotubes could serve as a potential tool for targeted delivery of drugs, enhancing their chemotherapeutic effects in cancer cells.

Advances in RNAi therapies for gastric cancer: Targeting drug resistance and nanoscale delivery

Gastric cancer poses a significant health challenge, and exploring innovative therapeutic strategies is imperative. RNA interference (RNAi) has employed as an important therapeutic strategy for diseases by selectively targeting key pathways involved in diseases pathogenesis. Small interfering RNA (siRNA), a potent RNAi tool, possesses the capability to silence genes and downregulate their expression. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the potential applications of small interfering RNA (siRNA) and short hairpin RNA (shRNA), supplemented by an in-depth analysis of nanoscale delivery systems, in the context of gastric cancer treatment. The potential of siRNA to markedly diminish the proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells through the modulation of critical molecular pathways, including PI3K, Akt, and EMT, is highlighted. Besides, siRNA demonstrates its efficacy in inducing chemosensitivity in gastric tumor cells, thus impeding tumor progression. However, the translational potential of unmodified siRNA faces challenges, particularly in vivo and during clinical trials. To address this, we underscore the pivotal role of nanostructures in facilitating the delivery of siRNA to gastric cancer cells, effectively suppressing their progression and enhancing gene silencing efficiency. These siRNA-loaded nanoparticles exhibit robust internalization into gastric cancer cells, showcasing their potential to significantly reduce tumor progression. The translation of these findings into clinical trials holds promise for advancing the treatment of gastric cancer patients.

Exploring the dual role of circRNA and PI3K/AKT pathway in tumors of the digestive system

The interactions among circRNAs, the PI3K/AKT pathway, and their downstream effectors are intricately linked to their functional roles in tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the circRNAs/PI3K/AKT axis has been significantly implicated in the context of digestive system tumors. This axis is frequently abnormally activated in digestive cancers, including gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and others. Moreover, the overactivation of the circRNAs/PI3K/AKT axis promotes tumor cell proliferation, suppresses apoptosis, enhances invasive and metastatic capabilities, and contributes to drug resistance. In this regard, gaining crucial insights into the complex interaction between circRNAs and the PI3K/AKT pathway holds great potential for elucidating disease mechanisms, identifying diagnostic biomarkers, and designing targeted therapeutic interventions.

Exploring the role of PMEPA1 in gastric cancer

Although there are several treatments available for gastric cancer (GC), the prognosis of the disease is still poor due to many factors, such as late diagnosis and tumor heterogeneity. To identify potential therapeutic targets, bioinformatics techniques and clinical sample validation were employed and prostate transmembrane protein androgen induced 1 (PMEPA1) was selected for further study. In the present study, we found that elevated PMEPA1 expression correlates with a worse prognosis and weaker anti-tumor immunity in GC patients. Moreover, our study showed that PMEPA1 not only influences cell proliferation, clone formation, invasion, and migration in vitro, but also plays an important role in GC progression in vivo. Mechanically, PMEPA1 exerts its oncogenic effects through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, PMEPA1 is a potential target for treating GC effectively.

MicroRNA 452 regulates SHC1 expression in human colorectal cancer and colitis

BACKGROUND

Human microRNA 452 (MIR452) has been linked to both colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis.

OBJECTIVE

We analyzed the correlation between MIR452 and its putative target gene in human CRC cells and in mouse colitis tissues.

METHODS

Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that Src homologous and collagen adaptor protein 1 (SHC1) is a direct target of MIR452. Furthermore, the expression of proteins or mRNA was assessed by immunohistochemical analysis, Western blot, or quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS

We found that MIR452 has a potential binding site at 3'-UTR of SHC1. Likewise, MIR452 or siSHC1 transfection dramatically reduced the level of cellular SHC1 in CRC cells. The expression of SHC1 was frequently downregulated in both human CRC tissues and mouse colitis tissues. In CRC cells, we demonstrated that MIR452 regulated the expression of genes involved in the SHC1-mediated KRAS-MAPK signal transduction pathways.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a potential defense mechanism in which MIR452 regulation of the adaptor protein SHC1 maintains cellular homeostasis during carcinogenesis or chronic inflammation. Therefore, MIR452 may have therapeutic value for human early-stage CRC and colitis.

