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Hua X, Zhou H, Wu HC, Furnari J, Kotidis CP, Rabadan R, Genkinger JM, Bruce JN, Canoll P, Santella RM, Zhang Z. Tumor detection by analysis of both symmetric- and hemi-methylation of plasma cell-free DNA. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6113. [PMID: 39030196 PMCID: PMC11271492 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50471-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant DNA methylation patterns have been used for cancer detection. However, DNA hemi-methylation, present at about 10% CpG dinucleotides, has been less well studied. Here we show that a majority of differentially hemi-methylated regions (DHMRs) in liver tumor DNA or plasma cells free (cf) DNA do not overlap with differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of the same samples, indicating that DHMRs could serve as independent biomarkers. Furthermore, we analyzed the cfDNA methylomes of 215 samples from individuals with liver or brain cancer and individuals without cancer (controls), and trained machine learning models using DMRs, DHMRs or both. The models incorporated with both DMRs and DHMRs show a superior performance compared to models trained with DMRs or DHMRs, with AUROC being 0.978, 0.990, and 0.983 in distinguishing control, liver and brain cancer, respectively, in a validation cohort. This study supports the potential of utilizing both DMRs and DHMRs for multi-cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Hua
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Hui Zhou
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Hui-Chen Wu
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Julia Furnari
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Corina P Kotidis
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Raul Rabadan
- Program for Mathematical Genomics and Department of Systems Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeanine M Genkinger
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey N Bruce
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Peter Canoll
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Regina M Santella
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Zhiguo Zhang
- Institute for Cancer Genetics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Ma X, Wang Z, Wang S, Tian Y, Xie B, Li J, Ma B, Li L. The assessment of circulating tumor DNA associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway as a diagnostic tool for liver cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2024; 24:155-167. [PMID: 38299537 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2024.2312246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in peripheral blood has become a promising noninvasive biomarker. However, the diagnostic potential of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related ctDNA for liver cancer is controversial. Here, we aimed to access the diagnostic potential and clinicopathological features of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related ctDNA in liver cancer and provide data support for its clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify the relevant studies. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the QUADAS-2 tool. The bivariate linear mixed models were used. RESULTS The AUC (area under the curve), pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.77, 0.42 and 0.98, respectively. The findings suggested that control type, sample source, research methods and thresholds were the potential sources of heterogeneity (p < 0.05). Additionally, this study also found that there were significant correlations between the hypermethylation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related ctDNA and tumor size, TNM stage, distant metastasis, and HBV infection(p < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study confirmed that Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related ctDNA had the better diagnostic potential for liver cancer and might be an effective complementary tool for serum AFP assays in the early diagnosis of liver cancer. PROSPERO (No. CRD42023404984).[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyuan Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Evidence-Based Medicine Centre, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Evidence-Based Medicine Centre, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Shuaiyang Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Evidence-Based Medicine Centre, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Evidence-Based Medicine Centre, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
- Department of Medical Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Bei Xie
- Department of Medical Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Bin Ma
- Evidence-Based Medicine Centre, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Linjing Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Center, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
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Fang ZX, Chen WJ, Wu Z, Hou YY, Lan YZ, Wu HT, Liu J. Inflammatory response in gastrointestinal cancers: Overview of six transmembrane epithelial antigens of the prostate in pathophysiology and clinical implications. World J Clin Oncol 2024; 15:9-22. [PMID: 38292664 PMCID: PMC10823946 DOI: 10.5306/wjco.v15.i1.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammation is known to increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancers (GICs), the common solid tumors worldwide. Precancerous lesions, such as chronic atrophic inflammation and ulcers, are related to inflammatory responses in vivo and likely to occur in hyperplasia and tumorigenesis. Unfortunately, due to the lack of effective therapeutic targets, the prognosis of patients with GICs is still unsatisfactory. Interestingly, it is found that six transmembrane epithelial antigens of the prostate (STEAPs), a group of metal reductases, are significantly associated with the progression of malignancies, playing a crucial role in systemic metabolic homeostasis and inflammatory responses. The structure and functions of STEAPs suggest that they are closely related to intracellular oxidative stress, responding to inflammatory reactions. Under the imbalance status of abnormal oxidative stress, STEAP members are involved in cell transformation and the development of GICs by inhibiting or activating inflammatory process. This review focuses on STEAPs in GICs along with exploring their potential molecular regulatory mechanisms, with an aim to provide a theoretical basis for diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients suffering from these types of cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-Xuan Fang
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Wen-Jia Chen
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Zheng Wu
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yan-Yu Hou
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Yang-Zheng Lan
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hua-Tao Wu
- Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Jing Liu
- The Breast Center, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
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Li JH, Zhang DY, Zhu JM, Dong L. Clinical applications and perspectives of circulating tumor DNA in gastric cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:13. [PMID: 38184573 PMCID: PMC10770949 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-024-03209-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, largely due to inadequate screening methods, late diagnosis, and limited treatment options. Liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising non-invasive approach for cancer screening and prognosis by detecting circulating tumor components like circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in the blood. Numerous gastric cancer-specific ctDNA biomarkers have now been identified. CtDNA analysis provides insight into genetic and epigenetic alterations in tumors, holding promise for predicting treatment response and prognosis in gastric cancer patients. This review summarizes current research on ctDNA biology and detection technologies, while highlighting clinical applications of ctDNA for gastric cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and guiding treatment decisions. Current challenges and future perspectives for ctDNA analysis are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Han Li
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Dan-Ying Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ji-Min Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Ling Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Shanghai Institute of Liver Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Liang X, Justice AC, Marconi VC, Aouizerat BE, Xu K. Co-occurrence of injection drug use and hepatitis C increases epigenetic age acceleration that contributes to all-cause mortality among people living with HIV. Epigenetics 2023; 18:2212235. [PMID: 37191953 PMCID: PMC10190198 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2023.2212235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-occurrence of injection drug use (IDU) and hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is common in people living with HIV (PLWH) and leads to significantly increased mortality. Epigenetic clocks derived from DNA methylation (DNAm) are associated with disease progression and all-cause mortality. In this study, we hypothesized that epigenetic age mediates the relationships between the co-occurrence of IDU and HCV with mortality risk among PLWH. We tested this hypothesis in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (n = 927) by using four established epigenetic clocks of DNAm age (i.e., Horvath, Hannum, Pheno, Grim). Compared to individuals without IDU and HCV (IDU-HCV-), participants with IDU and HCV (IDU+HCV+) showed a 2.23-fold greater risk of mortality estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio: 2.23; 95% confidence interval: 1.62-3.09; p = 1.09E-06). IDU+HCV+ was associated with a significantly increased epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) measured by 3 out of 4 epigenetic clocks, adjusting for demographic and clinical variables (Hannum: p = 8.90E-04, Pheno: p = 2.34E-03, Grim: p = 3.33E-11). Furthermore, we found that epigenetic age partially mediated the relationship between IDU+HCV+ and all-cause mortality, up to a 13.67% mediation proportion. Our results suggest that comorbid IDU with HCV increases EAA in PLWH that partially mediates the increased mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Liang
