Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is positively associated with lymph node metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The Role of Inflammation-Associated Factors in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which originates in the head or neck tissues, is characterized by high rates of recurrence and metastasis. Inflammation is important in HNSCC prognosis. Inflammatory cells and their secreted factors contribute to the various stages of HNSCC development through multiple mechanisms. In this review, the mechanisms through which inflammatory factors, signaling pathways, and cells contribute to the initiation and progression of HNSCC have been discussed in detail. Furthermore, the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of targeting inflammation in HNSCC has been discussed to gain new insights into improving patient prognosis.

Targeted therapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma microenvironment

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) originates from the squamous epithelium of the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. HNSCC in the oral cavity and larynx is strongly associated with tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, while oropharyngeal cancer is increasingly attributed to infection by human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV-16. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex network of cancer cells, immune cells, stromal cells, surrounding blood vessels, and signaling molecules, and plays a critical role in tumor cell survival, invasion, and recurrence. Therefore, it is critical to elucidate the molecular basis of the interaction between tumor cells and the TME in order to develop innovative anti-cancer therapeutic strategies.

The Role and Mechanism of Long Non-Coding RNA HOTAIR in the Oncogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The most frequent malignant tumor of the head and neck is head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), which has a high frequency, a poor prognosis in the late stages, and subpar therapeutic results. As a result, early HNSCC diagnosis and treatment are urgently needed; however, there are no good diagnostic biomarkers or efficient therapeutic targets at this time. The long-stranded non-coding RNA HOTAIR may be important in the pathogenesis of cancer, according to recent research. By interactions with DNA, RNA, and proteins, it has been demonstrated that HOTAIR, a >200 nucleotide RNA transcript, plays a role in the biological processes of many types of tumor cells, including proliferation, metastasis, and prognosis of HNSCC. Hence, this review discusses HOTAIR's function and molecular mechanisms in HNSCC.

KIAA1429 Promotes Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression by Mediating m6A Modification of PTGS2

Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of a N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferase KIAA1429 participates in the pathogenesis of multiple cancers except for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study is aimed to explore the function of KIAA1429 in NPC progression. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used to confirm the mRNA expression in NPC by bioinformatic analysis. The levels of KIAA1429 and PTGS2 was detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. To investigate the effects of KIAA1429/PTGS2 knockdown or overexpression vectors on NPC cell malignancy, cell and animal experiments were performed. Finally, MeRIP and mRNA stability assays were used to verify the m6A modification and mRNA stability, respectively. KIAA1429 was upregulated in NPC tissues and cells. After transfecting KIAA1429 knockdown or overexpression vectors in NPC cells, we proved that KIAA1429 overexpression promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth, whereas KIAA1429 knockdown showed the opposite effect. Our results also indicated that KIAA1429 mediated m6A modification of PTGS2, enhancing PTGS2 mRNA stability in NPC cells. In addition, PTGS2 could also regulate the effects of KIAA1429 on NPC cell malignancy. This study confirmed the oncogenic function of KIAA1429 in NPC through m6A-modification of PTGS2, suggesting that targeting KIAA1429-mediated m6A modification of PTGS2 might provide a new therapeutic strategy for NPC.

Overexpression of KITLG predicts unfavorable clinical outcomes and promotes lymph node metastasis via the JAK/STAT pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is an early clinical sign and a contributor to the treatment failure in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The molecular mechanisms of LNM in NPC remain unclear. We aimed to identify and validate the possible key genes that play a crucial role in the LNM of NPC. The study included a discovery and validation phase. In the discovery phase, the key gene was identified by bioinformatics analysis. In the validation phase, the mRNA and protein expression of the key gene was detected by RT-PCR in NPC cells and by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray. Then, the effect of the key gene expression on cell invasion and migration was explored in vitro and in vivo. As a result, KITLG was identified as the key gene. The overexpression of KITLG was detected in NPC cells, which was correlated with neck lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with NPC. The suppression of KITLG inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo. JAK/STAT signaling pathway might mediate the enhancement of cell invasion and metastasis caused by KITLG. In summary, the overexpression of KITLG in NPC cells might play a crucial role in the LNM of NPC, raising the possibility of KITLG as a prognostic factor and a potential target for NPC treatment.

