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Li Y, Chen L, Huang L, Li X, Huang Q, Tang L, Huang Z, Zhu L, Li T. A radiomics-based nomogram may be useful for predicting telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutation status in adult glioblastoma. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3528. [PMID: 38798094 PMCID: PMC11128771 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE As a crucial diagnostic and prognostic biomarker, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation holds immense significance for personalized treatment of patients with glioblastoma (GBM). In this study, we developed a radiomics nomogram to determine the TERT promoter mutation status and assessed its prognostic efficacy in GBM patients. METHODS The study retrospectively included 145 GBM patients. A comprehensive set of 3736 radiomics features was extracted from preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, including T2-weighted imaging, T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), contrast-enhanced T1WI, and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery. The construction of the radiomics model was based on integrating the radiomics signature (rad-score)with clinical features. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was employed to evaluate the discriminative ability of the prediction model, and the risk score was used to stratify patient outcomes. RESULTS The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator classifier identified 10 robust features for constructing the prediction model, and the radiomics nomogram exhibited excellent performance in predicting TERT promoter mutation status, with area under the curve values of.906 (95% confidence interval [CI]:.850-.963) and.899 (95% CI:.708-.966) in the training and validation sets, respectively. The clinical utility of the radiomics nomogram is further supported by calibration curve and decision curve analyses. Additionally, the radiomics nomogram effectively stratified GBM patients with significantly different prognoses (HR = 1.767, p = .019). CONCLUSION The radiomics nomogram holds promise as a modality for evaluating TERT promoter mutations and prognostic outcomes in patients with GBM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Li
- Department of NeurosurgeryLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of RadiologyLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
| | - Lizhao Huang
- Department of RadiologyLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
| | - Xuedong Li
- Department of NeurosurgeryLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
| | - Qidan Huang
- Department of NeurosurgeryLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
| | - Lifang Tang
- Department of RadiologyLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
| | - Zhiwei Huang
- Department of NeurosurgeryLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of RadiologyLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
| | - Tao Li
- Department of RadiologyLiuzhou Worker's HospitalGuangxiChina
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Chen L, Chen R, Li T, Tang C, Li Y, Zeng Z. Multi-parameter MRI based radiomics nomogram for predicting telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter mutation and prognosis in glioblastoma. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1266658. [PMID: 37830090 PMCID: PMC10565857 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1266658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the clinical utility of multi-parameter MRI-based radiomics nomogram for predicting telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutation status and prognosis in adult glioblastoma (GBM). Methods We retrospectively analyzed MRI and pathological data of 152 GBM patients. A total of 2,832 radiomics features were extracted and filtered from preoperative MRI images. A radiomics nomogram was created on the basis of radiomics signature (rad-score) and clinical traits. The performance of the nomogram in TERT mutation identification was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curves, and clinical decision curves. Pathologically confirmed TERT mutations and risk score-based TERT mutations were employed to assess patient prognosis, respectively. Results The random forest (RF) algorithm outperformed the other two algorithms, yielding the best diagnostic efficacy in differentiating TERT mutations, with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.892 (95% CI: 0.828-0.956) and 0.824 (95% CI: 0.677-0.971) in the training set and validation sets, respectively. Furthermore, the predictive power of the radiomics nomogram constructed with the rad-score and clinical variables reached 0.916 (95%CI: 0.864, 0.968) in the training set and 0.880 (95%CI: 0.743, 1) in the validation set. Calibration curve and decision curve analysis findings further uphold the clinical application value of the radiomics nomogram. The overall survival of the high-risk subgroup was significantly shorter than that of the low-risk subgroup, which was consistent with the results of the pathologically confirmed TERT mutation group. Conclusion The radiomics nomogram could non-invasively provide promising insights for predicting TERT mutations and prognosis in GBM patients with excellent identification and calibration abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
- Department of Radiology, Liuzhou Workers Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Runrong Chen
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Radiology, Liuzhou Workers Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Chuyun Tang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Yao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liuzhou Workers Hospital, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
| | - Zisan Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020852. [PMID: 35055034 PMCID: PMC8776048 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is still a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Less than half of cases are diagnosed when the cancer is locally advanced. CRC is a heterogenous disease associated with a number of genetic or somatic mutations. Diagnostic markers are used for risk stratification and early detection, which might prolong overall survival. Nowadays, the widespread use of semi-invasive endoscopic methods and feacal blood tests characterised by suboptimal accuracy of diagnostic results has led to the detection of cases at later stages. New molecular noninvasive tests based on the detection of CRC alterations seem to be more sensitive and specific then the current methods. Therefore, research aiming at identifying molecular markers, such as DNA, RNA and proteins, would improve survival rates and contribute to the development of personalized medicine. The identification of “ideal” diagnostic biomarkers, having high sensitivity and specificity, being safe, cheap and easy to measure, remains a challenge. The purpose of this review is to discuss recent advances in novel diagnostic biomarkers for tumor tissue, blood and stool samples in CRC patients.
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Non-small cell lung cancer: Emerging molecular targeted and immunotherapeutic agents. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188636. [PMID: 34655692 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents the most common and fatal type of primary lung malignancies. NSCLC is often diagnosed at later stages and requires systemic therapies. Despite recent advances in surgery, chemotherapy, and targeted molecular therapies the outcomes of NSCLC remain disproportionately poor. Immunotherapy is a rapidly developing area in NSCLC management and presents opportunities for potential improvements in clinical outcomes. Indeed, different immunotherapeutics have been approved for clinical use in various settings for NSCLC. Their promise is especially poignant in light of improved survival and quality of life outcomes. Herein, we comprehensively review emerging NSCLC therapeutics. We discuss the limitations of such strategies and summarize the present status of various immunotherapeutic agents in key patient populations. We also examine the data from ongoing studies in immunotherapy and consider future areas of study, including novel inhibition targets, therapeutic vaccination, tumor genome modification, and improvements to drug delivery systems.
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Brunsvig PF, Guren TK, Nyakas M, Steinfeldt-Reisse CH, Rasch W, Kyte JA, Juul HV, Aamdal S, Gaudernack G, Inderberg EM. Long-Term Outcomes of a Phase I Study With UV1, a Second Generation Telomerase Based Vaccine, in Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Front Immunol 2020; 11:572172. [PMID: 33324397 PMCID: PMC7726017 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.572172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is a target antigen for cancer immunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have tested a novel hTERT vaccine, UV1, designed to give high population coverage. UV1 is composed of three synthetic long peptides containing multiple epitopes identified by epitope spreading data from long-term survivors from previous hTERT vaccination trials. Eighteen non-HLA-typed patients with stage III/IV NSCLC with no evidence of progression after prior treatments, were enrolled in a phase I dose-escalation study of UV1 vaccination with GM-CSF as adjuvant, evaluating safety, immune response, and long-term clinical outcome. Treatment with UV1 was well tolerated with no serious adverse events observed. Seventeen patients were evaluable for tumor response; 15 patients had stable disease as best response. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 10.7 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 28.2 months. The OS at 4 years was 39% (7/18). Five patients are alive (median survival 5.6 years), and none of these are known to have received checkpoint therapy after vaccination. UV1 induced specific T-cell responses in the majority (67%) of patients. Immune responses were dynamic and long lasting. Both immune response (IR) and OS were dose related. More patients in the highest UV1 dosage group (700 μg) developed IRs compared to the other groups, and the IRs were stronger and occurred earlier. Patients in this group had a 4-year OS of 83%. The safety and clinical outcome data favor 700 μg as the preferred UV1 dose in this patient population. These results provide a rationale for further clinical studies in NSCLC with UV1 vaccination in combination with immune checkpoint blockade. Clinical Trial Registration https://www.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT0178909.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paal F Brunsvig
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tormod Kyrre Guren
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marta Nyakas
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Jon Amund Kyte
- Department of Clinical Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hedvig Vidarsdotter Juul
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Else Marit Inderberg
- Department of Cellular Therapy, Oslo University Hospital-The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Noninvasive Prediction of TERT Promoter Mutations in High-Grade Glioma by Radiomics Analysis Based on Multiparameter MRI. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:3872314. [PMID: 32509858 PMCID: PMC7245686 DOI: 10.1155/2020/3872314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To investigate the predictors of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) promoter mutations in adults suffered from high-grade glioma (HGG) through radiomics analysis, develop a noninvasive approach to evaluate TERT promoter mutations. Methods 126 adult patients with HGG (88 in the training cohort and 38 in the validation cohort) were retrospectively enrolled. Totally 5064 radiomics features were, respectively, extracted from three VOIs (necrosis, enhanced, and edema) in MRI. Firstly, an optimal radiomics signature (Radscore) was established based on LASSO regression. Secondly, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate important potential variables as predictors of TERT promoter mutations. Besides, multiparameter models were established and evaluated. Eventually, an optimal model was visualized as radiomics nomogram for clinical evaluations. Results 6 radiomics features were selected to build Radscore signature through LASSO regression. Among them, 5 were from necrotic VOIs and 1 was from enhanced ones. With univariate and multivariate analysis, necrotic volume percentages of core (CNV), Age, Cho/Cr, Lac, and Radscore were significantly higher in TERTm than in TERTw (p < 0.05). 4 models were built in our study. Compared with Model B (Age, Cho/Cr, Lac, and Radscore), Model A (Age, Cho/Cr, Lac, Radscore, and CNV) has a larger AUC in both training (0.955 vs. 0.917, p = 0.049) and validation (0.889 vs. 0.868, p = 0.039) cohorts. It also has higher performances in net reclassification improvement (NRI), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI), and decision curve analysis (DCA) evaluation. Conclusively, Model A was visualized as a radiomics nomogram. Calibration curve shows a good agreement between estimated and actual probabilities. Conclusions Age, Cho/Cr, Lac, CNV, and Radscore are important indicators for TERT promoter mutation predictions in HGG. Tumor necrosis seems to be closely related to TERT promoter mutations. Radiomics nomogram based on multiparameter MRI and CNV has higher prediction accuracies.
