Wnt5a-induced cell migration is associated with the aggressiveness of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Therapy-induced normal tissue damage promotes breast cancer metastasis

Disseminated tumor cells frequently exhibit a period of dormancy, rendering them chemotherapy insensitive; conversely, the systemic delivery of chemotherapies can result in normal tissue damage. Using multiple mouse and human breast cancer models, we demonstrate that prior chemotherapy administration enhances metastatic colonization and outgrowth. In vitro, chemotherapy-treated fibroblasts display a pro-tumorigenic senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and are effectively eliminated by targeting the anti-apoptotic protein BCL-xL. In vivo, chemotherapy treatment induces SASP expression in normal tissues; however, the accumulation of senescent cells is limited, and BCL-xL inhibitors are unable to reduce chemotherapy-enhanced metastasis. This likely reflects that chemotherapy-exposed stromal cells do not enter a BCL-xL-dependent phenotype or switch their dependency to other anti-apoptotic BCL-2 family members. This study highlights the role of the metastatic microenvironment in controlling outgrowth of disseminated tumor cells and the need to identify additional approaches to limit the pro-tumorigenic effects of therapy-induced normal tissue damage.

Cut-off values for IL-21 and IL-23 as biochemical markers for pemphigus vulgaris

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a potentially fatal mucocutaneous autoimmune disease characterized by severe skin lesions. Interleukin-21 (IL-21) and IL-23 have been linked to several autoimmune inflammatory diseases that may have a critical role in PV immunopathogenesis, including T-helper 17 (Th17) development. This study aimed to compare the serum levels of IL-21 and IL-23 in patients with PV and healthy controls. This case-control study included 90 participants (45 patients and 45 controls). Serum IL-21 and IL-23 were measured using the Sandwich-ELISA method provided by Sunlong Biotech, China. The findings revealed statistically significant results for IL-21 O.D. and Conc. (p=0.012*) and highly significant results for IL-23 O.D. and Conc. (p=0.000**). Furthermore, cut-off values were established for IL-21 (O.D.=0.071 pg/mL, Conc.=6.468 pg/mL) and IL-23 (O.D.=0.141 pg/mL, Conc.=6.745 pg/mL). These results indicate a potential association between PV and IL-21, IL-23, and the identified cut-off values. The particular roles of cytokines and how they can be utilized to treat PV require more investigation. To our knowledge, this was the first study to detect a cut-off point for IL-21 and IL-23 that may be used as novel and cost-effective biochemical markers for disease diagnosis.

A clinical and demographic analysis of oral pemphigus vulgaris: A retrospective cross-sectional study from 2001 to 2021

Background and Aims

Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune vesiculobullous mucocutaneous disorder with life-threatening consequences. Early detection and adequate care are crucial for a good prognosis. This study aimed to determine the demographic data, clinical features, and the prognosis of patients with oral pemphigus vulgaris.

Materials and Methods

From 2001 to 2021, all diagnosed oral pemphigus vulgaris cases were extracted. Each patient's demographic and clinical data were gathered. Patients were called via phone to assess the prognosis, treatment type, and specialty of the physician who provided the diagnosis and therapy.

Results

The majority of the patients had only oral lesions with higher prevalence in female who also expressed severe pain than male. Only 14 of 29 patients responded phone calls. Except for one, all patients were in active disease. More than half of those respondents said pemphigus negatively affects social behavior and food intake. Correct diagnosis and treatment were decided by dermatology, oral medicine, and maxillofacial surgery specialists.

Conclusion

Oral pemphigus vulgaris was prevalent in females. Severe pain was common in females and older people. Even with effective therapy, the prognosis was poor. Medical and dental professionals had little knowledge of pemphigus vulgaris. Patients frequently report poor quality of life.

