Application of Proteomics in the Discovery of Radiosensitive Cancer Biomarkers

HA15 inhibits binding immunoglobulin protein and enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Proteomic profiling is a promising approach to identify novel predictors of radiation response. The present study aimed to identify potential biomarkers of radiation response by serum proteomics in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients and find efficacious therapeutic drugs to enhance the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT). Serum binding immunoglobulin protein (BIP) was identified and validated as a treatment response predictor in ESCC patients treated with RT. Novel BIP inhibitor HA15 showed antitumor activity in ESCC cells by viability assay. Tumor cell colony formation and apoptosis assay revealed targeting BIP was associated with significant improvements of radiation sensitivity. Further analyses revealed that HA15 enhanced radiation-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and immunogenic cell death (ICD) in ESCC. Clinical data indicated that high expression of BIP was associated with poor survival in patients of ESCC. In conclusion, proteomics analysis suggested BIP was a promising predictor of radiation response in locally advanced ESCC. The BIP inhibitor HA15 acted as an ER stress inducer and ICD stimulator; RT combined with HA15 was effective in suppressing the growth of ESCC in vitro and in vivo. Pretreatment BIP was an essential prognostic biomarker in locally advanced ESCC patients treated with RT.

Identification of novel biomarkers for acute radiation injury using multi-omics approach and nonhuman primate model

PURPOSE

The availability of validated biomarkers to assess radiation exposure and to assist in developing medical countermeasures remains an unmet need.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

We used a cobalt-60 gamma-irradiated nonhuman primate (NHP) model to delineate a multi-omics-based serum probability index of radiation exposure. Both male and female NHPs were irradiated with different doses ranging from 6.0 to 8.5 Gy, with 0.5 Gy increments between doses. We leveraged high-resolution mass spectrometry for analysis of metabolites, lipids, and proteins at 1, 2, and 6 days post-irradiation in NHP serum.

RESULTS

A logistic regression model was implemented to develop a 4-analyte panel to stratify irradiated NHPs from unirradiated with high accuracy that was agnostic for all doses of gamma-rays tested in the study, up to six days after exposure. This panel was comprised of Serpin Family A9, acetylcarnitine, PC (16:0/22:6), and suberylglycine, which showed 2 - 4-fold elevation in serum abundance upon irradiation in NHPs and can potentially be translated as a molecular diagnostic for human use following larger validation studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, this study, for the first time, demonstrates the utility of a combinatorial molecular characterization approach using an NHP model for developing minimally invasive assays from small volumes of blood that can be effectively used for radiation exposure assessments.

Hot Tea Consumption and Esophageal Cancer Risk: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Objective

Many laboratory studies have shown that tea consumption protected against the development of esophageal cancer (EC). However, in epidemiological studies, inconsistent or even contradictory results were frequently observed, especially when drinking tea at higher temperatures.

Methods

We conducted a meta-analysis based on published observational studies to explore whether hot tea consumption was a risk factor of EC. Relevant studies were searched in PubMed, Embase, and Web of science up to October 13, 2021, and we also manually retrieved the literature in the included studies and recent reviews.

Results

A total of 23 eligible reports were identified, including 5,050 cases and 10,609 controls, and a meta-analysis with Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software (version 2.0) was conducted. A statistically significant increased EC risk was observed when drinking tea at higher temperature (odds ratios (ORs) = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.48–2.15, p = 0.00). Except for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), this increased risk was also found in the majority of subgroups, which are the European and Australian populations.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis showed that people who drank hot tea had a significantly increased risk of Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), but no significant association for EAC.