Emerging insights into mechanisms of trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive cancers

HER2 is an established therapeutic target in breast, gastric, and gastroesophageal junction carcinomas with HER2 overexpression or genomic alterations. The humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab targeting HER2 has substantially improved the clinical outcomes of HER2-positive patients, yet the inevitable intrinsic or acquired resistance to trastuzumab limits its clinical benefit, necessitating the elucidation of resistance mechanisms to develop alternate therapeutic strategies. This review presents an overview of trastuzumab resistance mechanisms involving signaling pathways, cellular metabolism, cell plasticity, and tumor microenvironment, particularly discussing the prospects of developing rational combinations to improve patient outcomes.

SKAP1 Is a Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Gastric Cancer: Evidence from Expression, Functional, and Bioinformatic Analyses

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Due to the lack of early symptoms, GC is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when treatment options are limited. There is an urgent need to identify biomarkers for early detection, prognosis evaluation, and targeted treatment of GC. Studies have shown that Src kinase-associated phosphoprotein 1 (SKAP1) promotes cell proliferation and invasion and is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal cancer, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and breast cancer. However, the role and mechanism of SKAP1 in GC are unclear. Here, analyses of multiple databases and experiments revealed that SKAP1 expression was higher in GC than in adjacent normal tissues. The Cancer Genome Atlas data showed that high SKAP1 expression was associated with poor GC prognosis. SKAP1 expression was higher in GC than in normal gastric epithelial cells. SKAP1 silencing reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of the GC cell lines MKN45 and HGC27. Rescue experiments suggest that SKAP1 may promote GC progression by activating JAK1/PI3K/AKT signaling and regulating GC cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and other functions. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that SKAP1 was associated with immune cell infiltration and checkpoint expression in GC. High SKAP1 expression was associated with poorer immunotherapy outcomes, suggesting its potential as a predictive biomarker of GC immunotherapy efficacy. In summary, SKAP1 is overexpressed in GC, where it promotes cell proliferation, invasion and migration and is associated with poor prognosis and poor immunotherapy outcomes. SKAP1 may represent a biomarker and therapeutic target in GC and regulates cellular functions through JAK1/PI3K/AKT signaling.

Targeting CXCR4 abrogates resistance to trastuzumab by blocking cell cycle progression and synergizes with docetaxel in breast cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

Although trastuzumab and other HER2-targeted therapies have significantly improved survival in patients with HER2 overexpressed or amplified (HER2+) breast cancer, a significant proportion of patients do not respond or eventually develop clinical resistance. Strategies to reverse trastuzumab resistance remain a high clinical priority. We were the first to report the role of CXCR4 in trastuzumab resistance. The present study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting CXCR4 and better understand the associated mechanisms.

METHODS

Immunofluorescent staining, confocal microscopy analysis, and immunoblotting were used to analyze CXCR4 expression. BrdU incorporation assays and flow cytometry were used to analyze dynamic CXCR4 expression. Three-dimensional co-culture (tumor cells/breast cancer-associated fibroblasts/human peripheral blood mononuclear cells) or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay was used to mimic human tumor microenvironment, which is necessary for testing therapeutic effects of CXCR4 inhibitor or trastuzumab. The FDA-approved CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100, trastuzumab, and docetaxel chemotherapy were used to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in vitro and in vivo. Reverse phase protein array and immunoblotting were used to discern the associated molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS

Using a panel of cell lines and patient breast cancer samples, we confirmed CXCR4 drives trastuzumab resistance in HER2+ breast cancer and further demonstrated the increased CXCR4 expression in trastuzumab-resistant cells is associated with cell cycle progression with a peak in the G2/M phases. Blocking CXCR4 with AMD3100 inhibits cell proliferation by downregulating mediators of G2-M transition, leading to G2/M arrest and abnormal mitosis. Using a panel of trastuzumab-resistant cell lines and an in vivo established trastuzumab-resistant xenograft mouse model, we demonstrated that targeting CXCR4 with AMD3100 suppresses tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, and synergizes with docetaxel.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support CXCR4 as a novel therapeutic target and a predictive biomarker for trastuzumab resistance in HER2+ breast cancer.