Nicotine treatment regulates PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression via inhibition of Akt pathway in HER2-type breast cancer cells

The immune checkpoint molecules such as PD-L1 and PD-L2 have a substantial contribution to cancer immunotherapy including breast cancer. Microarray expression profiling identified several molecular subtypes, namely luminal-type (with a good-prognosis), HER2-type (with an intermediate-prognosis), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)-type (with a poor-prognosis). We found that PD-L1 and PD-L2 mRNA expressions were highly expressed in TNBC-type cell lines (HCC1937, MDA-MB-231), moderately expressed in HER2-type cell line (SK-BR-3), and poorly expressed in luminal-type cell lines (MDA-MB-361, MCF7). The PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in SK-BR-3 cells, but not those in HCC1937 and MDA-MB-231 cells, decreased by nicotine stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, nicotine treatment decreased the phosphorylation of Akt in SK-BR-3 cells, but not in other cell lines. These results show that nicotine regulates the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, PD-L1 and PD-L2, via inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. This findings may provide the new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of breast cancer.

The Clinical and Theranostic Values of Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM)/CD166 in Human Solid Cancers

Simple Summary

ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule) is an important regulator in human cancers, particularly solid tumours. Its expression in cancer tissues has prognostic values depending on cancer types and is also linked to distant metastases. A truncated form, soluble form of ALCAM (sALCAM) in circulation has been suggested to be a prognostic indicator and a potential therapeutic tool. This article summarises recent findings and progress in ALCAM and its involvement in cancer, with a primary focus on its clinical connections and therapeutic values.

Abstract

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM), also known as CD166, is a cell adhesion protein that is found in multiple cell types. ALCAM has multiple and diverse roles in various physiological and pathological conditions, including inflammation and cancer. There has been compelling evidence of ALCAM’s prognostic value in solid cancers, indicating that it is a potential therapeutic target. The present article overviews the recent findings and progress in ALCAM and its involvement in cancer, with a primary focus on its clinical connections in cancer and therapeutic values.

Clinical Importance of Wnt5a in the Pathogenesis of Colorectal Cancer

Wnt5a is one of the potent signaling molecules that initiates responses involved in cancer through activation of both canonical and noncanonical signaling cascades. Wnt5a both directly and indirectly triggers cancer-associated signaling pathways based on the cancer type. In colorectal cancer (CRC), altering Wnt5a expression can influence several cellular processes of tumor cells, including proliferation, differentiation, migration, invasion, and metastasis. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms and clinical importance of Wnt5a in the pathogenesis of CRC for better understanding the pathogenesis and its potential role as a prognostic marker and as an appropriate therapeutic target in the treatment of this disease in the future.

Effect of Wnt5a on drug resistance in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

Background

Previously, we reported that Wnt5a-positive breast cancer can be classified as estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer; its prognosis is worse than that of Wnt5a-negative breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the poor prognosis in Wnt5a-positive breast cancer patients.

Methods

In total, 151 consecutive ER-positive breast cancer patients who underwent resection between January 2011 and February 2014 were enrolled. DNA microarray and pathway analyses were conducted using MCF-7 cells stably expressing Wnt5a [MCF-7/Wnt5a (+)]. Based on the outcomes, cell viability/drug sensitivity assays, and mutation analysis were performed using cell cultures and breast cancer tissues. The relationship between Wnt5a and the PI3K–AKT–mTOR signaling pathway was also examined.

Results

The relapse-free survival rate in patients with Wnt5a-positive breast cancer was significantly lower than that in patients with Wnt5a-negative breast cancer (P = 0.047). DNA microarray data suggest that only the cytochrome P450 (CYP) pathway was significantly upregulated in MCF-7/Wnt5a (+) cells (P = 0.0440). Additionally, MCF-7/Wnt5a (+) cells displayed reduced sensitivity to the metabolic substrates of CYP, tamoxifen (P < 0.001), paclitaxel (P < 0.001), and cyclophosphamide (P < 0.001). Of note, PIK3CA mutations were not associated with the expression of Wnt5a in breast cancer tissue and culture cells.

