Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor confers resistance to chemotherapy via TGFβ/Smad2-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer

Deciphering Drug Resistance: Investigating the Emerging Role of Hyaluronan Metabolism and Signaling and Tumor Extracellular Matrix in Cancer Chemotherapy

Hyaluronan (HA) has gained significant attention in cancer research for its role in modulating chemoresistance. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which HA contributes to chemoresistance, focusing on its interactions within the tumor microenvironment. HA is abundantly present in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and binds to cell-surface receptors such as CD44 and RHAMM. These interactions activate various signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt, MAPK, and NF-κB, which are implicated in cell survival, proliferation, and drug resistance. HA also influences the physical properties of the tumor stroma, enhancing its density and reducing drug penetration. Additionally, HA-mediated signaling contributes to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process associated with increased metastatic potential and resistance to apoptosis. Emerging therapeutic strategies aim to counteract HA-induced chemoresistance by targeting HA synthesis, degradation, metabolism, or its binding to CD44. This review underscores the complexity of HA's role in chemoresistance and highlights the potential for HA-targeted therapies to improve the efficacy of conventional chemotherapeutics.

Exploring HMMR as a therapeutic frontier in breast cancer treatment, its interaction with various cell cycle genes, and targeting its overexpression through specific inhibitors

Among women, breast carcinoma is one of the most complex cancers, with one of the highest death rates worldwide. There have been significant improvements in treatment methods, but its early detection still remains an issue to be resolved. This study explores the multifaceted function of hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) in breast cancer progression. HMMR's association with key cell cycle regulators (AURKA, TPX2, and CDK1) underscores its pivotal role in cancer initiation and advancement. HMMR's involvement in microtubule assembly and cellular interactions, both extracellularly and intracellularly, provides critical insights into its contribution to cancer cell processes. Elevated HMMR expression triggered by inflammatory signals correlates with unfavorable prognosis in breast cancer and various other malignancies. Therefore, recognizing HMMR as a promising therapeutic target, the study validates the overexpression of HMMR in breast cancer and various pan cancers and its correlation with certain proteins such as AURKA, TPX2, and CDK1 through online databases. Furthermore, the pathways associated with HMMR were explored using pathway enrichment analysis, such as Gene Ontology, offering a foundation for the development of effective strategies in breast cancer treatment. The study further highlights compounds capable of inhibiting certain pathways, which, in turn, would inhibit the upregulation of HMMR in breast cancer. The results were further validated via MD simulations in addition to molecular docking to explore protein-protein/ligand interaction. Consequently, these findings imply that HMMR could play a pivotal role as a crucial oncogenic regulator, highlighting its potential as a promising target for the therapeutic intervention of breast carcinoma.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts: protagonists of the tumor microenvironment in gastric cancer

Enhanced knowledge of the interaction of cancer cells with their environment elucidated the critical role of tumor microenvironment in tumor progression and chemoresistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts act as the protagonists of the tumor microenvironment, fostering the metastasis, stemness, and chemoresistance of cancer cells and attenuating the anti-cancer immune responses. Gastric cancer is one of the most aggressive cancers in the clinic, refractory to anti-cancer therapies. Growing evidence indicates that cancer-associated fibroblasts are the most prominent risk factors for a poor tumor immune microenvironment and dismal prognosis in gastric cancer. Therefore, targeting cancer-associated fibroblasts may be central to surpassing resistance to conventional chemotherapeutics, molecular-targeted agents, and immunotherapies, improving survival in gastric cancer. However, the heterogeneity in cancer-associated fibroblasts may complicate the development of cancer-associated fibroblast targeting approaches. Although single-cell sequencing studies started dissecting the heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts, the research community should still answer these questions: "What makes a cancer-associated fibroblast protumorigenic?"; "How do the intracellular signaling and the secretome of different cancer-associated fibroblast subpopulations differ from each other?"; and "Which cancer-associated fibroblast subtypes predominate specific cancer types?". Unveiling these questions can pave the way for discovering efficient cancer-associated fibroblast targeting strategies. Here, we review current knowledge and perspectives on these questions, focusing on how CAFs induce aggressiveness and therapy resistance in gastric cancer. We also review potential therapeutic approaches to prevent the development and activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts via inhibition of CAF inducers and CAF markers in cancer.

Hyaluronic acid metabolism and chemotherapy resistance: recent advances and therapeutic potential

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a major component of the extracellular matrix, providing essential mechanical scaffolding for cells and, at the same time, mediating essential biochemical signals required for tissue homeostasis. Many solid tumors are characterized by dysregulated HA metabolism, resulting in increased HA levels in cancer tissues. HA interacts with several cell surface receptors, such as cluster of differentiation 44 and receptor for hyaluronan-mediated motility, thus co-regulating important signaling pathways in cancer development and progression. In this review, we describe the enzymes controlling HA metabolism and its intracellular effectors emphasizing their impact on cancer chemotherapy resistance. We will also explore the current and future prospects of HA-based therapy, highlighting the opportunities and challenges in the field.

SMC1A facilitates gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via promoting SNAIL activated EMT

BACKGROUND

Structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1 A (SMC1A) is a crucial subunit of the cohesion protein complex and plays a vital role in cell cycle regulation, genomic stability maintenance, chromosome dynamics. Recent studies demonstrated that SMC1A participates in tumorigenesis. This reseach aims to explore the role and the underlying mechanisms of SMC1A in gastric cancer (GC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RT-qPCR and western blot were used to examine the expression levels of SMC1A in GC tissues and cell lines. The role of SMC1A on GC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were analyzed. Furthermore,the mechanism of SMC1A action was investigated.

RESULTS

SMC1A was highly expressed in GC tissues and cell lines. The high expression of SMC1A indicated the poor overall survival of GC patients from Kaplan-Meier Plotter. Enhancing the expression of SMC1A in AGS cells remarkably promoted cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, migration and invasion, Conversely, knockdown of SMC1A in HGC27 cells inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, it's observed that SMC1A promoted EMT and malignant cell behaviors via regulating SNAIL.

CONCLUSION

Our study revealed that SMC1A promotes EMT process by upregulating SNAIL, which contributes to gastric cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Therefore, targeting SMC1A may be a potential strategy to improve GC therapy.

Effects of Hyaluronan on Breast Cancer Aggressiveness

The expression of the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in breast cancer cells is critical for determining tumor aggressiveness and targeting therapies. The presence of such receptors allows for the use of antagonists that effectively reduce breast cancer growth and dissemination. However, the absence of such receptors in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) reduces the possibility of targeted therapy, making these tumors very aggressive with a poor outcome. Cancers are not solely composed of tumor cells, but also include several types of infiltrating cells, such as fibroblasts, macrophages, and other immune cells that have critical functions in regulating cancer cell behaviors. In addition to these cells, the extracellular matrix (ECM) has become an important player in many aspects of breast cancer biology, including cell growth, motility, metabolism, and chemoresistance. Hyaluronan (HA) is a key ECM component that promotes cell proliferation and migration in several malignancies. Notably, HA accumulation in the tumor stroma is a negative prognostic factor in breast cancer. HA metabolism depends on the fine balance between HA synthesis by HA synthases and degradation yielded by hyaluronidases. All the different cell types present in the tumor can release HA in the ECM, and in this review, we will describe the role of HA and HA metabolism in different breast cancer subtypes.