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Xin T, Zhang FB, Sui GJ, Jin XM. Bmi-1 siRNA inhibited ovarian cancer cell line growth and decreased telomerase activity. Br J Biomed Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/09674845.2012.12002438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Xin
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - F. B. Zhang
- Affiliated Oncology Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - G. J. Sui
- Affiliated Oncology Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
| | - X. M. Jin
- Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150086, P.R. China
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Sakaguchi M, Sadahira T, Ueki H, Kinoshita R, Murata H, Yamamoto KI, Futami J, Nasu Y, Ochiai K, Kumon H, Huh NH, Watanabe M. Robust cancer-specific gene expression by a novel cassette with hTERT and CMV promoter elements. Oncol Rep 2017. [PMID: 28627633 DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed and validated a novel hTERT/CMV promoter element-driven gene expression cassette that can robustly enhance cancer-specific gene expression. The following gene expressional elements were located in tandem within the plasmid construct: [hTERT core promoter, cytomegalovirus (CMV) minimized promoter, RU5' sequence, an inserted gene, BGH polyA, hTERT enhancer]; this is hereafter referred to as the hT/Cm-R-hT construct. Using various human cancer cell lines and normal cells, the cancer-specific transcription of the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was examined by western blotting and fluorescence microscopy. Cancer-specific gene expression was robustly achieved in the hT/Cm-R-hT plasmid in comparison to the other control hT/Cm-driven construct. Notably, the expression level of GFP observed in the hT/Cm-R-hT-driven construct was superior to that of the control plasmid with the conventional CMV promoter in HEK293 cells, which are known to possess higher hTERT activity than normal cells. We next examined the availability of hT/Cm-R-hT in detecting the target GFP expressing cancer cells from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The hT/Cm-R-hT plasmid successfully induced cancer-specific gene expression; the robust expression of GFP was observed in target HeLa cancer cells, whereas GFP was not visibly expressed in normal PBMCs. The plasmid allowed for the selective visualization of viable HeLa cancer cells in mixed cell cultures containing up to 10000-fold more PBMCs. These findings indicate that the hT/Cm-R-hT expressional system is a valuable tool for detecting viable cancer cells mixed with normal cells. The current system can therefore be applied to the in vitro detection of cancer cells that are disseminated in the blood and other types of body fluid in vivo. Since the current system can also be applied to other types of vectors, including virus vectors, this approach using the hTERT promoter-based construct is expected to become a valuable tool for enhancing cancer-specific gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Takuya Sadahira
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hideo Ueki
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Rie Kinoshita
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Murata
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Yamamoto
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Junichiro Futami
- Department of Medical and Bioengineering Science, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Nasu
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Ochiai
- Department of Veterinary Nursing and Technology, School of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Hiromi Kumon
- Innovation Center Okayama for Nanobio-targeted Therapy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Nam-Ho Huh
- Department of Cell Biology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
| | - Masami Watanabe
- Department of Urology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8558, Japan
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Geng P, Zhao X, Ou J, Li J, Sa R, Liang H. TERT Genetic Mutations as Prognostic Marker in Glioma. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:3665-3669. [PMID: 27206431 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9930-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) encodes the catalytic subunit of telomerase. The role of TERT in gliomagenesis has been extensively investigated. Since the influence of district, population, sample size, and experimental technology, our analysis, based on published articles, was aimed to obtain an accurate estimation of the relationship between TERT mutations and prognosis of glioma patients. PubMed, Web of science and Google Scholar databases were searched for potential articles. Finally, six studies with 2111 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was evaluated by I2 statistics and P value. I2 > 50 % and P < 0.05 indicated significant heterogeneity between included studies and random-effects model was used; otherwise, fixed-effects model was used for analysis. The results of meta-analysis was expressed as hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI). The pooled results calculated by fixed-effects model suggested that TERT mutations were associated with poor prognosis of glioma patients (HR 1.68, 95 % CI 1.43-1.97). In conclusion, TERT mutations may be associated with shorter survival of glioma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiliang Geng
- Department of Oncology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital Third Military Medical University, 29 Gaotanyan Main Street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaoxin Zhao
- Department of Oncology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital Third Military Medical University, 29 Gaotanyan Main Street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Juanjuan Ou
- Department of Oncology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital Third Military Medical University, 29 Gaotanyan Main Street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jianjun Li
- Department of Oncology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital Third Military Medical University, 29 Gaotanyan Main Street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Rina Sa
- Department of Oncology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital Third Military Medical University, 29 Gaotanyan Main Street, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Houjie Liang
- Department of Oncology and Southwest Cancer Center, Southwest Hospital Third Military Medical University, 29 Gaotanyan Main Street, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Raghunandan BN, Sanjai K, Kumaraswamy J, Papaiah L, Pandey B, Jyothi BM. Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase protein in oral epithelial dysplasia and oral squamous cell carcinoma: An immunohistochemical study. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2016; 20:96-101. [PMID: 27194869 PMCID: PMC4860945 DOI: 10.4103/0973-029x.180953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Telomerase is an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase that synthesizes TTAGGG telomeric DNA sequences and almost universally provides the molecular basis for unlimited proliferative potential. The telomeres become shorter with each cycle of replication and reach a critical limit; most cells die or enter stage of replicative senescence. Telomere length maintenance by telomerase is required for all the cells that exhibit limitless replicative potential. It has been postulated that reactivation of telomerase expression is necessary for the continuous proliferation of neoplastic cells to attain immortality. Use of immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a useful, reliable method of localizing the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) protein in tissue sections which permits cellular localization. Although there exists a lot of information on telomerase in oral cancer, little is known about their expression in oral epithelial dysplasia and their progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) compared to normal oral mucosa. This study addresses this lacuna. Aims: To compare the expression of hTERT protein in oral epithelial dysplasia and OSCC with normal oral mucosa by Immunohistochemical method. Subjects and Methods: In this preliminary study, IHC was used to detect the expression of hTERT protein in OSCC (n = 20), oral epithelial dysplasia (n = 21) and normal oral mucosa (n = 10). The tissue localization of immunostain, cellular localization of immunostain, nature of stain, intensity of stain, percentage of cells stained with hTERT protein were studied. A total number of 100 cells were counted in each slide. Statistical Analysis: All the data were analyzed using SPSS software version 16.0. The tissue localization, cellular localization of cytoplasmic/nuclear/both of hTERT stain, staining intensity was compared across the groups using Pearson's Chi-square test. The mean percentage of cells stained for oral epithelial dysplasia, OSCC and normal oral mucosa were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA). A P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean hTERT positive cells in the study groups were as follows, 62.91% in normal oral mucosa samples, 77.06% in oral epithelial dysplasia cases, and 81.48% in OSCC. In 61.9% of oral epithelial dysplasia and 65% of OSCC in our study, staining was visualized within the nucleus predominantly in the dot like pattern. There was a statistically significant difference in the nature of nuclear stain between oral epithelial dysplasia and OSCC (P = 0.023). Conclusions: Our results suggests that the mean percentage of cells showing hTERT expression steadily increased from normal oral mucosa to oral epithelial dysplasia to OSCC. The steady trend of increase in the percentage of cells was evident in different grades of oral epithelial dysplasia group and OSCC. The nature of hTERT staining did show variations among the three groups and promise to be a potential surrogate marker for malignant transformation. Further studies using IHC on larger sample size and clinical follow-up of these patients will be ascertaining the full potential of hTERT as a surrogate marker of epithelial transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karpagaselvi Sanjai
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Jayalakshmi Kumaraswamy
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Lokesh Papaiah
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Bhavna Pandey
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Bellur MadhavaRao Jyothi
