Correlation between nm23 protein and several cell adhesion molecules in human gastric carcinoma

CD44 family proteins in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis and narrative review

With a meta-analysis and narrative review, we evaluated the clinical and prognostic role of all CD44 family proteins in gastric cancer (GC). Literatures published up to August 2014 were searched on PubMed. Among the 37 eligible studies (6606 patients), 34 were included in meta-analysis, and 10 were subjected to narrative review. With meta-analysis, standard CD44 (CD44s) was demonstrated to predict reduced overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.58-2.34, PHR = 0.0222) and disease free survival (HR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.02-9.68, PHR = 0.0469), advanced N-stage (RR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04-1.21, PRR = 0.0019), and distant metastasis (RR = 2.14, 95% CI: 1.46-3.14, PRR < 0.0001) of GC. CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6) in GC might influence OS (5 studies; HR = 1.27, 95% CI: 0.75-2.14, PHR = 0.3783; 4 studies; HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.09-2.14, PHR = 0.0139), while significantly associated with N-stage (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03-1.48, PRR = 0.0240), M-stage (RR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.08-6.00, PRR = 0.0333), TNM-stage (RR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.18-2.50, PRR = 0.0045), Lauren type (RR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.50-0.91, PRR = 0.0106), lymphatic invasion (RR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.23, PRR = 0.0057), and liver metastasis (RR = 3.20, 95% CI: 1.94-5.27, PRR < 0.0001) of the disease. Moreover, a narrative review was performed for CD44 isoforms, such as v3, v5, v7, v8-10, and v9, in GC. In conclusion, CD44s and CD44v6 as evaluated by immunohistochemistry, respectively, predicts the prognosis and disease severity of GC.

Correlation between the Serum Values of Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 and Total Sialic Acid Levels in Patients with Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND

In this study, we aimed to investigate serum total sialic acid (TSA) and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) levels in breast cancer patients to find a correlation with the cancer stage.

METHODS

The parameters from sera of 61 patients with breast cancer were measured. The concentrations of serum sICAM-1 and TSA were measured in serum samples from 61 patients with breast cancer and 25 healthy control subjects using enzyme-linked immunoassay and thiobarbituric acid method.

RESULTS

Mean serum sICAM-1 and TSA levels were significantly higher in the total patient group than in the control group (p < 0.001). Thus, the correlation between TSA and sICAM-1 became more significant in metastatic breast cancer. There were significant positive correlations between TSA and sICAM-1 in stage I+II (r = 0.59, p < 0.05), stage III (r = 0.47, p < 0.05), and stage IV (r = 0.89, p < 0.01), and total patient group (r = 0.56, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

SerumsICAM-1 and TSA levels were higher in patients with breast cancer, than that of the control group, and also in the metastatic breast cancer group. Significant correlations between serum sICAM-1 and TSA may reflect the similar function of these molecules as adhesion molecules, and their roles in the carcinogenesis of breast cancer as well as metastasis.

Annexins expressed on the cell surface serve as receptors for adhesion to immobilized fetuin-A

Fetuin-A is a major constituent of the fetal bovine serum used extensively in cell culture media. We hereby present data demonstrating that breast carcinoma cells can adhere to immobilized fetuin-A in a calcium-dependent fashion. Interestingly, the cells can also divide and attain confluency under these conditions. Using a proteomic approach, we have identified annexin-II and -VI as the putative cell surface receptors for fetuin-A in the presence of Ca2+ ions. Biotinylation of cell surface proteins followed by immunoprecipitation revealed that annexin-VI was expressed on the extracytoplasmic surface of the cell membranes. Finally, to demonstrate that annexin-II and -VI were the adhesive receptors for fetuin-A, siRNA knockdown of expression of the annexins significantly reduced the calcium-mediated adhesion. Interestingly, we demonstrated that the tumor cells could also adhere to immobilized fetuin-A in the presence of magnesium ions, and that this adhesion was most likely mediated by integrins because neutralizing antibodies against beta1 integrins substantially reduced the adhesion. Our studies suggest that the expression of annexin-II and -VI and possibly other members of the family mediate novel adhesion and signaling mechanisms in tumor cells.

nm23-H1 protein expression in anal canal carcinoma: does it correlate with prognosis?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Anatomic extent is not the sole axis of classification of tumors and of tumor patients relevant to treatment planning and estimation of prognosis. This results in the need to demonstrate an improvement in prognostic assessment and choice of therapy achieved by consideration of factors other than TNM. nm23 protein does prevent tumor from metastasizing and may also play a role in the control of growth and development. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the clinical significance of nm23 expression in human anal canal carcinoma and to evaluate its influence on the outcome of patients after surgery or radiochemotherapy.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients affected by anal canal carcinoma were evaluated. Each section was incubated with monoclonal antibody nm23 NDPK-A. Immunostaining was considered positive when at least 10% of the tumor cells were immunostained.

