Clinicopathological Significance and Potential Drug Target of CDKN2A/p16 in Endometrial Carcinoma

Screening for ferroptosis genes related to endometrial carcinoma and predicting of targeted drugs based on bioinformatics

Endometrial carcinoma is one of most common malignant tumors in women, and ferroptosis is closely related to the development and treatment of endometrial carcinoma. The aim of this study was to screen ferroptosis-related genes associated with endometrial carcinoma and predict targeted drugs through bioinformatics. 761 differentially expressed genes were obtained by the dataset GSE63678 from the GEO database, and most of the genes were enriched in the KEGG_CELL_CYCLE and KEGG_OOCYTE_MEIOSIS signaling pathways. 22 ferroptosis-differentially expressed genes were obtained by intersection with the FerrDb database. These genes were involved in biological processes including macromolecular complex assembly and others, and involved in signal pathways including glutathione metabolism, p53 signaling pathway and others. CDKN2A, IDH1, NRAS, TFRC and GOT1 were obtained as hub genes by PPI network analysis. GEPIA showed that CDKN2A, IDH1, NRAS and TFRC were significantly expressed in endometrial carcinoma. Immunohistochemical results showed that CDKN2A, NRAS and TFRC were significantly expressed in endometrial carcinoma clinical tissue samples. The ROC constructed by TCGA database showed that CDKN2A, NRAS and TFRC had significant value in the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma, and all had prognostic efficacy. 136,572-09-3 BOSS and others were identified as potential targeted drugs for endometrial carcinoma targeting ferroptosis. Our study has shown that ferroptosis-related genes CDKN2A, NRAS and TFRC are diagnostic markers of endometrial carcinoma, and 136,572-09-3 BOSS, methyprylon BOSS, daunorubicin CTD 00005752, nitroglycerin BOSS and dUTP BOSS, IRON BOSS, Imatinib mesylate BOSS, 2-Butanone BOSS, water BOSS, and L-thyroxine BOSS may be potential therapeutic drugs.

Identification and validation of a novel cuproptosis-related genes signature associated with prognosis, clinical implications and immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Cuproptosis is a novel type of regulated cell death and is reported to promote tumor occurrence and progression. However, whether a cuproptosis-related signature has an impact on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unclear. Materials and methods: We analyzed the transcriptome data of HCC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) database, and searched for tumor types with different cuproptosis patterns through consistent clustering of cuproptosis genes. We then constructed a Cuproptosis-Related Genes (CRGs)-based risk signature through LASSO COX regression, and further analyzed its impact on the prognosis, clinical characteristics, immune cell infiltration, and drug sensitivity of HCC. Results: We identified the expression changes of 10 cuproptosis-related genes in HCC, and all the patients can be divided into two subtypes with different prognosis by applying the consensus clustering algorithm. We then constructed a cuproptosis-related risk signature and identified five CRGs, which were highly correlated with prognosis and representative of this gene set, namely G6PD, PRR11, KIF20A, EZH2, and CDCA8. Patients in the low CRGs signature group had a favorable prognosis. We further validated the CRGs signature in ICGC cohorts and got consistent results. Besides, we also discovered that the CRGs signature was significantly associated with a variety of clinical characteristics, different immune landscapes and drug sensitivity. Moreover, we explored that the high CRGs signature group was more sensitive to immunotherapy. Conclusion: Our integrative analysis demonstrated the potential molecular signature and clinical applications of CRGs in HCC. The model based on CRGs can precisely predict the survival outcomes of HCC, and help better guide risk stratification and treatment strategy for HCC patients.

Identification and Validation of Cuproptosis-Related Prognostic Signature and Associated Regulatory Axis in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma

Background: Uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) is a common gynecological malignancy globally with high recurrence and mortality rates. Cuproptosis is a new type of programmed cell death involved in tumor cell proliferation and growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis.

Methods: The difference in cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) between UCEC tissues and normal tissues deposited in The Cancer Genome Atlas database was calculated using the “limma” R package. LASSO Cox regression analysis was conducted to construct a prognostic cuproptosis–related signature. Kaplan–Meier analysis was conducted to compare the survival of UCEC patients. A ceRNA network was constructed to identify the lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory axis. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to verify CRG expression in UCEC.

