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Xiong W, Zheng B, Liu D, Pu M, Zhou S, Deng Y. Quercetin inhibits endothelial & hepatocellular carcinoma cell crosstalk via reducing extracellular vesicle-mediated VEGFR2 mRNA transfer. Mol Carcinog 2024. [PMID: 39171838 DOI: 10.1002/mc.23807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of quercetin extracellular vesicles (EVs)-mediated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-derived circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and the underlying mechanisms. CTCs were isolated from patients with pathologically diagnosed HCC, with VEGFR2 expression visualized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The human HCC cell line Huh-7 and SK-HEP-1 were used for in vitro studies to assess EVs uptake, VEGFR2 mRNA transfer, invasion, migration, cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, and VEGF secretion. Results showed that VEGFR2 mRNA was commonly expressed in HCC-CTCs, with a higher incidence in biphenotypic CTCs. Its expression was limited in HCC cell lines, but present in certain liver cells. In vitro experiments confirmed that VEGFR2 mRNA could be transferred to HCC cells via EVs from primary tumor endothelial cells (PTECs), which was impaired by quercetin treatment. Quercetin significantly reduced VEGFR2 mRNA and protein expression in HCC cells, weakened their invasive and metastatic capacities, and diminished VEGFR2-mediated CSC properties. In vivo, quercetin reduced VEGF secretion, impaired angiogenesis, slowed tumor growth, and decreased the number and proportion of VEGFR2-positive CTCs. In summary, VEGFR2 mRNA is present in HCC-CTCs, potentially sourced from PTECs-derived EVs. Quercetin effectively inhibits VEGFR2 expression, impacting HCC cell invasion, metastasis, and CSC characteristics. Besides, it reduces VEGFR2-positive CTCs in vivo. These effects support its therapeutic potential in HCC treatment by targeting the angiogenesis and tumor dissemination pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Di Liu
- Cancer Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Mo Pu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shijie Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Deng
- Cancer Center, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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2
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Kobayashi K, Ogasawara S, Itobayashi E, Okubo T, Itokawa N, Nakamura K, Moriguchi M, Watanabe S, Ikeda M, Kuroda H, Kawaoka T, Hiraoka A, Yasui Y, Kuzuya T, Sato R, Kanzaki H, Koroki K, Inoue M, Nakamura M, Kiyono S, Kanogawa N, Kondo T, Nakamoto S, Ozawa Y, Tsuchiya K, Atsukawa M, Aikata H, Aramaki T, Oka S, Morimoto N, Kurosaki M, Itoh Y, Izumi N, Kato N. Ramucirumab for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma in the current real world: a Japanese single-arm study post-REACH-2 (The R-evolution study). Invest New Drugs 2024; 42:394-404. [PMID: 38842657 PMCID: PMC11327193 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-024-01441-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to complement the results of the REACH-2 study by prospectively evaluating the safety and efficacy of ramucirumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a real-world setting. This was an open-label, nonrandomized, multicenter, prospective study conducted at 13 institutions in Japan (jRCTs031190236). The study included Child-Pugh Class A patients with advanced HCC who had received pretreatment with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) or lenvatinib. Ramucirumab was introduced as a second-line treatment after Atez/Bev or lenvatinib and as a third-line treatment after Atez/Bev and lenvatinib. Between May 2020 and July 2022, we enrolled 19 patients, including 17 who received ramucirumab. Additionally, seven patients received lenvatinib, another seven patients received Atez/Bev, and three patients received Atez/Bev followed by lenvatinib as prior treatment. The primary endpoint was a 6-month progression-free survival (PFS) rate, which was 14.3%. The median PFS and overall survival were 3.7 and 12.0 months, respectively. The most common grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs) were hypertension (23.5%), proteinuria (17.6%), and neutropenia (11.8%). The discontinuation rate due to AEs was 29.4%. Six patients progressed from Child-Pugh A to B after treatment with ramucirumab. Thirteen patients were eligible for post-ramucirumab treatment, including systemic therapy. Despite the limited number of patients, the efficacy of ramucirumab was comparable to that observed in the REACH-2 study when used after lenvatinib and Atez/Bev. However, the incidence of AEs was higher than that in the REACH-2 study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazufumi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Sadahisa Ogasawara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Ei Itobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - Tomomi Okubo
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Inzai, Japan
| | - Norio Itokawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Inzai, Japan
| | | | - Michihisa Moriguchi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shunji Watanabe
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Masafumi Ikeda
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan
| | - Hidekatsu Kuroda
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Yahaba, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Kawaoka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Atsushi Hiraoka
- Gastroenterology Center, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Yutaka Yasui
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Musashino, Japan
| | - Teiji Kuzuya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Rui Sato
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kanzaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koroki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masanori Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Masato Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kiyono
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Naoya Kanogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kondo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yoshihito Ozawa
- Biostatistics Section, Clinical Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kaoru Tsuchiya
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Musashino, Japan
| | - Masanori Atsukawa
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Nippon Medical School Chiba Hokusoh Hospital, Inzai, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Aikata
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hiroshima Prefectural Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takeshi Aramaki
- Division of Interventional Radiology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Nagaizumi, Japan
| | - Shiro Oka
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Hiroshima University Hospital, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Naoki Morimoto
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Masayuki Kurosaki
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Yoshito Itoh
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Namiki Izumi
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
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Garza Treviño EN, Quiroz Reyes AG, Delgado Gonzalez P, Rojas Murillo JA, Islas JF, Alonso SS, Gonzalez Villarreal CA. Applications of Modified Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Targeted Systems against Tumor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7791. [PMID: 39063032 PMCID: PMC11276748 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Combined gene and cell therapy are promising strategies for cancer treatment. Given the complexity of cancer, several approaches are actively studied to fight this disease. Using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has demonstrated dual antitumor and protumor effects as they exert massive immune/regulatory effects on the tissue microenvironment. MSCs have been widely investigated to exploit their antitumor target delivery system. They can be genetically modified to overexpress genes and selectively or more efficiently eliminate tumor cells. Current approaches tend to produce more effective and safer therapies using MSCs or derivatives; however, the effect achieved by engineered MSCs in solid tumors is still limited and depends on several factors such as the cell source, transgene, and tumor target. This review describes the progress of gene and cell therapy focused on MSCs as a cornerstone against solid tumors, addressing the different MSC-engineering methods that have been approached over decades of research. Furthermore, we summarize the main objectives of engineered MSCs against the most common cancers and discuss the challenges, limitations, risks, and advantages of targeted treatments combined with conventional ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa N. Garza Treviño
- Laboratorio de Terapia Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Dr. José Eleuterio González 235, Monterrey 64460, Nuevo León, Mexico; (E.N.G.T.); (A.G.Q.R.); (P.D.G.); (J.A.R.M.); (J.F.I.)
| | - Adriana G. Quiroz Reyes
- Laboratorio de Terapia Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Dr. José Eleuterio González 235, Monterrey 64460, Nuevo León, Mexico; (E.N.G.T.); (A.G.Q.R.); (P.D.G.); (J.A.R.M.); (J.F.I.)
| | - Paulina Delgado Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Terapia Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Dr. José Eleuterio González 235, Monterrey 64460, Nuevo León, Mexico; (E.N.G.T.); (A.G.Q.R.); (P.D.G.); (J.A.R.M.); (J.F.I.)
| | - Juan Antonio Rojas Murillo
- Laboratorio de Terapia Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Dr. José Eleuterio González 235, Monterrey 64460, Nuevo León, Mexico; (E.N.G.T.); (A.G.Q.R.); (P.D.G.); (J.A.R.M.); (J.F.I.)
| | - Jose Francisco Islas
- Laboratorio de Terapia Celular, Departamento de Bioquímica y Medicina Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Av. Dr. José Eleuterio González 235, Monterrey 64460, Nuevo León, Mexico; (E.N.G.T.); (A.G.Q.R.); (P.D.G.); (J.A.R.M.); (J.F.I.)