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Amy C. Justice
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- New Haven Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Vincent C. Marconi
- Emory University School of Medicine and Rollins School of Public Health; the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Bradley E. Aouizerat
- Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, College of Dentistry, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ke Xu
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
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Manea I, Iacob R, Iacob S, Cerban R, Dima S, Oniscu G, Popescu I, Gheorghe L. Liquid biopsy for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1218705. [PMID: 37809326 PMCID: PMC10556479 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1218705] [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: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly prevalent and lethal cancer globally. Over 90% of HCC cases arise in the context of liver cirrhosis, and the severity of the underlying liver disease or advanced tumor stage at diagnosis significantly limits treatment options. Early diagnosis is crucial, and all guidelines stress the importance of screening protocols for HCC early detection as a public health objective. As serum biomarkers are not optimal for early diagnosis, liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising tool for diagnosis, prognostication, and patients' stratification for personalized therapy in various solid tumors, including HCC. While circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are better suited for personalized therapy and prognosis, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and extracellular vesicle-based technologies show potential for early diagnosis, HCC screening, and surveillance protocols. Evaluating the added value of liquid biopsy genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for HCC screening is a key goal in translational research. Somatic mutations commonly found in HCC can be investigated in cfDNA and plasma exosomes as genetic biomarkers. Unique methylation patterns in cfDNA or cfDNA fragmentome features have been suggested as innovative tools for early HCC detection. Likewise, extracellular vesicle cargo biomarkers such as miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs may serve as potential biomarkers for early HCC detection. This review will explore recent findings on the utility of liquid biopsy for early HCC diagnosis. Combining liquid biopsy methods with traditional serological biomarkers could improve the overall diagnostic accuracy for early HCC detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana Manea
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan Iacob
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Speranta Iacob
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Razvan Cerban
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Simona Dima
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Gabriel Oniscu
- Transplant Division, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Irinel Popescu
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Liliana Gheorghe
- “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Digestive Diseases and Liver Transplantation Center, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
- Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
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Wang W, He Y, Yang F, Chen K. Current and emerging applications of liquid biopsy in pan-cancer. Transl Oncol 2023; 34:101720. [PMID: 37315508 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer morbidity and mortality are growing rapidly worldwide and it is urgent to develop a convenient and effective method that can identify cancer patients at an early stage and predict treatment outcomes. As a minimally invasive and reproducible tool, liquid biopsy (LB) offers the opportunity to detect, analyze and monitor cancer in any body fluids including blood, complementing the limitations of tissue biopsy. In liquid biopsy, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) are the two most common biomarkers, displaying great potential in the clinical application of pan-cancer. In this review, we expound the samples, targets, and newest techniques in liquid biopsy and summarize current clinical applications in several specific cancers. Besides, we put forward a bright prospect for further exploring the emerging application of liquid biopsy in the field of pan-cancer precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, China; Peking University People's Hospital Thoracic Oncology Institute, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Yue He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, China; Peking University People's Hospital Thoracic Oncology Institute, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, China; Peking University People's Hospital Thoracic Oncology Institute, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Kezhong Chen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Beijing 100044, China; Peking University People's Hospital Thoracic Oncology Institute, Beijing 100044, China.
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Circulating Tumor DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Characterization and Determination of the Cancer Origin in Malignant Liver Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15030859. [PMID: 36765815 PMCID: PMC9913861 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15030859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant liver tumors include primary malignant liver tumors and liver metastases. They are among the most common malignancies worldwide. The disease has a poor prognosis and poor overall survival, especially with liver metastases. Therefore, early detection and differentiation between malignant liver tumors are critical for patient treatment selection. The detection of cancer and the prediction of its origin is possible with a DNA methylation profile of the tumor DNA compared to that of normal cells, which reflects tissue differentiation and malignant transformation. New technologies enable the characterization of the tumor methylome in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), providing a variety of new ctDNA methylation biomarkers, which can provide additional information to clinical decision-making. Our review of the literature provides insight into methylation changes in ctDNA from patients with common malignant liver tumors and can serve as a starting point for further research.
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Guo P, Zheng H, Li Y, Li Y, Xiao Y, Zheng J, Zhu X, Xu H, He Z, Zhang Q, Chen J, Qiu M, Jiang M, Liu P, Chen H. Hepatocellular carcinoma detection via targeted enzymatic methyl sequencing of plasma cell-free DNA. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:2. [PMID: 36600275 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01420-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epigenetic variants carried by circulating tumor DNA can be used as biomarkers for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by noninvasive liquid biopsy. However, traditional methylation analysis method, bisulfite sequencing, with disadvantages of severe DNA damage, is limited in application of low-amount cfDNA analysis. RESULTS Through mild enzyme-mediated conversion, enzymatic methyl sequencing (EM-seq) is ideal for precise determination of cell-free DNA methylation and provides an opportunity for HCC early detection. EM-seq of methylation control DNA showed that enzymatic conversion of unmethylated C to U was more efficient than bisulfite conversion. Moreover, a relatively large proportion of incomplete converted EM-seq reads contains more than 3 unconverted CH site (CH = CC, CT or CA), which can be removed by filtering to improve accuracy of methylation detection by EM-seq. A cohort of 241 HCC, 76 liver disease, and 279 normal plasma samples were analyzed for methylation value on 1595 CpGs using EM-seq and targeted capture. Model training identified 283 CpGs with significant differences in methylation levels between HCC and non-HCC samples. A HCC screening model based on these markers can efficiently distinguish HCC sample from non-HCC samples, with area under the curve of 0.957 (sensitivity = 90%, specificity = 97%) in the test set, performing well in different stages as well as in serum α-fetoprotein/protein induced by vitamin K absence-II negative samples. CONCLUSION Filtering of reads with ≥ 3 CHs derived from incomplete conversion can significantly reduce the noise of EM-seq detection. Based on targeted EM-seq analysis of plasma cell-free DNA, our HCC screening model can efficiently distinguish HCC patients from non-HCC individuals with high sensitivity and specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Guo
- School of Medicine, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, Fujian, People's Republic of China.,Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Hailing Zheng
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihan Li
- Xiamen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuntong Li
- Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Xiao
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin Zheng
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Xingqiang Zhu
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Huan Xu
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi He
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Xiamen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinchun Chen
- Xiamen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingshan Qiu
- Xiamen Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, 361001, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Jiang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350003, Fujian, People's Republic of China
| | - Pingguo Liu
- Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongliang Chen
- Xiamen Vangenes Biotechnology CO., LTD, Xiamen, 361015, Fujian, People's Republic of China. .,School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, Fujian, People's Republic of China.
