CRIPTO and miR-371a-3p Are Serum Biomarkers of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors and Are Detected in Seminal Plasma from Azoospermic Males

SPTBN1 Mediates the Cytoplasmic Constraint of PTTG1, Impairing Its Oncogenic Activity in Human Seminoma

Seminoma is the most common testicular cancer. Pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) is a securin showing oncogenic activity in several tumors. We previously demonstrated that nuclear PTTG1 promotes seminoma tumor invasion through its transcriptional activity on matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and E-cadherin (CDH1). We wondered if specific interactors could affect its subcellular distribution. To this aim, we investigated the PTTG1 interactome in seminoma cell lines showing different PTTG1 nuclear levels correlated with invasive properties. A proteomic approach upon PTTG1 immunoprecipitation uncovered new specific securin interactors. Western blot, confocal microscopy, cytoplasmic/nuclear fractionation, sphere-forming assay, and Atlas database interrogation were performed to validate the proteomic results and to investigate the interplay between PTTG1 and newly uncovered partners. We observed that spectrin beta-chain (SPTBN1) and PTTG1 were cofactors, with SPTBN1 anchoring the securin in the cytoplasm. SPTBN1 downregulation determined PTTG1 nuclear translocation, promoting its invasive capability. Moreover, a PTTG1 deletion mutant lacking SPTBN1 binding was strongly localized in the nucleus. The Atlas database revealed that seminomas that contained higher nuclear PTTG1 levels showed significantly lower SPTBN1 levels in comparison to non-seminomas. In human seminoma specimens, we found a strong PTTG1/SPTBN1 colocalization that decreases in areas with nuclear PTTG1 distribution. Overall, these results suggest that SPTBN1, along with PTTG1, is a potential prognostic factor useful in the clinical management of seminoma.

Epigenetic Factors and ncRNAs in Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the most prevalent tumor among males aged 15 to 35, resulting in a significant number of newly diagnosed cases and fatalities annually. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in various cellular processes and pathologies, including testicular cancer. Their involvement in gene regulation, coding, decoding, and overall gene expression control suggests their potential as targets for alternative treatment approaches for this type of cancer. Furthermore, epigenetic modifications, such as histone modifications, DNA methylation, and the regulation by microRNA (miRNA), have been implicated in testicular tumor progression and treatment response. Epigenetics may also offer critical insights for prognostic evaluation and targeted therapies in patients with testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). This comprehensive review aims to present the latest discoveries regarding the involvement of some proteins and ncRNAs, mainly miRNAs and lncRNA, in the epigenetic aspect of testicular cancer, emphasizing their relevance in pathogenesis and their potential, given the fact that their specific expression holds promise for prognostic evaluation and targeted therapies.

TGF-β superfamily co-receptors in cancer

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily signaling via their cognate receptors is frequently modified by TGF-β superfamily co-receptors. Signaling through SMAD-mediated pathways may be enhanced or depressed depending on the specific co-receptor and cell context. This dynamic effect on signaling is further modified by the release of many of the co-receptors from the membrane to generate soluble forms that are often antagonistic to the membrane-bound receptors. The co-receptors discussed here include TβRIII (betaglycan), endoglin, BAMBI, CD109, SCUBE proteins, neuropilins, Cripto-1, MuSK, and RGMs. Dysregulation of these co-receptors can lead to altered TGF-β superfamily signaling that contributes to the pathophysiology of many cancers through regulation of growth, metastatic potential, and the tumor microenvironment. Here we describe the role of several TGF-β superfamily co-receptors on TGF-β superfamily signaling and the impact on cellular and physiological functions with a particular focus on cancer, including a discussion on recent pharmacological advances and potential clinical applications targeting these co-receptors.

Impact of Preanalytical and Analytical Methods on Cell-Free DNA Diagnostics

While tissue biopsy has for the longest time been the gold-standard in biomedicine, precision/personalized medicine is making the shift toward liquid biopsies. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) based genetic and epigenetic biomarkers reflect the molecular status of its tissue-of-origin allowing for early and non-invasive diagnostics of different pathologies. However, selection of preanalytical procedures (including cfDNA isolation) as well as analytical methods are known to impact the downstream results. Calls for greater standardization are made continuously, yet comprehensive assessments of the impact on diagnostic parameters are lacking. This study aims to evaluate the preanalytic and analytic factors that influence cfDNA diagnostic parameters in blood and semen. Text mining analysis has been performed to assess cfDNA research trends, and identify studies on isolation methods, preanalytical and analytical impact. Seminal and blood plasma were tested as liquid biopsy sources. Traditional methods of cfDNA isolation, commercial kits (CKs), and an in-house developed protocol were tested, as well as the impact of dithiothreitol (DTT) on cfDNA isolation performance. Fluorimetry, qPCR, digital droplet PCR (ddPCR), and bioanalyzer were compared as cfDNA quantification methods. Fragment analysis was performed by qPCR and bioanalyzer while the downstream application (cfDNA methylation) was analyzed by pyrosequencing. In contrast to blood, semen as a liquid biopsy source has only recently begun to be reported as a liquid biopsy source, with almost half of all publications on it being review articles. Experimental data revealed that cfDNA isolation protocols give a wide range of cfDNA yields, both from blood and seminal plasma. The addition of DTT to CKs has improved yields in seminal plasma and had a neutral/negative impact in blood plasma. Capillary electrophoresis and fluorometry reported much higher yields than PCR methods. While cfDNA yield and integrity were highly impacted, cfDNA methylation was not affected by isolation methodology or DTT. In conclusion, NucleoSnap was recognized as the kit with the best overall performance. DTT improved CK yields in seminal plasma. The in-house developed protocol has shown near-kit isolation performance. ddPCR LINE-1 assay for absolute detection of minute amounts of cfDNA was established and allowed for quantification of samples inhibited in qPCR. cfDNA methylation was recognized as a stable biomarker unimpacted by cfDNA isolation method. Finally, semen was found to be an abundant source of cfDNA offering potential research opportunities and benefits for cfDNA based biomarkers development related to male reproductive health.