SHCBP1 contributes to the proliferation and self‑renewal of cervical cancer cells and activation of the NF‑κB signaling pathway through EIF5A

Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common human papillomavirus-related disease. Continuous activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway has been observed in CC. SHC binding and spindle associated 1 (SHCBP1) contributes to tumorigenesis and activation of the NF-κB pathway in multiple cancer types, while its function in CC remains unclear. In the present study, three Gene Expression Omnibus datasets were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CC. Loss- and gain-of-function experiments were performed using stable SHCBP1-silenced and SHCBP1-overexpressing CC cells. To further explore the molecular mechanism of SHCBP1 in CC, small interfering RNA targeting eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (EIF5A) was transfected into stable SHCBP1-overexpressing CC cells. The results demonstrated that SHCBP1 was an upregulated DEG in CC tissues compared with healthy control cervical tissues. Functional experiments revealed the pro-proliferative and pro-stemness role of SHCBP1 in CC cells (CaSki and SiHa cells), in vitro. Furthermore, the NF-κB signaling pathway in CC cells was activated by SHCBP1. Increases in cell proliferation, stemness and activation of NF-κB, induced by SHCBP1 overexpression in CC cells, were reversed by EIF5A knockdown. Taken together, the results indicated that SHCBP1 serves an important role in regulation of CC cell proliferation, self-renewal and activation of NF-κB via EIF5A. The present study demonstrated a potential molecular mechanism underlying the progression of CC.

Detailed curriculum vitae of HER2-targeted therapy

With the booming development of precision medicine, molecular targeted therapy has been widely used in clinical oncology treatment due to a smaller number of side effects and its superior accuracy compared to that of traditional strategies. Among them, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted therapy has attracted considerable attention and has been used in the clinical treatment of breast and gastric cancer. Despite excellent clinical effects, HER2-targeted therapy remains in its infancy due to its resulting inherent and acquired resistance. Here, a comprehensive overview of HER2 in numerous cancers is presented, including its biological role, involved signaling pathways, and the status of HER2-targeted therapy.

Biological functions and therapeutic potential of SHCBP1 in human cancer

The incidence of cancer is increasing globally, and it is the most common cause of death. The identification of novel cancer diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers is important for developing cancer treatment strategies and reducing mortality. SHCSH2 domain-binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) is a protein that specifically binds to the SH2 domain of Src homology-collagen. It participates in the regulation of a variety of signal transduction pathways and can activate a variety of signaling molecules to perform a series of physiological functions. SHCBP1 is expressed in a variety of human tissues, but its abnormal expression in various systems is associated with cancer. SHCBP1 is abnormally expressed in a variety of tumors, and plays roles in almost all aspects of cancer biology (such as cell proliferation, apoptosis prevention, invasion, and metastasis) through various possible mechanisms. Its expression level is related to the clinicopathological characteristics of patients. In addition, the SHCBP1 expression pattern is closely related to cancer type, stage, and other clinical variables. Therefore, SHCBP1 is a promising tumor biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis and a potential therapeutic target. This article reviews the expression, biological functions, mechanisms, and potential clinical significance of SHCBP1 in various human tumors to provide a new theoretical basis for clinical molecular diagnosis, molecular targeted therapy, and scientific research on cancer.

Characterization of SHCBP1 to prognosis and immunological landscape in pan-cancer: novel insights to biomarker and therapeutic targets

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have revealed the significant roles of SHC SH2 domain-binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) in occurrence and progression of cancers, but there is no pan-cancer analysis of SHCBP1.

METHODS

In this study, we explored the potential carcinogenic role of SHCBP1 across 33 tumors from the TCGA and GTEx databases. We investigated SHCBP1 expression, prognosis, genetic alterations, tumor mutational burden (TMB) score, microsatellite instability (MSI) and tumor microenvironment from TIMER2, GEPIA2, UALCAN and cBioPortal databases. Moreover, the cellular functions and potential mechanisms were evaluated by GO and KEGG analysis. Besides, the mRNA expression of SHCBP1 was examined using qRT-PCR assay in gastrointestinal cancers.

RESULTS

SHCBP1 was significantly upregulated in various cancers, and apparent relationship existed between SHCBP1 and survival prognosis in patients. The TMB, MSI, and tumor microenvironment analysis indicated that SHCBP1 was closely related to immune checkpoints, immune targets, as well as CD4+ naive T cell, CD8+ T cell, and neutrophil. Moreover, the cellular functions of SHCBP1 were mainly in regulating cell cycle motor protein activity. In addition, we validated that SHCBP1 mRNA expression was over-expressed in gastrointestinal cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study was the first to systematically determine the prognostic value of SHCBP1, providing a forward-looking perspective on immunotherapy and cellular processes in pan-cancer.

