TLE2 is associated with favorable prognosis and regulates cell growth and gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic cancer

Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation for Identifying Biomarkers Associated with AMG510 (Sotorasib) Resistance in KRASG12C-Mutated Lung Adenocarcinoma

The Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS)G12C mutation is prevalent in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), driving tumor progression and indicating a poor prognosis. While the FDA-approved AMG510 (Sotorasib) initially demonstrated efficacy in treating KRASG12C-mutated LUAD, resistance emerged within months. Data from AMG510 treatment-resistant LUAD (GSE204753) and single-cell datasets (GSE149655) were analyzed. Gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were used to explore enriched signaling pathways, nomogram models were constructed, and transcription factors predicting resistance biomarkers were predicted. CIBERSORT identified immune cell subpopulations, and their association with resistance biomarkers was assessed through single-cell analysis. AMG510-resistant LUAD cells (H358-AR) were constructed, and proliferative changes were evaluated using a CCK-8 assay. Key molecules for AMG510 resistance, including SLC2A1, TLE1, FAM83A, HMGA2, FBXO44, and MTRNR2L12, were recognized. These molecules impacted multiple signaling pathways and the tumor microenvironment and were co-regulated by various transcription factors. Single-cell analysis revealed a dampening effect on immune cell function, with associations with programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1) expression, cytokine factors, and failure factors. The findings indicate that these newly identified biomarkers are linked to the abnormal expression of PDL1 and have the potential to induce resistance through immunosuppression. These results highlight the need for further research and therapeutic intervention to address this issue effectively.

An E3 ubiquitin-proteasome gene signature for predicting prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide, which is demonstrated with remarkable resistance to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The identification of prognosis signature and novel prognostic markers will facilitate patient stratification and an individualized precision therapy strategy. In this study, TCGA-PAAD was used to screen prognostic E3 ubiquitin ligases and establish prognostic signatures, and GEO database was used to verify the accuracy of prognostic signatures. Functional analysis, in vitro experiments and clinical cohort studies were used to analyze the function and prognostic efficacy of the target gene. An E3 ligase-based signature of 9 genes and the nomogram were developed, and the signature was proved to accurately predict the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. WDR37 might be the most prognostic E3 ubiquitin ligase in pancreatic cancer, and the clinical cohort analyses suggested a tumor-suppressive role. The results of functional analysis and in vitro experiments indicated that WDR37 may promote the degradation of TCP1 complex to inhibit tumor and improve immune cell infiltration. The E3 ligase-based signature accurately predicted the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer, so it can be used as a decision-making tool to guide the treatment of patients with pancreatic cancer. At the same time, WDR37, the main gene in E3PMP signature, can be used as the most prognostic E3 ubiquitin ligase in the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Keratin19 promotes pancreatic cancer progression and poor prognosis via activating the Hedgehog pathway

Pancreatic cancer is a serious threat to human health, with strong invasiveness, rapid progression and poor prognosis. Tumors expressing keratin 19 (K19) have stronger invasiveness and a worse prognosis. However, the role and mechanism of K19 in pancreatic cancer have remained largely elusive. In the present study, K19 expression was detected in pancreatic cancer tissues, its effect on proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis of pancreatic cancer at the cellular, in vivo preclinical and clinical levels was evaluated and its effect on the Hedgehog pathway was analyzed. K19 was significantly overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, promoted pancreatic cancer proliferation and metastasis, inhibited tumor cell apoptosis and was associated with poor prognosis. Mechanistically, these effects were mediated through the activation of the Hedgehog pathway. In conclusion, K19 may be a novel target molecule for pancreatic cancer treatment.

Roles of transducin-like enhancer of split (TLE) family proteins in tumorigenesis and immune regulation

Mammalian transducin-like enhancer of split family proteins (TLEs) are homologous to Drosophila Groucho (Gro) and are essential transcriptional repressors. Seven TLE family members, TLE1-7, have been identified to date. These proteins do not bind DNA directly; instead, they bind a set of transcription factors and thereby inhibit target gene expression. Loss of TLEs in mice usually leads to defective early development; however, TLE functions in developmentally mature cells are unclear. Recent studies have revealed that TLEs are dysregulated in certain human cancer types and may function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in different contexts. TLE levels also affect the efficacy of cancer treatments and the development of drug resistance. In addition, TLEs play critical roles in the development and function of immune cells, including macrophages and lymphocytes. In this review, we provide updates on the expression, function, and mechanism of TLEs; discuss the roles played by TLEs in tumorigenesis and the inflammatory response; and elaborate on several TLE-associated signaling pathways, including the Notch, Wnt, and MAPK pathways. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for targeting TLEs in cancer therapy.