| | - Santiago Saavedra Alonso
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Vicerrectoría de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Monterrey, Ignacio Morones Prieto 4500, Jesus M. Garza, San Pedro Garza García 66238, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Carlos A. Gonzalez Villarreal
- Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Vicerrectoría de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Monterrey, Ignacio Morones Prieto 4500, Jesus M. Garza, San Pedro Garza García 66238, Nuevo León, Mexico
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Imam SS, Alshammari SO, Alshehri S, Mahdi WA, Al-Agamy MH. Formulation of silymarin surface modified vesicles: In vitro characterization to cell viability assessment. Saudi Pharm J 2024; 32:102072. [PMID: 38726227 PMCID: PMC11079526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2024.102072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Silymarin (SLR) is a poorly water-soluble bioactive compound with a wide range of therapeutic activities. Nanosized silymarin vesicles (F1-F6) were prepared by the solvent evaporation rehydration method. The silymarin vesicles were evaluated for vesicle size, surface charge, entrapment efficiency, and drug release studies. The optimized SLR lipid vesicle (F3) was further modified with the addition of the cationic polymer chitosan. After that, the modified vesicle (F3C1) was assessed for permeation flux, antimicrobial activity, cell viability, and molecular docking studies. The silymarin vesicles showed nanometric size (<250 nm), low polydispersibility index (<0.05), negative surface charge, and high SLR entrapment (85-95 %). The drug release study result demonstrated a maximum drug release of 91.2 ± 2.8 %. After adding chitosan to the surface, there was a significant change in the size, polydispersibility index, surface charge (positive), and encapsulation efficiency. The drug release was found to be prolonged, and the permeation flux was also increased in comparison to free SLR. A comparative antimicrobial result was observed in comparison to the free SLR and standard drug. The cell viability assay also demonstrated a low IC50 value for F3C1 against the cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Sarim Imam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Owaid Alshammari
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Alshehri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wael A. Mahdi
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed H. Al-Agamy
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Lin P, Hung M, Shao S, Chen H, Chan Y, Chang K, Lin S, Ou H. Factors predictive of clinical outcome in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving ramucirumab treatment: A real-world experience. Cancer Med 2023; 12:14902-14911. [PMID: 37278402 PMCID: PMC10417170 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate the factors predictive of clinical outcome in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving ramucirumab treatment. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study using a multi-institutional electronic medical records database in Taiwan. We included advanced HCC patients newly receiving ramucirumab as second-line or beyond systemic therapy between January 2016 and February 2022. The clinical outcomes were median progression-free survival (PFS) based on the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), overall survival (OS) and adverse events. We applied Kaplan-Meier methods to estimate median PFS and OS. Uni-variable and multi-variable Cox regression models were applied to identify the prognostic factors. RESULTS We included 39 ramucirumab naive users with a median age of 65.5 (IQR: 57.0-71.0) years and treatment time of 5.0 (3.0-7.0) cycles, of whom 82.1% were male and 84.6% were Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage C. After median follow-up time of 6.0 months, 33.3% of patients' AFP level had decreased more than 20% within 12 weeks. The median PFS and OS were 4.1 months and non-reach, respectively. Moreover, tumor burden beyond the up-to-11 criteria (HR: 2.95, 95% CI: 1.04-8.38) and a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate of more than 10% within 12 weeks (HR: 0.31, 0.11-0.88) were significantly related to PFS in the multi-variable analysis. No patient discontinued ramucirumab during the treatment on account of side effects. CONCLUSION Ramucirumab was an effective treatment option with good AFP response for advanced HCC patients in real-world experience. Tumor burden beyond the up-to-11 criteria and a decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate were independent predictive factors for progression-free survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po‐Ting Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyLinkou Chang Gung Memorial HospitalTaoyuanTaiwan
- College of MedicineChang Gung UniversityTaoyuanTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of MedicineChang Gung University
| | - Min‐Hua Hung
- Department of PharmacyLinkou Chang Gung Memorial HospitalTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Shih‐Chieh Shao
- Department of PharmacyKeelung Chang Gung Memorial HospitalKeelungTaiwan
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Hui‐Yu Chen
- Department of PharmacyLinkou Chang Gung Memorial HospitalTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Yuk‐Ying Chan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Materials ManagementChang Gung Medical FoundationTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Kai‐Cheng Chang
- Department of PharmacyLinkou Chang Gung Memorial HospitalTaoyuanTaiwan
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Shi‐Ming Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology and HepatologyLinkou Chang Gung Memorial HospitalTaoyuanTaiwan
| | - Huang‐Tz Ou
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
- Department of PharmacyNational Cheng Kung University HospitalTainanTaiwan
- School of Pharmacy, College of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
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Kanogawa N, Ogasawara S, Maruta S, Iino Y, Obu M, Ishino T, Ogawa K, Yumita S, Iwanaga T, Unozawa H, Nakagawa M, Fujiwara K, Sakuma T, Fujita N, Kojima R, Kanzaki H, Koroki K, Kobayashi K, Inoue M, Kiyono S, Nakamura M, Kondo T, Saito T, Nakagawa R, Nakamoto S, Muroyama R, Chiba T, Itobayashi E, Koma Y, Azemoto R, Kato J, Kato N. Use of ramucirumab for various treatment lines in real-world practice of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:70. [PMID: 36906542 PMCID: PMC10007811 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02674-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Ramucirumab was shown to be effective as a second-line treatment after sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with alpha-fetoprotein levels > 400 ng/mL in a worldwide phase 3 trial. Ramucirumab is used in patients pretreated with various systemic therapies in clinical practice. We retrospectively examined the treatment outcomes of ramucirumab administered to advanced HCC patients after diverse systemic therapies. METHODS Data were collected from patients with advanced HCC who received ramucirumab at three institutions in Japan. Radiological assessments were determined according to both Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) version 1.1 and modified RECIST and the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 5.0 was used to assess adverse events. RESULTS A total of 37 patients treated with ramucirumab between June 2019 and March 2021 were included in the study. Ramucirumab was administered as second, third, fourth, and fifth-line treatment in 13 (35.1%), 14 (37.8%), eight (21.6%), and two (5.4%) patients, respectively. Most patients (29.7%) who received ramucirumab as a second-line therapy were pretreated with lenvatinib. We found grade 3 or higher adverse events only in seven patients and no significant changes in the albumin-bilirubin score during ramucirumab treatment in the present cohort. The median progression-free survival of patients treated with ramucirumab was 2.7 months (95% confidence interval, 1.6-7.3). CONCLUSION Although ramucirumab is used for various lines of treatment other than second-line immediately after sorafenib, its safety and effectiveness were not significantly different from the findings of the REACH-2 trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Kanogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Sadahisa Ogasawara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan.
| | - Susumu Maruta
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - Yotaro Iino
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kimitsu Chuo Hospital, Kisarazu, Japan
| | - Masamichi Obu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kimitsu Chuo Hospital, Kisarazu, Japan
| | - Takamasa Ishino
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Keita Ogawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Sae Yumita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Terunao Iwanaga
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Hidemi Unozawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Miyuki Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kisako Fujiwara
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Takafumi Sakuma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Naoto Fujita
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Ryuta Kojima
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kanzaki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Keisuke Koroki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Kobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Masanori Inoue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Soichiro Kiyono
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Masato Nakamura
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Takayuki Kondo
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Tomoko Saito
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakagawa
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Shingo Nakamoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Muroyama
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Chiba
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Ei Itobayashi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Asahi General Hospital, Asahi, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Koma
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kimitsu Chuo Hospital, Kisarazu, Japan
| | - Ryosaku Azemoto
- Department of Gastroenterology, Kimitsu Chuo Hospital, Kisarazu, Japan
| | - Jun Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
| | - Naoya Kato
- Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-Ku, Chiba, 260-8670, Japan
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Zhang L, Cheng C, Li B, Chen J, Peng J, Cao Y, Yue Y, Mai X, Yu D. Combined clinical features and MRI parameters for the prediction of VEGFR2 in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:961530. [PMID: 36313714 PMCID: PMC9608502 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.961530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To develop a prediction model for estimating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients using clinical features and the contrast-enhanced MRI Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS). Methods A total of 206 HCC patients were subjected to preoperative contrast-enhanced MRI, radical resection, and VEGFR2 immunohistochemistry labeling. The intensity of VEGFR2 expression was used to split patients into either the positive group or the negative group. For continuous data, the Mann-Whitney U test was employed, and for categorical variables, the χ2 test was utilized. Results VEGFR2-positivity was identified in 41.7% (86/206) of the patients. VEGFR2-positive HCCs were confirmed by higher serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, larger tumor dimensions (either on MRI or upon final pathology), and a higher LI-RADS score (all p < 0.001). LI-RADS scores and AFP levels were independent predictors for high VEGFR2 expression. These two parameters were used to establish a VEGFR2-positive risk nomogram, which was validated to possess both good discrimination and calibration. The area under the curve was 0.830 (sensitivity 83.6%, specificity 72.5%) and the mean absolute error was 0.021. The threshold probabilities ranged between 0.07 and 0.95, and usage of the model contributed net benefits. Conclusion A nomogram including clinical features and contrast-enhanced MRI parameters was developed and was demonstrably effective at predicting VEGFR2 expression in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laizhu Zhang
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center & Liver Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunxiao Cheng
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Binghua Li
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center & Liver Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jin Peng
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center & Liver Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yajuan Cao
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center & Liver Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Yue
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center & Liver Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoli Mai
- Department of Radiology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoli Mai, ; Decai Yu,
| | - Decai Yu
- Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Center & Liver Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiaoli Mai, ; Decai Yu,
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8
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Artemisinin derivative FO-ARS-123 as a novel VEGFR2 inhibitor suppresses angiogenesis, cell migration, and invasion. Chem Biol Interact 2022; 365:110062. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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9
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Abdalla A, Murali C, Amin A. Safranal Inhibits Angiogenesis via Targeting HIF-1α/VEGF Machinery: In Vitro and Ex Vivo Insights. Front Oncol 2022; 11:789172. [PMID: 35211395 PMCID: PMC8862147 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.789172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Nature has a nearly infinite inventory of unexplored phytochemicals and biomolecules that have the potential to treat a variety of diseases. Safranal exhibits anti-cancer property and the present study explores its antiangiogenic property. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the sixth deadliest among all cancer types. Targeting the non-tumor vasculature supporting system is very promising as it has less plasticity, unlike malignant cells that are often associated with issues like drug resistance, poor prognosis, and relapse. In this study, we successfully inhibited the proliferation of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with an IC50 of 300μM and blocked VEGF secretion in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, safranal inhibited VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vitro and ex vivo via scratch wound assay, tube formation assay, transmembrane assay, and aortic ring assay. In addition, safranal downregulated the in vitro expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, VEGFR2, p-AKT, p-ERK1/2, MMP9, p-FAK, and p-STAT3. The present study is the first to reveal the antiangiogenic potential of safranal and propose its possible underlying mechanism in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Abdalla
- Weinberg Institute for Cognitive Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Chandraprabha Murali
- Biology Department, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Amr Amin
- Biology Department, College of Science, United Arab Emirates University, Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.,The College, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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10
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Mahnashi MH, El-Senduny FF, Alshahrani MA, Abou-Salim MA. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of a Novel VEGFR-2 Inhibitor Based on a 1,2,5-Oxadiazole-2-Oxide Scaffold with MAPK Signaling Pathway Inhibition. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:246. [PMID: 35215358 PMCID: PMC8880564 DOI: 10.3390/ph15020246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past few decades, the development of broad-spectrum anticancer agents with anti-angiogenic activity has witnessed considerable progress. In this study, a new series of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines based on a phenylfuroxan scaffold were designed, synthesized, and evaluated, in terms of their anticancer activities. NCI-60 cell one-dose screening revealed that compounds 12a-c and 14a had the best MGI%, among the tested compounds. The target fluorinated compound 12b, as the most active one, showed better anticancer activity compared to the reference drug sorafenib, with IC50 values of 11.5, 11.6, and 13 µM against the HepG-2, A2780CP, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, compound 12b (IC50 = 0.092 µM) had VEGFR-2-inhibitory activity comparable to that of the standard inhibitor sorafenib (IC50 = 0.049 µM). Furthermore, the ability of compound 12b in modulating MAPK signaling pathways was investigated. It was found to decrease the level of total ERK and its phosphorylated form, as well as leading to the down-regulation of metalloproteinase MMP-9 and the over-expression of p21 and p27, thus leading to subG1 cell-cycle arrest and, thus, the induction of apoptosis. Additionally, compound 12b decreased the rate of wound healing in the absence of serum, in comparison to DMSO-treated cells, providing a significant impact on metastasis inhibition. The quantitative RT-PCR results for E-cadherin and N-cadherin showed lower expression of the neuronal N-cadherin and increased expression of epithelial E-cadherin, indicating the ability of 12b to suppress metastasis. Furthermore, 12b-treated HepG2 cells expressed a low level of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 and over-expressed proapoptotic Bax genes, respectively. Using the DAF-FM DA fluorescence probe, compound 12b produced NO intracellularly as efficiently as the reference drug JS-K. In silico molecular docking studies showed a structural similarity through an overlay of 12b with sorafenib. Interestingly, the drug-likeness properties of compound 12b met the expectations of Pfizer's rule for the design of new drug candidates. Therefore, this study presents a novel anticancer lead compound that is worthy of further investigation and activity improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mater H. Mahnashi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Fardous F. El-Senduny
- Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt;
| | - Mohammed Abdulrahman Alshahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran 61441, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mahrous A. Abou-Salim
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Assiut 71524, Egypt
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11
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Awosika J, Sohal D. A narrative review of systemic treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma: state of the art review. J Gastrointest Oncol 2022; 13:426-437. [PMID: 35284102 PMCID: PMC8899752 DOI: 10.21037/jgo-21-274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive cancer that typically develops in the setting of underlying cirrhosis of the liver. HCC commonly presents in advanced stages and if eligible orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and surgical resection/ablation remain as the only curative options. Prior to 2007, no systemic therapy was available that demonstrated an improvement in survival. Underlying cirrhosis and poor synthetic hepatic function provides a major challenge into effective systemic options contributing to the poor success of cytotoxic chemotherapy in HCC. The first drug to achieve clinical success was sorafenib despite the underwhelming overall survival of 3 months. Since then, other targeted therapies have shown modest benefit as well. Most recently, immunotherapy advances have come to the forefront in the management of HCC and combination therapy with immunotherapy and monoclonal antibodies have now surpassed sorafenib as first line treatment. This article will review the various approved and emerging therapies that have had a significant clinical impact and highlight the future directions and ongoing research that will hopefully translate into better outcomes in the treatment approach of advanced HCC.
