High level of plasma matrix metalloproteinase-11 is associated with clinicopathological characteristics in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Non-Invasive and Real-Time Monitoring of the Breast Cancer Metastasis Degree via Metabolomics

Breast cancer (BC) is a serious threat to women's health and metastasis is the major cause of BC-associated mortality. Various techniques are currently used to preoperatively describe the metastatic status of tumors, based on which a comprehensive treatment protocol was determined. However, accurately staging a tumor before surgery remains a challenge, which may lead to the miss of optimal treatment options. More severely, the failure to detect and remove occult micrometastases often causes tumor recurrences. There is an urgent need to develop a more precise and non-invasive strategy for the detection of the tumor metastasis in lymph nodes and distant organs. Based on the facts that tumor metastasis is closely related to the primary tumor microenvironment (TME) evolutions and that metabolomics profiling of the circulatory system can precisely reflect subtle changes within TME, we suppose whether metabolomic technology can be used to achieve non-invasive and real-time monitoring of BC metastatic status. In this study, the metastasis status of BC mouse models with different tumor-bearing times was firstly depicted to mimic clinical anatomic TNM staging system. Metabolomic profiling together with metastasis-related changes in TME among tumor-bearing mice with different metastatic status was conducted. A range of differential metabolites reflecting tumor metastatic states were screened and in vivo experiments proved that two main metastasis-driving factors in TME, TGF-β and hypoxia, were closely related to the regular changes of these metabolites. The differential metabolites level changes were also preliminarily confirmed in a limited number of clinical BC samples. Metabolite lysoPC (16:0) was found to be useful for clinical N stage diagnosis and the possible cause of its changes was analyzed by bioinformatics techniques.

Liquid Biopsy and Circulating Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Precancerous and Cancerous Oral Lesions

Oral cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide, accounting for 2% of all cases annually and 1.8% of all cancer deaths. To date, tissue biopsy and histopathological analyses are the gold standard methods for the diagnosis of oral cancers. However, oral cancer is generally diagnosed at advanced stages with a consequent poor 5-year survival (~50%) due to limited screening programs and inefficient physical examination strategies. To address these limitations, liquid biopsy is recently emerging as a novel minimally invasive tool for the early identification of tumors as well as for the evaluation of tumor heterogeneity and prognosis of patients. Several studies have demonstrated that liquid biopsy in oral cancer could be useful for the detection of circulating biomarkers including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), microRNAs (miRNAs), proteins, and exosomes, thus improving diagnostic strategies and paving the way to personalized medicine. However, the application of liquid biopsy in oral cancer is still limited and further studies are needed to better clarify its clinical impact. The present manuscript aims to provide an updated overview of the potential use of liquid biopsy as an additional tool for the management of oral lesions by describing the available methodologies and the most promising biomarkers.

Detection of CAF-1/p60 in peripheral blood as a potential biomarker of HNSCC tumors

To date, a very small number of serum biomarkers have been identified for clinical use in squamous carcinomas of the head and neck region. Chromatin Assembly Factor-1 (CAF-1) heterotrimeric complex subunit CAF1/p60 expression levels have been reported to be of prognostic value in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), as well as in other human solid tumors. Here our aim was to detect and quantify CAF1/p60 in the peripheral blood of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) patients, and to investigate the possible associations between serum concentration of CAF-1/p60 and HNSCC tumors. A total of 63 HNSCC patients (51 OSCC, 8 OPSCC, 3 laryngeal SCC, and 1 rhinopharynx SCC) and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. The serum levels of CAF-1/p60 were measured by ELISA assay before and after surgery. Serum CAF-1/p60 concentration resulted significantly higher in cancer patients, compared with healthy controls, in pre-surgery samples (P < 0.05). Serum levels of CAF-1/p60 significantly decreased in serum samples taken after surgery (P < 0.05). Our results demonstrated that CAF-1/p60 may be detected in serum, suggesting a role for CAF-1/p60 as potential soluble biomarkers in HNSCC tumors.

