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Wei JB, Zeng XC, Ji KR, Zhang LY, Chen XM. Identification of Key Genes and Related Drugs of Adrenocortical Carcinoma by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis. Horm Metab Res 2023. [PMID: 38109896 DOI: 10.1055/a-2209-0771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant carcinoma with an extremely poor prognosis, and its pathogenesis remains to be understood to date, necessitating further investigation. This study aims to discover biomarkers and potential therapeutic agents for ACC through bioinformatics, enhancing clinical diagnosis and treatment strategies. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between ACC and normal adrenal cortex were screened out from the GSE19750 and GSE90713 datasets available in the GEO database. An online Venn diagram tool was utilized to identify the common DEGs between the two datasets. The identified DEGs were subjected to functional assessment, pathway enrichment, and identification of hub genes by performing the protein-protein interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. The differences in the expressions of hub genes between ACC and normal adrenal cortex were validated at the GEPIA2 website, and the association of these genes with the overall patient survival was also assessed. Finally, on the QuartataWeb website, drugs related to the identified hub genes were determined. A total of 114 DEGs, 10 hub genes, and 69 known drugs that could interact with these genes were identified. The GO and KEGG analyses revealed a close association of the identified DEGs with cellular signal transduction. The 10 hub genes identified were overexpressed in ACC, in addition to being significantly associated with adverse prognosis in ACC. Three genes and the associated known drugs were identified as potential targets for ACC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Bin Wei
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Chun Zeng
- The Third Clinical Medical College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Kui-Rong Ji
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ling-Yi Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xiao-Min Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Yin M, Wang Y, Ren X, Han M, Li S, Liang R, Wang G, Gang X. Identification of key genes and pathways in adrenocortical carcinoma: evidence from bioinformatic analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1250033. [PMID: 38053725 PMCID: PMC10694291 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1250033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy with poor prognosis. The disease originates from the cortex of adrenal gland and lacks effective treatment. Efforts have been made to elucidate the pathogenesis of ACC, but the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. To identify key genes and pathways in ACC, the expression profiles of GSE12368, GSE90713 and GSE143383 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After screening differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each microarray dataset on the basis of cut-off, we identified 206 DEGs, consisting of 72 up-regulated and 134 down-regulated genes in three datasets. Function enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed by DAVID online database and the results revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in cell cycle, cell cycle process, mitotic cell cycle, response to oxygen-containing compound, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, p53 signaling pathway. The STRING database was used to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and modules analysis was performed using Cytoscape. Finally, we filtered out eight hub genes, including CDK1, CCNA2, CCNB1, TOP2A, MAD2L1, BIRC5, BUB1 and AURKA. Biological process analysis showed that these hub genes were significantly enriched in nuclear division, mitosis, M phase of mitotic cell cycle and cell cycle process. Violin plot, Kaplan-Meier curve and stage plot of these hub genes confirmed the reliability of the results. In conclusion, the results in this study provided reliable key genes and pathways for ACC, which will be useful for ACC mechanisms, diagnosis and candidate targeted treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengsha Yin
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Hospital Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xinhua Ren
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mingyue Han
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shanshan Li
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ruishuang Liang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guixia Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiaokun Gang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Abstract
Adrenal cortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy that poses challenging issues regarding the diagnostic workup. Indeed, no presurgical technique or clinical parameters can reliably distinguish between adrenal cortical adenomas, which are more frequent and have a favorable outcome, and ACC, and the final diagnosis largely relies on histopathologic analysis of the surgical specimen. However, even the pathologic assessment of malignancy in an adrenal cortical lesion is not straightforward and requires a combined evaluation of multiple histopathologic features. Starting from the Weiss score, which was developed in 1984, several histopathologic scoring systems have been designed to tackle the difficulties of ACC diagnosis. Dealing with specific histopathologic variants (eg, Liss-Weiss-Bisceglia scoring system for oncocytic ACC) or patient characteristics (eg, Wieneke index in the pediatric setting), these scores remarkably improved the diagnostic workup of ACC and its subtypes. Nevertheless, cases with misleading features or discordant correlations between pathologic findings and clinical behavior still occur. Owing to multicentric collaborative studies integrating morphologic features with ancillary immunohistochemical markers and molecular analysis, ACC has eventually emerged as a multifaceted, heterogenous malignancy, and, while innovative and promising approaches are currently being tested, the future clinical management of patients with ACC will mainly rely on personalized medicine and target-therapy protocols. At the dawn of the new Fifth World Health Organization classification of endocrine tumors, this review will tackle ACC from the pathologist's perspective, thus focusing on the main available diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive tissue-tethered features and biomarkers and providing relevant clinical and molecular correlates.
