1
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Knapen DG, Hone Lopez S, de Groot DJA, de Haan JJ, de Vries EGE, Dienstmann R, de Jong S, Bhattacharya A, Fehrmann RSN. Independent transcriptional patterns reveal biological processes associated with disease-free survival in early colorectal cancer. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2024; 4:79. [PMID: 38702451 PMCID: PMC11068726 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-024-00504-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bulk transcriptional profiles of early colorectal cancer (CRC) can fail to detect biological processes associated with disease-free survival (DFS) if the transcriptional patterns are subtle and/or obscured by other processes' patterns. Consensus-independent component analysis (c-ICA) can dissect such transcriptomes into statistically independent transcriptional components (TCs), capturing both pronounced and subtle biological processes. METHODS In this study we (1) integrated transcriptomes (n = 4228) from multiple early CRC studies, (2) performed c-ICA to define the TC landscape within this integrated data set, 3) determined the biological processes captured by these TCs, (4) performed Cox regression to identify DFS-associated TCs, (5) performed random survival forest (RSF) analyses with activity of DFS-associated TCs as classifiers to identify subgroups of patients, and 6) performed a sensitivity analysis to determine the robustness of our results RESULTS: We identify 191 TCs, 43 of which are associated with DFS, revealing transcriptional diversity among DFS-associated biological processes. A prominent example is the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), for which we identify an association with nine independent DFS-associated TCs, each with coordinated upregulation or downregulation of various sets of genes. CONCLUSIONS This finding indicates that early CRC may have nine distinct routes to achieve EMT, each requiring a specific peri-operative treatment strategy. Finally, we stratify patients into DFS patient subgroups with distinct transcriptional patterns associated with stage 2 and stage 3 CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daan G Knapen
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sara Hone Lopez
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Derk Jan A de Groot
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jacco-Juri de Haan
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth G E de Vries
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rodrigo Dienstmann
- Oncology Data Science (ODysSey) Group, Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Steven de Jong
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Arkajyoti Bhattacharya
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Rudolf S N Fehrmann
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
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2
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Werner J, Bernhard P, Cosenza-Contreras M, Pinter N, Fahrner M, Pallavi P, Eberhard J, Bronsert P, Rückert F, Schilling O. Targeted and explorative profiling of kallikrein proteases and global proteome biology of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, chronic pancreatitis, and normal pancreas highlights disease-specific proteome remodelling. Neoplasia 2023; 36:100871. [PMID: 36610378 PMCID: PMC9841175 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2022.100871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) represents one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies worldwide with an urgent need for new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. One major risk factor for PDAC is the pre-indication of chronic pancreatitis (CP), which represents highly inflammatory pancreatic tissue. Kallikreins (KLKs) are secreted serine proteases that play an important role in various cancers as components of the tumor microenvironment. Previous studies of KLKs in solid tumors largely relied on either transcriptomics or immunodetection. We present one of the first targeted mass spectrometry profiling of kallikrein proteases in PDAC, CP, and normal pancreas. We show that KLK6 and KLK10 are significantly upregulated in PDAC (n=14) but not in CP (n=7) when compared to normal pancreas (n=16), highlighting their specific intertwining with malignancy. Additional explorative proteome profiling identified 5936 proteins in our pancreatic cohort and observed disease-specific proteome rearrangements in PDAC and CP. As such, PDAC features an enriched proteome motif for extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell adhesion while there is depletion of mitochondrial energy metabolism proteins, reminiscent of the Warburg effect. Although often regarded as a PDAC hallmark, the ECM fingerprint was also observed in CP, alongside with a prototypical inflammatory proteome motif as well as with an increased wound healing process and proteolytic activity, thereby possibly illustrating tissue autolysis. Proteogenomic analysis based on publicly accessible data sources identified 112 PDAC-specific and 32 CP-specific single amino acid variants, which among others affect KRAS and ANKHD1. Our study emphasizes the diagnostic potential of kallikreins and provides novel insights into proteomic characteristics of PDAC and CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Werner
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; Department of Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Patrick Bernhard
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine (SGBM), University of Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miguel Cosenza-Contreras
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Niko Pinter
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Matthias Fahrner
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Prama Pallavi
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Johannes Eberhard
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Peter Bronsert
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Felix Rückert
- Department of Surgery, Universitätsmedizin Mannheim, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany; Surgical Department, Diakonissen-Stiftungs-Krankenhaus Speyer, Paul-Egell-Straße 33, Speyer D-67346, Germany.
