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Simbulan-Rosenthal CM, Islam N, Haribabu Y, Alobaidi R, Shalamzari A, Graham G, Kuo LW, Sykora P, Rosenthal DS. CD133 Stimulates Cell Proliferation via the Upregulation of Amphiregulin in Melanoma. Cells 2024; 13:777. [PMID: 38727313 PMCID: PMC11083289 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
CD133, a cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in tumors, including melanoma, is associated with tumor recurrence, chemoresistance, and metastasis. Patient-derived melanoma cell lines were transduced with a Tet-on vector expressing CD133, generating doxycycline (Dox)-inducible cell lines. Cells were exposed to Dox for 24 h to induce CD133 expression, followed by RNA-seq and bioinformatic analyses, revealing genes and pathways that are significantly up- or downregulated by CD133. The most significantly upregulated gene after CD133 was amphiregulin (AREG), validated by qRT-PCR and immunoblot analyses. Induced CD133 expression significantly increased cell growth, percentage of cells in S-phase, BrdU incorporation into nascent DNA, and PCNA levels, indicating that CD133 stimulates cell proliferation. CD133 induction also activated EGFR and the MAPK pathway. Potential mechanisms highlighting the role(s) of CD133 and AREG in melanoma CSC were further delineated using AREG/EGFR inhibitors or siRNA knockdown of AREG mRNA. Treatment with the EGFR inhibitor gefitinib blocked CD133-induced cell growth increase and MAPK pathway activation. Importantly, siRNA knockdown of AREG reversed the stimulatory effects of CD133 on cell growth, indicating that AREG mediates the effects of CD133 on cell proliferation, thus serving as an attractive target for novel combinatorial therapeutics in melanoma and cancers with overexpression of both CD133 and AREG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia M Simbulan-Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (N.I.); (Y.H.); (R.A.); (A.S.); (G.G.); (L.-W.K.)
| | - Nusrat Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (N.I.); (Y.H.); (R.A.); (A.S.); (G.G.); (L.-W.K.)
| | - Yogameenakshi Haribabu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (N.I.); (Y.H.); (R.A.); (A.S.); (G.G.); (L.-W.K.)
| | - Ryyan Alobaidi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (N.I.); (Y.H.); (R.A.); (A.S.); (G.G.); (L.-W.K.)
| | - Azadeh Shalamzari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (N.I.); (Y.H.); (R.A.); (A.S.); (G.G.); (L.-W.K.)
| | - Garrett Graham
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (N.I.); (Y.H.); (R.A.); (A.S.); (G.G.); (L.-W.K.)
| | - Li-Wei Kuo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (N.I.); (Y.H.); (R.A.); (A.S.); (G.G.); (L.-W.K.)
| | - Peter Sykora
- Amelia Technologies, LLC., Washington, DC 20001, USA;
| | - Dean S Rosenthal
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC 20057, USA; (C.M.S.-R.); (N.I.); (Y.H.); (R.A.); (A.S.); (G.G.); (L.-W.K.)
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2
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de Souza JB, de Almeida Campos LA, Palácio SB, Brelaz-de-Castro MCA, Cavalcanti IMF. Prevalence and implications of pKs-positive Escherichia coli in colorectal cancer. Life Sci 2024; 341:122462. [PMID: 38281542 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a significant global health concern, necessitating continuous investigation into its etiology and potential risk factors. Recent research has shed light on the potential role of pKs-positive Escherichia coli (pKs + E. coli) and colibactin in the development and progression of CRC. Therefore, this review aimed to provide an updated analysis of the prevalence and implications of pKs + E. coli in colorectal cancer. We conducted a literature review search in major scientific databases to identify relevant studies exploring the association between pKs + E. coli and CRC. The search strategy included studies published up to the present date, and articles were carefully selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Thus, the present study encompasses scientific evidence from clinical and epidemiological studies supporting the presence of pKs + E. coli in CRC patients, demonstrating a consistent and significant association in multiple studies. Furthermore, we highlighted the potential mechanisms by which colibactin may promote tumorigenesis and cancer progression within the colorectal mucosa, including the production of genotoxic virulence factors. Additionally, we explored current diagnostic methods for detecting pKs + E. coli in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of accurate identification. Moreover, we discussed future strategies that could utilize the presence of this strain as a biomarker for CRC diagnosis and treatment. In conclusion, this review consolidated existing evidence on the prevalence and implications of pKs + E. coli in colorectal cancer. The findings underscore the importance of further research to elucidate the precise mechanisms linking this strain to CRC pathogenesis and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target or diagnostic marker. Ultimately, a better understanding of the role of pKs + E. coli in CRC may pave the way for innovative strategies in CRC management and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah Brandão Palácio
- Research, development and innovation subdivision (SDPI) of Chemical-Pharmaceutical Laboratory of Aeronautics (LAQFA), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Isabella Macário Ferro Cavalcanti
- Keizo Asami Institute (iLIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Recife, PE, Brazil; Academic Center of Vitória (CAV), Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Vitória de Santo Antão, PE, Brazil.
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Sunaga N, Miura Y, Masuda T, Sakurai R. Role of Epiregulin in Lung Tumorigenesis and Therapeutic Resistance. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:710. [PMID: 38398101 PMCID: PMC10886815 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16040710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling regulates multiple cellular processes and plays an essential role in tumorigenesis. Epiregulin (EREG), a member of the EGF family, binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ErbB4, and it stimulates EGFR-related downstream pathways. Increasing evidence indicates that both the aberrant expression and oncogenic function of EREG play pivotal roles in tumor development in many human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EREG overexpression is induced by activating mutations in the EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF and contributes to the aggressive phenotypes of NSCLC with oncogenic drivers. Recent studies have elucidated the roles of EREG in a tumor microenvironment, including the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, immune evasion, and resistance to anticancer therapy. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of EREG as an oncogene and discussed its oncogenic role in lung tumorigenesis and therapeutic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Sunaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Yosuke Miura
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Tomomi Masuda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan; (Y.M.); (T.M.)