Results: The expression of FDX1, LIAS, DLAT, and CDKN2A were upregulated, whereas the expression of LIPT1, DLD, PDHB, MTF1, and GLS were downregulated in UCEC versus normal tissues. The genetic mutation landscape of CRGs in UCEC was also summarized. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed that these CRGs were enriched in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, glycolysis, and HIF-1 signaling pathway. LASSO Cox regression analysis was performed and identified a cuproptosis-related prognostic signature including these three prognostic biomarkers (CDKN2A, GLS, and LIPT1). UCEC patients with high risk scores had a poor prognosis with an area under the curve of 0.782 and 0.764 on 3- and 5-year receiver operating characteristic curves. Further analysis demonstrated a significant correlation between CDKN2A and pTNM stage, tumor grade, immune cell infiltration, drug sensitivity, tumor mutational burden (TMB) score, and microsatellite instable (MSI) score. The data validation of qRT-PCR further demonstrated the upregulation of CDKN2A and the downregulation of LIPT1 and GLS in UCEC versus normal tissues. The ceRNA network also identified lncRNA XIST/miR-125a-5p/CDKN2A regulatory axis for UCEC.

Conclusion: The current study identified a cuproptosis-related prognostic signature including these three prognostic biomarkers (CDKN2A, GLS, and LIPT1) for UCEC. The ceRNA network also identified that lncRNA XIST/miR-125a-5p/CDKN2A regulatory axis may be involved in the progression of UCEC. Further in vivo and in vitro studies should be conducted to verify these results.

Research Progress of DNA Methylation in Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer (EC)) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the female genital system, with an increasing incidence and mortality, worldwide. Although the therapeutic strategy of EC is still complicated and challenging, further understanding of carcinogenesis from a gene perspective would allow an effort to improve therapeutic precision in this complex malignancy. DNA methylation is the most widely studied epigenetic alteration in human tumors. Aberrant DNA methylation events, resulting in altered gene expression, are features of many tumor types. In this review, we provide an update on evidence about the roles of aberrant DNA methylation within some classical tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes in endometrial carcinogenesis, and report on recent advances in the understanding of the contribution of aberrant DNA methylation to EC, as well as opportunities and challenges of DNA methylation in EC management and prevention.

Identification of a Novel Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Gene Signature for Endometrial Carcinoma Prognosis

(1) Background: Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent cause of gynecological malignant tumor worldwide. The prognosis of endometrial carcinoma patients with distant metastasis is poor. (2) Method: The RNA-Seq expression profile and corresponding clinical data were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas database and the Gene Expression Omnibus databases. To predict patients’ overall survival, a 9 EMT-related genes prognosis risk model was built by machine learning algorithm and multivariate Cox regression. Expressions of nine genes were verified by RT-qPCR. Responses to immune checkpoint blockades therapy and drug sensitivity were separately evaluated in different group of patients with the risk model. (3) Endometrial carcinoma patients were assigned to the high- and low-risk groups according to the signature, and poorer overall survival and disease-free survival were showed in the high-risk group. This EMT-related gene signature was also significantly correlated with tumor purity and immune cell infiltration. In addition, eight chemical compounds, which may benefit the high-risk group, were screened out. (4) Conclusions: We identified a novel EMT-related gene signature for predicting the prognosis of EC patients. Our findings provide potential therapeutic targets and compounds for personalized treatment. This may facilitate decision making during endometrial carcinoma treatment.

circSLC6A6 Sponges miR-497-5p to Promote Endometrial Cancer Progression via the PI4KB/Hedgehog Axis

BACKGROUND

As a new kind of noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been substantiated to be involved in multiple biological processes. Accumulating studies indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs) regulate the development of cancers by acting as miRNA sponges. However, the role of circRNAs in endometrial cancer (EC) is rarely reported. This study was aimed at investigating the functional roles of circSLC6A6 in EC.

METHODS

The qRT-PCR assay was performed to detect the circSLC6A6 expression in EC tissues and cell lines. The luciferase reporter assay was performed to explore the connection between circSLC6A6 and miR-497-5p as well as the connection between miR-497-5p and PI4KB. The colony formation assay, EdU assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were performed to examine the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EC cells. The in vivo assay was performed to reveal the function of circSLC6A6 in tumorigenesis.

