The prognostic outcome of 'type 2 diabetes mellitus and breast cancer' association pivots on hypoxia-hyperglycemia axis

CPLX2 is a novel tumor suppressor and improves the prognosis in glioma

BACKGROUND

Glioma is a type of malignant cancer that affect the central nervous system. New predictive biomarkers have been investigated in recent years, but the clinical prognosis for glioma remains poor. The function of CPLX2 in glioma and the probable molecular mechanism of tumor suppression were the focus of this investigation.

METHODS

The glioma transcriptome profile was downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases for analysis of CPLX2 expression in glioma. RT-qPCR was performed to detect the expression of CPLX2 in 68 glioma subjects who have been followed up. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted to assess the effect of CPLX2 on the prognosis of glioma patients. The knockdown and overexpressed cell lines of CPLX2 were constructed to investigate the impact of CPLX2 on glioma. The cell growth, colony formation, and tumor formation in xenograft were performed.

RESULTS

The expression of CPLX2 was downregulated in glioma and was negatively correlated with the grade of glioma. The higher expression of CPLX2 predicted a longer survival, as indicated by the analysis of Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Overexpressed CPLX2 impaired tumorigenesis in glioma progression both in vivo and in vitro. Knocking down CPLX2 promoted the proliferation of glioma cells. The analysis of GSEA and co-expression analysis revealed that CPLX2 may affect the malignancy of glioma by regulating the hypoxia and inflammation pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data indicated that CPLX2 functions as a tumor suppressor and could be used as a potential prognostic marker in glioma.

An in-vitro evaluation of antifungal, anti-lungcancer (A549), and anti-hyperglycemic activities potential of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) flower extract

The medical plant research has received more attention among researchers especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. This research performed to evaluate the antifungal, anti-lung cancer (A549), and anti-hyperglycemic activities of aqueous extract of Andrographis paniculata flower. Interestingly, A. paniculata flower aqueous extract contains pharmaceutically valuable phytochemicals such as alkaloid, phenolics, terpenoids, tannins, flavonoids, and protein. It also showed fine antifungal activity against test fungal pathogens in the following order as: Aspergillus niger > Fusarium solani > Trichoderma harzianum > A. parasiticus > P. expansum > Penicillium janthinellum with lowest MIC values as ranged from 100 to 300 μg mL-1. Interestingly, this aqueous extract also showed considerable anti-lung cancer activity, evidenced by dose and time dependent lung cancer cell line (A549) growth/proliferation inhibition/cytotoxicity activity (65%) at 300 μg mL-1 concentration. This can be achieved by plant extract through inducing the secretion of apoptosis related proteins such as TNF α, IFN-γ, and ınterleukin 2 leads to apoptosis in A549 cells. It also showed fine anti-diabetic activity by inhibiting α -amylase (58.41%) than α-glucosidase (54.74%) at 200 μg mL-1 concentration. The UV as well as FTIR results demonstrated that the aqueous extract of A. paniculata flower contains pharmaceutically valuable bioactive compounds, which may be responsible for the wide range of biomedical applications.

Integrated bioinformatics analyses identifying potential biomarkers for type 2 diabetes mellitus and breast cancer: In SIK1-ness and health

The bidirectional causal relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and breast cancer (BC) has been established by numerous epidemiological studies. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet fully understood. Identification of hub genes implicated in T2DM-BC molecular crosstalk may help elucidate on the causative mechanisms. For this, expression series GSE29231 (T2DM-adipose tissue), GSE70905 (BC- breast adenocarcinoma biopsies) and GSE150586 (diabetes and BC breast biopsies) were extracted from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The overlapping DEGs were determined using FunRich. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Transcription Factor (TF) analyses were performed on EnrichR software and a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using STRING software. The network was analyzed on Cytoscape to determine hub genes and Kaplan-Meier plots were obtained. A total of 94 overlapping DEGs were identified between T2DM and BC samples. These DEGs were mainly enriched for GO terms RNA polymerase II core promoter proximal region sequence and its DNA binding, and cAMP response element binding protein, and KEGG pathways including bladder cancer, thyroid cancer and PI3K-AKT signaling. Eight hub genes were identified: interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor protein 53 (TP53), interleukin 8 (CXCL8), MYC, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9), beta-catenin 1 (CTNNB1), nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) and interleukin 1 beta (IL1β). MMP9 and MYC associated unfavorably with overall survival (OS) in breast cancer patients, IL6, TP53, IL1β and CTNNB1 associated favorably, whereas NOS3 did not show any correlation with OS. Salt inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) was identified as a significant key DEG for comorbid samples when compared with BC, also dysregulated in T2DM and BC samples (adjusted p <0.05). Furthermore, four of the significant hub genes identified, including IL6, CXCL8, IL1B and MYC were also differentially expressed for comorbid samples, however at p < 0.05. Our study identifies key genes including SIK1, for comorbid state and 8 hub genes that may be implicated in T2DM-BC crosstalk. However, limitations associated with the insilico nature of this study necessitates for subsequent validation in wet lab. Hence, further investigation is crucial to study the molecular mechanisms of action underlying these genes to fully explore their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for T2DM-BC association.