Novel necroptosis-related gene signature for predicting the prognosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a deadly digestive system tumor with a poor prognosis. Recently, necroptosis has been considered as a type of inflammatory programmed cell death. However, the expression of necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) in PAAD and their associations with prognosis remain unclear. NRGs' prediction potential in PAAD samples from The TCGA and GEO datasets was investigated. The prediction model was constructed using Lasso regression. Co-expression analysis showed that gene expression was closely related to necroptosis. NRGs were shown to be somewhat overexpressed in high-risk people even when no other clinical symptoms were present, indicating that they may be utilized in a model to predict PAAD prognosis. GSEA showed immunological and tumor-related pathways in the high-risk group. Based on the findings, immune function and m6A genes differ significantly between the low-risk and high-risk groups. MET, AM25C, MROH9, MYEOV, FAM111B, Y6D, and PPP2R3A might be related to the oncology process for PAAD patients. Moreover, CASKIN2, TLE2, USP20, SPRN, ARSG, MIR106B, and MIR98 might be associated with low-risk patients with PAAD. NRGs and the relationship of the immune function, immune checkpoints, and m6A gene expression with NRGs in PAAD may be considered as potential therapeutic targets that should be further studied.

Potential role of CMPK1, SLC29A1, and TLE4 polymorphisms in gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer patients: pharmacogenetic study results from the prospective randomized phase II study of eribulin plus gemcitabine versus paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (KCSG-BR-13-11)

Background

In this study, we evaluated the association between genetic polymorphisms of 23 genes associated with gemcitabine metabolism and the clinical efficacy of gemcitabine in breast cancer patients.

Patients and methods

This prospective, pharmacogenetic study was conducted in cooperation with a phase II clinical trial. A total of 103 genetic polymorphisms of the 23 genes involved in gemcitabine transport and metabolism were selected for genotyping. The associations of genetic polymorphisms with overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), and 6-month PFS were analyzed.

Results

A total of 91 breast cancer patients were enrolled in this study. In terms of 6-month PFS, rs1044457 in CMPK1 was the most significant genetic polymorphism [55.9% for CT and TT and 78.9% for CC, P < 0.001, hazard ratio (HR): 4.444, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.905-10.363]. For the rs693955 in SLC29A1, the median duration of PFS was 5.4 months for AA and 10.5 months for CA and CC (P = 0.002, HR: 3.704, 95% CI: 1.615-8.497). For the rs2807312 in TLE4, the median duration of PFS was 5.7 months for TT and 10.4 months for CT and CC (P = 0.005, HR: 4.948, 95% CI: 1.612-15.190). In survival analysis with a multi-gene model, the TT genotype of rs2807312 had the worst PFS regardless of other genetic polymorphisms, whereas the CA genotype of rs693955 or the CT genotype of rs2807312 without the AA genotype of rs693955 had the best PFS compared with those of other genetic groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Genetic polymorphisms of rs1044457 in CMPK1, rs693955 in SLC29A1, and rs2807312 in TLE4 were significantly associated with the 6-month PFS rate and/or the duration of PFS. Further studies with a larger sample size and expression study would be helpful to validate the association of genetic polymorphisms and clinical efficacy of gemcitabine.

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This is the largest pharmacogenetic study of gemcitabine-based breast cancer treatment in a prospective clinical trial.

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Several genetic polymorphisms in CMPK1, SLC29A1, and TLE4 were associated with 6-month PFS rate and the duration of PFS.

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The result of this study may contribute to the personalized treatment of breast cancer.

The prognostic role of the Transducin-like Enhancer of split protein family in lung adenocarcinoma

Background

Lung cancer claims more lives than any other cancer worldwide. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) accounts for approximately 40% of all lung cancers. Members of the Transducin-like Enhancer of split (TLE) protein family repress transcription through multiple mechanisms; however, their prognostic value in LUAD is still unclear.

Methods

A dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas was used to analyze the relationship between the expression of TLE family members and outcomes of LUAD. The expression of TLE family members in 59 normal and 513 tumor samples in the TCGA dataset was selected. For paired analysis, 57 normal and 57 tumor paired tissues were selected. Gene Ontology (GO) term and Reactome pathway enrichment analyses of the TLE family members were performed. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) served as endpoints in this study. All statistical analyses were performed with R 3.6.0.

Results

The expression levels of TLE family proteins differed between 59 normal and 513 tumor samples. High TLE1 and low TLE2 levels were associated with poor progression-free and OS (all P<0.050). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high TLE1 expression and low TLE2 expression were independent risk factors for a poor outcome in LUAD. Moreover, the combined expression of these two proteins was a good tool for prognostication.

Conclusions

High TLE1 expression and low TLE2 are independent adverse prognostic factors in LUAD and can serve as prognostic biomarkers.