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Oncogenic role and potential regulatory mechanism of topoisomerase IIα in a pan-cancer analysis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11161. [PMID: 35778520 PMCID: PMC9249858 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15205-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Topoisomerase IIα (TOP2A) plays an oncogenic role in multiple tumor types. However, no pan-cancer analysis about the function and the upstream molecular mechanism of TOP2A is available. For the first time, we analyzed potential oncogenic roles of TOP2A in 33 cancer types via The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Overexpression of TOP2A was existed in almost all cancer types, and related to poor prognosis and advanced pathological stages in most cases. Besides, the high frequency of TOP2A genetic alterations was observed in several cancer types, and related to prognosis in some cases. Moreover, we conduct upstream miRNAs and lncRNAs of TOP2A to establish ceRNA networks in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (SNHG3-miR-139-5p), kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma (TMEM147-AS1/N4BP2L2-IT2/THUMPD3-AS1/ERICD/TTN-AS1/SH3BP5-AS1/THRB-IT1/SNHG3/NEAT1-miR-139-5p), liver hepatocellular carcinoma (SNHG3/THUMPD3-AS1/NUTM2B-AS1/NUTM2A-AS1-miR-139-5p and SNHG6/GSEC/SNHG1/SNHG14/LINC00265/MIR3142HG-miR-101-3p) and lung adenocarcinoma (TYMSOS/HELLPAR/SNHG1/GSEC/SNHG6-miR-101-3p). TOP2A expression was generally positively correlated with cancer associated fibroblasts, M0 and M1 macrophages in most cancer types. Furthermore, TOP2A was positively associated with expression of immune checkpoints (CD274, CTLA4, HAVCR2, LAG3, PDCD1 and TIGIT) in most cancer types. Our first TOP2A pan-cancer study contributes to understanding the prognostic roles, immunological roles and potential upstream molecular mechanism of TOP2A in different cancers.
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Nazha B, Zhuang TZ, Dada HI, Drusbosky LM, Brown JT, Ravindranathan D, Carthon BC, Kucuk O, Goldman J, Master VA, Bilen MA. Blood-Based Next-Generation Sequencing in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Oncologist 2022; 27:462-468. [PMID: 35462410 PMCID: PMC9177103 DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and heterogeneous malignancy with poor prognosis. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing of circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with ACC, to characterize the genomic landscape of alterations, and to identify potential clinically actionable mutations. METHODS Retrospective analysis of genomic data from 120 patients with ACC who had ctDNA testing between 12/2016 and 10/2021 using Guardant360 (Guardant Health, CA) was performed. ctDNA NGS analysis interrogated single nucleotide variants, fusions, indels, and copy number amplifications of up to 83 genes. The frequency of genomic alterations, landscape of co-occurring mutations, and pathogenic/likely pathogenic alterations with potential targeted therapies was identified. The prevalence of alterations identified in ctDNA was compared to those detected in tissue using a publicly available database (cBioPortal). RESULTS The median age of this cohort was 53 years (range 21-81), and 56% of patients were female. Ninety-six patients (80%) had ≥1 somatic alteration detected. TP53 (52%), EGFR (23%), CTNNB1 (18%), MET (18%), and ATM (14%) were found to be the most frequently altered genes in ACC samples. Pathogenic and/or likely pathogenic mutations in therapeutically relevant genes were observed in 56 patients (47%) and included EGFR, BRAF, MET, CDKN2A, CDK4/6, and ATM. The most frequent co-occurring mutations were EGFR + MET (9%), MET + CDK4 (7%), EGFR + CDK4 (7%), and BRAF + MET (7%). The frequencies of mutations detected in ctDNA were similar to those detected in tissue. CONCLUSIONS Utilizing blood-based NGS to characterize genomic alterations in advanced ACC is feasible in over 80% of patients. Almost half of the patients had actionable mutations with approved therapies in other cancers. This approach might inform the development of personalized treatment options or identify clinical trials available for this aggressive malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Nazha
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Tony Z Zhuang
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | - Jacqueline T Brown
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Deepak Ravindranathan
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Bradley C Carthon
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Omer Kucuk
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jamie Goldman
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Viraj A Master
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mehmet Asim Bilen
- Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Yu S, Ma J. Spindle and Kinetochore-Associated Complex is Associated With Poor Prognosis in Adrenocortical Carcinoma. J Surg Res 2022; 277:50-59. [PMID: 35460921 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The spindle and kinetochore-associated (SKA) complex, composed of three subunits (SKA1, SKA2, and SKA3), stabilizes spindle microtubule attachment to the kinetochore (KT) in the middle stage of mitosis. High expression of this complex is associated with poor prognosis for several tumors. However, the potential role of SKA complex overexpression in rare malignant diseases, such as adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), has not been well investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, we used several databases to explore the relationship between SKA subunit expression and prognosis in ACC patients. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) databases were used to analyze enriched pathways in ACC. RESULTS The results suggest that each of the three SKA subunits are overexpressed in ACC and that high expression is correlated with poor patient prognosis. Overexpression of the SKA complex is associated with the expression of organelle fission, nuclear division, and chromosome segregation pathways. Furthermore, differential expression of hub genes for proteins that interact physically or functionally with the SKA complex (CCNB2, UBE2C, BUB1B, TPX2, CCNA2, CDCA8, CCNB1, MELK, TOP2A, and KIF2C) revealed additional potential biomarkers for ACC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide additional understanding of the mechanisms of ACC and suggest an approach for biomarker discovery using publicly available resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoukai Yu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jun Ma
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Yu S. Overexpression of SKA Complex Is Associated With Poor Prognosis in Gliomas. Front Neurol 2022; 12:755681. [PMID: 35095717 PMCID: PMC8791909 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.755681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The spindle and kinetochore-associated complex is composed of three members: SKA1, SKA2, and SKA3. It is necessary for stabilizing spindle microtubules attaching to kinetochore (KT) in the middle stage of mitosis. The SKA complex is associated with poor prognosis in several human cancers. However, the role of SKA complex in rare malignant diseases, such as gliomas, has not been fully investigated. We investigated several databases, including Oncomine, UALCAN, and cBioPortal to explore the expression profile and prognostic significance of SKA complex in patients with gliomas. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome pathways were used to analyze the potential enriched pathways. The genes co-expressed with SKA complex were identified and used for developing a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network using the STRING database. We found a significant overexpression of the mRNA levels of SKA1, SKA2, and SKA3 in patients with glioma patients. Higher expression of SKA1 and SKA3, but not SKA2, was significantly correlated with shorter overall survival of patients with glioma. In glioma, SKA complex was found to be involved in nuclear division, chromosome segregation, and DNA replication. The results of PPI network identified 10 hub genes (CCNB2, UBE2C, BUB1B, TPX2, CCNA2, CCNB1, MELK, TOP2A, PBK, and KIF11), all of which were overexpressed and negatively associated with prognosis of patients with glioma. In conclusion, our study sheds new insights into the biological role and prognostic significance of SKA complex in glioma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoukai Yu
- Hongqiao International Institute of Medicine, Shanghai Tongren Hospital and Clinical Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Uchihara M, Tanioka M, Kojima Y, Nishikawa T, Sudo K, Shimoi T, Noguchi E, Maeshima AM, Yonemori K. Clinical management and outcomes associated with etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin plus mitotane treatment in metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma: a single institute experience. Int J Clin Oncol 2021; 26:2275-2281. [PMID: 34468885 DOI: 10.1007/s10147-021-02021-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and aggressive disease that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. There is no standard treatment for metastatic ACC; EDP-M (etoposide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin plus mitotane) is one treatment option. A randomized controlled trial (FIRM-ACT) evaluating the efficacy of EDP-M showed progression-free survival (PFS) was 5.0 months, overall survival (OS) was 14.8 months, the response rate was 19%, and adrenal insufficiency occurred in 3.4% of patients. However, the efficacy and safety of this regimen in Asia are not fully reported. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 43 patients diagnosed with metastatic ACC at the National Cancer Center Hospital between 1997 and 2020. We evaluated PFS, OS, and response in 17 patients who received EDP-M as first-line therapy. RESULTS The median age at treatment initiation was 45 years (range 18-74). Eight patients (47%) had autonomous hormone production, including six patients with hypercortisolism. The best response of partial response and stable disease was seen in two (12%) and ten (59%) patients, respectively. The median PFS was 6.2 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.3-10.0]. The median OS was 15.4 months (95% CI 11.6-not reached). Three patients received only one cycle due to adverse effects associated with hypercortisolism. Grade 3/4 adverse events associated with adrenal insufficiency occurred in three (17%) cases, resulting in EDP-M discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS The EDP-M regimen had similar PFS to that observed in FIRM-ACT. Adrenal insufficiency was more frequent in the current study, but this could be managed with supportive endocrinological care such as cortisol replacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Uchihara
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.,Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Toyama 1-21-1, Shinjuku-ku City, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan
| | - Maki Tanioka
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan.
