Endocrine Gland-Derived Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor/Prokineticin-1 in Cancer Development and Tumor Angiogenesis

Tumour microenvironment characterisation to stratify patients for hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (OVHIPEC-1)

BACKGROUND

Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) improves survival in patients with Stage III ovarian cancer following interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Optimising patient selection is essential to maximise treatment efficacy and avoid overtreatment. This study aimed to identify biomarkers that predict HIPEC benefit by analysing gene signatures and cellular composition of tumours from participants in the OVHIPEC-1 trial.

METHODS

Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing data were retrieved from high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) samples from 147 patients obtained during interval CRS. We performed differential gene expression analysis and applied deconvolution methods to estimate cell-type proportions in bulk mRNA data, validated by histological assessment. We tested the interaction between treatment and potential predictors on progression-free survival using Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

While differential gene expression analysis did not yield any predictive biomarkers, the cellular composition, as characterised by deconvolution, indicated that the absence of macrophages and the presence of B cells in the tumour microenvironment are potential predictors of HIPEC benefit. The histological assessment confirmed the predictive value of macrophage absence.

CONCLUSION

Immune cell composition, in particular macrophages absence, may predict response to HIPEC in HGSOC and these hypothesis-generating findings warrant further investigation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT00426257.

Angiogenesis and Apoptosis: Data Comparison of Similar Microenvironments in the Corpus Luteum and Tumors

The corpus luteum is a temporary endocrine gland formed in the ovary after ovulation, and it plays a critical role in animal reproductive processes. Tumors rely on the development of an adequate blood supply to ensure the delivery of nutrients and oxygen and the removal of waste products. While angiogenesis occurs in various physiological and pathological contexts, the corpus luteum and tumors share similarities in terms of the signaling pathways that promote angiogenesis. In the corpus luteum and tumors, apoptosis plays a crucial role in controlling cell numbers and ensuring proper tissue development and function. Interestingly, there are similarities between the apoptotic-regulated signaling pathways involved in apoptosis in the corpus luteum and tumors. However, the regulation of apoptosis in both can differ due to their distinct physiological and pathological characteristics. Thus, we reviewed the biological events of the corpus luteum and tumors in similar microenvironments of angiogenesis and apoptosis.

Extracellular vesicles targeting tumor microenvironment in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) is a prevalent neoplastic condition affecting women. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nano-sized membrane vesicles, are secreted by various cells in both physiological and pathological states. The profound interplay between EVs and the tumor microenvironment (TME) in ovarian cancer is crucial. In this review, we explores the pivotal role of EVs in facilitating intercellular communication between cancer cells and the TME, emphasizing the potential of EVs as promising diagnostic markers and innovative therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. The comprehensive analysis outlines the specific mechanisms by which EVs engage in communication with the constituents of the TME, including the modulation of tumor growth through EVs carrying matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and EV-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis, among other factors. Additionally, the we discuss the potential clinical applications of EVs that target the TME in ovarian cancer, encompassing the establishment of novel treatment strategies and the identification of novel biomarkers for early detection and prognosis. Finally, this review identifies novel strategies for therapeutic interventions, such as utilizing EVs as carriers for drug delivery and targeting specific EV-mediated signaling pathways. In summary, this manuscript offers valuable insights into the role of EVs in ovarian cancer and highlights the significance of comprehending intercellular communication in the realm of cancer biology.

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and its related molecules participate in PROK1 silence-induced anti-tumor effects on pancreatic cancer

