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Beevors LI, Sundar S, Foster PA. Steroid metabolism and hormonal dynamics in normal and malignant ovaries. Essays Biochem 2024:EBC20240028. [PMID: 38994724 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20240028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
The ovaries are key steroid hormone production sites in post-pubertal females. However, current research on steroidogenic enzymes, endogenous hormone concentrations and their effects on healthy ovarian function and malignant development is limited. Here, we discuss the importance of steroid enzymes in normal and malignant ovaries, alongside hormone concentrations, receptor expression and action. Key enzymes include STS, 3β-HSD2, HSD17B1, ARK1C3, and aromatase, which influence ovarian steroidal action. Both androgen and oestrogen action, via their facilitating enzyme, drives ovarian follicle activation, development and maturation in healthy ovarian tissue. In ovarian cancer, some data suggest STS and oestrogen receptor α may be linked to aggressive forms, while various oestrogen-responsive factors may be involved in ovarian cancer metastasis. In contrast, androgen receptor expression and action vary across ovarian cancer subtypes. For future studies investigating steroidogenesis and steroidal activity in ovarian cancer, it is necessary to differentiate between disease subtypes for a comprehensive understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy I Beevors
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
| | - Sudha Sundar
- Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
| | - Paul A Foster
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
- Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, U.K
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2
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Rižner TL, Gjorgoska M. Steroid sulfatase and sulfotransferases in the estrogen and androgen action of gynecological cancers: current status and perspectives. Essays Biochem 2024:EBC20230096. [PMID: 38994718 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20230096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Sulfatase (STS) and sulfotransferases (SULT) have important role in the biosynthesis and action of steroid hormones. STS catalyzes the hydrolysis of estrone-sulfate (E1-S) and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S), while sulfotransferases catalyze the reverse reaction and require 3-phosphoadenosine-5-phosphosulfate as a sulfate donor. These enzymes control the concentration of active estrogens and androgens in peripheral tissues. Aberant expression of STS and SULT genes has been found in both, benign hormone-dependent diseases and hormone-dependent cancers. The aim of this review is to present the current knowledge on the role of STS and SULT in gynecological cancers, endometrial (EC) and ovarian cancer (OC). EC is the most common and OC the most lethal gynecological cancer. These cancers primarily affect postmenopausal women and therefore rely on the local production of steroid hormones from inactive precursors, either DHEA-S or E1-S. Following cellular uptake by organic anion transporting polypeptides (OATP) or organic anion transporters (OAT), STS and SULT regulate the formation of active estrogens and androgens, thus disturbed balance between STS and SULT can contribute to the onset and progression of cancer. The importance of these enzymes in peripheral estrogen biosynthesis has long been recognized, and this review provides new data on the important role of STS and SULT in the formation and action of androgens, their regulation and inhibition, and their potential as prognostic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tea Lanišnik Rižner
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marija Gjorgoska
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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van der Ploeg P, Hendrikse CSE, Thijs AMJ, Westgeest HM, Smedts HPM, Vos MC, Jalving M, Lok CAR, Boere IA, van Ham MAPC, Ottevanger PB, Westermann AM, Mom CH, Lalisang RI, Lambrechts S, Bekkers RLM, Piek JMJ. Phenotype-guided targeted therapy based on functional signal transduction pathway activity in recurrent ovarian cancer patients: The STAPOVER study protocol. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23170. [PMID: 38187310 PMCID: PMC10770441 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Ovarian cancer is the fifth cause of cancer-related death among women. The benefit of targeted therapy for ovarian cancer patients is limited even if treatment is stratified by molecular signature. There remains a high unmet need for alternative diagnostics that better predict targeted therapy, as current diagnostics are generally inaccurate predictors. Quantitative assessment of functional signal transduction pathway (STP) activity from mRNA measurements of target genes is an alternative approach. Therefore, we aim to identify aberrantly activated STPs in tumour tissue of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and start phenotype-guided targeted therapy to improve survival without compromising quality of life. Study design Patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and either 1) have