Overexpression of high mobility group A1 protein in human uveal melanomas: implication for prognosis

The role of EZH2 as a potential therapeutic target in retinoblastoma

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) has been reported selectively expressed in postnatal human retinoblastoma (RB). While, the contribution of EZH2 in progression of RB and its clinical importance has not been clarified. Here, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on tumor specimens from 53 RB patients. UNC1999 and GSK503, inhibitors targeting EZH2, were incubated with human RB cell line WERI-Rb-1 and Y79 to assess the role and mechanism of EZH2 in RB proliferation, metastasis and tumor glycolysis. Administration of UNC1999 in subcutaneous tumor model of RB was conducted. The results showed that highly expressed EZH2 in RB tissues was significantly associated with the poor overall survival. UNC1999 and GSK503 inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion and tumor glycolysis of RB. Results in mouse xenograft model confirmed the inhibitory effect of UNC1999 on tumor growth of RB and the regulation effect of EZH2 to STAT3/FoxO1 signaling pathway. Therefore, EZH2 is rewarding to study as a potential target for anti-RB treatment.

Comparative Analysis of Putative Prognostic and Predictive Markers in Neuroblastomas: High Expression of PBX1 Is Associated With a Poor Response to Induction Therapy

The survival rate for patients with high-risk neuroblastomas remains poor despite new improvements in available therapeutic modalities. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying clinical responses to multimodal treatment is one of the important aspects that may provide precision in the prediction of a patient's clinical outcome. Our study was designed as a detailed comparative analysis of five selected proteins (DDX39A, HMGA1, HOXC9, NF1, and PBX1) in one cohort of patients using the same methodical approaches. These proteins were already reported separately as related to the resistance or sensitivity to retinoids and as useful prognostic markers of survival probability. In the cohort of 19 patients suffering from high-risk neuroblastomas, we analyzed initial immunohistochemistry samples obtained by diagnostic biopsy and post-induction samples taken after the end of induction therapy. The expression of DDX39A, HMGA1, HOXC9, and NF1 showed varied patterns with almost no differences between responders and non-responders. Nevertheless, we found very interesting results for PBX1: non-responders had significantly higher expression levels of this protein in the initial tumor samples when compared with responders; this expression pattern changed inversely in the post-induction samples, and this change was also statistically significant. Moreover, our results from survival analyses reveal the prognostic value of PBX1, NF1, and HOXC9 expression in neuroblastoma tissue. In addition to the prognostic importance of PBX1, NF1, and HOXC9 proteins, our results demonstrated that PBX1 could be used for the prediction of the clinical response to induction chemotherapy in patients suffering from high-risk neuroblastoma.

HMGA1 exacerbates tumor progression by activating miR-222 through PI3K/Akt/MMP-9 signaling pathway in uveal melanoma

High-mobility group A1 (HMGA1), an architectural transcription factor, participates in different human tumors' biological progression. HMGA1 overexpression is associated with malignant cellular behavior in a wide range of cancers but the underlying mechanism remains poorly illuminated. In this study, we showed PI3K/Akt/MMP9 pathway activity could be positively regulated by HMGA1 using western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunochemistry both in vitro (C918 and MUM-2B cell lines) and in vivo (xenograft mouse model). Later, MiRTarBase was used to identify the relationship between HMGA1 and miR-222-3p, we found miR-222 is positively regulated by HMGA1. Moreover, the proliferation and migration of UM cells significantly increased in the miR-222 mimics group and decreased in the miR-222 inhibitor group detected by the Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit, CCK-8 and scratch wound-healing. The p-PI3K, p-Akt and MMP9 expressions were elevated in UM cells transfected with miR-222 mimics, and suppressed in the miR-222 inhibitor group. Together, our study highlights that HMGA1 acts as a pivotal regulator in UM tumor growth, proposing a critical viewpoint that HMGA1 expedites progression through the PI3K/Akt/MMP9 pathway and oncogenic miR-222 in UM.

Expression of EZH2 in uveal melanomas patients and associations with prognosis

Purpose

To analyze the prognostic value and potential target for therapeutic intervention of enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) in uveal melanomas (UM) patients.

Method

We analyzed EZH2 expression in 89 primary UM patients by immuno- histochemistry to observe the clinicopathological and prognostic value of EZH2.

Results

The high levels of mitoses count and Ki67 labeling index had significant correlation with overexpression EZH2 (R = 0.408, P.

Conclusion

Our critical finding is that overexpression EZH2 in UM can be served as predictive marker and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Further observation of EZH2 as a potential therapeutic target in UM is necessary.