FTO demethylates m6A modifications in CDKAL1 mRNA and promotes gastric cancer chemoresistance by altering mitochondrial dynamics

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification is the most common mRNA modification that is considered a new layer of mRNA epigenetic regulation. Demethylase fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) are important in the dynamic regulation of m6A, but their role in gastric cancer (GC) is not fully understood. This study revealed that FTO and CDKAL1 were up-regulated in GC cells and tissue. CDKAL1 is the downstream target of FTO-mediated m6A modification, with FTO promoting GC cell proliferation through CDKAL1 and inducing mitochondrial fusion, eventually causing GC chemoresistance. In conclusion, FTO contributes to the increasing resistance of GC cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) by upregulating CDKAL1 and inducing mitochondrial fusion.

The critical role of circular RNAs in drug resistance in gastrointestinal cancers

Nowadays, drug resistance (DR) in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, as the main reason for cancer-related mortality worldwide, has become a serious problem in the management of patients. Several mechanisms have been proposed for resistance to anticancer drugs, including altered transport and metabolism of drugs, mutation of drug targets, altered DNA repair system, inhibited apoptosis and autophagy, cancer stem cells, tumor heterogeneity, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Compelling evidence has revealed that genetic and epigenetic factors are strongly linked to DR. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA) interferences are the most crucial epigenetic alterations explored so far, and among these ncRNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are the most emerging members known to have unique properties. Due to the absence of 5' and 3' ends in these novel RNAs, the two ends are covalently bonded together and are generated from pre-mRNA in a process known as back-splicing, which makes them more stable than other RNAs. As far as the unique structure and function of circRNAs is concerned, they are implicated in proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and DR. A clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for circRNAs-mediated DR in the GI cancers will open a new window to the management of GI cancers. Hence, in the present review, we will describe briefly the biogenesis, multiple features, and different biological functions of circRNAs. Then, we will summarize current mechanisms of DR, and finally, discuss molecular mechanisms through which circRNAs regulate DR development in esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Extracellular matrix remodeling in tumor progression and immune escape: from mechanisms to treatments

The malignant tumor is a multi-etiological, systemic and complex disease characterized by uncontrolled cell proliferation and distant metastasis. Anticancer treatments including adjuvant therapies and targeted therapies are effective in eliminating cancer cells but in a limited number of patients. Increasing evidence suggests that the extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in tumor development through changes in macromolecule components, degradation enzymes and stiffness. These variations are under the control of cellular components in tumor tissue via the aberrant activation of signaling pathways, the interaction of the ECM components to multiple surface receptors, and mechanical impact. Additionally, the ECM shaped by cancer regulates immune cells which results in an immune suppressive microenvironment and hinders the efficacy of immunotherapies. Thus, the ECM acts as a barrier to protect cancer from treatments and supports tumor progression. Nevertheless, the profound regulatory network of the ECM remodeling hampers the design of individualized antitumor treatment. Here, we elaborate on the composition of the malignant ECM, and discuss the specific mechanisms of the ECM remodeling. Precisely, we highlight the impact of the ECM remodeling on tumor development, including proliferation, anoikis, metastasis, angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and immune escape. Finally, we emphasize ECM "normalization" as a potential strategy for anti-malignant treatment.

HMMR promotes prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis via AURKA/mTORC2/E2F1 positive feedback loop

Although dysregulated HMMR is linked to prostate cancer (PCa) prognosis, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we sought to elucidate the role of HMMR in PCa progression as well as underlying mechanism. Herein, we found that upregulation of HMMR frequently observed in PCa samples and was associated with poor prognosis. Additionally, HMMR significantly promoted PCa proliferation and metastasis through gain- and loss-of function approaches in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, HMMR may interact with AURKA and elevated AURKA protein level through inhibiting ubiquitination-mediated degradation, which subsequently activated mTORC2/AKT pathway to ensure the reinforcement of PCa progression. Moreover, upregulated E2F1 caused from sustained activation of mTORC2/AKT pathway in turn function as transcription factor to promote HMMR transcription, thereby forming a positive feedback loop to trigger PCa progression. Importantly, administration of the mTOR inhibitor partially antagonised HMMR-mediated PCa progression in vivo. In summary, we not only reveal a novel possible post-translation mechanism mediated by HMMR involved in AURKA regulation, but also describe a positive feedback loop that contributes to PCa deterioration, suggesting HMMR may serve as a potential promising therapeutic target in PCa.

Hsa_circ_0005273 acts as a sponge of miR-509-3p to promote the malignant behaviors of breast cancer by regulating HMMR expression

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumor that threatens the health of women worldwide. Hsa_circ_0005273 has been identified as a carcinogenic factor in some solid tumors, including BC. However, the molecular mechanism of circ_0005273 in BC is poorly defined.

METHODS

The expression of circ_0005273, miR-509-3p, and hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) mRNA in BC was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, transwell, and flow cytometry assays. The glycolysis level was detected via specific kits. Western blot was used to detect protein expression. Binding between miR-509-3p and circ_0005273 or HMMR was also verified by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down, and RNA immunoprecipitation assays. Xenograft tumor model was used to detect tumor changes in mice, and immunohistochemistry assay was employed to detect Ki-67 abundance.

RESULTS

Circ_0005273 was increased in BC tissues and cells. Circ_0005273 knockdown might inhibit BC cell proliferation, migration, invasion, glutamine metabolism, and induce apoptosis. Circ_0005273 was a miR-509-3p, and the repression role of circ_0005273 absence on BC cell development was weakened by miR-509-3p inhibitor or HMMR overexpression. Circ_0005273 up-regulated the expression of HMMR by sponging miR-509-3p. Additionally, circ_0005273 silencing might hinder tumor growth in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0005273 knockdown might repress BC cell malignant behaviors by regulating the miR-509-3p/HMMR axis, which might provide a potential therapeutic target for BC.

Hyaluronan Receptors as Mediators and Modulators of the Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a dynamic and complex matter shaped by heterogenous cancer and cancer-associated cells present at the tumor site. Hyaluronan (HA) is a major TME component that plays pro-tumorigenic and carcinogenic functions. These functions are mediated by different hyaladherins expressed by cancer and tumor-associated cells triggering downstream signaling pathways that determine cell fate and contribute to TME progression toward a carcinogenic state. Here, the interaction of HA is reviewed with several cell-surface hyaladherins-CD44, RHAMM, TLR2 and 4, LYVE-1, HARE, and layilin. The signaling pathways activated by these interactions and the respective response of different cell populations within the TME, and the modulation of the TME, are discussed. Potential cancer therapies via targeting these interactions are also briefly discussed.