| | - Reiko Sakurai
- Oncology Center, Gunma University Hospital, 3-39-15 Showa-Machi, Maebashi 371-8511, Gunma, Japan;
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Lu X, Li Y, Li Y, Zhang X, Shi J, Feng H, Yu Z, Gao Y. Prognostic and predictive biomarkers for anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody therapy in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cancer 2023; 23:1117. [PMID: 37974093 PMCID: PMC10655341 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-023-11600-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RAS mutations affect prognosis in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and have been identified as strong negative predictive markers for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody (anti-EGFR mAb) therapy, but many tumors containing wild-type RAS genes still do not respond to these therapies. Some additional biomarkers may have prognostic or predictive roles, but conclusions remain controversial. METHODS We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing anti-EGFR mAb therapy with alternative therapy that investigated the prognostic and predictive impact of additional biomarkers in RAS wild-type (wt) mCRC patients. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and odds ratios (ORs) for objective response rate (ORR) were calculated. The prognostic value of biomarkers was investigated by separately pooling HR and OR for different treatment groups in an individual study. The predictive value was assessed by pooling study interactions between treatment effects and biomarker subgroups. RESULTS Thirty publications reporting on eighteen trials were selected, including a total of 13,507 patients. In prognostic analysis, BRAF mutations were associated with poorer PFS [HRs = 3.76 (2.47-5.73) and 2.69 (1.82-3.98)] and OS [HRs = 2.66 (1.95-3.65) and 2.45 (1.55-3.88)] in both the experimental and control arms; low miR-31-3p expression appeared to have longer PFS and OS. In terms of predictive effect, a lack of response to anti-EGFR therapy was observed in patients with BRAF mutant tumors (Pinteraction < 0.01 for PFS). Patients with tumors with any mutation in the KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA gene also showed similar results compared with all wild-type tumors (Pinteraction for PFS, OS, and ORR were < 0.01, < 0.01 and 0.01, respectively). While low miR-31-3p expression could predict PFS (Pinteraction = 0.01) and OS (Pinteraction = 0.04) benefit. The prognostic and predictive value regarding PIK3CA mutations, PTEN mutations or deletions, EGFR, EREG/AREG, HER2, HER3, and HER4 expression remains uncertain. CONCLUSIONS In RAS wt mCRC patients receiving EGFR-targeted therapy, BRAF mutation is a powerful prognostic and therapy-predictive biomarker, with no effect found for PIK3CA mutation, PTEN mutation or deletion, but the combined biomarker KRAS/NRAS/BRAF/PIK3CA mutations predict resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. Low miR-31-3p expression may have positive prognostic and therapy predictive effects. Evidence on the prognostic and predictive roles of EGFR and its ligands, and HER2/3/4 is insufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Lu
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yuyao Li
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jia Shi
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hai Feng
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Zhuo Yu
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yueqiu Gao
- Department of Liver Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
- Institute of Infectious Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Li C, Gao Y, Lu C, Guo M. Identification of potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer by clinical database analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e32877. [PMID: 36820595 PMCID: PMC9907961 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore critical genes as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) for clinical utility. To identify and screen candidate genes involved in CRC carcinogenesis and disease progression, we downloaded microarray datasets GSE89076, GSE73360, and GSE32323 from the GEO database identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and performed a functional enrichment analysis. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and correlated module analysis was performed using STRING and Cytoscape. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve shows the survival of the hub genes. The expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), and PCNA in tissues and changes in tumor grade were analyzed. A total of 329 DEGs were identified, including 264 upregulated and 65 downregulated genes. The functions and pathways of DEGs include the mitotic cell cycle, poly(A) RNA binding replication, ATP binding, DNA replication, ribosome biogenesis in eukaryotes, and RNA transport. Forty-seven Hub genes were identified, and biological process analysis showed that these genes were mainly enriched in cell cycle and DNA replication. Patients with mutations in CDK1, PCNA, and CCNB1 had poorer survival rates. CDK1, PCNA, and CCNB1 were significantly overexpressed in the tumor tissues. The expression of CDK1 and CCNB1 gradually decreased with increasing tumor grade. CDK1, CCNB1, and PCNA can be used as potential markers for the diagnosis and prognosis of CRC. These genes are overexpressed in colon cancer tissues and are associated with low survival rates in CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chongyang Li
- Second Clinical Medical College, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
- Department of General Surgery Center, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Ying Gao
- Department of General Surgery Center, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Chunlei Lu
- Department of General Surgery Center, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Mingxiao Guo
- Department of General Surgery Center, Linyi People’s Hospital, Linyi, China
- * Correspondence: Mingxiao Guo, Department of General Surgery Center, Linyi People’s Hospital, 27 East Jiefang Road, Linyi 276000, China (e-mail: )
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Nectin-4 as Blood-Based Biomarker Enables Detection of Early Ovarian Cancer Stages. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235867. [PMID: 36497350 PMCID: PMC9739558 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer is the third most common gynecological malignancy and has the highest mortality rate. Owing to unspecific symptoms, ovarian cancer is not detected until an advanced stage in about two-thirds of cases. Therefore, it is crucial to establish reliable biomarkers for the early stages to improve the patients’ prognosis. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the ADAM17 substrates Nectin-4, Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) and Amphiregulin (AREG) could function as potential tumor markers for ovarian cancer. In this study a set of 231 sera consisting of 131 ovarian cancer patients and 100 healthy age-matched controls were assembled. Nectin-4, HB-EGF and AREG levels of preoperatively collected sera were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Our analysis revealed that Nectin-4 and HB-EGF were significantly increased compared to the age-matched control group (p < 0.0001, p = 0.016). Strikingly, significantly higher Nectin-4 and HB-EGF levels were detected in early-stage FIGO I/II (p <0.001; p = 0.025) compared to healthy controls. Eighty-four percent (16/19) of patients with low Ca-125 levels showed increased Nectin-4 levels. Our study proposes Nectin-4 and HB-EGF as promising blood-based biomarkers for the detection of early stages of ovarian cancer patients that would not have been detected by Ca-125.
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Zhao Y, Dávila EM, Li X, Tang B, Rabinowitsch AI, Perez-Aguilar JM, Blobel CP. Identification of Molecular Determinants in iRhoms1 and 2 That Contribute to the Substrate Selectivity of Stimulated ADAM17. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12796. [PMID: 36361585 PMCID: PMC9654401 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The metalloprotease ADAM17 is a key regulator of the TNFα, IL-6R and EGFR signaling pathways. The maturation and function of ADAM17 is controlled by the seven-membrane-spanning proteins iRhoms1 and 2. The functional properties of the ADAM17/iRhom1 and ADAM17/iRhom2 complexes differ, in that stimulated shedding of most ADAM17 substrates tested to date can be supported by iRhom2, whereas iRhom1 can only support stimulated shedding of very few ADAM17 substrates, such as TGFα. The first transmembrane domain (TMD1) of iRhom2 and the sole TMD of ADAM17 are important for the stimulated shedding of ADAM17 substrates by iRhom2. However, little is currently known about how the iRhoms interact with different substrates to control their stimulated shedding by ADAM17. To provide new insights into this topic, we tested how various chimeras between iRhom1 and iRhom2 affect the stimulated processing of the EGFR-ligands TGFα (iRhom1- or 2-dependent) and EREG (iRhom2-selective) by ADAM17. This uncovered an important role for the TMD7 of the iRhoms in determining their substrate selectivity. Computational methods utilized to characterize the iRhom1/2/substrate interactions suggest that the substrate selectivity is determined, at least in part, by a distinct accessibility of the substrate cleavage site to stimulated ADAM17. These studies not only provide new insights into why the substrate selectivity of stimulated iRhom2/ADAM17 differs from that of iRhom1/ADAM17, but also suggest new approaches for targeting the release of specific ADAM17 substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Eliud Morales Dávila
- School of Chemical Sciences, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP), University City, Puebla 72570, Mexico
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Beiyu Tang
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Ariana I. Rabinowitsch
- Department of Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Weill Cornell/Rockefeller/Sloan-Kettering Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Jose Manuel Perez-Aguilar
- School of Chemical Sciences, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP), University City, Puebla 72570, Mexico
| | - Carl P. Blobel
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
- Arthritis and Tissue Degeneration Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY 10021, USA
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Yang C, Mai Z, Liu C, Yin S, Cai Y, Xia C. Natural Products in Preventing Tumor Drug Resistance and Related Signaling Pathways. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27113513. [PMID: 35684449 PMCID: PMC9181879 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27113513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Drug resistance is still an obstacle in cancer therapy, leading to the failure of tumor treatment. The emergence of tumor drug resistance has always been a main concern of oncologists. Therefore, overcoming tumor drug resistance and looking for new strategies for tumor treatment is a major focus in the field of tumor research. Natural products serve as effective substances against drug resistance because of their diverse chemical structures and pharmacological effects. We reviewed the signaling pathways involved in the development of tumor drug resistance, including Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Renin-angiotensin system (Ras), Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), Wnt, Notch, Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and their specific signaling pathway inhibitors derived from natural products. This can provide new ideas for the prevention of drug resistance in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuansheng Yang
- Department of Head-Neck and Breast Surgery, Yuebei People’s Hospital of Shantou University, Shaoguan 512027, China;
| | - Zhikai Mai
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Chlid Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China; (Z.M.); (C.L.); (S.Y.)
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Can Liu
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Chlid Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China; (Z.M.); (C.L.); (S.Y.)
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shuanghong Yin
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Chlid Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China; (Z.M.); (C.L.); (S.Y.)