Outline of gelatinase inhibitors as anti-cancer agents: A patent mini-review for 2010-present

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in several pathological and physiological functions. Gelatinases (MMP-2 and -9) have significant attention as therapeutic targets against cancer. Gelatinase inhibitors have demonstrated their effectiveness in several diseases including cancer. However, it is quite a challenging task to develop inhibitors as a therapeutic agent. This review summarizes the patent dedicated to the medicinal chemistry of gelatinase inhibitor reported over last decades. We examine the patent being pursued for gelatinase inhibitor development to highlight the key issues. The main aim is to provide the scientific community with an overview of the patented gelatinase inhibitors to allow further development. During early 2000s, some MMP inhibitors failed to pass the clinical trials. Hence, the lessons learned from early evidence and recent knowledge in that field will rejuvenate the development of selective inhibitors. Various studies and patents have continued in the recent years to expand knowledge. Continuously, our research team has been involved in the design of potent and selective gelatinase inhibitors for the past few years. This study is a part of our efforts. This study may be beneficial in the design and development of better gelatinase inhibitors in the future.

Apurinic/Apyrimidinic Endonuclease 1/Redox Factor-1 Could Serve as a Potential Serological Biomarker for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox factor-1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein that shows elevated expression in many cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the serum APE1/REF-1 level remains unknown in such patients. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the serum APE/Ref-1 levels in patients with OSCC and measure its association with the diagnosis, clinicopathologic features, and prognosis of OSCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 98 primary patients with OSCC and 109 age- or gender-matched normal controls were included in our case-control study. The predictor variable was the serum APE1/Ref-1 level, which was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The outcome variables included diagnosis, clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment response, and OSCC prognosis. The optimal cutoff points of serum APE1/Ref-1 were identified using the X-tile program with minimum P values. Prognostic factors were evaluated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models.

RESULTS

The average patient and control age was 51.6 ± 8.7 years (63 men; 35 women) and 52.4 ± 10.3 years (67 men; 42 women), respectively. The serum APE1/Ref-1 level was significantly greater in patients with OSCC than that in the controls (4.56 ± 1.09 ng/mL vs 3.18 ± 0.88 ng/mL; P < .01). Much higher serum APE1/Ref-1 levels were observed in those with OSCC with late TNM stage, lymph node metastases, and worse pathologic differentiation. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis illustrated that the serum APE1/Ref-1 level was a potential biomarker for differentiating OSCC, with an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% confidence interval, 0.78 to 0.88; sensitivity, 0.87; specificity, 0.68). The log-rank analysis revealed that patients with OSCC and a low APE1/Ref-1 level experienced longer disease-free survival after postoperative cisplatin chemotherapy and overall survival (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

An elevated APE1/Ref-1 level might serve as a novel potential diagnostic biomarker for OSCC and can reflect the treatment response to cisplatin chemotherapy and prognosis.

Identifying osteosarcoma metastasis associated genes by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA)

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common malignant bone tumor, accounts for the heavy healthy threat in the period of children and adolescents. OS occurrence usually correlates with early metastasis and high death rate. This study aimed to better understand the mechanism of OS metastasis.Based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, we downloaded 4 expression profile data sets associated with OS metastasis, and selected differential expressed genes. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) approach allowed us to investigate the most OS metastasis-correlated module. Gene Ontology functional and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to give annotation of selected OS metastasis-associated genes.We select 897 differential expressed genes from OS metastasis and OS non-metastasis groups. Based on these selected genes, WGCNA further explored 142 genes included in the most OS metastasis-correlated module. Gene Ontology functional and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses showed that significantly OS metastasis-associated genes were involved in pathway correlated with insulin-like growth factor binding.Our research figured out several potential molecules participating in metastasis process and factors acting as biomarker. With this study, we could better explore the mechanism of OS metastasis and further discover more therapy targets.

Overexpression of the matrix metalloproteinase 11 gene is a potential biomarker for type 1 endometrial cancer

Metalloproteinase matrix 11 (MMP11) is a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, which are able to degrade extracellular matrix components, and may serve a central function in the enhancement of tumor-induced angiogenesis, cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis and connective tissue degradation. In the present study, MMP11 gene expression was investigated using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in 68 cases of type I endometrial carcinoma, and all data were analyzed in association with clinical characteristics. Overexpression of MMP11 was demonstrated in 75%, and sub-expression was demonstrated in 25%, of endometrial cancer cases. Sub-expression cases were associated with good histological parameters, including low histological grade (G1 and G2), early pathological stage, and absence of vascular invasion, metastasis and recurrence. In total, 76.4% of endometrial cancer cases with sub-expression were identified as early stage 1A and B; however, 23.6% of cases were identified as stage 2, with vascular invasion present in 29.4% of cases. On the other hand, cases which demonstrated overexpression with high ranges (>10 times more than control) were associated with adverse histopathological characteristics, including high grade tumor (G3) and vascular invasion. In conclusion, the increased expression of MMP11 may be used as a prognostic biomarker in patients with type 1 endometrial cancer.