The extracellular matrix alteration, implication in modulation of drug resistance mechanism: friends or foes?

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), having several important roles related to the hallmarks of cancer. In cancer, multiple components of the ECM have been shown to be altered. Although most of these alterations are represented by the increased or decreased quantity of the ECM components, changes regarding the functional alteration of a particular ECM component or of the ECM as a whole have been described. These alterations can be induced by the cancer cells directly or by the TME cells, with cancer-associated fibroblasts being of particular interest in this regard. Because the ECM has this wide array of functions in the tumor, preclinical and clinical studies have assessed the possibility of targeting the ECM, with some of them showing encouraging results. In the present review, we will highlight the most relevant ECM components presenting a comprehensive description of their physical, cellular and molecular properties which can alter the therapy response of the tumor cells. Lastly, some evidences regarding important biological processes were discussed, offering a more detailed understanding of how to modulate altered signalling pathways and to counteract drug resistance mechanisms in tumor cells.

HMMR promotes peritoneal implantation of gastric cancer by increasing cell-cell interactions

BACKGROUND

Distant metastasis is the prominent factor for cancer-induced death of gastric cancer in which peritoneum is one of the dominating targets of gastric cancer metastasis. However, there is still a lack of effective predictive indicators and treatment methods for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal metastasis.

METHODS

A clustering assay was used to investigate the cell aggregates formation ability. While the soft agar assay and anoikis assay were performed to detect the anchorage-independent growth and anoikis-resistant ability respectively. Luciferase activity assay, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to explore the effect of HMMR on AKT signaling activity. The peritoneal implantation model was examined to explore the role of HMMR in vivo.

RESULTS

Silencing of HMMR expression markedly reduced the peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer cells through reducing cell-cell interactions. Mechanistically, HA-HMMR could activate Akt signaling, thus succeeding in distant colonization and metastatic outgrowth. Importantly, inducible depletion of HMMR significantly abrogates peritoneal implantation of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights that HMMR promotes peritoneal implantation of gastric cancer. A better understanding of HMMR's functions and mechanism might provide a novel therapeutic target and prognostic marker for metastatic gastric cancer.

Impact of Cancer Stem Cells on Therapy Resistance in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with an average 5-year survival rate of 32%, being of 6% for patients presenting distant metastasis. Despite the advances made in the treatment of GC, chemoresistance phenomena arise and promote recurrence, dissemination and dismal prognosis. In this context, gastric cancer stem cells (gCSCs), a small subset of cancer cells that exhibit unique characteristics, are decisive in therapy failure. gCSCs develop different protective mechanisms, such as the maintenance in a quiescent state as well as enhanced detoxification procedures and drug efflux activity, that make them insusceptible to current treatments. This, together with their self-renewal capacity and differentiation ability, represents major obstacles for the eradication of this disease. Different gCSC regulators have been described and used to isolate and characterize these cell populations. However, at the moment, no therapeutic strategy has achieved the effective targeting of gCSCs. This review will focus on the properties of cancer stem cells in the context of therapy resistance and will summarize current knowledge regarding the impact of the gCSC regulators that have been associated with GC chemoradioresistance.

Identification of a Four-Gene-Based SERM Signature for Prognostic and Drug Sensitivity Prediction in Gastric Cancer

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly molecular heterogeneous tumor with poor prognosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are reported to share common signaling pathways and cause poor prognosis in GC. Considering about the close relationship between these two processes, we aimed to establish a gene signature based on both processes to achieve better prognostic prediction in GC.

Methods

The gene signature was constructed by univariate Cox and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analyses by using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) GC cohort. We performed enrichment analyses to explore the potential mechanisms of the gene signature. Kaplan-Meier analysis and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were implemented to assess its prognostic value in TCGA cohort. The prognostic value of gene signature on overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and drug sensitivity was validated in different cohorts. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) validation of the prognostic value of gene signature for OS and DFS prediction was performed in the Fudan cohort.

Results

A prognostic signature including SERPINE1, EDIL3, RGS4, and MATN3 (SERM signature) was constructed to predict OS, DFS, and drug sensitivity in GC. Enrichment analyses illustrated that the gene signature has tight connection with the CSC and EMT processes in GC. Patients were divided into two groups based on the risk score obtained from the formula. The Kaplan-Meier analyses indicated high-risk group yielded significantly poor prognosis compared with low-risk group. Pearson’s correlation analysis indicated that the risk score was positively correlated with carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil IC50 of GC cell lines. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the gene signature was an independent prognostic factor for predicting GC patients’ OS, DFS, and susceptibility to adjuvant chemotherapy.

Conclusions

Our SERM prognostic signature is of great value for OS, DFS, and drug sensitivity prediction in GC, which may give guidance to the development of targeted therapy for CSC- and EMT-related gene in the future.

Identification of HMMR as a prognostic biomarker for patients with lung adenocarcinoma via integrated bioinformatics analysis

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most prevalent tumor in lung carcinoma cases and threatens human life seriously worldwide. Here we attempt to identify a prognostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for LUAD patients.

Methods

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) shared by GSE18842, GSE75037, GSE101929 and GSE19188 profiles were determined and used for protein-protein interaction analysis, enrichment analysis and clinical correlation analysis to search for the core gene, whose expression was further validated in multiple databases and LUAD cells (A549 and PC-9) by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analyses. Its prognostic value was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, meta-analysis and Cox regression analysis based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and co-expression analysis was conducted using the Oncomine database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed to illuminate the potential functions of the core gene.

Results

A total of 115 shared DEGs were found, of which 24 DEGs were identified as candidate hub genes with potential functions associated with cell cycle and FOXM1 transcription factor network. Among these candidates, HMMR was identified as the core gene, which was highly expressed in LUAD as verified by multiple datasets and cell samples. Besides, high HMMR expression was found to independently predict poor survival in patients with LUAD. Co-expression analysis showed that HMMR was closely related to FOXM1 and was mainly involved in cell cycle as suggested by GSEA.

Conclusion

HMMR might be served as an independent prognostic biomarker for LUAD patients, which needs further validation in subsequent studies.

Molecular classification of gastric cancer predicts survival in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy based on project HOPE

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) has been classified based on molecular profiling like The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Asian Cancer Research Group (ACRG), and attempts have been made to establish therapeutic strategies based on these classifications. However, it is difficult to predict the survival according to these classifications especially in radically resected patients. We aimed to establish a new molecular classification of GC which predicts the survival in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy.

METHODS

The present study included 499 Japanese patients with advanced GC undergoing radical (R0/R1) gastrectomy. Whole-exome sequencing, panel sequencing, and gene expression profiling were conducted (High-tech Omics-based Patient Evaluation [Project HOPE]). We classified patients according to TCGA and ACRG subtypes, and evaluated the clinicopathologic features and survival. Then, we attempted to classify patients according to their molecular profiles associated with biological features and survival (HOPE classification).