| | - Yuki Kojima
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Tadaaki Nishikawa
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Kazuki Sudo
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Tatsunori Shimoi
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Emi Noguchi
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Akiko Miyagi Maeshima
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
| | - Kan Yonemori
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tsukiji 5-1-1, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-0045, Japan
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Huang X, Liang C, Yang H, Li X, Deng X, Liang X, Li L, Huang Z, Lu D, Ma Y, Luo Z. Curcumin induces apoptosis and inhibits the growth of adrenocortical carcinoma: Identification of potential candidate genes and pathways by transcriptome analysis. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:476. [PMID: 33907586 PMCID: PMC8063251 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an endocrine tumour with high malignancy, high invasiveness and poor prognosis. Curcumin, a major component in turmeric, has been reported to have good efficacy and biological safety in treating cancer. However, the role and mechanism of curcumin in ACC have not yet been fully investigated and were thus the focus of this study. In vitro, ACC SW-13 and NCI-H295R cells were treated with curcumin and their viability, migration and invasion were assessed by CCK-8 and Transwell assays. Apoptosis was detected via flow cytometry and western blotting. High-throughput sequencing and comprehensive bioinformatics analyses were performed to elucidate the molecular processes underlying curcumin activity. In vivo, SW-13 cells were injected into nude mice, and the tumour volumes and weights were observed after 2 weeks of curcumin treatment. Organelle changes were observed by electron microscopy, and potential candidate genes and pathways were analysed by RT-qPCR and western blotting. The role of the CHOP target gene in curcumin-induced ACC cell apoptosis was verified via lentiviral transfection experiments. Curcumin inhibited the viability, migration and invasion, and induced the apoptosis of ACC cells. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that curcumin treatment markedly changed the gene expression levels. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses showed that the MAPK and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathways were the predominant pathways associated with curcumin-induced apoptosis of ACC cells. Subsequent in vivo and in vitro results demonstrated that the JNK, p38 MAPK and ER stress pathways were activated in curcumin-treated ACC cells, and that C/EBP homologous protein induction was responsible for curcumin-induced apoptosis of ACC cells. In summary, curcumin induced ACC cell apoptosis and inhibited tumour growth by activating the JNK, p38 MAPK and ER stress pathways. Thus, curcumin may be a potential therapeutic drug for ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530022, P.R. China
| | - Chunfeng Liang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Haiyan Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xiujun Deng
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Xinghuan Liang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Zhenxing Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Decheng Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Yan Ma
- Department of Ultrasonic Diagnosis, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
| | - Zuojie Luo
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region 530021, P.R. China
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Mizdrak M, Tičinović Kurir T, Božić J. The Role of Biomarkers in Adrenocortical Carcinoma: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Biomedicines 2021; 9:174. [PMID: 33578890 PMCID: PMC7916711 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020174] [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: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare endocrine malignancy arising from the adrenal cortex often with unexpected biological behavior. It can occur at any age, with two peaks of incidence: in the first and between fifth and seventh decades of life. Although ACC are mostly hormonally active, precursors and metabolites, rather than end products of steroidogenesis are produced by dedifferentiated and immature malignant cells. Distinguishing the etiology of adrenal mass, between benign adenomas, which are quite frequent in general population, and malignant carcinomas with dismal prognosis is often unfeasible. Even after pathohistological analysis, diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinomas is not always straightforward and represents a great challenge for experienced and multidisciplinary expert teams. No single imaging method, hormonal work-up or immunohistochemical labelling can definitively prove the diagnosis of ACC. Over several decades' great efforts have been made in finding novel reliable and available diagnostic and prognostic factors including steroid metabolome profiling or target gene identification. Despite these achievements, the 5-year mortality rate still accounts for approximately 75% to 90%, ACC is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages and therapeutic options are unfortunately limited. Therefore, imperative is to identify new biological markers that can predict patient prognosis and provide new therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Mizdrak
- Department of Nephrology and Hemodialysis, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
| | - Tina Tičinović Kurir
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia
| | - Joško Božić
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia;