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yantao Cai
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Chlid Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China; (Z.M.); (C.L.); (S.Y.)
- Correspondence: (Y.C.); (C.X.)
| | - Chenglai Xia
- Affiliated Foshan Maternity and Chlid Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan 528000, China; (Z.M.); (C.L.); (S.Y.)
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Correspondence: (Y.C.); (C.X.)
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A Novel Four Genes of Prognostic Signature for Uveal Melanoma. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2022; 2022:8281067. [PMID: 35422861 PMCID: PMC9005314 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8281067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy and immunity play critical roles in various cancers, but the prognostic impact of autophagy and immunity for uveal melanoma (UM) remains lacking. Therefore, the RNA sequencing of data in the TCGA-UVM dataset was downloaded from UCSC Xena database. The prognostic autophagy- and immunity-related genes (AIRGs) were selected via univariate Cox regression. Next, we applied LASSO method to construct four genes of signature in the TCGA-UVM and verified in another two GEO datasets (GSE84976 and GSE22138). This signature intimately associated with overall survival (OS) time and metastasis-free survival (MFS) time of UM, which could be considered as a prognostic indicator. Besides, by applying risk assessment, the patients of UM can be divided into two subgroups (high/low risk) with different survival time, distinct clinical outcomes, and immune microenvironments. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) manifested that cancer hallmark epithelial-mesenchymal transition and KRAS pathways were positively activated in the high-risk group. Moreover, the high-risk group could be more sensitive to chemotherapies than the low-risk group. Thus, our finding suggested that the four genes of signature closely linked with UM risk and survival can afford more accurate survival prediction and potential therapeutic targets for clinical application.
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Chang YC, Li CH, Chan MH, Chen MH, Yeh CN, Hsiao M. Regorafenib inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition and suppresses cholangiocarcinoma metastasis via YAP1-AREG axis. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:391. [PMID: 35449153 PMCID: PMC9023529 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04816-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a subtype of bile duct cancer usually diagnosed late with a low survival rate and no satisfactorily systemic treatment. Recently, regorafenib has been accepted as a second-line treatment for CCA patients. In this study, we investigated the potential signal transduction pathways mediated by regorafenib. We established a transcriptomic database for regorafenib-treated CCA cells using expression microarray chips. Our data indicate that regorafenib inhibits yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) activity in various CCA cells. In addition, we demonstrated that YAP1 regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related genes, including E-cadherin and SNAI2. We further examined YAP1 activity, phosphorylation status, and expression levels of YAP1 downstream target genes in the regorafenib model. We found that regorafenib dramatically suppressed these events in CCA cells. Moreover, in vivo results revealed that regorafenib could significantly inhibit lung foci formation and tumorigenicity. Most importantly, regorafenib and amphiregulin (AREG) neutralize antibody exhibited synergistic effects against CCA cells. In a clinical setting, patients with high YAP1 and EMT expression had a worse survival rate than patients with low YAP1, and EMT expression did. In addition, we found that YAP1 upregulated the downstream target amphiregulin in CCA. Our findings suggest that AREG neutralizing antibody antibodies combined with regorafenib can reverse the CCA metastatic phenotype and EMT in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide novel therapeutic strategies to combat the metastasis of CCA.
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Maille E, Levallet J, Dubois F, Antoine M, Danel C, Creveuil C, Mazieres J, Margery J, Greillier L, Gounant V, Moro‐Sibilot D, Molinier O, Léna H, Monnet I, Bergot E, Langlais A, Morin F, Scherpereel A, Zalcman G, Levallet G. A Defect of Amphiregulin Release Predicted Longer Survival Independently of YAP Expression in Patients with Pleural Mesothelioma in the IFCT-0701 MAPS Phase 3 Trial. Int J Cancer 2022; 150:1889-1904. [PMID: 35262190 PMCID: PMC9545369 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The Hippo pathway effector YAP is dysregulated in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). YAP's target genes include the secreted growth factor amphiregulin (AREG), which is overexpressed in a wide range of epithelial cancers and plays an elusive role in MPM. We assayed the expression of YAP and AREG in MPM pathology samples and that of AREG additionally in plasma samples of patients from the randomized phase 3 IFCT‐0701 Mesothelioma Avastin Cisplatin Pemetrexed Study (MAPS) using immunohistochemistry and ELISA assays, respectively. MPM patients frequently presented high levels of tumor AREG (64.3%), a high cytosolic AREG expression being predictive of a better prognosis with longer median overall and progression‐free survival. Surprisingly, tumor AREG cytosolic expression was not correlated with secreted plasma AREG. By investigating the AREG metabolism and function in MPM cell lines H2452, H2052, MSTO‐211H and H28, in comparison with the T47D ER+ breast cancer cell line used as a positive control, we confirm that AREG is important for cell invasion, growth without anchorage, proliferation and apoptosis in mesothelioma cells. Yet, most of these MPM cell lines failed to correctly execute AREG posttranslational processing by metalloprotease ADAM17/tumor necrosis factor‐alpha‐converting enzyme (TACE) and extracell secretion. The favorable prognostic value of high cytosolic AREG expression in MPM patients could therefore be sustained by default AREG posttranslational processing and release. Thus, the determination of mesothelioma cell AREG content could be further investigated as a prognostic marker for MPM patients and used as a stratification factor in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Maille
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT‐UMR6030CaenGIP CYCERONFrance
| | - Jérôme Levallet
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT‐UMR6030CaenGIP CYCERONFrance
| | - Fatéméh Dubois
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT‐UMR6030CaenGIP CYCERONFrance
- Department of PathologyCHU de CaenCaenFrance
| | | | - Claire Danel
- Department of PathologyHôpital Bichat‐Claude Bernard, AP‐HP, Université Paris‐DiderotParisFrance
| | - Christian Creveuil
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT‐UMR6030CaenGIP CYCERONFrance
- Biomedical Research UnitCHU de CaenCaenFrance
| | - Julien Mazieres
- Department of PulmonologyHôpital Larrey, CHU de ToulouseToulouseFrance
| | - Jacques Margery
- Department of Medical OncologyInstitut Gustave RoussyVillejuifFrance
| | - Laurent Greillier
- Department of Multidisciplinary Oncology and Therapeutic InnovationsAssistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Université Aix‐Marseille UM015MarseilleFrance
| | - Valérie Gounant
- Department of PulmonologyHôpital Tenon, AP‐HPParisFrance
- Department of Thoracic Oncology & CIC 1425University Hospital Bichat‐Claude Bernard, AP‐HP, Université de ParisParisFrance
| | - Denis Moro‐Sibilot
- Pôle Thorax et Vaisseaux, University Hospital of Grenoble‐AlpesLa TroncheFrance
| | - Olivier Molinier
- Department of PulmonologyCentre Hospitalier Le MansLe MansFrance
| | - Hervé Léna
- Department of PulmonologyUniversity Hospital PontchaillouRennesFrance
| | - Isabelle Monnet
- Department of PulmonologyCentre Hospitalier Intercommunal de CréteilCréteilFrance
| | - Emmanuel Bergot
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT‐UMR6030CaenGIP CYCERONFrance
- Department of Pulmonology and Thoracic OncologyUniversity Hospital of CaenCaenFrance
| | | | - Franck Morin
- Intergroupe Francophone de Cancérologie Thoracique (IFCT)ParisFrance
| | - Arnaud Scherpereel
- Department of Pulmonary and Thoracic OncologyCentre Hospitalier Universitaire Lille, University of Lille, U1019 INSERM, Center of Infection and Immunity of LilleLilleFrance
| | - Gérard Zalcman
- Department of Thoracic Oncology & CIC 1425University Hospital Bichat‐Claude Bernard, AP‐HP, Université de ParisParisFrance
- U830 INSERM, “Cancer, Hétérogénéité, Instabilité et Plasticité” Centre de Recherche, Institut CurieParisFrance
| | - Guénaëlle Levallet
- Normandie Univ, UNICAEN, CNRS, ISTCT‐UMR6030CaenGIP CYCERONFrance
- Department of PathologyCHU de CaenCaenFrance
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Epiregulin as an Alternative Ligand for Leptin Receptor Alleviates Glucose Intolerance without Change in Obesity. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030425. [PMID: 35159237 PMCID: PMC8834548 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030425] [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: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The leptin receptor (LepR) acts as a signaling nexus for the regulation of glucose uptake and obesity, among other metabolic responses. The functional role of LepR under leptin-deficient conditions remains unclear. This study reports that epiregulin (EREG) governed glucose uptake in vitro and in vivo in Lepob mice by activating LepR under leptin-deficient conditions. Single and long-term treatment with EREG effectively rescued glucose intolerance in comparative insulin and EREG tolerance tests in Lepob mice. The immunoprecipitation study revealed binding between EREG and LepR in adipose tissue of Lepob mice. EREG/LepR regulated glucose uptake without changes in obesity in Lepob mice via mechanisms, including ERK activation and translocation of GLUT4 to the cell surface. EREG-dependent glucose uptake was abolished in Leprdb mice which supports a key role of LepR in this process. In contrast, inhibition of the canonical epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway implicated in other EREG responses, increased glucose uptake. Our data provide a basis for understanding glycemic responses of EREG that are dependent on LepR unlike functions mediated by EGFR, including leptin secretion, thermogenesis, pain, growth, and other responses. The computational analysis identified a conserved amino acid sequence, supporting an evolutionary role of EREG as an alternative LepR ligand.