RESULTS

TCGA and ACRG classifications failed to predict the survival. In HOPE classification, hypermutated (HMT) tumors were selected first as a distinctive feature, and T-cell-inflamed expression signature-high (TCI) tumors were then extracted. Finally, the remaining tumors were divided by the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) expression signature. HOPE classification significantly predicted the disease-specific and overall survival (p < 0.001 and 0.020, respectively). HMT + TCI showed the best survival, while EMT-high showed the worst survival. The HOPE classification was successfully validated in the TCGA cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

We established a new molecular classification of gastric cancer that predicts the survival in patients undergoing radical surgery.

Identification and Validation of a Novel Six-Gene Expression Signature for Predicting Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly lethal disease. Effective prognostic tools to guide clinical decision-making for HCC patients are lacking.

Objective

We aimed to establish a robust prognostic model based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in HCC.

Methods

Using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and the International Genome Consortium (ICGC), DEGs between HCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were identified. Using TCGA dataset as the training cohort, we applied the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify a multi-gene expression signature. Proportional hazard assumptions and multicollinearity among covariates were evaluated while building the model. The ICGC cohort was used for validation. The Pearson test was used to evaluate the correlation between tumor mutational burden and risk score. Through single-sample gene set enrichment analysis, we investigated the role of signature genes in the HCC microenvironment.

Results

A total of 274 DEGs were identified, and a six-DEG prognostic model was developed. Patients were stratified into low- or high-risk groups based on risk scoring by the model. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed significant differences in overall survival and progression-free interval. Through univariate and multivariate Cox analyses, the model proved to be an independent prognostic factor compared to other clinic-pathological parameters. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed satisfactory prediction of overall survival, but not progression-free interval. Functional enrichment analysis showed that cancer-related pathways were enriched, while immune infiltration analyses differed between the two risk groups. The risk score did not correlate with levels of PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA4, or tumor mutational burden.

Conclusions

We propose a six-gene expression signature that could help to determine HCC patient prognosis. These genes may serve as biomarkers in HCC and support personalized disease management.

Regulatory role of the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway in the drug resistance of gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, including esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer, is one of the most prevalent types of malignant carcinoma and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite significant advances in therapeutic strategies for GI cancers in recent decades, drug resistance with various mechanisms remains the prevailing cause of therapy failure in GI cancers. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling pathway has crucial, complex roles in many cellular functions related to drug resistance. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the role of the TGF-β signaling pathway in the resistance of GI cancers to conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and traditional medicine. Various processes, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cell development, tumor microenvironment alteration, and microRNA biogenesis, are proposed as the main mechanisms of TGF-β-mediated drug resistance in GI cancers. Several studies have already indicated the benefit of combining antitumor drugs with agents that suppress the TGF-β signaling pathway, but this approach needs to be verified in additional clinical studies. Moreover, the identification of potential biological markers that can be used to predict the response to TGF-β signaling pathway inhibitors during anticancer treatments will have important clinical implications in the future.

HMMR is a downstream target of FOXM1 in enhancing proliferation and partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of bladder cancer cells

Our previous that HMMR upregulation independently predicts poor survival in patients with papillary muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). In this study, we explored its downstream regulations and the potential transcriptional factors activating its expression. MIBC derived T24 cells, and non-MIBC (NMIBC) derived RT4 cells were used for in vitro and in vivo studies. HMMR expression enhanced cell proliferation, the expression of mesenchymal markers, and cell invasion. It induced the nuclear entry of β-catenin, increased its active form in the nuclear part, and elevated the relative TOP/FOP activity. The promoter region of HMMR has a canonical FKH motif. FOXM1 bound to this site and activated HMMR transcription. HMMR knockdown significantly weakened FOXM1 overexpression induced bladder cancer growth, invasion, partial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (pEMT), as well as the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In conclusion, the findings in this study expanded our understanding of the mechanisms underlying HMMR dysregulation and the functional role of the FOXM1-HMMR axis in bladder cancer.

Molecular Classification of Breast Cancer Utilizing Long Non-Coding RNA (lncRNA) Transcriptomes Identifies Novel Diagnostic lncRNA Panel for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Simple Summary

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women today and accounts for thousands of cancer-related deaths each year. While some breast cancer subtypes can be easily diagnosed and targeted for therapy, triple-negative breast cancer, which lacks receptor expression, is the most challenging to diagnose and treat. In this study, we use multiple RNA sequencing data to look specifically at long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression portraits at the transcript level and to identify lncRNA-based biomarkers associated with each breast cancer subtype. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to validate their diagnostic potential, which was validated in two independent cohorts. Several lncRNA transcripts were found to be enriched in TNBC across all validation cohorts. Binary regression analysis identified a four lncRNA transcript signature with the highest diagnostic power for TNBC as potential novel biomarkers for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention. Interestingly, several of the identified lncRNAs were shown to have prognostic potential in TNBC.

Abstract

Breast cancer remains the world’s most prevalent cancer, responsible for around 685,000 deaths globally despite international research efforts and advances in clinical management. While estrogen receptor positive (ER+), progesterone receptor positive (PR+), and human epidermal growth factor receptor positive (HER2+) subtypes are easily classified and can be targeted, there remains no direct diagnostic test for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), except for the lack of receptors expression. The identification of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and the roles they play in cancer progression has recently proven to be beneficial. In the current study, we utilize RNA sequencing data to identify lncRNA-based biomarkers associated with TNBC, ER+ subtypes, and normal breast tissue. The Marker Finder algorithm identified the lncRNA transcript panel most associated with each molecular subtype and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to validate the diagnostic potential (area under the curve (AUC) of ≥8.0 and p value < 0.0001). Focusing on TNBC, findings from the discovery cohort were validated in an additional two cohorts, identifying 13 common lncRNA transcripts enriched in TNBC. Binary regression analysis identified a four lncRNA transcript signature (ENST00000425820.1, ENST00000448208.5, ENST00000521666.1, and ENST00000650510.1) with the highest diagnostic power for TNBC. The ENST00000671612.1 lncRNA transcript correlated with worse refractory free survival (RFS). Our data provides a step towards finding a novel diagnostic lncRNA-based panel for TNBC with potential therapeutic implications.

WITHDRAWN: FOXC1 modulates stem-like cell properties and chemoresistance through hedgehog and EMT signaling in gastric adenocarcinoma

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A Novel Risk Factor Model Based on Glycolysis-Associated Genes for Predicting the Prognosis of Patients With Prostate Cancer

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most prevalent cancers among males, and its mortality rate is increasing due to biochemical recurrence (BCR). Glycolysis has been proven to play an important regulatory role in tumorigenesis. Although several key regulators or predictors involved in PCa progression have been found, the relationship between glycolysis and PCa is unclear; we aimed to develop a novel glycolysis-associated multifactor prediction model for better predicting the prognosis of PCa.

