Roles of the FGF-FGFR Signaling System in Cancer Development and Inflammation

Comparative Analysis of Olive-Derived Phenolic Compounds' Pro-Melanogenesis Effects on B16F10 Cells and Epidermal Human Melanocytes

Olive leaf contains plenty of phenolic compounds, among which oleuropein (OP) is the main component and belongs to the group of secoiridoids. Additionally, phenolic compounds such as oleocanthal (OL) and oleacein (OC), which share a structural similarity with OP and two aldehyde groups, are also present in olive leaves. These compounds have been studied for several health benefits, such as anti-cancer and antioxidant effects. However, their impact on the skin remains unknown. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effects of these three compounds on melanogenesis using B16F10 cells and human epidermal cells. Thousands of gene expressions were measured by global gene expression profiling with B16F10 cells. We found that glutaraldehyde compounds derived from olive leaves have a potential effect on the activation of the melanogenesis pathway and inducing differentiation in B16F10 cells. Accordingly, the pro-melanogenesis effect was investigated by means of melanin quantification, mRNA, and protein expression using human epidermal melanocytes (HEM). This study suggests that secoiridoid and its derivates have an impact on skin protection by promoting melanin production in both human and mouse cell lines.

The importance of protein domain mutations in cancer therapy

Cancer is a complex disease that is caused by multiple genetic factors. Researchers have been studying protein domain mutations to understand how they affect the progression and treatment of cancer. These mutations can significantly impact the development and spread of cancer by changing the protein structure, function, and signalling pathways. As a result, there is a growing interest in how these mutations can be used as prognostic indicators for cancer prognosis. Recent studies have shown that protein domain mutations can provide valuable information about the severity of the disease and the patient's response to treatment. They may also be used to predict the response and resistance to targeted therapy in cancer treatment. The clinical implications of protein domain mutations in cancer are significant, and they are regarded as essential biomarkers in oncology. However, additional techniques and approaches are required to characterize changes in protein domains and predict their functional effects. Machine learning and other computational tools offer promising solutions to this challenge, enabling the prediction of the impact of mutations on protein structure and function. Such predictions can aid in the clinical interpretation of genetic information. Furthermore, the development of genome editing tools like CRISPR/Cas9 has made it possible to validate the functional significance of mutants more efficiently and accurately. In conclusion, protein domain mutations hold great promise as prognostic and predictive biomarkers in cancer. Overall, considerable research is still needed to better define genetic and molecular heterogeneity and to resolve the challenges that remain, so that their full potential can be realized.

Modelling the complex nature of the tumor microenvironment: 3D tumor spheroids as an evolving tool

Cancer remains a serious burden in society and while the pace in the development of novel and more effective therapeutics is increasing, testing platforms that faithfully mimic the tumor microenvironment are lacking. With a clear shift from animal models to more complex in vitro 3D systems, spheroids emerge as strong options in this regard. Years of development have allowed spheroid-based models to better reproduce the biomechanical cues that are observed in the tumor-associated extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular interactions that occur in both a cell-cell and cell-ECM manner. Here, we summarize some of the key cellular interactions that drive tumor development, progression and invasion, and how successfully are these interactions recapitulated in 3D spheroid models currently in use in the field. We finish by speculating on future advancements in the field and on how these can shape the relevance of spherical 3D models for tumor modelling.

MCF2L-AS1 promotes the biological behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating the miR-33a-5p/FGF2 axis