Conclusions

In ER-positive breast cancer, Wnt5a upregulates the CYP metabolic pathway and suppresses tamoxifen, paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide resistance, all of the three, standard treatment methods for ER-positive breast cancer. Wnt5a is thus potentially involved in the poor prognosis of ER-positive breast cancer independently of the PI3K–AKT–mTOR signaling pathway.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12282-021-01241-0.

The emerging role of Wnt5a in the promotion of a pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment

Wnt5a is the prototypical activator of the non-canonical Wnt pathways, and its overexpression has been implicated in the progression of several tumor types by promoting cell motility, invasion, EMT, and metastasis. Recent evidences have revealed a novel role of Wnt5a in the phosphorylation of the NF-κB subunit p65 and the activation of the NF-κB pathway in cancer cells. In this article, we review the molecular mechanisms and mediators defining a Wnt5a/NF-κB signaling pathway and propose that the aberrant expression of Wnt5a in some tumors drives a Wnt5a/NF-κB/IL-6/STAT3 positive feedback loop that amplifies the effects of Wnt5a. The evidences discussed here suggest that Wnt5a has a double effect on the tumor microenvironment. First, it activates an autocrine ROR1/Akt/p65 pathway that promotes inflammation and chemotaxis of immune cells. Then, Wnt5a activates a TLR/MyD88/p50 pathway exclusively in myelomonocytic cells promoting the synthesis of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and a tolerogenic phenotype. As a result of these mechanisms, Wnt5a plays a negative role on immune cell function that contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and would contribute to resistance to immunotherapy. Finally, we summarized the development of different strategies targeting either Wnt5a or the Wnt5a receptor ROR1 that can be helpful for cancer therapy by contributing to generate a more immunostimulatory tumor microenvironment.

Inhibition of the Wnt Signalling Pathway: An Avenue to Control Breast Cancer Aggressiveness

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common tumour in women. Although the introduction of novel therapeutic approaches in clinical practice has dramatically improved the clinical outcome of BC patients, this malignant disease remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The wingless/integrated (Wnt) signalling pathway represents a crucial molecular node relevantly implicated in the regulation of normal somatic stem cells as well as cancer stem cell (CSC) traits and the epithelial–mesenchymal transition cell program. Accordingly, Wnt signalling is heavily dysregulated in BC, and the altered expression of different Wnt genes is significantly associated with cancer-related aggressive behaviours. For all these reasons, Wnt signalling represents a promising therapeutic target currently under clinical investigation to achieve cancer eradication by eliminating CSCs, considered by most to be responsible for tumour initiation, relapse, and drug resistance. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on the Wnt signalling pathway in BC and have presented evidence implicating the suitability of Wnt targeting in an attempt to improve the outcome of patients without affecting the normal somatic stem cell population.

The Wnt Signalling Pathway: A Tailored Target in Cancer

Cancer is one of the greatest public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 9.6 million cancer deaths have been reported in 2018. The most common cancers include lung, breast, colorectal, prostate, skin (non-melanoma) and stomach cancer. The unbalance of physiological signalling pathways due to the acquisition of mutations in tumour cells is considered the most common cancer driver. The Wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway is crucial for tissue development and homeostasis in all animal species and its dysregulation is one of the most relevant events linked to cancer development and dissemination. The canonical and the non-canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathways are known to control both physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. Herein, the impact of the Wnt/β-catenin cascade in driving cancers from different origin has been examined. Finally, based on the impact of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) on tumour growth, invasion and chemoresistance, and their role as tumour diagnostic and prognostic tools, an overview of the current knowledge linking EVs to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is also discussed.

Stem Cell Marker Expression in Early Stage Colorectal Cancer is Associated with Recurrent Intestinal Neoplasia

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks second in cancer deaths worldwide and presents multiple management challenges, one of which is identifying high risk stage II disease that may benefit from adjuvant therapy. Molecular biomarkers, such as ones that identify stem cell activity, could better stratify high-risk cohorts for additional treatment.

