1
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RNA motifs and combinatorial prediction of interactions, stability and localization of noncoding RNAs. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2018; 25:1070-1076. [DOI: 10.1038/s41594-018-0155-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
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2
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Giulietti M, Occhipinti G, Righetti A, Bracci M, Conti A, Ruzzo A, Cerigioni E, Cacciamani T, Principato G, Piva F. Emerging Biomarkers in Bladder Cancer Identified by Network Analysis of Transcriptomic Data. Front Oncol 2018; 8:450. [PMID: 30370253 PMCID: PMC6194189 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a very common malignancy. Although new treatment strategies have been developed, the identification of new therapeutic targets and reliable diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers for bladder cancer remains a priority. Generally, they are found among differentially expressed genes between patients and healthy subjects or among patients with different tumor stages. However, the classical approach includes processing these data taking into consideration only the expression of each single gene regardless of the expression of other genes. These complex gene interaction networks can be revealed by a recently developed systems biology approach called Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). It takes into account the expression of all genes assessed in an experiment in order to reveal the clusters of co-expressed genes (modules) that, very probably, are also co-regulated. If some genes are co-expressed in controls but not in pathological samples, it can be hypothesized that a regulatory mechanism was altered and that it could be the cause or the effect of the disease. Therefore, genes within these modules could play a role in cancer and thus be considered as potential therapeutic targets or diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers. Here, we have reviewed all the studies where WGCNA has been applied to gene expression data from bladder cancer patients. We have shown the importance of this new approach in identifying candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets. They include both genes and miRNAs and some of them have already been identified in the literature to have a role in bladder cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, and patient survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulia Occhipinti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Righetti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Massimo Bracci
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandro Conti
- Department of Urology, Bressanone/Brixen Hospital, Bressanone, Italy
| | - Annamaria Ruzzo
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Fano, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Cerigioni
- Unit of Pediatric and Specialistic Surgery, United Hospitals, "G.Salesi", Ancona, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cacciamani
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Principato
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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3
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To accelerate the Zika beat: Candidate design for RNA interference-based therapy. Virus Res 2018; 255:133-140. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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4
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Giulietti M, Santoni M, Cimadamore A, Carrozza F, Piva F, Cheng L, Lopez-Beltran A, Scarpelli M, Battelli N, Montironi R. Exploring Small Extracellular Vesicles for Precision Medicine in Prostate Cancer. Front Oncol 2018; 8:221. [PMID: 29951374 PMCID: PMC6008382 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2018.00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor microenvironment constitutes a complex network in which tumor cells communicate among them and with stromal and immune cells. It has been shown that cancer cells are able to exchange genetic materials through small extracellular vesicles (EVs), a heterogeneous group of vesicles with different size and shape, cargo content, and function. The importance to investigate populations of circulating EVs would be of great importance as prostate cancer (PCa) biomarkers. In several neoplasms as well as in PCa, nanometer-sized EVs of endosomal origin are implicated in supporting tumor growth and metastatic spread by both altering local stroma cells and creating a protumor environment that favors the formation of pre-metastatic niches. Several techniques are applicable for the isolation and analysis of PCa-derived small EVs and are illustrated in this article. Due to the high sensitivity and specificity of these techniques, small EVs have become ideal candidates for early diagnosis. Moreover, we discuss the role of small EVs during PCa carcinogenesis, as well as in modulating the development of drug resistance to hormonal therapy and chemotherapy, thus underlining the potential of EV-tailored strategies in PCa patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Alessia Cimadamore
- Section of Pathological Anatomy, School of Medicine, United Hospitals, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | | | - Marina Scarpelli
- Section of Pathological Anatomy, School of Medicine, United Hospitals, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Rodolfo Montironi
- Section of Pathological Anatomy, School of Medicine, United Hospitals, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
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5
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Agostini F, Ule J, Zagalak JA. No way out: when RNA elements promote nuclear retention. EMBO J 2018; 37:embj.201899123. [PMID: 29487065 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201899123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jernej Ule
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Julian A Zagalak
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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6