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway can be initiated by PROK1 (prokineticin 1), but its effect and mechanism of action in pancreatic carcinoma (PC) are not fully understood. In this study, we elucidated the roles of PROK1 and its related molecules in PC in vivo. PANC-1 cells with PROK1 knockdown were injected into BALB/c nude mice. The growth and weight of the tumor were monitored and measured, which was followed by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling), immunohistochemical staining, and hematoxylin and eosin staining. The key proteins related to proliferation, apoptosis, and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway were determined by Western blotting. We also used public databases to identify the molecules related to PROK1. The reduction of PROK1 inhibited angiopoiesis and promoted apoptosis in vivo. PCNA-1, cyclin D1, and Bcl-2 decreased considerably, while Bax and cleaved caspase-3 increased significantly after PROK1 inhibition. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR signal inhibition was also closely associated with PROK1 knockdown. The possible related molecules of PROK1, such as von Willebrand factor, were screened and considered to be involved in the aberrant activation of PI3K/AKT. In conclusion, PROK1 knockdown significantly prevented tumor growth and promoted apoptosis of human PC cells in vivo, where the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was probably inhibited. Therefore, PROK1, along with its related molecules, might be important targets for PC therapy.

Angiogenic factors as prognostic markers in neuroendocrine neoplasms

PURPOSE

Angiogenic markers in neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) have recently received increasing attention, but their clinical role remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of angiogenic markers in NEN aggressiveness and prognosis.

METHODS

We performed a prospective observational study including 46 consecutive patients with proven NENs of pulmonary (45.65%) and gastro-entero-pancreatic (GEP) (54.35%) origin and 29 healthy controls. Circulating pro-angiogenic factors were measured by ELISA assay. ANG2 tissue expression was evaluated in a subgroup of ten patients by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The study demonstrated a significantly higher level of ANG2, ANG1, sTIE2, and PROK2 in patients affected by NENs compared to controls. In the NENs' group we measured that: (i) ANG2 levels were higher in poorly vs well-differentiated NENs: 4.85 (2.75-7.42) vs 3.16 (1.66-6.36) ng/ml, p = 0.046 and in tumor stage 3-4 compared to stage 1-2: 4.24 (2.66-8.72) vs 2.73 (1.53-5.70), p = 0.044; (ii) ANG2 and PROK2 were significantly higher in patents with progressive disease compared to stable disease: ANG2 = 6.26 (3.98-10.99) vs 2.73 (1.65-4.36) pg/ml, p = 0.001; PROK2 = 29.19 (28.42-32.25) vs 28.37 (28.14-28.91) pg/ml, p = 0.035. Immunohistochemistry confirmed ANG2 expression in tumor specimens.

CONCLUSIONS

We documented higher levels of angiogenic markers in NENs, with an association between ANG2 serum levels and NENs morphology and staging. In both GEP and lung NENs, ANG2 and PROK2 are higher in case of tumor progression, suggesting a potential role as prognostic markers in NENs patients.

The Role of the VEGF Family in Atherosclerosis Development and Its Potential as Treatment Targets

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, the crucial regulator of angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, lipid metabolism and inflammation, is involved in the development of atherosclerosis and further CVDs (cardiovascular diseases). This review discusses the general regulation and functions of VEGFs, their role in lipid metabolism and atherosclerosis development and progression. These functions present the great potential of applying the VEGF family as a target in the treatment of atherosclerosis and related CVDs. In addition, we discuss several modern anti-atherosclerosis VEGFs-targeted experimental procedures, drugs and natural compounds, which could significantly improve the efficiency of atherosclerosis and related CVDs' treatment.

Plasma Prokineticin 1, a prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer patients with curative resection: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Prokineticin 1 (PROK1) was reported as an angiogenic factor, which is associated with tumor progression, cell invasion, and metastasis in colorectal cancer. Although the association between PROK1 expression in primary cancer lesion and patient prognosis was reported, it is unclear whether plasma PROK1 concentration may be a predictive factor in colorectal cancer patients. This study investigated the association between PROK1 concentration in plasma and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS

We measured preoperative PROK1 plasma levels using ELISA method, while PROK1 expression in primary cancer lesion was evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The association between plasma PROK1 levels and cancer-related survival rate (CRS) was evaluated. Additionally, we examined whether simultaneous PROK1 expression in both primary cancer lesions and plasma was correlated with CRS. The cancer-related survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and survival estimates were compared using the log-rank test.