METHODS

Differential mRNA expression profiles derived from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) PCa cohort were generated through the "edgeR" package. Glycolysis-related genes were obtained from the GSEA database. Univariate Cox and LASSO regression analyses were used to identify genes significantly associated with disease-free survival. ROC curves were applied to evaluate the predictive value of the model. An external dataset derived from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was used to verify the predictive ability. Glucose consumption and lactic production assays were used to assess changes in metabolic capacity, and Transwell assays were used to assess the invasion and migration of PC3 cells.

RESULTS

Five glycolysis-related genes were applied to construct a risk score prediction model. Patients with PCa derived from TCGA and GEO (GSE70770) were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups according to the median. In the TCGA cohort, the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis than the low-risk group, and the results were further verified in the GSE70770 cohort. In vitro experiments demonstrated that knocking down HMMR, KIF20A, PGM2L1, and ANKZF1 separately led to less glucose consumption, less lactic production, and inhibition of cell migration and invasion, and the results were the opposite with GPR87 knockdown.

CONCLUSION

The risk score based on five glycolysis-related genes may serve as an accurate prognostic marker for PCa patients with BCR.

Predictive biomarkers for 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in gastric cancers via profiling of patient-derived xenografts

Gastric cancer (GC) is commonly treated by chemotherapy using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) derivatives and platinum combination, but predictive biomarker remains lacking. We develop patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) from 31 GC patients and treat with a combination of 5-FU and oxaliplatin, to determine biomarkers associated with responsiveness. When the PDXs are defined as either responders or non-responders according to tumor volume change after treatment, the responsiveness of PDXs is significantly consistent with the respective clinical outcomes of the patients. An integrative genomic and transcriptomic analysis of PDXs reveals that pathways associated with cell-to-cell and cell-to-extracellular matrix interactions enriched among the non-responders in both cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME). We develop a 30-gene prediction model to determine the responsiveness to 5-FU and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy and confirm the significant poor survival outcomes among cases classified as non-responder-like in three independent GC cohorts. Our study may inform clinical decision-making when designing treatment strategies.

ceRNA network development and tumor-infiltrating immune cell analysis in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is among the primary causes of cancer deaths globally. Despite efforts to understand liver cancer, its high morbidity and mortality remain high. Herein, we constructed two nomograms based on competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks and invading immune cells to describe the molecular mechanisms along with the clinical prognosis of HCC patients. RNA maps of tumors and normal samples were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. HTseq counts and fragments per megapons per thousand bases were read from 421 samples, including 371 tumor samples and 50 normal samples. We established a ceRNA network based on differential gene expression in normal versus tumor subjects. CIBERSORT was employed to differentiate 22 immune cell types according to tumor transcriptomes. Kaplan-Meier along with Cox proportional hazard analyses were employed to determine the prognosis-linked factors. Nomograms were constructed based on prognostic immune cells and ceRNAs. We employed Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and calibration curve analyses to estimate these nomogram. The difference analysis found 2028 messenger RNAs (mRNAs), 128 micro RNAs (miRNAs), and 136 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) to be significantly differentially expressed in tumor samples relative to normal samples. We set up a ceRNA network containing 21 protein-coding mRNAs, 12 miRNAs, and 3 lncRNAs. In Kaplan-Meier analysis, 21 of the 36 ceRNAs were considered significant. Of the 22 cell types, resting dendritic cell levels were markedly different in tumor samples versus normal controls. Calibration and ROC curve analysis of the ceRNA network, as well as immune infiltration of tumor showed restful accuracy (3-year survival area under curve (AUC): 0.691, 5-year survival AUC: 0.700; 3-year survival AUC: 0.674, 5-year survival AUC: 0.694). Our data suggest that Tregs, CD4 T cells, mast cells, SNHG1, HMMR and hsa-miR-421 are associated with HCC based on ceRNA immune cells co-expression patterns. On the basis of ceRNA network modeling and immune cell infiltration analysis, our study offers an effective bioinformatics strategy for studying HCC molecular mechanisms and prognosis.

Identification of novel hub genes associated with gastric cancer using integrated bioinformatics analysis

Background

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common solid malignant tumors worldwide with a high-recurrence-rate. Identifying the molecular signatures and specific biomarkers of GC might provide novel clues for GC prognosis and targeted therapy.

Methods

Gene expression profiles were obtained from the ArrayExpress and Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were picked out by R software. The hub genes were screened by cytohubba plugin. Their prognostic values were assessed by Kaplan–Meier survival analyses and the gene expression profiling interactive analysis (GEPIA). Finally, qRT-PCR in GC tissue samples was established to validate these DEGs.

Results

Total of 295 DEGs were identified between GC and their corresponding normal adjacent tissue samples in E-MTAB-1440, GSE79973, GSE19826, GSE13911, GSE27342, GSE33335 and GSE56807 datasets, including 117 up-regulated and 178 down-regulated genes. Among them, 7 vital upregulated genes (HMMR, SPP1, FN1, CCNB1, CXCL8, MAD2L1 and CCNA2) were selected. Most of them had a significantly worse prognosis except SPP1. Using qRT-PCR, we validated that their transcriptions in our GC tumor tissue were upregulated except SPP1 and FN1, which correlated with tumor relapse and predicts poorer prognosis in GC patients.

Conclusions

We have identified 5 upregulated DEGs (HMMR, CCNB1, CXCL8, MAD2L1, and CCNA2) in GC patients with poor prognosis using integrated bioinformatical methods, which could be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for GC treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08358-7.

Prognosis prediction model for a special entity of gastric cancer, linitis plastica

Background

Gastric linitis plastica (GLP) is characteristic by its poor prognosis and highly aggressive characteristics compared with other types of gastric cancer (GC). However, the guidelines have not yet been distinguished between GLP and non-GLP.

Methods

A total of 342 eligible patients with GLP identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) dataset were randomly divided into training set (n=298) and validation set (n=153). A nomogram would be developed with the constructed predicting model based on the training cohort's data, and the validation cohort would be used to validate the model. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate the differences between groups. Cox regression and LASSO (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) were used to construct the models. Calibration curve, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, concordance index (C-index) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the predicting performance. Restricted mean survival time (RMST) was used to analyze the curative effect of adjuvant therapy.

Results

For patients in training cohort, univariable and multivariable Cox analyses showed that age, examined lymph nodes (LN.E), positive lymph nodes (LN.P), lesion size, combined resection, and radiotherapy are independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS), while chemotherapy can not meet the proportional hazards (PHs) assumption; age, race, lesion size, LN.E, LN.P, combined resection and marital status are independent prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival (CSS). The C-index of the nomogram was 0.678 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.660-0.696] and 0.673 (95% CI, 0.630-0.716) in the training and validation cohort, respectively. Meanwhile, the C-index of the CSS nomogram was 0.671 (95% CI, 0.653-0.699) and 0.650 (95% CI, 0.601-0.691) in the training and validation cohort for CSS, respectively. Furthermore, the nomogram was well calibrated with satisfactory consistency. RMST analysis further determined that chemotherapy and radiotherapy might be beneficial for improving 1- and 3-year OS and CSS, but not the 5-year CSS.