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Lubelsky Y, Ulitsky I. Sequences enriched in Alu repeats drive nuclear localization of long RNAs in human cells. Nature 2018; 555:107-111. [PMID: 29466324 PMCID: PMC6047738 DOI: 10.1038/nature25757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as key parts of multiple cellular pathways, but their modes of action and how these are dictated by sequence remain unclear. lncRNAs tend to be enriched in the nuclear fraction, whereas most mRNAs are overtly cytoplasmic, although several studies have found that hundreds of mRNAs in various cell types are retained in the nucleus. It is thus conceivable that some mechanisms that promote nuclear enrichment are shared between lncRNAs and mRNAs. Here, to identify elements in lncRNAs and mRNAs that can force nuclear localization, we screened libraries of short fragments tiled across nuclear RNAs, which were cloned into the untranslated regions of an efficiently exported mRNA. The screen identified a short sequence derived from Alu elements and bound by HNRNPK that increased nuclear accumulation. Binding of HNRNPK to C-rich motifs outside Alu elements is also associated with nuclear enrichment in both lncRNAs and mRNAs, and this mechanism is conserved across species. Our results thus identify a pathway for regulation of RNA accumulation and subcellular localization that has been co-opted to regulate the fate of transcripts with integrated Alu elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoav Lubelsky
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Igor Ulitsky
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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7
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Bianchi F, Maccaroni E, Belvederesi L, Brugiati C, Giampieri R, Bini F, Bracci R, Pagliaretta S, Del Prete M, Piva F, Mandolesi A, Scarpelli M, Berardi R. A germline missense mutation in exon 3 of the MSH2 gene in a Lynch syndrome family: correlation with phenotype and localization assay. Fam Cancer 2017; 17:215-224. [PMID: 28785832 DOI: 10.1007/s10689-017-0030-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Lynch syndrome is caused by germline mutations in any of the MisMatch Repair (MMR) genes. About 37% of MSH2 variants are missense variants causing single amino-acid substitutions. Whether missense variants affect the normal function of MMR proteins is crucial both to provide affected families a more accurate risk assessment and to offer predictive testing to family members. Here we report one family, fulfilling both Amsterdam I and II criteria and Bethesda guidelines, referred to our center for genetic counselling. The proband and some of her relatives have been investigated for microsatellite instability (MSI), immunohistochemical MMR protein staining, direct sequencing and Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA). Also Subcellular Localization Assay and Splice site predictions analyses were used. A germline missense variant of uncertain significance (exon 3, p.Val161Asp) was found in MSH2 gene in proband and in some relatives. The variant was associated with lack of expression of MSH2 protein (DMMR) and MSI-High status in tumour tissues. The localization assay of the MSH2 protein showed an abnormal subcellular localization pattern of the corresponding protein. Finally, splice-site prediction analysis ruled out a potential role of new splice sites as the cause behind the lack of expression of MSH2 protein and we suppose a potential correlation with other forms of post-transcriptional regulation (circular RNAs). The variant here reported shows a high correlation with phenotype and is located in an evolutionary conserved domain. The localization assay also suggest a potential pathogenic role, thus supporting further research on this matter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bianchi
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Elena Maccaroni
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Laura Belvederesi
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Cristiana Brugiati
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Riccardo Giampieri
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Federica Bini
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Raffaella Bracci
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Silvia Pagliaretta
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Michela Del Prete
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Piva
- Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche Specialistiche e Odontostomatologiche, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alessandra Mandolesi
- Anatomia Patologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marina Scarpelli
- Anatomia Patologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Ancona, Italy
| | - Rossana Berardi
- Clinica Oncologica e Centro Regionale di Genetica Oncologica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti, Via Conca 71, 60126, Ancona, Italy
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8
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Giulietti M, Occhipinti G, Principato G, Piva F. Identification of candidate miRNA biomarkers for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Cell Oncol (Dordr) 2017; 40:181-192. [PMID: 28205147 DOI: 10.1007/s13402-017-0315-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a dismal prognosis which is, among others, due to a lack of suitable biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Previously, basic gene expression analysis methods have been used for their identification, but recently new algorithms have been developed allowing more comprehensive data analyses. Among them, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) has already been applied to several cancer types with promising results. METHODS We applied WGCNA to miRNA expression data from PDAC patients. Specifically, we processed microarray-based expression data of 2555 miRNAs in serum from 100 PDAC patients and 150 healthy subjects. We identified network modules of co-expressed miRNAs in the healthy subject dataset and verified their preservation in the PDAC dataset. In the non-preserved modules, we selected key miRNAs and carried out functional enrichment analyses of their experimentally known target genes. Finally, we tested their prognostic significance using overall survival analyses. RESULTS Through WGCNA we identified several miRNAs that discriminate healthy subjects from PDAC patients and that, therefore, may play critical roles in PDAC development. At a functional level, we found that they regulate p53, FoxO and ErbB associated cellular signalling pathways, as well as cell cycle progression and various genes known to be involved in PDAC development. Some miRNAs were also found to serve as novel prognostic biomarkers, whereas others have previously already been proposed as such, thereby validating the WGCNA approach. In addition, we found that these novel data may explain at least some of our previous PDAC gene expression analysis results. CONCLUSIONS We identified several miRNAs critical for PDAC development using WGCNA. These miRNAs may serve as biomarkers for PDAC diagnosis/prognosis and patient stratification, and as putative novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy.