RESULTS

We have gathered eligible 130 CRC patients retrospectively. Out of 130 patients, 61 (46.9%) were positive on IHC in primary cancer, and 69 (53.1%) were negative, while 43 (33.1%) had high-value PROK1 in plasma. Out of these 43, 30 (25.4%) also had concomitant higher IHC expression in primary cancer. The plasma PROK1 levels tended to increase with advancing stages. The plasma PROK1-positive group had a lower 5-year CRS than the negative group (63.6% vs. 88.2%; P = 0.006). Additionally, simultaneous PROK1 expression was associated with a more significant decrease of 5-year CRS than both negative groups in all stages (76.2% vs. 92.5%; P = 0.003) and stage III (59.3% vs. 84.5%; P = 0.047). Multivariate analysis showed simultaneous PROK1 expression was independently associated with worse CRS (HR, 1.97; 95% CI 1.20‑3.24, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

PROK1 expression in preoperative plasma reflects poor prognosis in patients undergoing curative resection for colorectal cancer. The plasma PROK1 level may be a potential predictive marker, especially in stage III colorectal cancer patients.

The Antagonism of the Prokineticin System Counteracts Bortezomib Induced Side Effects: Focus on Mood Alterations

The development of neuropathy and of mood alterations is frequent after chemotherapy. These complications, independent from the antitumoral mechanism, are interconnected due to an overlapping in their processing pathways and a common neuroinflammatory condition. This study aims to verify whether in mice the treatment with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (BTZ), at a protocol capable of inducing painful neuropathy, is associated with anxiety, depression and supraspinal neuroinflammation. We also verify if the therapeutic treatment with the antagonist of the prokineticin (PK) system PC1, which is known to contrast pain and neuroinflammation, can prevent mood alterations. Mice were treated with BTZ (0.4 mg/kg three times/week for 4 weeks); mechanical allodynia and locomotor activity were evaluated over time while anxiety (dark light and marble burying test), depression (sucrose preference and swimming test) and supraspinal neuroinflammation were checked at the end of the protocol. BTZ treated neuropathic mice develop anxiety and depression. The presence of mood alterations is related to the presence of neuroinflammation and PK system activation in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus with high levels of PK2 and PKR2 receptor, IL-6 and TNF-α, TLR4 and an upregulation of glial markers. PC1 treatment, counteracting pain, prevented the development of supraspinal inflammation and depression-like behavior in BTZ mice.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in thyroid papillary carcinoma: molecular networks and interactions

In 1989, Stephen Paget proposed the 'seed and soil' theory of cancer metastasis. This theory has led to previous researchers focusing on the role of a tumour as a cancer seed and antiangiogenesis agents as cancer soil fumigant; for the latter to be effective, it is important for them to be able to distinguish cancer cells from stromal cells. However, antiangiogenesis agents have not produced dramatic survival benefits in vivo. This may be related to their inability to destroy the supporting stroma that promote cancer cell growth. Therefore, in order to effectively arrest cancer cell growth for therapeutic purposes, a paradigm shift is required in our fundamental approach to decipher the molecular events and networks in the stromal environment that cancer cells can thrive and proliferate. The pathogenesis of cancer is a multidimensional process of pathological molecular and cellular pathways, influencing different stromal properties and achieving a mutually negotiated crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal cells. This review summarises the clinical presentation of current knowledge of classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), emerging molecular diagnostics and future directions of classical PTC research.