Metformin and HER2-positive breast cancer: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Due to the strong association between diabetes and cancer incidents, several anti-diabetic drugs, including metformin, have been examined for their anticancer activity. Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent used as a first-line drug for type II diabetes mellitus. It exhibits anticancer activity by impacting different molecular pathways, such as AMP-inducible protein kinase (AMPK)-dependent and AMPK-independent pathways. Additionally, Metformin indirectly inhibits IGF-1R signaling, which is highly activated in breast malignancy. On the other hand, breast cancer is one of the major causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide, where the human epidermal growth factor receptor-positive (HER2-positive) subtype is one of the most aggressive ones with a high rate of lymph node metastasis. In this review, we summarize the association between diabetes and human cancer, listing recent evidence of metformin's anticancer activity. A special focus is dedicated to HER2-positive breast cancer with regards to the interaction between HER2 and IGF-1R. Then, we discuss combination therapy strategies of metformin and other anti-diabetic drugs in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Hyperglycemia induces PFKFB3 overexpression and promotes malignant phenotype of breast cancer through RAS/MAPK activation

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most common tumor in women worldwide. Diabetes mellitus is a global chronic metabolic disease with increasing incidence. Diabetes mellitus has been reported to positively regulate the development of many tumors. However, the specific mechanism of hyperglycemic environment regulating breast cancer remains unclear. PFKFB3 (6-phosphofructose-2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-bisphosphatase 3) is a key regulatory factor of the glycolysis process in diabetes mellitus, as well as a promoter of breast cancer. So, we want to explore the potential link between PFKFB3 and the poor prognosis of breast cancer patients with hyperglycemia in this study.

METHODS

Cell culture was utilized to construct different-glucose breast cancer cell lines. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to analyze the protein level of PFKFB3 in benign breast tissues, invasive ductal carcinoma with diabetes and invasive ductal carcinoma without diabetes. The Kaplan-Meier plotter database and GEO database (GSE61304) was adopted to analyze the survival of breast cancer patients with different PFKFB3 expression. Western blot was adopted to analyze the protein level of PFKFB3, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) in breast cancer cells. Gene Set Cancer Analysis (GSCA) was utilized to investigate the potential downstream signaling pathways of PFKFB3. TargetScan and OncomiR were utilized to explore the potential mechanism of PFKFB3 overexpression by hyperglycemia. Transfections (including siRNAs and miRNA transfection premiers) was utilized to restrain or mimic the expression of the corresponding RNA. Cell functional assays (including cell counting, MTT, colony formation, wound-healing, and cell migration assays) were utilized to explore the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells.

RESULTS

In this study, we demonstrated that the expression of PFKFB3 in breast cancer complicated with hyperglycemia was higher than that in breast cancer with euglycemia through cell experiment in vitro and histological experiment. PFKFB3 overexpression decreased the survival period of breast cancer patients and was correlated with a number of clinicopathological parameters of breast cancer complicated with diabetes. PFKFB3 promoted the proliferation and migration of breast cancer in a hyperglycemic environment and might be regulated by miR-26. In addition, PFKFB3 stimulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of breast cancer in a hyperglycemic environment. In terms of downstream mechanism exploration, we predicted and verified the cancer-promoting effect of PFKFB3 in breast cancer complicated with hyperglycemia through RAS/MAPK pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, PFKFB3 could be overexpressed by hyperglycemia and might be a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer complicated with diabetes.

The crosstalk within the breast tumor microenvironment in type II diabetes: Implications for cancer disparities