RESULTS

nm23 immunoreactivity was detected in 6/22 (27.3%) tumors. No significant association was found between nm23 expression and prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The mechanisms causing enhanced nm23-H1 expression in anal canal carcinoma are unknown. Although the level and expression were not correlated with prognosis, activation of nm23-H1 gene might be a prerequisite for oncogenesis in this type of tumor, while an alternate possibility is the modification of cellular characteristics in relation to proliferation and/or differentiation as a consequence of oncogenesis.

Establishment and characterization of human pancreatic carcinoma lines with a high metastatic potential in the liver of nude mice

To investigate of human pancreatic cancer metastasis to the liver, a pancreatic carcinoma line, HPC-3, was injected into the spleens of nude mice. The cells from a few liver metastatic foci of the mice injected with HPC-3 were expanded in vitro and subsequently injected into the spleens of nude mice. By repeating these procedures, we were able to obtain a cell line, designated HPC-3H4. The mice were observed to have liver metastasis in 6 of 6 (100%) cases injected with HPC-3H4, whereas the rate was 0% at 3 weeks after the intrasplenic injection of HPC-3. The tumorigenicity of HPC-3H4 was more rapid than that of HPC-3. The motile activity of HPC-3H4 was also stronger than that of HPC-3, and the adhesion to the extracellular matrix of HPC-3H4 was stronger than that of HPC-3. We also analyzed the cell surface expression of the metastasis-related adhesion molecules. As a result, no substantial changes were observed in the expression level of adhesion molecules. These results suggest that HPC-3H4 is useful for studies aimed at the prevention of liver metastasis.

Two novel gastric cancer-associated genes identified by differential display

AIM: To clone novel gastric cancer-associated genes and investigate their roles in gastric cancer occurrence.

METHODS: A method called differential display was used which allows the identification of differentially expressed genes by using PAGE to display PCR-amplified cDNA fragments between gastric cancer cells and normal gastric mucosa cells. These fragments were cloned into plasmid vector pUC18. Homology analysis was made after sequencing these fragments.

RESULTS: Two novel genes were identified compared with sequences from GenBank. One was registered with the AD number AF 051783. In situ hybridization showed that these two novel genes expressed specifically in gastric cancer tissues.

CONCLUSION: The two novel genes obtained by differential display were confirmed to be gastric cancer-associated genes using in situ hybridization.

Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin levels in gastric cancer

A diversity of adhesive interactions occur between the cancer cell and host extracellular matrix which potentiate neoplastic expansion and metastatic dissemination. In miscellaneous malignant diseases, tumour progression has been observed to be associated with alterations in adhesion molecule expression. Recently, circulating soluble intercellular adhesion molecules have been identified. In this study, serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble E-selectin (sE-selectin) were determined in patients with gastric cancer. The study group consisted of 27 patients with previously untreated gastric adenocarcinoma. Four patients had stage II, two patients stage III and 21 patients stage IV disease according to the TNM classification. Nineteen patients had distant metastasis. The sera obtained from 18 healthy volunteers served as controls. Serum sICAM-1 and sE-selectin concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition, we also studied other tumour-associated antigens, i.e. CEA and CA 19-9. Serum sICAM-1 levels were significantly increased in patients with gastric cancer (P < 0.0001). However, sE-selectin levels did not differ from the controls. sICAM-1 concentrations were also significantly higher in patients with distant metastasis and peritoneal spread (P = 0.0045 and P = 0.0157 respectively), whereas sE-Selectin levels were elevated only in patients with peritoneal metastasis (P = 0.033). Serum concentrations of sICAM-1 and sE-selectin correlated with CEA levels (P = 0.0013 and P = 0.003 respectively). Elevated levels of sE-selectin were associated with poorer prognosis (P = 0.0099), whereas sICAM-1 had no significant impact on survival. Our results suggest that increased sICAM-1 serum levels may reflect widespread disease and contribute directly to the progression of gastric cancer. Further investigation of the molecular mechanisms of adhesive tumour-host interactions may lead to a better understanding of the natural history of gastric cancer.

Immunohistochemical analysis of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in human gastric adenoma and adenocarcinoma

In this study, we examined the distribution of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in gastric adenomas and carcinomas immunohistochemically at the light and electron microscopic levels. ICAM-1 was expressed on tumour cells in 12 of 28 gastric carcinomas and in 3 of 11 adenomas but not on most normal gastric epithelial cells. ICAM-1 was localized on luminal sites of neoplastic glands in adenomas and in intestinal-type carcinomas, and rarely on the surface of tumour cells of diffuse carcinomas. Expression of ICAM-1 on the tumour cells was more frequent in intestinal-type than diffuse carcinomas (P < 0.005). At the ultrastructural level, ICAM-1 was present prominently on the apical membrane and weakly on the lateral surface of the tumour cells of the intestinal-type carcinoma and also localized on the perinuclear membrane and the membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum of cancer cells. There was no significant association between ICAM-1 expression and HLA antigen expression or the number of infiltrating lymphocyte subsets. These results may implicate the synthesis of ICAM-1 by gastric cancer cells, but the expression is infrequent and may not be sufficient for host immune surveillance of the tumour cell.