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Cai H, Shao B, Zhou Y, Chen Z. High expression of TOP2A in hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with disease progression and poor prognosis. Oncol Lett 2020; 20:232. [PMID: 32968454 PMCID: PMC7500035 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2020.12095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor in the clinic. Although there are increasing numbers of available treatment methods, their therapeutic effects are not satisfactory. The clinical indicators commonly used to predict the prognosis of HCC include tumor size, degree of cirrhosis, degree of tumor differentiation and tumor microvascular invasion; however, there are currently no molecular indicators that can predict the prognosis of HCC. Due to the differences in the progression of liver cancer among individuals, there is a growing need for prognostic biomarkers to accurately stratify patients for appropriate risk-adaptive treatment. The DNA topoisomerase 2-α (TOP2A) gene, which is located on human chromosome 17, encodes DNA topoisomerase IIα. Previous studies have demonstrated that TOP2A indicates a poor prognosis in patients with various types of tumors, but no such studies are currently available on HCC. By analyzing the differential expression of TOP2A in 50 pairs of tumor and paracancerous tissue samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, the present study revealed that the expression of TOP2A was significantly higher in tumor tissue compared with that in paracancerous tissue (P=6.319×10-16). In the collected clinical samples, the mRNA expression levels of TOP2A were significantly upregulated in HCC tumor tissues compared with those in the paracancerous tissues (P=6.40×10-3), suggesting that TOP2A was associated with the occurrence and development of liver cancer. In addition, the associations between TOP2A expression, clinicopathological features and prognosis were analyzed using a multi-center large sample dataset from TCGA database, and the results demonstrated that high expression of TOP2A was associated with a higher T stage, poorer clinical stage and higher histological grade compared with those in patients with low TOP2A expression. High expression of TOP2A was also identified to be associated with a poor prognosis of HCC, particularly in Asian populations. These results suggested that high expression of TOP2A in HCC tissues may be closely associated with tumor progression and metastasis, which may be used as a biological indicator to predict tumor prognosis in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Cai
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226361, P.R. China
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Bingfeng Shao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226361, P.R. China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226361, P.R. China
| | - Zhong Chen
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, P.R. China
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12
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Altieri B, Ronchi CL, Kroiss M, Fassnacht M. Next-generation therapies for adrenocortical carcinoma. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 34:101434. [PMID: 32622829 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Almost one decade ago, etoposide, doxorubicin, cisplatin and mitotane (EDP-M) has been established as first-line systemic therapy of metastatic adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). Although heterogeneous, the prognosis of advanced stage ACC is still poor and novel treatments are urgently needed. This article provides a short summary of current systemic ACC treatment and provides a comprehensive overview of new therapeutic approaches that have been investigated in the past years, including drugs targeting the IGF pathway, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, radionuclide treatment, and immunotherapy. The results of most of these trials were disappointing and we will discuss possible reasons why these drugs failed (e.g. drug interactions with mitotane, disease heterogeneity with exceptional responses in very few patients, and resistance mechanisms to immunotherapy). We then will present potential new drug targets that have emerged from many molecular studies (e.g. wnt/β-catenin, cyclin-dependent kinases, PARP1) that may be the foundation of next-generation therapies of ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Altieri
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Cristina L Ronchi
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Institute of Metabolism and System Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Matthias Kroiss
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Central Laboratory, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Martin Fassnacht
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Comprehensive Cancer Mainfranken, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Central Laboratory, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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13
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Are we failing in treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma? Lights and shadows of molecular signatures. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coemr.2019.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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14
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Sanders K, van Staalduinen GJ, Uijens MCM, Mol JA, Teske E, Slob A, Hesselink JW, Kooistra HS, Galac S. Molecular markers of prognosis in canine cortisol-secreting adrenocortical tumours. Vet Comp Oncol 2019; 17:545-552. [PMID: 31301217 PMCID: PMC6899893 DOI: 10.1111/vco.12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hypercortisolism is caused by a cortisol‐secreting adrenocortical tumour (ACT) in approximately 15%‐20% of cases in dogs. Little is known about which molecular markers are associated with malignant behaviour of canine ACTs. The objective of this study was to identify molecular markers of prognosis, which could be useful to refine prognostic prediction and to identify potential treatment targets. Cortisol‐secreting ACTs were included from 40 dogs, of which follow‐up information was available. The ACTs were classified as low risk of recurrence tumours (LRT; n = 14) or moderate‐high risk of recurrence tumours (MHRT; n = 26), based on the novel histopathological Utrecht score. Normal adrenals (NAs) were included from 11 healthy dogs as reference material. The mRNA expression of 14 candidate genes was analysed in the 40 ACTs and in 11 NAs with quantitative RT‐PCR. The genes' expression levels were statistically compared between NAs, LRTs and MHRTs. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association of the genes' expression levels with survival. Seven genes were differentially expressed between NAs and ACTs, of which pituitary tumour‐transforming gene‐1 (PTTG1) and topoisomerase II alpha (TOP2A) were also differentially expressed between LRTs and MHRTs. In survival analyses, high expression levels of Steroidogenic factor‐1 (SF‐1), PTTG1 and TOP2A were significantly associated with poor survival. In conclusion, we have identified several genes that are part of the molecular signature of malignancy in canine ACTs. These findings can be used to refine prognostic prediction, but also offer insights for future studies on druggable targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Sanders