TGF-β1 induces HMGA1 expression: The role of HMGA1 in thyroid cancer proliferation and invasion

The role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is complicated and plays a different role in the development of cancer. High mobility group A (HMGA1) participates in multiple cellular biology processes, and exerts important roles in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, the correlation of TGF-β1 and HMGA1 in cancer cells is not yet fully understood. In this study, we determined the effects of TGF-β1 on HMGA1 expression in thyroid cancer cells and examined the role of HMGA1 in thyroid cancer progression. With real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining, our study demonstrated that TGF-β1 induced the expression of HMGA1 through phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and the extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) signaling in thyroid cancer cells. With luciferase reported assay, the HMGA1 promoter activity was activated by TGF-β1 in the SW579 cells. Furthermore, lentivirus-mediated HMGA1 knockdown inhibits cellular oncogenic properties of thyroid cancer cells. Clinically, tissue microarray revealed that HMGA1 was expressed in thyroid carcinoma more than that in normal thyroid tissues (P<0.001); expression of HMGA1 and MMP-2 was identified to be positively correlated (P=0.017). The present study established the first link between HMGA1 and TGF-β1 in the regulation of thyroid cancer proliferation and invasion, and provided evidence for the pivotal role of HMGA1 in the progression of thyroid cancer, indicating HMGA1 to be potential biological marker for the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.

Clinicopathological Characteristics and Prognosis for Survival after Enucleation of Uveal Melanoma in Chinese Patients: Long-term Follow-up

PURPOSE

To summarize the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of uveal melanoma (UM) after enucleation in Chinese patients.

METHODS

Between 2003 and 2012, a series of 171 patients with UM received enucleation at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University in Shanghai. Patient clinical information was collected. Pathological examination and BAP1 staining of the enucleated eyes were conducted. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regressions were conducted to determine the risk factors, and the survival rates were calculated and compared.

RESULTS

The study included 83 (49%) men and 88 (51%) women, with a mean age of 48.6 years. The mean largest basal tumor diameter and mean largest tumor thickness were 11.8 and 8.6 mm, respectively. Ciliary body involvement was observed in 19 tumors (11%). Spindle and nonspindle patterns were observed in 100 (58%) and 71 eyes (42%), respectively. Extrascleral extension was observed in three eyes (2%). BAP1 staining was negative in 34% (53/156) of all tumors and 53% (19/36) of the cases with melanoma-related metastasis. The mean follow-up period was 63.4 months for all patients with the exception of 11 patients, who were excluded because they were lost during follow-up. A large basal tumor diameter, ciliary body involvement, nonspindle cell type, extrascleral extension, and negative BAP1 staining were associated with a worse prognosis. The survival curves significantly differed between the BAP1-negative and BAP1-positive groups (P = 0.004). According to Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 5- and 10-year metastasis-free survival rates were 80% and 70%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A large basal tumor diameter, ciliary body involvement, nonspindle cell type, extrascleral extension, and negative BAP1 staining may be risk factors for the prediction of the UM prognosis. A younger age at diagnosis and a similar prognosis between genders may be unique features in Asian patients compared to the Caucasian population.

HMGA1 Expression in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Correlates with Poor Prognosis and Promotes Tumor Growth and Migration in in vitro Models

BACKGROUND

HMGA1 is a non-histone nuclear protein that regulates cellular proliferation, invasion and apoptosis and is overexpressed in many carcinomas. In this study we sought to explore the expression of HMGA1 in HCCs and cirrhotic tissues, and its effect in in vitro models.

METHODS

We evaluated HMGA1 expression using gene expression microarrays (59 HCCs, of which 37 were matched with their corresponding cirrhotic tissue and 5 normal liver donors) and tissue microarray (192 HCCs, 108 cirrhotic tissues and 79 normal liver samples). HMGA1 expression was correlated with clinicopathologic features and patient outcome. Four liver cancer cell lines with stable induced or knockdown expression of HMGA1 were characterized using in vitro assays, including proliferation, migration and anchorage-independent growth.

RESULTS

HMGA1 expression increased monotonically from normal liver tissues to cirrhotic tissue to HCC (P<.01) and was associated with Edmondson grade (P<.01). Overall, 51% and 42% of HCCs and cirrhotic tissues expressed HMGA1, respectively. Patients with HMGA1-positive HCCs had earlier disease progression and worse overall survival. Forced expression of HMGA1 in liver cancer models resulted in increased cell growth and migration, and vice versa. Soft agar assay showed that forced expression of HMGA1 led to increased foci formation, suggesting an oncogenic role of HMGA1 in hepatocarcinogenesis.

CONCLUSIONS

HMGA1 is frequently expressed in cirrhotic tissues and HCCs and its expression is associated with high Edmondson grade and worse prognosis in HCC. Our results suggest that HMGA1 may act as oncogenic driver of progression, implicating it in tumor growth and migration potential in liver carcinogenesis.

High mobility group A1 expression shows negative correlation with recurrence time in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

The aim of this study was to explore the difference in high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) expression and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 R132H point mutation in initial and recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and to further identify whether the expression of HMGA1 has a role in the malignant progression of GBM. Paired initial and recurrent GBM specimens from the same patient were evaluated using immunohistochemical analysis. The association between HMGA1 expression and progression-free survival time (PFST) was analyzed. Three patients were confirmed with IDH-1 R132H mutations in both initial and recurrent groups (3/25, 12%). There was a significant difference in HMGA1 expression between initial and recurrent GBM (P=0.002), and patients with tumors expressing HMGA1 at higher level had a significantly shorter PFST (7.3 months versus 11.1months; P=0.044). Our study indicates that recurrent GBM express HMGA1 at a higher level and that HMGA1 overexpressoin is associated with shorter PFST in patients with GBM. These findings suggest that HMGA1 potentially plays an important role in the treatment of GBM.