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Vydehi Institute of Dental Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Xie XC, Ge LY, Lai H, Qiu H, Tang F, Qin YZ. The Relationship between Telomerase Activity and Clinicopathological Parameters in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis. Balkan Med J 2016; 33:64-71. [PMID: 26966620 DOI: 10.5152/balkanmedj.2015.151182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, accumulated research has found that the expression of telomerase activity (TA) was associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) advancement, whereas the TA prognostic effect in CRC patients is still controversial. AIMS To investigate relationships between TA and CRC clinicopathological parameters. STUDY DESIGN Meta-analysis study. METHODS We searched published studies in databases, such as EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Ovid databases (last search updated to October 2014) by meeting specified search criteria. The quality of the included studies was usually evaluated and a meta-analysis was implemented by Stata 12.0 software. We used an odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate relationship strengths between TA and CRC clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS In total, 11 studies (715 patients) were included to assess the relation between TA and metastasis-related parameters in CRC patients. The results indicate that a senior TA expression was connected with the existence of lymph node metastasis (180 patients; OR=2.85, 95% CI=1.40-5.81, p=0.004), and tumor site (522 patients; OR=2.93, 95% CI=1.29-6.67, p=0.010). However, a senior TA expression was not connected with tumor size (137 patients; OR=1.57, 95% CI=0.71-3.47, p=0.267), histological differentiation (570 patients; OR=1.28, 95% CI=0.78-2.09, p=0.332), depth of invasion (57 patients; OR=3.76, 95% CI=0.61-23.04, p=0.152), distant metastasis (123 patients; OR=1.76, 95% CI=0.54-5.74, p=0.346), and clinical stage of the cancer (543 patients; OR=1.59, 95% CI=0.74-3.38, p=0.232). CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggests that a positive TA was correlated with lymph node metastasis progression and tumor site of the CRC but did not correlate with other important clinicopathological parameters. TA can play a useful part in the prognosis and treatment of CRC patients, but further studies are required to confirm this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Cheng Xie
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lian-Ying Ge
- Department of Endoscopy Center, Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Hao Lai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Hai Qiu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Fan Tang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yu-Zhou Qin
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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Ayiomamitis GD, Notas G, Zaravinos A, Zizi-Sermpetzoglou A, Georgiadou M, Sfakianaki O, Kouroumallis E. Differences in telomerase activity between colon and rectal cancer. Can J Surg 2014; 57:199-208. [PMID: 24869613 DOI: 10.1503/cjs.031312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers and the third leading cause of cancer death in both sexes. The disease progresses as a multistep process and is associated with genetic alterations. One of the characteristic features of cancer is telomerase activation. We sought to evaluate the differences in telomerase activity between colon cancer and adjacent normal tissue and to correlate the differences in telomerase activity between different locations with clinicopathological factors and survival. METHODS Matched colon tumour samples and adjacent normal mucosa samples 10 cm away from the tumour were collected during colectomy. We assessed telomerase activity using real time polymerase chain reaction. Several pathological characteristics of tumours, including p53, Ki-67, p21, bcl2 and MLH1 expression were also studied. RESULTS We collected samples from 49 patients. There was a significantly higher telomerase activity in colon cancer tissue than normal tissue. Adenocarcinomas of the right colon express significantly higher telomerase than left-side cancers. Colon cancers and their adjacent normal tissue had significantly more telomerase and were more positive to MLH1 than rectal cancers. The expression of p53 negatively correlated to telomerase activity and was linked to better patient survival. CONCLUSION Colon and rectal cancers seem to have different telomerase and MLH1 profiles, and this could be another factor for their different biologic and clinical behaviour and progression. These results support the idea that the large bowel cannot be considered a uniform organ, at least in the biology of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios D Ayiomamitis
- The Gastroenterology Research Laboratory, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, and the Department of Surgery, Tzanion General Hospital, Zanni & Afentouli str, Piraeus, Greece
| | - George Notas
- The Gastroenterology Research Laboratory, and the Laboratory of Experimental Endocrinology, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Apostolos Zaravinos
- The Laboratory of Clinical Virology, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | - Maria Georgiadou
- The Gastroenterology Research Laboratory, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ourania Sfakianaki
- The Gastroenterology Research Laboratory, University of Crete, School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Elias Kouroumallis
- The Gastroenterology Research Laboratory, and the Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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13
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Shaw VE, Naisbitt DJ, Costello E, Greenhalf W, Park BK, Neoptolemos JP, Middleton GW. Current status of GV1001 and other telomerase vaccination strategies in the treatment of cancer. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 9:1007-16. [DOI: 10.1586/erv.10.92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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14
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Demiroğlu H, Avcıbaşı U, Ünak P, Müftüler FZB, İçhedef Ç, Gümüşer FG, Sakarya S. Radiolabeling of Bleomycin-Glucuronide with 131I and Biodistribution Studies Using Xenograft Model of Human Colon Tumor in Balb/C Mice. Cancer Biother Radiopharm 2012; 27:371-83. [DOI: 10.1089/cbr.2011.1157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Demiroğlu
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Ugur Avcıbaşı
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Art and Science, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Perihan Ünak
- Department of Nuclear Applications, Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Ç.A. İçhedef
- Department of Nuclear Applications, Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Fikriye Gül Gümüşer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Serhan Sakarya
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydin, Turkey
- ADUBILTEM Science and Technology Research and Development Center, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
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15
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In vivo imaging of human cancer with telomerase-specific replication-selective adenovirus. Methods Mol Biol 2012. [PMID: 22700408 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-797-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-specific replication-competent viruses represent a novel approach for the treatment of neoplastic disease. These vectors can be used to directly label tumor cells in vivo, as they are designed to selectively replicate within such cells. To target cancer cells, there is a need for tissue- or cell-specific promoters that are expressed in diverse tumor types and are silent in normal cells. Telomerase activation is considered to be a critical step in carcinogenesis through the maintenance of telomeres, and its activity is closely correlated with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression. We constructed a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing attenuated adenovirus-5 vector, in which the hTERT promoter regulates viral replication (TelomeScan, OBP-401). We used TelomeScan to establish a new approach for visualizing metastatic or disseminated human tumors in vivo. Visualization is achieved via illumination with an -excitation lamp under a three-chip color-cooled charged-coupled device camera following injection of TelomeScan into primary tumors or tumor-disseminated cavities. TelomeScan infection increases the -signal-to-background ratio as a tumor-specific probe, because the fluorescent signals are only amplified in tumor cells by viral replication. This technology is adaptable to detect tumor metastasis and/or dissemination in vivo as a preclinical model of surgical navigation.
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16
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Eukaryotic expression vectors bearing genes encoding cytotoxic proteins for cancer gene therapy. Plasmid 2012; 68:69-85. [PMID: 22613563 DOI: 10.1016/j.plasmid.2012.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2011] [Revised: 02/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer gene therapy is a promising direction for the treatment of cancer patients. A primary goal of all cancer therapies is to selectively target and kill tumour cells. Such therapies are administered via different approaches, including both viral and non-viral delivery; however, both methods have advantages and disadvantages. Transcriptional targeting enables genes encoding toxic proteins to be expressed directly in cancer cells. Numerous vectors have been created with the purpose of killing cancer cells, and some have successfully suppressed malignant tumours. Data concerning the function of vectors bearing genes that encode cytotoxic proteins under the control of different promoters, including tissue/tumour specific and constitutive promoters, is summarised here. This review focuses on vectors that bear genes encoding diphtheria toxin, Pseudomonas exotoxin A, caspases, gef, streptolysin, and melittin. Data describing the efficacy of such vectors have been summarised. Notably, there are vectors that killed cancer cell lines originating from the same type of cancer with differential efficiency. Thus, there is differential inhibition of cancer cell growth dependent on the cell line. In this review, the constructs employing genes whose expression induces cell death and the efficiency with which they suppress cancer cell growth will be summarised.
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17
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Fujiwara T, Shirakawa Y, Kagawa S. Telomerase-specific oncolytic virotherapy for human gastrointestinal cancer. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2011; 11:525-32. [PMID: 21504319 DOI: 10.1586/era.10.200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Replication-selective tumor-specific viruses present a novel approach for treatment of neoplastic disease. These vectors are designed to induce virus-mediated lysis of tumor cells after selective viral propagation within the tumor. Human telomerase is highly active in more than 85% of primary cancers, regardless of their tissue origins, and its activity correlates closely with human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression. We constructed an attenuated adenovirus 5 vector (OBP-301), in which the hTERT promoter element drives the expression of E1 genes. Since only tumor cells that express telomerase activity are able to activate this promoter, the hTERT proximal promoter allows for preferential expression of viral genes in tumor cells, leading to selective viral replication and oncolytic cell death. Lymphatic invasion is a major route for cancer cell dissemination, and adequate treatment of locoregional lymph nodes is required for curative treatment in patients with gastrointestinal tumors. In this article we show that intratumoral injection of OBP-301 mediates effective in vivo purging of metastatic tumor cells from regional lymph nodes, which may help optimize treatment of human gastrointestinal malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshiyoshi Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1 Shikata-cho, Okayama 700-8558, Japan.
