Versican expression in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study

Hyaluronic Acid Interacting Molecules Mediated Crosstalk between Cancer Cells and Microenvironment from Primary Tumour to Distant Metastasis

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a prominent component of the extracellular matrix, and its interactions with HA-interacting molecules (HAIMs) play a critical role in cancer development and disease progression. This review explores the multifaceted role of HAIMs in the context of cancer, focusing on their influence on disease progression by dissecting relevant cellular and molecular mechanisms in tumour cells and the tumour microenvironment. Cancer progression can be profoundly affected by the interactions between HA and HAIMs. They modulate critical processes such as cell adhesion, migration, invasion, and proliferation. The TME serves as a dynamic platform in which HAIMs contribute to the formation of a unique niche. The resulting changes in HA composition profoundly influence the biophysical properties of the TME. These modifications in the TME, in conjunction with HAIMs, impact angiogenesis, immune cell recruitment, and immune evasion. Therefore, understanding the intricate interplay between HAIMs and HA within the cancer context is essential for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Targeting these interactions offers promising avenues for cancer treatment, as they hold the potential to disrupt critical aspects of disease progression and the TME. Further research in this field is imperative for advancing our knowledge and the treatment of cancer.

The Tumor Stroma of Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Complex Environment That Fuels Cancer Progression

The tumor microenvironment (TME), a complex assembly of cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) components, plays a crucial role in driving tumor progression, shaping treatment responses, and influencing metastasis. This narrative review focuses on the cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) tumor stroma, highlighting its key constituents and their dynamic contributions. We examine how significant changes within the cSCC ECM-specifically, alterations in fibronectin, hyaluronic acid, laminins, proteoglycans, and collagens-promote cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. The cellular composition of the cSCC TME is also explored, detailing the intricate interplay of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial cells, pericytes, adipocytes, and various immune cell populations. These diverse players modulate tumor development, angiogenesis, and immune responses. Finally, we emphasize the TME's potential as a therapeutic target. Emerging strategies discussed in this review include harnessing the immune system (adoptive cell transfer, checkpoint blockade), hindering tumor angiogenesis, disrupting CAF activity, and manipulating ECM components. These approaches underscore the vital role that deciphering TME interactions plays in advancing cSCC therapy. Further research illuminating these complex relationships will uncover new avenues for developing more effective treatments for cSCC.

Expression of VCAN and its receptors in canine mammary carcinomas with or without myoepithelial proliferation

The proteoglycan versican (VCAN) plays a complex role in cancer. The expression of this molecule has been related to invasion and progression in malignant mixed tumors, such as carcinoma in mixed tumors (CMT) of the canine mammary gland. In addition, its interaction with surface cell receptors EGFR, HER-2 and CD44 in malignant epithelial cells may be responsible for proliferation and cellular motility in early stages of cancer. We comparatively evaluated the expression of this proteoglycan and its receptors in in situ and invasive areas of simple carcinomas (SC) and CMT to investigate similarities and differences between these histological types. Immunohistochemistry was performed with anti-VCAN, anti-CD44, anti-EGFR and anti-HER-2 antibodies in 32 cases of SC or CMT. VCAN was highly expressed in stroma adjacent to invasive areas in SC and CMT. CMTs presented comparatively higher expression of VCAN in stroma adjacent to in situ and in invasive areas than in corresponding areas in SCs. In CMT, EGFR and HER-2 expressions were higher in situ compared to invasive areas. In contrast, increased CD44 and EGFR expression was found in invasive areas in SC compared to CMT. These results indicate that versican expression is similarly associated with invasiveness in SC and CMT, however higher levels were seen in CMT suggesting that the presence of myoepithelial proliferation in this tumor type participates in stromal composition and promoting an increase in the expression of versican.