New Insights into Cancer Targeted Therapy: Nodal and Cripto-1 as Attractive Candidates

The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling is fundamental for correct embryonic development. However, alterations of this pathway have been correlated with oncogenesis, tumor progression and sustaining of cancer stem cells (CSCs). Cripto-1 (CR-1) and Nodal are two embryonic proteins involved in TGF-β signaling. Their expression is almost undetectable in terminally differentiated cells, but they are often re-expressed in tumor cells, especially in CSCs. Moreover, cancer cells that show high levels of CR-1 and/or Nodal display more aggressive phenotypes in vitro, while in vivo their expression correlates with a worse prognosis in several human cancers. The ability to target CSCs still represents an unmet medical need for the complete eradication of certain types of tumors. Given the prognostic role and the selective expression of CR-1 and Nodal on cancer cells, they represent archetypes for targeted therapy. The aim of this review is to clarify the role of CR-1 and Nodal in cancer stem populations and to summarize the current therapeutic strategy to target CSCs using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or other molecular tools to interfere with these two proteins.

Liquid Biopsies in the Clinical Management of Germ Cell Tumor Patients: State-of-the-Art and Future Directions

Liquid biopsies constitute a minimally invasive means of managing cancer patients, entailing early diagnosis, follow-up and prediction of response to therapy. Their use in the germ cell tumor field is invaluable since diagnostic tissue biopsies (which are invasive) are often not performed, and therefore only a presumptive diagnosis can be made, confirmed upon examination of the surgical specimen. Herein, we provide an overall review of the current liquid biopsy-based biomarkers of this disease, including the classical, routinely used serum tumor markers—the promising microRNAs rapidly approaching the introduction into clinical practice—but also cell-free DNA markers (including DNA methylation) and circulating tumor cells. Finally, and importantly, we also explore novel strategies and challenges for liquid biopsy markers and methodologies, providing a critical view of the future directions for liquid biopsy tests in this field, highlighting gaps and unanswered questions.

LncRNA PRNCR1 rs1456315 and CCAT2 rs6983267 Polymorphisms on 8q24 Associated with Lung Cancer

Background

Long noncoding RNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (lncRNA-SNPs) PCAT1 rs710886, PRNCR1 rs1456315 and CCAT2 rs6983267 on 8q24 region present generalizability in the susceptibility to multiple cancers, however, the influence of rs710886, rs1456315 and rs6983267 on lung cancer has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between three lncRNA-SNPs and lung cancer.

Methods

A case–control study was performed on 438 patients with lung cancer and 456 healthy controls in the Han population from southern China. The collected samples were genotyped by the TaqMan genotyping, and the association with clinical characteristics, including age, gender, drinking status, smoking status, pathological types and clinical stages were analyzed. And the SNP function prediction was based on lncRNASNP2, RNAfold and GTEx.

Results

The rs1456315 T allele increased the risk of lung cancer [OR=1.95, 95% CI (1.58–2.43), P=0.003] compared to the rs1456315 C allele, and rs1456315 significantly increased the risk of lung cancer in the dominant model [OR=1.86, 95% CI (1.16–3.00), P=0.002]. The rs6983267 G allele, compared with the T allele, increased the risk of lung cancer [OR=1.29, 95% CI (1.07–1.57), P=0.007], and rs6983267 was identified as a risk factor for lung cancer [OR=1.28, 95% CI (1.06–1.55), P=0.003] in the additive model. Both rs1456315 and rs6983267 demonstrated significance after adjusting for the smoking status, drinking status and age. The structure prediction found rs6983267 and rs1456315 influence the secondary structure of its lncRNA. The results from lncRNASNP2 indicated that rs6983267 and rs1456315 change gain/loss target of miRNAs.

Conclusion

PRNCR1 rs1456315 and CCAT2 rs6983267 on 8q24 region are significantly associated with lung cancer in the Han population of southern China and alter the potential biological function in bioinformatic analysis, and the results further extended generalism of the susceptibility of cancer-associated lncRNA-SNPs to lung cancer and underlying mechanism involved in lung cancer.