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Wu S, Li R, Jiang Y, Yu J, Zheng J, Li Z, Li M, Xin K, Wang Y, Xu Z, Li S, Chen X. Liquid biopsy in urothelial carcinoma: Detection techniques and clinical applications. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 165:115027. [PMID: 37354812 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The types of urothelial carcinoma (UC) include urothelial bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial carcinoma. Current diagnostic techniques cannot meet the needs of patients. Liquid biopsy is an accurate method of determining the molecular profile of UC and is a cutting-edge and popular technique that is expected to complement existing detection techniques and benefit patients with UC. Circulating tumor cells, cell-free DNA, cell-free RNA, extracellular vesicles, proteins, and metabolites can be found in the blood, urine, or other bodily fluids and are examined during liquid biopsies. This article focuses on the components of liquid biopsies and their clinical applications in UC. Liquid biopsies have tremendous potential in multiple aspects of precision oncology, from early diagnosis and treatment monitoring to predicting prognoses. They may therefore play an important role in the management of UC and precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Wu
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Yuanhong Jiang
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Jiazheng Yu
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Jianyi Zheng
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Zeyu Li
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Mingyang Li
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Kerong Xin
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital & Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning 110042, China.
| | - Zhenqun Xu
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China.
| | - Shijie Li
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China.
| | - Xiaonan Chen
- Department of Urology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110004, China.
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Formica V, Riondino S, Morelli C, Guerriero S, D'Amore F, Di Grazia A, Del Vecchio Blanco G, Sica G, Arkenau HT, Monteleone G, Roselli M. HIF2α, Hepcidin and their crosstalk as tumour-promoting signalling. Br J Cancer 2023; 129:222-236. [PMID: 37081189 PMCID: PMC10338631 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-023-02266-2] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Not all aspects of the disruption of iron homeostasis in cancer have been fully elucidated. Iron accumulation in cancer cells is frequent for many solid tumours, and this is often accompanied by the contemporary rise of two key iron regulators, HIF2α and Hepcidin. This scenario is different from what happens under physiological conditions, where Hepcidin parallels systemic iron concentrations while HIF2α levels are inversely associated to Hepcidin. The present review highlights the increasing body of evidence for the pro-tumoral effect of HIF2α and Hepcidin, discusses the possible imbalance in HIF2α, Hepcidin and iron homeostasis during cancer, and explores therapeutic options relying on these pathways as anticancer strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Formica
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Silvia Riondino
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Morelli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
- PhD Program in Systems and Experimental Medicine (XXXV cycle), University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Simona Guerriero
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica D'Amore
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Grazia
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Sica
- Department of Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Monteleone
- Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Roselli
- Medical Oncology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford, 81, 00133, Rome, Italy
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Lin F, Tuffour A, Hao G, Peprah FA, Huang A, Zhou Y, Zhang H. Distinctive modulation of hepcidin in cancer and its therapeutic relevance. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1141603. [PMID: 36895478 PMCID: PMC9989193 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1141603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepcidin, a short peptide synthesized primarily by hepatocytes in response to increased body iron and inflammation, is a crucial iron-regulating factor. Hepcidin regulates intestinal iron absorption and releases iron from macrophages into plasma through a negative iron feedback mechanism. The discovery of hepcidin inspired a torrent of research into iron metabolism and related problems, which have radically altered our understanding of human diseases caused by an excess of iron, an iron deficiency, or an iron disparity. It is critical to decipher how tumor cells manage hepcidin expression for their metabolic requirements because iron is necessary for cell survival, particularly for highly active cells like tumor cells. Studies show that tumor and non-tumor cells express and control hepcidin differently. These variations should be explored to produce potential novel cancer treatments. The ability to regulate hepcidin expression to deprive cancer cells of iron may be a new weapon against cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Lin
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Alex Tuffour
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Guijie Hao
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | | | - Aixia Huang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Haiqi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
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Plasma GDF15 levels associated with circulating immune cells predict the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor treatment and prognosis in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023; 149:159-171. [PMID: 36472770 PMCID: PMC9889409 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Although increased plasma growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) levels have been reported in patients with various cancers, the predictive role of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in advanced cancers remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate GDF15 levels as a predictive marker in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and analyze their association with immune cell populations. METHODS This study included 87 patients with advanced NSCLC receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors between March 2018 and May 2020. Blood samples were obtained immediately before and months after PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor administration. RESULTS The objective response rate (ORR) was significantly higher in the low GDF15 than in the high GDF15 group (39.2% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.013). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was significantly longer in the low GDF15 than in the high GDF15 group (13.2 [95% CI 7.6-18.9] vs. 7.2 [95% CI 4.8-9.6] months, P = 0.048). Moreover, plasma GDF15 levels negatively correlated with PD-1+/CD8+ T cells (r = - 0.399, P = 0.003) and positively with PD-1+/Treg cells (r = 0.507, P < 0.001) and PD-1+Treg/CD4+ T cells (r = 0.439, P < 0.001). The ORR was significantly higher in the group with decreased GDF15 from baseline than in the increased GDF15 group (37.2% vs. 10.0%, P = 0.026). The median PFS was significantly longer in the decreased GDF15 group (14.8 [95% CI 10.4-19.2] vs. 5.9 [95% CI 2.8-9.0] months, P = 0.002). Plasma GDF15 levels were associated with PD-1+CD8+ T cells and PD-1+ Treg cells. CONCLUSION Plasma GDF15 could be a potential biomarker for predicting the efficacy and survival benefit of immunotherapy in advanced NSCLC.