platinum-resistant disease, 2) refrain from standard therapy or 3) are asymptomatic and not yet eligible for standard therapy will be included in this multi-centre prospective cohort study with multiple stepwise executed treatment arms. Targeted therapy will be available for patients with aberrantly high functional activity of the oestrogen receptor, androgen receptor, phosphoinositide 3-kinase or Hedgehog STP. The primary endpoint of this study is the progression-free survival (PFS) ratio (PFS2/PFS1 ratio) according to RECIST 1.1 determined by the PFS on matched targeted therapy (PFS2) compared to PFS on prior therapy (PFS1). Secondary endpoints include among others best overall response, overall survival, side effects, health-related quality of life and cost-effectiveness. Conclusion The results of this study will show the clinical applicability of STP activity in selecting recurrent ovarian cancer patients for effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis van der Ploeg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Cynthia SE. Hendrikse
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anna MJ. Thijs
- Department of Internal Medicine and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Hans M. Westgeest
- Department of Internal Medicine, Amphia Hospital, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - Huberdina PM. Smedts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amphia Hospital, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - M Caroline Vos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Mathilde Jalving
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Christianne AR. Lok
- Department of Gynaecologic Oncology, Netherlands Cancer Institute-Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ingrid A. Boere
- Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus Medical Centre Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maaike APC. van Ham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Anneke M. Westermann
- Department of Oncology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Constantijne H. Mom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Roy I. Lalisang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Maastricht University Medical Centre +, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Sandrina Lambrechts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Maastricht University Medical Centre +, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruud LM. Bekkers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
- GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jurgen MJ. Piek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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Sun L, Ji WX, Li Y, Li ZL, Duan CC, Xia BR, Xiao L. The PAPSS1 gene is a modulator of response to cisplatin by regulating estrogen receptor alpha signaling activity in ovarian cancer cells. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:187. [PMID: 37684671 PMCID: PMC10486135 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01262-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer cells may develop resistance to cisplatin by various mechanisms. Yet, the exact mechanism of cisplatin in ovarian cancer remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that 3'-phospoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthase 1 (PAPSS1) inhibition combined with low-dose cisplatin increases DNA damage. The aim of this study was to determine the value of targeting PAPSS1 as a cisplatin modulator in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). RESULTS Increased expression of PAPSS1 was observed in both EOC cells and tissues. Also, its higher nuclear expression was distinctly associated with FIGO (The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stage, histological subtype, metastasis, and recurrence. Down-regulation of the PAPSS1 gene increased the cisplatin sensitivity of EOC in vitro and in vivo. Expression of PAPSS1 was negatively correlated with estrogen receptor α (ERα) in EOC. Also, low nuclear PAPSS1 and high nuclear ERα expression in EOC were associated with longer overall survival and progression-free survival in all ovarian cancer and ovarian cancer patients who received platinum-based chemotherapy. PAPSS1 silencing increased the activity of ERα-signaling in EOC cells, thus sensitizing tumors to cisplatin. CONCLUSIONS These findings characterize a novel interplay between PAPSS1-mediated sulfation and ERα-signaling in EOC cisplatin resistance. PAPSS1 may be exploited as a cisplatin-sensitizing therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sun
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230020, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Wei-Xue Ji
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230020, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, Hubei, P. R. China
| | - Ze-Lian Li
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230020, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Can-Can Duan
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230020, Anhui, P. R. China
| | - Bai-Rong Xia
- Department of Gynecology Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, P. R. China.
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230020, Anhui, P. R. China.