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13
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Cheng WL, Feng PH, Lee KY, Chen KY, Sun WL, Van Hiep N, Luo CS, Wu SM. The Role of EREG/EGFR Pathway in Tumor Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312828. [PMID: 34884633 PMCID: PMC8657471 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/ERBB1) by erythroblastic leukemia viral oncogene homolog (ERBB) ligands contributes to various tumor malignancies, including lung cancer and colorectal cancer (CRC). Epiregulin (EREG) is one of the EGFR ligands and is low expressed in most normal tissues. Elevated EREG in various cancers mainly activates EGFR signaling pathways and promotes cancer progression. Notably, a higher EREG expression level in CRC with wild-type Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is related to better efficacy of therapeutic treatment. By contrast, the resistance of anti-EGFR therapy in CRC was driven by low EREG expression, aberrant genetic mutation and signal pathway alterations. Additionally, EREG overexpression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is anticipated to be a therapeutic target for EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). However, recent findings indicate that EREG derived from macrophages promotes NSCLC cell resistance to EGFR-TKI treatment. The emerging events of EREG-mediated tumor promotion signals are generated by autocrine and paracrine loops that arise from tumor epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME is a crucial element for the development of various cancer types and drug resistance. The regulation of EREG/EGFR pathways depends on distinct oncogenic driver mutations and cell contexts that allows specific pharmacological targeting alone or combinational treatment for tailored therapy. Novel strategies targeting EREG/EGFR, tumor-associated macrophages, and alternative activation oncoproteins are under development or undergoing clinical trials. In this review, we summarize the clinical outcomes of EREG expression and the interaction of this ligand in the TME. The EREG/EGFR pathway may be a potential target and may be combined with other driver mutation targets to combat specific cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Li Cheng
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan;
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Po-Hao Feng
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Yun Lee
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Yuan Chen
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lun Sun
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Nguyen Van Hiep
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- International PhD Program in Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Shan Luo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
| | - Sheng-Ming Wu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan; (P.-H.F.); (K.-Y.L.); (K.-Y.C.); (W.-L.S.); (N.V.H.); (C.-S.L.)
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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14
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Singh SS, Chauhan SB, Kumar A, Kumar S, Engwerda CR, Sundar S, Kumar R. Amphiregulin in cellular physiology, health, and disease: Potential use as a biomarker and therapeutic target. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:1143-1156. [PMID: 34698381 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Amphiregulin (AREG), which acts as one of the ligands for epidermal receptor growth factor receptor (EGFR), plays a crucial role in tissue repair, inflammation, and immunity. AREG is synthesized as membrane-anchored pre-protein, and is excreted after proteolytic cleavage, and serves as an autocrine or paracrine factor. After engagement with the EGFR, AREG triggers a cascade of signaling events required for many cellular physiological processes including metabolism, cell cycle, and proliferation. Under different inflammatory and pathogenic conditions, AREG is expressed by various activated immune cells that orchestrate both tolerance and host resistance mechanisms. Several factors including xenobiotics, cytokines, and inflammatory lipids have been shown to trigger AREG gene expression and release. In this review, we discuss the structure, function, and regulation of AREG, its role in tissue repair, inflammation, and homeostasis as well as the potential of AREG as a biomarker and therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth S Singh
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Shashi B Chauhan
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Awnish Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Shashi Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Christian R Engwerda
- Department of Immunology, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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15
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Bolitho C, Moscova M, Baxter RC, Marsh DJ. Amphiregulin increases migration and proliferation of epithelial ovarian cancer cells by inducing its own expression via PI3-kinase signaling. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2021; 533:111338. [PMID: 34062166 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in many types of cancer, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and its expression has been found to correlate with advanced stage and poor prognosis. The EGFR ligand amphiregulin (AREG) has been investigated as a target for human cancer therapy and is known to have an autocrine role in many cancers. A cytokine array identified AREG as one of several cytokines upregulated by EGF in a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) dependent manner in EOC cells. To investigate the functional role of AREG in EOC, its effect on cellular migration and proliferation was assessed in two EOC cells lines, OV167 and SKOV3. AREG increased both migration and proliferation of EOC cell line models through activation of PI3-K signaling, but independent of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Through an AREG autocrine loop mediated via PI3-K, upregulation of AREG led to increased levels of both AREG transcript and secreted AREG, while downregulation of endogenous AREG decreased the ability of exogenous AREG to induce cell migration and proliferation. Further, inhibition of endogenous AREG activity or metalloproteinase activity decreased EGF-induced EOC migration and proliferation, indicating a role for soluble endogenous AREG in mediating the functional effects of EGFR in inducing migration and proliferation in EOC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Bolitho
- University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Michelle Moscova
- University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Kensington, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Robert C Baxter
- University of Sydney, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Deborah J Marsh
- Translational Oncology Group, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia; Northern Clinical School, Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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16
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Klupp F, Sass M, Bergmann F, Khajeh E, Ghamarnejad O, Hassenpflug M, Mehrabi A, Kulu Y. Impact of EGFR and EGFR ligand expression on treatment response in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Oncol Lett 2021; 21:448. [PMID: 33868486 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2021.12709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Up to 50% of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have either synchronous or metachronous hepatic metastases in the course of their disease. Patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) whose tumors express wild-type KRAS benefit from treatment with monoclonal antibodies (such as cetuximab or panitumumab) that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the therapeutic response to these antibodies is variable, and further predictive models are required. The present study examined whether expression of different EGFRs or their ligands in tumors was associated with the response to cetuximab treatment. Tumor tissues, collected during liver resection in 28 patients with mCRC, were analyzed. The protein expression levels of EGFR/ErbB1, ErbB2, ErbB3 and the EGFR ligands heregulin and amphiregulin were determined using Luminex 200® and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was performed 4 weeks before and 6-8 weeks after treatment with cetuximab. Response to treatment was assessed using the response evaluation criteria for solid tumors (RECIST). The association between the protein expression levels of different EGFRs and their ligands with RECIST criteria was then analyzed to determine whether these protein levels could predict the treatment response to cetuximab. A total of 12 patients exhibited a partial response, 9 exhibited stable disease and 7 exhibited progressive disease after cetuximab therapy according to RECIST. The expression levels of EGFRs (EGFR/ErbB1, ErbB2 and ErbB3) and their ligands (heregulin and amphiregulin) were not significantly associated with the response to cetuximab therapy. Therefore, the present study indicated that EGFR or EGFR ligand expression did not predict treatment response in patients with CRC with liver metastases following cetuximab therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fee Klupp
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Malte Sass
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Asklepios Hospital, D-21075 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Frank Bergmann
- Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Elias Khajeh
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Omid Ghamarnejad
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Hassenpflug