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Freiburg, Germany
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3
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Zhang L, Lovell S, De Vita E, Jagtap PKA, Lucy D, Goya Grocin A, Kjær S, Borg A, Hennig J, Miller AK, Tate EW. A KLK6 Activity-Based Probe Reveals a Role for KLK6 Activity in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Invasion. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:22493-22504. [PMID: 36413626 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c07378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all common cancers due to late diagnosis and limited treatment options. Serine hydrolases are known to mediate cancer progression and metastasis through initiation of signaling cascades and cleavage of extracellular matrix proteins, and the kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK) family of secreted serine proteases have emerging roles in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). However, the lack of reliable activity-based probes (ABPs) to profile KLK activity has hindered progress in validation of these enzymes as potential targets or biomarkers. Here, we developed potent and selective ABPs for KLK6 by using a positional scanning combinatorial substrate library and characterized their binding mode and interactions by X-ray crystallography. The optimized KLK6 probe IMP-2352 (kobs/I = 11,000 M-1 s-1) enabled selective detection of KLK6 activity in a variety of PDAC cell lines, and we observed that KLK6 inhibition reduced the invasiveness of PDAC cells that secrete active KLK6. KLK6 inhibitors were combined with N-terminomics to identify potential secreted protein substrates of KLK6 in PDAC cells, providing insights into KLK6-mediated invasion pathways. These novel KLK6 ABPs offer a toolset to validate KLK6 and associated signaling partners as targets or biomarkers across a range of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leran Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Scott Lovell
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AX, U.K
| | - Elena De Vita
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Pravin Kumar Ankush Jagtap
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany.,Chair of Biochemistry IV, Biophysical Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95447, Germany
| | - Daniel Lucy
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Andrea Goya Grocin
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
| | - Svend Kjær
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Annabel Borg
- Structural Biology Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, U.K
| | - Janosch Hennig
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany.,Chair of Biochemistry IV, Biophysical Chemistry, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth 95447, Germany
| | - Aubry K Miller
- Cancer Drug Development Group, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg 69120, Germany
| | - Edward W Tate
- Department of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Research Hub, Imperial College London, London W12 0BZ, U.K
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4
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Barbero G, Castro MV, Quezada MJ, Lopez-Bergami P. Bioinformatic analysis identifies epidermal development genes that contribute to melanoma progression. Med Oncol 2022; 39:141. [PMID: 35834068 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-022-01734-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Several diagnostic and prognostic markers for melanoma have been identified in last few years. However, their actual contribution to melanoma progression have not been investigated in detail. This study was aimed to identify genes, biological processes, and signaling pathways implicated in melanoma progression by applying bioinformatics analysis. We identified nine differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (IL36RN, KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT16, S100A7, SPRR1A, SPRR1B, SPRR2B, and KLK7) that were upregulated in primary melanoma compared with metastatic melanoma in all five datasets analyzed. All these genes except IL36RN, both form a protein-protein interaction network and have cellular functions associated with constitutive processes of keratinocytes. Thus, they were generically termed Epidermal Development and Cornification (EDC) genes. The differential expression of these genes in primary and metastatic melanoma was confirmed in the TCGA-SKCM cohort. High expression of the EDC genes correlated with reduced tumor thickness in primary melanoma and shorter survival in metastatic melanoma. Analysis of DEGs from primary melanoma patients displaying high or low expression of all eight EDC revealed that the upregulated genes are enriched in biological process related to cell migration, extracellular matrix organization, invasion, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Further analysis of enriched curated oncogenic genesets together with RPPA data of phosphorylated proteins revealed the activation of MEK, ATF2, and EGFR pathways in tumors displaying high expression of EDC genes. Thus, EDC genes may contribute to melanoma progression by promoting the activation of MEK, ATF2, and EGFR pathways together with biological processes associated with tumor aggressiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gastón Barbero