RESULTS

We found that circSLC6A6 was highly expressed in both EC tissues and cells. And circSLC6A6 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of EC cells in vitro. In vivo, circSLC6A6 promoted tumor growth. Besides, a mechanistic study demonstrated that circSLC6A6 could regulate tumor-associated signaling PI4KB/hedgehog pathway by sponging miR-497-5p.

CONCLUSION

This study illustrates that circSLC6A6 plays a role in promoting EC progression via the miR-497-5p-mediated PI4KB/hedgehog pathway. Our study may provide a potential novel biomarker for EC diagnosis or treatment.

PTEN mutation: A potential prognostic factor associated with immune infiltration in endometrial carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a genetic disease, normally accompanied by gene mutations or abnormal expression patterns. However, PTEN mutation and its prognostic value in EC remained debated. Meanwhile, the distribution of PTEN mutation, as well as its correlation with clinical characteristics and tumor immune infiltrating cells, is still poorly understood.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of PTEN mutation based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, including 525 uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma (UCEC) samples. We analyzed the frequency of PTEN mutation, distribution of PTEN mutation in different clinical characteristics, the prognostic value of PTEN mutation, and the correlation with tumor immune infiltrating cells in tumor microenvironment.

RESULTS

PTEN mutation was detected in 65.5﹪of total EC samples. PTEN mutation was significantly associated with age, histological type, clinical stage, and grade. In addition, the patients with PTEN mutation showed a significantly prolonged overall survival (OS) time and disease free survival (DFS) time compared with EC patients without PTEN mutation in entire group, training group, and validation group. Multivariate Cox regression analyses suggested that PTEN mutation was an independent prognostic factor in DFS. Moreover, the percentages of Tregs (P = 0.014) and M1 macrophages (P = 0.013) were significantly different in PTEN mutation group and non-mutation group.

CONCLUSION

PTEN mutation was correlated with favorable prognosis in EC patients. In addition, PTEN mutation was found to be associated with immune infiltrating cells in tumor microenvironment. Taken together, these findings suggested that PTEN could be regarded a potential predictive and therapeutic target for EC.

Upregulation of long non-coding RNA OGFRP1 facilitates endometrial cancer by regulating miR-124-3p/SIRT1 axis and by activating PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway

We planned to investigate the possible influences of long non-coding RNA (opioid growth factor receptor pseudogene 1) OGFRP1 in endometrial cancer and its potential regulatory mechanism. We measured the level of OGFRP1 in endometrial cancer tissues and evaluated the influences of OGFRP1 dysregulation on the tumour cell biological processes of endometrial cancer cells. Further, the regulatory relationships between OGFRP1 and miR-124-3p, between miR-124-3p and Sirtuin1 (SIRT1) were, respectively, investigated. The interaction between OGFRP1 dysregulation and activation of PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway was revealed by Western blotting. OGFRP1 was up-regulated in endometrial cancer tissues and cells. OGFRP1 suppression inhibited the malignant behaviour (inhibited cell viability, promoted cell apoptosis, and suppressed cell migration and invasion) of the Ishikawa cells via negatively regulating miR-124-3p. SIRT1 was a target gene of miR-124-3p, and miR-124-3p regulated tumour growth and metastasis by the down-stream signal of SIRT1. Moreover, suppression of OGFRP1 restrained the activation of PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signals in the Ishikawa cells via miR-124-3p/SIRT1 axis. Our experiments revealed that upregulation of OGFRP1 may enhance the progression of endometrial cancer by regulating miR-124-3p/SIRT1 axis and by activating PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β pathway. OGFRP1 may be of significance in illustrating the biology of endometrial cancer.

Suppressive effect of microRNA-449a on the NDRG1/PTEN/AKT axis regulates endometrial cancer growth and metastasis

Database screening indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in pathogenesis of endometrial cancer. Among these miRNAs, miR-449a might be involved in tumorigenesis and lower expression of miR-449a was associated with poor prognosis. However, the role of miR-449a and its underlying molecular mechanism in endometrial cancer (EC) has not been investigated. In this study, our analysis found that miR-449a expression is inversely correlated with the stage of EC. Downregulation of miR-449a was correlated with tumor progression and poor prognosis in the EC patients. Results of functional analyses revealed that overexpression of miR-449a in human EC cells alleviated cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis. Conversely, loss of miR-449a in EC cancer cells facilitated all these cellular activities. Moreover, we identified N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) as a direct and functional target gene of miR-449a in EC cells, and the expression of NDRG1 in 87 EC specimens were inversely correlated with that of miR-449a. Additionally, further studies show that the down-regulation of NDRG1 expression inhibited proliferation and metastasis of EC cells through the PTEN/AKT pathway. Therefore, these results suggest that miR-449a suppresses the growth and metastasis of EC by directly targeting the NDRG1 gene and that the activation of miR-449a may represent an effective therapeutic strategy in EC.