Extracellular Matrix-Related Hubs Genes Have Adverse Effects on Gastric Adenocarcinoma Prognosis Based on Bioinformatics Analysis

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) is the most frequent type of stomach cancer, characterized by high heterogeneity and phenotypic diversity. Although many novel strategies have been developed for treating GAC, recurrence and metastasis rates are still high. Therefore, it is necessary to screen new potential biomarkers correlated with prognosis and novel molecular targets. Gene expression profiles were obtained from the from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We conduct an integrated analysis using the online Venny website to explore candidate hub genes between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of two datasets. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia 18 of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis found that extracellular matrix plays an important role in GAC. In addition, we applied protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis by using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and visualized with Cytoscape software. Furthermore, we employed Cytoscape software to analyze the interactive relationship of candidate gene for further analysis. We found that ECM related proteins played an important role in GAC, and 15 hub genes were extracted from 123 DEGs genes. There were four hub genes (bgn, vcan, col1a1 and timp1) predicted to be associated with poor prognosis among the 15 hub genes.

Versican and Versican-matrikines in Cancer Progression, Inflammation, and Immunity

Versican is an extracellular matrix proteoglycan with key roles in multiple facets of cancer development, ranging from proliferative signaling, evasion of growth-suppressor pathways, regulation of cell death, promotion of neoangiogenesis, and tissue invasion and metastasis. Multiple lines of evidence implicate versican and its bioactive proteolytic fragments (matrikines) in the regulation of cancer inflammation and antitumor immune responses. The understanding of the dynamics of versican deposition/accumulation and its proteolytic turnover holds potential for the development of novel immune biomarkers as well as approaches to reset the immune thermostat of tumors, thus promoting efficacy of modern immunotherapies. This article summarizes work from several laboratories, including ours, on the role of this central matrix proteoglycan in tumor progression as well as tumor-immune cell cross-talk.

Versican in the Tumor Microenvironment

Versican is an extracellular matrix proteoglycan with nonredundant roles in diverse biological and cellular processes, ranging from embryonic development to adult inflammation and cancer. Versican is essential for cardiovascular morphogenesis, neural crest migration, and skeletal development during embryogenesis. In the adult, versican acts as an inflammation "amplifier" and regulator of immune cell activation and cytokine production. Increased versican expression has been observed in a wide range of malignant tumors and has been associated with poor patient outcomes. The main sources of versican production in the tumor microenvironment include accessory cells (myeloid cells and stromal components) and, in some contexts, the tumor cells themselves. Versican has been implicated in several classical hallmarks of cancer such as proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppressor signaling, resistance to cell death, angiogenesis, and tissue invasion and metastasis. More recently, versican has been implicated in escape from tumor immune surveillance, e.g., through dendritic cell dysfunction. Versican's multiple contributions to benign and malignant biological processes are further diversified through the generation of versican-derived bioactive proteolytic fragments (matrikines), with versikine being the most studied to date. Versican and versican-derived matrikines hold promise as targets in the management of inflammatory and malignant conditions as well as in the development of novel predictive and prognostic biomarkers.

Proteoglycans in liver cancer

Proteoglycans are a group of molecules that contain at least one glycosaminoglycan chain, such as a heparan, dermatan, chondroitin, or keratan sulfate, covalently attached to the protein core. These molecules are categorized based on their structure, localization, and function, and can be found in the extracellular matrix, on the cell surface, and in the cytoplasm. Cell-surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans, such as syndecans, are the primary type present in healthy liver tissue. However, deterioration of the liver results in overproduction of other proteoglycan types. The purpose of this article is to provide a current summary of the most relevant data implicating proteoglycans in the development and progression of human and experimental liver cancer. A review of our work and other studies in the literature indicate that deterioration of liver function is accompanied by an increase in the amount of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. The alteration of proteoglycan composition interferes with the physiologic function of the liver on several levels. This article details and discusses the roles of syndecan-1, glypicans, agrin, perlecan, collagen XVIII/endostatin, endocan, serglycin, decorin, biglycan, asporin, fibromodulin, lumican, and versican in liver function. Specifically, glypicans, agrin, and versican play significant roles in the development of liver cancer. Conversely, the presence of decorin could potentially provide protective effects.