Sensitive Interrogation of Enhancer Activity in Living Cells on a Nanoelectroporation-Probing Platform

Enhancers involved in the upregulation of multiple oncogenes play a fundamental role in tumorigenesis and immortalization. Exploring the activity of enhancers in living cells has emerged as a critical path to a deep understanding of cancer properties, further providing important clues to targeted therapy. However, identifying enhancer activity in living cells is challenging due to the double biological barriers of a cell cytoplasmic membrane and a nuclear membrane, limiting the sensitivity and responsiveness of conventional probing methods. In this work, we developed a nanoelectroporation-probing (NP) platform, which enables intranuclear probe delivery for sensitive interrogation of enhancer activity in living cells. The nanoelectroporation biochip achieved highly focused perforation of the cell cytoplasmic membrane and brought about additional driving force to expedite the delivery of probes into the nucleus. The probes targeting enhancer activity (named "PH probe") are programmed with a cyclic amplification strategy and enable an increase in the fluorescence signals over 100-fold within 1 h. The platform was leveraged to detect the activity of CCAT1 enhancers (CCAT1, colon cancer-associated transcript-1, a long noncoding RNA that functions in tumor invasion and metastasis) in cell samples from clinical lung cancer patients, as well as reveal the heterogeneity of enhancers among different patients. The observations may extend the linkages between enhancers and cancer cells while validating the robustness and reliability of the platform for the assay of enhancer activity. This platform will be a promising toolbox with wide applicable potential for the intranuclear study of living cells.

Identification of the effects of COVID-19 on patients with pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer: a bioinformatics analysis and literature review

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses a serious threat to human health and life. The effective prevention and treatment of COVID-19 complications have become crucial to saving patients’ lives. During the phase of mass spread of the epidemic, a large number of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancers were inevitably infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Lung cancers have the highest tumor morbidity and mortality rates worldwide, and pulmonary fibrosis itself is one of the complications of COVID-19. Idiopathic lung fibrosis (IPF) and various lung cancers (primary and metastatic) become risk factors for complications of COVID-19 and significantly increase mortality in patients. Therefore, we applied bioinformatics and systems biology approaches to identify molecular biomarkers and common pathways in COVID-19, IPF, colorectal cancer (CRC) lung metastasis, SCLC and NSCLC. We identified 79 DEGs between COVID-19, IPF, CRC lung metastasis, SCLC and NSCLC. Meanwhile, based on the transcriptome features of DSigDB and common DEGs, we identified 10 drug candidates. In this study, 79 DEGs are the common core genes of the 5 diseases. The 10 drugs were found to have positive effects in treating COVID-19 and lung cancer, potentially reducing the risk of pulmonary fibrosis.

A Deep Neural Network for Gastric Cancer Prognosis Prediction Based on Biological Information Pathways

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the deadliest cancers in the world, with a 5-year overall survival rate of lower than 20% for patients with advanced GC. Genomic information is now frequently employed for precision cancer treatment due to the rapid advancements of high-throughput sequencing technologies. As a result, integrating multiomics data to construct predictive models for the GC patient prognosis is critical for tailored medical care.

Results

In this study, we integrated multiomics data to design a biological pathway-based gastric cancer sparse deep neural network (GCS-Net) by modifying the P-NET model for long-term survival prediction of GC. The GCS-Net showed higher accuracy (accuracy = 0.844), area under the curve (AUC = 0.807), and F1 score (F1 = 0.913) than traditional machine learning models. Furthermore, the GCS-Net not only enables accurate patient survival prognosis but also provides model interpretability capabilities lacking in most traditional deep neural networks to describe the complex biological process of prognosis. The GCS-Net suggested the importance of genes (UBE2C, JAK2, RAD21, CEP250, NUP210, PTPN1, CDC27, NINL, NUP188, and PLK4) and biological pathways (Mitotic Anaphase, Resolution of Sister Chromatid Cohesion, and SUMO E3 ligases) to GC, which is consistent with the results revealed in biological- and medical-related studies of GC.

Conclusion

The GCS-Net is an interpretable deep neural network built using biological pathway information whose structure represents a nonlinear hierarchical representation of genes and biological pathways. It can not only accurately predict the prognosis of GC patients but also suggest the importance of genes and biological pathways. The GCS-Net opens up new avenues for biological research and could be adapted for other cancer prediction and discovery activities as well.

The intercorrelation among CCT6A, CDC20, CCNB1, and PLK1 expressions and their clinical value in papillary thyroid carcinoma prognostication

BACKGROUND

CCT6A promotes several carcinomas' growth and invasion in multiple ways, and it relates to CCNB1 and PLK1 through its interaction with CDC20 via protein-protein interaction bioinformatics. This study aimed to explore the intercorrelation among CCT6A, CDC20, CCNB1, and PLK1, and their association with tumor features and prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients.