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12
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Yen CC, Yen CJ. Safety of ramucirumab treatment in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and elevated alpha-fetoprotein. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2022; 21:157-166. [PMID: 34668832 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2022.1995353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second most common cause of cancer-induced deaths worldwide, and limited therapeutic options are available for patients with advanced disease. Ramucirumab, a monoclonal antibody that blocks the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2, is the first biomarker-selected systemic agent with therapeutic efficacy, tolerability, and favorable patient-reported outcomes in patients with advanced HCC and elevated serum α-fetoprotein levels ≥400 ng/mL, who are resistant or intolerant to sorafenib therapy. However, treatment-induced adverse events (AEs), such as hypertension, proteinuria, bleeding, thromboembolism, and gastrointestinal perforation remain challenging and potentially fatal concerns. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the published or ongoing studies and subgroup analyses on ramucirumab therapy in patients with advanced HCC. We present information on the risks of ramucirumab-induced common or rare AEs and their management. EXPERT OPINION Ramucirumab toxicity secondary to VEGF inhibition is similar to the AEs that are known to be associated with other VEGF-blocking antibodies. Common AEs can be safely treated using conventional measures; however, rare and potentially fatal AEs necessitate close monitoring. With regard to the safety profile, more promising ramucirumab-containing combination therapies are likely to pave the future path for effective HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Chieh Yen
- Division of Hematology/ Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital Douliou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- Department of Oncology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
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13
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Oliveira MC, Correia JDG. Clinical application of radioiodinated antibodies: where are we? Clin Transl Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40336-021-00477-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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14
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Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Copper(II)-Sunitinib Complex: Molecular Docking, DFT Studies, Hirshfeld Analysis and Cytotoxicity Studies. INORGANICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/inorganics10010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The main goal of this work was to report the synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity study of a novel copper(II)-sunitinib complex, CuSun. It has been synthesized and characterized in solid state and in solution by different methods (such as DFT, FTIR, Raman, UV-vis, EPR, NMR, etc.). The solid-state molecular structure of trichlorosunitinibcopper(II), where sunitinib: N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]-5-[(Z)-(5-fluoro-2-oxo-1H-indol-3-ylidene)methyl]-2,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide, for short Cu(Sun)Cl3, was determined by X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with a = 7.9061(5) Å, b = 12.412(1) Å, c = 13.7005(8) Å, α = 105.021(6)°, β = 106.744(5)°, γ = 91.749(5)°, and Z = 2 molecules per unit cell. Also, we have found π-π interactions and classic and non-classic H-bonds in the crystal structure by using Hirshfeld surface analysis. In the speciation studies, the complex has dissociated in protonated sunitinib and chlorocomplex of copper(II), according to 1HNMR, EPR, UV-vis and conductimetric analysis. Molecular docking of the complex in both, ATP binding site and allosteric site of VEGFR2 have shown no improvement in comparison to the free ligand. Besides, cytotoxicity assay on HepG2 cell line shows similar activity for complex and ligand in the range between 1–25 μM supporting the data obtained from studies in solution.
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15
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Qureshi A, Michel M, Lerner J, Dasanu CA. Evolving therapeutic strategies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021; 22:2495-2506. [PMID: 34252328 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2021.1953473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: While sorafenib dominated the therapeutic arena in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for almost a decade, newer agents and combinations have been changing the therapeutic landscape in the last years.Areas covered: The authors outline the etiopathogenesis and evaluate the diagnostics in HCC, followed by a comprehensive review of the currently approved and experimental treatment approaches, with a focus on various systemic agents and combinations of agents. The manuscript was subdivided into relevant categories, thus making it applicable for both clinical practice and research endeavors.Expert opinion: Recently, combination therapies including immune checkpoint inhibitors with anti-VEGF/R agents have shown superior clinical efficacy in HCC. The Atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination is currently the preferred first-line therapy. Single-agents cabozantinib and regorafenib as well as nivolumab-ipilimumab combination are favored as second-line therapies. Further research is needed to identify the predictors of response to various treatments and establish the distinct patient profiles that will derive most benefit. Tumor mutation analysis and germline mutation testing could identify rational therapeutic targets in HCC in the near future. As the skyline for new therapeutic agents and combinations in HCC continues to expand, the outlook as of today is cautiously optimistic in this still difficult-to-treat malignant neoplastic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammar Qureshi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Eisenhower Health, Rancho Mirage, CA, USA
| | - Miguel Michel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Eisenhower Health, Rancho Mirage, CA, USA
| | - Jaren Lerner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Eisenhower Health, Rancho Mirage, CA, USA
| | - Constantin A Dasanu
- Department of Hematology-Oncology, Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center, Rancho Mirage, CA, USA.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, UC San Diego Health, San Diego, CA, USA
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16
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Chen JL, Wang L, Li R, Jiao YF, Yu WF. High expression of endothelial progenitor cell-induced angiogenic markers is associated with bile acid levels in HCC. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:2729-2738. [PMID: 32782589 PMCID: PMC7400775 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.11815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-induced angiogenesis activity is enhanced in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the contributing factors remain unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the number of EPCs and circulating progenitor cells (CPCs), as well as the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and CD34, in patients with HCC. The expression levels of VEGFR-2 and CD34 were assessed in 72 HCC tumor and matched adjacent tissue microarrays by immunohistochemistry. The associations between VEGFR-2 or CD34 expression in tumors, clinicopathological characteristics and overall survival rates were analyzed. The number of EPCs and CPCs were analyzed in the peripheral blood of patients with HCC. In this study, high expression levels of VEGFR-2 and CD34 were detected in the tumor tissues of 41 (56.9%) and 44 (61.1%) patients, respectively. VEGFR-2 expression was significantly associated with tumor size (P<0.001), bile acid level (P=0.014) and α-fetoprotein level (P=0.011). However, CD34 expression was associated with tumor size (P=0.009), recrudescence (P<0.001) and bile acid (P=0.009). Next, the expression levels of VEGFR-2 and CD34 in tumor and adjacent tissues were compared according to the bile acid level. VEGFR-2 and CD34 expression levels were both higher in the high bile acid group, whereas expression levels of the markers were higher in adjacent tissues compared with tumor tissues. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis identified that patients with low CD34 expression had a longer overall survival compared with patients with high CD34 expression (P=0.029). Multivariate analysis also indicated that both VEGFR-2 (P=0.020) and CD34 (P=0.035) were independent prognostic risk factors. Moreover, flow cytometry demonstrated that the number of EPCs and CPCs was negatively related with the bile acid levels in patients with HCC. In conclusion, in patients with HCC, bile acid promotes EPC-induced angiogenesis. Furthermore, EPCs and CPCs may be activated by bile acid in tumors but are more so in adjacent tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Long Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Children's Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Long Wang
- Anesthesia and Operation Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R. China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Pathology, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgical Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Ying-Fu Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
| | - Wei-Feng Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, P.R. China
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17
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Kudo M, Okusaka T, Motomura K, Ohno I, Morimoto M, Seo S, Wada Y, Sato S, Yamashita T, Furukawa M, Aramaki T, Nadano S, Ohkawa K, Fujii H, Kudo T, Furuse J, Takai H, Homma G, Yoshikawa R, Zhu AX. Ramucirumab after prior sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and elevated alpha-fetoprotein: Japanese subgroup analysis of the REACH-2 trial. J Gastroenterol 2020; 55:627-639. [PMID: 32107609 PMCID: PMC7242235 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-020-01668-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The global, randomized, phase 3 REACH-2 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02435433) found significantly longer overall survival (OS) for second-line ramucirumab versus placebo (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.710, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.531-0.949, P = 0.0199) in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥ 400 ng/mL. This prespecified subgroup analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of ramucirumab in the Japanese patients enrolled in the study. METHODS Patients with advanced HCC and AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL after first-line sorafenib were randomized 2:1 to ramucirumab (8 mg/kg intravenously) or placebo every 2 weeks. Hazard ratios for progression-free survival (PFS) and OS (primary endpoint of the overall study) were estimated using the stratified Cox regression model. We also pooled individual patient data from REACH-2 with data from REACH (NCT01140347) for patients with AFP ≥ 400 ng/mL. RESULTS In the Japanese REACH-2 subpopulation, there were improvements for ramucirumab (n = 41) versus placebo (n = 18) in PFS (HR 0.282, 95% CI 0.144-0.553) and OS was numerically prolonged (HR 0.599, 95% CI 0.303-1.187), consistent with the significant benefit seen in the overall REACH-2 study population. In the ramucirumab and placebo arms, respectively, the objective response rate was 7.3% and 0%, and the disease control rate was 70.7% and 33.3%. The most frequently reported grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse event was hypertension (ramucirumab: 15%; placebo: 11%). CONCLUSIONS Ramucirumab after prior sorafenib improved PFS and OS compared with placebo, with a manageable safety profile, in the Japanese REACH-2 subpopulation, consistent with the overall REACH-2 study results. Ramucirumab is the first agent to demonstrate clinical benefit for Japanese patients with HCC in the second-line setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masatoshi Kudo
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2 Ohno-Higashi, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, 589-8511, Japan.
