Molecular diagnosis and molecular profiling to detect treatment-resistant ovarian cancer

TQ-Ox, a novel synthetic derivative of thymoquinone on ovarian cancer cells in vitro

There are many studies in the literature on thymoquinone (TQ)-related cancer cells and models, and there is no relevant study investigating the efficacy of the oxime derivative of TQ (TQ-Ox). This study synthesized TQ-Ox and examined its cytotoxic, genotoxic and apoptotic properties in ovarian cancer cells. The structure TQ-Ox was confirmed with NMR. The cytotoxicity by luminometric ATP, intracellular reactive oxygen species (iROS) by fluorometric, intracellular calcium (iCa2+) by fluorometric, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by flow cytometry, glutathione (GSH) levels with GSH/GSSG-Glo assay, DNA damage by comet assay, and apoptosis by acridine orange/ethidium bromide dye were determined. Concentrations of TQ-Ox were statistically increased cytotoxicity, DNA damage, apoptosis, iROS, and iCa2+ in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.001). Besides, MMP and GSH levels also decreased statistically significantly (p < 0.001) with increasing concentrations. TQ-Ox would be an effective treatment option by increasing cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma.

High expression of RIPK2 is associated with Taxol resistance in serous ovarian cancer

Background

Taxol resistance in serous ovarian cancer is responsible for its poor prognosis, yet the underlying mechanism is still poorly understood. Thus, we probed the mechanism of Taxol resistance in serous ovarian cancer with multiple bioinformatic methods to provide novel insights into potential therapies.

Methods

The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Taxol-sensitive and Taxol-resistant cell lines and their relationship with the overall survival (OS) and progression-free interval (PFI) of ovarian cancer patients were analyzed using gene expression datasets from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The role of receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 2 (RIPK2) was validated via identification of its coexpressed genes, functional analysis and generation of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to explore immune infiltration, and genomic alterations of RIPK2 were also analyzed via cBio Cancer Genomics Portal (cBioProtal).

Results

RIPK2 was highly expressed in Taxol resistant ovarian cancer cell lines, and its high expression was also linked with shorter OS and PFI in serous ovarian cancer patients. The PPI network analysis and pathway analysis demonstrated that RIPK2 might participate in the positive regulation of NF-κB transcription factor activity. RIPK2 expression was related to tumor microenvironment alterations, which might participate in the formation of Taxol resistance.

Conclusions

Our studies suggested that high expression of RIPK2 is related to Taxol resistance in serous ovarian cancer, and that RIPK2 induces Taxol resistance through NOD1/RIPK2/NF-κB inflammatory pathway activation and tumor microenvironment changes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13048-022-00986-2.

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: An Innovative Method for the Diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy due to the late diagnoses at advanced stages, drug resistance and the high recurrence rate. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new techniques to diagnose and monitor ovarian cancer patients. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has great potential in the diagnosis of this disease, as well as the real-time monitoring of cancer development and chemoresistance. As a noninvasive, simple and convenient technique, it can not only distinguish the molecular differences between normal and malignant tissues, but also be used to identify the characteristics of different types of ovarian cancer. FTIR spectroscopy is also widely used in monitoring cancer cells in response to antitumor drugs, distinguishing cells in different growth states, and identifying new synthetic drugs. In this paper, the applications of FTIR spectroscopy for ovarian cancer diagnosis and other works carried out so far are described in detail.

Novel Chimeric Poxvirus CF17 Improves Survival in a Murine Model of Intraperitoneal Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Despite improvements in surgical techniques and chemotherapy, ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic cancer. Thus, there is an urgent need for more effective therapeutics, particularly for chemo-resistant peritoneal ovarian cancer metastases. Oncolytic virotherapy represents an innovative treatment paradigm; however, for oncolytic viruses tested from the last generation of genetically engineered viruses, the therapeutic benefits have been modest. To overcome these limitations, we generated a chimeric poxvirus, CF17, through the chimerization of nine species of orthopoxviruses. Compared with its parental viruses, CF17 has demonstrated superior oncolytic characteristics. Here, we report the oncolytic potential of CF17 in ovarian cancer. Replication of CF17 and its resulting cytotoxicity were observed at multiplicities of infection (MOIs) as low as 0.001 in human and mouse cancer cell lines in vitro. Furthermore, CF17 exerted potent antitumor effects in a syngeneic mouse model of ovarian cancer at doses as low as 6 × 10⁶ plaque-forming units. Together, these data merit further investigation of the potential use of this novel chimeric poxvirus as an effective treatment for aggressive intraperitoneal ovarian cancer.

A Lab-on-a-Chip Device Integrated DNA Extraction and Solid Phase PCR Array for the Genotyping of High-Risk HPV in Clinical Samples

Point-of-care (POC) molecular diagnostics play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases. It is necessary to develop portable, easy-to-use, inexpensive and rapid molecular diagnostic tools. In this study, we proposed a lab-on-a-chip device that integrated DNA extraction, solid-phase PCR and genotyping detection. The ingenious design of the pneumatic microvalves enabled the fluid mixing and reagent storage to be organically combined, significantly reducing the size of the chip. The solid oligonucleotide array incorporated into the chip allowed the spatial separation of the primers and minimized undesirable interactions in multiplex amplification. As a proof-of-concept for POC molecular diagnostics on the device, five genotypes of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) (HPV16/HPV18/HPV31/HPV33/HPV58) were examined. Positive quality control samples and HPV patient cervical swab specimens were analyzed on the integrated microdevice. The platform was capable of detection approximately 50 copies of HPV virus per reaction during a single step, including DNA extraction, solid-phase PCR and genotype detection, in 1 h from samples being added to the chip. This simple and inexpensive microdevice provided great utility for the screening and monitoring of HPV genotypes. The sample-to-result platform will pave the way for wider application of POC molecular testing in the fields of clinical diagnostics, food safety, and environmental monitoring.