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Qiu H, Gu G, Zuo E, Cheng X. Tumoral Overexpression of Hepcidin is Associated with Poor Prognosis of Patients with Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancer Invest 2023; 41:84-92. [PMID: 36205556 DOI: 10.1080/07357907.2022.2133775] [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: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of tumoral HAMP expression in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). In a TCGA dataset, we found that HAMP mRNA expression was increased in ccRCC tumors compared with normal controls. Tumoral HAMP mRNA expression was positively correlated with clinical stage, tumor grade, and TNM stages. Patients with high HAMP expression had poorer overall survival than those with low HAMP expression. Tumoral HAMP mRNA level independently predicted the survival of patients. HAMP protein expression was increased in real-world ccRCC tumors compared with those in paired, adjacent noncancerous tissue and was positively correlates with tumor grading. These results suggest HAMP as a potential prognostic factor for ccRCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhu Qiu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated Taicang Hospital (The First People's Hospital of Taicang), Jiangsu, China
| | - Guojian Gu
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated Taicang Hospital (The First People's Hospital of Taicang), Jiangsu, China
| | - Erdong Zuo
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated Taicang Hospital (The First People's Hospital of Taicang), Jiangsu, China
| | - Xu Cheng
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Soochow University Affiliated Taicang Hospital (The First People's Hospital of Taicang), Jiangsu, China
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Huang J, Liu W, Song S, Li JC, Gan K, Shen C, Holzbeierlein J, Li B. The iron-modulating hormone hepcidin is upregulated and associated with poor survival outcomes in renal clear cell carcinoma. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1080055. [PMID: 36532749 PMCID: PMC9757070 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1080055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Reliable biomarkers are rare for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treatment selection. We aimed to discover novel biomarkers for precision medicine. The iron-regulating hormone hepcidin (HAMP) was reportedly increased in RCC patient sera and tissues. However, its potential implication as a prognostic biomarker remains exclusive. Methods: Multiple RNA-seq and cDNA microarray datasets were utilized to analyze gene expression profiles. Hepcidin protein expression was assessed using an ELISA assay in cell culture models. Comparisons of gene expression profiles and patient survival outcomes were conducted using the R package bioinformatics software. Results: Five (HAMP, HBS, ISCA2, STEAP2, and STEAP3) out of 71 iron-modulating genes exhibited consistent changes along with tumor stage, lymph node invasion, distal metastasis, tumor cell grade, progression-free interval, overall survival, and disease-specific survival. Of which HAMP upregulation exerted as a superior factor (AUC = 0.911) over the other four genes in distinguishing ccRCC tissue from normal renal tissue. HAMP upregulation was tightly associated with its promoter hypomethylation and immune checkpoint factors (PDCD1, LAG3, TIGIT, and CTLA4). Interleukin-34 (IL34) treatment strongly enhanced hepcidin expression in renal cancer Caki-1 cells. Patients with higher levels of HAMP expression experienced worse survival outcomes. Conclusion: These data suggest that HAMP upregulation is a potent prognostic factor of poor survival outcomes and a novel immunotherapeutic biomarker for ccRCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Huang
- Pathological Diagnosis and Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Wang Liu
- Department of Urology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS, United States
| | - Shiqi Song
- Pathological Diagnosis and Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jean C. Li
- Department of Urology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS, United States
| | - Kaimei Gan
- Pathological Diagnosis and Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Chunxiao Shen
- Pathological Diagnosis and Research Center, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Jeffrey Holzbeierlein
- Department of Urology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS, United States
| | - Benyi Li
- Department of Urology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, KS, United States
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Zhou Z, Wu J, Yang Y, Gao P, Wang L, Wu Z. Hepcidin as a prognostic biomarker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:4120-4139. [PMID: 36225649 PMCID: PMC9548002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common malignancy of urologic neoplasms. Hepcidin is a pivotal modulator of iron metabolism involved in human cancers; however, the biological significance of hepcidin in ccRCC remains to be fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the expression profiles of hepcidin in ccRCC from several public databases and found that hepcidin expression was upregulated in ccRCC, which was further validated in ccRCC cell lines, clinical samples, and tissue microarray (TMA) quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. In addition, we found that the expression level of hepcidin was correlated with the age, T stage and pathologic stage of patients. Furthermore, hepcidin promoter methylation was significantly associated with the worse poor clinical parameters of ccRCC patients, and hepcidin was an independent prognostic factor. Mechanistically, enrichment analysis revealed that hepcidin participated in the immune-related and metabolism-related pathways. Hepcidin was positively correlated with not only immune infiltration and immune checkpoints but also tumor mutation burden and cytotoxic T lymphocyte. Finally, we validated the positive correlation of hepcidin with the marker of macrophage (CD68) in the TMA. Our findings provide insights into understanding the function and its underlying mechanism of hepcidin in ccRCC and suggest that hepcidin might serve as a potential predictive biomarker of response to immunotherapy and the prognosis of patients with ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zijian Zhou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
- Institute of Urology, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
| | - Jiajin Wu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical UniversityNanjing 210029, PR China
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
- Institute of Urology, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
| | - Peng Gao
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
- Institute of Urology, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
| | - Lujia Wang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
- Institute of Urology, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
| | - Zhong Wu
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
- Institute of Urology, Fudan UniversityShanghai 200040, PR China