| | | | | | - Izumi Ohno
- National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | | | - Satoru Seo
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Wada
- National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shinpei Sato
- Kyoundo Hospital, Sasaki Institute, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Seijin Nadano
- National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, Matsuyama, Japan
| | | | | | - Toshihiro Kudo
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junji Furuse
- Kyorin University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Andrew X Zhu
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Hu K, Shang J, Xie L, Hanyu M, Zhang Y, Yang Z, Xu H, Wang L, Zhang MR. PET Imaging of VEGFR with a Novel 64Cu-Labeled Peptide. ACS OMEGA 2020; 5:8508-8514. [PMID: 32337411 PMCID: PMC7178340 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b03953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) are well recognized as significant biomarkers of tumor angiogenesis. Herein, we have developed a first-of-its-kind peptide-based VEGFR positron emission tomography (PET) tracer. The novel [64Cu]VEGF125-136 peptide possessed satisfactory radio-characteristics and showed good specificity for the visualization of VEGFR in various mouse models, in which the tumor-specific radioactivity uptake was highly correlated to the VEGFR expression level. Moreover, the tracer showed high tumor uptake (ca. 5.89 %ID/g at 20 min postinjection in B16F10 mice) and excellent pharmacokinetics, achieving the maximum imaging quality within 1 h after injection. These features convey [64Cu]VEGF125-136 as a promising, clinically translatable PET tracer for the imaging of tumor angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan Hu
- Department
of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National
Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum
and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Jingjie Shang
- Center
of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine
and PET/CT-MRI Center, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Lin Xie
- Department
of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National
Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum
and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Masayuki Hanyu
- Department
of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National
Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum
and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Yiding Zhang
- Department
of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National
Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum
and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Zhimin Yang
- Department
of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National
Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum
and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
- Center
of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine
and PET/CT-MRI Center, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Hao Xu
- Center
of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine
and PET/CT-MRI Center, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Center
of Cyclotron and PET Radiopharmaceuticals, Department of Nuclear Medicine
and PET/CT-MRI Center, The First Affiliated
Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China
| | - Ming-Rong Zhang
- Department
of Advanced Nuclear Medicine Sciences, National
Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum
and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
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19
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Roviello G, Sohbani N, Petrioli R, Rodriquenz MG. Ramucirumab as a second line therapy for advanced HCC: a significant achievement or a wasted opportunity for personalised therapy? Invest New Drugs 2019; 37:1274-1288. [PMID: 30879152 DOI: 10.1007/s10637-019-00760-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The second line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has recently become an exciting area of interest since new emerging options have demonstrated survival benefits versus placebo. Unfortunately, predictive biomarkers are unavailable for these treatments. Ramucirumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGFR-2, has demonstrated overall survival superiority against placebo as a second line therapy for patients with AFP > 400 ng/ml in the recent REACH-2 trial. This review will provide the current updated knowledge regarding the HCC cancerogenesis and angiogenic VEGF/VEGFR-2 pathways and the clinical development of ramucirumab in advanced HCC. This study will also critically assess the gaps in a previous negative phase III trial that tested other potentially useful treatments and suggest ways to modernise clinical trials and personalise therapy for advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giandomenico Roviello
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, viale Pieraccini, 6, 50139, Florence, Italy.
| | - Navid Sohbani
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Piazza Ospitale 1, 34129, Trieste, Italy
| | - Roberto Petrioli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Rodriquenz
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Onco-Hematology, IRCCS-CROB, Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, via Padre Pio 1, 85028, Rionero, Vulture, PZ, Italy
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Liu L, Sun H, Wu S, Tan H, Sun Y, Liu X, Si S, Xu L, Huang J, Zhou W, Yang Z, Wang Z. IL‑17A promotes CXCR2‑dependent angiogenesis in a mouse model of liver cancer. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:1065-1074. [PMID: 31173199 PMCID: PMC6625377 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Serum interleukin (IL)-17A level is associated with higher microvessel density and poor prognosis in liver cancer. However, the specific mechanism underlying the role of IL-17A in liver cancer remains controversial. In the present study, the effect of IL-17A on liver cancer cells was examined. IL-17A had no evident impact on vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) production in HepG2 and Huh7.5 cells as determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and ELISA, but it did stimulate angiogenic CXC chemokine secretion, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL2, CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL6 and CXCL8 in Huh7.5 cells and CXCL2 in HepG2 cells. In addition, the production of angiostatic chemokines such as CXCL10 was not affected. The supernatant of Huh7.5-IL17A cells promoted endothelial cell chemotaxis, which was attenuated by the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CXCR2) inhibitor SB225002. Although there was no role of IL-17A in promoting in vitro cell proliferation, IL-17A markedly increased the tumor growth of Huh7.5 cells in both subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft models with increased vascularization. Taken together, these results demonstrated that IL-17A may stimulate chemokine-induced angiogenesis and promote tumor progression, independent of VEGF signaling. The CXCL-CXCR2 axis may be a novel target for the anti-angiogenesis treatment of liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liguo Liu
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Huizhuo Sun
- Department of Internal Medicine of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Shan Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050018, P.R. China
| | - Haidong Tan
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Yongliang Sun
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolei Liu
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Shuang Si
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Jia Huang
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Wenying Zhou
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Zhiying Yang
- Department of General Surgery, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Zai Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China‑Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
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The Prognostic Value of the Combination of Low VEGFR-1 and High VEGFR-2 Expression in Endothelial Cells of Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113536. [PMID: 30423986 PMCID: PMC6274874 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Research on tumor angiogenesis has mainly focused on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family and on methods to block its actions. However, reports on VEGF receptor (VEGFR) expression in tumor-associated endothelial cells (ECs) are limited. Thus, we evaluated VEGF, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression in ECs of colorectal cancer (CRC) using immunohistochemistry. VEGF, VEGFR-1 and -2 expression in ECs was quantitatively evaluated by digital image analysis in a retrospective series of 204 tumor tissue samples and related to clinical variables. The data show that the VEGF, VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 expression in ECs is heterogeneous. Multivariate analysis including a set of clinicopathological variables reveals that high EC VEGFR-1 expression is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). The combination of low VEGFR-1 and high VEGFR-2 expression in ECs outperforms models integrating VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 as separate markers. Indeed, this VEGFR-1_VEGFR-2 combination is an independent negative prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.012) and metastasis-free survival (p = 0.007). In conclusion, this work illustrates the importance of studying the distribution of VEGF members in ECs of CRC. Interestingly, our preliminary data suggest that high VEGFR-1 and low VEGFR-2 expression in ECs appear to be involved in the progression of CRC, suggesting that targeting EC VEGFR-1 could offer novel opportunities for CRC treatment. However, a prospective validation study is needed.
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Dang Q, Zhou H, Qian J, Yang L, Huang J, Zhang Y, Shi W. LAMP1 Overexpression Predicts for Poor Prognosis in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. CLINICAL LYMPHOMA, MYELOMA & LEUKEMIA 2018; 18:749-754. [PMID: 30082222 DOI: 10.1016/j.clml.2018.07.288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) is a lysosomal and plasma membrane protein that contributes to tumor metastatic potential and differentiation. PATIENTS AND METHODS We performed immunohistochemical staining to investigate LAMP1 protein expression levels in 122 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) tumor samples and 45 reactive hyperplasia tissues. Correlations between LAMP1 expression, various clinicopathologic features, and patient prognosis were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS LAMP1 expression was greater in the DLBCL tissues than in the reactive hyperplasia tissues. High LAMP1 expression was significantly associated with a high international prognostic index (score, 3-5; P = .023) and elevated lactate dehydrogenase level (P = .028). Moreover, high LAMP1 expression (P = .026), elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase level (P = .011), and high international prognostic index (P < .001) were independently associated with worse overall survival and progression-free survival. CONCLUSION These data provide the first evidence that LAMP1 expression is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with DLBCL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxiu Dang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Juan Qian
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Li Yang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jianfei Huang
- Clinical Biobank, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yaping Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
| | - Wenyu Shi
- Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.
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Bösmüller H, Pfefferle V, Bittar Z, Scheble V, Horger M, Sipos B, Fend F. Microvessel density and angiogenesis in primary hepatic malignancies: Differential expression of CD31 and VEGFR-2 in hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Pathol Res Pract 2018; 214:1136-1141. [PMID: 29935812 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2018.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Revised: 06/10/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microvessel density is an indicator of tumor-driven neoangiogenesis. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) have distinct vascular patterns, which are also reflected in their imaging characteristics. Since a significant proportion of HCC are treated without biopsy confirmation, it is essential to discriminate HCC and ICC radiologically. The aim of our study was therefore to compare microvessel density and expression of VEGFR-2 in HCC and ICC, since these data may ultimately help us to better understand their imaging characteristics. Whereas CD31 documents vessel density, VEGFR-2 expression is an indicator of tumor-related neoangiogenesis. METHODS CD31 and VEGFR-2 expressing microvessels were quantified on tissue microarrays of 95 resection specimens of HCC and 47 cases of ICC. Microvessel density was evaluated by counting immuno-reactive vascular structures both within the tumor and adjacent liver control tissue, respectively. Further 16 cases of ICC were immunostained for CD31 and VEGFR-2 on full sections. RESULTS The frequency of VEGFR-2 (46.2/HPF; range 0-150) and CD31 (61.2/HPF; range 2.6-140) expressing vascular structures was significantly increased in HCC compared to adjacent liver parenchyma (VEGFR-2 33.3/HPF, range 0-87, CD31 21.4/HPF, range 0-78, both p < 0,001). ICC revealed significantly less VEGFR2-positive microvessels (15.4/HPF; range 2-77) compared to matched control tissue (42.3/HPF; range 4.6-109), whereas microvessel density with CD31 was comparable between ICC and adjacent liver (32.1/HPF; range 5.3-78 versus 28.0/HPF; range 5.3-57; p = 0.89). In ICC, the tumor-to-normal microvessel density ratio was 0.38 for VEGFR-2 and 1.24 for CD31. These ratios were nearly identical (VEGFR: 0.38; CD31: 0,97) for the 16 cases of ICC studied on whole sections, confirming the validity of the TMA approach. In contrast, ratios of VEGFR-2 and CD31 in HCC vs. adjacent liver were significantly higher (VEGFR: 2.23; CD31: 6.57). Expression of VEGFR-2 by tumor cells was not observed in any of the cases. CONCLUSIONS HCC and ICC differ significantly in their microvessel density, confirming the hypovascular nature of ICC as compared to the hypervascularity of HCC. Of note, inverse tumor-to-normal ratios of microvascular VEGFR-2 expression between the two neoplasms indicate distinct features of neoangiogenesis. Whether these differences can be exploited for improvements in imaging of hepatic tumors and may play a role for anti-angiogenic treatment strategies requires further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Bösmüller
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Vanessa Pfefferle
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Zeid Bittar
- Department of Pathology, Katharinenhospital Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Veit Scheble
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Marius Horger
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Bence Sipos
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Falko Fend
- Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, University Hospital Tübingen, Germany.