Serum, plasma and saliva biomarkers for head and neck cancer

INTRODUCTION

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) encompasses tumors arising from several locations (oral and nasal cavities, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands, pharynx, and larynx) and currently stands as the sixth most common cancer worldwide. The most important risk factors identified so far are tobacco and alcohol consumption, and, for a subgroup of HNSCCs, infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Despite several improvements in the treatment of these tumors in the last decades, overall survival rates have only improved marginally, mainly due to the advanced clinical stage at diagnosis and the high rates of treatment failure associated with this late diagnosis. Areas covered: This review will focus on the feasibility of evaluating molecular-based biomarkers (mRNA, microRNA, lncRNA, DNA methylation and protein expression) in body fluids (serum, plasma, and saliva) as markers for diagnosis, prognosis, and surveillance. Expert commentary: The potential use of those markers in the clinical setting would allow for early diagnosis, prediction of treatment response, improvement in treatment selection and provide disease monitoring for early detection of tumor recurrence. It can ultimately be translated into better survival rates and improved quality of life for HNSCC patients.

Metalloproteinase 11, potential marker and molecular target in advanced and castration-resistant prostate cancer. Culture study of peritumoral fibroblasts

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the expression of metalloprotein 11 (MMP11) in cultured fibroblasts obtained from human prostate tumors with different clinical and pathological characteristics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For this study we analyzed samples of transrectal prostate biopsies from tumors with different characteristics, treated with or whithout androgen deprivation (AD). After optimization of the culture method, fibroblasts were isolated and cultured to perform the study (PCR) of MMP11 mRNA.

RESULTS

Finally, 37 cases were studied: 5 samples of benign prostatic hyperplasia, 14 cases with localized neoplasms (7 high-risk according to the D'Amico classification), 5 with metastasic tumors (bone metastases), and 13 treated with AD therapy, of which 6 fulfilled the requirements to be defined as resistant to castration. In tumors without AD therapy, MMP11 expression was significantly higher (P=.001) in fibroblasts of higher grade tumors. A significant (P=.001) correlation was found between PSA and expression of MMP11 in fibroblast s and a significant increase of MMP11 expression in metastatic tumors. In tumors with AD therapy, a significantly greater expression of MMP11 was observed in resistant to castration patients than in those sensitive to castration (P=.003).

CONCLUSION

In advanced prostate tumors or in stages of increased tumor aggressiveness, the production of MMP11 by fibroblasts is significantly greater than in non-metastatic tumors or in AD sensitive tumors.

Can gene editing and silencing technologies play a role in the treatment of head and neck cancer?

Conventional treatment strategies have done little to improve the prognosis or disease-free survival in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Recent progress in our understanding of molecular aspects of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has provided insights into the potential use of molecular targeted therapies in combination with current treatment strategies. Here we review the current understanding of treatment modalities for both HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCCs with the potential to use gene editing and silencing technologies therapeutically. The development of sequence-specific RNA interference (RNAi) with its strong gene-specific silencing ability, high target specificity, greater potency and reduced side effects, has shown it to be a promising therapeutic candidate for treating cancers. CRISPR/Cas gene editing is the newest technology with the ability to delete, mutate or replace genes of interest and has great potential for treating HNSCCs. We also discuss the major challenge in using these approaches in HNSCC; that being the choice of target and the ability to deliver the payload. Finally, we highlight the potential combination of RNAi or CRIPSR/Cas with current treatment strategies and outline the possible path to the clinic.

Elevated serum levels of MMP-11 correlate with poor prognosis in colon cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Matrix metalloproteinase 11 (MMP11) has been shown to play a key role in human tumor progression and indicates poor clinical outcome in cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE

The current study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of MMP-11 and prognosis in colon cancer patients.