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Buseman CM, Wright WE, Shay JW. Is telomerase a viable target in cancer? Mutat Res 2011; 730:90-7. [PMID: 21802433 DOI: 10.1016/j.mrfmmm.2011.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2011] [Revised: 06/20/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The ideal cancer treatment would specifically target cancer cells yet have minimal or no adverse effects on normal somatic cells. Telomerase, the ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase that maintains the ends of human chromosome, is an attractive cancer therapeutic target for exactly this reason [1]. Telomerase is expressed in more than 85% of cancer cells, making it a nearly universal cancer marker, while the majority of normal somatic cells are telomerase negative. Telomerase activity confers limitless replicative potential to cancer cells, a hallmark of cancer which must be attained for the continued growth that characterizes almost all advanced neoplasms [2]. In this review we will summarize the role of telomeres and telomerase in cancer cells, and how properties of telomerase are being exploited to create targeted cancer therapies including telomerase inhibitors, telomerase-targeted immunotherapies and telomerase-driven virotherapies. A frank and balanced assessment of the current state of telomerase inhibitors with caveats and potential limitations will be included.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Buseman
- The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Cell Biology, Dallas, TX 75390-9039, USA
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Hiyama E, Hiyama K. Telomerase detection in the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Cytotechnology 2011; 45:61-74. [PMID: 19003244 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-004-5126-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2004] [Accepted: 09/21/2004] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase, a critical enzyme responsible 'for cellular immortality, is usually repressed in somatic cells except for lymphocytes and self-renewal cells, but is activated in approximately 85% of human cancer tissues. The human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is the catalytic component of human telomerase. In cancers in which telomerase activation occurs at the early stages of the disease, telomerase activity and hTERT expression are useful markers for the detection of cancer cells. In other cancers in which telomerase becomes upregulated upon tumor progression, they are useful as prognostic indicators. However, careful attention should be paid to false-negative results caused by the instability of telomerase and of the hTERT mRNA and the presence of PCR inhibitors, as well as to false-positive results caused by the presence of alternatively spliced hTERT mRNA and normal cells with telomerase activity. Recently, methods for the in situ detection of the hTERT mRNA and protein have been developed. These methods should facilitate the unequivocal detection of cancer cells, even in tissues containing a background of normal telomerase-positive cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eiso Hiyama
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, RIRBM, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan,
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20
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Simsek BC, Pehlivan S, Karaoglu A. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase expression in colorectal tumors: correlations with immunohistochemical expression and clinicopathologic features. Ann Diagn Pathol 2011; 14:413-7. [PMID: 21074689 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2010.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2010] [Accepted: 06/24/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) proteins in colorectal cancer investigated in several studies, but to our knowledge, hTERT expression has not been evaluated in all of colorectal tumors, including hyperplastic polyps (HPs), adenomas, and carcinomas, on paraffin-embedded tissue sections. The aim of the present study is to investigate immunohistochemical hTERT expression and its relationship with the clinicopathologic features in a spectrum of colorectal tumors. In this study, hTERT expression was determined in HP (n = 20), adenomatous polyp (AP) (n = 20), colorectal adenocarcinomas (n = 20), and normal mucosa (n = 20) by immunohistochemical method. The findings were correlated with the clinicopathologic features. The staining level of hTERT in adenomas and carcinomas was significantly higher than in normal tissues (P < .05). There was also significant difference between HP and AP (P < .05). Level of hTERT in carcinomas was higher than in adenomas, but the difference was of no statistical significance (P > .05). There was no significant association of hTERT expression in cancerous, precancerous, or normal mucosa related to clinicopathologic parameters including age, sex, and size of lesion, (P > .05), but only association with histologic grade for carcinoma was found (P < .05). Levels of hTERT by immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the expression of hTERT was very little in normal mucosa and HP, moderate in AP, and highest in carcinoma. Thereby, hTERT expression may use the aggressiveness of the colorectal tumors as a marker, but it is not related to clinicopathologic data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bengu Cobanoglu Simsek
- The Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Firat University Medical School, 23119 Elazig, Turkiye.
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21
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Combination immunotherapy using adoptive T-cell transfer and tumor antigen vaccination on the basis of hTERT and survivin after ASCT for myeloma. Blood 2010; 117:788-97. [PMID: 21030558 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-08-299396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In a phase 1/2 two-arm trial, 54 patients with myeloma received autografts followed by ex vivo anti-CD3/anti-CD28 costimulated autologous T cells at day 2 after transplantation. Study patients positive for human leukocyte antigen A2 (arm A, n = 28) also received pneumococcal conjugate vaccine immunizations before and after transplantation and a multipeptide tumor antigen vaccine derived from the human telomerase reverse transcriptase and the antiapoptotic protein survivin. Patients negative for human leukocyte antigen A2 (arm B, n = 26) received the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine only. Patients exhibited robust T-cell recoveries by day 14 with supraphysiologic T-cell counts accompanied by a sustained reduction in regulatory T cells. The median event-free survival (EFS) for all patients is 20 months (95% confidence interval, 14.6-24.7 months); the projected 3-year overall survival is 83%. A subset of patients in arm A (36%) developed immune responses to the tumor antigen vaccine by tetramer assays, but this cohort did not exhibit better EFS. Higher posttransplantation CD4(+) T-cell counts and a lower percentage of FOXP3(+) T cells were associated with improved EFS. Patients exhibited accelerated polyclonal immunoglobulin recovery compared with patients without T-cell transfers. Adoptive transfer of tumor antigen vaccine-primed and costimulated T cells leads to augmented and accelerated cellular and humoral immune reconstitution, including antitumor immunity, after autologous stem cell transplantation for myeloma. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00499577.
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22
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Miura N, Osaki Y, Nagashima M, Kohno M, Yorozu K, Shomori K, Kanbe T, Oyama K, Kishimoto Y, Maruyama S, Noma E, Horie Y, Kudo M, Sakaguchi S, Hirooka Y, Ito H, Kawasaki H, Hasegawa J, Shiota G. A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for early detection of hepatoma. BMC Gastroenterol 2010; 10:46. [PMID: 20482774 PMCID: PMC2881114 DOI: 10.1186/1471-230x-10-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2009] [Accepted: 05/18/2010] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds We previously reported a highly sensitive method for serum human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). α-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) are good markers for HCC. In this study, we verified the significance of hTERTmRNA in a large scale multi-centered trial, collating quantified values with clinical course. Methods In 638 subjects including 303 patients with HCC, 89 with chronic hepatitis (CH), 45 with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 201 healthy individuals, we quantified serum hTERTmRNA using the real-time RT-PCR. We examined its sensitivity and specificity in HCC diagnosis, clinical significance, ROC curve analysis in comparison with other tumor markers, and its correlations with the clinical parameters using Pearson relative test and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, we performed a prospective and comparative study to observe the change of biomarkers, including hTERTmRNA in HCC patients receiving anti-cancer therapies. Results hTERTmRNA was demonstrated to be independently correlated with clinical parameters; tumor size and tumor differentiation (P < 0.001, each). The sensitivity/specificity of hTERTmRNA in HCC diagnosis showed 90.2%/85.4% for hTERT. hTERTmRNA proved to be superior to AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP in the diagnosis and underwent an indisputable change in response to therapy. The detection rate of small HCC by hTERTmRNA was superior to the other markers. Conclusions hTERTmRNA is superior to conventional tumor markers in the diagnosis and recurrence of HCC at an early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norimasa Miura
- Department of Pathophysiological and Therapeutic Science, Tottori University, Japan.
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Vaccine Therapy for Lung Cancer. Lung Cancer 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60761-524-8_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Omori Y, Nakayama F, Li D, Kanemitsu K, Semba S, Ito A, Yokozaki H. Alternative lengthening of telomeres frequently occurs in mismatch repair system-deficient gastric carcinoma. Cancer Sci 2009; 100:413-8. [PMID: 19154407 PMCID: PMC11159336 DOI: 10.1111/j.1349-7006.2008.01063.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of telomeric ends by the telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex or the telomerase-independent alternative lengthening of telomeres is necessary for the immortalization of human cells. The significance of alternative lengthening of telomeres has been suggested in DNA mismatch repair system-deficient cells; however, much remains unknown in human malignancies. In this study, we investigated the telomere maintenance mechanism in gastric carcinoma. In formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections of the high frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and non-MSI-H gastric carcinomas, there was no difference in telomere length monitored by telomere intensity ratio using telomere-fluorescent in situ hybridization. Immunoreactivity of hTERT, the catalytic subunit of telomerase, was detected in 48% of MSI-H gastric carcinomas. The frequency was significantly lower than that in non-MSI-H gastric carcinomas (86%, P = 0.02). Conversely, the number of the alternative lengthening of telomeres-associated promyelocytic leukemia bodies (APBs) detected by combined promyelocytic leukemia immunofluorescence and telomere-fluorescent in situ hybridization was statistically higher (57%) in the MSI-H gastric carcinomas compared to that in non-MSI-H gastric carcinomas (19%, P = 0.026). The cases with hTERT(+)APBs(-) were more frequent in non-MSI-H gastric carcinomas (76%) than in MSI-H gastric carcinomas (24%), and the cases with hTERT(-)APBs(+) were more frequent in MSI-H gastric carcinomas (33%) than in non-MSI-H gastric carcinomas (10%). These results suggest that alternative lengthening of telomeres-mediated telomere maintenance plays an important role for microsatellite instability-mediated stomach carcinogenesis, as well as the telomerase ribonucleoprotein complex, although the incidence of MSI-H is low. Defects of the mismatch repair system may lead to homeologous recombination of telomeric ends for the telomerase-independent telomere maintenance in gastric carcinomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuhiro Omori
- Division of Pathology, Department of Pathology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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RNA interference-mediated c-MYC inhibition prevents cell growth and decreases sensitivity to radio- and chemotherapy in childhood medulloblastoma cells. BMC Cancer 2009; 9:10. [PMID: 19134217 PMCID: PMC2648994 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2008] [Accepted: 01/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With current treatment strategies, nearly half of all medulloblastoma (MB) patients die from progressive tumors. Accordingly, the identification of novel therapeutic strategies remains a major goal. Deregulation of c-MYC is evident in numerous human cancers. In MB, over-expression of c-MYC has been shown to cause anaplasia and correlate with unfavorable prognosis. METHODS To study the role of c-MYC in MB biology, we down-regulated c-MYC expression by using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and investigated changes in cellular proliferation, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis, telomere maintenance, and response to ionizing radiation (IR) and chemotherapeutics in a representative panel of human MB cell lines expressing different levels of c-MYC (DAOY wild-type, DAOY transfected with the empty vector, DAOY transfected with c-MYC, D341, and D425). RESULTS siRNA-mediated c-MYC down-regulation resulted in an inhibition of cellular proliferation and clonogenic growth, inhibition of G1-S phase cell cycle progression, and a decrease in human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression and telomerase activity. On the other hand, down-regulation of c-MYC reduced apoptosis and decreased the sensitivity of human MB cells to IR, cisplatin, and etoposide. This effect was more pronounced in DAOY cells expressing high levels of c-MYC when compared with DAOY wild-type or DAOY cells transfected with the empty vector. CONCLUSION In human MB cells, in addition to its roles in growth and proliferation, c-MYC is also a potent inducer of apoptosis. Therefore, targeting c-MYC might be of therapeutic benefit when used sequentially with chemo- and radiotherapy rather than concomitantly.