Bioinformatics analysis identifies potential biomarkers involved in the metastasis of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the malignant epithelial tumors with a high metastasis rate. This study aimed to screen potential novel biomarkers involved in NPC metastasis. Microarray data of locoregionally advanced NPC (LA-NPC; GSE103611) were obtained from the database of Gene Expression Omnibus. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between LA-NPC tissues with and without distant metastasis after radical treatment were screened. Functional analysis was performed and the protein-protein interaction and submodule were analyzed. The univariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic genes in NPC in the validation microarray dataset GSE102349. The drug-gene interactions and key genes were identified. Totally, 107 DEGs were identified. The upregulated DEGs and the key nodes in the protein-protein interaction network were associated with pathways or biological processes related to the cell cycle. Four genes including CD44, B2M, PTPN11, and TRIM74 were associated with disease-free survival in NPC. The drug-gene interaction analysis revealed that upregulated genes CXCL10, CD44, B2M, XRCC5, and RPL11 might be potential druggable genes for patients with LA-NPC metastasis by regulating cell cycle, autophagy, and drug resistance. Upregulated CXCL10, CD44, B2M, XRCC5, and RPL11 might play important roles in LA-NPC metastasis by regulating cell cycle-related pathways.

miR-26a-5p suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by inhibiting PTGS2 expression

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a low five-year survival rate, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. There is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the genetic regulation of NPC tumorigenesis and development. The role of miR-26a-5p in NPC growth regulation and the expression of its target, PTGS2, was analyzed. Quantitative Real-time PCR assay was used to detect miR-26a-5p and PTGS2 expression in human NPC tissues and cell lines. The RNA pull-down dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to determine the association between miR-26a-5p and PTGS2. The effects of miR-26a-5p and PTGS2 on NPC cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion were measured by CCK-8, BrdU, and Transwell assays. miR-26a-5p expression in NPC tissues and cell lines was significantly decreased. The overexpression of miR-26a-5p inhibited the viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion of NPC cells. miR-26a-5p bound to the 3-'untranslated region of PTGS2, thus reducing PTGS2 protein levels. miR-26a-5p inhibited NPC development by reducing the expression of its target PTGS2.

Identification of a novel microRNA profile including miR-106b, miR-17, miR-20b, miR-18a and miR-93 in the metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Metastasis often leads to poor prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Evidence has indicated the important roles of microRNA (miRNA) in cancer metastasis. The aim of this study was to identify and verify the key miRNAs that might be involved in the development of NPC metastasis.

METHODS

Microarray data were obtained and analyzed to screen the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between NPC tissues with metastasis and those without metastasis. The target genes of the DEMs were predicted and their functions were annotated. Then, candidate hub genes were screened out through protein-protein interaction analysis, and the key miRNAs were identified. Afterwards, the expression levels of the key miRNAs were assessed by qRT-PCR based on an in vitro model.

RESULTS

A total of 22 DEMs were screened out, and 616 target genes were predicted. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis showed that the target genes may be enriched in a diversity of GO terms and signaling pathways. Among them, eleven hub genes were identified, such as PTEN, KAT2B, CCND1, STAT3, and MAP3K5. Moreover, a five-miRNA profile (miR-106b, miR-17, miR-20b, miR-18a and miR-93) was identified and their expression levels were tested to be up-regulated in high-metastatic NPC cells relative to low-metastatic ones.

CONCLUSION

The present study revealed that five miRNAs (miR-106b, miR-17, miR-20b, miR-18a and miR-93) and several hub genes such as PTEN, KAT2B, CCND1, STAT3, and MAP3K5, might play critical roles in the development of NPC metastasis. Future investigations are needed to confirm the results.