METHODS

Serum levels of MMP-11 were determined in 92 colon cancer patients and 92 healthy individuals using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Associations between serum MMP-11 levels and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients and their outcomes were investigated. Survival analyses were performed to measure the 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

Serum MMP-11 levels were substantially higher in colon cancer patients than in healthy controls. Moreover, serum MMP-11 levels were significantly higher in patients with advanced T status, lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and a higher TNM stage. Elevated serum levels of MMP-11 were identified as an independent prognostic factor for 5-year mortality and adverse events associated with colon cancer. Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified the serum MMP-11 level as an independent predictor of OS and DFS.

CONCLUSION

Our study established that high serum levels of MMP-11 are associated with poor clinical outcome and may serve as a prognostic biomarker in colon cancer patients.

High Level of Plasma EGFL6 Is Associated with Clinicopathological Characteristics in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

EGF-like domain 6 (EGFL6), a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) repeat protein superfamily, is a secreted protein that promotes endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis. The current study investigated the association between the clinicopathological characteristics and plasma level of EGFL6 in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We measured the plasma EGFL6 levels of 392 OSCC patients by using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We also analyzed EGFL6 mRNA levels of 328 OSCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. The results showed that plasma EGFL6 levels were significantly higher in patients with OSCC than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for the TCGA bioinformatics database. Moreover, plasma EGFL6 levels were significantly higher in the patients with advanced T status (p = 0.002), distant metastasis (p = 0.001), and higher TNM stage (p=0.033). In conclusion, our results suggest that plasma level of EGFL6 may be useful to assess disease progression, and especially advanced T status and higher TNM stage in patients with OSCC.

ITPKA Gene Body Methylation Regulates Gene Expression and Serves as an Early Diagnostic Marker in Lung and Other Cancers

INTRODUCTION

Despite recent advances in cancer therapy, the overall 5-year survival rate of patients with lung cancer remains low. The aim of our study was to search for novel markers for early diagnosis in patients with lung cancer.

METHODS

Complementary DNA microarray analysis was performed in primary lung adenocarcinomas and cell lines to search for differentially expressed genes, followed by in vivo and in vitro tumorigenic assays to characterize the oncogenic potential of the candidate genes. Gene body methylation was analyzed by 450K methylation array, bisulfite sequencing, and quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction assays. In silico analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data set was also performed.

RESULTS

Inositol-trisphosphate 3-kinase A gene (ITPKA), a kinase with limited tissue distribution, was identified as a potential oncogene. We showed that ITPKA expression is up-regulated in many forms of cancers, including lung and breast cancers, and that overexpressed ITPKA contributes to tumorigenesis. We also demonstrated that ITPKA expression is regulated by epigenetic DNA methylation of ITPKA gene body through modulation of the binding of SP1 transcription factor to the ITPKA promoter. ITPKA gene body displayed low or absent levels of methylation in most normal tissue but was significantly methylated in malignant tumors. In lung cancer, ITPKA gene body methylation first appeared at the in situ carcinoma stage and progressively increased after invasion.

CONCLUSIONS

ITPKA is a potential oncogene that it is overexpressed in most tumors, and its overexpression promotes tumorigenesis. ITPKA gene body methylation regulates its expression and thus serves as a novel and potential biomarker for early cancer detection.

Insights into the distinct roles of MMP-11 in tumor biology and future therapeutics (Review)

The biological processes of cancer cells such as tumorigenesis, proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis and invasion are greatly influenced by the surrounding microenvironment. The ability of solid malignant tumors to alter the microenvironment represents an important characteristic through which tumor cells are able to acquire specific functions necessary for their malignant biological behaviors. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases with the capacity of remodeling extracellular matrix (ECM) by degrading almost all ECM proteins, which plays essential roles during the invasion and metastasis process of solid malignant tumors, including allowing tumor cells to modify the ECM components and release cytokines, ultimately facilitating protease-dependent tumor progression. MMP-11, also named stromelysin-3, is a member of the stromelysin subgroup belonging to MMPs superfamily, which has been detected in cancer cells, stromal cells and adjacent microenvironment. Differently, MMP-11 exerts a dual effect on tumors. On the one hand MMP-11 promotes cancer development by inhibiting apoptosis as well as enhancing migration and invasion of cancer cells, on the other hand MMP-11 plays a negative role against cancer development via suppressing metastasis in animal models. Overexpression of MMP-11 was discovered in sera of cancer patients compared with normal control group as well as in multiple tumor tissue specimens, such as gastric cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. At present, some evidence supports that MMP-11 may work as a significant tumor biomarker for early detection of cancer, tumor staging, prognostic analysis, monitoring recurrence during follow-up and also a potential target for immunotherapy against cancer. In view of the importance of MMP-11 in modifying tumor microenvironment and potent antitumoral effects on solid tumors, there is an urgent need for a deeper understanding of how MMP-11 modulates tumor progression, and exploring its potential clinical application.