Obesity-driven (type 2) diabetes (T2D), the most common metabolic disorder, both increases the incidence of all molecular subtypes of breast cancer and decreases survival in postmenopausal women. Despite this clear link, T2D and the associated dysfunction of diverse tissues is often not considered during the standard of care practices in oncology and, moreover, is treated as exclusion criteria for many emerging clinical trials. These guidelines have caused the biological mechanisms that associate T2D and breast cancer to be understudied. Recently, it has been illustrated that the breast tumor microenvironment (TME) composition and architecture, specifically the surrounding cellular and extracellular structures, dictate tumor progression and are directly relevant for clinical outcomes. In addition to the epithelial cancer cell fraction, the breast TME is predominantly made up of cancer-associated fibroblasts, adipocytes, and is often infiltrated by immune cells. During T2D, signal transduction among these cell types is aberrant, resulting in a dysfunctional breast TME that communicates with nearby cancer cells to promote oncogenic processes, cancer stem-like cell formation, pro-metastatic behavior and increase the risk of recurrence. As these cells are non-malignant, despite their signaling abnormalities, data concerning their function is never captured in DNA mutational databases, thus we have limited insight into mechanism from publicly available datasets. We suggest that abnormal adipocyte and immune cell exhaustion within the breast TME in patients with obesity and metabolic disease may elicit greater transcriptional plasticity and cellular heterogeneity within the expanding population of malignant epithelial cells, compared to the breast TME of a non-obese, metabolically normal patient. These challenges are particularly relevant to cancer disparities settings where the fraction of patients seen within the breast medical oncology practice also present with co-morbid obesity and metabolic disease. Within this review, we characterize the changes to the breast TME during T2D and raise urgent molecular, cellular and translational questions that warrant further study, considering the growing prevalence of T2D worldwide.

Recent Progress in the Diagnosis and Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the Era of COVID-19 and Single Cell Multi-Omics Technologies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the world’s leading causes of death and life-threatening conditions. Therefore, we review the complex vicious circle of causes responsible for T2DM and risk factors such as the western diet, obesity, genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The prevalence and economic burden of T2DM on societal and healthcare systems are dissected. Recent progress on the diagnosis and clinical management of T2DM, including both non-pharmacological and latest pharmacological treatment regimens, are summarized. The treatment of T2DM is becoming more complex as new medications are approved. This review is focused on the non-insulin treatments of T2DM to reach optimal therapy beyond glycemic management. We review experimental and clinical findings of SARS-CoV-2 risks that are attributable to T2DM patients. Finally, we shed light on the recent single-cell-based technologies and multi-omics approaches that have reached breakthroughs in the understanding of the pathomechanism of T2DM.

The AGEs/RAGE Transduction Signaling Prompts IL-8/CXCR1/2-Mediated Interaction between Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts (CAFs) and Breast Cancer Cells

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the cognate receptor, named RAGE, are involved in metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity. Moreover, the AGEs/RAGE transduction pathway prompts a dysfunctional interaction between breast cancer cells and tumor stroma toward the acquisition of malignant features. However, the action of the AGEs/RAGE axis in the main players of the tumor microenvironment, named breast cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), remains to be fully explored. In the present study, by chemokine array, we first assessed that interleukin-8 (IL-8) is the most up-regulated pro-inflammatory chemokine upon AGEs/RAGE activation in primary CAFs, obtained from breast tumors. Thereafter, we ascertained that the AGEs/RAGE signaling promotes a network cascade in CAFs, leading to the c-Fos-dependent regulation of IL-8. Next, using a conditioned medium from AGEs-exposed CAFs, we determined that IL-8/CXCR1/2 paracrine activation induces the acquisition of migratory and invasive features in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Altogether, our data provide new insights on the involvement of IL-8 in the AGEs/RAGE transduction pathway among the intricate connections linking breast cancer cells to the surrounding stroma. Hence, our findings may pave the way for further investigations to define the role of IL-8 as useful target for the better management of breast cancer patients exhibiting metabolic disorders.

Influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus on mortality in women with breast cancer: A matched case-control study

AIMS

The study assessed the association between the presence of type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and mortality in women with breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

A matched pair case-control study was conducted at the State Cancer Center, which is located in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. It was matched by age (±3 years) within a cohort of 1442 patients with BC. Descriptive statistics were performed. Analysis through paired odds ratio (OR and multivariate analyses were used to calculate the association between BC mortality and the variables studied.

RESULTS

166 cases and 166 controls with confirmed diagnosis of BC were studied, with a mean age of 52.9 ± 11.9 years. The T2DM was associated with an increased mortality of women with BC (OR = 1.75 95 %CI 1.06-2.89). Similarly, metastasis (OR = 14.17 95 %CI 6.19-32.342), advanced clinical stage (OR = 3.04 95 %CI 1.45 - 6.38), and the molecular subtypes Her2 (OR = 2.0 95 %CI 1.02-3.92), and triple negative (OR = 3.54 95 %CI 1.72-7.32). There was no difference in mean glucose between cases and controls (208.9 ± 132 vs 194.4 ± 90.4 mg/dL, respectively).

CONCLUSION

T2DM was found to be a relevant risk factor for BC mortality in this Mexican population. Thus, it is important to consider the presence and evolution of DM in the prevention programs, diagnostic algorithms and treatments established for BC.