Prognostic significance of Versican expression in gastric adenocarcinoma

Gastric cancer (GC) is the leading malignancy in the digestive system. Versican is a ubiquitous component of the extracellular matrix and has a role in tumor progression. We aim to examine the expression of Versican in GC and the relationship between Versican levels and patient survival. We detected the mRNA expression of Versican in tumorous pairs and adjacent normal tissues (ANTs) of 78 GC patients by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of Versican in 101 cases of matched GC and ANT, as well as in 27 intraepithelial neoplastic (IN) samples, was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. We analyzed the correlation between Versican levels and clinical outcomes. Finally, we performed CCK-8 cell counting assay and transwell assay in GC cell lines. Versican mRNA expression was significantly greater in tumor tissues (P<0.001) than in ANT. Versican was majorly expressed in the stroma surrounding tumor epithelium and minorly some areas of tumor epithelium. The Versican expression level was higher in GC than in ANT (P=0.004), but no significant difference was observed between ANT and IN (P=0.517). The Versican mRNA and protein levels were consistent in GC. High Versican mRNA and protein expression correlated with greater tumor invasion depth (P=0.030, P=0.027). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that patients with high Versican mRNA expression exhibited poor disease-specific survival (P<0.001). In vitro experiments showed that Versican overexpression promoted cell proliferation and invasion. Our data indicate that Versican may be a novel prognostic indicator in GC and may be a potential target for clinical diagnosis.

Versican expression in canine carcinomas in benign mixed tumours: is there an association with clinical pathological factors, invasion and overall survival?

Background

Components of the extracellular matrix have been studied in an attempt to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the biological behaviour of tumours. The presence of the proteoglycan versican has been strongly associated with cancer development and progression. However, relationship between versican expression and clinical pathological factors and overall survival has not been previously studied in veterinary medicine. Carcinomas in benign mixed tumours (CBMTs) are one of the most common malignant tumours in female canines and can serve as models for studies of tumour progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of versican in in situ and invasive carcinomatous areas of canine CBMTs and to evaluate possible associations of versican expression with other classic prognostic factors and overall survival.

Results

Clinical staging; histological grade determination; immunohistochemical staining for versican, E-cadherin and Ki-67; and confirmation of invasion areas by staining for p63 and smooth muscle α-actin (α-SMA) were performed on 49 canine cases of CBMT. Tumour invasion was considered when suspicious Haematoxylin-Eosin (HE)-stained areas showed a total loss of α-SMA and p63 immunoreactivity. Versican immunoreactivity was less intense in the areas adjacent to the in situ carcinomatous regions, compared to invasive regions, which showed extensive and strong staining.

Conclusions

Our data reveal that in canine CBMTs, versican expression differs significantly between invasive and in situ areas, suggesting a role for this molecule in tumour progression. Although a direct relationship exists between versican and invasiveness, our results indicate that the isolated evaluation of this proteoglycan does not represent an independent prognostic factor in canine CBMTs.

Antithetic roles of proteoglycans in cancer

Proteoglycans (PGs), a family of complex post-translationally sculptured macromolecules, are fundamental regulators of most normal and aberrant cellular functions. The unparalleled structural-functional diversity of PGs endows them with the ability to serve as critical mediators of the tumor cells' interaction with the host microenvironment, while directly contributing to the organization and dynamic remodeling of this milieu. Despite their indisputable importance during embryonic development and in the adult organism, and their frequent dysregulation in tumor lesions, their precise involvement in tumorigenesis awaits a more decisive demonstration. Particularly challenging is to ascertain to what extent selected PGs may catalyze tumor progression and to what extent they may inhibit it, implying antithetic functions of individual PGs. Integrated efforts are needed to consolidate the routine use of PGs in the clinical monitoring of cancer patients and to broaden the exploitation of these macromolecules as therapeutic targets. Several PGs have the required attributes to be contemplated as effective antigens for immunotherapeutic approaches, while the tangible results obtained in recent clinical trials targeting the NG2/CSPG4 transmembrane PG urge further development of PG-based cancer treatment modalities.