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Li JJ, Lv Y, Ji H. Diagnostic performance of circulating tumor DNA as a minimally invasive biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PeerJ 2022; 10:e14303. [PMID: 36348665 PMCID: PMC9637356 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods We enrolled all relevant studies published up to 5 January 2022. Three primary subgroups were investigated: qualitative or quantitative ctDNA analyses, combined alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and ctDNA assay. In addition to the three primary subgroups, we also evaluated the diagnostic value of methylated SEPTIN9 (mSEPT9), which has been studied extensively in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. After a search based on four primary databases, we used a bivariate linear mixed model to analyze the pooled sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). We also plotted hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics (HSROC) and utilized lambda as well as the area under the curve (AUC) to create summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves to estimate the diagnostic value of ctDNA. Results A total of 59 qualified articles with 9,766 subjects were incorporated into our meta-analysis. The integrated SEN, SPE, and DOR in the qualitative studies were 0.50 (95% CI [0.43-0.56]), 0.90 (95% CI [0.86-0.93]), and 8.72 (95% CI [6.18-12.32]), respectively, yielding an AUC of 0.78 and lambda of 1.93 (95% CI [1.56-2.33]). For quantitative studies, the corresponding values were 0.69 (95% CI [0.63-0.74]), 0.84 (95% CI [0.77-0.89]), 11.88 (95% CI [7.78-18.12]), 0.81, and 2.32 (95% CI [1.96-2.69]), respectively. Six studies were included to evaluate the SETP9 methylation, which yielded an AUC of 0.86, a SEN of 0.80 (95% CI [0.71-0.87]), and a SPE of 0.77 (95% CI [0.68-0.85]). Likewise, ctDNA concentration yielded an AUC of 0.73, with a SEN of 0.63 (95% CI [0.56-0.70]) and a SPE of 0.86 (95% CI [0.74-0.93]). AFP combined with ctDNA assay resulted in an AUC of 0.89, with a SEN of 0.82 (95% CI [0.77-0.86]) and a SPE of 0.84 (95% CI [0.76-0.90]). Conclusion This study shows that circulating tumor DNA, particularly mSEPT9, shows promising diagnostic potential in HCC; however, it is not enough to diagnose HCC independently, and ctDNA combined with conventional assays such as AFP can effectively improve diagnostic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Jie Li
- Hepatobiliary Pancreatic Department, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yanqing Lv
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Huifan Ji
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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11
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Diagnostic performance of RASSF1A and CDKN2A gene methylation versus α-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Exp Hepatol 2022; 8:243-252. [PMID: 36685264 PMCID: PMC9850312 DOI: 10.5114/ceh.2022.119315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim of the study This study aimed to evaluate the methylation status of two genes in the peripheral blood as possible non-invasive biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis, compare them with α-fetoprotein (AFP), and assess their relationship with the clinicopathological characteristics of the tumor. Material and methods Thirty healthy volunteers, forty patients with HCC on top of HCV-associated liver cirrhosis, and forty patients with HCV-associated liver cirrhosis participated in this study. Using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), the methylation status of RASSF1A and CDKN2A was assessed. Results The tumor group was significantly more methylated in both genes than the cirrhosis and the control groups. The RASSF1A gene was highly methylated in advanced tumor characteristics. There was no association between AFP levels in the blood and the methylation state of both genes. The combined diagnostic performance of the methylation status of both genes in predicting HCC in cirrhotic patients was high but not to the degree of that of AFP. Conclusions Methylated RASSF1A and CDKN2A levels in the blood may be employed as a non-invasive biomarker for the detection of HCC, especially in high-risk individuals.
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12
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Yang JC, Hu JJ, Li YX, Luo W, Liu JZ, Ye DW. Clinical Applications of Liquid Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:781820. [PMID: 35211399 PMCID: PMC8860830 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.781820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor with high mortality and poor prognosis in the world. The low rate of early diagnosis, as well as the high risk of postoperative metastasis and recurrence, led to the poor clinical prognosis of HCC patients. Currently, it mainly depends on serum markers, imaging examination, and tissue biopsy to diagnose and determine the recurrence and metastasis of HCC after treatments. Nevertheless, the accuracy and sensitivity of serum markers and imaging for early HCC diagnosis are suboptimal. Tissue biopsy, containing limited tissue samples, is insufficient to reveal comprehensive tumor biology information and is inappropriate to monitor dynamic tumor progression due to its invasiveness. Thus, low invasive diagnostic methods and novel biomarkers with high sensitivity and reliability must be found to improve HCC detection and prediction. As a non-invasive, dynamic, and repeatable detection method, “liquid biopsy”, has attracted much attention to early diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response, which promotes the progress of precision medicine. This review summarizes the clinical applications of liquid biopsy in HCC, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs), circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), and exosome in early diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, disease monitoring, and guiding personalized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Cui Yang
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun-Jie Hu
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Xin Li
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin-Zhou Liu
- Department of Pain Management, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Da-Wei Ye
- Cancer Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Department of Pancreatic-Biliary Surgery, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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13
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Kubota N, Fujiwara N, Hoshida Y. Liver cancer risk-predictive molecular biomarkers specific to clinico-epidemiological contexts. Adv Cancer Res 2022; 156:1-37. [PMID: 35961696 PMCID: PMC7616039 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acr.2022.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk prediction is increasingly important because of the low annual HCC incidence in patients with the rapidly emerging non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or cured HCV infection. To date, numerous clinical HCC risk biomarkers and scores have been reported in literature. However, heterogeneity in clinico-epidemiological context, e.g., liver disease etiology, patient race/ethnicity, regional environmental exposure, and lifestyle-related factors, obscure their real clinical utility and applicability. Proper characterization of these factors will help refine HCC risk prediction according to certain clinical context/scenarios and contribute to improved early HCC detection. Molecular factors underlying the clinical heterogeneity encompass various features in host genetics, hepatic and systemic molecular dysregulations, and cross-organ interactions, which may serve as clinical-context-specific biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets. Toward the goal to enable individual-risk-based HCC screening by incorporating the HCC risk biomarkers/scores, their assessment in patient with well-defined clinical context/scenario is critical to gauge their real value and to maximize benefit of the tailored patient management for substantial improvement of the poor HCC prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoto Kubota
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States
| | - Naoto Fujiwara
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States; Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yujin Hoshida
- Liver Tumor Translational Research Program, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.