| | - G Occhipinti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - G Principato
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - F Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
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9
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Piva F, Giulietti M, Occhipinti G, Santoni M, Massari F, Sotte V, Iacovelli R, Burattini L, Santini D, Montironi R, Cascinu S, Principato G. Computational analysis of the mutations in BAP1, PBRM1 and SETD2 genes reveals the impaired molecular processes in renal cell carcinoma. Oncotarget 2016; 6:32161-8. [PMID: 26452128 PMCID: PMC4741666 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.5147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC) is due to loss of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene and at least one out of three chromatin regulating genes BRCA1-associated protein-1 (BAP1), Polybromo-1 (PBRM1) and Set domain-containing 2 (SETD2). More than 350, 700 and 500 mutations are known respectively for BAP1, PBRM1 and SETD2 genes. Each variation damages these genes with different severity levels. Unfortunately for most of these mutations the molecular effect is unknown, so precluding a severity classification. Moreover, the huge number of these gene mutations does not allow to perform experimental assays for each of them. By bioinformatic tools, we performed predictions of the molecular effects of all mutations lying in BAP1, PBRM1 and SETD2 genes. Our results allow to distinguish whether a mutation alters protein function directly or by splicing pattern destruction and how much severely. This classification could be useful to reveal correlation with patients' outcome, to guide experiments, to select the variations that are worth to be included in translational/association studies, and to direct gene therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | - Matteo Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulia Occhipinti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | - Matteo Santoni
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti - Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Valeria Sotte
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti - Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | - Roberto Iacovelli
- Medical Oncology Unit of Urogenital and Head & Neck Tumors, European Institute of Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Luciano Burattini
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti - Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | - Daniele Santini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rodolfo Montironi
- Pathological Anatomy, Polytechnic University of the Marche Region School of Medicine United Hospitals, Ancona, Italy
| | - Stefano Cascinu
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti - Polytechnic University of the Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giovanni Principato
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche Region, Ancona, Italy
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10
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Occhipinti G, Giulietti M, Principato G, Piva F. The choice of endogenous controls in exosomal microRNA assessments from biofluids. Tumour Biol 2016; 37:11657-11665. [PMID: 27438704 DOI: 10.1007/s13277-016-5164-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The assessment of differentially expressed microRNAs in patients and healthy controls is important to identify potential tumor biomarkers. Recently, it has been shown that the microRNA levels in exosomes are more correlated with the clinical-pathological variables than vesicle-free microRNAs (miRNAs) in biofluids; therefore, there is an increasing interest in these specific evaluations. However, these measurements can be affected by experimental problems that not always are evaluated and/or by inadequate procedural choices. In particular, exosome isolation and miRNA extraction procedures are crucial to avoid contaminations, and even the choice of the most suitable purity controls is important. Moreover, a stable endogenous RNA should be used for normalization of miRNA expression obtained by reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in order to make these measures comparable among different samples. A rushed choice of the endogenous control can bias study conclusions without revealing inconsistencies. Unfortunately, a few studies systematically identified the best normalizer for their specific experimental context. Instead, sometimes, the normalization procedures were performed in a disputable way or the normalizer choices simply based on the previous literature. Here, we reviewed the studies where the exosomal miRNA profiling was assessed in human biofluids to point out the adopted procedures and the specific endogenous controls chosen for normalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Occhipinti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - M Giulietti
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - G Principato
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy
| | - F Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131, Ancona, Italy.
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11
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Pistelli M, Ballatore Z, Santinelli A, Biscotti T, Piva F, Occhipinti G, Della Mora A, Pagliacci A, Battelli N, Bastianelli L, De Lisa M, Bracci R, Maccaroni E, Berardi R, Cascinu S. Phosphorylated mTOR is associated to androgen receptor expression in early triple-negative breast cancer. Oncol Rep 2016; 36:755-62. [PMID: 27350136 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The significance of phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR) expression is unknown in triple-negative breast carcinoma (TNBC). The aims of the present study were to assess the expression of p-mTOR in early TNBC and to evaluate possible correlations between androgen receptor (AR) expression, clinicopathological parameters and disease outcome. Between January 2009 and December 2013, all consecutive patients who were diagnosed and completed the treatment of invasive TNBC at our institution were eligible for this analysis. Patients with stage IV disease were excluded. The evaluation of p-mTOR immunohistochemical staining was semi-quantitatively considering both the percentage of positive tumor cells (range, 0-100%) and staining intensity (range, 0-3+). Ninety-eight TNBC patients were included. Approximately 33% of cases were p-mTOR positive and there was no association between positive immunostaining for p-mTOR and DFS (p=0.74) and OS (p=0.81). p-mTOR positivity was associated with small tumor size (p=0.03) and AR expression (p=0.04). High expression of p-mTOR may drive tumor proliferation in almost one third of TNBC. The biological association between mTOR activation and AR pathway suggests that there may exist a subgroup of TNBC in which the combination of both AR antagonism and mTOR inhibition should have a synergistic effect on cell growth and tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pistelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Z Ballatore
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - A Santinelli
- Department of Pathology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - T Biscotti
- Department of Pathology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - F Piva
- Department of Specialistic Clinical and Odontostomatological Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - G Occhipinti
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - A Della Mora
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - A Pagliacci
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - N Battelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - L Bastianelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - M De Lisa
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - R Bracci
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - E Maccaroni
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - R Berardi
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - S Cascinu
- Department of Medical Oncology, AOU Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
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