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Arianeb Mehrabi
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Yakup Kulu
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Salama AAA, Allam RM. Promising targets of chrysin and daidzein in colorectal cancer: Amphiregulin, CXCL1, and MMP-9. Eur J Pharmacol 2020; 892:173763. [PMID: 33249075 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer is one of the primary causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The tumor microenvironment contains growth factors; inflammatory chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and pro-oxidants leading to cancer development and progression. Phytochemicals have been used as the main source of anti-cancer agents. Accordingly, the effect of two natural flavonoids (Chrysin and Daidzein) was investigated on the level of amphiregulin (AREG), chemokine ligand (CXCL1), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in 1, 2-dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride (DMH) induced colorectal cancer. Rats were injected by DMH (40 mg/kg/week S.C.) for 16 weeks concomitantly with 2% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in drinking water for three cycles. Rats were orally treated with chrysin (125 and 250 mg/kg) and daidzein (5 and10 mg/kg) three times/week for the last 8 weeks. DMH + DSS group showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the levels of AREG (2386 ± 18 vs 1377 ± 10 pg/ml), CXCL1 (18 ± 0.9 vs 6 ± 0.83 <mu>g/ml), MMP-9 (1355 ± 88 vs 452 ± 7 pg/ml) compared to normal rats. These findings were associated with a potent antioxidant activity against cytochrome P450 2E1; (CYP2E1). Histopathological findings of the DMH + DSS group showed focal hyperplasia of the mucosa lining overlying crypts with moderate inflammation, dysplastic epithelial cells, and loss of goblet cells. Chrysin and daidzein treatment significantly (P < 0.05) restored the biochemical alterations and reverted histopathological findings near to the normal status. Moreover, chrysin and daidzein exerted anticancer activity against SW620 cells that were associated with decreased the protein expression of p-ERK/ERK and p-AKT/AKT. In conclusion, this study highlighted the potential anticancer role of chrysin and daidzein in the treatment of colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abeer A A Salama
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Egypt.
| | - Rasha M Allam
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Division, National Research Centre, Egypt.
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18
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McPherson V, Reardon B, Bhayankara A, Scott SN, Boyd ME, Garcia-Grossman IR, Regazzi AM, McCoy AS, Kim PH, Al-Ahmadie H, Ostrovnaya I, Roth AJ, Farooki A, Berger MF, Rosenberg JE, Solit DB, Van Allen E, Milowsky MI, Bajorin DF, Iyer G. A phase 2 trial of buparlisib in patients with platinum-resistant metastatic urothelial carcinoma. Cancer 2020; 126:4532-4544. [PMID: 32767682 PMCID: PMC8356147 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.33071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The phosphatidyl 3-inositol kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway frequently is activated in patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC). In the current study, the authors performed a phase 2 study evaluating the efficacy of the pan-isoform class I PI3K inhibitor buparlisib in patients with platinum-refractory metastatic UC. METHODS Two cohorts were recruited: an initial genetically unselected cohort and a subsequent expansion cohort of patients with PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-altered tumors. The primary endpoint was the 2-month progression-free survival rate. A rate of ≥80% was considered promising using a Simon 2-stage minimax design. Secondary endpoints included safety and correlation of markers of PI3K pathway activation with outcome. RESULTS Six of 13 evaluable patients within the initial cohort demonstrated stable disease and 1 demonstrated a partial response, which was below the cutoff of 9 patients required to proceed to stage 2. Three of the patients with stable disease and the patient with a partial response harbored somatic TSC1 alterations. Four patients subsequently were recruited onto an expansion cohort: 3 patients with TSC1 alterations and 1 patient with a PIK3CA-activating mutation. No patient achieved disease control at 8 weeks and accrual was halted. Of the 19 patients evaluable for toxicity, 17 demonstrated treatment-related toxicities, 2 of whom had to discontinue therapy. CONCLUSIONS Buparlisib was found to demonstrate modest activity in patients with metastatic UC whose tumors harbored TSC1 loss of function alterations; however, this was not a robust predictor of response to buparlisib. The pattern of genetic coalterations likely influences drug sensitivity. Given the modest clinical activity and substantial toxicity of buparlisib, future trials of PI3K inhibitors in patients with UC should focus on isoform-selective PI3K inhibitors in genomically selected patients. LAY SUMMARY The phosphatidyl 3-inositol kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway frequently is upregulated in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). This trial explored buparlisib, an inhibitor of the pathway, in patients with heavily pretreated metastatic UC. Although the drug was found to have modest efficacy, with 6 patients experiencing stable disease and 1 patient achieving a partial response at 8 weeks on therapy, significant side effects also were observed. Patients with specific genetic alterations responded to treatment. Further studies of PI3K pathway inhibition are warranted using newer agents that have superior toxicity profiles and are more selective inhibitors of the pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor McPherson
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brendan Reardon
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Aravind Bhayankara
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sasinya N. Scott
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mariel E. Boyd
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ilana R. Garcia-Grossman
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ashley M. Regazzi
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Asia S. McCoy
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip H. Kim
- Urology Service, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hikmat Al-Ahmadie
- Department of Pathology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Irina Ostrovnaya
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew J. Roth
- Psychiatry Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Azeez Farooki
- Endocrinology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael F. Berger
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College
| | - Jonathan E. Rosenberg
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College
| | - David B. Solit
- Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College
| | - Eliezer Van Allen
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Matthew I Milowsky
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dean F. Bajorin
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College
| | - Gopa Iyer
- Genitourinary Oncology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Weill Cornell Medical College
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19
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Improving Model Performance on the Stratification of Breast Cancer Patients by Integrating Multiscale Genomic Features. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:1475368. [PMID: 32908867 PMCID: PMC7471833 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1475368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
In clinical cancer research, it is a hot topic on how to accurately stratify patients based on genomic data. With the development of next-generation sequencing technology, more and more types of genomic features, such as mRNA expression level, can be used to distinguish cancer patients. Previous studies commonly stratified patients by using a single type of genomic features, which can only reflect one aspect of the cancer. In fact, multiscale genomic features will provide more information and may be helpful for clinical prediction. In addition, most of the conventional machine learning algorithms use a handcrafted gene set as features to construct models, which is generally selected by a statistical method with an arbitrary cut-off, e.g., p value < 0.05. The genes in the gene set are not necessarily related to the cancer and will make the model unreliable. Therefore, in our study, we thoroughly investigated the performance of different machine learning methods on stratifying breast cancer patients with a single type of genomic features. Then, we proposed a strategy, which can take into account the degree of correlation between genes and cancer patients, to identify the features from mRNAs and microRNAs, and evaluated the performance of the models with the new combined features of the multiscale genomic features. The results showed that, compared with the models constructed with a single type of features, the models with the multiscale genomic features generated by our proposed method achieved better performance on stratifying the ER status of breast cancer patients. Moreover, we found that the identified multiscale genomic features were closely related to the cancer by gene set enrichment analysis, indicating that our proposed strategy can well reflect the biological relevance of the genes to breast cancer. In conclusion, modelling with multiscale genomic features closely related to the cancer not only can guarantee the prediction performance of the models but also can effectively provide candidate genes for interpreting the mechanisms of cancer.