METHODS

To identify possible biomarkers of high-risk disease in early-stage CRC, a discovery set (n = 66) of advanced-stage tumors were immunostained with antibodies to stemness proteins (CD166, CD44, CD26, and LGR5) and then digitally analyzed. Using a second validation cohort (n = 54) of primary CRC tumors, we analyzed protein and gene expression of CD166 across disease stages, and extended our analyses to CD166-associated genes (LGR5, ASCL2, BMI1, POSTN, and VIM) by qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Stage III and metastatic CRC tumors highly expressed stem cell-associated proteins, CD166, CD44, and LGR5. When evaluated across stages, CD166 protein expression was elevated in advanced-stage compared to early-stage tumors. Notably, a small subset of stage I and II cancers harbored elevated CD166 protein expression, which correlated with development of recurrent cancer or adenomatous polyps. Gene expression analyses of CD166-associated molecules revealed elevated ASCL2 in primary tumors from patients who recurred.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a protein signature prognostic of aggressive disease in early stage CRC. Stem cell-associated protein and gene expression identified a subset of early-stage tumors associated with cancer recurrence and/or subsequent adenoma formation. Signatures for stemness offer promising fingerprints for stratifying early-stage patients at high risk of recurrence.

PITPNA-AS1 abrogates the inhibition of miR-876-5p on WNT5A to facilitate hepatocellular carcinoma progression

LncRNA PITPNA-AS1 was a newly identified lncRNA which has never been studied in cancers. Whether PITPNA-AS1 participated in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is obscure. Given the coaction of lncRNAs and miRNAs to carcinogenesis, the purpose of the present research is to inquire how PITPNA-AS1 affects HCC progression. Firstly, PITPNA-AS1 was observed to be heightened in HCC tissues. Then function assays proved that overexpressing or silencing PITPNA-AS1 could manipulate the proliferation and motility of HCC cells. Besides, PITPNA-AS1 was located in the cytoplasm. Among the candidate miRNAs of PITPNA-AS1, miR-876-5p was an obvious target. Moreover, mechanism experiments validated that PITPNA-AS1 modulated WNT5A expression by targeting miR-876-5p. Rescue experiments affirmed that WNT5A silencing rescued the miR-876-5p suppression-induced cellular processes in PITPNA-AS1-silenced Hep3B cells. And in vivo experiments determined that PITPNA-AS1 regulated HCC progression in vivo via miR-876-5p/WNT5A pathway. In conclusion, this work shed lights on the modulatory mechanism of PITPNA-AS1/miR-876-5p/WNT5A axis in HCC, which might be pivotal for exploring effective diagnostic biomarkers and treatment strategies for HCC patients.

An Autocrine Wnt5a Loop Promotes NF-κB Pathway Activation and Cytokine/Chemokine Secretion in Melanoma

Wnt5a signaling has been implicated in the progression of cancer by regulating multiple cellular processes, largely migration and invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis. Since Wnt5a signaling has also been involved in inflammatory processes in infectious and inflammatory diseases, we addressed the role of Wnt5a in regulating NF-κB, a pivotal mediator of inflammatory responses, in the context of cancer. The treatment of melanoma cells with Wnt5a induced phosphorylation of the NF-κB subunit p65 as well as IKK phosphorylation and IκB degradation. By using cDNA overexpression, RNA interference, and dominant negative mutants we determined that ROR1, Dvl2, and Akt (from the Wnt5a pathway) and TRAF2 and RIP (from the NF-κB pathway) are required for the Wnt5a/NF-κB crosstalk. Wnt5a also induced p65 nuclear translocation and increased NF-κB activity as evidenced by reporter assays and a NF-κB-specific upregulation of RelB, Bcl-2, and Cyclin D1. Further, stimulation of melanoma cells with Wnt5a increased the secretion of cytokines and chemokines, including IL-6, IL-8, IL-11, and IL-6 soluble receptor, MCP-1, and TNF soluble receptor I. The inhibition of endogenous Wnt5a demonstrated that an autocrine Wnt5a loop is a major regulator of the NF-κB pathway in melanoma. Taken together, these results indicate that Wnt5a activates the NF-κB pathway and has an immunomodulatory effect on melanoma through the secretion of cytokines and chemokines.