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14
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Lyu X, Tsui YM, Ho DWH, Ng IOL. Liquid Biopsy Using Cell-Free or Circulating Tumor DNA in the Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 13:1611-1624. [PMID: 35183803 PMCID: PMC9048068 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) is a fatal cancer worldwide and often is detected at an advanced stage when treatment options are very limited. This drives the development of techniques and platforms for early detection of HCC. In recent years, liquid biopsy has provided a means of noninvasive detection of cancers. By detecting plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) released from dying cancer cells, the presence of HCC can be detected in a noninvasive manner. In this review, we discuss the molecular characteristics of ctDNA and its various molecular landscapes in HCC. These include the mutational landscape, single-nucleotide variations, copy number variations, methylation landscape, end motif/coordinate preference, hepatitis B virus integration, and mitochondrial DNA mutations. The consistency between the plasma ctDNA and the tumor tissue genomic DNA mutational profile is pivotal for the clinical utility of ctDNA in the clinical management of HCC. With strategic use of genetic information provided from plasma ctDNA profiling and procedure standardization to facilitate implementation in clinical practice, better clinical management would become permissible through more efficient detection and diagnosis of HCC, better prognostication, precision-matched treatment guidance, and more reliable disease monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Correspondence Address correspondence to: Daniel Wai-Hung Ho, PhD, Department of Pathology, L704, Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. fax: (852) 2819-5375.
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Irene Oi-Lin Ng, MD, PhD, Department of Pathology, Room 7-13, Block T, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. fax: 852-28872-5197.
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15
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Deng M, Lin JB, Zhao RC, Li SH, Lin WP, Zou JW, Wei W, Guo RP. Construction of a novel immune-related lncRNA signature and its potential to predict the immune status of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:1347. [PMID: 34923955 PMCID: PMC8684648 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-09059-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The accuracy of existing biomarkers for predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is not satisfactory. It is necessary to explore biomarkers that can accurately predict the prognosis of HCC. Methods In this study, original transcriptome data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Immune-related long noncoding ribonucleic acids (irlncRNAs) were identified by coexpression analysis, and differentially expressed irlncRNA (DEirlncRNA) pairs were distinguished by univariate analysis. In addition, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized regression was modified. Next, the cutoff point was determined based on the area under the curve (AUC) and Akaike information criterion (AIC) values of the 5-year receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to establish an optimal model for identifying high-risk and low-risk groups of HCC patients. The model was then reassessed in terms of clinicopathological features, survival rate, tumor-infiltrating immune cells, immunosuppressive markers, and chemotherapy efficacy. Results A total of 1009 pairs of DEirlncRNAs were recognized in this study, 30 of these pairs were included in the Cox regression model for subsequent analysis. After regrouping according to the cutoff point, we could more effectively identify factors such as aggressive clinicopathological features, poor survival outcomes, specific immune cell infiltration status of tumors, high expression level of immunosuppressive biomarkers, and low sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs in HCC patients. Conclusions The nonspecific expression level signature involved with irlncRNAs shows promising clinical value in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-09059-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Deng
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Bao Lin
- Department of Health Management Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong-Ce Zhao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shao-Hua Li
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Ping Lin
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Wen Zou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China.,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong-Ping Guo
- Department of Liver Surgery, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China. .,State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, 651 Dongfeng East Road, Guangzhou, China.
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16
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Ye W, Siwko S, Tsai RYL. Sex and Race-Related DNA Methylation Changes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083820. [PMID: 33917049 PMCID: PMC8067720 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The number of HCC cases continues to rise despite advances in screening and therapeutic inventions. More importantly, HCC poses two major health disparity issues. First, HCC occurs more commonly in men than women. Second, with the global increase in non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD), it has also become evident that HCC is more prevalent in some races and/or ethnic groups compared to others, depending on its predisposing etiology. Most studies on HCC in the past have been focused on genetic factors as the driving force for HCC development, and the results revealed that genetic mutations associated with HCC are often heterogeneous and involve multiple pathogenic pathways. An emerging new research field is epigenetics, in which gene expression is modified without altering DNA sequences. In this article, we focus on reviewing current knowledge on HCC-related DNA methylation changes that show disparities among different sexes or different racial/ethnic groups, in an effort to establish a point of departure for resolving the broader issue of health disparities in gastrointestinal malignancies using cutting-edge epigenetic approaches.
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17
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Virzì A, Gonzalez-Motos V, Tripon S, Baumert TF, Lupberger J. Profibrotic Signaling and HCC Risk during Chronic Viral Hepatitis: Biomarker Development. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10050977. [PMID: 33801181 PMCID: PMC7957739 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10050977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite breakthroughs in antiviral therapies, chronic viral hepatitis B and C are still the major causes of liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Importantly, even in patients with controlled infection or viral cure, the cancer risk cannot be fully eliminated, highlighting a persisting oncogenic pressure imposed by epigenetic imprinting and advanced liver disease. Reliable and minimally invasive biomarkers for early fibrosis and for residual HCC risk in HCV-cured patients are urgently needed. Chronic infection with HBV and/or HCV dysregulates oncogenic and profibrogenic signaling within the host, also displayed in the secretion of soluble factors to the blood. The study of virus-dysregulated signaling pathways may, therefore, contribute to the identification of reliable minimally invasive biomarkers for the detection of patients at early-stage liver disease potentially complementing existing noninvasive methods in clinics. With a focus on virus-induced signaling events, this review provides an overview of candidate blood biomarkers for liver disease and HCC risk associated with chronic viral hepatitis and epigenetic viral footprints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Virzì
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (A.V.); (V.G.-M.); (S.T.); (T.F.B.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques (IVH), 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Victor Gonzalez-Motos
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (A.V.); (V.G.-M.); (S.T.); (T.F.B.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques (IVH), 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Simona Tripon
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (A.V.); (V.G.-M.); (S.T.); (T.F.B.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques (IVH), 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-Digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 67091 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas F. Baumert
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (A.V.); (V.G.-M.); (S.T.); (T.F.B.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques (IVH), 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-Digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 67091 Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 75231 Paris, France
| | - Joachim Lupberger
- Université de Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France; (A.V.); (V.G.-M.); (S.T.); (T.F.B.)