Myeloid progenitor cells in the premetastatic lung promote metastases by inducing mesenchymal to epithelial transition

Tumors systemically initiate metastatic niches in distant target metastatic organs. These niches, composed of bone marrow-derived hematopoietic cells, provide permissive conditions for future metastases. However, the mechanisms by which these cells mediate outgrowth of metastatic tumor cells are not completely known. Using mouse models of spontaneous breast cancer, we show enhanced recruitment of bone marrow-derived CD11b(+)Gr1(+) myeloid progenitor cells in the premetastatic lungs. Gene expression profiling revealed that the myeloid cells from metastatic lungs express versican, an extracellular matrix proteoglycan. Notably, versican in metastatic lungs was mainly contributed by the CD11b(+)Ly6C(high) monocytic fraction of the myeloid cells and not the tumor cells or other stromal cells. Versican knockdown in the bone marrow significantly impaired lung metastases in vivo, without impacting their recruitment to the lungs or altering the immune microenvironment. Versican stimulated mesenchymal to epithelial transition of metastatic tumor cells by attenuating phospho-Smad2 levels, which resulted in elevated cell proliferation and accelerated metastases. Analysis of clinical specimens showed elevated versican expression within the metastatic lung of patients with breast cancer. Together, our findings suggest that selectively targeting tumor-elicited myeloid cells or versican represents a potential therapeutic strategy for combating metastatic disease.

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer stem cells and treatment resistance

Breast cancer relapse, in a large number of patients, after initial response to standard of care therapy warrants development of novel therapies against recurrent and metastatic cancer. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), present in breast tumors while being intrinsically resistant to conventional therapy, have the ability to self renew and cause tumor recurrence. The residual tumors after therapy, with dramatic enrichment of the CSCs, have all the hallmarks of epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT). This review will focus on the link between EMT, CSCs and treatment resistance, since a better understanding of these interactions will allow us to effectively target the residual population after therapy.

Increased expression of versican in the inflammatory response to UVB- and reactive oxygen species-induced skin tumorigenesis

Excessive exposure to UV radiation is a major risk factor for developing skin cancer. UV-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) cause accumulation of DNA damage products such as 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) in the skin. We have previously shown that mice lacking the repair enzyme 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (Ogg1 knockout mice) are highly susceptible to skin cancer after long-term UVB exposure. To investigate the genes involved, we performed gene profiling of Ogg1 knockout mouse skin after UVB exposure. Among the up-regulated genes in UVB-treated Ogg1 knockout mice, inflammatory response pathway-related genes were most affected. The Vcan gene, which encodes the large extracellular matrix proteoglycan versican, was continuously up-regulated in UVB-treated Ogg1 knockout mice, suggesting that versican is a mediator of skin cancer development. We examined the expression pattern of versican in skin tumors from wild-type mice and UVB-treated Ogg1 knockout mice, and also analyzed 157 sun-related human skin tumors. Versican was strongly expressed in malignant skin tumors in both mice and humans, and especially in Ogg1 knockout mice. Additionally, infiltrating neutrophils strongly colocalized with versican in UVB-treated Ogg1 knockout mouse skin. These data demonstrate that inflammatory responses, particularly neutrophil infiltration and versican up-regulation, are closely involved in UVB/ROS-induced skin tumorigenesis.

Versican expression is associated with tumor-infiltrating CD8-positive T cells and infiltration depth in cervical cancer

Cervical carcinoma is the second most frequent cancer type in women worldwide. Both inflammatory cells and stromal cells are important for tumor progression. Stromal cells produce growth factors and extracellular matrix and provide an adequate environment for angiogenesis. Versican, a member of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to have a role in tumor progression. The aim of this study was to investigate versican expression, and its association with tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cell subsets and with clinicopathological parameters in human cervical cancers. We have studied the expression of versican in 149 cervical cancers using immunohistochemistry and mRNA in situ hybridization. Versican was predominantly expressed in the stroma (myofibroblasts). Using quantitative real-time-PCR, V0 was found to be the most prominent isoform. High stromal versican expression was significantly associated with a low number of tumor-infiltrating T cells (P=0.018) and particularly a low number of CD8-positive T cells (cytotoxic T cells; P=0.002). Stromal versican expression was significantly higher in patients with an infiltration depth >14 mm (P=0.004) and in patients with parametrial invasion (P=0.044). Stromal versican expression was not associated with survival. Our results suggest that versican expression in the stromal compartment of cervical cancers results in reduced numbers of intraepithelial CD8-positive T cells and enhanced local invasion.