METHODS

CCT6A, CDC20, CCNB1, and PLK1 expressions in 186 tumor and 30 non-tumor specimens from PTC patients were determined by immunohistochemical (IHC). Clinical features, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were retrieved.

RESULTS

CCT6A, CDC20, CCNB1, and PLK1 expressions were upregulated in tumor tissues compared with non-tumor tissues (all p < 0.001). CCT6A expression positively correlated with CDC20, CCNB1, and PLK1 expressions; besides, CDC20 expression positively associated with CCNB1 and PLK1 expressions, and CCNB1 expression was also positively related to PLK1 expression (all p < 0.05). Moreover, elevated tumor CCT6A expression was correlated with extrathyroidal invasion (p = 0.015), higher pT stage (p < 0.001), pN stage (p = 0.046), and pTNM stage (p = 0.042); while tumor CDC20, CCNB1, and PLK1 expressions only correlated with some of these indexes (most p < 0.05). Notably, CCT6A and CDC20 high expressions predicted worse DFS and OS (all p < 0.05); CCNB1 positive expression only predicted poor DFS (p = 0.044) but not OS (p = 0.152); however, PLK1 expression failed to predict these two indexes (both p > 0.05). After adjustment using multivariate Cox's regression, CCT6A expression (high vs. low) independently estimated shorter DFS (p = 0.010) and OS (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

CCT6A, CDC20, CCNB1, and PLK1 are intercorrelated, and they exhibit certain prognostic values in PTC patients.

From Anti-HER-2 to Anti-HER-2-CAR-T Cells: An Evolutionary Immunotherapy Approach for Gastric Cancer

Current Therapeutic modalities provide no survival advantage to gastric cancer (GC) patients. Targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) is a viable therapeutic strategy against advanced HER-2 positive GC. Antibody-drug conjugates, small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and bispecific antibodies are emerging as novel drug forms that may abrogate the resistance to HER-2-specific drugs and monoclonal antibodies. Chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-T) targeting HER-2 have shown considerable therapeutic potential in GC and other solid tumors. However, due to the high heterogeneity along with the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) of GC that often leads to immune escape, the immunological treatment of GC still faces many challenges. Here, we reviewed and discussed the current progress in the research of anti-HER-2-CAR-T cell immunotherapy against GC.

Knockout of UBE2S inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and induces apoptosis by FAS-mediated death receptor pathway

Ubiquitin binding enzyme E2S (UBE2S) is a member of ubiquitin binding enzyme family involved in a variety of biological functions, including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and regulation of the ubiquitination of proteins, which are closely correlated with the development of various tumors. However, its role in gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. In this study, we found that UBE2S was upregulated in GC tissues and cells. Further, its high expression positively correlated with the tumor stage and indicated a poor prognosis. Knockout of UBE2S by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated strategy suppressed the growth of GC in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, RNA-Seq-based transcriptome analysis and tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics analysis was performed for exploring the underlying mechanism. The multi-omics and verification results showed that UBE2S knockout-induced apoptosis and proliferation inhibition of GC cells was related to upregulation of FAS and the activation of the FAS-mediated apoptotic pathway. Moreover, a negative correlation between UBE2S and FAS expression was observed in GC tissue samples. Finally, the ubiquitination assay confirmed that knockout of UBE2S might activate endogenous FAS by inhibiting ubiquitination and degradation of p53 in GC cells. Collectively, UBE2S is expected to be a novel prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for GC.

Identification of Recurrent Chromosome Breaks Underlying Structural Rearrangements in Mammary Cancer Cell Lines

Cancer genomes are characterized by the accumulation of small-scale somatic mutations as well as large-scale chromosomal deletions, amplifications, and complex structural rearrangements. This characteristic is at least partially dependent on the ability of cancer cells to undergo recurrent chromosome breakage. In order to address the extent to which chromosomal structural rearrangement breakpoints correlate with recurrent DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), we simultaneously mapped chromosome structural variation breakpoints (using whole-genome DNA-seq) and spontaneous DSB formation (using Break-seq) in the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and a non-cancer control breast epithelium cell line MCF-10A. We identified concurrent DSBs and structural variation breakpoints almost exclusively in the pericentromeric region of chromosome 16q in MCF-7 cells. We fine-tuned the identification of copy number variation breakpoints on 16q. In addition, we detected recurrent DSBs that occurred in both MCF-7 and MCF-10A. We propose a model for DSB-driven chromosome rearrangements that lead to the translocation of 16q, likely with 10q, and the eventual 16q loss that does not involve the pericentromere of 16q. We present evidence from RNA-seq data that select genes, including SHCBP1, ORC6, and MYLK3, which are immediately downstream from the 16q pericentromere, show heightened expression in MCF-7 cell line compared to the control. Data published by The Cancer Genome Atlas show that all three genes have increased expression in breast tumor samples. We found that SHCBP1 and ORC6 are both strong poor prognosis and treatment outcome markers in the ER-positive breast cancer cohort. We suggest that these genes are potential oncogenes for breast cancer progression. The search for tumor suppressor loss that accompanies the 16q loss ought to be augmented by the identification of potential oncogenes that gained expression during chromosomal rearrangements.

