Frequent expression of follicular dendritic cell markers in Hodgkin lymphoma and anaplastic large cell lymphoma

Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma: An Illustrative Review of Select Diagnostic Limitations and Immunomorphological Challenges

The diagnosis of classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) in clinical practice remains reliant on tissue morphological and immunohistochemical evaluation. In this article, we illustrate specific scenarios that we have encountered in our clinical practice pertaining to diagnostic challenges in CHL. We begin with select presentations of morphologic variants of CHL and then discuss certain immunophenotypic deviations from what is deemed "normal patterns" of antigen expression by HRS cells. Lastly, we discuss mimickers of HRS cells, in lymphomatous and non-lymphomatous conditions.

Monastrol suppresses invasion and metastasis in human colorectal cancer cells by targeting fascin independent of kinesin-Eg5 pathway

Rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton is a prerequisite for carcinoma cells to develop cellular protrusions, which are required for migration, invasion, and metastasis. Fascin is a key protein involved in actin bundling and is expressed in aggressive and invasive carcinomas. Additionally, fascin appears to be involved in tubulin-binding and microtubule rearrangement. Pharmacophoric-based in silico screening was performed to identify compounds with better fascin inhibitory properties than migrastatin, a gold-standard fascin inhibitor. We hypothesized that monastrol displays anti-migratory and anti-invasive properties via fascin blocking in colorectal cancer cell lines. Biophysical (thermofluor and ligand titration followed by fluorescence spectroscopy), biochemical (NMR), and cellular assays (MTT, invasion of human tissue), as well as animal model studies (zebrafish invasion) were performed to characterize the inhibitory effect of monastrol on fascin activity. In silico analysis revealed that monastrol is a potential fascin-binding compound. Biophysical and biochemical assays demonstrated that monastrol binds to fascin and interferes with its actin-bundling activity. Cell culture studies, including a 3D human myoma disc model, showed that monastrol inhibited fascin-driven cytoplasmic protrusions as well as invasion. In silico, confocal microscopy, and immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that monastrol disrupted fascin-tubulin interactions. These anti-invasive effects were confirmed in vivo. In silico confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation assays were carried out to test whether monastrol disrupted the fascin-tubulin interaction. This study reports, for the first time, the in vitro and in vivo anti-invasive properties of monastrol in colorectal tumor cells. The number and types of interactions suggest potential binding of monastrol across actin and tubulin sites on fascin, which could be valuable for the development of antitumor therapies.

Targeting cancer hallmark vulnerabilities in hematologic malignancies by interfering with Hedgehog/GLI signaling

Understanding the genetic alterations, disrupted signaling pathways, and hijacked mechanisms in oncogene-transformed hematologic cells is critical for the development of effective and durable treatment strategies against liquid tumors. In this review, we focus on the specific involvement of the Hedgehog (HH)/GLI pathway in the manifestation and initiation of various cancer features in hematologic malignancies, including multiple myeloma, T- and B-cell lymphomas, and lymphoid and myeloid leukemias. By reviewing canonical and noncanonical, Smoothened-independent HH/GLI signaling and summarizing preclinical in vitro and in vivo studies in hematologic malignancies, we elucidate common molecular mechanisms by which HH/GLI signaling controls key oncogenic processes and cancer hallmarks such as cell proliferation, cancer stem cell fate, genomic instability, microenvironment remodeling, and cell survival. We also summarize current clinical trials with HH inhibitors and discuss successes and challenges, as well as opportunities for future combined therapeutic approaches. By providing a bird's eye view of the role of HH/GLI signaling in liquid tumors, we suggest that a comprehensive understanding of the general oncogenic effects of HH/GLI signaling on the formation of cancer hallmarks is essential to identify critical vulnerabilities within tumor cells and their supporting remodeled microenvironment, paving the way for the development of novel and efficient personalized combination therapies for hematologic malignancies.

The Role of Fascin-1 in Human Urologic Cancers: A Promising Biomarker or Therapeutic Target?

Human cancer statistics show that an increased incidence of urologic cancers such as bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and renal cell carcinoma. Due to the lack of early markers and effective therapeutic targets, their prognosis is poor. Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein, which functions in the formation of cell protrusions by cross-linking with actin filaments. Studies have found that fascin-1 expression is elevated in most human cancers and is related to outcomes such as neoplasm metastasis, reduced survival, and increased aggressiveness. Fascin-1 has been considered as a potential therapeutic target for urologic cancers, but there is no comprehensive review to evaluate these studies. This review aimed to provide an enhanced literature review, outline, and summarize the mechanism of fascin-1 in urologic cancers and discuss the therapeutic potential of fascin-1 and the possibility of its use as a potential marker. We also focused on the correlation between the overexpression of fascin-1 and clinicopathological parameters. Mechanistically, fascin-1 is regulated by several regulators and signaling pathways (such as long noncoding RNA, microRNA, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and extracellular regulated protein kinases). The overexpression of fascin-1 is related to clinicopathologic parameters such as pathological stage, bone or lymph node metastasis, and reduced disease-free survival. Several fascin-1 inhibitors (G2, NP-G2-044) have been evaluated in vitro and in preclinical models. The study proved the promising potential of fascin-1 as a newly developing biomarker and a potential therapeutic target that needs further investigation. The data also highlight the inadequacy of fascin-1 to serve as a novel biomarker for prostate cancer.