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques (IVH), 67000 Strasbourg, France
- Correspondence:
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18
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Chan LK, Tsui YM, Ho DWH, Ng IOL. Cellular heterogeneity and plasticity in liver cancer. Semin Cancer Biol 2021; 82:134-149. [PMID: 33647386 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcancer.2021.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocarcinogenesis involves complex genetic and cellular dysregulations which drive the formation of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the predominant form of primary liver cancer, with extensive heterogeneity. In contrast to the broad spectrum of molecularly driven therapies available for defined patient groups in certain cancer types, unfortunately the treatment options for HCC are highly limited. The lack of representative molecular and cellular signatures in the heterogeneous HCC tumors that can effectively guide the choice of the most appropriate treatment among the patients unavoidably limits the treatment outcome. Advancement and wide availability of the next-generation sequencing technologies have empowered us to examine and capture not only the detailed genetic alterations of the HCC cells but also the precise composition of different cell types within the tumor microenvironment and their interactions with the HCC cells at an unprecedented level. The information generated has provided new insight and better defined the inter-patient intertumoral heterogeneity, intra-patient intratumoral heterogeneity as well as the plasticity of HCC cells. These collectively provide a robust scientific basis in guiding the development and use of targeted therapy and immunotherapy. To complement, liquid biopsy coupled with high-sensitivity sequencing could potentially be adopted as a more practical and safer approach to detect and reflect the tumor heterogeneity in HCC patients in guiding the choice of treatment and monitoring disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lo-Kong Chan
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Yu-Man Tsui
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Daniel Wai-Hung Ho
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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19
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Zhang J, Yuan Y, Gao S, Zhao X, Li H. Diagnostic performance of circulating cell-free DNA for hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Biomark Med 2021; 15:219-239. [PMID: 33470842 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2020-0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: We aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials & methods: After a systematic literature search bivariate linear mixed models were used to integrate sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio. The area under receiver operating characteristics curves of the included studies was used to estimate the diagnostic value. Results: Thirty-eight articles enrolled in quantitative synthesis. In overall analysis the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under receiver operating characteristics curves for cfDNA in distinguishing HCC patients from healthy controls were 0.54, 0.90, 5.23, 0.51, 10.27 and 0.82, respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that cfDNA has a promising diagnostic accuracy in detection of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinmei Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Weifang Yidu Central Hospital, Qingzhou 262500, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Weifang Yidu Central Hospital, Qingzhou 262500, China
| | - Shuxia Gao
- GI Medicine Department, Weifang Yidu Central Hospital, Qingzhou 262500, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Respiratory Department, Weifang Yidu Central Hospital, Qingzhou 262500, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Weifang Yidu Central Hospital, Qingzhou 262500, China
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20
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Kubota N, Fujiwara N, Hoshida Y. Clinical and Molecular Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Risk. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9123843. [PMID: 33256232 PMCID: PMC7761278 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9123843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk becomes increasingly important with recently emerging HCC-predisposing conditions, namely non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cured hepatitis C virus infection. These etiologies are accompanied with a relatively low HCC incidence rate (~1% per year or less), while affecting a large patient population. Hepatitis B virus infection remains a major HCC risk factor, but a majority of the patients are now on antiviral therapy, which substantially lowers, but does not eliminate, HCC risk. Thus, it is critically important to identify a small subset of patients who have elevated likelihood of developing HCC, to optimize the allocation of limited HCC screening resources to those who need it most and enable cost-effective early HCC diagnosis to prolong patient survival. To date, numerous clinical-variable-based HCC risk scores have been developed for specific clinical contexts defined by liver disease etiology, severity, and other factors. In parallel, various molecular features have been reported as potential HCC risk biomarkers, utilizing both tissue and body-fluid specimens. Deep-learning-based risk modeling is an emerging strategy. Although none of them has been widely incorporated in clinical care of liver disease patients yet, some have been undergoing the process of validation and clinical development. In this review, these risk scores and biomarker candidates are overviewed, and strategic issues in their validation and clinical translation are discussed.
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21
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Xu G, Zhou X, Xing J, Xiao Y, Jin B, Sun L, Yang H, Du S, Xu H, Mao Y. Identification of RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:547. [PMID: 33292241 PMCID: PMC7653745 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-01638-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background RAS association domain family protein 1A (RASSF1A) promoter hypermethylation is suggested to be linked to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the results remained controversial. Methods We evaluated how RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation affects HCC risk and its clinicopathological characteristics through meta-analysis. Data on DNA methylation in HCC and relevant clinical data were also collected based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to investigate the prognostic role of RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation in HCC. Results Forty-four articles involving 4777 individuals were enrolled in the pooled analyses. The RASSF1A promoter methylation rate was notably higher in the HCC cases than the non-tumor cases and healthy individuals, and was significantly related to hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection-positivity and large tumor size. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis revealed that HCC cases with RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation had worse outcomes. Receiver operating characteristic curves confirmed that RASSF1A promoter methylation may be a marker of HCC-related prognoses. Conclusions RASSF1A promoter hypermethylation is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC from tissue and peripheral blood, and is an emerging therapeutic target against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaoxiang Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jiali Xing
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yao Xiao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Bao Jin
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Lejia Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Huayu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Shunda Du
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Haifeng Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Yilei Mao
- Department of Liver Surgery, Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) Hospital, PUMC and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, China.
