Autoantibodies as biomarkers for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis

Multi-cohort validation: A comprehensive exploration of prognostic marker in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common form of RCC. It is characterized by resistance to traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy, as well as an unfavorable clinical prognosis. Although TYMP is implicated in the advancement of tumor progression, the role of TYMP in ccRCC is still not understood. Heightened TYMP expression was identified in ccRCC through database mining and confirmed in RCC cell lines. Indeed, TYMP knockdown impacted RCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. TYMP showed a positive correlation with clinicopathological parameters (histological grade, pathological stage). Moreover, patients with high TYMP expression were indicative of poor prognosis in TCGA-ccRCC and external cohorts. The results of single-cell analysis showed that the distribution of TYMP was predominantly observed in monocytes and macrophages. Furthermore, there is a significant association between TYMP and immune status. Methylation analysis further elucidated the relationship between TYMP expression and multiple methylation sites. Drug sensitivity analysis unveiled potential pharmaceutical options. Additionally, mutation analyses identified an association between TYMP and the ccRCC driver genes like BAP1 and ROS1. In summary, TYMP may serve as a reliable prognostic indicator for ccRCC.

Predicting the overall survival and progression-free survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients based on hemoglobin, albumin, and globulin ratio and classical clinicopathological parameters

BACKGROUND

Serum biomarkers have a significant impact on the prediction of treatment outcomes in patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The primary aim of this study was to develop and validate a nomogram that incorporates hemoglobin, albumin, and globulin ratio (HAGR) and clinical data to accurately forecast treatment outcomes in patients with NPC.

METHODS

A total of 796 patients diagnosed with NPC were included in the study.

RESULTS

The results of the multivariate Cox analysis revealed that TNM stage and HAGR were found to be significant independent prognostic factors for OS and PFS. Furthermore, the utilization of the nomogram demonstrated a significant improvement in the evaluation of OS, PFS compared with the eighth TNM staging system. Additionally, the implementation of Kaplan-Meier curves and decision curve analysis curves further confirmed the discriminability and clinical effectiveness of the nomogram.

CONCLUSIONS

The HAGR, an innovative prognostic factor grounded in the realm of immunonutrition, has emerged as a promising prognostic marker for both OS and PFS in individuals afflicted with NPC.

Placenta: an old organ with new functions

The transition from oviparity to viviparity and the establishment of feto-maternal communications introduced the placenta as the major anatomical site to provide nutrients, gases, and hormones to the developing fetus. The placenta has endocrine functions, orchestrates maternal adaptations to pregnancy at different periods of pregnancy, and acts as a selective barrier to minimize exposure of developing fetus to xenobiotics, pathogens, and parasites. Despite the fact that this ancient organ is central for establishment of a normal pregnancy in eutherians, the placenta remains one of the least studied organs. The first step of pregnancy, embryo implantation, is finely regulated by the trophoectoderm, the precursor of all trophoblast cells. There is a bidirectional communication between placenta and endometrium leading to decidualization, a critical step for maintenance of pregnancy. There are three-direction interactions between the placenta, maternal immune cells, and the endometrium for adaptation of endometrial immune system to the allogeneic fetus. While 65% of all systemically expressed human proteins have been found in the placenta tissues, it expresses numerous placenta-specific proteins, whose expression are dramatically changed in gestational diseases and could serve as biomarkers for early detection of gestational diseases. Surprisingly, placentation and carcinogenesis exhibit numerous shared features in metabolism and cell behavior, proteins and molecular signatures, signaling pathways, and tissue microenvironment, which proposes the concept of "cancer as ectopic trophoblastic cells". By extensive researches in this novel field, a handful of cancer biomarkers has been discovered. This review paper, which has been inspired in part by our extensive experiences during the past couple of years, highlights new aspects of placental functions with emphasis on its immunomodulatory role in establishment of a successful pregnancy and on a potential link between placentation and carcinogenesis.

B cell clonality in cancer

Carcinogenesis in the process of long-term co-evolution of tumor cells and immune environment essentially becomes possible due to incorrect decisions made, remembered, and reproduced by the immune system at the level of clonal populations of antigen-specific T- and B-lymphocytes. Tumor-immunity interaction determines the nature of such errors and, consequently, delineates the possible ways of successful immunotherapeutic intervention. It is generally recognized that tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIL-B) can play both pro-tumor and anti-tumor roles. However, the exact mechanisms that determine the contribution of clonal B cell lineages with different specificities and functions remain largely unclear. This is due to the variability of cancer types, the molecular heterogeneity of tumor cells, and, to a large extent, the individual pattern of each immune response. Further progress requires detailed investigation of the functional properties and phenotypes of clonally heterogeneous B cells in relation to their antigenic specificities, which determine the functionality of both effector B lymphocytes and immunoglobulins produced in the tumor environment. Based on a real understanding of the role of clonal antigen-specific populations of B lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment, we need to learn how to develop new methods of targeted immunotherapy, as well as adapt existing treatment options to the specific needs of different patients and patient subgroups. In this review, we will cover B cells functional diversity and their multifaceted roles in the tumor environment.