Novel drug candidate for the treatment of several soft‑tissue sarcoma histologic subtypes: A computational method using survival‑associated gene signatures for drug repurposing

Systemic treatment options for soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) have remained unchanged despite the need for novel drug candidates to improve STS outcomes. Drug repurposing involves the application of clinical drugs to different diseases, reducing development time, and cost. It has also become a fast and effective way to identify drug candidates. The present study used a computational method to screen three drug-gene interaction databases for novel drug candidates for the treatment of several common STS histologic subtypes through drug repurposing. STS survival-associated genes were generated by conducting a univariate cox regression analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas survival data. These genes were then applied to three databases (the Connectivity Map, the Drug Gene Interaction Database and the L1000 Fireworks Display) to identify drug candidates for STS treatment. Additionally, pathway analysis and molecular docking were conducted to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of the candidate drug. Bepridil was identified as a potential candidate for several STS histologic subtype treatments by overlapping the screening results from three drug-gene interaction databases. The pathway analysis with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes predicted that Bepridil may target CRK, fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), laminin subunit β1 (LAMB1), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 2 (PIK3R2), WNT5A, cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47), elastase, neutrophil expressed (ELANE), 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD) and protein kinase cβ (PRKCB) to suppress STS development. Further molecular docking simulation suggested a relatively stable binding selectivity between Bepridil and eight proteins (CRK, FGFR4, LAMB1, PIK3R2, CD47, ELANE, HPGD, and PRKCB). In conclusion, a computational method was used to identify Bepridil as a potential candidate for the treatment of several common STS histologic subtypes. Experimental validation of these in silico results is necessary before clinical translation can occur.

Global Signaling Profiling in a Human Model of Tumorigenic Progression Indicates a Role for Alternative RNA Splicing in Cellular Reprogramming

Intracellular signaling is controlled to a large extent by the phosphorylation status of proteins. To determine how human breast cells can be reprogrammed during tumorigenic progression, we profiled cell lines in the MCF10A lineage by phosphoproteomic analyses. A large cluster of proteins involved in RNA splicing were hypophosphorylated as cells progressed to a hyperplastic state, and then hyperphosphorylated after progression to a fully metastatic phenotype. A comprehensive transcriptomic approach was used to determine whether alterations in splicing factor phosphorylation status would be reflected in changes in mRNA splicing. Results indicated that the degree of mRNA splicing trended with the degree of tumorigenicity of the 4 cell lines tested. That is, highly metastatic cell cultures had the greatest number of genes with splice variants, and these genes had greater fluctuations in expression intensities. Genes with high splicing indices were mapped against gene ontology terms to determine whether they have known roles in cancer. This group showed highly significant associations for angiogenesis, cytokine-mediated signaling, cell migration, programmed cell death and epithelial cell differentiation. In summary, data from global profiling of a human model of breast cancer development suggest that therapeutics should be developed which target signaling pathways that regulate RNA splicing.

An update of Wnt signalling in endometrial cancer and its potential as a therapeutic target

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynaecological malignancy in developed nations, and its prevalence is rising as women defer or decide not to have children and as obesity rises, both key risk factors. Despite this, treatment options remain limited, particularly for advanced or refractory disease. New genomic analyses have revealed distinct mutational profiles with therapeutic and prognostic potential. Wnt signalling, which is pivotal in embryogenesis, healing and homeostasis, is of importance in the endometrium and has been linked to carcinogenesis. This review aims to update and discuss the current evidence for the role of β-catenin dependent and independent Wnt signalling, including the ROR receptors in the endometrium and its potential as a therapeutic target, in light of recent trials of Wnt-targeted therapy in multiple tumour types.