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22
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von Felden J, Garcia-Lezana T, Schulze K, Losic B, Villanueva A. Liquid biopsy in the clinical management of hepatocellular carcinoma. Gut 2020; 69:2025-2034. [PMID: 32883873 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-320282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
With increasing knowledge on molecular tumour information, precision oncology has revolutionised the medical field over the past years. Liquid biopsy entails the analysis of circulating tumour components, such as circulating tumour DNA, tumour cells or tumour-derived extracellular vesicles, and has thus come as a handy tool for personalised medicine in many cancer entities. Clinical applications under investigation include early cancer detection, prediction of treatment response and molecular monitoring of the disease, for example, to comprehend resistance patterns and clonal tumour evolution. In fact, several tests for blood-based mutation profiling are already commercially available and have entered the clinical field.In the context of hepatocellular carcinoma, where access to tissue specimens remains mostly limited to patients with early stage tumours, liquid biopsy approaches might be particularly helpful. A variety of translational liquid biopsy studies have been carried out to address clinical needs, such as early hepatocellular carcinoma detection and prediction of treatment response. To this regard, methylation profiling of circulating tumour DNA has evolved as a promising surveillance tool for early hepatocellular carcinoma detection in populations at risk, which might soon transform the way surveillance programmes are implemented. This review summarises recent developments in the liquid biopsy oncological space and, in more detail, the potential implications in the clinical management of hepatocellular carcinoma. It further outlines technical peculiarities across liquid biopsy technologies, which might be helpful for interpretation by non-experts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann von Felden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Teresa Garcia-Lezana
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kornelius Schulze
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bojan Losic
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Augusto Villanueva
- Liver Cancer Program, Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, New York, USA .,Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States
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Huang X, Zhao Q, An X, Pan J, Zhao L, Shen L, Xu Y, Yuan D. The Ratio of ssDNA to dsDNA in Circulating Cell-Free DNA Extract is a Stable Indicator for Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer. Pathol Oncol Res 2020; 26:2621-2632. [PMID: 32632900 DOI: 10.1007/s12253-020-00869-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Due to the different mechanisms of cell-free DNA production, the single-stranded DNA to double-stranded DNA ratio in blood maybe different between healthy individuals and gastric cancer (GC) patients. We aimed to explore the potential application of this ratio in GC diagnosis. The plasma cell-free DNA extracts from 118 healthy individuals and 106 GC patients were prepared. The levels of single-stranded DNA or double-stranded DNA in plasma, and the single-stranded DNA to double-stranded DNA ratio on the diagnostic efficiency for GC were assessed with ROC curve. The relationships between this ratio and the clinical characteristics of GC patients were analyzed. The ratios in 63 GC patients before and after surgery were compared. In healthy individuals, the single-stranded DNA to double-stranded DNA ratio was not affected by factors including age, gender and BMI, and subjected to normal distribution (P = 0.1090). GC patients had a lower value of this ratio than healthy individuals (P < 0.0001). Considering this ratio as a GC diagnostic indicator, the area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.923[95% confidence interval (CI):0.880-0.955]. This ratio in unresectable GC was obviously lower than that in resectable GC (P = 0.0045). There was a rank correlation between this ratio and GC TNM staging (rho = -0.266, P = 0.0058), but it had no correlation with tumor size (r = 0.14, P = 0.145). Additionally, this ratio was not affected by hemolysis and repeated freeze-thaw of blood samples, and was significantly elevated after surgery(P < 0.0001). The single-stranded DNA to double-stranded DNA ratio in plasma is a stable non-invasive indicator for GC diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the affiliated Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qi Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xianyuan An
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, HuaDong Sanatorium, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Pan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, HuaDong Sanatorium, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Lanjing Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, HuaDong Sanatorium, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Lanfeng Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the affiliated Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiqiu Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the affiliated Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, the affiliated Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, People's Republic of China
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24
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Dhayat SA, Yang Z. Impact of circulating tumor DNA in hepatocellular and pancreatic carcinomas. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2020; 146:1625-1645. [PMID: 32338295 PMCID: PMC7256092 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-020-03219-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic cancer (PC) belong to the most lethal malignancies worldwide. Despite advances in surgical techniques and perioperative multidisciplinary management, the prognosis of both carcinoma entities remains poor mainly because of rapid tumor progression and early dissemination with diagnosis in advanced tumor stages with poor sensitivity to current therapy regimens. Both highly heterogeneous visceral carcinomas exhibit unique somatic alterations, but share common driver genes and mutations as well. Recently, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) could be identified as a liquid biopsy tool with huge potential as non-invasive biomarker in early diagnosis and prognosis. CtDNA released from necrotic or apoptotic cells of primary tumors, metastasis, and circulating tumor cells can reveal genetic and epigenetic alterations with tumor-specific and individual mutation and methylation profiles. In this article, we focus on clinical impact of ctDNA as potential biomarker in patients with HCC and PC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sameer A Dhayat
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1 (W1), 48149, Munster, Germany.
| | - Zixuan Yang
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Muenster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1 (W1), 48149, Munster, Germany
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25
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Yang L, He Y, Zhang Z, Wang W. Systematic analysis and prediction model construction of alternative splicing events in hepatocellular carcinoma: a study on the basis of large-scale spliceseq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. PeerJ 2019; 7:e8245. [PMID: 31844595 PMCID: PMC6907093 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence showed that alternative splicing (AS) event is significantly related to tumor occurrence and progress. This study was performed to make a systematic analysis of AS events and constructed a robust prediction model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The clinical information and the genes expression profile data of 335 HCC patients were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Information of seven types AS events were collected from the TCGA SpliceSeq database. Overall survival (OS) related AS events and splicing factors (SFs) were identified using univariate Cox regression analysis. The corresponding genes of OS-related AS events were sent for gene network analysis and functional enrichment analysis. Optimal OS-related AS events were selected by LASSO regression to construct prediction model using multivariate Cox regression analysis. Prognostic value of the prediction models were assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and KaplanMeir survival analysis. The relationship between the Percent Spliced In (PSI) value of OS-related AS events and SFs expression were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis. And the regulation network was generated by Cytoscape. A total of 34,163 AS events were identified, which consist of 3,482 OS-related AS events. UBB, UBE2D3, SF3A1 were the hub genes in the gene network of the top 800 OS-related AS events. The area under the curve (AUC) of the final prediction model based on seven types OS-related AS events was 0.878, 0.843, 0.821 in 1, 3, 5 years, respectively. Upon multivariate analysis, risk score (All) served as the risk factor to independently predict OS for HCC patients. SFs HNRNPH3 and HNRNPL were overexpressed in tumor samples and were signifcantly associated with the OS of HCC patients. The regulation network showed prominent correlation between the expression of SFs and OS-related AS events in HCC patients. The final prediction model performs well in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients. And the findings in this study improve our understanding of the association between AS events and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingpeng Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery & Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yang He
- Department of Liver Surgery & Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zifei Zhang
- Department of Liver Surgery & Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery & Liver Transplantation Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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26
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Abstract
Outside of expert centres, surveillance programmes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not well executed. There are deficiencies in every stage of the process. Overcoming these obstacles is the most important method for improving surveillance. However, even if these obstacles were overcome, there would still be room for improvement. Assessing who is at risk of developing HCC remains incompletely validated. At present, risk scores have been developed for different causes of liver disease, but scores developed in different parts of the world for the same disease do not always agree. Furthermore, most scores stratify patients by risk but do not examine what level of risk should trigger surveillance. Which surveillance tools to use remains controversial - schemes have been proposed that use biomarkers alone, ultrasound alone, or a combination of both. However, the requisite level of test sensitivity that would be associated with high cure rates has not been defined, so at this point it is not clear whether surveillance requires both ultrasound and biomarkers, or whether the use of biomarkers alone is sufficient. Finally, surveillance should result in the identification of HCC at a very early stage. Diagnosing these lesions is difficult and optimal algorithms for lesions that are atypical on radiology have yet to be developed. Algorithms for the follow-up of abnormal biomarkers in the absence of ultrasound have also not been developed yet.
