Expression of human chorionic gonadotropin beta-subunit type I genes predicts adverse outcome in renal cell carcinoma

Tumor expression of human chorionic gonadotropin beta mRNA and prognosis of prostate cancer treated by radical prostatectomy

The beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ) is encoded by six genes (CGB) classified as type I and type II. CGB mRNA is produced in large amounts by trophoblastic tissues and in small amounts by several cancerous tissues including prostate cancer and by a few benign tissues, including the prostate. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to study the expression levels of all CGB mRNAs together (total CGB mRNA) and the two types of CGB mRNA separately in non-cancerous (n = 74) and cancerous prostatic tissue obtained by radical prostatectomy (n = 193). RNA was isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples and mRNA levels of CGB were correlated with disease-specific survival. Total CGB mRNA concentrations were significantly lower (p < .0001) in cancerous than non-cancerous prostatic tissue. Separate analysis of type I CGB and type II CGB mRNA showed that both type I CGB (p < .0001) and type II CGB mRNA (p = .007) are lower in cancerous tissue than in non-cancerous tissue. Low type II CGB mRNA level in cancerous tissue was associated with shorter cancer-specific survival (p = .001) of prostate cancer patients treated by radical prostatectomy.

Aberrantly expressed genes and miRNAs in human hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on RNA‑sequencing analysis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the key genes, miRNAs and pathways in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying HPSCC development. The gene and microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of HPSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues from three subjects were obtained. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in HPSCC. Functional annotation and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were conducted to elucidate the biological functions of DEGs. A total of 160 DEGs (16 upregulated and 144 downregulated genes) and 79 differentially expressed miRNAs (48 upregulated and 31 downregulated miRNAs) were identified in HPSCC. The deregulated genes were significantly involved in spliceosome, cell cycle and RNA degradation. In the PPI network, S-phase kinase associated protein 1 (SKP1), non-POU domain containing octamer binding (NONO) and zinc activated ion channel (ZACN) were identified as hub proteins. On the whole, the present study may help to gain a comprehensive understanding of tumorigenesis in HPSCC and provide valuable information for early diagnosis and drug design of HPSCC in future research.

A case study on the potential angiogenic effect of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone in rapid progression and spontaneous regression of metastatic renal cell carcinoma during pregnancy and after surgical abortion

BACKGROUND

Treatment possibilities of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have recently changed dramatically prolonging the overall survival of the patients. This kind of development brings new challenges for the care of mRCC.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 22 year-old female patient with translocation type mRCC, who previously had been treated for nearly 5 years, became pregnant during the treatment break period. Follow-up examinations revealed a dramatic clinical and radiological progression of mRCC in a few weeks therefore the pregnancy was terminated. A few days after surgical abortion, CT examination showed a significant spontaneous regression of the pulmonary metastases, and the volume of the largest manifestation decreased from ca. 30 to 3.5 cm(3) in a week. To understand the possible mechanism of this spectacular regression, estrogen, progesterone and luteinizing hormone receptors (ER, PGR and LHR, respectively) immuno-histochemistry assays were performed on the original surgery samples. Immuno-histochemistry showed negative ER, PGR and positive LHR status suggesting the possible angiogenic effect of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG) in the background.

CONCLUSION

We hypothesize that pregnancy may play a causal role in the progression of mRCC via the excess amount of hCG, however, more data are necessary to validate the present notions and the predictive role of LHR overexpression.