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Sun X, Peng Y, Chen J, Lei J, Liu W, Li Z. Prognostic Value of Lymph Node Parameters in Elderly Patients With Stage III Serous Ovarian Cancer Based on Competing Risk Model. Am J Clin Oncol 2023; 46:337-345. [PMID: 37146258 DOI: 10.1097/coc.0000000000001011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Competing risk models were used in this study. The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive usefulness of lymph node characteristics in elderly patients with stage III serous ovarian cancer. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis on 148,598 patients from 2010 to 2016 using the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. Lymph node characteristics were collected and examined, including the number of lymph nodes retrieved the number of lymph nodes examined (ELN) and the number of positive lymph nodes (PN). Using competing risk models, we evaluated the connection between these variables and overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). RESULTS This study included a total of 3457 ovarian cancer patients. Multivariate analysis using the COX proportional hazards model found that ELN>22 was an independent predictive factor for both OS (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]=0.688 [0.553 to 0.856], P <0.05) and DSS (HR [95% CI]=0.65 [0.512 to 0.826], P <0.001), PN>8 was identified as a significant risk factor for both OS (HR [95% CI]=0.908 [0.688 to 1.199], P =0.497) and DSS (HR [95% CI]=0.926 [0.684 to 1.254], P =0.62). Subsequently, using the competing risk model, ELN>22 was found to be an independent protective factor for DSS (HR [95% CI]=0.738 [0.574 to 0.949], P =0.018), while PN>8 was identified as a risk factor for DSS (HR [95% CI]=0.999 [0.731 to 1.366], P =1). CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate the robustness of the competing risk model to evaluate the results of the COX proportional hazards model analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangmei Sun
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen
| | - Yaru Peng
- Department of Obstetricsand Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Jiaojiao Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen
| | - Jiahao Lei
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen
| | - Weizong Liu
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen
| | - Zhengyi Li
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen
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Hendrikse CSE, van der Ploeg P, van de Kruis NMA, Wilting JHC, Oosterkamp F, Theelen PMM, Lok CAR, de Hullu JA, Smedts HPM, Vos MC, Pijlman BM, Kooreman LFS, Bulten J, Lentjes-Beer MHFM, Bosch SL, van de Stolpe A, Lambrechts S, Bekkers RLM, Piek JMJ. Functional estrogen receptor signal transduction pathway activity and antihormonal therapy response in low-grade ovarian carcinoma. Cancer 2023; 129:1361-1371. [PMID: 36867576 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced low-grade ovarian carcinoma (LGOC) is difficult to treat. In several studies, high estrogen receptor (ER) protein expression was observed in patients with LGOC, which suggests that antihormonal therapy (AHT) is a treatment option. However, only a subgroup of patients respond to AHT, and this response cannot be adequately predicted by currently used immunohistochemistry (IHC). A possible explanation is that IHC only takes the ligand, but not the activity, of the whole signal transduction pathway (STP) into account. Therefore, in this study, the authors assessed whether functional STP activity can be an alternative tool to predict response to AHT in LGOC. METHODS Tumor tissue samples were obtained from patients with primary or recurrent LGOC who subsequently received AHT. Histoscores of ER and progesterone receptor (PR) were determined. In addition, STP activity of the ER STP and of six other STPs known to play a role in ovarian cancer was assessed and compared with the STP activity of healthy postmenopausal fallopian tube epithelium. RESULTS Patients who had normal ER STP activity had a progression-free survival (PFS) of 16.1 months. This was significantly shorter in patients who had low and very high ER STP activity, with a median PFS of 6.0 and 2.1 months, respectively (p < .001). Unlike ER histoscores, PR histoscores were strongly correlated to the ER STP activity and thus to PFS. CONCLUSIONS Aberrant low and very high functional ER STP activity and low PR histoscores in patients with LGOC indicate decreased response to AHT. ER IHC is not representative of functional ER STP activity and is not related to PFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia S E Hendrikse
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Phyllis van der Ploeg
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Nienke M A van de Kruis
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Jody H C Wilting
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Floor Oosterkamp
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Pauline M M Theelen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Christianne A R Lok
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Joanne A de Hullu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Huberdina P M Smedts
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Amphia Hospital, Breda, the Netherlands
| | - M Caroline Vos
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Ziekenhuis, Tilburg, the Netherlands
| | - Brenda M Pijlman
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis, 's-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands
| | - Loes F S Kooreman
- Department of Pathology, GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Bulten
- Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Steven L Bosch
- Department of Pathology, Eurofins PAMM, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Anja van de Stolpe
- Philips Molecular Pathway Dx, Philips Research, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Sandrina Lambrechts
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ruud L M Bekkers
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.,GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jurgen M J Piek
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Catharina Cancer Institute, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
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