Pathogenesis, Genetics, and Genomics of Non-High Grade Serous Ovarian Cancers

The 5 main non-high grade serous epithelial ovarian cancers (clear cell, low grade endometrioid, low grade serous, mucinous, and carcinosarcoma) are discrete in terms of their pathogenesis, molecular biology, and treatment sensitivity. This article reviews the current understanding of their pathogenesis and molecular biology, highlighting areas of uncertainty where future research efforts should be focused.

LncRNA ABHD11-AS1 promotes the development of endometrial carcinoma by targeting cyclin D1

To investigate the expression, role and mechanism of action of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ABHD11-AS1 in endometrial carcinoma. The expression of lncRNA ABHD11-AS1 was quantified by qRT-PCR in human endometrial carcinoma (n = 89) and normal endometrial tissues (n = 27). LncRNA ABHD11-AS1 was stably overexpressed or knocked-down in endometrial carcinoma cell lines to examine the cellular phenotype and expression of related molecules. Compared to normal endometrial tissue, lncRNA ABHD11-AS1 was significantly overexpressed in endometrial carcinoma. Overexpression of lncRNA ABHD11-AS1 promoted the proliferation, G1-S progression, invasion and migration of endometrial cancer cells; inhibited apoptosis; up-regulated cyclin D1, CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, Bcl-xl and VEGFA; and down-regulated p16, while ABHD11-AS1 down-regulation has the opposite effect. RNA pull down demonstrated that lncRNA ABHD11-AS1 binds directly to cyclin D1. Knockdown of cyclin D1 can reverse the effect of ABHD11-AS1. Overexpression of lncRNA ABHD11-AS1 increased the tumorigenicity and up-regulated cyclin D1 in an in vivo model of endometrial cancer in nude mice. LncRNA ABHD11-AS1 functions as an oncogene to promote cell proliferation and invasion in endometrial carcinoma by positively targeting cyclin D1.

Vasculogenic mimicry and expression of ALDH1, Beclin1, and p16 correlate with metastasis and prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a new blood supply in malignant tumors and has long been considered as an effective factor in the metastasis and prognosis of many cancers. ALDH1 (a marker of cancer stem cells), Beclin1 (a biomarker of autophagy) and p16 (a suppressor gene of tumor) are all useful predictive factors for many cancer metastases. However, the prognostic and metastatic value of VM, ALDH1, Beclin1, or p16 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is unclear. In this study, we analyzed correlations among VM, ALDH1, Beclin1, and p16 in OSCC, and their respective associations with clinicopathological parameters and survival in OSCC.

METHODS

Positive rates of VM, ALDH1, Beclin1, and p16 in 186 whole OSCC specimens were detected by immunohistochemical and histochemical staining. Patients' clinical information was also collected.

RESULTS

Positive rates of VM, ALDH1, and Beclin1 were significantly higher, and levels of p16 were significantly lower in OSCC than in normal oral tissues. Positive rates of VM, ALDH1, and Beclin1 were positively associated with tumor grade, primary tumor (pT), lymph node metastasis (LNM), and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and inversely with patients overall survival (OS) time. Levels of p16 was negatively associated with grade, pT, LNM, and TNM stage, and positively associated with smoking and alcohol. The p16+ subgroup had significantly longer OS time than did the p16- subgroup. In multivariate analysis, high ALDH1, VM, Beclin1 levels, tumor grade, pT, LNM, TNM stage, and low p16 levels were potential to be independent prognostic factors for OS time in OSCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

VM, and the expression of ALDH1, Beclin1, and p16 represent promising markers for metastasis and prognosis, and potential therapeutic targets for OSCC.

The diagnostic role of DNA methylation in sporadic endometrial cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Although increasing numbers of methylated genes have been identified as biomarkers for endometrial cancer, the results have been inconsistent. We therefore carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of methylated genes as markers for sporadic endometrial cancer.