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Buenos Aires, Argentina and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Victoria Castro
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Buenos Aires, Argentina and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Josefina Quezada
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Buenos Aires, Argentina and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Pablo Lopez-Bergami
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos, Biotecnológicos, Ambientales y Diagnóstico (CEBBAD), Buenos Aires, Argentina and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Universidad Maimónides, Hidalgo 775, 6th Floor, Lab 602, 1405, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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5
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Srinivasan S, Kryza T, Batra J, Clements J. Remodelling of the tumour microenvironment by the kallikrein-related peptidases. Nat Rev Cancer 2022; 22:223-238. [PMID: 35102281 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-021-00436-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are critical regulators of the tumour microenvironment. KLKs are proteolytic enzymes regulating multiple functions of bioactive molecules including hormones and growth factors, membrane receptors and the extracellular matrix architecture involved in cancer progression and metastasis. Perturbations of the proteolytic cascade generated by these peptidases, and their downstream signalling actions, underlie tumour emergence or blockade of tumour growth. Recent studies have also revealed their role in tumour immune suppression and resistance to cancer therapy. Here, we present an overview of the complex biology of the KLK family and its context-dependent nature in cancer, and discuss the different therapeutic strategies available to potentially target these proteases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srilakshmi Srinivasan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Thomas Kryza
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jyotsna Batra
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Medicine, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Judith Clements
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
- Australian Prostate Cancer Research Centre-Queensland, Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
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6
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Xiang F, Wang Y, Cao C, Li Q, Deng H, Zheng J, Liu X, Tan X. The Role of Kallikrein 7 in Tumorigenesis. Curr Med Chem 2021; 29:2617-2631. [PMID: 34525904 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210915104537] [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: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Kallikrein 7 (KLK7) is a secreted serine protease with chymotrypsic protease activity. Abnormally high expression of KLK7 is closely related to the occurrence and development of various types of cancer. Therefore, KLK7 has been identified as a potential target for cancer drug development design in recent years. KLK7 mediates various biological and pathological processes in tumorigenesis, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and cell metabolism, by hydrolyzing a series of substrates such as membrane proteins, extracellular matrix proteins, and cytokines. This review mainly introduces the downstream cell signaling pathways involved in the activation of KLK7 and its substrate-related proteins. This review will not only help us to better understand the mechanisms of KLK7 in regulating biological and pathological processes of cancer cells, but also lay a solid foundation for the design of inhibitors targeting KLK7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengyi Xiang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003. China
| | - Yueqing Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003. China
| | - Chunyu Cao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003. China
| | - Qingyun Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003. China
| | - Hao Deng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003. China
| | - Jun Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003. China.,The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowen Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003. China
| | - Xiao Tan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443003. China
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7