Conclusions

We developed nomograms to help predict individualized prognosis for GLP patients. The new model might help guide treatment strategies for patients with GLP.

Six genes involved in prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma identified by Cox hazard regression

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), derived from hepatocytes, is the main histological subtype of primary liver cancer and poses a serious threat to human health due to the high incidence and poor prognosis. This study aimed to establish a multigene prognostic model to predict the prognosis of patients with HCC.

RESULTS

Gene expression datasets (GSE121248, GSE40873, GSE62232) were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumor and adjacent or normal tissues, and then hub genes were screened by protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and Cytoscape software. Seventeen genes among hub genes were significantly associated with prognosis and used to construct a prognostic model through COX hazard regression analysis. The predictive performance of this model was evaluated with TCGA data and was further validated with independent dataset GSE14520. Six genes (CDKN3, ZWINT, KIF20A, NUSAP1, HMMR, DLGAP5) were involved in the prognostic model, which separated HCC patients from TCGA dataset into high- and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis and risk score analysis demonstrated that low-risk group represented a survival advantage. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis showed risk score could be an independent prognostic factor. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed there was a better predictive power of the risk score than that of other clinical indicators. At last, the results from GSE14520 demonstrated the reliability of this prognostic model in some extent.

CONCLUSION

This prognostic model represented significance for prognosis of HCC, and the risk score according to this model may be a better prognostic factor than other traditional clinical indicators.

High Expression of Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility Receptor Predicts Adverse Outcomes: A Potential Therapeutic Target for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Several studies have shown that the hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) is overexpressed in various cancers and could be a potential prognostic factor. However, further research is still required to determine the prognostic value and potential function of HMMR in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Materials and Methods: Transcriptomic expression data were collected from the Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus and the differences in HMMR expression between normal and tumor tissues were analyzed. The correlation between the methylation level of HMMR and its mRNA expression was analyzed via cBioPortal. Additionally, the data obtained from TCGA was analyzed with MethSurv to determine the prognostic value of the HMMR methylation levels in HNSCC. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and single sample GSEA (ssGSEA) were used to explore the potential biological functions of HMMR.

Results: HMMR was highly expressed in HNSCC tumor tissue compared to normal tissue (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis (MAV) showed that high HMMR mRNA expression was an independent prognostic factor of overall survival (OS) in TCGA (HR = 1.628, 95% CI: 1.169–2.266, p = 0.004) and GSE41613 data (HR = 2.238, p = 0.013). The methylation level of HMMR negatively correlated with the HMMR expression (R = −0.12, p < 0.001), and patients with low HMMR methylation had worse OS than patients with high methylation (p < 0.001). GSEA found that HMMR expression was associated with the KARS, EMT, and G2M checkpoint pathways, as well as the interferon-gamma and interferon-alpha responses, whereas ssGSEA showed that HMMR expression positively correlated with the infiltration level of Th2 cells. MAV confirmed that high HMMR protein expression was an inferior independent factor for OS (HR = 2.288, p = 0.045) and progression-free survival (HR = 2.247, p = 0.038) in 70 HNSCC.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the upregulation of HMMR mRNA and protein in HNSCC is a biomarker for poor prognosis. The biological functions of HMMR are potentially related to the KARS, EMT, and G2M checkpoint pathways, as well as the interferon-gamma and interferon-alpha responses. These findings help to elucidate the role of HMMR in carcinogenesis and lay a foundation for further study.

Identification of four novel prognosis biomarkers and potential therapeutic drugs for human colorectal cancer by bioinformatics analysis

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most deadly cancers in the world with few reliable biomarkers that have been selected into clinical guidelines for prognosis of CRC patients. In this study, mRNA microarray datasets GSE113513, GSE21510, GSE44076, and GSE32323 were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and analyzed with bioinformatics to identify hub genes in CRC development. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed using the GEO2R tool. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses were performed through the DAVID database. STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to construct a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and identify key modules and hub genes. Survival analyses of the DEGs were performed on GEPIA database. The Connectivity Map database was used to screen potential drugs. A total of 865 DEGs were identified, including 374 upregulated and 491 downregulated genes. These DEGs were mainly associated with metabolic pathways, pathways in cancer, cell cycle and so on. The PPI network was identified with 863 nodes and 5817 edges. Survival analysis revealed that HMMR, PAICS, ETFDH, and SCG2 were significantly associated with overall survival of CRC patients. And blebbistatin and sulconazole were identified as candidate drugs. In conclusion, our study found four hub genes involved in CRC, which may provide novel potential biomarkers for CRC prognosis, and two potential candidate drugs for CRC.

Overexpression of CD168 is related to poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Receptor for hyaluronic acid (HA)-mediated motility (RHAMM) is also known as CD168. This study proposed to elucidate the prognostic and clinicopathological significance of CD168 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Immune staining of a human tissue microarray and Western blot were used to reveal the expression level of CD168 in OSCC. Correlations between clinicopathological indexes and CD168 expression in OSCC patients were assessed.

RESULTS

Increased expression of CD168 was detected in OSCC tissues. High expression of CD168 indicated worse survival of patients (p < .05). Furthermore, high expression of CD168 was related to pathological grade in OSCC (p < .05). CD168 expression was positively related to programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing protein 6 (CMTM6), B7 homology 4 protein (B7-H4), CD44, CD133, and Slug expression in OSCC.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed the overexpression of CD168 in OSCC and shed light on the prognostic significance of CD168 expression in OSCC patients.

Prognostic implication of glycolysis related gene signature in non-small cell lung cancer

Abnormal glycolysis is one of the hallmarks of cancer and plays an important role in its development. This study was devoted to identify glycolysis related genes as prognostic biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The mRNA expression profile and clinical follow-up data were obtained using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The validation set was obtained by bootstrap method of random repeated sampling. A total of 200 glycolysis-related genes were obtained from Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and 46 genes were significantly associated with overall survival (OS). Five genes (PKP2, LDHA, HMMR, COL5A1 and B3GNT3) were eventually identified to calculate risk score of NSCLC patients.

The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the risk score was an independent prognostic factor (training set: HR=2.126, 95% CI [1.605, 2.815], p<0.001; validation set: HR=2.298, 95%CI [1.450, 3.640], p<0.001). Patients assigned to the high-risk group were associated with poor OS compared with patients in the low-risk group (training set: P=7.946e-06; validation set: P=6.368e-07). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and stratification analysis also demonstrated the potential prognostic performance. In conclusion, we constructed a novel glycolysis related risk signature which might contribute to predicting the prognosis of NSCLC.