N(6)-methyladenosine methylation-regulated polo-like kinase 1 cell cycle homeostasis as a potential target of radiotherapy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

In pancreatic cancer, methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a N(6)-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase, has a favorable effect on tumors and is a risk factor for patients' prognosis. However, the details of what genes are regulated by METTL3 remain unknown. Several RNAs are methylated, and what genes are favored in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. By epitranscriptomic analysis, we report that polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) is an important hub gene defining patient prognosis in pancreatic cancer and that RNA methylation is involved in regulating its cell cycle-specific expression. We found that insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) binds to m6A of PLK1 3' untranslated region and is involved in upregulating PLK1 expression and that demethylation of this site activates the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein pathway by replicating stress and increasing mitotic catastrophe, resulting in increased radiosensitivity. This suggests that PLK1 methylation is essential for cell cycle maintenance in pancreatic cancer and is a new therapeutic target.

EGF-induced nuclear translocation of SHCBP1 promotes bladder cancer progression through inhibiting RACGAP1-mediated RAC1 inactivation

Bladder cancer is a highly heterogeneous and aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. EGF/EGFR activation causes the detachment of SHC-binding protein 1 (SHCBP1) from SHC adapter protein 1 (SHC1), which subsequently translocates into the nucleus and promotes cancer development via multiple signaling pathways. However, the role of the EGF-SHCBP1 axis in bladder cancer progression remains unexplored. Herein, we report that SHCBP1 is upregulated in bladder cancer tissues and cells, with cytoplasmic or nuclear localization. Released SHCBP1 responds to EGF stimulation by translocating into the nucleus following Ser273 phosphorylation. Depletion of SHCBP1 reduces EGF-induced cell migration and invasiveness of bladder cancer cells. Mechanistically, SHCBP1 binds to RACGAP1 via its N-terminal domain of amino acids 1 ~ 428, and this interaction is enhanced following EGF treatment. Furthermore, SHCBP1 facilitates cell migration by inhibiting RACGAP-mediated GTP-RAC1 inactivation, whose activity is indispensable for cell movement. Collectively, we demonstrate that the EGF-SHCBP1-RACGAP1-RAC1 axis acts as a novel regulatory mechanism of bladder cancer progression, which offers a new clinical therapeutic strategy to combat bladder cancer.

Identification of SHCBP1 as a potential biomarker involving diagnosis, prognosis, and tumor immune microenvironment across multiple cancers

Shc SH2-domain binding protein 1 (SHCBP1), a protein specific binding to SH2 domain of Src homolog and collagen homolog (Shc), takes part in the regulation of various signal transduction pathways, which has been reported to be associated with tumorigenesis and progression. However, the pathological mechanisms are not completely investigated. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively elucidate the potential functions of SHCBP1 in multiple cancer types. The comprehensive analyses for SHCBP1 in various tumors, including gene expression, diagnosis, prognosis, immune-related features, genetic alteration, and function enrichment, were conducted based on multiple databases and analysis tools. SHCBP1 was upregulated in most types of cancers. The results of qRT-PCR had confirmed that SHCBP1 mRNA was significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) cell lines. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and survival analysis, SHCBP1 was considered as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Furthermore, SHCBP1 expression was linked with tumor immunity and immunosuppressive microenvironment according to the correlation analysis of SHCBP1 expression with immune cells infiltration, immune checkpoint genes, and immune-related genes (MHC genes, chemokines, and chemokines receptors). Moreover, SHCBP1 expression correlated with tumor mutational burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI), and neoantigens. The feature of SHCBP1 mutational landscape in pan-cancer was identified. Finally, we focused on investigating the clinical significance and the potential biological role of SHCBP1 in LUAD. Our study comprehensively uncovered that SHCBP1 could be identified as an immune-related biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and a potential therapeutic target for tumor immunotherapy.