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Kumar DV, Sivaranjani Y, Rao GV. Immunohistochemical expression of kallikrein 7 in oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2021; 24:580. [PMID: 33967508 PMCID: PMC8083413 DOI: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_244_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The kallikrein (KLK) family of genes consists of 15 members, many of which are highly expressed in number of cancers compared to their normal parent tissues. KLK7 was initially characterized as an enzyme implicated in the degradation of intercellular cohesive structures in the stratum corneum of stratified squamous epithelia, preceding desquamation in the skin. It catalyzes the degradation of desmosomes in the outermost layer of skin and permits cell shedding to take place at the skin surface. Overexpression of KLK7 in tumor cells has been reported to significantly enhance the invasive potential in intracranial malignancies and ovarian cancer cells. Thus, KLK7 could contribute to the degradation of extracellular matrices in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues, promoting invasion of neoplastic cells locally and facilitating metastasis to regional lymph nodes. The objectives of the present study were to compare the expression of KLK 7 in normal subjects and patients with OSCC, to correlate the expression of KLK 7 with respect to the clinical staging of OSCC and to evaluate the expression of KLK 7with respect to different histopathological grades of OSCC. Materials and Methods: Thirty cases of OSCC were staged clinically and graded histopathologically. The immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of KLK 7 in OSCC. The scores obtained were documented and compared statistically. Results: KLK 7 immunoreactivity was noticed in all cases of OSCC. A statistically significant difference was observed in immunoreactivity of KLK 7 between the normal and OSCC (P = 0.0001*) and in different histopathological grades (P = 0.0001*) and in different clinical stages (P = 0.0127*) of OSCC using Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance test. Conclusion: The KLK 7 immunoexpression histopathologically increased from low grade to high grade and clinically from Stage 1 to Stage 4 in OSCC. Hence, increased expression of KLK 7 may be related to poor prognosis in patients with OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dodda Venkatesh Kumar
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Mamata Dental College, Khammam, Telangana, India
| | - Y Sivaranjani
- Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Mamata Dental College, Khammam, Telangana, India
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8
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Gong W, Liu Y, Diamandis EP, Kiechle M, Bronger H, Dorn J, Dreyer T, Magdolen V. Prognostic value of kallikrein-related peptidase 7 (KLK7) mRNA expression in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer. J Ovarian Res 2020; 13:125. [PMID: 33087135 PMCID: PMC7579813 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-020-00725-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common and lethal subtype of ovarian cancer. A growing body of evidence suggests tumor-supporting roles of several members of the kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK) family, including KLK5 and KLK7, in this cancer subtype. In normal physiology, KLK5 and KLK7 are the major proteases involved in skin desquamation. Moreover, in several cancer types KLK5 and KLK7 co-expression has been observed. Recently, we have shown that elevated KLK5 mRNA levels are associated with an unfavorable prognosis in HGSOC. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of KLK7 mRNA expression and to explore its relation to KLK5 levels in HGSOC. METHODS mRNA expression levels of KLK7 were quantified by qPCR in a well-characterized patient cohort afflicted with advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer (FIGO III/IV, n = 139). Previously determined KLK5 mRNA as well as KLK5 and KLK7 antigen concentrations were used to evaluate the relationship between the expression patterns of both factors on the mRNA as well as protein level in tumor tissue of HGSOC patients. RESULTS There were strong, significant positive correlations between KLK5 and KLK7 both at the mRNA and the protein level, suggesting coordinate expression of these proteases in HGSOC. In univariate analyses, elevated KLK7 levels as well as the combination of KLK5 + KLK7 (high and/or high versus low/low) were significantly associated with worse progression-free survival (PFS). High mRNA expression levels of KLK7 and the combination of KLK5 and KLK7 showed a trend towards significance for overall survival (OS). In multivariate analyses, KLK7 mRNA expression represented an unfavorable, statistically significant independent predictor for PFS and OS. CONCLUSIONS The findings imply that both increased KLK5 and KLK7 mRNA expression levels represent unfavorable prognostic biomarkers in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer, whereby multivariate analyses indicate that KLK7 mRNA exhibits a stronger predictive value as compared to KLK5 mRNA and the combination of KLK5 and KLK7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Gong
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany.,Department of Hematology-Oncology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yueyang Liu
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany.,Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital and Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Eleftherios P Diamandis
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marion Kiechle
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Holger Bronger
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Dorn
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Tobias Dreyer
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Viktor Magdolen
- Clinical Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Str. 22, D-81675, Munich, Germany.