The scrambled story between hyaluronan and glioblastoma

Advances in cancer biology are revealing the importance of the cancer cell microenvironment on tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Hyaluronan (HA), the main glycosaminoglycan in the extracellular matrix, has been associated with the progression of glioblastoma (GBM), the most frequent and lethal primary tumor in the central nervous system, for several decades. However, the mechanisms by which HA impacts GBM properties and processes have been difficult to elucidate. In this review, we provide a comprehensive assessment of the current knowledge on HA's effects on GBM biology, introducing its primary receptors CD44 and RHAMM and the plethora of relevant downstream signaling pathways that can scramble efforts to directly link HA activity to biological outcomes. We consider the complexities of studying an extracellular polymer and the different strategies used to try to capture its function, including 2D and 3D in vitro studies, patient samples, and in vivo models. Given that HA affects not only migration and invasion, but also cell proliferation, adherence, and chemoresistance, we highlight the potential role of HA as a therapeutic target. Finally, we review the different existing approaches to diminish its protumor effects, such as the use of 4-methylumbelliferone, HA oligomers, and hyaluronidases and encourage further research along these lines in order to improve the survival and quality of life of GBM patients.

Forkhead box D1 promotes EMT and chemoresistance by upregulating lncRNA CYTOR in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Chemotherapy regimens containing cisplatin remain the first-line treatments for patients with oral squamous cell cancer (OSCC); however, the treatment effect is often transient because of chemoresistance and recurrence. Understanding the mechanisms of chemoresistance in OSCC might provide novel targetable vulnerabilities. In the present study, we revealed that Forkhead box D1 (FOXD1) is upregulated in OSCC and predicted poor prognosis. Moreover, ectopic expression of FOXD1 promoted, while silencing of FOXD1 inhibited, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and chemoresistance of OSCC, both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, FOXD1 binds to the promoter of long non-coding RNA Cytoskeleton Regulator RNA (CYTOR) and activates its transcription. CYTOR then acts as a competing endogenous RNA to inhibit miR-1252-5p and miR-3148, thus upregulating lipoma preferred partner (LPP) expression. Importantly, the CYTOR/LPP axis was proven to be essential for FOXD1-induced EMT and chemoresistance in OSCC. These findings reveal a novel mechanism for the chemotherapy resistance of OSCC, suggesting that FOXD1 might be a potential prognostic marker and anti-resistance therapeutic target.

Obg-like ATPase 1 inhibited oral carcinoma cell metastasis through TGFβ/SMAD2 axis in vitro

BACKGROUND

The human Obg-like ATPase 1 (OLA1) protein has been reported to play an important role in cancer cell proliferation. The molecular mechanism underlying OLA1 regulated oral metastasis is still unknown. We investigated in this study the regulatory role of OLA1 playing in oral squamous cell metastasis.

RESULTS

A series of in vitro assays were performed in the cells with RNAi-mediated knockdown or overexpression to expound the regulatory function of OLA1 in oral cancer. We found that the endogenous level of OLA1 in a highly metastatic oral squamous cell line was significantly lower than that in low metastatic oral cells as well as in normal oral cells. Escalated expression of OLA1 resulted in a reduced ability of metastasis in highly metastatic cells, and enhanced its sensitivity to the paclitaxel treatment. Further analysis of the EMT markers showed that Snail, Slug, N-cadherin were up-expressed significantly. Meanwhile, E-cadherin was significantly down-regulated in the oral cancer cells with OLA1-knocked down, suggesting that OLA1 inactivated EMT process. Furthermore, we found that OLA1 suppressed oral squamous cell metastasis by suppressing the activity of a TGFβ/SMAD2/EMT pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggests that OLA1 may be developed as a potential target for the treatment of oral cancer metastasis.

Oleate acid-stimulated HMMR expression by CEBPα is associated with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a type of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and has become a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are still elusive. Here, we identify hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) as a critical gene associated with NASH/HCC by combination of bioinformatic analysis and functional experiments. Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between normal controls and NASH/HCC identified 5 hub genes (HMMR, UBE2T, TYMS, PTTG1 and GINS2). Based on the common DEGs, analyses of univariate and multivariate Cox regression and the area under the curve (AUC) value of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) indicate that HMMR is the most significant gene associated with NASH/HCC among five hub genes. Oleate acid (OA), one of fatty acids that induce cellular adipogenesis, stimulates HMMR expression via CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (CEBPα). CEBPα increases the expression of HMMR through binding to its promoter. HMMR promotes HCC cell proliferation in vitro via activation of G1/S and G2/M checkpoint transitions, concomitant with a marked increase of the positive cell cycle regulators, including cyclin D1, cyclin E, and cyclin B1. Knockdown of HMMR suppresses HCC tumor growth in nude mice. Our study identifies an important role of HMMR in NASH/HCC, and suggests that HMMR may be a useful target for therapy and prognostic prediction of NASH/HCC patients.

Roles of Proteoglycans and Glycosaminoglycans in Cancer Development and Progression

The extracellular matrix (ECM) spatiotemporally controls cell fate; however, dysregulation of ECM remodeling can lead to tumorigenesis and cancer development by providing favorable conditions for tumor cells. Proteoglycans (PGs) and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are the major macromolecules composing ECM. They influence both cell behavior and matrix properties through direct and indirect interactions with various cytokines, growth factors, cell surface receptors, adhesion molecules, enzymes, and glycoproteins within the ECM. The classical features of PGs/GAGs play well-known roles in cancer angiogenesis, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. Several lines of evidence suggest that PGs/GAGs critically affect broader aspects in cancer initiation and the progression process, including regulation of cell metabolism, serving as a sensor of ECM's mechanical properties, affecting immune supervision, and participating in therapeutic resistance to various forms of treatment. These functions may be implemented through the characteristics of PGs/GAGs as molecular bridges linking ECM and cells in cell-specific and context-specific manners within the tumor microenvironment (TME). In this review, we intend to present a comprehensive illustration of the ways in which PGs/GAGs participate in and regulate several aspects of tumorigenesis; we put forward a perspective regarding their effects as biomarkers or targets for diagnoses and therapeutic interventions.

Molecular Bases of Mechanisms Accounting for Drug Resistance in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is the most common histological type of gastric cancer, the fifth according to the frequency and the third among the deadliest cancers. GAC high mortality is due to a combination of factors, such as silent evolution, late clinical presentation, underlying genetic heterogeneity, and effective mechanisms of chemoresistance (MOCs) that make the available antitumor drugs scarcely useful. MOCs include reduced drug uptake (MOC-1a), enhanced drug efflux (MOC-1b), low proportion of active agents in tumor cells due to impaired pro-drug activation or active drug inactivation (MOC-2), changes in molecular targets sensitive to anticancer drugs (MOC-3), enhanced ability of cancer cells to repair drug-induced DNA damage (MOC-4), decreased function of pro-apoptotic factors versus up-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes (MOC-5), changes in tumor cell microenvironment altering the response to anticancer agents (MOC-6), and phenotypic transformations, including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the appearance of stemness characteristics (MOC-7). This review summarizes updated information regarding the molecular bases accounting for these mechanisms and their impact on the lack of clinical response to the pharmacological treatment currently used in GAC. This knowledge is required to identify novel biomarkers to predict treatment failure and druggable targets, and to develop sensitizing strategies to overcome drug refractoriness in GAC.