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Wang Y, Kowalski J, Tsai HL, Marik R, Prasad N, Somervell H, Lo PK, Sangenario LE, Dyrskjot L, Orntoft TF, Westra WH, Meeker AK, Eshleman JR, Umbricht CB, Zeiger MA. Differentiating alternative splice variant patterns of human telomerase reverse transcriptase in thyroid neoplasms. Thyroid 2008; 18:1055-63. [PMID: 18816183 PMCID: PMC2857449 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2008.0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy of thyroid nodules is very sensitive in detecting thyroid malignancy, it remains ambiguous in 20-30% of cases. Current biomarkers for thyroid cancer lack either the sensitivity or specificity to substantially address this clinical problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression patterns of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) alternative splice variants in benign and malignant thyroid tumors in an attempt to find a more reliable biomarker in the differential diagnosis of thyroid nodules. METHODS One hundred and thirty-three thyroid tumors from eight histopathological tumor types were collected from patients undergoing thyroid surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Gene expression patterns of hTERT alternative splice variants were investigated in the tumors by nested reverse transcriptase-PCR. Telomerase enzyme activity was evaluated in a subset of 16 samples associated with the different hTERT patterns. Association of c-myc expression and hTERT patterns was also examined. RESULTS Malignant thyroid tumors exhibited a greater proportion of the active full-length hTERT transcript (0.57 +/- 0.15) than inactive splice variants, alpha(-) (0.13 +/- 0.02), or beta(-)/alpha(-)beta(-) deletion transcripts (0.30 +/- 0.11; p < 0.001). The opposite was observed in benign tumors, which exhibited greater proportions of beta(-)/alpha(-)beta(-) deletion transcripts (0.64 +/- 0.08) than either the full-length (0.19 +/- 0.06) or alpha(-) deletion transcripts (0.17 +/- 0.02; p < 0.001). Similar results were observed among a diagnostically challenging subset of 50 thyroid tumors that were suspicious for malignancy on FNA. Further, increased telomerase enzymatic activity was only associated with expression of the full-length hTERT isoform. In contrast, c-myc expression, which has been implicated in hTERT regulation, correlated with overall hTERT transcription without specificity for expression of the full-length isoform. CONCLUSIONS These differences in gene expression patterns of hTERT alternative splice variants may provide a useful adjunct to FNA diagnosis of suspicious thyroid tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongchun Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jeanne Kowalski
- Division of Oncology Biostatistics, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hua-Ling Tsai
- Division of Oncology Biostatistics, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Radharani Marik
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nijaguna Prasad
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Helina Somervell
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Pang-Kuo Lo
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lauren E. Sangenario
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Lars Dyrskjot
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark
| | - Torben F. Orntoft
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Denmark
| | - William H. Westra
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alan K. Meeker
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - James R. Eshleman
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christopher B. Umbricht
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Martha A. Zeiger
- Department of Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
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Yang CH, Hung WC, Wang SL, Kang WY, Chen WT, Huang YC, Su YC, Chai CY. Immunoexpression and prognostic role of hTERT and cyclin D1 in urothelial carcinoma. APMIS 2008; 116:309-16. [PMID: 18397466 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2008.00905.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to investigate the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and cyclin D1 in correlation with clinicopathologic features of urothelial carcinoma (UC). Tissue microarrays (TMA) were constructed from paraffin-embedded specimens of 94 UC patients and immunohistochemical staining was used. High hTERT expression was found in 50 (53%) of the 94 tumors and was significantly associated with tumor invasiveness and tumor grade (P=0.008 and 0.0190, respectively). High cyclin D1 expression was found in 69 (73%) of the 94 tumors and was significantly associated with non-invasiveness and smaller tumor size, but there was no correlation with tumor grade. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with low hTERT and high cyclin D1 levels had longer local recurrence-free survival (P=0.0482 and 0.0123, respectively). In addition, patients with high cyclin D1 levels had longer disease-free survival (P=0.0195). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that hTERT and cyclin D1 may be of recurrence predictive value for UC, thus providing clinicians with ancillary information when deciding on suitable therapeutic strategies in UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hsiu Yang
- Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Rowland KJ, Brubaker PL. Life in the crypt: a role for glucagon-like peptide-2? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2008; 288:63-70. [PMID: 18403107 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2007] [Revised: 01/31/2008] [Accepted: 02/25/2008] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial layer of the intestinal tract serves as a model to study the mechanisms regulating tissue renewal. Central to this process is the intestinal stem cell and, thus, both the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that modulate the function of these cells must be understood. Amongst the intrinsic regulators, both the canonical wnt and bone morphogenic protein (bmp) signaling pathways have been shown to be essential determinants of stem cell dynamics and intestinal homeostasis. The intestinotrophic hormone, glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2), has also recently been demonstrated to exert a variety of effects on the intestinal crypt cells, including enhancement of the putative stem cell marker, musashi-1, as well as stimulating intestinal proliferation. As the GLP-2 receptor is not expressed by the crypt cells, these actions have been hypothesized to be mediated indirectly, through other gut peptides and/or growth factors. Of these, recent studies have demonstrated a requirement for insulin-like growth factor-1 in the proliferative effects of GLP-2, through a pathway that involves activation of the canonical wnt signaling pathway. This extrinsic pathway represents a novel mechanism by which intestinal stem cell dynamics may be regulated.
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Expression profile and prognostic importance in prostate lesions of the reverse transcriptase component of human telomerase (hTERT) and of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p57 (p57kip2a). Int Urol Nephrol 2008; 41:55-60. [DOI: 10.1007/s11255-008-9399-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2008] [Accepted: 05/13/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Mantripragada KK, Caley M, Stephens P, Jones CJ, Kluwe L, Guha A, Mautner V, Upadhyaya M. Telomerase activity is a biomarker for high grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors in neurofibromatosis type 1 individuals. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2008; 47:238-46. [PMID: 18069666 DOI: 10.1002/gcc.20525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomerase activity (TA) and the expression of its enzymatic subunits, which have been demonstrated in many tumors, remain poorly investigated in tumors associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). In this study, we analysed the association of TA and the expression of telomerase RNA (TR) and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in 23 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNST) (17 high grade and 6 low grade tumors), 11 plexiform neurofibromas (PNF) and 6 dermal neurofibromas (DNF). TA was studied using telomerase repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay and expression of TR and TERT was investigated using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR. TA was detected in 14 out of 17 (82%) high grade MPNST, whereas all 6 low grade MPNST and 17 benign tumors were telomerase negative. The TERT transcripts were detected in all high grade MPNST, 50% of the low grade MPNST, and 4 benign tumors. However, the expression level of the TERT strikingly correlated with TA and high grade MPNST. Thus, while TERT expression was similar in both low grade MPNST and PNF (P = 0.115), it was significantly higher in high grade MPNST when compared to either low grade MPNST (P = 0.042), PNF (P = 0.001) or DNF tumors (P = 0.010). These findings indicate that TA and expression level of TERT are potential markers for high grade malignancy in NF1 patients.