Overexpression of HMGA1 correlates with the malignant status and prognosis of breast cancer

High mobility group A1 (HMGA1), as a major member of HMGA family, plays an important part in promotion of cell proliferation and motility, induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and maintenance of stemness, but little is known about the pathological role of HMGA1 in breast cancer patients. The aim of this study was to identify the pathological roles of HMGA1 in breast cancer. In our results, we found that mRNA and protein expression levels of HMGA1 were markedly higher in breast cancer tissues than in normal breast tissues. Using immunohistochemistry, high levels of HMGA1 protein were positively correlated with the status of histological grade (I-II vs. III-IV; P = 0.023), clinical stage (I-II vs. III-IV; P = 0.008), tumor size (T1-T2 vs. T3-T4; P = 0.015), lymph node metastasis (N0-N1 vs. N2-N3; P = 0.002), distant metastasis (M0 vs. M1; P < 0.001), and triple-negative breast cancer (No vs. Yes; P = 0.014) of breast cancer patients. Patients with higher HMGA1 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival time than did patients with low HMGA1 expression. Multivariate analysis indicated that the level of HMGA1 expression was an independent prognostic indicator (P < 0.001) for the survival of patients with breast cancer. In conclusion, HMGA1 plays an important role on breast cancer aggressiveness and prognosis and may act as a promising target for prognostic prediction.

Elevated expression of HMGA1 correlates with the malignant status and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer

High-mobility group A1 (HMGA1) has been suggested to play a significant role in tumor progression, but little is known about the accurate significance of HMGA1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The aim of this study was to identify the role of HMGA1 in NSCLC. The expression status of HMGA1 was observed initially in NSCLC by Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The expression of HMGA1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein was examined in NSCLC and adjacent normal lung tissues through real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile, the relationship of HMGA1 expression levels with clinical features and prognosis of NSCLC patients was analyzed. In our results, HMGA1 was overexpressed in NSCLC tissues compared with adjacent normal lung tissues in microarray data (GSE19804). HMGA1 mRNA and protein expressions were markedly higher in NSCLC tissues than in normal lung tissues (P < 0.001 and P = 0.010, respectively). Using immunohistochemistry, high levels of HMGA1 protein were positively correlated with the status of clinical stage (I-II vs. III-IV, P < 0.001), T classification (T1-T vs. T3-T4, P = 0.003), N classification (N0N1 vs. N2-N3, P < 0.001), M classification (M0 vs. M1, P = 0.002), and differentiated degree (high or middle vs. low or undifferentiated, P = 0.003) in NSCLC. Patients with higher HMGA1 expression had a significantly shorter overall survival time than did patients with low HMGA1 expression. Multivariate analysis indicated that the level of HMGA1 expression was an independent prognostic factor (P < 0.001) for the survival of patients with NSCLC. In conclusion, HMGA1 plays an important role on NSCLC progression and prognosis and may act as a convictive biomarker for prognostic prediction.

Increased expression of Lin28B associates with poor prognosis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Recent studies showed that incomplete cell reprogramming can transform cells into tumour-like cells. Lin28A is associated with fibroblast and sarcoma cell reprogramming, whereas its homologue Lin28B is associated with hematopoietic cell reprogramming. This study aimed to investigate the expression and prognostic difference between Lin28A and Lin28B in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Expression level was assessed by immunohistochemistry and staining location was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Prognostic values were analysed and compared by the Kaplan-Meier analysis and uni and multivariate Cox regression models. Besides, in vitro cell assays and in vivo nude mice xenograft were used to demonstrate the influence of increased Lin28B expression in OSCC. Lin28A and Lin28B expression increased in OSCC, and co-expression of Lin28A and Lin28B showed no significant association with patient prognosis. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients with high Lin28B but not Lin28A expression had lower overall survival (OS) rates than those with low Lin28B expression. Further Univariate analysis showed that patients with increased Lin28B expression had shorter disease-free survival (DFS) and shorter OS, while multivariate analysis showed Lin28B overexpression with TNM stage predicted poor prognosis in patients with OSCC. Besides, stable expressing Lin28B in oral cancer cells promoted cell migration, invasion, colony formation, in vivo proliferation and increased the expression of cancer suppressor miRNA let-7 targeted genes IL-6, HMGA2, the EMT markers Snail and Twist, the angiogenesis inducer VEGF, and the apoptosis inhibitor Survivin. These combined results indicate that Lin28B is a novel marker for predicting prognosis in patients with OSCC and may be a therapeutic target.