Ovarian cancer derived PKR1 positive exosomes promote angiogenesis by promoting migration and tube formation in vitro

Cancer cell derived exosomes play important roles in cancer progression and modulation of the tumour microenvironment. This study aims to investigate the role of prokineticin receptor 1 (PKR1) positive exosomes on angiogenesis. In the present study, PKR1 expression in tumour samples from ovarian cancer patients were examined firstly. Then, two ovarian cancer cell lines, namely A2780 and HO-8910 cells, were used to isolate and obtain the PKR1 positive exosomes from the serum free medium. The function analysis of PKR1 positive exosomes on angiogenesis was conducted by cell proliferation and migration assay, tube formation analysis, and tumour volume assay. The results showed that PKR1 expression was down regulated in tumour samples of ovarian cancer patients compared with adjacent normal tissues. The intracellular expression of PKR1 could be detected in A2780 and HO-8910 cells. And, the isolated exosomes from the serum free medium were confirmed by transmission electron microscopic and NTA analysis, as well as the co-presence of PKR1 with exosome marker CD63. The function analysis of PKR1 positive exosomes on angiogenesis demonstrated the uptake of PKR1 positive exosomes by human umbilical vein endothelial cells through immunofluorescence staining. The angiogenesis assays in vitro indicated that PKR1 positive exosomes promoted migration and tube formation of HUVECs but not proliferation. The endogenous PKR1 was also verified to help to enhance migration and promote tube formation of vascular endothelial cells, which might involved in the phosphorylation of STAT3. Additionally, The tumour volume from exosomes treated A2780 tumour-bearing mice was significantly increased compared with the control group, accompanied with the induced PKR1 expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 level. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: This study proved the important role of PKR1 positive exosomes released from ovarian cancer cells on promoting angiogenesis. The data indicated that PKR1 derived from ovarian cancer cells could act as an important tumour associated antigen and biomolecular factor for cellular communication in tumour microenvironment.

VEGF, VEGF165b and EG-VEGF expression is specifically related with hormone profile in pituitary adenomas

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), its inhibitory splice variant, VEGF165b and Endocrine Gland derived VEGF (EG-VEGF) have a controversial role in pituitary gland. We aim to study VEGF, VEGF165b and EG-VEGF expression in pituitary adenomas. A significant correlation was found between growth hormone (GH) and VEGF secretion (P=0.024). For prolactinomas, VEGF and prolactin expression, had a P-value of 0.02 for Kendall coefficient and a P-value of 0.043 for the Spearman coefficient. VEGFmRNA amplification was detected in both tumor cells and folliculostellate cells. VEGF165b was positive in 16.66% of pituitary adenomas. EG-VEGF was significantly correlated with prolactin (P=0.025) and luteinizing hormone (P=0.028). Our data strongly support VEGF, VEGF165b and EG-VEGF as important players of pituitary adenomas tumorigenesis. Particular hormonal milieu heterogeneity, special vascular network with an unusual reactivity to tumor growth correlated with variability of VEGF, VEGF165b and EG-VEGF secretion may stratify pituitary adenomas in several molecular groups with a direct impact on therapy and prognosis.

Prokineticins and their G protein-coupled receptors in health and disease

Prokineticins are two conserved small proteins (~8kDa), prokineticin 1 (PROK1; also called EG-VEGF) and prokineticin 2 (PROK2; also called Bv8), with an N-terminal AVITGA sequence and 10 cysteines forming 5 disulfide bridges. PROK1 and PROK2 bind to two highly related G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), prokineticin receptor 1 (PROKR1) and prokineticin receptor 2 (PROKR2). Prokineticins and their receptors are widely expressed. PROK1 is predominantly expressed in peripheral tissues, especially steroidogenic organs, whereas PROK2 is mainly expressed in the central nervous system and nonsteroidogenic cells of the testes. Prokineticins signaling has been implicated in several important physiological functions, including gastrointestinal smooth muscle contraction, circadian rhythm regulation, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, pain perception, mood regulation, and reproduction. Dysregulation of prokineticins signaling has been observed in a variety of diseases, such as cancer, ischemia, and neurodegeneration, in which prokineticins signaling seems to be a promising therapeutic target. Based on the phenotypes of knockout mice, PROKR2 and PROK2 have recently been identified as causative genes for idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a developmental disorder characterized by impaired development of gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons and infertility. In vitro functional studies with these disease-associated PROKR2 mutations uncovered some novel features for this receptor, such as biased signaling, which may be used to understand GPCR signaling regulation in general.