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gerjanne J van Staalduinen
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten C M Uijens
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan A Mol
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Erik Teske
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Adri Slob
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jan Willem Hesselink
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans S Kooistra
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sara Galac
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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15
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Mohan DR, Lerario AM, Else T, Mukherjee B, Almeida MQ, Vinco M, Rege J, Mariani BMP, Zerbini MCN, Mendonca BB, Latronico AC, Marie SKN, Rainey WE, Giordano TJ, Fragoso MCBV, Hammer GD. Targeted Assessment of G0S2 Methylation Identifies a Rapidly Recurrent, Routinely Fatal Molecular Subtype of Adrenocortical Carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2019; 25:3276-3288. [PMID: 30770352 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-18-2693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare, aggressive malignancy with few therapies; however, patients with locoregional disease have variable outcomes. The Cancer Genome Atlas project on ACC (ACC-TCGA) identified that cancers of patients with homogeneously rapidly recurrent or fatal disease bear a unique CpG island hypermethylation phenotype, "CIMP-high." We sought to identify a biomarker that faithfully captures this subgroup.Experimental Design: We analyzed ACC-TCGA data to characterize differentially regulated biological processes, and identify a biomarker that is methylated and silenced exclusively in CIMP-high ACC. In an independent cohort of 114 adrenocortical tumors (80 treatment-naive primary ACC, 22 adrenocortical adenomas, and 12 non-naive/nonprimary ACC), we evaluated biomarker methylation by a restriction digest/qPCR-based approach, validated by targeted bisulfite sequencing. We evaluated expression of this biomarker and additional prognostic markers by qPCR. RESULTS We show that CIMP-high ACC is characterized by upregulation of cell cycle and DNA damage response programs, and identify that hypermethylation and silencing of G0S2 distinguishes this subgroup. We confirmed G0S2 hypermethylation and silencing is exclusive to 40% of ACC, and independently predicts shorter disease-free and overall survival (median 14 and 17 months, respectively). Finally, G0S2 methylation combined with validated molecular markers (BUB1B-PINK1) stratifies ACC into three groups, with uniformly favorable, intermediate, and uniformly dismal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS G0S2 hypermethylation is a hallmark of rapidly recurrent or fatal ACC, amenable to targeted assessment using routine molecular diagnostics. Assessing G0S2 methylation is straightforward, feasible for clinical decision-making, and will enable the direction of efficacious adjuvant therapies for patients with aggressive ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipika R Mohan
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Antonio Marcondes Lerario
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tobias Else
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Bhramar Mukherjee
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Madson Q Almeida
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo - ICESP, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Michelle Vinco
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Juilee Rege
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Beatriz M P Mariani
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Claudia N Zerbini
- Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Berenice B Mendonca
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ana Claudia Latronico
- Unidade de Endocrinologia do Desenvolvimento, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Suely K N Marie
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular e Celular/LIM15, Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - William E Rainey
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Thomas J Giordano
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Maria Candida B V Fragoso
- Unidade de Suprarrenal, Laboratório de Hormônios e Genética Molecular/LIM42, Hospital das Clínicas, Disciplina de Endocrinologia, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.,Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo - ICESP, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Gary D Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. .,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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16
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Wang XC, Lei Y, Wang L, Tan Y, Qin JB, Ma GL, Zhang H. Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging Reflects Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Topo IIα, and O⁶-Methylguanine-DNA Methyltransferase (MGMT) Expression in Astrocytomas. Med Sci Monit 2018; 24:8822-8830. [PMID: 30520434 PMCID: PMC6292149 DOI: 10.12659/msm.911631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytomas are the most common primary brain neoplasms. Biological indicators of astrocytomas can reflect its biological characteristics. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of the pathological glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) Topo IIα and O⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in astrocytomas using magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) to evaluate the biological characteristics of astrocytomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS Sixty-six patients with pathologically proven astrocytomas were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent conventional MRI head scanning, DKI scanning, and enhanced scanning under the same conditions. Spearman's rank correlation analysis and Bonferroni correction were used to compare the values of DKI and the expression levels of GFAP, Topo IIα, and MGMT between the 2 groups. RESULTS Mean kurtosis (MK) values were negatively correlated with the expression of GFAP (r=-0.836; P=0.03). However, these were positively correlated with the expression of Topo IIα (r=0.896; P=0.01). Moreover, fractional anisotropy (FA) values were not correlated with the expression of GFAP (r=0.366; P=0.05), Topo IIα (r=-0.562; P=0.05), or MGMT (r=-0.153; P=0.10). CONCLUSIONS MK was significantly associated with the expression of GFAP and Topo IIα. To a certain extent, applying DKI may show the biological behavior of tumor cell differentiation, proliferation activity, invasion, and metastasis, and guide individual treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-chun Wang