Hodgkinoid histiocytosis: an atypical nodal CD30 and S100-positive histiocytosis with eosinophilia

Histocytes and dendritic cells may display cytological atypia and aberrant immunophenotype even in reactive processes. Herein, we describe two cases of "Hodgkinoid histiocytosis" that show distinctive clinicopathological features, mimicking the morphologically classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) but suggesting reactive histiocytic/dendritic cell proliferation in lymph nodes. Both the patients presented with peripheral lymphadenopathy and blood eosinophilia with skin manifestations. Lymph node biopsy revealed scattered large histiocytes resembling Hodgkin cells with a round or stellate shape, abundant cytoplasm, and distinct nucleoli admixed in a predominant inflammatory background. The Hodgkinoid histiocytes occasionally showed emperipolesis. They expressed CD30, S100, and PD-L1 proteins but lacked PAX5 and CD1a expressions, Epstein-Barr association, BRAF V600E mutation, and PD-L1 gene amplification. Neither of the patients showed overt progression to malignant hematopoietic neoplasms during the disease course. An identical case series of four patients has been reported to date. Both these series highlight the potential of being interpreted as CHL due to the presence of Hodgkinoid histiocytes with CD30 positivity.

Follicular dendritic cells

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) are unique accessory immune cells that contribute to the regulation of humoral immunity. They are multitasker cells essential for the organization and maintenance of the lymphoid architecture, induction of germinal center reaction, production of B memory cells, and protection from autoimmune disorders. They perform their activities through both antigen-driven and chemical signaling to B cells. FDCs play a crucial role in the physiological regulation of the immune response. Dis-regulation of this immune response results when FDCs retain antigens for years. This provides a constant antigenic stimulation for B cells resulting in the development of immune disorders. Antigen trapped on FDCs is resistant to therapeutic intervention causing chronicity and recurrences. Beyond their physiological immunoregulatory functions, FDCs are involved in the pathogenesis of several immune-related disorders including HIV/AIDS, prion diseases, chronic inflammatory, and autoimmune disorders. FDCs have also been recently implicated in rare neoplasms of lymphoid and hematopoietic tissues. Understanding FDC biology is essential for better control of humoral immunity and opens the gate for therapeutic management of FDC-mediated immune disorders. Thus, the biology of FDCs has become a hot research area in the last couple of decades. In this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive overview of FDCs and their role in physiological and pathological conditions.

Fascin in Gynecological Cancers: An Update of the Literature

Simple Summary

Fascin, an actin-binding protein, is upregulated in different types of human cancers. It is reportedly responsible for increasing the invasive and metastatic ability of cancer cells by reducing cell–cell adhesions. This review provides a brief overview of fascin and its interactions with other genes and oncoviruses to induce the onset and progression of cancer.

Abstract

Fascin is an actin-binding protein that is encoded by the FSCN1 gene (located on chromosome 7). It triggers membrane projections and stimulates cell motility in cancer cells. Fascin overexpression has been described in different types of human cancers in which its expression correlated with tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of fascin was found in oncovirus-infected cells, such as human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), disrupting the cell–cell adhesion and enhancing cancer progression. Based on these findings, several studies reported fascin as a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target in various cancers. This review provides a brief overview of the FSCN1 role in various cancers with emphasis on gynecological malignancies. We also discuss fascin interactions with other genes and oncoviruses through which it might induce cancer development and progression.

Hedgehog Signaling: Implications in Cancers and Viral Infections

The hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is primarily involved in embryonic gut development, smooth muscle differentiation, cell proliferation, adult tissue homeostasis, tissue repair following injury, and tissue polarity during the development of vertebrate and invertebrate organisms. GLIoma-associated oncogene homolog (GLI) family of zinc-finger transcription factors and smoothened (SMO) are the signal transducers of the SHH pathway. Both SHH ligand-dependent and independent mechanisms activate GLI proteins. Various transcriptional mechanisms, posttranslational modifications (phosphorylation, ubiquitination, proteolytic processing, SUMOylation, and acetylation), and nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling control the activity of SHH signaling pathway proteins. The dysregulated SHH pathway is associated with bone and soft tissue sarcomas, GLIomas, medulloblastomas, leukemias, and tumors of breast, lung, skin, prostate, brain, gastric, and pancreas. While extensively studied in development and sarcomas, GLI family proteins play an essential role in many host-pathogen interactions, including bacterial and viral infections and their associated cancers. Viruses hijack host GLI family transcription factors and their downstream signaling cascades to enhance the viral gene transcription required for replication and pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss a distinct role(s) of GLI proteins in the process of tumorigenesis and host-pathogen interactions in the context of viral infection-associated malignancies and cancers due to other causes. Here, we emphasize the potential of the Hedgehog (HH) pathway targeting as a potential anti-cancer therapeutic approach, which in the future could also be tested in infection-associated fatalities.