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Saleh S, Lam AKY, Ho YH. Real-time PCR quantification of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in colorectal cancer. Pathology 2008; 40:25-30. [PMID: 18038311 DOI: 10.1080/00313020701716425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is believed to a reliable marker for telomerase activity. The expression of telomerase activity has not been investigated in a consecutive series of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma in North Queensland. The objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of hTERT mRNA expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma in North Queensland. METHODS Matched samples of tumour and adjacent non-tumorous mucosa samples from 53 colorectal carcinomas and nine colorectal adenomas were collected. In all these samples, RNA was extracted and then transcribed to cDNA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantitate expression the level of hTERT mRNA. The findings were correlated with the clinicopathological features of patients with these tumours prospectively collected into a computerised database. RESULTS hTERT mRNA was expressed in all tumour samples. The level of expression in the colorectal adenocarcinomas was significantly higher than the corresponding non-tumorous mucosa (p = 0.009, t-test). The level of expression in the adenocarcinomas was slightly higher than those of adenomas, but the difference was not statistically significant. A higher level of hTERT expression was often noted in the adenocarcinomas arising from the left colon and rectum when compared with those from the right colon (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS Colorectal adenocarcinoma revealed expression of telomerase hTERT mRNA, which was detected quantitatively by real-time PCR. hTERT could be a potential biomarker for colorectal cancer. The difference between proximal and distal colorectum in hTERT expression could account for their known different clinical behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Said Saleh
- Department of Surgery (School of Medicine) and North Queensland Centre for Cancer Research (Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine), James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
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Metachronous cancer development in patients with sporadic colorectal adenomas-multivariate risk model with independent and combined value of hTERT and survivin. Int J Colorectal Dis 2008; 23:389-400. [PMID: 18189140 DOI: 10.1007/s00384-007-0424-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/07/2007] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Accurate, long-term risk predictors for colorectal cancer development in patients with sporadic adenomas are lacking. We sought to validate biomarkers predictive of metachronous colorectal cancer (mCRC) in patients with sporadic colorectal adenomas, using 374 consecutive patients from a large defined population. MATERIALS AND METHODS Risk evaluation was performed for patient and adenoma risk factors (morphometric longest nuclear axis and immunohistochemical markers survivin, human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), beta-catenin, p16INK4a, p21CIP1, and cyclin D1). Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by receiver-operating characteristics curve analysis, and uni- and multivariate survival analysis was performed. RESULTS/FINDINGS Of the 374 patients, 26 (7%) developed mCRC with a median of 5.6 years (range 2-19) from index adenoma. Independent risk factors included age greater than or equal to 60 years, proximal location, multiplicity (greater than or equal to three adenomas), and high-grade neoplasia, with high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and proximal location as the strongest on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] of 4.1 and 5.2, respectively; both p< 0.05). The molecular markers hTERT (HR 11.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.9-33.1; p < 0.001) and survivin (HR 7.0, 95% CI 2.4-20.5; p < 0.001) were independent predictors for mCRC, and proximal location (4 of 16 = 25% with mCRC) was the only clinical one. The value of hTERT and survivin were retained in the validation set. Survivin and hTERT together yielded high mCRC risk when both were positive (15 of 51 = 29%; HR 14.3, 5.6-36.5), modest with one positive (survivin 4 of 90 = 4.4%; hTERT 4 of 60 = 6.7%), and no risk with both negative (0 of 144 = 0%). INTERPRETATION/CONCLUSION hTERT and survivin are the best risk predictors for long-term, mCRC development in patients with sporadic colorectal adenomas.
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Liu T, Chung MJ, Ullenbruch M, Yu H, Jin H, Hu B, Choi YY, Ishikawa F, Phan SH. Telomerase activity is required for bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. J Clin Invest 2008; 117:3800-9. [PMID: 18008008 DOI: 10.1172/jci32369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2007] [Accepted: 09/12/2007] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to its well-known expression in the germline and in cells of certain cancers, telomerase activity is induced in lung fibrosis, although its role in this process is unknown. To identify the pathogenetic importance of telomerase in lung fibrosis, we examined the effects of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) deficiency in a murine model of pulmonary injury. TERT-deficient mice showed significantly reduced lung fibrosis following bleomycin (BLM) insult. This was accompanied by a significant reduction in expression of lung alpha-SMA, a marker of myofibroblast differentiation. Furthermore, lung fibroblasts isolated from BLM-treated TERT-deficient mice showed significantly decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis rates compared with cells isolated from control mice. Transplantation of WT BM into TERT-deficient mice restored BLM-induced lung telomerase activity and fibrosis to WT levels. Conversely, transplantation of BM from TERT-deficient mice into WT recipients resulted in reduced telomerase activity and fibrosis. These findings suggest that induction of telomerase in injured lungs may be caused by BM-derived cells, which appear to play an important role in pulmonary fibrosis. Moreover, TERT induction is associated with increased survival of lung fibroblasts, which favors the development of fibrosis instead of injury resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianju Liu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2200, USA
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Endometrial telomerase shows specific expression patterns in different types of reproductive failure. Reprod Biomed Online 2008; 17:416-24. [DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60227-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Burnworth B, Arendt S, Muffler S, Steinkraus V, Bröcker EB, Birek C, Hartschuh W, Jauch A, Boukamp P. The multi-step process of human skin carcinogenesis: A role for p53, cyclin D1, hTERT, p16, and TSP-1. Eur J Cell Biol 2007; 86:763-80. [PMID: 17198740 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2006.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2006] [Revised: 11/06/2006] [Accepted: 11/06/2006] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As proposed by Hanahan and Weinberg (2000. Cell 100, 57-70) carcinogenesis requires crucial events such as (i) genomic instability, (ii) cell cycle deregulation, (iii) induction of a telomere length maintenance mechanism, and (iv) an angiogenic switch. By comparing the expression of p53, cyclin D1, p16, hTERT, and TSP-1 in spontaneously regressing keratoacanthoma (KA) as a paradigm of early neoplasia, with malignant invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as a paradigm of advanced tumour development, we are now able to assign the changes in the expression of these proteins to specific stages and allocate them to defined roles in the multi-step process of skin carcinogenesis. We show that mutational inactivation of the p53 gene, and with that the onset of genomic instability is the earliest event. Individual p53-positive cells are already seen in "normal" skin, and 3/5 actinic keratoses (AKs), 5/22 KAs, and 13/23 SCCs contain p53-positive patches. Cell cycle deregulation was indicated by the overexpression of the cell cycle regulator cyclin D1, as well as by the loss of the cell cycle inhibitor p16. Interestingly, overexpression of cyclin D1 - observed in 80% of KAs and SCCs, respectively - showed a cell cycle-independent function in HaCaT cell transplants on nude mice. Cyclin D1 overexpression was associated with a massive inflammatory response, finally leading to tissue destruction. Loss of the cell cycle inhibitor p16, on the other hand, correlated with SCCs. Thus, it is tempting to suggest that overexpression of cyclin D1 is an early change that in addition to growth stimulation leads to an altered epithelial-mesenchymal interaction, while functional p16 is able to control this deregulated growth and needs to be eliminated for malignant progression. Another requirement for uncontrolled growth is the inhibition of telomere erosion by up-regulating telomerase activity. As measured by hTERT protein expression, all of the KAs and SCCs studied were positive, with a similar distribution of the protein in both groups and an expression pattern resembling that of normal epidermis. Thus, telomerase may not need to be increased significantly in skin carcinomas. Finally, we show that the angiogenesis inhibitor TSP-1 is strongly expressed in most KAs, and mainly by the tumour cells, while in SCCs the generally weak expression is restricted to the tumour-stroma. Furthermore, we provide evidence that the loss of a copy of chromosome 15 is responsible for reduced TSP-1 expression and thereby this aberration contributes to tumour vascularisation (i.e. the angiogenic switch) required for malignant growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Burnworth
- Division of Genetics of Skin Carcinogenesis, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancer worldwide. First-line therapy is based on stage at diagnosis and can include chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Despite advances, the prognosis for advanced-stage lung cancer is very poor. Vaccines with the capability to activate the host immune system may have a role in second-line therapy. Advances in the understanding of cellular and molecular immunology are forming the basis for improving vaccine therapy. Most trials to date have demonstrated safety but inconsistent efficacy. Further research is needed to enhance this potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Albright
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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37
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Saha B, Chaiwun B, Tsao-Wei DD, Groshen SL, Naritoku WY, Atkinson RD, Taylor CR, Imam SA. Telomerase and markers of cellular proliferation are associated with the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia lesions. Int J Gynecol Pathol 2007; 26:214-22. [PMID: 17581401 DOI: 10.1097/01.pgp.0000250146.44592.d2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The expression of the catalytic subunit of telomerase protein (human telomerase reverse transcriptase [hTERT]), which is associated with telomerase activity, was evaluated as a potential marker of the high-grade premalignant cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3) lesions. For comparison, cases of normal cervical squamous mucosa, low-grade CIN1 lesion, and cervical squamous cell carcinoma were included. The hTERT expression was also compared with Ki-67 and topoisomerase II-alpha (TPII-alpha) to determine the proliferative activity of the hTERT-positive dysplastic cells by a quantitative immunohistochemical staining method and was classified as follows: negative, 5% or less; moderate, 6% to 50%; or high, greater than 50% of the positive cells. The hTERT-positive cells were detected in a patchy pattern in the lower parabasal layers and in much of the basal layer in normal squamous mucosa. A similar frequency of Ki-67- or TPII-alpha-positive cells was observed, with the exception of the basal layer cells that were mostly negative. It is worthy to note that the recognizable intact basal layer cells in cases of CIN lesions were also consistently positive for the expression of hTERT, but rarely for Ki-67 or TPII-alpha. The expression of hTERT was detected in a less patchy pattern at a high or moderate percentage of the dysplastic epithelial cells each in 28.5% of cases of CIN1 lesions. A similar frequency, high and moderate percentage combined, of the TPII-alpha-positive dysplastic cell was also observed. In contrast, a high percentage of the hTERT-positive dysplastic cells were detected as diffuse basal or full-length thickness in 87.5% or 95% of cases of CIN2 or CIN3, respectively. A similar frequency of Ki-67 or TPII-alpha expression was observed in the dysplastic cells of CIN3 lesions. The pattern of hTERT-positive malignant cells in squamous cell carcinoma and dysplastic cells in the high-grade CIN lesions, to a greater extent, and dysplastic cells in the low-grade CIN lesion, to a lesser extent, was distinct from that of the normal cervical squamous mucosa. The results suggest that the progressive increase in the hTERT expression, together with the proliferative activity of the dysplastic epithelial cells of the high-grade CIN lesions, represents an early genetic abnormality in cervical pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baisakhi Saha