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway-Related Proteins (DKK-3, β-Catenin, and c-MYC) Are Involved in Prognosis of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is one of the highly conserved signaling pathway widely reported to play essential roles in the development of various tumors and human cancers, thus serving as a potential target for anticancer therapy. However, the specific effects of the related proteins in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) still remain elusive. Thus, this study was performed to uncover the correlation between the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins and the clinical characteristics and prognosis of NPC. NPC tissues were revealed to present high expression of β-catenin and v-myc myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (c-MYC) but low expression of Dickkopf-3 (DKK-3). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that DKK-3 was positively linked to but β-catenin and c-MYC were negatively linked to differentiation, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and lymph node metastasis of patients with NPC. In addition, c-MYC was identified to be positively correlated to DKK-3 in NPC tissues. The positive expression of β-catenin and c-MYC had negative relations with and that of DKK-3 had positive relations with survival rate of patients with NPC, which was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Moreover, it was shown that later TNM stage and positive expression of β-catenin were risk factors for NPC-related death. These findings provide evidence that the proteins related to the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway (DKK-3, β-catenin, and c-MYC) participate in the development of NPC and positive expression of DKK-3 and negative expression of β-catenin, and c-MYC can serve as essential prognostic biomarkers, shedding new light on the prognosis and treatment of NPC.

Anti-Cancer Effects of Green Tea Polyphenols Against Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Green tea consumption is reported to play an important role in the prevention of carcinogenesis in many types of malignancies, including prostate cancer; however, epidemiological studies show conflicting results regarding these anti-cancer effects. In recent years, in addition to prevention, many investigators have shown the efficacy and safety of green tea polyphenols and combination therapies with green tea extracts and anti-cancer agents in in vivo and in vitro studies. Furthermore, numerous studies have revealed the molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects of green tea extracts. We believe that improved understanding of the detailed pathological roles at the molecular level is important to evaluate the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. Therefore, in this review, we present current knowledge regarding the anti-cancer effects of green tea extracts in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms of action, such as influencing tumor growth, apoptosis, androgen receptor signaling, cell cycle, and various malignant behaviors. Finally, the future direction for the use of green tea extracts as treatment strategies in patients with prostate cancer is introduced.

Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression and Its Correlation with Primary Tumor Size and Lymph Node Involvement in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

AIM:

This study aimed to observe the cyclooxygenase-2 expression and its correlation with tumour size and lymph node involvement in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

METHODS:

This study was cross-sectional, that enrolled 126 samples diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Haji Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan, Indonesia which fulfilled the inclusion criteria.

RESULTS:

Based on this study, we found that the age peak incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients about a 41-60-year-old group (57.1%), dominated by men (71.4%). Through histopathological examination, non-keratinizing squamous cell carcinoma is the most predominant type (79.4%). We also found T3 is the most prevalent primary tumour size (32.5%) with prominent lymph node involvement N3 (45.2%), and stage IV (54.8%). Cyclooxygenase-2 overexpression is prevalent among nonkeratinizing squamous cell carcinoma (81.1%), T3 primary tumour size (41.1%), N3 node involvement (60.0%), and IV clinical stage (71.6%). In addition, we found a significant relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 expressions towards tumor size (p < 0.001) and lymph node involvement (p < 0.001) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

CONCLUSION:

It is proved that the overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 will increase the susceptibility of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients having advanced primary tumour size and lymph node involvement.

Differential expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and cyclin D1 in salivary gland tumors

PURPOSE

Salivary gland tumors are complex and have a great histomorphological diversity; more than 30 histological subtypes are currently described and the study of proteins that help understand and differentiate these tumors is essential. We aimed to analyze the immunoexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cyclin D1 proteins in pleomorphic adenomas (PA), mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MEC) and adenoid cystic carcinomas (AdCC) of salivary glands.

METHODS

A total of 38 PA, 12 AdCC and 12 MEC underwent immunohistochemical study by the polymeric biotin-free technique. Immunopositive cells were analyzed semi-quantitatively. For statistical analysis, a significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS

Overall, these tumors were more prevalent in women (n = 37). The mean age of these patients was 58-year-old and the parotid gland was the most affected anatomic site (n = 33). All cases of AdCC and MEC showed immunopositivity to cyclin D1; however, 39.5% of the PAs were negative (p < 0.001). Regarding COX-2 immunoexpression, we observed that all cases of CME were positive, whereas 60.5% of the PA and 75% of the CAC analyzed were completely negative (p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

The overexpression of COX-2, observed only in MEC, emphasizes that salivary gland tumors have different profiles. Cyclin D1 is more immunoexpressed in malignant tumors. Together, these immunohistochemical findings may be useful in differentiating the studied tumors.