The biological role and regulation of versican levels in cancer

Increased expression of the proteoglycan, versican is strongly associated with poor outcome for many different cancers. Depending on the cancer type, versican is expressed by either the cancer cells themselves or by stromal cells surrounding the tumor. Versican plays diverse roles in cell adhesion, proliferation, migration and angiogenesis, all features of invasion and metastasis. These wide ranging functions have been attributed to the central glycosaminoglycan-binding region of versican, and to the N-(G1) and C-(G3) terminal globular domains which collectively interact with a large number of extracellular matrix and cell surface structural components. Here we review the recently identified mechanisms responsible for the regulation of versican expression and the biological roles that versican plays in cancer invasion and metastasis. The regulation of versican expression may represent one mechanism whereby cancer cells alter their surrounding microenvironment to facilitate the malignant growth and invasion of several tumor types. A greater understanding of the regulation of versican expression may contribute to the development of therapeutic methods to inhibit versican function and tumor invasion.

Increased expression of non-sulfated chondroitin correlates with adverse clinicopathological parameters in prostate cancer

Chondroitin sulfate is a structurally diverse glycosaminoglycan, which contains a variable degree of sulfation that helps to determine its biological function. It is involved in the regulation of cellular activity and has been implicated in carcinogenesis. To determine if the non-sulfated chondroitin backbone has a functional role in prostate cancer, we analyzed its expression by immunohistochemistry using the 1B5 monoclonal antibody and a set of tissue microarrays constructed with 227 prostate specimen cores from 81 cases of benign prostate tissue and 77 cases of prostate cancer, of which 69 of these cases are matched. Non-sulfated chondroitin was found in the secretory epithelial cells and stromal regions of both prostatic adenocarcinoma and benign prostatic tissues, as well as in the basal cells of benign glands. A higher percentage of cancerous cells were stained positively for non-sulfated chondroitin as compared with benign secretory cells of the same patient. Cancerous cells stained more intensely for non-sulfated chondroitin. This increase in percentage of cells stained and increase in staining intensity were associated with higher pathological T stage and extraprostatic extension. Non-sulfated chondroitin expression (either staining intensity or percentage of cells stained) in adenocarcinoma and its peritumoral stroma correlated significantly with several clinicopathological parameters of unfavorable outcome, including higher pathological T stage and Gleason score, presence of tumor in both prostatic lobes, extraprostatic extension, seminal vesicle involvement and preoperative prostate-specific antigen levels. These data suggest that non-sulfated chondroitin is a potentially useful biomarker for prostate cancer, and may be involved in regulating prostate cancer behavior.

Versican expression in human cervical cancer

Versican expression may enhance tumour invasion and metastasis. However, the expressions of versican in cervical cancer have seldom been characterised. The aim of this study was to investigate versican expression in human cervical cancers. We immunohistochemically investigated the expression of versican protein in 174 cervical cancers and analysed the correlation with various clinicopathological features, including patient outcome. Stromal versican expression was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis (p<0.0001). Epithelial versican expression was significantly higher in patients with non-squamous cell cercinoma (p=0.0003), lymph-vascular space invasion (p=0.046), lymph node metastasis (p=0.009) and ovarian metastasis (p=0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that high epithelial versican expression was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival. Versican enrichment of the tumour tissue may be associated with progression in cervical cancer. Versican expression can serve as an indicator of poor prognosis in patients with cervical cancer.