Results

A total of 22 studies including 1930 participants (sporadic endometrial cancer patients and normal individuals) met our eligibility criteria. The pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.91−0.94) and 0.48 (95% confidence interval: 0.46–0.50), respectively. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8834. The presence of DNA methylation was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis of endometrial cancer (pooled odds ratio: 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.15–0.52, p < 0.001).

Materials and Methods

We searched the relevant literature systematically using the PubMed and Web of Science databases up to April 2017. Diagnostic accuracy variables were pooled and analyzed using Meta-DiSc software. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias were evaluated using Review Manager.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis suggests that the detection of DNA methylation is associated with lymph node metastasis, with high sensitivity but relatively low specificity for the diagnosis of sporadic endometrial cancer.

Silencing of TRB3 Ameliorates Diabetic Tubule Interstitial Nephropathy via PI3K/AKT Signaling in Rats

Background

Nephropathy, a chronic progressive kidney disease often characterized by glomeruli scarring and sclerosis, is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Development of nephropathologic lesions has been shown to be associated with suppressed AKT phosphorylation and elevated level of apoptosis. Moreover, it has been established that the TRB3 gene is capable of inhibiting AKT phosphorylation and promoting apoptosis.

Material/Methods

In this study, we injected TRB3 siRNA into Wistar rats with type 1 diabetes, and monitored development of nephropathy in the rats. Urinary albumin excretion and serum creatinine were used as primary indicators, and nephritic histology was also examined. We also measured the serum level of pro-inflammatory cytokines collagen expression, and phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT proteins in the kidneys.

Results

By silencing the TRB3 gene with siRNA, diabetic-induced nephropathy symptoms were alleviated, such as increased serum creatinine level and urinary albumin secretion. Additionally, histological examination showed lower levels of nephropathic lesions, and samples of the kidneys showed less accumulation of collagen proteins. Levels of serum cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were also lowered, whereas phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT were increased. In summary, TRB3 silencing in diabetic rats had a significant ameliorative effect on their nephropathy.

Conclusions

Silencing of TRB3 has a significant ameliorative effect on diabetic nephropathy in rats.

The factor structure of the 12-item general health questionnaire (GHQ-12) in young Chinese civil servants

Background

The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) is a commonly used screening instrument for measuring mental disorders. However, few studies have measured the mental health of Chinese professionals or explored the factor structure of the GHQ-12 through investigations of young Chinese civil servants.

Method

This study analyses the factor structure of the GHQ-12 on young Chinese civil servants. Respondents include 1051 participants from six cities in eastern China. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is used to identify the potential factor structure of the GHQ-12. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) models of previous studies are referred to for model fitting.

Results

The results indicate the GHQ-12 has very good reliability and validity. All ten CFA models are well fitted with the actual data.

Conclusion

All the ten models are feasible and fit the data equally well. The Chinese version of the GHQ-12 is suitable for professional groups and can serve as a screening tool to detect anxiety and psychiatric disorders.

The risk of male adult alcohol dependence: The role of the adverse childhood experiences and ecological executive function

OBJECTIVE

To explore the association between male adult alcohol dependence and their adverse childhood experiences as well as ecological executive function.

METHODS

The questionnaires of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version (BRIEF-A) were adopted for the assessments of 102 alcohol dependent patients who were diagnosed according to the criteria defined by the International Classification of diseases and related health problems (ICD-10) and 106 healthy volunteers, and the differences between patients and healthy volunteers were analyzed.

RESULTS

The percentage of adverse childhood experiences in alcohol dependent patients was significantly higher than that in healthy volunteers (χ(2)=17.28, P<0.01); and the incidences of emotional abuse, physical neglect, violence witness, and substance abuse were significantly higher in alcohol dependent patients than those in healthy volunteers (χ(2)=4.59, 4.46, 10.51, and 44.09 respectively; P<0.05). The ecological executive function analysis showed that the BRIEF total score and scores for each item were all significantly higher in alcohol dependent patients than those of healthy volunteers (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

The adult alcohol dependence was associated with their adverse childhood experiences and ecological executive function. Then physical neglect and substance abuse of parents in childhood, and emotional control defect in the ecological executive function showed strong association with adult alcohol dependence.