Biomarker development, from bench to bedside

This review describes studies performed by our group and other laboratories in the field aimed at development of biomarkers not only for cancer but also for other diseases. The markers covered include tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI), tumor-associated trypsin (TAT), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and their various molecular forms, their biology and diagnostic use. The discovery of TATI was the result of a hypothesis-driven project aimed at finding new biomarkers for ovarian cancer among urinary peptides. TATI has since proved to be a useful prognostic marker for several cancers. Recently, it has been named Serine Peptidase Inhibitor Kazal Type 1 (SPINK1) after being rediscovered by several groups as a tumor-associated peptide by gene expression profiling and proteomic techniques and shown to promote tumor development by stimulating the EGF receptor. To explain why a trypsin inhibitor is strongly expressed in some cancers, research focused on the protease that it inhibited led to the finding of tumor-associated trypsin (TAT). Elevated serum concentrations of TAT-2 were found in some cancer types, but fairly high background levels of pancreatic trypsinogen-2 limited the use of TAT-2 for cancer diagnostics. However, trypsinogen-2 and its complex with α1-protease inhibitor proved to be very sensitive and specific markers for pancreatitis. Studies on hCG were initiated by the need to develop more rapid and sensitive pregnancy tests. These studies showed that serum from men and non-pregnant women contains measurable concentrations of hCG derived from the pituitary. Subsequent development of assays for the subunits of hCG showed that the β subunit of hCG (hCGβ) is expressed at low concentrations by most cancers and that it is a strong prognostic marker. These studies led to the formation of a working group for standardization of hCG determinations and the development of new reference reagents for several molecular forms of hCG. The preparation of intact hCG has been adopted as the fifth international standard by WHO. Availability of several well-defined forms of hCG made it possible to characterize the epitopes of nearly 100 monoclonal antibodies. This will facilitate design of immunoassays with pre-defined specificity. Finally, the discovery of different forms of immunoreactive PSA in serum from a prostate cancer patient led to identification of the complex between PSA and α1-antichymotrypsin, and the use of assays for free and total PSA in serum for improved diagnosis of prostate cancer. Epitope mapping of PSA antibodies and establishment of PSA standards has facilitated establishment well-standardized assays for the various forms of PSA.

Human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit genes CGB1 and CGB2 are transcriptionally active in ovarian cancer

Human chorionic gonadotropin beta subunit (CGB) is a marker of pregnancy as well as trophoblastic and nontrophoblastic tumors. CGB is encoded by a cluster of six genes, of which type II genes (CGB3/9, 5 and 8) have been shown to be upregulated in relation to type I genes (CGB6/7) in both placentas and tumors. Recent studies revealed that CGB1 and CGB2, originally considered as pseudogenes, might also be active, however, the protein products of these genes have not yet been identified. Our study demonstrates the presence of CGB1 and CGB2 transcripts in ovarian carcinomas. While CGB1 and CGB2 gene activation was not detected in normal ovaries lacking cancerous development, our study demonstrates the presence of CGB1 and CGB2 transcripts in 41% of analyzed ovarian cancer cases.

Prognostic markers and targeted therapies for renal cell carcinoma

Management of advanced renal cell carcinoma remains a persistent clinical challenge with high morbidity and mortality for a large proportion of patients. Until recently, available medical immunotherapy regimens yielded a therapeutic response in only 20% of patients. Advances in the understanding of molecular mechanisms of renal cell carcinoma have led to a rapidly expanding body of work exploring biomarkers for the disease and targeted therapeutics. We review current investigations into biomarkers and novel therapies for renal cell carcinoma, discuss the concept of anticancer vaccines, and propose a novel target for anticancer vaccine development.

Prognostic markers in renal cell carcinoma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This article reviews recent reports on prognostic markers in renal cell carcinoma.

RECENT FINDINGS

Inclusion in studies of larger cohorts of patients has yielded enhanced prognostic information from integrated pathological markers; the findings suggest that adjustment to the TNM (tumour-node-metastasis) system is warranted. A number of patient-related factors remain important prognostically, including performance status, C-reactive protein and thrombocytosis, but also immunological factors (e.g. expression of B7-H1 by renal cell carcinomas is associated with progression). Additional prognostic information may be derived from a range of molecular markers. Findings of gene array and methylation studies may yield independent prognostic information. Enhanced knowledge of signalling pathways has facilitated better understanding of underlying biology and prediction of response to treatment. Other genes involved in regulating hypoxia-inducible factor [e.g. genes encoding carbonic anhydrase-IX and PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog)] were reported to be prognostically important in renal cell carcinoma. Other markers independently predicted survival (e.g. thymidine-phosphorylase and survivin).

SUMMARY

The potential of molecular markers suggested by clinical research is encouraging. Knowledge of various pathways will facilitate creation of systems of biomarkers that are predictive of individual response to therapy. Useful biomarkers may have potential as therapeutic targets.