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Silenced ZNF154 Is Associated with Longer Survival in Resectable Pancreatic Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20215437. [PMID: 31683647 PMCID: PMC6862440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20215437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has become the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world despite advances in therapy of other cancerous lesions. Late diagnosis due to a lack of symptoms during early disease allows metastatic spread of the tumor. Most patients are considered incurable because of metastasized disease. On a cellular level, pancreatic cancer proves to be rather resistant to chemotherapy. Hence, early detection and new therapeutic targets might improve outcomes. The detection of DNA promoter hypermethylation has been described as a method to identify putative genes of interest in cancer entities. These genes might serve as either biomarkers or might lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved. We checked tumor specimens from 80 patients who had undergone pancreatic resection for promoter hypermethylation of the zinc finger protein ZNF154. Then, we further characterized the effects of ZNF154 on cell viability and gene expression by in vitro experiments. We found a significant association between ZNF154 hypermethylation and better survival in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Moreover, we suspect that the cell growth suppressor SLFN5 might be linked to a silenced ZNF154 in pancreatic cancer.
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Yan D, Dong W, He Q, Yang M, Huang L, Kong J, Qin H, Lin T, Huang J. Circular RNA circPICALM sponges miR-1265 to inhibit bladder cancer metastasis and influence FAK phosphorylation. EBioMedicine 2019; 48:316-331. [PMID: 31648990 PMCID: PMC6838432 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.08.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Metastasis is a major obstacle in the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). Circular RNAs exert various functions in the aggressive biological behaviour of cancers. In this study, we aimed to elucidate how circPICALM influences BC metastasis. Methods The expression of circPICALM was analysed by real-time PCR. The tumourigenic properties of BC cells were evaluated using in vitro migration, invasion, and wound healing assays and an in vivo footpad model. The interaction between circPICALM and miR-1265 was confirmed by pull-down and dual-luciferase reporter assays and biotin-labelled miRNA capture. The interaction of STEAP4 and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation. Findings CircPICALM was downregulated in BC tissues, and low circPICALM expression was related to advanced T stage, high grade, lymph node positivity and poor overall survival. Overexpression of circPICALM inhibited the metastasis of BC cells, and DHX9 negatively regulated circPICALM levels. CircPICALM colocalized with miR-1265 and acted as a sponge for this miRNA, and the pro-invasion effect of miR-1265 was abolished by circPICALM overexpression. STEAP4, a target of miR-1265, suppressed metastasis; it bound to FAK to prevent autophosphorylation at Y397 and influenced EMT in BC cells. Interpretation CircPICALM can inhibit BC metastasis and bind to miR-1265 to block its pro-invasion activity. STEAP4 is a target of miR-1265 and is related to FAK phosphorylation and EMT. Fund This research was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.81772728, National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.81772719, National Natural Science Foundation of China No.81572514.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Yan
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Dong
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingqing He
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meihua Yang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lifang Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianqiu Kong
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haide Qin
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tianxin Lin
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Urology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Malignant Tumor Epigenetics and Gene Regulation, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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29
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Cozma A, Fodor A, Vulturar R, Sitar-Tăut AV, Orăşan OH, Mureşan F, Login C, Suharoschi R. DNA Methylation and Micro-RNAs: The Most Recent and Relevant Biomarkers in the Early Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55090607. [PMID: 31546948 PMCID: PMC6780418 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55090607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Revised: 09/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequently encountered cancer type, and its alarming incidence is explained by genetic and epigenetic alterations. Epigenetic changes may represent diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of HCC. In this review we discussed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hypomethylation, DNA hypermethylation, and aberrant expression of small non-coding ribonucleic acid (RNA), which could be useful new biomarkers in the early diagnosis of HCC. We selected the articles on human subjects published in English over the past two years involving diagnostic markers detected in body fluids, cancer diagnosis made on histopathological exam, and a control group of those with benign liver disease or without liver disease. These biomarkers need further investigation in clinical trials to develop clinical applications for early diagnosis and management of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Cozma
- Internal Medicine Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Adriana Fodor
- Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Romana Vulturar
- Department of Cell Biology, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Adela-Viviana Sitar-Tăut
- Internal Medicine Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Olga Hilda Orăşan
- Internal Medicine Department, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Flaviu Mureşan
- Department of Surgery, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Cezar Login
- Department of Physiology, "Iuliu Haţieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
| | - Ramona Suharoschi
- Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, 400372 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
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30
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Zhao NH, Qian Y, Wu CS, Wang JW, Fang Y, Fan XP, Gao S, Fan YC, Wang K. Diagnostic value of NKG2D promoter methylation in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomark Med 2019; 13:1093-1105. [PMID: 31411040 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2019-0102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Natural killer cell receptor group 2D (NKG2D) plays an important role in the immune regulation of tumors. We speculate that DNA methylation are involved in the regulation of NKG2D gene. Methods: We investigated the methylation status of the NKG2D promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy controls by methylation-specific PCR and the mRNA expression level was examined by real-time quantitative PCR. Results: The methylation frequency of NKG2D promoter in HCC patients was higher than that of chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy controls. NKG2D promoter methylation has a good predictive value for HCC diagnosis. Conclusion: NKG2D promoter methylation can be used as a noninvasive marker for detecting HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Hui Zhao
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China
| | - Yu Qian
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China
| | - Chen-Si Wu
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China
| | - Jing-Wen Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China
| | - Yu Fang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China
| | - Xiao-Peng Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China.,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China.,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China.,Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, PR China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Shandong University, Shenzhen 518000, PR China