Extracellular Matrix in the Tumor Microenvironment and Its Impact on Cancer Therapy

Solid tumors are complex organ-like structures that consist not only of tumor cells but also of vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), stromal, and immune cells. Often, this tumor microenvironment (TME) comprises the larger part of the overall tumor mass. Like the other components of the TME, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs. Intratumoral signaling, transport mechanisms, metabolisms, oxygenation, and immunogenicity are strongly affected if not controlled by the ECM. Exerting this regulatory control, the ECM does not only influence malignancy and growth of the tumor but also its response toward therapy. Understanding the particularities of the ECM in solid tumor is necessary to develop approaches to interfere with its negative effect. In this review, we will also highlight the current understanding of the physical, cellular, and molecular mechanisms by which the pathological tumor ECM affects the efficiency of radio-, chemo-, and immunotherapy. Finally, we will discuss the various strategies to target and modify the tumor ECM and how they could be utilized to improve response to therapy.

Identification of a novel glycolysis-related gene signature for predicting metastasis and survival in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung cancer (LC) is one of the most lethal and most prevalent malignant tumors, and its incidence and mortality are increasing annually. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common pathological type of lung cancer. Several biomarkers have been confirmed by data excavation to be related to metastasis, prognosis and survival. However, the moderate predictive effect of a single gene biomarker is not sufficient. Thus, we aimed to identify new gene signatures to better predict the possibility of LUAD.

Methods

Using an mRNA-mining approach, we performed mRNA expression profiling in large LUAD cohorts (n = 522) from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was performed, and connections between genes and glycolysis were found in the Cox proportional regression model.

Results

We confirmed a set of nine genes (HMMR, B4GALT1, SLC16A3, ANGPTL4, EXT1, GPC1, RBCK1, SOD1, and AGRN) that were significantly associated with metastasis and overall survival (OS) in the test series. Based on this nine-gene signature, the patients in the test series could be divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. Additionally, multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that the prognostic power of the nine-gene signature is independent of clinical factors.

Conclusion

Our study reveals a connection between the nine-gene signature and glycolysis. This research also provides novel insights into the mechanisms underlying glycolysis and offers a novel biomarker of a poor prognosis and metastasis for LUAD patients.

Galectin-3 Interacts with C/EBPβ and Upregulates Hyaluronan-Mediated Motility Receptor Expression in Gastric Cancer

The hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR) is overexpressed in gastric cancer; however, the apparent role of HMMR has not been well defined owing to lack of detailed studies on gastric tumorigenesis. Therefore, we elucidated the functional and regulatory mechanisms of HMMR in gastric cancer. Using publicly available data, we confirmed HMMR overexpression in patients with gastric cancer. HMMR silencing decreased proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells, whereas HMMR overexpression reversed these effects. A gastric cancer xenograft mouse model showed statistically significant inhibition of tumor growth upon HMMR depletion. Previous data from cDNA microarray showed reduced HMMR expression upon inhibition of galectin-3. However, overexpression of galectin-3 increased HMMR expression, cell proliferation, and motility in gastric cancer cells, whereas HMMR silencing blocked these effects. Interestingly, galectin-3 interacted directly with C/EBPβ and bound to HMMR promoter to drive its transcription, and gastric cancer cell proliferation and motility. Altogether, high expression of HMMR promoted gastric cancer cell proliferation and motility and could be a prognostic factor in gastric cancer. In addition, HMMR expression was regulated by the interaction between C/EBPβ and galectin-3. Therefore, targeting HMMR along with galectin-3 and C/EBPβ complex could be a potential treatment strategy for inhibiting gastric cancer progression and metastasis. IMPLICATIONS: This study provides evidence that galectin-3 interacts with C/EBPβ in gastric cancer, and galectin-3 and C/EBPβ complex promotes gastric cancer cell progression and motility through upregulating HMMR expression.

TGF-β receptor inhibitor LY2109761 enhances the radiosensitivity of gastric cancer by inactivating the TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling pathway

Radiotherapy is used to treat gastric cancer (GC); however, radioresistance challenges the clinical outcomes of GC, and the mechanisms of radioresistance in GC remain poorly understood. Here, we report that the TGF-β receptor inhibitor, LY2109761 (LY), is a potential radiosensitizer both in vitro and in vivo. As per the Cancer Genome Atlas database, TGF-β overexpression is significantly related to poor overall survival in GC patients. We demonstrated that the TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling pathway was activated in both radioresistant GC cells and radioresistant GC patients. As a TGF-β receptor inhibitor, LY can enhance the activities of irradiation by inhibiting cell proliferation, decreasing clonogenicity and increasing apoptosis. Moreover, LY attenuated the radiation-induced migration and invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), inflammatory factor activation, immunosuppression, and cancer stem cell characteristics of GC cells, thus leading to radiosensitization of the GC cells. We confirmed that LY reduced tumor growth, inhibited TGF-β/SMAD4 pathway activation and reversed irradiation-induced EMT in a tumor xenograft model. Our findings indicate that the novel TGF-β receptor inhibitor, LY, increases GC radiosensitivity by directly regulating the TGF-β/SMAD4 signaling pathway. These findings provide new insight for radiotherapy in GC patients.

Systematic screening of protein-coding gene expression identified HMMR as a potential independent indicator of unfavorable survival in patients with papillary muscle-invasive bladder cancer

Papillary and non-papillary are two histological patterns of bladder carcinogenesis and are considered as dual-track oncogenic pathways, which have different genetic alterations. The TCGA-bladder cancer (BLCA) database contains clinicopathological, genomic and survival data from over 400 muscle-invasive bladder cancer patients. In this study, using data from this database, we performed a systematic screening of gene expression to identify the protein-coding gene that might have prognostic value in papillary and non-papillary muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). The data of patients with primary MIBC in TCGA-BLCA was acquired from the UCSC Xena project (http://xena.ucsc.edu) for re-analysis. By setting |log2 fold change|≥2 and adjusted p value <0.01 as the screening criteria, we found 751 significantly dysregulated genes, including 183 overexpressed and 568 downregulated genes. HMMR was identified as a potential prognostic marker with unique expression. Multivariate analysis showed that its expression was an independent prognostic indicator of shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (HR: 1.400, 95%CI: 1.021-1.920, p = 0.037) in the papillary subtype. ENST00000393915.8 and ENST00000358715.3, two transcripts that contain all 18 exons and encode the full length of HMMR, were significantly upregulated in cancer tissues compared with normal bladder tissues. None of the 17 CpG sites in its DNA locus was relevant to HMMR expression. 26/403 (6.5%) MIBC cases had HMMR gene-level amplification, which was associated with upregulated HMMR expression compared with the copy-neutral and deletion groups. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) in papillary MIBC found that the high HMMR expression group was associated with upregulated genes enriched in multiple gene sets with well-established role in BC development, including G2M checkpoint, E2 F Targets, Myc Targets V1, Myc Targets V2 and Glycolysis. Based on these findings, we infer that HMMR expression might be a specific prognostic marker in terms of PFS in papillary MIBC. DNA amplification might be an important mechanism of its elevation.