- Gene Therapy Program, Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, California 91101, USA
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Su JM, Lai XM, Lan KH, Li CP, Chao Y, Yen SH, Chang FY, Lee SD, Lee WP. X protein of hepatitis B virus functions as a transcriptional corepressor on the human telomerase promoter. Hepatology 2007; 46:402-13. [PMID: 17559154 DOI: 10.1002/hep.21675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The X protein of hepatitis B virus (HBx) is essential for transactivation of hepatitis B viral and host cellular genes. It has been specifically implicated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma; however, the molecular mechanism remains unknown. Telomeres, the DNA-protein complexes at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes, protect chromosomes from degradation at the terminal regions, fusion with a broken DNA end, and inappropriate recombination. The shortening of telomeres that occurs during hepatocellular carcinogenesis has been well studied. In the present study, we isolated an HBx isoform that resulted in telomere shortening in hepatoma cell lines. We found that this HBx isoform down-regulated the expression of human telomerase by transcriptionally repressing its promoter. To further determine the molecular mechanism, we examined human telomerase promoter and identified myc-associated zinc finger protein (MAZ) as a transcriptional repressor of the promoter. We found that the HBx isoform achieved transcriptional suppression of human telomerase by enhancing MAZ binding to its consensus sequence in the promoter through physical association with MAZ. CONCLUSION The data suggest that HBx can induce telomere shortening by acting as a transcriptional corepressor of MAZ on the human telomerase promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiun-Ming Su
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Ide T. [Mechanism of cell proliferation--cell cycle, oncogenes, and senescence]. YAKUGAKU ZASSHI 2007; 126:1087-115. [PMID: 17077613 DOI: 10.1248/yakushi.126.1087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cell proliferation is regulated through a transition between the G0 phase and cell cycle. We isolated a mammalian temperature-sensitive mutant cell line defective in the function from the G0 phase to cell cycle. Senescent human somatic cells fail to enter into the cell cycle from the G0 phase with stimulation by any growth factor. Telomere shortening was found to be a cause of cellular senescence, and reexpression of telomerase immortalized human somatic cells. Immortalized human somatic cells showed normal phenotypes and were useful not only for basic research but also for clinical and applied fields. The importance of p53 and p21 activation/induction i now well accepted in the signal transduction process from telomere shortening to growth arrest, but the precise mechanism is largely unknown as yet. We found that the MAP kinase cascade and histone acetylase have an important role in the signaling process to express p21. Tumor tissues and cells were found to have strong telomerase activity, while most normal somatic human tissues showed very weak or no activity. Telomerase activity was shown to be a good marker for early tumor diagnosis because significant telomerase activity was detected in very early tumors or even in some precancerous tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Telomere/telomerase is a candidate target for cancer chemotherapeutics, and an agent that abrogated telomere functions was found to kill tumor cells effectively by inducing apoptosis whereas it showed no effect on the viability of normal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinori Ide
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Division of Integrated Medical Science, Graduated School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City 734-8551, Japan.
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Abstract
Since the hallmark report of the PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) in 1994, there has been a flurry of investigations of telomerase activity on normal, benign, premalignant and cancerous samples representative of the various stages of tumorigenesis. Basic research and technological advances in human genetics, biochemistry and model systems have brought much progress towards the understanding of human infectious, hereditary and somatically acquired diseases. The knowledge of carcinogenesis has increased very rapidly in the past few years, particularly with the development of automated molecular biologic analysis of tumors and preneoplastic lesions. Despite the wide variety of studies on the potential use of telomerase as a cancer biomarker, the variability of reported telomerase activity and the lack of a transferable detection method have prevented it from becoming a routine clinical application. Real-time PCR is a clinically transferable method and the advancement of real-time measurements of telomerase will facilitate moving telomerase activity and technologies towards clinical validation. It is expected that the next 5 years will see telomerase integrated into the initial detection and follow-up monitoring of cancer patients. The hope is that the use of telomerase will finally translate into a diagnostic to help realize longer survival and a better quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Jakupciak
- National Institute of Standards & Technology, Biotechnology Division, 100 Bureau Drive, MS 8311, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA.
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Nemunaitis J, Nemunaitis J. A review of vaccine clinical trials for non-small cell lung cancer. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2007; 7:89-102. [PMID: 17150021 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.7.1.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that vaccines which enhance tumour antigen recognition may provide clinical benefit to subsets of non-small cell lung cancer patients. In this review, a variety of peptide-, gene- and cell-based clinical vaccine approaches targeting non-small cell lung cancer patients are reviewed. Results consistently demonstrate lack of toxicity. Examples of prolonged stable disease, tumour shrinkage response and survival benefit in comparison with historical and low-dose control groups have been demonstrated. Specific vaccines fulfilling justification for Phase III evaluation based on these results include LBLP25, TGF-beta2 antisense gene vaccine and GVAX.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nemunaitis
- Mary Crowley Medical Research Center, 60th Floor, 1717 Main St, Dallas, Texas 75201, USA.
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Brunsvig PF, Aamdal S, Gjertsen MK, Kvalheim G, Markowski-Grimsrud CJ, Sve I, Dyrhaug M, Trachsel S, Møller M, Eriksen JA, Gaudernack G. Telomerase peptide vaccination: a phase I/II study in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2006; 55:1553-64. [PMID: 16491401 PMCID: PMC11030882 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-006-0145-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2005] [Accepted: 01/29/2006] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE A phase I/II study was conducted to investigate the safety, tolerability and clinical response to vaccination with a combination of telomerase peptides GV1001 (hTERT: 611-626) and HR2822 (hTERT: 540-548) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Twenty-six patients with non-small cell lung cancer received intradermal administrations of either 60 nmole (112 microg) or 300 nmole (560 microg) GV1001 in combination with 60 nM (68.4 microg) HR2822 and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor. The treatment period was 10 weeks. Booster vaccinations with 300 nM GV1001 were offered as follow-up. Monitoring of blood samples, clinical examination and radiological staging were performed regularly. Immune responses were measured as delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reaction and in vitro T cell proliferation. Bone marrow function was monitored in long time survivors. RESULTS The treatment was well tolerated with minor side effects. No bone marrow toxicities were observed in long time survivors with immune responses. Immune responses against GV1001 were detected in 11 of 24 evaluable patients during the primary regimen and in additional two patients following booster injections. Two patients responded to HR2822. Cloned GV1001-specific CD4+ T cells displayed a Th1 cytokine profile and recognized autologous antigen presenting cells pulsed with recombinant telomerase protein. A complete tumor response was observed in one patient who developed GV1001-specific cytotoxic T cells that could be cloned from peripheral blood. CONCLUSION The results demonstrate that GV1001 and HR2822 are immunogenic and safe to use in patients with NSCLC. Induction of GV1001-specific immune responses may result in objective tumor responses. Based on these initial encouraging results, further clinical studies of GV1001 in NSCLC patients are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Steinar Aamdal
- Norwegian Radium Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Ingunn Sve
- Norwegian Radium Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | | | - Gustav Gaudernack
- Norwegian Radium Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Gustav Gaudernack, Head of Section for Immunotherapy, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, 0310 Oslo, Norway
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Lobachevsky PN, Radford IR. Intestinal crypt properties fit a model that incorporates replicative ageing and deep and proximate stem cells. Cell Prolif 2006; 39:379-402. [PMID: 16987140 PMCID: PMC6760706 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2184.2006.00395.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A model of intestinal crypt organization is suggested based on the assumption that stem cells have a finite replicative life span. The model assumes the existence in a crypt of a quiescent ('deep') stem cell and a few more actively cycling ('proximate') stem cells. Monte Carlo computer simulation of published intestinal crypt mutagenesis data is used to test the model. The results of the simulation indicate that stabilization of the crypt mutant phenotype following treatment with external mutagen is consistent with a stem cell replicative life span of about 40 divisions for mouse colon and 90-100 divisions for mouse small intestine, corresponding to a deep stem cell cycle time of about 3.9 and 8.5 weeks for colon and small intestine, respectively. Simulation of the data obtained for human colorectal crypts suggests that the proximate stem cell cycle time is about 80 h, assuming a replicative life span of 50-150 divisions, and that the deep stem cell divides approximately every 30 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- P N Lobachevsky
- Trescowthick Research Laboratories, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, St Andrews Place, East Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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44
