The clinical and prognostic significance of FOXN3 downregulation in acute myeloid leukaemia

FOXN Transcription Factors: Regulation and Significant Role in Cancer

A growing number of studies have demonstrated that cancer development is closely linked to abnormal gene expression, including alterations in the transcriptional activity of transcription factors. The Forkhead box class N (FOXN) proteins FOXN1-6 form a highly conserved class of transcription factors, which have been shown in recent years to be involved in the regulation of malignant progression in a variety of cancers. FOXNs mediate cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, cell differentiation, metabolic homeostasis, embryonic development, DNA damage repair, tumor angiogenesis, and other critical biological processes. Therefore, transcriptional dysregulation of FOXNs can directly affect cellular physiology and promote cancer development. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the transcriptional activity of FOXNs is regulated by protein-protein interactions, microRNAs (miRNA), and posttranslational modifications (PTM). However, the mechanisms underlying the molecular regulation of FOXNs in cancer development are unclear. Here, we reviewed the molecular regulatory mechanisms of FOXNs expression and activity, their role in the malignant progression of tumors, and their value for clinical applications in cancer therapy. This review may help design experimental studies involving FOXN transcription factors, and enhance their therapeutic potential as antitumor targets.

An Integrated Study on the Differential Expression of the FOX Gene Family in Cancer and Their Response to Chemotherapy Drugs

The Forkhead-box (FOX) transcription factors, as one of the largest gene families in humans, play key roles in cancer. Although studies have suggested that several FOX transcription factors have a significant impact on cancer, the functions of most of the FOX genes in cancer remain elusive. In the study, the expression of 43 FOX genes in 63 kinds of cancer diseases (including many subtypes of same cancer) and in response to 60 chemical substances was obtained from the Gene Expression Atlas database of the European Bioinformatics Institute. Based on the high degree of overlap in FOXO family members differentially expressed in various cancers and their particular responses to chemotherapeutic drugs, our data disclosed the FOX genes that played an important role in the development and progression of cancer. More importantly, we predicted the role of one or several combinatorial FOX genes in the diagnosis and prognostic assessment of a specific cancer and evaluated the potential of a certain anticancer drug therapy for this type of cancer by integrating patterns of FOX genes expression with anticancer drugs sensitivity.

MAGI2-AS3 restrains proliferation, glycolysis, and triggers apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukemia via regulating miR-452-5p/FOXN3 pathway

OBJECTIVES

MAGI2-AS3 is a cancer suppressor gene of multiple malignancies. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an important type of leukemia that especially occurs in children. Our work evaluated the modulation of MAGI2-AS3 in ALL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

qPCR and Western blotting were adopted for detection of target molecular expression. Growth and apoptosis were determined by CCK8 assay and Annexin V/PI staining. Glycolysis was detected by commercial kits. The direct binding between miR-452-5p and MAGI2-AS3 or FOXN3 was assessed by luciferase reporter assay. Tumor growth was measured in nude mice in vivo.

RESULTS

MAGI2-AS3 was down-regulated in ALL. Enforced expression of MAGI2-AS3 inhibited growth and glycolysis while promoting apoptosis of ALL cells. Moreover, MAGI2-AS3 up-regulated FOXN3 via sponging miR-452-5p. FOXN3 depletion abrogated MAGI2-AS3-mediated anti-cancer action. More importantly, MAGI2-AS3 repressed ALL cell growth in nude mice through regulation of miR-452-5p/FOXN3.

CONCLUSION

MAGI2-AS3 inhibits ALL development via modulating miR-452-5p/FOXN3.

Tumor suppressors in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a very heterogeneous type of blood cancer, which presents with a high rate of mortality especially in elderly patients. Better understanding of critical players, such as molecules with tumor suppressive properties, may help to fine-tune disease classification and thereby treatment modalities for this detrimental disease. Here, we summarize well-known and established tumor suppressors as well as emerging tumor suppressors, including transcription factors (TCFs) and other transcriptional regulators, such as epigenetic modulators. In addition, we look into the versatile field of miRNAs also interfering with tumorigenesis and progression, which offer new possibilities in AML diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.

The clinical and prognostic significance of FOXN3 downregulation in acute myeloid leukaemia

INTRODUCTION

The expression of forkhead box N3 (FOXN3), also known as checkpoint suppressor 1 (CHES1), is reduced in many types of tumours. However, the clinical significance of FOXN3 and its potential role in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remain largely unknown.

METHODS

A total of 117 de novo AML patients newly diagnosed between December 2015 and January 2018 were included in this study. The expression of FOXN3 and its clinical significance were analysed in these AML patients.

RESULTS

The expression of FOXN3 was significantly downregulated in AML. In addition, lower FOXN3 expression was associated with older age and higher white blood cell counts. Moreover, a close correlation was observed between lower FOXN3 expression and a lower complete remission (CR) rate and shorter overall survival (OS), which was further analysed by multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that FOXN3 is a novel biomarker in AML and that lower FOXN3 expression predicts poor chemotherapy response and prognosis in AML.