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Downregulated SASH1 expression indicates poor clinical prognosis in gastric cancer. Hum Pathol 2018; 74:83-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2018.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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25
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Lei J, Zhong J, Hao J, Liu Z, Zhang P, Wu L, Yan L, Zhu J, Zeng Y, Li B, Wen T, Wang W. Hepatocellular carcinoma cases with high levels of c-Raf-1 expression may benefit from postoperative adjuvant sorafenib after hepatic resection even with high risk of recurrence. Oncotarget 2018; 7:42598-42607. [PMID: 26981887 PMCID: PMC5173159 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Liver resection combined with postoperative sorafenib to prevent recurrence remains a controversial approach for cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially cases with a high risk of recurrence. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of liver resection combined with sorafenib for HCC with a high risk of recurrence. Results Most of the cases of HCC were caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection (23 cases, 92%). Most of these tumors (21 cases, 84%) were stage III according to the TNM staging system (12 cases with IIIa, 9 cases with IIIb). In the months after hepatic resection, 19 of the 25 cases (76%) were diagnosed with HCC recurrence or metastasis. Based on the tumor histological biomarker grading system, the group with higher expression levels of c-Raf-1 showed significantly longer overall survival than the group with lower expression of c-Raf-1 (P = 0.012). However, the long-term tumor-free survival advantage disappeared (P = 0.061). Univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that higher expression of c-Raf-1 was significantly associated with better overall survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.842; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.211–2.542; P = 0.031) and tumor-free survival (HR: 1.319; 95% CI: 1.017–1.543; P = 0.046) in HCC patients who underwent radical hepatic resection. Patients and Methods We retrospectively collected 25 HCC cases with a high risk of recurrence who underwent radical liver resection and who took sorafenib postoperatively from Jan 2010 to Dec 2012. Factors that might contribute to tumor recurrence and treatment failure such as clinical factors, tumor features, and molecular biomarkers were included in our analysis. Conclusions HCC patients with a high risk of post-hepatic resection recurrence may benefit from postoperative sorafenib administered as an adjuvant therapy, especially in cases with high levels of c-Raf-1 expression on histological examination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianyong Lei
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy/Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinjing Zhong
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jingcheng Hao
- Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhengni Liu
- Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Third General Surgery, The First Hospital of Handan, Handan, Hebei, China
| | - Lixue Wu
- Department of Pathology, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lunan Yan
- Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinqiang Zhu
- Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Li
- Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianfu Wen
- Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wentao Wang
- Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Eg5 Overexpression Is Predictive of Poor Prognosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients. DISEASE MARKERS 2017; 2017:2176460. [PMID: 28684886 PMCID: PMC5480051 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2176460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Eg5 (kinesin spindle protein) plays an essential role in mitosis. Inhibition of Eg5 function results in cell cycle arrest at mitosis, which leads to cell death. To date, Eg5 expression and its prognostic significance have not been studied in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, 26 freshly frozen HCC tissue samples and matched peritumoral tissue samples were evaluated with a one-step qPCR test and immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was conducted on 156 HCC samples to investigate the relationships among Eg5 expression, clinicopathological factors, and prognosis. Eg5 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in HCC tissues relative to matched noncancerous tissues (p < 0.05). High Eg5 protein expression was significantly related to liver cirrhosis (p = 0.038) and TNM stage (p = 0.008). Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses revealed that Eg5 overexpression (p = 0.001), liver cirrhosis (p = 0.009), and TNM stage (p = 0.025) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. These findings indicate that Eg5 expression can be used as a biomarker of poor prognosis and as a novel therapeutic target for HCC.
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Jiang H, Wu D, Xu D, Yu H, Zhao Z, Ma D, Jin J. Eupafolin Exhibits Potent Anti-Angiogenic and Antitumor Activity in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Biol Sci 2017; 13:701-711. [PMID: 28655996 PMCID: PMC5485626 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.17534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Eupafolin is a flavonoid extracted from the common sage herb which has been used in China as traditional medicine. Previous studies had reported that eupafolin had antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects. However, the function and the mechanism of eupafolin to exert its antitumor activity, especially its effect on tumor angiogenesis, have not been elucidated. Herein, we showed that eupafolin significantly inhibited vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced cell proliferation, migration and tube formation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, the new blood microvessels induced by VEGF in the matrigel plug were also substantially suppressed by eupafolin. The results of HCC xenograft experiments demonstrated eupafolin remarkably inhibited tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis in vivo, suggesting the antitumor activity exerted by eupafolin was closely correlated with its potency on tumor angiogenesis. Mechanism investigations revealed that eupafolin significantly blocked VEGF-induced activation of VEGFR2 in HUVEC cells as well as its downstream signaling pathway. In addition to the effect on endothelial cells, through inhibiting Akt activity in tumor cells, VEGF secretion in HepG2 was dramatically decreased after eupafolin treatment. Our study was the first to report the activity of eupafolin against tumor angiogenesis as well as the underlying mechanism by which eupafolin to exert its anti-angiogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglei Jiang
- General Surgery department, the fourth affiliated hospital of China medical university, Shenyang, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Infectious disease department, Shengjing hospital of China medical university, Shenyang, China
| | - Dong Xu
- General Surgery department, the fourth affiliated hospital of China medical university, Shenyang, China
| | - Hao Yu
- General Surgery department, the fourth affiliated hospital of China medical university, Shenyang, China
| | - Zheming Zhao
- General Surgery department, the fourth affiliated hospital of China medical university, Shenyang, China
| | - Dongyan Ma
- General Surgery department, the fourth affiliated hospital of China medical university, Shenyang, China
| | - Junzhe Jin
- General Surgery department, the fourth affiliated hospital of China medical university, Shenyang, China
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Mao Y, Jia Y, Zhu H, Wang W, Jin Q, Huang F, Zhang S, Li X. High expression of PFTK1 in cancer cells predicts poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. Mol Med Rep 2017; 16:224-230. [PMID: 28498444 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.6560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The serine/threonine-protein kinase PFTAIRE 1 (PFTK1) is a member of the cyclin‑dependent kinase family that is highly expressed in several malignant tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma, esophageal, breast and gastric cancers, and glioma. It contributes to tumor progression and influences tumor prognosis. However, the expression and clinicopathological significance of PFTK1 in human colorectal cancer (CRC) remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to examine the expression of PFTK1 and to evaluate the clinical significance of its expression in human CRC. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed on 10 fresh CRC and 10 surrounding normal tissue samples to detect and compare the expression of PFTK1 mRNA in CRC and normal colorectal tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed on 179 CRC tissue specimens and 47 control samples of normal colorectal lesions to characterize the expression of PFTK1 protein. Kaplan‑Meier overall survival (OS) rate and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognosis of patients with CRC. The expression of PFTK1 mRNA in CRC tissues (1.433±0.168) was significantly higher compared with normal tissues (0.853±0.107; t=1.97 ('t' was the value obtained from quantification of the mRNA data, following a paired t‑test), P=0.008). High PFTK1 expression in cancerous cells was detected in 92 of the CRC specimens (51.40%), and high levels of PFTK1 were associated with tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (P=0.042), tumor classification (P=0.022) and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (P<0.001). Kaplan‑Meier OS rate and Cox regression analysis revealed that high PFTK1 expression level (hazard ratio (HR)=1.999; P=0.019) was an independent prognostic factor of CRC patients. The degree of differentiation (HR, 0.368, P=0.003), TNM classification (HR, 2.118, P=0.001) and preoperative CEA level (HR, 2.302, P=0.003) were also predictors of the prognosis of patients with CRC. The present study suggested that PFTK1 may be a potential anticancer target and prognostic marker in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youjun Mao
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
| | - Yuqing Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Friendliness Hospital, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, P.R. China
| | - Huijun Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Qin Jin
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoqiang Li
- Department of Vascular Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
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Giovannini C, Baglioni M, Baron Toaldo M, Cescon M, Bolondi L, Gramantieri L. Vidatox 30 CH has tumor activating effect in hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:44685. [PMID: 28322221 PMCID: PMC5359575 DOI: 10.1038/srep44685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is the term used to describe many kinds of products, practices, and systems that are not part of conventional medicine. Cancer patients usually do everything they can to combat the disease, manage its symptoms, and cope with the side effects of treatment. Unfortunately, patients who use CAM underestimate the risk of interaction with cancer therapy or worse they omit conventional therapy thus reducing the possibility of cancer remission. Herein we analyzed the effects of Vidatox 30 CH (venom extracted from the Junceus Rhopalurus scorpion) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. We found out that Vidatox increases HCC proliferation and invasion whereas it does not seem to interact with sorafenib, the orally active multikinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results suggest that the concentration of Vidatox used in the present study has not anti-neoplastic effects and care must be taken in hiring Vidatox in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia Giovannini