The presence of autoantibodies as a potential prognostic biomarker for breast cancer

The presence of autoantibodies is closely associated with the occurrence and development of cancer. Autoantibodies can be used as biomarkers for early breast cancer diagnosis. However, the relationship between autoantibodies and the prognosis of breast cancer patients remains elusive. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the correlation between the presence of autoantibodies and outcomes in breast cancer patients. This study included a total of 155 patients from People's Hospital of Henan University (Zhengzhou, China) who were diagnosed with breast cancer from January 2017 to December 2021. The enrolled patients' clinicopathological features were collected, and 88 patients were ultimately involved in the analysis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to search for the risk factors related to the poor prognosis of breast cancer patients. The association between the presence of autoantibodies and patients' survival was analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves. After screening, there were 38 autoantibody-positive cases and 50 autoantibody-negative cases. Breast cancer patients with autoantibody-positive had a 57% lower risk of death compared with autoantibody-negative patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the presence of autoantibody could be a potential prognostic predictor for breast cancer, independent of age, histological grade, pathological classification, clinical stage, and the expression levels of hormonal receptors. In addition, autoantibody-positive breast cancer patients had longer progression-free survival and overall survival compared with autoantibody-negative cases. Positive autoantibody was found as an independent biomarker of better prognosis in breast cancer patients, providing a new strategy for the prognostic assessment of breast cancer patients.

Structure-Guided Approach for the Development of MUC1-Glycopeptide-Based Cancer Vaccines with Predictable Responses

Mucin-1 (MUC1) glycopeptides are exceptional candidates for potential cancer vaccines. However, their autoantigenic nature often results in a weak immune response. To overcome this drawback, we carefully engineered synthetic antigens with precise chemical modifications. To be effective and stimulate an anti-MUC1 response, artificial antigens must mimic the conformational dynamics of natural antigens in solution and have an equivalent or higher binding affinity to anti-MUC1 antibodies than their natural counterparts. As a proof of concept, we have developed a glycopeptide that contains noncanonical amino acid (2S,3R)-3-hydroxynorvaline. The unnatural antigen fulfills these two properties and effectively mimics the threonine-derived antigen. On the one hand, conformational analysis in water shows that this surrogate explores a landscape similar to that of the natural variant. On the other hand, the presence of an additional methylene group in the side chain of this analog compared to the threonine residue enhances a CH/π interaction in the antigen/antibody complex. Despite an enthalpy-entropy balance, this synthetic glycopeptide has a binding affinity slightly higher than that of its natural counterpart. When conjugated with gold nanoparticles, the vaccine candidate stimulates the formation of specific anti-MUC1 IgG antibodies in mice and shows efficacy comparable to that of the natural derivative. The antibodies also exhibit cross-reactivity to selectively target, for example, human breast cancer cells. This investigation relied on numerous analytical (e.g., NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography) and biophysical techniques and molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the antigen-antibody interactions. This workflow streamlines the synthetic process, saves time, and reduces the need for extensive, animal-intensive immunization procedures. These advances underscore the promise of structure-based rational design in the advance of cancer vaccine development.

Evaluation of potential prevalence of onconeural antibodies in women with breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To analyse onconeural antibodies in the blood serum of breast cancer patients without neurological symptoms..

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: The study included 48 women with breast cancer. Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes 12 Ag (IgG) Euroline by EUROIMMUN test was used to determine onconeural antibodies: anti-Hu, anti-Yo, anti-Ri, anti-CV2, anti-Ma/anti-Ta, anti-amphiphysin, anti-recoverin, anti-SOX1, anti-tytin, anti-zic4, anti-GAD65 and anti-Tr (DNER).

RESULTS

Results: The conducted analysis revealed the presence of onconeural antibodies such as: anti-recoverin, anti-CV2, anti-Zic4, anti-SOX1, anti-MA2/Ta and antititin in blood serum of women with breast cancer.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: Further analysis may allow the assessment of the possible clinical usefulness of these determinations.

Clonal redemption of B cells in cancer

Potentially self-reactive B cells constitute a large portion of the peripheral B cell repertoire in both mice and humans. Maintenance of autoreactive B cell populations could conceivably be detrimental to the host but their conservation throughout evolution suggests performance of a critical and beneficial immune function. We discuss herein how the process of clonal redemption may provide insight to preservation of an autoreactive B cell pool in the context of infection and autoimmunity. Clonal redemption refers to additional recombination or hypermutation events decreasing affinity for self-antigen, while increasing affinity for foreign antigens. We then review findings in murine models and human patients to consider whether clonal redemption may be able to provide tumor antigen-specific B cells and how this may or may not predispose patients to autoimmunity.

A clinical-radiomics nomogram based on multimodal ultrasound for predicting the malignancy risk in solid hypoechoic breast lesions

Background

In routine clinical examinations, solid hypoechoic breast lesions are frequently encountered, but accurately distinguishing them poses a challenge. This study proposed a clinical-radiomics nomogram based on multimodal ultrasound that enhances the diagnostic accuracy for solid hypoechoic breast lesions.