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Santorelli L, Stella M, Chinello C, Capitoli G, Piga I, Smith A, Grasso A, Grasso M, Bovo G, Magni F. Does the Urinary Proteome Reflect ccRCC Stage and Grade Progression? Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:2369. [PMID: 34943605 PMCID: PMC8700730 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11122369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Due its ability to provide a global snapshot of kidney physiology, urine has emerged as a highly promising, non-invasive source in the search for new molecular indicators of disease diagnosis, prognosis, and surveillance. In particular, proteomics represents an ideal strategy for the identification of urinary protein markers; thus, a urinomic approach could also represent a powerful tool in the investigation of the most common kidney cancer, which is clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC). Currently, these tumors are classified after surgical removal using the TNM and nuclear grading systems and prognosis is usually predicted based upon staging. However, the aggressiveness and clinical outcomes of ccRCC remain heterogeneous within each stratified group, highlighting the need for novel molecular indicators that can predict the progression of these tumors. In our study, we explored the association between the urinary proteome and the ccRCC staging and grading classification. The urine proteome of 44 ccRCC patients with lesions of varying severity was analyzed via label-free proteomics. MS data revealed several proteins with altered abundance according to clinicopathological stratification. Specifically, we determined a panel of dysregulated proteins strictly related to stage and grade, suggesting the potential utility of MS-based urinomics as a complementary tool in the staging process of ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Santorelli
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (L.S.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (I.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Martina Stella
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (L.S.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (I.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Clizia Chinello
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (L.S.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (I.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Giulia Capitoli
- Centre of Biostatistics for Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy;
| | - Isabella Piga
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (L.S.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (I.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Andrew Smith
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (L.S.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (I.P.); (A.S.)
| | - Angelica Grasso
- Urology Unit, S. Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Marco Grasso
- Urology Unit, S. Gerardo Hospital, 20900 Monza, Italy; (A.G.); (M.G.)
| | - Giorgio Bovo
- Pathology Unit, Vimercate Hospital, 20871 Vimercate, Italy;
| | - Fulvio Magni
- Clinical Proteomics and Metabolomics Unit, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano—Bicocca, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, Italy; (L.S.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (I.P.); (A.S.)
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9
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Guo Q, Li L, Hou S, Yuan Z, Li C, Zhang W, Zheng L, Li X. The Role of Iron in Cancer Progression. Front Oncol 2021; 11:778492. [PMID: 34858857 PMCID: PMC8631356 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.778492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is an essential trace element for the human body, and its deficiency or excess can induce a variety of biological processes. Plenty of evidences have shown that iron metabolism is closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. In addition, iron plays an important role in cell death, which is very important for the development of potential strategies for tumor treatment. Here, we reviewed the latest research about iron metabolism disorders in various types of tumors, the functions and properties of iron in ferroptosis and ferritinophagy, and new opportunities for iron-based on treatment methods for tumors, providing more information regarding the prevention and treatment of tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Guo
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liwen Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shanshan Hou
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College, Ningbo, China
| | - Ziqiao Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chenhui Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenzhou Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lufeng Zheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoman Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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10
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Bratu O, Mischianu D, Marcu D, Spinu D, Iorga L, Cherciu A, Balescu I, Bacalbasa N, Diaconu C, Savu C, Savu C, Anghel R. Renal tumor biomarkers (Review). Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1297. [PMID: 34630652 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the most common types of cancer worldwide (9th most commonly diagnosed) is renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It is more common in developed countries and it usually develops in individuals between 60 and 70 years of age. The earlier the disease is identified, the lower the morbidity. Therefore molecular markers that exist in blood and urine may be used for earlier detection and diagnosis but also for the follow-up of the patient after treatment, whether surgical or oncological. The trend is to analyze the gene and protein expression as they constitute a source for new biomarkers. These markers are promising but in clinical practice regarding disease management, they are rarely used. Biological markers can be employed in many tumors because they can identify the prognostic value for individual treatment. However, markers for RCC are not validated, and their analysis is currently under investigation. Previous findings have demonstrated that the metastatic potential of RCC can be predicted using the biological features of the tumor cell. It is believed that the transformation from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype gives the tumor cell the ability to metastasize. The purpose of this review was to identify the most valuable tumor markers that can be clinically used for the prognosis, treatment and follow-up of patients with renal tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ovidiu Bratu
- Department of Urology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, University Emergency Central Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, Academy of Romanian Scientists, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Mischianu
- Department of Urology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, University Emergency Central Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, Academy of Romanian Scientists, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dragos Marcu
- Department of Urology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, University Emergency Central Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Dan Spinu
- Department of Urology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, University Emergency Central Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Lucian Iorga
- Department of Urology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Urology, University Emergency Central Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Cherciu
- Department of Urology, University Emergency Central Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Balescu