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Baglioni
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marco Baron Toaldo
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell’Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Matteo Cescon
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Luigi Bolondi
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laura Gramantieri
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), S. Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
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Liu L, Qin S, Zheng Y, Han L, Zhang M, Luo N, Liu Z, Gu N, Gu X, Yin X. Molecular targeting of VEGF/VEGFR signaling by the anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody BD0801 inhibits the growth and induces apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Biol Ther 2017; 18:166-176. [PMID: 28368741 DOI: 10.1080/15384047.2017.1282019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths with 750,000 newly diagnosed cases each year. Surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy constitute the main treatment modalities for HCC, but liver cirrhosis and damage often occur. Molecular targeted drugs have been recently developed to treat HCC. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/VEGF receptor (VEGFR) autocrine signaling is closely related to the growth, progression, and metastasis of HCC, making the VEGF/VEGFR axis an ideal target for the development of molecular targeted agents. Here, we report the effects of the novel anti-VEGF humanized monoclonal antibody BD0801 on the growth of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo as well as the underlying mechanisms. BD0801 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG2, SMMC-7721, and Bel7402 cells in vitro, accompanied with an induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. BD0801 potently suppressed AKT, Erk1/2, and retinoblastoma (Rb) phosphorylation, while increasing p21 and decreasing cyclin D1 protein levels. BD0801 significantly inhibited growth in mouse tumor xenografts and induced cell apoptosis of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 tumor xenografts. Furthermore, BD0801 effectively reduced the vascular density and tumor tissue microvessel density (MVD). Similarly, BD0801 decreased AKT, Erk1/2, and Rb phosphorylation and cyclin D1 expression whereas it increased p21 protein expression in mouse HCC tumor xenografts. Importantly, BD0801 showed a better effect than Bevacizumab (Bev) on the inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis in HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that BD0801 is a potent anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody for the treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Liu
- a Department of Oncology , Zhong-Da Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University , Nanjing , China.,b Post-doctoral Scientific Research Workstation, Jin-Ling Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University , Nanjing , China
| | - Shukui Qin
- c Department of Oncology , 81st Hospital of the People's Liberation Army , Nanjing , China
| | - Yinghui Zheng
- a Department of Oncology , Zhong-Da Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Li Han
- a Department of Oncology , Zhong-Da Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Minmin Zhang
- a Department of Oncology , Zhong-Da Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Nuo Luo
- a Department of Oncology , Zhong-Da Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Zhengcao Liu
- a Department of Oncology , Zhong-Da Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Ning Gu
- d State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and Devices , School of Biological Sciences & Medical Engineering, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Xiaoyi Gu
- a Department of Oncology , Zhong-Da Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University , Nanjing , China
| | - Xiaojin Yin
- e Jiangsu Simcere Drug Research Ltd. , Nanjing , China
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Liu K, Hao M, Ouyang Y, Zheng J, Chen D. CD133 + cancer stem cells promoted by VEGF accelerate the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41499. [PMID: 28134312 PMCID: PMC5278354 DOI: 10.1038/srep41499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in inducing the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) remains unclear. Here, we found that a dramatic increase in plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and an induction of local CD133+ CSCs are associated with early HCC recurrence, suggesting that VEGF expression and tumour stemness contribute to the relapse. In vitro studies demonstrated that VEGF, via activation of VEGFR2, increased the number of CD133+ CSCs and enhanced their capacity for self-renewal by inducing the expression of Nanog. In vivo studies further demonstrated that VEGF-treated CD133+ CSCs formed tumours larger than those developing from unstimulated cells and VEGF pre-treatment increased the tumorigenic cell frequency of primary HCC cells dependently on the presence of Nanog and VEGFR2. In HCC tissue derived from patients with early recurrence, almost all CD133+ cells were Nanog and p-VEGFR2 positive, suggesting that activation of VEGFR2 is critical for RFA-induced tumour stemness in HCC. In summary, RFA-induced VEGF promotes tumour stemness and accelerates tumourigenesis in HCC in a manner dependent on Nanog and VEGFR2, which is valuable for the prediction of HCC recurrence after RFA and the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liu
- Capital Medical University affiliated Beijing You An Hospital, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Meijun Hao
- Capital Medical University affiliated Beijing You An Hospital, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Yabo Ouyang
- Capital Medical University affiliated Beijing You An Hospital, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Jiasheng Zheng
- Capital Medical University affiliated Beijing You An Hospital, Beijing, 100069, China
| | - Dexi Chen
- Capital Medical University affiliated Beijing You An Hospital, Beijing, 100069, China.,Beijing Institute of Hepatology, Beijing, 100069, China.,Organ Transplantation Center, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao City, Shandong Province, 266003, China
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Discovery of novel dual VEGFR2 and Src inhibitors using a multistep virtual screening approach. Future Med Chem 2016; 9:7-24. [PMID: 27995811 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2016-0162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM Simultaneous inhibition of VEGFR2 and Src may enhance the efficacy of VEGFR2-targeted cancer therapeutics. Hence, development of dual inhibitors on VEGFR2 and Src can be a useful strategy for such treatments. MATERIALS & METHODS A multistep virtual screening protocol, comprising ligand-based support vector machines method, drug-likeness rules filter and structure-based molecular docking, was developed and employed to identify dual inhibitors of VEGFR2 and Src from a large commercial chemical library. Kinase inhibitory assays and cell viability assays were then used for experimental validation. RESULTS A set of compounds belonging to six different molecular scaffolds was identified and sent for biological evaluation. Compound 3c belonging to the 2-amino-3-cyanopyridine scaffold exhibited good antiproliferative effect and dual-target activities against VEGFR2 and Src. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated the ability of the multistep virtual screening approach to identify novel multitarget agents.
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Huang J, Mei H, Tang Z, Li J, Zhang X, Lu Y, Huang F, Jin Q, Wang Z. Triple-amiRNA VEGFRs inhibition in pancreatic cancer improves the efficacy of chemotherapy through EMT regulation. J Control Release 2016; 245:1-14. [PMID: 27889393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a devastating disease with dismal outcome. Both novel prognostic markers and therapeutic targets are needed to improve the overall outcome of patients. Although single or double VEGFRs have been studied in PDAC, little is known about the role of triple combination of VEGFRs (VEGFR1, 2, and 3) in prognosis and therapy. We determined VEGFRs protein expression in 241 pancreatic tissues by tissue microarray immunohistochemistry (TMA-IHC), and correlated with patients' clinical characteristics and overall survival. Subsequently, we inactivated VEGFRs expression using artificial microRNAs (amiRNAs) in vitro. Triple combination of amiRNAs to VEGFRs reduced cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and reduced cell migration and invasion in pancreatic cancer cell lines. In the mouse xenograft pancreatic cancer model, triple VEGFRs silencing significantly reduced tumor growth, had synergistic effect with standard chemotherapy, and was associated with inhibition of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). We conclude that triple combination of VEGFRs is a prognostic marker for PDAC, and inhibition of VEGFRs expression via amiRNA represents a novel targeted therapy in PDAC through regulating EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Huang
- Department of Clinical Bio-bank, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China; Department of Pathology, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Haijun Mei
- Department of General Surgery, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Zhiyuan Tang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Laboratory, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Jieying Li
- Department of Pathology, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Yixiang Lu
- Maijie Biological Technology Co., Ltd. Nantong, Jiangsu 226007, China
| | - Fang Huang
- Department of Pathology, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Qin Jin
- Department of Pathology, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Nantong University Affiliated Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China.
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High expression levels of MAGE-A9 are correlated with unfavorable survival in lung adenocarcinoma. Oncotarget 2016; 7:4871-81. [PMID: 26717042 PMCID: PMC4826249 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.6741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of melanoma-associated antigen-A (MAGE-A) protein are commonly detected in lung cancers. Their biological function is not well characterized but may involve cell cycle progression and the regulation of apoptosis. We hypothesized that MAGE-A9 is involved in the regulation of apoptosis. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated MAGE-A9 protein expression by immunohistochemical staining and we assessed the relationship between the expression of MAGE-A9 and clinical pathological parameters. In addition, we investigated the effect of MAGE-A9 down-regulation in lung adenocarcinoma. The results showed that a high expression level of MAGE-A9 protein in lung adenocarcinoma tumor cells was related to larger tumor diameter (P = 0.013) and poor differentiation (P = 0.029). Cox regression analysis revealed that the expression of MAGE-A9 in lung adenocarcinoma tumor cells (P < 0.001) is an independent prognostic factor in five-year survival rates. NSCLC cells with silenced MAGE-A9 had decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion in cell culture compared to corresponding control cells. The NSCLC cells showing down-regulated MAGE-A9 induced the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins. In addition, MAGE-A9 was associated with resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Our findings provide evidence that MAGE-A9 could be a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC.