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20
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Zhang X, Zuo J, Wang L, Han J, Feng L, Wang Y, Fan Z. Identification of differentially expressed genes between mucinous adenocarcinoma and other adenocarcinoma of colorectal cancer using bioinformatics analysis. J Int Med Res 2020; 48:300060520949036. [PMID: 32840168 PMCID: PMC7450470 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520949036] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective As a unique histological subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC), mucinous
adenocarcinoma (MC) has a poor prognosis and responds poorly to treatment.
Genes and markers related to MC have not been reported. Methods To identify biomarkers involved in development of MC compared with other
common adenocarcinoma (AC) subtypes, four datasets were obtained from the
Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were
identified using GEO2R. A protein–protein interaction network was
constructed. Functional annotation for DEGs was performed via DAVID,
Metascape, and BiNGO. Significant modules and hub genes were identified
using Cytoscape, and expression of hub genes and relationships between hub
genes and MC were analyzed. Results The DEGs were mainly enriched in negative regulation of cell proliferation,
bicarbonate transport, response to peptide hormone, cell–cell signaling,
cell proliferation, and positive regulation of the canonical Wnt signaling
pathway. The Venn diagram revealed eight significant hub genes:
CXCL9, IDO1, MET,
SNAI2, and ZEB2 were highly expressed
in MC compared with AC, whereas AREG,
TWIST1, and ZEB1 were expressed at a
low level. AREG and MET might be
significant biomarkers for MC. Conclusion The identified DEGs might help elucidate the pathogenesis of MC, identify
potential targets, and improve treatment for CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Jing Zuo
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Jing Han
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Li Feng
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Yudong Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P. R. China
| | - Zhisong Fan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hebei Medical University Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P. R. China
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21
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Foroughi S, Hutchinson RA, Wong HL, Christie M, Batrouney A, Wong R, Lee M, Tie J, Burgess AW, Gibbs P. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the prognostic and predictive power of epidermal growth factor receptor ligand levels in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Growth Factors 2020; 38:127-136. [PMID: 33775193 DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2021.1878166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
For patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are limited to patients with RAS wild-type tumours. Not all patients will benefit from treatment and better predictive biomarkers are needed. Here we investigated the prognostic and predictive impact of the EGFR ligands amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG). Expression levels were assessed by immunohistochemistry on 99 KRAS wild-type tumours. AREG and EREG positivity was seen in 49% and 50% of cases, respectively. No difference in expression was observed by primary tumour side. There was no significant difference in OS by AREG or EREG expression. In the subset of patients who received an EGFR inhibitor, EREG positivity was associated with longer OS (median 34.0 vs. 27.0 months, p = 0.033), driven by a difference in patients with a left-sided primary (HR 0.37, p = 0.015). Our study supports further investigation into EREG as a predictive biomarker in mCRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Foroughi
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ryan A Hutchinson
- Colorectal Oncogenomics Group, The University of Melbourne, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Clinical Pathology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- University of Melbourne Centre for Cancer Research, Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Hui-Li Wong
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Christie
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Pathology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ahida Batrouney
- Department of Pathology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rachel Wong
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margaret Lee
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Eastern Health, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
- Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Western Health, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeanne Tie
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Western Health, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
| | - Antony Wilks Burgess
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter Gibbs
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Western Health, St Albans, Victoria, Australia
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22
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Lin CY, Hsieh PL, Chou CL, Yang CC, Lee SW, Tian YF, Shiue YL, Li WS. High EREG Expression Is Predictive of Better Outcomes in Rectal Cancer Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy. Oncology 2020; 98:549-557. [PMID: 32408308 DOI: 10.1159/000506991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM A great proportion of patients with rectal cancer initially present with locally advanced disease and can potentially benefit from neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for downstaging before surgery. However, risk and clinical outcome stratification remain a great challenge. We aimed to find the potential biomarker to predict the effect of neoadjuvant CCRT on rectal cancer. METHODS We identified epiregulin (EREG) as the most significant predictive marker for neoadjuvant CCRT response from the published rectal cancer transcriptome data set GSE35452. We collected 172 biopsy specimens from rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant CCRT followed by radical proctectomy, performed EREG immunohistochemistry, and analyzed the H-scores. We further examined the correlations between the expression level of EREG and clinicopathological features, tumor regression grade, and survival, including disease-specific survival (DSS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and metastasis-free survival (MeFS). RESULTS High EREG expression was significantly related to early pretreatment (pre-Tx) and posttreatment (post-Tx) tumor status (T1, T2, p = 0.047 and p < 0.001), pre-Tx and post-Tx negative nodal status (N0, p < 0.001 and p = 0.004), less vascular and perineurial invasion (p = 0.015 and p = 0.023), and higher tumor regression grade (p < 0.001). In the survival analysis, high EREG expression was significantly associated with better DSS (p < 0.0001), LRFS (p = 0.0004), and MeFS (p < 0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, high EREG expression remained prognostically significant for better DSS (p = 0.003; hazard ratio: 5.599). CONCLUSION These data suggest that EREG is a potential predictive marker and therapeutic target in rectal cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant CCRT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Yi Lin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Hsieh
- Department of Medical Imaging, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Lin Chou
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan.,Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Chieh Yang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sung-Wei Lee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Liouying, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Feng Tian
- Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yow-Ling Shiue
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wan-Shan Li
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, .,Department of Pathology, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan,
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23
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Wang L, Wang L, Zhang H, Lu J, Zhang Z, Wu H, Liang Z. AREG mediates the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition in pancreatic cancer cells via the EGFR/ERK/NF‑κB signalling pathway. Oncol Rep 2020; 43:1558-1568. [PMID: 32323797 PMCID: PMC7107775 DOI: 10.3892/or.2020.7523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amphiregulin (AREG) is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family and is expressed in a plethora of cancers. The biological roles of AREG in the regulation of the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer remain unclear. To investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and AREG in pancreatic cancer cell lines, RT‑qPCR, western blot analysis, and ELISA were performed. RNAi and exogenous AREG treatment were used to alter AREG expression. Wound‑healing and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate cell migration and invasion abilities. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were utilized to detect the expression of EMT markers. The protein expression of potential key factors involved in EMT, as well as those of the ERK, AKT, STAT3 and NF‑κB pathways, were analysed by western blotting. The role of AREG in tumour growth in vivo was further determined using an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer. Knockdown of AREG inhibited AsPC‑1 cell migration and invasion. AREG knockdown upregulated E‑cadherin but downregulated vimentin, Snail and Slug expression in AsPC‑1 cells. In addition, AREG stimulation increased cell migration, invasion and EMT in PANC‑1 cells, and an NF‑κB inhibitor decreased AREG‑induced cell migration, invasion and EMT in PANC‑1 cells. AREG stimulation increased the nuclear accumulation of NF‑κB through the EGFR/ERK signalling pathway to induce EMT. Tumour growth and metastasis were decreased by AREG silencing in an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer. AREG may play a critical role in cell migration, invasion, and EMT by activating the EGFR/ERK/NF‑κB signalling pathway in pancreatic cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Research Center for Molecular Pathology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Lili Wang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Research Center for Molecular Pathology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Research Center for Molecular Pathology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Junliang Lu
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Research Center for Molecular Pathology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwen Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Research Center for Molecular Pathology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Huanwen Wu
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Research Center for Molecular Pathology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyong Liang
- Department of Pathology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Research Center for Molecular Pathology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, P.R. China
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24
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Foroughi S, Tie J, Gibbs P, Burgess AW. Epidermal growth factor receptor ligands: targets for optimizing treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Growth Factors 2019; 37:209-225. [PMID: 31878812 DOI: 10.1080/08977194.2019.1703702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) revealed the connection between EGF-like ligands, signaling from the EGFR family members and cancer. Over the next fifty years, analysis of EGFR expression and mutation led to the use of monoclonal antibodies to target EGFR in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and this treatment has improved outcomes for patients. The use of the RAS oncogene mutational status has helped to refine patient selection for EGFR antibody therapy, but an effective molecular predictor of likely responders is lacking. This review analyzes the potential utility of measuring the expression, levels and activation of EGF-like ligands and associated processes as prognostic or predictive markers for the identification of patient risk and more effective mCRC therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siavash Foroughi