Apigenin inhibits C5a-induced proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through down-regulation of C5aR

Complement 5a (C5a) is able to induce the proliferation of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells. Therefore, an effective method or drug that can specifically inhibit C5a-induced proliferation of human NPC cells needs to be developed. Reportedly, Apigenin has antiproliferative effects on a variety of cancer cells. However, the effect of Apigenin on NPC cell proliferation and its underlying mechanism are still unclear. Herein, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Apigenin on C5a-induced proliferation of human NPC cells and its possible mechanism through down-regulation of C5aR. We revealed that Apigenin in vitro could not only inhibit proliferation of NPC cells and but also reduce the expression of C5aR and P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) as well as the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in NPC cells. Furthermore, Apigenin reduced the proliferation of human NPC cells triggered by C5a through negative regulation of C5aR/PCAF/STAT3 axis. These might provide a new insight into the function of Apigenin in cancer treatment, and also provide a potential strategy for treating human NPC through inhibition of C5aR expression on cancer cells.

siRNA Delivery for Control of Cyclin D1 and E2F1 Expression in Crohn's Disease

Evidence in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) supports a connection between inflammation and cancer due to the alteration of the cell cycle with loss of control at the G1/S checkpoint. In this study, we analyze the expression and modulation of CyD1 and E2F1 in colon explants from Crohn's disease (CD) patients. We used ex vivo culture of colon explants from 4 CD patients and 2 healthy controls, stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia Coli (EC-LPS). Commercial siRNAs for CyD1 and E2F1 inhibition were encapsulated in Invivofectamine® and in purposely produced nanoliposomal vectors to silencing CyD1 and E2F1 expression. Western blot analysis was used to investigate the effect of siRNA on CyD1, E2F1 and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression. In CD patients colon explants, CyD1 and E2F1 increased after the inflammatory stimulus but siRNA silencing attenuated their expression and controlled the COX-2 expression too. These data represent a prelimiary exploration of in vitro siRNA use.

siRNA Delivery for Control of Cyclin D1 and E2F1 Expression in Crohn's Disease

Evidence in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) supports a connection between inflammation and cancer due to the alteration of the cell cycle with loss of control at the G1/S checkpoint. In this study, we analyze the expression and modulation of CyD1 and E2F1 in colon explants from Crohn's disease (CD) patients. We used ex vivo culture of colon explants from 4 CD patients and 2 healthy controls, stimulated with lipopolysaccharide from Escherichia Coli (EC-LPS). Commercial siRNAs for CyD1 and E2F1 inhibition were encapsulated in Invivofectamine® and in purposely produced nanoliposomal vectors to silencing CyD1 and E2F1 expression. Western blot analysis was used to investigate the effect of siRNA on CyD1, E2F1 and cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) expression. In CD patients colon explants, CyD1 and E2F1 increased after the inflammatory stimulus but siRNA silencing attenuated their expression and controlled the COX-2 expression too. These data represent a prelimiary exploration of in vitro siRNA use.

Correlation of the expressions of IGF1R-RACK1-STAT3 and Bcl-xl in nasopharyngeal carcinoma with the clinicopathological features and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of expression of IGF1R-RACK1-STAT3 and Bcl-xl in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with the clinicopathological features and the prognosis of NPC. Our study selected 215 NPC tissues and 178 chronic nasopharyngitis tissues (control group). Positive expression rates of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl were tested by immunohistochemical method, and expression of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, and Bax by western blotting. Correlation of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl with the clinicopathological features of NPC was analyzed. The correlation among those four expression was analyzed by Spearman. The survival of NPC and independent factors of prognosis were tested by Kaplan-Meier and COX proportional hazards model respectively. The NPC group had higher positive expression rates of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl, and elevated expression of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, and Bax. The lymph node metastasis (LNM) group had higher positive expression rates of IGF1R and RACK1 when compared with the non-LNM group. Patients with stage III and IV had higher positive expression rates of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl. There was positive correlation between expression of IGF1R and RACK1, STAT3. Such correlation was found between RACK1 and STAT3. Patients with negative expression of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3, and Bcl-xl had higher survival rates. The risky factors of poor prognosis of NPC were positive expression of IGF1R, RACK1, STAT3 and Bcl-xl, and LNM. IGF1R-RACK1-STAT3 and Bcl-xl expression correlated with the clinicopathological features and poor prognosis of NPC.