- Department of Radiology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Ying Lei
- Department of Radiology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Radiology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Yan Tan
- Department of Radiology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Jiang-bo Qin
- Department of Radiology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
| | - Guo-lin Ma
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Radiology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
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17
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Mohan DR, Lerario AM, Hammer GD. Therapeutic Targets for Adrenocortical Carcinoma in the Genomics Era. J Endocr Soc 2018; 2:1259-1274. [PMID: 30402590 PMCID: PMC6215083 DOI: 10.1210/js.2018-00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare and often fatal cancer, affecting ~1 person per million per year worldwide. Approximately 75% of patients with ACC eventually develop metastases and progress on the few available standard-of-care medical therapies, highlighting an incredible need for an improved understanding of the molecular biology of this disease. Although it has long been known that ACC is characterized by certain histological and genetic features (e.g., high mitotic activity, chromosomal instability, and overexpression of IGF2), only in the last two decades of genomics has the molecular landscape of ACC been more thoroughly characterized. In this review, we describe the findings of historical genetics and recent genomics studies on ACC and discuss how underlying concepts emerging from these studies contribute to the current model of critical pathways for adrenocortical carcinogenesis. Integrative synthesis across these studies reveals that ACC consists of three distinct molecular subtypes with divergent clinical outcomes and implicates differential regulation of Wnt signaling, cell cycle, DNA methylation, immune biology, and steroidogenesis in ACC biology. These cellular programs are pharmacologically targetable and may enable the development of therapeutic strategies to improve outcomes for patients facing this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipika R Mohan
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Doctoral Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Antonio Marcondes Lerario
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Gary D Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.,University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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18
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Puglisi S, Perotti P, Cosentini D, Roca E, Basile V, Berruti A, Terzolo M. Decision-making for adrenocortical carcinoma: surgical, systemic, and endocrine management options. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther 2018; 18:1125-1133. [PMID: 30117750 DOI: 10.1080/14737140.2018.1510325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare tumor characterized by poor prognosis in most cases. Moreover, in most cases ACC produces an excess of adrenal steroid hormones with relevant clinical consequences. Areas covered: After an extensive literature search, this narrative review addresses diagnostic management, including hormonal, radiological and pathological assessment, and treatment, which should be directed toward both cancer and hormone related problems. While surgery is the first option in ACC without evidence of metastatic disease, and the only possibility of cure, the therapeutic management of metastatic patients is centered on systemic therapy including mitotane alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Mitotane is also used in the adjuvant setting, because up to 80% of patients with nonmetastatic ACC show locoregional or distant metastases after an apparent complete surgical excision. Expert commentary: Management of ACC patients is fraught with many difficulties and should be limited to experienced physicians. Each step of clinical management, such as diagnosis, prognostication, treatment (both surgical and medical) is challenging and carries the possibility of severe mistakes. For this reason, each step of the management strategy should be decided in the setting of a multidisciplinary team including different expertise (endocrinology, radiology, pathology, oncology), in expert centers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Puglisi
- a Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, San Luigi Hospital , University of Turin , Orbassano (TO) , Italy
| | - Paola Perotti
- a Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, San Luigi Hospital , University of Turin , Orbassano (TO) , Italy
| | - Deborah Cosentini
- b Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, Spedali Civili Hospital , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
| | - Elisa Roca
- b Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, Spedali Civili Hospital , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
| | - Vittoria Basile
- a Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, San Luigi Hospital , University of Turin , Orbassano (TO) , Italy
| | - Alfredo Berruti
- b Medical Oncology, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health, Spedali Civili Hospital , University of Brescia , Brescia , Italy
| | - Massimo Terzolo
- a Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, San Luigi Hospital , University of Turin , Orbassano (TO) , Italy
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19
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Crona J, Beuschlein F, Pacak K, Skogseid B. Advances in adrenal tumors 2018. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:R405-R420. [PMID: 29794126 PMCID: PMC5976083 DOI: 10.1530/erc-18-0138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This review aims to provide clinicians and researchers with a condensed update on the most important studies in the field during 2017. We present the academic output measured by active clinical trials and peer-reviewed published manuscripts. The most important and contributory manuscripts were summarized for each diagnostic entity, with a particular focus on manuscripts that describe translational research that have the potential to improve clinical care. Finally, we highlight the importance of collaborations in adrenal tumor research, which allowed for these recent advances and provide structures for future success in this scientific field.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Crona