- Department of Visceral Surgery, 'Ponderas' Academic Hospital, 021188 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Nicolae Bacalbasa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Visceral Surgery, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine, 'Fundeni' Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 'I. Cantacuzino' Clinical Hospital, 030167 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Camelia Diaconu
- Department of Internal Medicine, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, 105402 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Cornel Savu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, 'Marius Nasta' National Institute of Pneumophtisiology, 050159 Bucharest, Romania.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 020021 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Carmen Savu
- Department of Anesthesiology, 'Fundeni' Clinical Institute, 022328 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Radu Anghel
- Department of Urology, University Emergency Central Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, Romania
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Clinical and Tumor Characteristics of Patients with High Serum Levels of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 in Advanced Pancreatic Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194842. [PMID: 34638326 PMCID: PMC8507697 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a stress responsive cytokine that mediates food intake, energy consumption, and body weight. We aimed to evaluate whether circulating GDF-15 level could be associated with cachexia symptoms, which include loss of skeletal muscle mass, systemic inflammatory reaction, poor performance status, anorexia, shortened survival time and biological tumor activity in advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). The cut-off for serum GDF-15 was 3356.6 pg/mL, as the mean plus two standard deviations in patients with benign pancreatic disease. APC patients with high serum GDF-15 showed worsened performance, anorexia and elevations of inflammatory and tumor burden, signatures of cachexia, and activation of Akt and JNK in tumor GDF-15-producing pathways. This study identified tumor-driven GDF-15 as a potential cause of cachexia symptoms in APC. Abstract We aimed to evaluate the association of circulating growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) with cachexia symptoms and the biological activity of advanced pancreatic cancer (APC). Treatment-naïve patients with liver metastasis of APC or with benign pancreatic disease were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical data, blood samples, and biopsy specimens of liver metastasis were collected prior to anti-cancer treatment. Serum GDF-15 levels and multiple protein expressions in lysates extracted from liver metastasis were measured by enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay and reverse-phase protein array, respectively. The cut-off for serum GDF-15 was determined as 3356.6 pg/mL, the mean plus two standard deviations for benign pancreatic disease. The high-GDF-15 group was characterized as showing low Karnofsky performance status (KPS) (p = 0.037), poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS) (p = 0.049), severe appetite loss (p = 0.011), and high serum levels of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (p = 0.019) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.009). Tumors of the high-GDF-15 group expressed high levels of phosphorylated (p)JNK (p = 0.007) and pAkt (p = 0.040). APC patients with high serum GDF-15 showed signatures of cachexia and activation of the signaling pathways involving Akt and JNK in the tumor. This study indicated circulating GDF-15 could be associated with cachectic symptoms in APC.
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Peng Y, Dong S, Song Y, Hou D, Wang L, Li B, Wang H. Key sunitinib-related biomarkers for renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Med 2021; 10:6917-6930. [PMID: 34402193 PMCID: PMC8495283 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.4206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) contributed to 403,262 new cases worldwide in 2018, which constitutes 2.2% of global cancer, nevertheless, sunitinib, one of the major targeted therapeutic agent for RCC, often developed invalid due to resistance. Emerging evidences suggested sunitinib can impact tumor environment which has been proven to be a vital factor for tumor progression. Methods In the present study, we used ssGSEA to extract the immune infiltrating abundance of clear cell RCC (ccRCC) and normal control samples from GSE65615, TCGA, and GTEx; key immune cells were determined by Student's t‐test and univariable Cox analysis. Co‐expression network combined with differentially expressed analysis was then applied to derive key immune‐related genes for ccRCC, followed by the identification of hub genes using differential expression analysis. Subsequently, explorations and validations of the biological function and the immune‐related and sunitinib‐related characteristics were conducted in KEGG, TISIDB, Oncomine, ICGC, and GEO databases. Results We refined immature dendritic cells and central memory CD4 T cells which showed associations with sunitinib and ccRCC. Following, five hub genes (CRYBB1, RIMBP3C, CEACAM4, HAMP, and LYL1) were identified for their strong relationships with sunitinib and immune infiltration in ccRCC. Further validations in external data refined CRYBB1, CEACAM4, and HAMP which play a vital role in sunitinib resistance, immune infiltrations in ccRCC, and the development and progression of ccRCC. In conclusion, our findings could shed light on the resistance of sunitinib in ccRCC and provide novel biomarkers or drug targets for ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Peng
- Tianjin Institute of Urology, The 2nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shiqiang Dong
- Tianjin Institute of Urology, The 2nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yuxuan Song
- Department of Urology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Dingkun Hou
- Tianjin Institute of Urology, The 2nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Oncology, The 2nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Tianjin Institute of Urology, The 2nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haitao Wang
- Department of Oncology, The 2nd Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Morales M, Xue X. Targeting iron metabolism in cancer therapy. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:8412-8429. [PMID: 34373750 PMCID: PMC8344014 DOI: 10.7150/thno.59092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Iron is a critical component of many cellular functions including DNA replication and repair, and it is essential for cell vitality. As an essential element, iron is critical for maintaining human health. However, excess iron can be highly toxic, resulting in oxidative DNA damage. Many studies have observed significant associations between iron and cancer, and the association appears to be more than just coincidental. The chief characteristic of cancers, hyper-proliferation, makes them even more dependent on iron than normal cells. Cancer therapeutics are becoming as diverse as the disease itself. Targeting iron metabolism in cancer cells is an emerging, formidable field of therapeutics. It is a strategy that is highly diverse with regard to specific targets and the various ways to reach them. This review will discuss the importance of iron metabolism in cancer and highlight the ways in which it is being explored as the medicine of tomorrow.