Prognostic significance of stromal versican expression in human endometrial cancer

BACKGROUND

Versican expression may enhance tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the expression of versican in human endometrial cancer has seldom been characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate versican expression in endometrial cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We immunohistochemically investigated the expression of versican protein in 167 endometrial cancers and analyzed the correlation with various observed clinicopathological features, including patient outcome.

RESULTS

Stromal versican expression was significantly higher in the advanced-stage (P = 0.010) and high-grade (P = 0.049) cancers, lymph node metastasis (P = 0.012), and ovarian metastasis (P = 0.024). Epithelial versican expression was significantly higher in patients with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.014) and lymph-vascular space involvement (P = 0.014). The disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of patients exhibiting high stromal versican expression were significantly lower than those of patients exhibiting low stromal versican expression (P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that high stromal versican expression was an independent prognostic factor for DFS and OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Versican enrichment of the stroma may be associated with tumor progression in endometrial cancer. Stromal versican expression can serve as an indicator of poor prognosis for patients with endometrial cancer.

The increased accumulation of structurally modified versican and decorin is related with the progression of laryngeal cancer

Versican and decorin, two proteoglycans (PGs) with contradictory roles in the pathophysiology of cancer, comprise important stromal components in many tumor types and play a crucial role in the progression of cancer. In this study, we provide direct evidence for a significant and stage-related accumulation of versican and decorin in the tumor-associated stroma of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) in comparison to normal larynx. Both PGs were found to be co-localized within the peritumorous stroma. In addition, the accumulated versican and decorin were markedly modified on both protein core and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels. Decorin, which was present under both glycanated and non-glycanated forms, perceptibly increased with the progression of LSCC, compared to the normal larynx. Tumor-associated glycanated decorin was found to contain significant amounts of dermatan sulfate (DS) sequences. Versican was also found to undergo stage-related structural modifications since a marked heterogeneity of protein cores was observed, being intense in late stage of laryngeal cancer. The increased accumulation of both versican and decorin was associated with a significant stage-related increase of the molar ratio of Delta di-mono4S to Delta di-mono6S up to approximately threefold in LSCC compared to the normal ones. The modified chemical structure of both PGs could be associated with the degree of aggressiveness of laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas.

A chemical proteomics approach for the identification of accessible antigens expressed in human kidney cancer

A promising avenue toward the development of more selective anticancer drugs consists in the targeted delivery of bioactive molecules to the tumor environment by means of binding molecules specific to tumor-associated markers. We have used a chemical proteomics approach based on the ex vivo perfusion and biotinylation of accessible structures within surgically resected human kidneys with tumor to gain information about accessible and abundant antigens that are overexpressed in human cancer. This procedure led to the selective labeling with biotin of vascular structures. Biotinylated proteins were purified on streptavidin resin and identified using mass spectrometric methodologies, revealing 637 proteins, 184 of which were only found in tumor specimens and 223 of which were only found in portions of normal kidneys. Immunohistochemical and PCR analysis confirmed that several of the putative cancer antigens identified in this study are indeed preferentially expressed in tumors. In conclusion, we have developed a methodology that allows the identification of accessible biomarkers in human tissues. The tumor-associated antigens identified in this study may be suitable targets for antibody-based anticancer therapies. The experimental approach described here should be applicable to other surgical specimens and to other pathologies as well as to the study of basic physiological and immunological processes.

High stromal versican expression predicts unfavourable outcome in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Versican, an extracellular matrix proteoglycan, has been noted to be expressed in several malignant tumours and has been suggested to play an important role in cancer development and tumour growth.

AIMS

To investigate whether the versican expression level in the peritumoural stromal tissue of primary oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) predicts relapse-free or disease-specific survival. Also, to study the associations between versican expression and several other clinicopathological variables, as well as tumour cell proliferation.

METHODS

Immunohistochemistry was used to study the expression of versican and tumour cell proliferative activity in 139 OSCCs. All pertinent clinical data were collected retrospectively from the hospital records.