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jeanne Tie
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Western Health, St Albans, Australia
| | - Peter Gibbs
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Western Health, St Albans, Australia
| | - Antony Wilks Burgess
- Personalised Oncology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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25
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Guan Q, Zeng Q, Yan H, Xie J, Cheng J, Ao L, He J, Zhao W, Chen K, Guo Y, Guan G, Guo Z. A qualitative transcriptional signature for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Cancer Sci 2019; 110:3225-3234. [PMID: 31335996 PMCID: PMC6778657 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, using biopsy specimens for the early diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is not entirely reliable due to insufficient sampling amount and inaccurate sampling location. Thus, it is necessary to develop a signature that can accurately identify patients with CRC under these clinical scenarios. Based on the relative expression orderings of genes within individual samples, we developed a qualitative transcriptional signature to discriminate CRC tissues, including CRC adjacent normal tissues from non-CRC individuals. The signature was validated using multiple microarray and RNA sequencing data from different sources. In the training data, a signature consisting of 7 gene pairs was identified. It was well validated in both biopsy and surgical resection specimens from multiple datasets measured by different platforms. For biopsy specimens, 97.6% of 42 CRC tissues and 94.5% of 163 non-CRC (normal or inflammatory bowel disease) tissues were correctly classified. For surgically resected specimens, 99.5% of 854 CRC tissues and 96.3% of 81 CRC adjacent normal tissues were correctly identified as CRC. Notably, we additionally measured 33 CRC biopsy specimens by the Affymetrix platform and 13 CRC surgical resection specimens, with different proportions of tumor epithelial cells, ranging from 40% to 100%, by the RNA sequencing platform, and all these samples were correctly identified as CRC. The signature can be used for the early diagnosis of CRC, which is also suitable for minimum biopsy specimens and inaccurately sampled specimens, and thus has potential value for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhou Guan
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qiuhong Zeng
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Haidan Yan
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiajing Xie
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jun Cheng
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Lu Ao
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jun He
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wenyuan Zhao
- Department of Systems Biology, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Kui Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Fuzhou First Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - You Guo
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guoxian Guan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Affiliated Union Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zheng Guo
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fuzhou, China
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26
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Taieb J, Jung A, Sartore-Bianchi A, Peeters M, Seligmann J, Zaanan A, Burdon P, Montagut C, Laurent-Puig P. The Evolving Biomarker Landscape for Treatment Selection in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. Drugs 2019; 79:1375-1394. [PMID: 31347092 PMCID: PMC6728290 DOI: 10.1007/s40265-019-01165-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The approval of targeted therapies for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has led to important improvements in patient outcomes. However, it is still necessary to increase individualisation of treatments based on tumour genetic profiles to optimise efficacy, while minimising toxicity. As such, there is currently great focus on the discovery and validation of further biomarkers in mCRC, with many new potential prognostic and predictive markers being identified alongside developments in patient molecular profiling technologies. Here, we review data for validated and emerging biomarkers impacting treatment strategies in mCRC. We completed a structured literature search of the PubMed database to identify relevant publications, limiting for English-language publications published between 1 January 2014 and 11 July 2018. In addition, we performed a manual search of the key general oncology and CRC-focused congresses to identify abstracts reporting emerging mCRC biomarker data, and of ClinicalTrials.gov to identify ongoing clinical trials investigating emerging biomarkers in mCRC and/or molecular-guided clinical trials. There is solid evidence supporting the use of BRAF status as a prognostic biomarker and DYPD, UGT1A1, RAS, and microsatellite instability as predictive biomarkers in mCRC. There are a number of emerging biomarkers that may prove to be clinically relevant in the future to have prognostic (HPP1 methylation), predictive (HER3, microRNAs, anti-angiogenic markers, and CRC intrinsic subtypes), or both prognostic and predictive values (HER2, CpG island methylator phenotype, tumour mutational load, gene fusions, and consensus molecular subtypes). As such, new biomarker-led treatment strategies in addition to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor and anti-angiogenetic treatments are being explored. Biomarkers that are not recommended to be tested in clinical practice or are unlikely to be imminently clinically relevant for mCRC include thymidylate transferase, ERCC1, PIK3CA, and PTEN. We highlight the clinical utility of existing and emerging biomarkers in mCRC and provide recommended treatment strategies according to the biomarker status. An update on ongoing molecular-guided clinical trials is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julien Taieb
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Descartes University, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Paris, France.
| | - Andreas Jung
- Pathology Institute, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), partner site Munich and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea Sartore-Bianchi
- Niguarda Cancer Center, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milan, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marc Peeters
- Department of Oncology, Antwerp University Hospital/Antwerp University, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Jenny Seligmann
- Division of Cancer Studies and Pathology, St James's Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK
| | - Aziz Zaanan
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Descartes University, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Peter Burdon
- European Medical, Amgen (Europe) GmbH, Rotkreuz, Switzerland
| | - Clara Montagut
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital del Mar-IMIM, CIBERONC, HM Delfos, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pierre Laurent-Puig
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris Descartes University, Georges Pompidou European Hospital, Paris, France
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27
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Moody L, Dvoretskiy S, An R, Mantha S, Pan YX. The Efficacy of miR-20a as a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11081111. [PMID: 31382594 PMCID: PMC6721456 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11081111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: MicroRNAs have altered expression levels in various diseases and may play an important role in the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: We systemically reviewed and quantitatively synthesized the scientific evidence pertaining to microRNA-20a (miR-20a) as a CRC biomarker. A keyword and reference search in PubMed yielded 32 studies, in which miR-20a was measured in feces, serum, or tumor tissue. Data were extracted from a total of 5014 cancer cases and 2863 controls. Results: Twenty out of 21 relevant studies found that miR-20a was upregulated in CRC patients compared to controls. Meta-analysis revealed a pooled miR-20a fold change of 2.45 (95% CI: 2.24-2.66) in CRC patients versus controls. To estimate sensitivity and specificity of miR-20a as a diagnostic biomarker of CRC, a pooled area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was calculated (0.70, 95% CI: 0.63-0.78). The prognostic capacity of miR-20a was assessed using hazard ratios (HRs) for the overall survival (OS). The meta-analysis estimated the pooled HR for OS to be 2.02 (95% CI: 0.90-3.14) in CRC patients with high miR-20a expression. Conclusions: miR-20a may be a valid biomarker for CRC detection but may not be a strong predictor of poor prognosis in CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Moody
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Svyatoslav Dvoretskiy
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ruopeng An
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Suparna Mantha
- Carle Physician Group, Carle Cancer Center, Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL 61802, USA
| | - Yuan-Xiang Pan
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Division of Nutritional Sciences, and Illinois Informatics Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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28
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Preferential Response of Basal-Like Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines to EGFR-Targeted Therapy Depending on EREG-Driven Oncogenic Addiction. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11060795. [PMID: 31181806 PMCID: PMC6627901 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11060795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The management of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with Cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), achieves only moderate response rates, and clinical trials that evaluated EGFR-blockade with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) yielded disappointing results. Inter-tumor heterogeneity may hinder the therapeutic efficiency of anti-EGFR treatments. HNSCC heterogeneity was addressed in several studies, which all converged towards the definition of molecular subgroups. They include the basal subgroup, defined by the deregulated expression of factors involved in the EGFR signaling pathway, including the epiregulin EGFR ligand encoded by the EREG gene. These observations indicate that basal tumors could be more sensitive to anti-EGFR treatments. To test this hypothesis, we performed a screen of a representative collection of basal versus non-basal HNSCC cell lines for their sensitivity to several anti-EGFR drugs (Cetuximab, Afatinib, and Gefitinib), tested as monotherapy or in combination with drugs that target closely-linked pathways [Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal–regulated kinases (MEK), mammalian Target of Rapamycine (mTOR) or Human Epidermal growth factor Receptor 2 (HER2)]. Basal-like cell lines were found to be more sensitive to EGFR blockade alone or in combination with treatments that target MEK, mTOR, or HER2. Strikingly, the basal-like status was found to be a better predictor of cell response to EGFR blockade than clinically relevant mutations [e.g., cyclin-dependent kinase Inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A)]. Interestingly, we show that EGFR blockade inhibits EREG expression, and that EREG knock-down decreases basal cell clonogenic survival, suggesting that EREG expression could be a predictive functional marker of sensitivity to EGFR blockade in basal-like HNSCC.