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López-Cortés R, Gómez BB, Vázquez-Estévez S, Pérez-Fentes D, Núñez C. Blood-based protein biomarkers in bladder urothelial tumors. J Proteomics 2021; 247:104329. [PMID: 34298186 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) is the fifth most common cancer with a high prevalence rate. It is classically classified in two groups, namely non-muscle invasive (NMIBC) and muscle invasive (MIBC). NMIBC accounts for 75% of cases and has a better prognosis than MIBC. However, 30-50% of the NMIBC patients will show recurrences throughout their lives, and about 10-20% of them will progress to MIBC, with frequent metastasis and a reduced survival rate. The diagnosis of bladder cancer is confirmed by direct visualization of the tumour and other mucosal abnormalities with endoscopic excision using cystoscopy and transurethral resection of the bladder (TURBT). An adequate TURBT requires complete resection of all visible tumour with appropriate sampling of the bladder to assess the depth of invasion. However, for many years, researchers have attempted to identify and utilise urinary markers for bladder cancer detection. Voided urine cytology has been the mainstay of urine-based diagnosis of bladder cancer since originally described by Papanicolau and Marshall. Nonetheless, urine cytology has several drawbacks, including a poor sensitivity for low-grade/stage tumours, a lack of interobserver consistency and a variable range of readings (e.g., atypical, atypical-suspicious, non-diagnostic). These shortcomings have inspired the search for more sensitive bladder cancer biomarkers. To bring precision medicine to genitourinary oncology, the analysis of the plasma/serum wide genome and proteome offers promising possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rubén López-Cortés
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti (HULA), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), ES27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - Benito Blanco Gómez
- Urology Division, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti (HULA), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), ES27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Sergio Vázquez-Estévez
- Oncology Division, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti (HULA), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), ES27002 Lugo, Spain
| | - Daniel Pérez-Fentes
- Urology Division, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela (CHUS), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), ES15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Cristina Núñez
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario Lucus Augusti (HULA), Servizo Galego de Saúde (SERGAS), ES27002 Lugo, Spain.
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Serum Amyloid A Proteins and Their Impact on Metastasis and Immune Biology in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13133179. [PMID: 34202272 PMCID: PMC8267706 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13133179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The liver responds to systemic inflammation and injury in a coordinated manner, called the acute phase response. While this normal physiological response aims to restore homeostasis, malignant transformation coopts this biology to increase the risk for metastasis, immune evasion, and therapeutic resistance. In this Review, we discuss the importance of acute phase response proteins in regulating cancer biology and treatment efficacy. We also consider potential strategies to intervene on acute phase biology as an approach to improve outcomes in cancer. Abstract Cancer triggers the systemic release of inflammatory molecules that support cancer cell metastasis and immune evasion. Notably, this biology shows striking similarity to an acute phase response that is coordinated by the liver. Consistent with this, a role for the liver in defining cancer biology is becoming increasingly appreciated. Understanding the mechanisms that link acute phase biology to metastasis and immune evasion in cancer may reveal vulnerable pathways and novel therapeutic targets. Herein, we discuss a link between acute phase biology and cancer with a focus on serum amyloid A proteins and their involvement in regulating the metastatic cascade and cancer immunobiology.