RESULTS

In this cohort, versican expression did not correlate with the clinicopathological factors or tumour cell proliferation. In univariate analyses, higher risk for disease recurrence was associated with higher stromal versican expression score (p = 0.02), positive neck node status (p = 0.02), lower Karnofsky performance status (p = 0.03) and higher tumour cell proliferation index (p = 0.04). Increased disease-specific risk of death was associated with high stromal versican expression score (p = 0.005) higher T class (p = 0.002), positive neck node status (p<0.001), higher stage (p<0.001), poorer histological differentiation (p = 0.005), worse general condition of the patient (p = 0.049) and increased tumour cell proliferative index (p = 0.02). In multivariate disease-specific survival analysis, high stromal versican expression score (p = 0.048), poorer histological differentiation (p = 0.047) and higher stage (p = 0.002) independently predicted poorer disease outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, increased stromal versican expression correlated with both increased risk for disease recurrence and shortened survival. High stromal versican expression may thus be considered an independent and adverse prognostic marker in OSCC.

The greatly increased amounts of accumulated versican and decorin with specific post-translational modifications may be closely associated with the malignant phenotype of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic carcinoma (PC) is a cancer type with highly malignant growth and dissemination pattern of which the mechanisms are poorly understood. However, the malignant phenotype is closely linked to extracellular matrix (ECM) of which proteoglycans (PGs) and hyaluronan (HA) play a crucial role in the control of tumor progression and metastasis. In this study, we demonstrated that versican and decorin, two different PGs with contradictory roles and functions in the pathobiology of cancer, were the main matrix PGs in PC presenting a great increase 27- and 7-fold, respectively, in comparison to normal pancreas (NP). PC was characterized by the disproportional increase of versican compared to decorin, about 4 to 1, with a concurrent increase of HA, which may be closely associated with the growth and aggressiveness of this carcinoma. Significant specific post-translational modifications were also observed in both versican and decorin regarding the type, hydrodynamic size, sulfation pattern and extent of uronate epimerization of their glycosaminoglycan chains (GAGs). In particular, chondroitin sulphate (CS) was the predominant GAG type in both PC-associated versican and decorin. The CS of PC-decorin was increased 11-fold, compared to NP in which dermatan sulfate (DS) was the predominant GAG type in both PGs. The sulfation pattern of GAG chains was significantly altered in PC, since 6-sulfated disaccharides predominated in both versican and decorin with a marked presence of non-sulfated disaccharides accompanied by lower hydrodynamic sizes of both CS and DS chains compared to NP. In conclusion, all these findings agree with the highly malignant phenotype of this cancer and, thus, more studies need to be addressed on the roles of the post-translational modifications of versican and decorin in the biology of cancer.

Versican in nonsmall cell lung cancer: relation to hyaluronan, clinicopathologic factors, and prognosis

The aim of the study was to investigate the expression and prognostic role of versican in 212 patients with resected nonsmall cell lung cancer. Tumor samples were stained immunohistochemically, and the versican staining was evaluated both in tumor stroma and cancer cells. The staining results were compared to the clinical data of the patients, the tumor cell proliferation, and the expression of hyaluronan. In the whole material, low and high area percentages of stromal versican staining were observed in 135 and 77 carcinomas, respectively. Tumor cell-associated staining signal for versican was observed in 33 cases. In the whole material, the significant relationship between high stromal staining of versican and that of hyaluronan was noticed (P = .001). The expression of stromal versican was related to tumor type (P = .008) and high stromal staining was inversely correlated with poor tumor differentiation (P = .045), but not with tumor cell proliferation. Among adenocarcinomas, the high stromal staining of versican was associated with tumor recurrence (P = .024), higher tumor stage (P = .022), and lymph node metastases (P = .042). Versican expression was not related to patient outcome in the whole material, but among adenocarcinomas, the high stromal staining was related to poor disease-free survival (P = .0056). However, in Cox multivariate analysis with tumor stage, versican expression did not retain its prognostic significance. The results indicate that increased stromal versican is related to higher tumor recurrence rate and more advanced disease. Despite the important role of versican in nonsmall cell lung cancer, traditional clinicopathologic factors remained most significant in the current study.