Pharmacodynamic considerations in the use of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors in cancer treatment

INTRODUCTION

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are classified in the family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases, which can degrade various components of an extracellular matrix and a basement membrane. Studies have demonstrated that MMPs relate to the development of malignant tumors and induce angiogenesis, resulting in the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells. MMPs are highly expressed in malignant tumors and are related to cancer patients' malignant phenotype and poor prognosis. Therefore, blocking the expression or activity of MMPs may be a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

AREAS COVERED

This study aimed to explain the MMP structure, regulatory mechanism, and carcinogenic effect; investigate the matrix metalloproteinase-inhibitors (MMPIs) that are currently used in clinical trials for cancer treatment; and summarize the trial results.

EXPERT OPINION

Currently, the results of clinical trials that have used MMPIs as anticancer agents are unsatisfactory. However, MMPs remain an attractive target for cancer treatment. For example, development of the specific peptide or antibodies in targeting the hemopexin domain of MMP-2 may be a new therapeutic direction. The design and development of MMPIs that have selectivity will be the primary focus in future studies.

Nucleic acid targeting: towards personalized therapy for head and neck cancer

In light of a detailed characterization of genetic aberrations in cancer, nucleic acid targeting represents an attractive therapeutic approach with significant translational potential. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide with stagnant 5-year survival rates. Advances in conventional treatment have done little to improve survival and combined chemoradiation is associated with significant adverse effects. Recent reports have characterized the genetic alterations in HNSCC and demonstrated that mutations confer resistance to conventional and molecular targeted therapies. The ability to use specific nucleic acid sequences to inhibit cancer-associated genes including non-druggable targets facilitates personalized medicine approaches with less adverse effects. Additionally, advances in drug delivery mechanisms have increased the transfection efficiency aiding in greater therapeutic responses. Given these advances, the stage has been set to translate the information garnered from genomic studies into personalized treatment strategies. Genes involved in the tumor protein 53 (TP53) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathways have been extensively investigated and many promising preclinical studies have shown tumor inhibition through genetic modulation. We, and others, have demonstrated that targeting oncogene expression with gene therapy approaches is feasible in patients. Other methods such as RNA interference have proven to be effective and are potential candidates for clinical studies. This review summarizes the major advances in sequence-specific gene modulation in the preclinical setting and in clinical trials in head and neck cancer patients.

Gene and miRNA expression changes in squamous cell carcinoma of larynx and hypopharynx

Laryngo-pharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas are one of the most common head and neck cancers. Despite the presence of a large body of information, molecular biomarkers are not currently used in the diagnosis, treatment and management of patients for this group of cancer. Here, we have profiled expression of genes and microRNAs of larynx and hypopharynx tumors using high-throughput sequencing experiments. We found that matrix metalloproteinases along with SCEL, CRNN, KRT4, SPINK5, and TGM3 among others have significantly altered expression in these tumors. Alongside gene expression, the microRNAs hsa-miR-139, hsa-miR-203 and the hsa-miR-424/503 cluster have aberrant expression in these cancers. Using target genes for these microRNAs, we found the involvement of pathways linked to cell cycle, p53 signaling, and viral carcinogenesis significant (P-values 10(-13), 10(-9) and 10(-7) respectively). Finally, using an ensemble machine-learning tool, we discovered a unique 8-gene signature for this group of cancers that differentiates the group from the other tumor subsites of head and neck region. We investigated the role of promoter methylation in one of these genes, WIF1, and found no correlation between DNA methylation and down-regulation of WIF1. We validated our findings of gene expression, 8-gene signature and promoter methylation using q-PCR, data from TCGA and q-MSP respectively. Data presented in this manuscript has been submitted to the NCBI Geo database with the accession number GSE67994.