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Kang YE, Kim JM, Lim MA, Lee SE, Yi S, Kim JT, Oh C, Liu L, Jin Y, Jung SN, Won HR, Chang JW, Lee JH, Kim HJ, Koh HY, Jun S, Cho SW, Shong M, Koo BS. Growth Differentiation Factor 15 is a Cancer Cell-Induced Mitokine That Primes Thyroid Cancer Cells for Invasiveness. Thyroid 2021; 31:772-786. [PMID: 33256569 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2020.0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background: Mitochondrial stress is known to activate the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). The UPRmt results in the secretion of mitochondrial cytokines (mitokines), which can promote a hormetic response cell nonautonomously, and has been reported to be protumorigenic. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a well-characterized mitokine, which is reported to have a mitohormetic effect. Thus, we investigated whether GDF15 induction could prime a subpopulation of thyroid cancer cells to provide invasive advantages. Methods: The UPRmt, including mitokine expression, was assessed in the context of thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo. GDF15 expression in 266 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was determined by immunohistochemistry. The serum levels of GDF15 were measured in healthy subjects and PTC patients. In addition, our own and The Cancer Genome Atlas data were analyzed to determine the expression level of GDF15 in thyroid cancers. The role of GDF15 in tumor aggressiveness was investigated by observing the effects of GDF15 knockdown in BCPAP, TPC-1, 8505C, and FRO cells. Results: Pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation function in thyroid cancer cells robustly increased GDF15 expression. The expression of GDF15 was associated with activation of the mitochondrial integrated stress response pathway in PTC patients. Circulating GDF15 levels were significantly higher in PTC patients than in the controls, and tumor expression of GDF15 was related to tumor aggressiveness. In vitro and in vivo knockdown of GDF15 in a thyroid cancer model showed decreased viability, migration, and invasion compared with the control cells via regulation of STAT3. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrated that GDF15 is a mitokine induced in thyroid cancer cells upon mitochondrial stress. GDF15-induced STAT3 activation determined tumor progression in thyroid cancer. The GDF15-STAT3 signaling axis may be a target in aggressiveness of thyroid cancer.
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MESH Headings
- Adenoma, Oxyphilic/genetics
- Adenoma, Oxyphilic/metabolism
- Adenoma, Oxyphilic/pathology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- Growth Differentiation Factor 15/genetics
- Growth Differentiation Factor 15/metabolism
- Humans
- Mitochondria
- Neoplasm Invasiveness
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Signal Transduction
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/genetics
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/metabolism
- Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/pathology
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/genetics
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/metabolism
- Thyroid Carcinoma, Anaplastic/pathology
- Thyroid Epithelial Cells/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/genetics
- Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism
- Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology
- Unfolded Protein Response
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Affiliation(s)
- Yea Eun Kang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Man Kim
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Mi Ae Lim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seong Eun Lee
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Shinae Yi
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Tae Kim
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Chan Oh
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Lihua Liu
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Yanli Jin
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Nam Jung
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ho-Ryun Won
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jae Won Chang
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jeong Ho Lee
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering; Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Program, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jung Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering; Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Yong Koh
- Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering; Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangmi Jun
- Drug & Disease Target Group, Korea Basic Science Institute, Cheongju, South Korea
- Convergent Research Center for Emerging Virus Infection, Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minho Shong
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
- Research Center for Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Chungnam National University Hospital, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bon Seok Koo
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
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Fan Y, Liu B, Chen F, Song Z, Han B, Meng Y, Hou J, Cao P, Chang Y, Tan K. Hepcidin Upregulation in Lung Cancer: A Potential Therapeutic Target Associated With Immune Infiltration. Front Immunol 2021; 12:612144. [PMID: 33868231 PMCID: PMC8047218 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.612144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer has the highest death rate among cancers globally. Hepcidin is a fascinating regulator of iron metabolism; however, the prognostic value of hepcidin and its correlation with immune cell infiltration in lung cancer remain unclear. Here, we comprehensively clarified the prognostic value and potential function of hepcidin in lung cancer. Hepcidin expression was significantly increased in lung cancer. High hepcidin expression was associated with sex, age, metastasis, and pathological stage and significantly predicted an unfavorable prognosis in lung cancer patients. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) results suggested that hepcidin is involved in the immune response. Furthermore, hepcidin expression was positively correlated with the infiltration levels of immune cells and the expression of diverse immune cell marker sets. Importantly, hepcidin may affect prognosis partially by regulating immune infiltration in lung cancer patients. Hepcidin may serve as a candidate prognostic biomarker for determining prognosis associated with immune infiltration in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumei Fan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zhiyuan Song
- Department of Neurosurgery, HanDan Central Hospital, Handan, China
| | - Bihui Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanxiu Meng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jiajie Hou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Pengxiu Cao
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yanzhong Chang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Ke Tan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Hebei Province, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