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Klosterman E, Colitz CMH, Chandler HL, Kusewitt DF, Saville WJA, Dubielzig RR. Immunohistochemical properties of ocular adenomas, adenocarcinomas and medulloepitheliomas. Vet Ophthalmol 2006; 9:387-94. [PMID: 17076871 DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2006.00478.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Ocular medulloepitheliomas, adenomas and adenocarcinomas share a common phenotype and originate from the optic cup neuroectoderm. This can make it very difficult to differentiate between these tumors histopathologically. Therefore, this study focused on identifying a combination of immunologic markers that might be used in the diagnosis of these tumors. These markers included AE1/AE3, CK7, CK20, and telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT). Routine immunohistochemical staining was performed on 27 whole globes diagnosed with one of these tumors. The tumors that immunostained for TERT showed increasing immunoreactivity as the tumor types increased in aggressiveness. None of the tumor types were immunopositive for CK7. CK20 immunostaining was found in the adenomas but not in the adenocarcinomas or medulloepitheliomas. AE1/AE3 expression was present more consistently in the adenocarcinomas and less frequently in the adenomas. AE1/AE3 expression was present in only one of six medulloepitheliomas. Furthermore, CK20 and TERT showed inverse expression patterns, i.e. TERT increased in expression and CK20 decreased in expression with increasing aggressiveness. These results may be important diagnostic and prognostic indicators for these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Klosterman
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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45
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Bernhardt SL, Gjertsen MK, Trachsel S, Møller M, Eriksen JA, Meo M, Buanes T, Gaudernack G. Telomerase peptide vaccination of patients with non-resectable pancreatic cancer: A dose escalating phase I/II study. Br J Cancer 2006; 95:1474-82. [PMID: 17060934 PMCID: PMC2360729 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with inoperable pancreatic cancer have a dismal prognosis with a mean life expectancy of 3–6 months. New treatment modalities are thus urgently needed. Telomerase is expressed in 85–90% of pancreas cancer, and immunogenic telomerase peptides have been characterised. A phase I/II study was conducted to investigate the safety, tolerability, and immunogenecity of telomerase peptide vaccination. Survival of the patients was also recorded. Forty-eight patients with non-resectable pancreatic cancer received intradermal injections of the telomerase peptide GV1001 at three dose levels, in combination with granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The treatment period was 10 weeks. Monthly booster vaccinations were offered as follow-up treatment. Immune responses were measured as delayed-type hypersensitivity skin reaction and in vitro T-cell proliferation. GV1001 was well tolerated. Immune responses were observed in 24 of 38 evaluable patients, with the highest ratio (75%) in the intermediate dose group. Twenty-seven evaluable patients completed the study. Median survival for the intermediate dose-group was 8.6 months, significantly longer for the low- (P=0.006) and high-dose groups (P=0.05). One-year survival for the evaluable patients in the intermediate dose group was 25%. The results demonstrate that GV1001 is immunogenic and safe to use. The survival data indicate that induction of an immune response is correlated with prolonged survival, and the vaccine may offer a new treatment option for pancreatic cancer patients, encouraging further clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M K Gjertsen
- Section for Immunotherapy, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - S Trachsel
- Section for Immunotherapy, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - M Møller
- Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - T Buanes
- Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - G Gaudernack
- Section for Immunotherapy, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Head of Section for Immunotherapy, Institute for Cancer Research, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, NO-0310 Oslo, Norway. E-mail:
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Sabah M, Cummins R, Leader M, Kay E. Immunohistochemical Detection of hTERT Protein in Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Appl Immunohistochem Mol Morphol 2006; 14:198-202. [PMID: 16785790 DOI: 10.1097/01.pai.0000156606.04726.d3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is a telomerase catalytic subunit that regulates telomerase activity. Telomerase is expressed in many human cancers and cell lines and is thought to contribute to their immortality. Little is known about the expression of telomerase in non-epithelial tumors. The objective of this study was to evaluate hTERT expression in a wide range of soft tissue sarcomas. A total of 154 cases of different types of soft tissue sarcoma (54 low-grade, 40 intermediate-grade, and 60 high-grade cases) were evaluated for hTERT expression using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. hTERT immunoexpression was detected in 59% of cases; it was observed in 46%, 58%, and 72% of low-grade, intermediate-grade, and high-grade sarcoma cases, respectively. The intensity of staining positively correlated with the grade of the sarcomas: diffuse strong positive nuclear staining was identified in 6, 8, and 30 cases of low-grade, intermediate-grade, and high-grade sarcomas, respectively. These results suggest that telomerase expression is more often detected in highly malignant tumors than in low-grade sarcomas and thus may be a critical mechanism in tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muna Sabah
- Department of Histopathology, Beaumont Hospital and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
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Glinka EM, Edelweiss EF, Deyev SM. Eukaryotic expression vectors and immunoconjugates for cancer therapy. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2006; 71:597-606. [PMID: 16827650 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297906060022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
This review considers ways to address specificity to therapeutic targeted anticancer agents. These include transcriptional activation of tissue- and tumor-specific promoters in eukaryotic expression vectors and use of antitumor-directed immunoconjugates. The review deals with analysis of strategies used for selection of targeted promoters and examples of antibody fusion proteins exhibiting antitumor activity. A new direction in antitumor treatment pooling together methods of gene therapy and antibody therapy has appeared. This direction is based on the development of vectors encoding secreted forms of immunoconjugates. After vector introduction into a cell, the latter is capable of synthesizing and secreting antibody fusion protein composed of a therapeutic anticancer agent and antibody specifically targeted to cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- E M Glinka
- Shemyakin and Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 117997, Russia.
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Tzai TS, Tsai YS, Shiau AL, Wu CL, Shieh GS, Tsai HT. Urine prothymosin-alpha as novel tumor marker for detection and follow-up of bladder cancer. Urology 2006; 67:294-9. [PMID: 16461079 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2005.08.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2005] [Revised: 07/19/2005] [Accepted: 08/15/2005] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To establish the normal range of urine prothymosin-alpha in humans and to investigate its role as a specific tumor marker for the detection and follow-up of transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder before and after curative treatment. METHODS Urine samples were obtained from 151 healthy volunteers, 60 patients with urinary tract infection, 238 patients with bladder transitional cell carcinoma (96 with tumor and 142 tumor free), and 22 patients with non-transitional cell carcinoma tumors. The urine prothymosin-alpha levels were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and then appropriately analyzed and compared among the different study groups. RESULTS The mean value of urine prothymosin-alpha in healthy volunteers was 0.68 +/- 0.13 ng/mL. Regardless of the presence of urinary tract infection, the urine prothymosin-alpha level in patients with newly diagnosed, as yet untreated, bladder cancer was significantly greater than that in those who were tumor free after curative treatment (P = 0.050 and P = 0.026 for the presence and absence of urinary tract infection, respectively). At follow-up, the urine prothymosin-alpha level was constantly elevated when residual or recurrent tumor was present after treatment. Although the urine prothymosin-alpha level in patients with non-transitional cell carcinoma tumors was not significantly different from that of healthy volunteers, it was definitely lower than the level in patients with bladder tumors (P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS Our findings have revealed that urine prothymosin-alpha has the potential of being a useful tumor marker for the detection and follow-up of bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzong-Shin Tzai
- Department of Urology, National Cheng Kung University College of Medicine and Hospital, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Mairs RJ, Fullerton NE, Cosimo E, Boyd M. Gene manipulation to enhance MIBG-targeted radionuclide therapy. Nucl Med Biol 2006; 32:749-53. [PMID: 16243651 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2005.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2005] [Revised: 03/22/2005] [Accepted: 03/24/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The goal of targeted radionuclide therapy is the deposition in malignant cells of sterilizing doses of radiation without damaging normal tissue. The radiopharmaceutical [(131)I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine ([(131)I]MIBG) is an effective single agent for the treatment of neuroblastoma. However, uptake of the drug in malignant sites is insufficient to cure disease. A growing body of experimental evidence indicates exciting possibilities for the integration of gene transfer with [(131)I]MIBG-targeted radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Mairs
- Targeted Therapy Group, Centre for Oncology and Applied Pharmacology, Cancer Research UK Beatson Laboratories, University of Glasgow.
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Cakir C, Gulluoglu MG, Yilmazbayhan D. Cell proliferation rate and telomerase activity in the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant mesothelial proliferations. Pathology 2006; 38:10-5. [PMID: 16484001 DOI: 10.1080/00313020500456017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The differential diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma (MM) from benign mesothelial lesions (BML) based on histopathological criteria is sometimes not satisfying and causes diagnostic problems for histopathologists. We aimed to investigate whether the immunohistochemically determined cell proliferation rate and telomerase activity, using Ki-67 and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) immunohistochemistry, respectively, are useful in the differential diagnosis of MM from BML. METHODS Sixty-six cases of MM (33 epithelioid, 30 biphasic and 3 sarcomatoid) and 22 cases of BML (15 reactive mesothelial proliferations and 7 fibrous pleuritis/pericarditis) were included in this study. We evaluated the proliferative activity by Ki-67 and telomerase activity by hTERT immunohistochemistries for each case. RESULTS The mean value of the Ki-67 proliferation index (PI) in MMs was significantly higher than that of BMLs. Biphasic MMs have higher a Ki-67 PI than epithelioid and sarcomatoid types. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry has a sensitivity of 74%, specificity of 86% and positive predictive value of 94% in detecting MM. hTERT immunohistochemistry detected MM with sensitivity and specificity of 68%. CONCLUSION As a result, being cheap and simple methods, Ki-67 and hTERT immunohistochemistries can be used in differentiating malignant and benign mesothelial lesions in routine formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caglar Cakir
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Istanbul, Turkey
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