HIF Inactivation of p53 in Ovarian Cancer Can Be Reversed by Topotecan, Restoring Cisplatin and Paclitaxel Sensitivity

Ovarian cancer growth under hypoxic conditions results in hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) stabilization. HIF1α is an adverse prognostic factor that may contribute to worse outcomes via its capacity to bind to p53, potentially blocking p53-mediated apoptosis. We determined whether HIF1α-p53 binding occurred in hypoxic ovarian cancer cell lines, and if this blocked p53 transcriptional activity. Topotecan (TPT), used in the treatment of ovarian cancer, inhibits HIF1α translation via a topoisomerase-1 (TOPO1)-dependent mechanism. We examined if TPT knockdown of HIF1α restored p53 transcriptional function. TPT effects on HIF1α and p53-related transcriptional targets were assessed by PCR. Associations between TPT effects and TOPO1 expression levels were examined by Western blots and knockdown by siRNA. RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation was used to assess if TOPO1 was resident on HIF1α mRNA. We determined if sublethal doses of TPT, used to knockdown HIF1α, reversed hypoxia-related cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance (XTT assay). Flow cytometry was used to assess HIF1α-mediated upregulation of ABCB1 and ABCB5 efflux pump expression. We found that HIF1α binding to, and inhibition of, p53 transcriptional activity in hypoxic ovarian cancer cells was associated with drug resistance. TPT-mediated downregulation of HIF1α in hypoxic cells required TOPO1 resident on HIF1α mRNA, restored p53 transcriptional activity, downregulated ABCB1/ABCB5 cell surface expression, and reversed hypoxia-related cisplatin and paclitaxel resistance. IMPLICATIONS: TPT-mediated reduction of HIF1α accumulation in hypoxic ovarian cancer cell lines restores p53 tumor-suppressor function, offering a novel approach to reverse chemoresistance. Further clinical investigation is warranted.

Novel Approaches in Ovarian Cancer Research against Heterogeneity, Late Diagnosis, Drug Resistance, and Transcoelomic Metastases

The development of modern technologies has revolutionised science and has had a huge impact on biomedical studies. This review focuses on possible tools that scientists can use to face the challenges of fighting ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynaecologic malignancy and, even after years of study, the mortality has not decreased significantly. In the era of sequencing and personalised and precision medicine, we are now closer than ever to helping patients and physicians in regard to treatment and diagnosis of this disease. This work summarises the newest findings in the development of ovarian cancer research.

OvAd1, a Novel, Potent, and Selective Chimeric Oncolytic Virus Developed for Ovarian Cancer by 3D-Directed Evolution

Effective therapeutics for ovarian cancer continue to be urgently needed, particularly for chemotherapy-resistant cases. Here we present both a 3D-Matrigel culture-based expansion of our directed evolution method for generation of oncolytic virotherapies and two promising ovarian-cancer targeted oncolytic viruses, OvAd1 and OvAd2. OvAd1 was developed using Matrigel cell cultures, whereas OvAd2 was developed in parallel using traditional monolayer tissue culture methods. Both viruses are potent against a panel of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer cell lines and are attenuated on normal cells in vitro, resulting in therapeutic windows of ∼200-fold. We observed two benefits of the use of Matrigel-based cultures for directed evolution of these oncolytics: (1) use of Matrigel generated a bioselected pool that was more strongly attenuated on normal cells while retaining its potency against ovarian cancer cells, and (2) in an ovarian carcinomatosis model, the Matrigel-derived virus OvAd1 suppressed all tumor growth while the non-Matrigel-derived virus was 50% effective. Neither virus stimulated formation of peritoneal adhesions as seen for Ad5-based therapies. Consequently, these viruses are novel candidates for development as new effective treatments for aggressive ovarian cancer.

Loss of TAB3 expression by shRNA exhibits suppressive bioactivity and increased chemical sensitivity of ovarian cancer cell lines via the NF-κB pathway

Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death among gynaecologic malignancies. Despite many years of research, it still remains sparing in reliable diagnostic markers and methods for early detection and screening. Transforming growth factor β-activated protein kinase 1 (TAK1)-binding protein 3 (TAB3) was initially characterized as an adapter protein essential for TAK1 activation in response to IL-1β or TNFα, however, the physiological role of TAB3 in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis is still not fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the effects of TAB3 on ovarian cancer cell lines. Expressions of TAB3 and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) were found to be gradually increased in EOC tissues and cell lines, by western blot analysis and qRT-PCR. Distribution of TAB3 was further analysed by immunohistochemistry. In vitro, knockdown of TAB3 expression in HO8910 or SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells significantly inhibited bioactivity of ovarian cancer cells, including proliferation and cell-cycle distribution, and promoted chemical sensitivity to cisplatin and paclitaxel treatment via inhibiting NF-κB pathways. In conclusion, our study strongly suggests a novel function of TAB3 as an oncogene that could be used as a biomarker for ovarian cancer. It provides a new insight into the potential mechanism for therapeutic targeting, in chemotherapy resistance, common in ovarian cancer.