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Ahmed DS, Isnard S, Lin J, Routy B, Routy JP. GDF15/GFRAL Pathway as a Metabolic Signature for Cachexia in Patients with Cancer. J Cancer 2021; 12:1125-1132. [PMID: 33442410 PMCID: PMC7797663 DOI: 10.7150/jca.50376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cachexia is a metabolic mutiny that directly reduces life expectancy in chronic conditions such as cancer. The underlying mechanisms associated with cachexia involve inflammation, metabolism, and anorexia. Therefore, the need to identify cachexia biomarkers is warranted to better understand catabolism change and assess various therapeutic interventions. Among inflammatory proteins, growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15), an atypical transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily member, emerges as a stress-related hormone. In inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer, GDF15 is a biomarker for disease outcome. GDF15 is also implicated in energy homeostasis, body weight regulation, and plays a distinct role in cachexia. The recent discovery of its receptor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family receptor α-like (GFRAL), sheds light on its metabolic function. Herein, we critically review the mechanisms involving GDF15 in cancer cachexia and discuss therapeutic interventions to improve outcomes in people living with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darakhshan Sohail Ahmed
- Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Hematology and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane Isnard
- Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Hematology and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, BC
| | - John Lin
- Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Hematology and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bertrand Routy
- Division of Hémato-oncologie, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
- Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal
| | - Jean-Pierre Routy
- Infectious Disease and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Hematology and Chronic Viral Illness Service, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Hematology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Liu Y, Zhou H, Zheng J, Zeng X, Yu W, Liu W, Huang G, Zhang Y, Fu W. Identification of Immune-Related Prognostic Biomarkers Based on the Tumor Microenvironment in 20 Malignant Tumor Types With Poor Prognosis. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1008. [PMID: 32903590 PMCID: PMC7438715 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer, especially malignant tumors with poor prognosis, has become a major hazard to human life and health. The tumor microenvironment is gaining increasing attention from researchers, as it offers a new focus for tumor diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis. The numbers of immune and stromal cells, which are major components of the tumor microenvironment, could be determined from RNA-seq data with the Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in Malignant Tumors using Expression data (ESTIMATE) algorithm. To explore the effects of immune and stromal cells on tumor prognosis, we analyzed associations between overall survival and immune/stromal scores for 20 malignant tumor types based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. For six of the 20 tumor types, we observed statistically significant associations. Furthermore, to better explain the predictive ability of these scores, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in groups of cases with high or low immune or stromal scores for each of these six malignant tumor types. In addition, a list of immune-related genes was screened to identify prognostic predictors for one or more tumor types. Thus, multi-database joint analysis can provide a new approach to the assessment of tumor prognosis and allow the identification of related genes that may be new biomarkers for tumor metastasis and prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Ji Zheng
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaojun Zeng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjing Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Guorong Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiling Fu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing, China
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Wischhusen J, Melero I, Fridman WH. Growth/Differentiation Factor-15 (GDF-15): From Biomarker to Novel Targetable Immune Checkpoint. Front Immunol 2020; 11:951. [PMID: 32508832 PMCID: PMC7248355 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 195] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15), also named macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1, is a divergent member of the transforming growth factor β superfamily. While physiological expression is barely detectable in most somatic tissues in humans, GDF-15 is abundant in placenta. Elsewhere, GDF-15 is often induced under stress conditions, seemingly to maintain cell and tissue homeostasis; however, a moderate increase in GDF-15 blood levels is observed with age. Highly elevated GDF-15 levels are mostly linked to pathological conditions including inflammation, myocardial ischemia, and notably cancer. GDF-15 has thus been widely explored as a biomarker for disease prognosis. Mechanistically, induction of anorexia via the brainstem-restricted GDF-15 receptor GFRAL (glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor [GDNF] family receptor α-like) is well-documented. GDF-15 and GFRAL have thus become attractive targets for metabolic intervention. Still, several GDF-15 mediated effects (including its physiological role in pregnancy) are difficult to explain via the described pathway. Hence, there is a clear need to better understand non-metabolic effects of GDF-15. With particular emphasis on its immunomodulatory potential this review discusses the roles of GDF-15 in pregnancy and in pathological conditions including myocardial infarction, autoimmune disease, and specifically cancer. Importantly, the strong predictive value of GDF-15 as biomarker may plausibly be linked to its immune-regulatory function. The described associations and mechanistic data support the hypothesis that GDF-15 acts as immune checkpoint and is thus an emerging target for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jörg Wischhusen
- Experimental Tumor Immunology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Würzburg Medical School, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Cáncer, CIBERONC, Madrid, Spain
- Immunology and Immunotherapy Unit, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Wolf Herman Fridman
- INSERM, UMR_S 1138, Cordeliers Research Center, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université Team Cancer, Immune Control and Escape, Paris, France
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Rochette L, Méloux A, Zeller M, Cottin Y, Vergely C. Functional roles of GDF15 in modulating microenvironment to promote carcinogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165798. [PMID: 32304740 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and related metabolic dysregulation are risk factors for many types of cancer. The interactions between a developing tumor and its microenvironment are known to implicate a complex "crosstalk" among the factors produced by the population of cells. Among these factors, Growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) has a functional role in cancer. GDF15 expression is induced in response to the conditions associated with cellular stress and diseases. The GDF15 receptor, a member of the glial-cell-derived neurotropic factor family (GDNF), is a GDNF family receptor α-like (GFRAL) protein. GDF15 induces pro-angiogenic effects in tumors. However, GDF15 could affect tumorigenesis both positively and negatively. With a better understanding of the upstream disease pathways reflected by GDF15, new treatment targets may emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Rochette
- Pathophysiology and Epidemiology of Cerebro-Cardiovascular diseases research team (PEC2, EA 7460), University of Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, Faculty of Health Sciences, 7 boulevard Jeanne d'Arc, 21079 Dijon, France.