- Department of Medical SciencesUppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - F Beuschlein
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IVKlinikum der Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Klinik für EndokrinologieDiabetologie und Klinische Ernährung, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - K Pacak
- Section on Medical NeuroendocrinologyEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - B Skogseid
- Department of Medical SciencesUppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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20
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Abstract
Careful morphological evaluation forms the basis of the workup of an adrenal cortical neoplasm. However, the adoption of immunohistochemical biomarkers has added tremendous value to enhance diagnostic accuracy. The authors provide a brief review of immunohistochemical biomarkers that have been used in the confirmation of adrenal cortical origin and in the detection of the source of functional adrenal cortical proliferations, as well as diagnostic, predictive, and prognostic biomarkers of adrenal cortical carcinoma. In addition, a brief section on potential novel theranostic biomarkers in the prediction of treatment response to mitotane and other relevant chemotherapeutic agents is also provided. In the era of precision and personalized medical practice, adoption of combined morphology and immunohistochemistry provides a new approach to the diagnostic workup of adrenal cortical neoplasms, reflecting the evolution of clinical responsibility of pathologists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozgur Mete
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, 11th floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
| | - Sylvia L Asa
- Department of Pathology, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, 11th floor, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Thomas J Giordano
- Departments of Pathology and Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Mauro Papotti
- Department of Pathology, Turin University at Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Hironobu Sasano
- Department of Pathology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Marco Volante
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin at San Luigi Hospital, Turin University, Orbassano, Turin, Italy
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21
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Ren L, Liu J, Gou K, Xing C. Copy number variation and high expression of DNA topoisomerase II alpha predict worse prognosis of cancer: a meta-analysis. J Cancer 2018; 9:2082-2092. [PMID: 29937926 PMCID: PMC6010676 DOI: 10.7150/jca.23681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Increasing numbers of literatures have investigated the association between TOP2A and cancer prognosis. But the results of the relationship between the two were inconclusive. The aim of this meta-analysis was to elucidate whether TOP2A could predict prognosis of cancer. Materials and Methods: A systematically searching for potentially valuable literature was conducted through electronic databases containing PubMed and Web of Science. Hazard Ratio (HR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of association between TOP2A and cancer prognosis. Results: Finally twenty-five studies were included in this meta-analysis. High expression of TOP2A was associated with shorter disease free survival (DFS) of cancer prognosis compared with low expression of TOP2A (HR= 1.36, 95% CI= 1.18-1.57, P<0.001). Amplification of TOP2A gene showed no significant association with overall survival (OS), disease free survival (DFS) or relapse free survival (RFS) compared with non-amplification of TOP2A (OS: HR= 0.96, 95%CI= 0.75-1.22, P= 0.735; DFS: HR= 0.93, 95%CI= 0.70-1.23, P= 0.621; RFS: HR= 0.97, 95%CI= 0.71-1.34, P= 0.867). In the subgroup of regions, TOP2A amplification was associated with longer overall survival (HR= 0.66, 95%CI= 0.46-0.96, P= 0.029) in Australia. Alteration (amplification or deletion) of TOP2A gene demonstrated shorter survival according to OS and RFS compared with those with normal TOP2A status (OS: HR= 1.37, 95%CI= 1.22-1.55, P<0.001; RFS: HR= 1.26, 95%CI= 1.12-1.41, P<0.001). Conclusion: High TOP2A expression suggested significant relationship with worse cancer prognosis. Alteration (amplification or deletion) of TOP2A gene was also significantly related to shorter survival of cancer patients. Therefore, TOP2A might be used as an indicator for poor prognosis of cancer in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chengzhong Xing
- Department of anorectal surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University
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22
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Lalli E, Luconi M. The next step: mechanisms driving adrenocortical carcinoma metastasis. Endocr Relat Cancer 2018; 25:R31-R48. [PMID: 29142005 DOI: 10.1530/erc-17-0440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endocrine tumors have the peculiarity to become clinically evident not only due to symptoms related to space occupation by the growing lesion, similarly to most other tumors, but also, and most often, because of their specific hormonal secretion, which significantly contributes to their pathological burden. Malignant endocrine tumors, in addition, have the ability to produce distant metastases. Here, we critically review the current knowledge about mechanisms and biomarkers characterizing the metastatic process in adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC), a rare endocrine malignancy with a high risk of relapse and metastatization even when the primary tumor is diagnosed and surgically removed at an early stage. We highlight perspectives of future research in the domain and possible new therapeutic avenues based on targeting factors having an important role in the metastatic process of ACC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Lalli
- Université Côte d'AzurValbonne, France
- CNRS UMR7275Valbonne, France
- NEOGENEX CNRS International Associated LaboratoryValbonne, France
- Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et CellulaireValbonne, France
| | - Michaela Luconi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences 'Mario Serio'University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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