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31
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Jiang P, Chan KCA, Lo YMD. Liver-derived cell-free nucleic acids in plasma: Biology and applications in liquid biopsies. J Hepatol 2019; 71:409-421. [PMID: 31004682 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
There is much global research interest surrounding the use of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) for liquid biopsies. cfDNA-based non-invasive prenatal testing for foetal chromosomal aneuploidies was the first successful application of cfDNA technology that transformed clinical practice - it has since been rapidly adopted in dozens of countries and is used by millions of pregnant women every year. Prompted by such developments, efforts to use cfDNA in other fields, especially for cancer detection and monitoring have been actively pursued in recent years. Cancer-associated aberrations including single nucleotide mutations, copy number aberrations, aberrations in methylation and alterations in DNA fragmentation patterns have been detected in the cfDNA of patients suffering from a wide variety of cancers. In addition, the analysis of methylation and fragmentomic patterns has enabled the tissue origin of cfDNA to be determined. In this review, different approaches for detecting circulating liver-derived nucleic acids and cancer-associated aberrations, as well as their potential clinical applications for the detection, monitoring and management of hepatocellular carcinoma, will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyong Jiang
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - K C Allen Chan
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Y M Dennis Lo
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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32
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Liquid biopsy in hepatocellular carcinoma: circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:114. [PMID: 31269959 PMCID: PMC6607541 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1043-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 213] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers and a leading cause of death worldwide. Due to latent liver disease, late diagnosis, and nonresponse to systemic treatments, surgical resection and/or biopsy specimens are still generally considered as the gold standard by clinicians for clinical decision-making until now. Since the conventional tissue biopsy is invasive and contains small tissue samples, it is unable to represent tumor heterogeneity or monitor dynamic tumor progression. Therefore, it is imperative to find a new less invasive or noninvasive diagnostic strategy to detect HCC at an early stage and to monitor HCC recurrence. Over the past years, a new diagnostic concept known as “liquid biopsy” has emerged with substantial attention. Liquid biopsy is noninvasive and allows repeated analyses to monitor tumor recurrence, metastasis or treatment responses in real time. With the advanced development of new molecular techniques, HCC circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection have achieved interesting and encouraging results. In this review, we focus on the clinical applications of CTCs and ctDNA as key components of liquid biopsy in HCC patients.
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33
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Seshachalam VP, Sekar K, Hui KM. Insights into the etiology-associated gene regulatory networks in hepatocellular carcinoma from The Cancer Genome Atlas. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018; 33:2037-2047. [PMID: 29672926 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.14262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus, alcohol consumption, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are the major known risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There have been very few studies comparing the underlying biological mechanisms associated with the different etiologies of HCC. In this study, we hypothesized the existence of different regulatory networks associated with different liver disease etiologies involved in hepatocarcinogenesis. METHODS Using upstream regulatory analysis tool in ingenuity pathway analysis software, upstream regulators (URs) were predicted using differential expressed genes for HCC to facilitate the interrogation of global gene regulation. RESULTS Analysis of regulatory networks for HBV HCC revealed E2F1 as activated UR, regulating genes involved in cell cycle and DNA replication, and HNF4A and HNF1A as inhibited UR. In hepatitis C virus HCC, interferon-γ, involved in cellular movement and signaling, was activated, while IL1RN, mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 involved in interleukin 22 signaling and immune response, was inhibited. In alcohol consumption HCC, ERBB2 involved in inflammatory response and cellular movement was activated, whereas HNF4A and NUPR1 were inhibited. For HCC derived from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, miR-1249-5p was activated, and NUPR1 involved in cell cycle and apoptosis was inhibited. The prognostic value of representative genes identified in the regulatory networks for HBV HCC can be further validated by an independent HBV HCC dataset established in our laboratory with survival data. CONCLUSIONS Our study identified functionally distinct candidate URs for HCC developed from different etiologic risk factors. Further functional validation studies of these regulatory networks could facilitate the management of HCC towards personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karthik Sekar
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kam M Hui
- Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, National Cancer Center Singapore, Singapore.,Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR, Singapore.,Cancer and Stem Cell Biology Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore.,Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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34
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Pezzuto F, Buonaguro L, Buonaguro FM, Tornesello ML. The Role of Circulating Free DNA and MicroRNA in Non-Invasive Diagnosis of HBV- and HCV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1007. [PMID: 29597259 PMCID: PMC5979406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third and the fifth leading cause of cancer related death worldwide in men and in women, respectively. HCC generally has a poor prognosis, with a very low 5-year overall survival, due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Early tumour detection and timely intervention are the best strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality in HCC patients. Histological evaluation of liver biopsies is the gold standard for cancer diagnosis, although it is an invasive, time-consuming and expensive procedure. Recently, the analysis of circulating free DNA (cfDNA) and RNA molecules released by tumour cells in body fluids, such as blood serum, saliva and urine, has attracted great interest for development of diagnostic assays based on circulating liver cancer molecular biomarkers. Such "liquid biopsies" have shown to be useful for the identification of specific molecular signatures in nucleic acids released by cancer cells, such as gene mutations and altered methylation of DNA as well as variations in the levels of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Body fluids analysis may represent a valuable strategy to monitor liver disease progression in subjects chronically infected with hepatitis viruses or cancer relapse in HCC treated patients. Several studies showed that qualitative and quantitative assays evaluating molecular profiles of circulating cell-free nucleic acids could be successfully employed for early diagnosis and therapeutic management of HCC patients. This review describes the state of art on the use of liquid biopsy for cancer driver gene mutations, deregulated DNA methylation as well as miRNA levels in HCC diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Pezzuto
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Franco Maria Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncology Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS "Fondazione G. Pascale", 80131 Napoli, Italy.
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