| | - Alexandre Méloux
- Pathophysiology and Epidemiology of Cerebro-Cardiovascular diseases research team (PEC2, EA 7460), University of Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, Faculty of Health Sciences, 7 boulevard Jeanne d'Arc, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - Marianne Zeller
- Pathophysiology and Epidemiology of Cerebro-Cardiovascular diseases research team (PEC2, EA 7460), University of Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, Faculty of Health Sciences, 7 boulevard Jeanne d'Arc, 21079 Dijon, France
| | - Yves Cottin
- Pathophysiology and Epidemiology of Cerebro-Cardiovascular diseases research team (PEC2, EA 7460), University of Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, Faculty of Health Sciences, 7 boulevard Jeanne d'Arc, 21079 Dijon, France; Cardiology Unit, Dijon University Hospital, Dijon, France
| | - Catherine Vergely
- Pathophysiology and Epidemiology of Cerebro-Cardiovascular diseases research team (PEC2, EA 7460), University of Bourgogne - Franche-Comté, Faculty of Health Sciences, 7 boulevard Jeanne d'Arc, 21079 Dijon, France
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Fan H, Su Y, Duan C, Zhao Q, Wang X, Zhu S, Zhao W, Jin M, Ma X. Iron deficiency in children at the time of initial neuroblastoma diagnosis. Pediatr Investig 2020; 4:17-22. [PMID: 32851337 PMCID: PMC7331340 DOI: 10.1002/ped4.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE There is a high incidence of iron deficiency in children worldwide. Notably, however, while iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia, little is known about the prevalence and different types of iron deficiency in neuroblastoma patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of iron deficiency in patients newly diagnosed with neuroblastoma. METHODS A total of 195 newly diagnosed neuroblastoma patients from November 2015 to January 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. The survival analysis was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS Of the 195 neuroblastoma patients included in the study, 121 (62.1%) had iron deficiency, 55 (28.2%) had absolute iron deficiency, and 66 (33.9%) had functional iron deficiency. Being aged ≥ 18 months, tumor originating in the abdomen, International Neuroblastoma Risk Group Staging System M, high-risk neuroblastoma, lactate dehydrogenase ≥ 1500 U/L, neuron-specific enolase ≥ 100 U/L, unfavorable histologic category, MYCN amplification, chromosome 1p loss, and bone marrow metastasis were associated with significantly higher rates of functional iron deficiency (P < 0.05). INTERPRETATION Functional iron deficiency at the time of initial neuroblastoma diagnosis predicted lower event-free survival. Long-term effects of iron supplementation in neuroblastoma patients with different types of iron deficiency need to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjun Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
| | - Yan Su
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
| | - Chao Duan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
| | - Qian Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
| | - Xisi Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
| | - Shuai Zhu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
| | - Wen Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
| | - Mei Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Pediatric Hematology OncologyNational Discipline of PediatricsMinistry of EducationMOE Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in ChildrenHematology Oncology CenterBeijing Children’s HospitalCapital Medical UniversityNational Center for Children’s HealthBeijingChina
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Liu J, Chen S, Ye X. The effect of red blood cell transfusion on plasma hepcidin and growth differentiation factor 15 in gastric cancer patients: a prospective study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:466. [PMID: 31700902 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.08.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Background Hepcidin and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) have been reported to be highly expressed in various cancers. Serum hepcidin and GDF-15 levels were demonstrated to be potential prognostic markers in cancers. This study aims to evaluate the effect of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion on plasma hepcidin and GDF-15 in gastric cancer patients. Methods In this prospective study, 40 patients with gastric cancer were eligible for this study. Peripheral blood samples were obtained before and within 24 h after RBC transfusion. A routine blood test was performed before transfusion and within 24 h post-transfusion. Plasma hepcidin, GDF-15, interleukin 6 (IL-6) and erythropoietin were determined by ELISA. Results In patients with metastasis, plasma hepcidin (P=0.02), and GDF-15 (P=0.01) levels were higher than without metastasis. Plasma hepcidin was increased after RBC transfusion (P=0.001), while plasma erythropoietin was decreased after transfusion (P=0.03). However, RBC transfusion did not affect plasma GDF-15 (P=0.32) and IL-6 (P=0.12). The effect of RBC transfusion on variables did not differ between metastatic and non-metastatic patients. The mean percentage change of hepcidin in transfusion volume 4 unit (U) was more than 2 U. Conclusions RBC transfusion could increase plasma hepcidin and have no effect on plasma GDF-15 in gastric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingfu Liu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, China
| | - Shan Chen
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, China
| | - Xianren Ye
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Fujian Cancer Hospital & Fujian Medical University Cancer Hospital, Fuzhou 350014, China.,Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Biotherapy, Fuzhou 350014, China
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