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Steponaitis G, Kazlauskas A, Skiriute D, Vaitkiene P, Skauminas K, Tamasauskas A. Significance of Amphiregulin (AREG) for the Outcome of Low and High Grade Astrocytoma Patients. J Cancer 2019; 10:1479-1488. [PMID: 31031857 PMCID: PMC6485216 DOI: 10.7150/jca.29282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Amphiregulin (AREG) is one of the ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor which levels was shown to have a tight coherence with various types of cancer. AREG was also designated to be a promising marker for several types of cancer however precious little data about AREG role in the most frequent and generally lethal human brain tumours - astrocytomas reported up to date. The aim of the study was to investigate how AREG changes at epigenetic and expression levels reflect on astrocytoma malignancy and patient outcome. Methods: In total 205 low and high grade astrocytoma samples (15 pilocytic astrocytomas, 56 diffuse astrocytomas, 32 anaplastic astrocytomas and 102 glioblastomas) were used for target mRNA, protein expression and DNA methylation analysis applying qRT-PCR, Western-Blot and MS-PCR assays, respectively. Results: Present research revealed that AREG expression level and methylation in cancer tissue is dependent on the grade of astrocytoma. GBM tissue disclosed elevated AREG mRNA expression but reduced AREG protein level as compared to grade II and grade III astrocytomas (p<0.001). Increased methylation frequency was also more abundant in GBM (74%) than grade I, II and III astrocytomas (25%, 34%, and 36%, respectively). The survival analysis revealed relevant differences in patient overall survival between AREG methylation, mRNA and protein expression groups. Kaplan-Meier analysis encompassing only malignant tumours showed similar results indicating that AREG is associated with astrocytoma patient survival independently from astrocytoma grade. Conclusions: Current findings demonstrate that AREG appearance is associated with patient survival as well as astrocytomas malignancy indicating its influence on tumour progression and suggest its applicability as a promising marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giedrius Steponaitis
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str. 4, Kaunas, LT 50161, Lithuania
| | - Arunas Kazlauskas
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str. 4, Kaunas, LT 50161, Lithuania
| | - Daina Skiriute
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str. 4, Kaunas, LT 50161, Lithuania
| | - Paulina Vaitkiene
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str. 4, Kaunas, LT 50161, Lithuania
| | - Kestutis Skauminas
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str. 4, Kaunas, LT 50161, Lithuania
| | - Arimantas Tamasauskas
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurooncology, Neuroscience Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eiveniu str. 4, Kaunas, LT 50161, Lithuania
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Zarkavelis G, Boussios S, Papadaki A, Katsanos KH, Christodoulou DK, Pentheroudakis G. Current and future biomarkers in colorectal cancer. Ann Gastroenterol 2017; 30:613-621. [PMID: 29118555 PMCID: PMC5670280 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2017.0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC), one of the leading causes of death among cancer patients, is a heterogeneous disease and is characterized by diversions in multiple molecular pathways throughout its evolutionary process. To date, specific mutations in RAS and RAF genes are tested in everyday clinical practice along with mismatch repair gene deficiency, serving either as prognostic or predictive biomarkers, providing information for patient risk stratification and the choice of appropriate therapy. However, ongoing studies are focusing on the potential role of recently discovered genetic and epigenetic alterations in the management of CRC patients and their potential prognostic or predictive value. To overcome the problem of tumor heterogeneity as well as the practical obstacles of access to tumor tissue, and to achieve real-time monitoring of disease and therapy efficacy, liquid biopsies constitute a novel technology worth exploring. CRC screening and management is entering a new era where molecular testing will be applied to genomic material extracted from easily accessible bodily fluids.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Zarkavelis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medical School, University of Ioannina (George Zarkavelis, Stergios Boussios, Alexandra Papadaki, George Pentheroudakis), Greece.,Society for Study of the Clonal Heterogeneity of Neoplasia, Ioannina, Greece (George Zarkavelis, Stergios Boussios, Alexandra Papadaki, George Pentheroudakis), Greece
| | - Stergios Boussios
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medical School, University of Ioannina (George Zarkavelis, Stergios Boussios, Alexandra Papadaki, George Pentheroudakis), Greece.,Society for Study of the Clonal Heterogeneity of Neoplasia, Ioannina, Greece (George Zarkavelis, Stergios Boussios, Alexandra Papadaki, George Pentheroudakis), Greece
| | - Alexandra Papadaki
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medical School, University of Ioannina (George Zarkavelis, Stergios Boussios, Alexandra Papadaki, George Pentheroudakis), Greece.,Society for Study of the Clonal Heterogeneity of Neoplasia, Ioannina, Greece (George Zarkavelis, Stergios Boussios, Alexandra Papadaki, George Pentheroudakis), Greece
| | - Konstantinos H Katsanos
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina (Konstantinos H. Katsanos, Dimitrios K. Christodoulou), Greece
| | - Dimitrios K Christodoulou
- Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina (Konstantinos H. Katsanos, Dimitrios K. Christodoulou), Greece
| | - George Pentheroudakis
- Department of Medical Oncology, Medical School, University of Ioannina (George Zarkavelis, Stergios Boussios, Alexandra Papadaki, George Pentheroudakis), Greece.,Society for Study of the Clonal Heterogeneity of Neoplasia, Ioannina, Greece (George Zarkavelis, Stergios Boussios, Alexandra Papadaki, George Pentheroudakis), Greece
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Yang WW, Yang LQ, Zhao F, Chen CW, Xu LH, Fu J, Li SL, Ge XY. Epiregulin Promotes Lung Metastasis of Salivary Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma. Am J Cancer Res 2017; 7:3700-3714. [PMID: 29109770 PMCID: PMC5667342 DOI: 10.7150/thno.19712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) is a peculiar malignant tumor, characterized by its slow but inexorable growth, with a high incidence of lung metastasis and poor prognosis. Here, we show the upregulated expression of EGFR ligand epiregulin in a subset of SACC cells correlates with lung metastasis and unfavorable outcome in patients with SACC. We found that upregulation of epiregulin in SACC cells induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition by regulating GLI1/E-cadherin. Elevated epiregulin increased the expression of pro-angiogenic factors, such as VEGFA, bFGF, and IL-8. We also show that epiregulin can be delivered via exosomes and was enriched in exosomes derived from epiregulin-overexpressing SACC cells. Furthermore, treating immunodeficient mice with these epiregulin-enriched exosomes greatly enhanced SACC metastasis to lung. These epiregulin-enriched exosomes significantly enhanced angiogenesis in the neighboring tumor microenvironment and increased vascular permeability in the pre-metastatic lung microenvironment in vivo. Therefore, epiregulin, as well as epiregulin-containing exosomes, may be a novel target for controlling SACC lung metastasis.
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