Method

This retrospective study analyzed ultrasound strain elastography (SE) and automated breast volume scanner images (ABVS) of 423 solid hypoechoic breast lesions from 423 female patients in our hospital between August 2019 and May 2022. They were assigned to the training (n=296) and validation (n=127) groups in a 7:3 ratio by generating random numbers. Radiomics features were extracted and screened from ABVS and SE images, followed by the calculation of the radiomics score (Radscore) based on these features. Subsequently, a nomogram was constructed through multivariate logistic regression to assess the malignancy risk in breast lesions by combining Radscore with Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) scores and clinical risk factors associated with breast malignant lesions. The diagnostic performance, calibration performance, and clinical usefulness of the nomogram were assessed by the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve, the calibration curve, and the decision analysis curve, respectively.

Results

The diagnostic performance of the nomogram is significantly superior to that of both the clinical diagnostic model (BI-RADS model) and the multimodal radiomics model (SE+ABVS radiomics model) in training (AUC: 0.972 vs 0.930 vs 0.941) and validation group (AUC:0.964 vs 0.916 vs 0.933). In addition, the nomogram also exhibited a favorable goodness-of-fit and could lead to greater net benefits for patients.

Conclusion

The nomogram enables a more effective assessment of the malignancy risk of solid hypoechoic breast lesions; therefore, it can serve as a new and efficient diagnostic tool for clinical diagnosis.

Hydrophobicity and molecular mass-based separation method for autoantibody discovery from mammalian total cellular proteins

Serum autoantibody profiles are unique to individuals and reflect the level and history of autoimmunity and tumor immunity. The identification of autoantibody biomarkers is critical for the development of immune monitoring systems for immune-related disorders. Here, we present a practical method for large-scale autoantibody discovery using total cellular proteins from cultured mammalian cells. We found that nucleic acid-free and fully denatured water-soluble total cellular proteins from mammalian cells were superior, allowing precise separation by reversed-phase HPLC after preparing a large set of homogeneous total cellular proteins. After separating the proteins based on hydrophobicity, the fractionated samples were subjected to molecular mass analysis using conventional SDS-PAGE. The resulting two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was successfully employed for immune blotting and LC-MS/MS analysis. All procedures, including TRIzol-based total cellular protein extraction, solubilization of denatured proteins, reversed-phase HPLC separation, and SDS-PAGE, were highly reproducible and easily scalable. We propose this novel two-dimensional gel electrophoresis system as an alternative proteomics-based methodology suitable for large-scale autoantibody discovery.

Autoantibody Diversity Is Augmented in Women with Breast Cancer and Is Related to the Stage of the Disease

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequent malignant neoplasia and leading cause of cancer mortality for women. A timely diagnosis of BC is crucial to ensure the best chances of survival. Among the various screening tools for BC, antibodies directed towards self-antigens or tumor-associated antigens (autoantibodies) have emerged as an alternative to image-based screening modalities. However, little attention has been paid to the global diversity of autoantibodies. This work aimed to analyze the diversity of autoantibodies reactive to antigens expressed by the BC cell line T47D in the sera of Mexican women with BC, benign breast pathology (BBP), or without breast pathology (WBP). We found that the diversity of antibodies in the sera was higher in the BC and BBP groups than in the WBP group. Likewise, the diversity changed with the progression of BC. Our results show and measure the complexity of the antibody response in breast health and disease.

The presence of autoantibodies is associated with improved overall survival in lung cancer patients

Objective

Autoantibodies have been reported to be associated with cancers. As a biomarker, autoantibodies have been widely used in the early screening of lung cancer. However, the correlation between autoantibodies and the prognosis of lung cancer patients is poorly understood, especially in the Asian population. This retrospective study investigated the association between the presence of autoantibodies and outcomes in patients with lung cancer.

Methods

A total of 264 patients diagnosed with lung cancer were tested for autoantibodies in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to June 2022. The general clinical data of these patients were collected, and after screening out those who met the exclusion criteria, 151 patients were finally included in the study. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze the effect of autoantibodies on the outcomes of patients with lung cancer. The Kaplan-Meier curve was used to analyze the relationship between autoantibodies and the overall survival of patients with lung cancer.

Results

Compared to lung cancer patients without autoantibodies, those with autoantibodies had an associated reduced risk of death (HRs: 0.45, 95% CIs 0.27~0.77), independent of gender, age, smoking history, pathological type, and pathological stage of lung cancer. Additionally, the association was found to be more significant by subgroup analysis in male patients, younger patients, and patients with small cell lung cancer. Furthermore, lung cancer patients with autoantibodies had significantly longer survival time than those without autoantibodies.

Conclusion

The presence of autoantibodies is an independent indicator of good prognosis in patients with lung cancer, providing a new biomarker for prognostic evaluation in patients with lung cancer.