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9
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Quesnel A, Karagiannis GS, Filippou PS. Extracellular proteolysis in glioblastoma progression and therapeutics. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2020; 1874:188428. [PMID: 32956761 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2020.188428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Gliomas encompass highly invasive primary central nervous system (CNS) tumours of glial cell origin with an often-poor clinical prognosis. Of all gliomas, glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of primary brain cancer. Current treatments in glioblastoma are insufficient due to the invasive nature of brain tumour cells, which typically results in local tumour recurrence following treatment. The latter represents the most important cause of mortality in glioblastoma and underscores the necessity for an in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, increased synthesis and secretion of several proteolytic enzymes within the tumour microenvironment, such as matrix metalloproteinases, lysosomal proteases, cathepsins and kallikreins for extracellular-matrix component degradation may play a major role in the aforementioned glioblastoma invasion mechanisms. These proteolytic networks are key players in establishing and maintaining a tumour microenvironment that promotes tumour cell survival, proliferation, and migration. Indeed, the targeted inhibition of these proteolytic enzymes has been a promisingly useful therapeutic strategy for glioblastoma management in both preclinical and clinical development. We hereby summarize current advances on the biology of the glioblastoma tumour microenvironment, with a particular emphasis on the role of proteolytic enzyme families in glioblastoma invasion and progression, as well as on their subsequent prognostic value as biomarkers and their therapeutic targeting in the era of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Quesnel
- School of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, United Kingdom; National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, 38 John Dixon Ln, Darlington, DL1 1HG, United Kingdom
| | - George S Karagiannis
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA; Integrated Imaging Program, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA; Gruss-Lipper Biophotonics Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Panagiota S Filippou
- School of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough TS1 3BX, United Kingdom; National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, 38 John Dixon Ln, Darlington, DL1 1HG, United Kingdom.
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10
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Park KC, Dharmasivam M, Richardson DR. The Role of Extracellular Proteases in Tumor Progression and the Development of Innovative Metal Ion Chelators that Inhibit their Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6805. [PMID: 32948029 PMCID: PMC7555822 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The crucial role of extracellular proteases in cancer progression is well-known, especially in relation to the promotion of cell invasion through extracellular matrix remodeling. This also occurs by the ability of extracellular proteases to induce the shedding of transmembrane proteins at the plasma membrane surface or within extracellular vesicles. This process results in the regulation of key signaling pathways by the modulation of kinases, e.g., the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Considering their regulatory roles in cancer, therapeutics targeting various extracellular proteases have been discovered. These include the metal-binding agents di-2-pyridylketone 4,4-dimethyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (Dp44mT) and di-2-pyridylketone-4-cyclohexyl-4-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (DpC), which increase c-MET degradation by multiple mechanisms. Both the direct and indirect inhibition of protease expression and activity can be achieved through metal ion depletion. Considering direct mechanisms, chelators can bind zinc(II) that plays a catalytic role in enzyme activity. In terms of indirect mechanisms, Dp44mT and DpC potently suppress the expression of the kallikrein-related peptidase-a prostate-specific antigen-in prostate cancer cells. The mechanism of this activity involves promotion of the degradation of the androgen receptor. Additional suppressive mechanisms of Dp44mT and DpC on matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) relate to their ability to up-regulate the metastasis suppressors N-myc downstream regulated gene-1 (NDRG1) and NDRG2, which down-regulate MMPs that are crucial for cancer cell invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Chan Park
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, Medical Foundation Building, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (K.C.P.); (M.D.)
| | - Mahendiran Dharmasivam
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, Medical Foundation Building, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (K.C.P.); (M.D.)
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute of Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
| | - Des R. Richardson
- Molecular Pharmacology and Pathology Program, Department of Pathology and Bosch Institute, Medical Foundation Building, University of Sydney, Sydney 2006, Australia; (K.C.P.); (M.D.)
- Centre for Cancer Cell Biology and Drug Discovery, Griffith Institute of Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane 4111, Australia
- Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
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