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Thaiss W, Kaufmann S, Kloth C, Nikolaou K, Bösmüller H, Horger M. VEGFR-2 expression in HCC, dysplastic and regenerative liver nodules, and correlation with pre-biopsy Dynamic Contrast Enhanced CT. Eur J Radiol 2016; 85:2036-2041. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Lian S, Zhai X, Wang X, Zhu H, Zhang S, Wang W, Wang Z, Huang J. Elevated expression of growth-regulated oncogene-alpha in tumor and stromal cells predicts unfavorable prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e4328. [PMID: 27472713 PMCID: PMC5265850 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000004328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth-regulated oncogene-alpha (GRO-α) has been reported to be over-expressed in a series of human cancers including colorectal cancer, melanoma, gastric cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, and ovarian cancer and was known to regulate multiple biologic activities associated with tumor progression. But the role in human pancreatic cancer remains unclear. To examine the expression of GRO-α and its clinical significance in pancreatic cancer (PC), a total of 12 fresh PC specimens and 12 surrounding normal tissues to detect GRO-α mRNA expression were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Immunohistochemical analysis of GRO-α protein was performed in 160 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded PC tissue samples and 68 control specimens, including 37 matched normal surgical margins and 31 benign pancreatic lesions. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate the prognosis of PC patients.Expression of GRO-α mRNA in PC tissues was significantly compared with that in adjacent normal tissues (1.399 ± 0.165 vs. 0.870 ± 0.103 t = 1.75, P = 0.012), GRO-α protein expression in cytoplasm of cancer cells and stroma was detected in 41.88% and 40.63% PC specimens, respectively, and was significantly higher than that in corresponding normal tissues (P = 0.008, P = 0.002, respectively). High GRO-α expression in the cytoplasm of cancer cells was related to tumor location (P = 0.047), tumor status (T classification; P = 0.001), distant metastasis (P < 0.001), and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (P < 0.001). High GRO-α expression in the stroma correlated with perineural invasion (P = 0.010), T classification (P = 0.006) and TNM stage (P = 0.004), and was marginally associated with metastasis (P = 0.056). Elevated expression of GRO-α in cytoplasm of cancer cells (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.730, P = 0.007) and stroma (HR = 3.120, P = 0.022) were independent prognostic factors of pancreatic cancer. T classification (HR = 2.130, P = 0.023), lymphatic metastasis (HR = 4.211, P = 0.009) and TNM classification (HR = 0.481, P = 0.031) were also prognostic predictors in PC patients.GRO-α expression was elevated in pancreatic cancer tissues and might be a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker in patients with pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhiwei Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
- Correspondence: Zhiwei Wang, Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China (e-mail: ); Jianfei Huang, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China (e-mail: )
| | - Jianfei Huang
- Department of Pathology
- Correspondence: Zhiwei Wang, Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China (e-mail: ); Jianfei Huang, Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China (e-mail: )
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Lu M, Zhu H, Wang X, Zhang D, Xiong L, Xu L, You Y. The prognostic role of Eg5 expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Pathology 2016; 48:214-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2016.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Personalized therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Where are we now? Cancer Treat Rev 2016; 45:77-86. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ctrv.2016.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Thompson JJ, Morrison JA, Pearl DL, Boston SE, Wood GA, Foster RA, Coomber BL. Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Expression Profiles in Canine Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mast Cell Tumors. Vet Pathol 2015; 53:545-58. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985815610388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) KIT is a major focus of current research into canine mast cell tumors (MCTs). Little is known about the role of other RTKs, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFRs) and platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs). These RTKs are dysregulated in many human and animal cancers and are key regulators of tumor angiogenesis. The aims of this study were to assess the expression and activation (phosphorylation) status of KIT, VEGFR2, and PDGFR (α and β) in canine MCTs and to examine associations with various clinical outcomes. c- KIT mutational status and KIT cellular localization pattern were also evaluated for these tumors. Twenty-seven MCTs, consisting of 5 subcutaneous and 22 cutaneous tumors, from 25 dogs were evaluated. MCT biopsies, cultured mast cells, and skin from the surgical margin were analyzed through Western blotting. MCT biopsies were also used for KIT immunohistochemical labeling and polymerase chain reaction for c- KIT mutational analysis. MCT had heterogeneous expression profiles for all 3 RTKs, which varied in intensity and activation status. Statistical analyses showed phosphorylated KIT, VEGFR2, and KIT cellular localization to be predictive of decreased survival time, disease-free interval, and increased metastatic rate. Expression of VEGFR2 and KIT diffuse cytoplasmic labeling were also significantly associated with increased rate of local recurrence. The results of the study show that phosphorylated KIT, KIT, VEGFR2, and PDGFRβ, in addition to KIT localization, may be valuable prognostic determinants in MCTs and should be further studied to improve diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. J. Thompson
- University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada
| | - J. A. Morrison
- University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada
| | - D. L. Pearl
- University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada
| | - S. E. Boston
- University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - G. A. Wood
- University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada
| | - R. A. Foster
- University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada
| | - B. L. Coomber
- University of Guelph, Ontario Veterinary College, Guelph, Canada
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Use of VEGFR-2 targeted ultrasound contrast agent for the early evaluation of response to sorafenib in a mouse model of hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Imaging Biol 2015; 17:29-37. [PMID: 25082536 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-014-0764-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess the early response to sorafenib using ultrasound molecular imaging in a murine model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PROCEDURES A xenograft model of HCC was established. Then, mice were divided in two groups and received treatment (sorafenib) or placebo for 14 days. The treatment group was further divided into non-responders and responders according to the degree of growth. Contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed using VEGFR-2 targeted microbubbles (BR55, Bracco Suisse SA, Geneva, Switzerland). Dedicated software was used to quantify the amount of bound microbubbles in the tumor as a numerical value (differential targeted enhancement (dTE)). Tumors were then excised and western blot analysis performed. RESULTS The dTE values decreased from day 0 to day +14 both in the treatment and control groups, but were lower in the former. The non-responder group had higher dTE levels at day 2 compared to responders (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION BR55 appears to be useful in the prediction of response to sorafenib in a xenograft model of HCC.
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Clinical Significance of SASH1 Expression in Glioma. DISEASE MARKERS 2015; 2015:383046. [PMID: 26424902 PMCID: PMC4575719 DOI: 10.1155/2015/383046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2015] [Revised: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 08/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE SAM and SH3 domain containing 1 (SASH1) is a recently discovered tumor suppressor gene. The role of SASH1 in glioma has not yet been described. We investigated SASH1 expression in glioma cases to determine its clinical significance on glioma pathogenesis and prognosis. METHODS We produced tissue microarrays using 121 patient-derived glioma samples and 30 patient-derived nontumor cerebral samples. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to evaluate SASH1 expression. We used Fisher's exact tests to determine relationships between SASH1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics; Cox regression analysis to evaluate the independency of different SASH1 expression; Kaplan-Meier analysis to determine any correlation of SASH1 expression with survival rate. RESULTS SASH1 expression was closely correlated with the WHO glioma grade. Of the 121 cases, 66.9% with low SASH1 expression were mostly grade III-IV cases, whereas 33.1% with high SASH1 expression were mostly grades I-II. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between SASH1 expression and postoperative survival. CONCLUSIONS SASH1 was widely expressed in normal and low-grade glioma tissues. SASH1 expression strongly correlated with glioma grades, showing higher expression at a lower grade, which decreased significantly as grade increased. Furthermore, SASH1 expression was positively correlated with better postoperative survival in patients with glioma.
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Feng J, Xu L, Ni S, Gu J, Zhu H, Wang H, Zhang S, Zhang W, Huang J. Involvement of FoxQ1 in NSCLC through regulating EMT and increasing chemosensitivity. Oncotarget 2015; 5:9689-702. [PMID: 25356753 PMCID: PMC4259430 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box Q1 (FoxQ1) is a member of the forkhead transcription factor family. High expression of FoxQ1 has been associated with several cancers including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but its role in the development of NSCLC is not clear. In this study, we investigated the effect of FoxQ1 up-regulated and down-regulated in vitro and in vivo, and the role of FoxQ1 in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in NSCLC, providing evidence that FoxQ1 could be a potential therapeutic target in NSCLC. NSCLC cells with silenced FoxQ1 had decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion in cell culture and delayed growth of xenograft tumors in mice compared with corresponding control cells. The NSCLC cells downregulated for FoxQ1 induced the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins and reduction of anti-apoptotic protein expression. Downregulation of FoxQ1 promoted the expression of epithelial markers and decreased several mesenchymal markers in vitro and in vivo. In addition, FoxQ1 was associated with resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. In contrast, FoxQ1 overexpressed elicited converse effects on these phenotypes in vitro and in vivo. Our findings define a key role for FoxQ1 in regulating EMT and increasing chemosensitivity in NSCLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Feng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liqin Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Songshi Ni
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Gu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huijun Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shu Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianfei Huang
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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Zhu AX, Park JO, Ryoo BY, Yen CJ, Poon R, Pastorelli D, Blanc JF, Chung HC, Baron AD, Pfiffer TEF, Okusaka T, Kubackova K, Trojan J, Sastre J, Chau I, Chang SC, Abada PB, Yang L, Schwartz JD, Kudo M. Ramucirumab versus placebo as second-line treatment in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma following first-line therapy with sorafenib (REACH): a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 2015; 16:859-70. [PMID: 26095784 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(15)00050-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 614] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND VEGF and VEGF receptor-2-mediated angiogenesis contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma pathogenesis. Ramucirumab is a recombinant IgG1 monoclonal antibody and VEGF receptor-2 antagonist. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of ramucirumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma following first-line therapy with sorafenib. METHODS In this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre, phase 3 trial (REACH), patients were enrolled from 154 centres in 27 countries. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had hepatocellular carcinoma with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C disease or stage B disease that was refractory or not amenable to locoregional therapy, had Child-Pugh A liver disease, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1, had previously received sorafenib (stopped because of progression or intolerance), and had adequate haematological and biochemical parameters. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive intravenous ramucirumab (8 mg/kg) or placebo every 2 weeks, plus best supportive care, until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or death. Randomisation was stratified by geographic region and cause of liver disease with a stratified permuted block method. Patients, medical staff, investigators, and the funder were masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was overall survival in the intention-to-treat population. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01140347. FINDINGS Between Nov 4, 2010, and April 18, 2013, 565 patients were enrolled, of whom 283 were assigned to ramucirumab and 282 were assigned to placebo. Median overall survival for the ramucirumab group was 9·2 months (95% CI 8·0-10·6) versus 7·6 months (6·0-9·3) for the placebo group (HR 0·87 [95% CI 0·72-1·05]; p=0·14). Grade 3 or greater adverse events occurring in 5% or more of patients in either treatment group were ascites (13 [5%] of 277 patients treated with ramucirumab vs 11 [4%] of 276 patients treated with placebo), hypertension (34 [12%] vs ten [4%]), asthenia (14 [5%] vs five [2%]), malignant neoplasm progression (18 [6%] vs 11 [4%]), increased aspartate aminotransferase concentration (15 [5%] vs 23 [8%]), thrombocytopenia (13 [5%] vs one [<1%]), hyperbilirubinaemia (three [1%] vs 13 [5%]), and increased blood bilirubin (five [2%] vs 14 [5%]). The most frequently reported (≥1%) treatment-emergent serious adverse event of any grade or grade 3 or more was malignant neoplasm progression. INTERPRETATION Second-line treatment with ramucirumab did not significantly improve survival over placebo in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. No new safety signals were noted in eligible patients and the safety profile is manageable. FUNDING Eli Lilly and Co.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew X Zhu
- Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Joon Oh Park
- Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Baek-Yeol Ryoo
- Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chia-Jui Yen
- National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Tainan City, Taiwan
| | | | | | | | - Hyun Cheol Chung
- Yonsei Cancer Center, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ari D Baron
- California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jorg Trojan
- University Hospital Cancer Center, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Ian Chau
- Royal Marsden Hospital, Surrey, UK
| | | | | | - Ling Yang
- Eli Lilly and Company, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
| | | | - Masatoshi Kudo
- Kinki University School of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama City, Osaka, Japan
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Huang J, Tang Q, Wang C, Yu H, Feng Z, Zhu J. Molecularly Targeted Therapy of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Xenografts with Radio-iodinated Anti-VEGFR2 Murine-Human Chimeric Fab. Sci Rep 2015; 5:10660. [PMID: 26021484 PMCID: PMC4448128 DOI: 10.1038/srep10660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is traditionally regarded as an important therapeutic target in a wide variety of malignancies, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We previously generated a murine-human anti-VEGFR2 chimeric Fab (cFab), named FA8H1, which has the potential to treat VEGFR2-overexpressing solid tumors. Here, we investigated whether FA8H1 can be used as a carrier in molecularly targeted therapy in HCC xenograft models. FA8H1 was labeled with 131I, and two HCC xenograft models were generated using BEL-7402 (high VEGFR2-expressing) and SMMC-7721 (low VEGFR2-expressing) cells, which were selected from five HCC cell lines. The biodistribution of 131I-FA8H1 was determined in both models by Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography and therapeutic effects were monitored in nude mice bearing BEL-7402 xenografts. Finally, we determined the involvement of necrosis and apoptotic pathways in treated mice using immunohistochemistry. 131I-FA8H1 levels were dramatically reduced in blood and other viscera. The therapeutic effect of 131I-labeled FA8H1 in the BEL-7402 model was significantly better than that by 131I and FA8H1 alone. We observed extensive necrosis in the treated tumors, and both FasL and caspase 3 were up-regulated. Thus, 131I-anti-VEGFR2 cFab has the potential to be used for molecularly targeted treatment of HCC overexpressing VEGFR2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianfei Huang
- 1] Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Ministry of Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China [2] Department of Pathology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University. Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Qi Tang
- Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Ministry of Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Changjun Wang
- Huadong Medical Institute of Biotechniques, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
| | - Huixin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, Ministry of Health, Jiangsu Institute of Nuclear Medicine, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214063, China
| | - Zhenqing Feng
- 1] Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Ministry of Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China [2] Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention &Treatment, Cancer Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China
| | - Jin Zhu
- 1] Key Laboratory of Antibody Technique, Ministry of Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China [2] Huadong Medical Institute of Biotechniques, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210002, China
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Peng S, Wang Y, Peng H, Chen D, Shen S, Peng B, Chen M, Lencioni R, Kuang M. Autocrine vascular endothelial growth factor signaling promotes cell proliferation and modulates sorafenib treatment efficacy in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2014; 60:1264-77. [PMID: 24849467 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 05/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Tumor cells express vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that can activate VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) on or within tumor cells to promote growth in an angiogenesis-independent fashion; however, this autocrine VEGF pathway has not been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sorafenib, an angiogenic inhibitor, is the only drug approved for use in advanced HCC patients. Yet the treatment efficacy is diverse and the mechanism behind it remains undetermined. Our aims were to study the molecular mechanisms underlying autocrine VEGF signaling in HCC cells and evaluate the critical role of autocrine VEGF signaling on sorafenib treatment efficacy. By immunohistochemistry, we found robust nuclear and cytoplasmic staining for active, phosphorylated VEGF receptor 1 (pVEGFR1) and phosphorylated VEGF receptor 2 (pVEGFR2), and by western blotting we found that membrane VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 increased in HCC tissues. We showed that autocrine VEGF promoted phosphorylation of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 and internalization of pVEGFR2 in HCC cells, which was both pro-proliferative through a protein lipase C-extracellular kinase pathway and self-sustaining through increasing VEGF, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 mRNA expressions. In high VEGFR1/2-expressing HepG2 cells, sorafenib treatment inhibited cell proliferation, reduced VEGFR2 mRNA expression in vitro, and delayed xenograft tumor growth in vivo. These results were not found in low VEGFR1/2-expressing Hep3B cells. In an advanced HCC population on sorafenib treatment for postoperative recurrence, we found that the absence of VEGFR1 or VEGFR2 expression in resected tumor tissues before sorafenib treatment was associated with poorer overall survival. CONCLUSION Autocrine VEGF signaling directly promotes HCC cell proliferation and affects the sorafenib treatment outcome in vitro and in vivo, which may enable better stratification for clinical treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sui Peng
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
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46
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Giovannini C, Baglioni M, Baron Toaldo M, Ventrucci C, D'Adamo S, Cipone M, Chieco P, Gramantieri L, Bolondi L. Notch3 inhibition enhances sorafenib cytotoxic efficacy by promoting GSK3b phosphorylation and p21 down-regulation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2014; 4:1618-31. [PMID: 24113128 PMCID: PMC3858550 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.1221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Sorafenib (Nexavar), a multiple kinase inhibitor, is the only clinically approved drug for patients with advanced HCC. However, its therapeutic success is limited by the emergence of drug resistance. Here we found that p21 and pGSK3βSer9 are major players in the resistance to sorafenib. We recently reported that aberrant Notch3 expression in HCC contributes to doxorubicin resistance in vitro and, therefore, we focused on the mechanisms that associate Notch3 to acquired drug resistance. In this study we first found that Notch3 inhibition significantly increased the apoptosis inducing effect of sorafenib in HCC cells via specific down-regulation of p21 and up-regulation of pGSK3βSer9. Using a mouse xenograft model we further found that Notch3 depletion combined with 21 days of sorafenib treatment exerts a substantial antitumor effect in vivo. Interestingly, we showed that, upon exposure to sorafenib treatment, Notch3 depleted xenografts maintain lower levels of p21 and higher levels of pGSK3βSer9 than control xenografts. Thus, this study demonstrated that inhibition of Notch3 signaling prevents HCC-mediate drug resistance and sensitizes HCC cells to sorafenib. Finally, we validated our in vitro and in vivo results in primary human HCCs showing that Notch3 protein expression positively correlated with p21 protein expression and negatively correlated with pGSK3βSer9 expression. In conclusion, the results presented in this study demonstrated that Notch3 silencing enhances the effect of sorafenib by overcoming drug resistance. Notch3 inhibition in combination with sorafenib can be a promising strategy for treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia Giovannini
- Center for Applied Biomedical Research (CRBA), S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy
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47
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Zhai X, Zhu H, Wang W, Zhang S, Zhang Y, Mao G. Abnormal expression of EMT-related proteins, S100A4, vimentin and E-cadherin, is correlated with clinicopathological features and prognosis in HCC. Med Oncol 2014; 31:970. [PMID: 24781336 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-014-0970-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We determined the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) indicator proteins, E-cadherin (E-cad), vimentin (VIM), mucin 1 (MUC1) and S100 calcium-binding protein A4 (S100A4) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patient tissue samples. We also investigated the relationship between the expression of these proteins and clinicopathologic factors in HCC. Finally, we assessed the potential value of these markers as prognostic indicators of survival in HCC patients. The expression of E-cad, VIM, MUC1 and S100A4 EMT indicator proteins was assessed in tissue microarray HCC tissue sections and corresponding peritumoral normal tissues by immunohistochemistry. In addition, the expression for the four EMT indicator proteins was correlated with clinicopathological features of HCC and patient outcome. Comparison of clinicopathological characteristics and immunohistochemistry by χ(2) analysis revealed that downregulation of E-cad in HCC was significantly associated with later TNM cancer stage (P = 0.012), gross classification (P = 0.018), regional lymph node metastasis (P = 0.036) and liver cirrhosis (P = 0.028). Increased S100A4 expression in HCC was significantly associated with differentiation (P = 0.032), tumor with a complete fibrous capsule (P = 0.031) and portal vein invasion (P = 0.038). High VIM expression in HCC was significantly associated with high serum α-fetoprotein levels (P = 0.016). We also observed that low E-cad expression was significantly associated with overexpression of VIM (P = 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analysis revealed that low E-cad expression (HR = 0.164, 95 % CI 0.072 to 0.373, P < 0.001) and high serum α-fetoprotein levels (HR = 2.202, 95 % CI 1.054 to 4.598, P = 0.036) were independent prognostic factors in HCC. Our study demonstrates that high S100A4 and VIM expression and low E-cad expression correlate with an aggressive, malignant phenotype in HCC. These results also support a role for E-cad as a prognostic factor in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Zhai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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48
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Luchini C, Capelli P, Fassan M, Simbolo M, Mafficini A, Pedica F, Ruzzenente A, Guglielmi A, Corbo V, Scarpa A. Next-generation histopathologic diagnosis: a lesson from a hepatic carcinosarcoma. J Clin Oncol 2014; 32:e63-6. [PMID: 24493719 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2012.47.5855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Luchini
- Miriam Cherubini Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Paola Capelli
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Matteo Fassan
- Miriam Cherubini Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Michele Simbolo
- Miriam Cherubini Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Mafficini
- Miriam Cherubini Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Federica Pedica
- Miriam Cherubini Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Ruzzenente
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Alfredo Guglielmi
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Corbo
- Miriam Cherubini Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona; Miriam Cherubini Centre for Applied Research on Cancer, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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49
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Zheng YB, Meng QW, Zhao W, Liu B, Huang JW, He X, Li Y, Hu BS, Lu LG. Prognostic value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 response in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transarterial chemoembolization. Med Oncol 2014; 31:843. [PMID: 24442426 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-014-0843-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
We aimed to elucidate whether serum VEGFR2 concentration before and after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) can predict survival in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Serum VEGFR2 concentrations were serially measured in 169 patients with advanced HCC before and after TACE. We defined a decrease in the serum VEGFR2 level>10% from the pretreatment level as response. Serum VEGFR2 concentrations decreased in 44 (26.0%) patients at week 4. Patients who had a VEGFR2 response at week 4 had a longer median survival than those who did not have a VEGFR2 decrease (19.0 vs. 9.8 months, p<0.001). Clinical variables associated with OS in addition to VEGFR2 response also included extrahepatic metastases (p=0.005) and vascular invasion (p=0.035). VEGFR2 decrease after TACE (p=0.012) and presence of extrahepatic metastases (p=0.02) were independently associated with OS by multivariate analysis. A serum VEGFR2 concentration decrease at 4 weeks after TACE may predict favorable overall survival in patients with advanced HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Bing Zheng
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Cancer Center, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
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50
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Abstract
The function of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in cancer is not limited to angiogenesis and vascular permeability. VEGF-mediated signalling occurs in tumour cells, and this signalling contributes to key aspects of tumorigenesis, including the function of cancer stem cells and tumour initiation. In addition to VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases, the neuropilins are crucial for mediating the effects of VEGF on tumour cells, primarily because of their ability to regulate the function and the trafficking of growth factor receptors and integrins. This has important implications for our understanding of tumour biology and for the development of more effective therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira Lal Goel
- Department of Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655, USA
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