Long noncoding RNA MCF2L-AS1 functions in the development of cancers like lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and colorectal cancer. Notwithstanding, its function in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stays obscure. Our research probes its role in MHCC97H and HCCLM3 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. qRT-PCR gauged MCF2L-AS1 and miR-33a-5p expressions in HCC tissues. CCK8, colony formation, Transwell, and EdU assays detected HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, respectively. The xenograft tumor model was built to confirm the MCF2L-AS1-mediated role in HCC cell growth. Western blot and immunohistochemistry detected FGF2 expression in HCC tissues. Bioinformatics analysis predicted the targeted relationships between MCF2L-AS1 or FGF2 and miR-33a-5p, which were further examined through dual-luciferase reporter gene and pull-down assays. MCF2L-AS1 was expressed highly in HCC tissues and cells. MCF2L-AS1 upregulation enhanced HCC cells' proliferation, growth, migration, and invasion and reduced apoptosis. miR-33a-5p was demonstrated as an underlying target of MCF2L-AS1. miR-33a-5p impeded HCC cells' malignant behaviors. MCF2L-AS1 overexpression reversed miR-33a-5p-mediated effects. MCF2L-AS1 knockdown enhanced miR-33a-5p and negatively regulated FGF2 protein. miR-33a-5p targeted and inhibited FGF2. miR-33a-5p overexpression or FGF2 knockdown inhibited MCF2L-AS1-mediated oncologic effects in MHCC97H. By modulating miR-33a-5p/FGF2, MCF2L-AS1 exerts a tumor-promotive function in HCC. The MCF2L-AS1-miR-33a-5p-FGF2 axis may provide new therapeutic targets for HCC treatment.

Expression levels of RUNX3 and FGFR2 in peripheral blood of severe acute pancreatitis and their clinical significance

Purpose

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a life-threatening inflammatory syndrome of the pancreas. This study aimed to analyze the clinical significance of runt-associated transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) expression alterations in SAP.

Methods

This study included 18 SAP patients in Wuzhong People's Hospital from November 2019 to December 2021 and 18 healthy controls. RUNX3 and FGFR2 expression levels were determined by RT-quantitative PCR. Correlations between RUNX3/FGFR2 and sex, age, etiology, CRP, procalcitonin, AST, LDH, BUN, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II), Ranson score, Bedside Index for Severity in Acute Pancreatitis (BISAP) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and modified computed tomography severity index (MCTSI) score were analyzed. Diagnostic values of RUNX3 and FGFR2 in SAP were analyzed using the receiver-operating characteristic curve. The binding of RUNX3 to FGFR2 was analyzed by chromatin immunoprecipitation.

Results

RUNX3 and FGFR2 were downregulated in peripheral blood of SAP patients. RUNX3 and FGFR2 were negatively correlated with CRP, procalcitonin, AST, LDH, BUN, APACHE II score, Ranson score, BISAP score, SOFA score, and MCTSI score. Sensitivity and specificity of RUNX3 level of <0.9650 for SAP diagnosis were 88.89% and 72.22%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of FGFR2 level of <0.8950 for SAP diagnosis were 66.67% and 83.33%, respectively. RUNX3 was enriched in the FGFR2 promoter and was positively correlated with FGFR2.

Conclusion

RUNX3 and FGFR2 were downregulated in peripheral blood of SAP patients and served as candidate biomarkers for SAP diagnosis. RUNX3 bound to the FGFR2 promoter to promote FGFR2 transcription.

Phenotypic spectrum of FGF10-related disorders: a systematic review

FGF10, as an FGFR2b-specific ligand, plays a crucial role during cell proliferation, multi-organ development, and tissue injury repair. The developmental importance of FGF10 has been emphasized by the identification of FGF10 abnormalities in human congenital disorders affecting different organs and systems. Single-nucleotide variants in FGF10 or FGF10-involving copy-number variant deletions have been reported in families with lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital syndrome, aplasia of the lacrimal and salivary glands, or lethal lung developmental disorders. Abnormalities involving FGF10 have also been implicated in cleft lip and palate, myopia, or congenital heart disease. However, the exact developmental role of FGF10 and large phenotypic heterogeneity associated with FGF10 disruption remain incompletely understood. Here, we review human and animal studies and summarize the data on FGF10 mechanism of action, expression, multi-organ function, as well as its variants and their usefulness for clinicians and researchers.

Genomics and Immunomics in the Treatment of Urothelial Carcinoma

Urothelial carcinoma is a complex cancer with genomic immunomic drivers that have prognostic and predictive treatment implications. Identifying potential targetable alterations via next-generation sequencing and RNA sequencing may allow for elucidation of such targets and exploitation with targeted therapeutics. The role of immunotherapy in treating urothelial carcinoma has shown benefit, but it is unclear in which patients immunotherapeutics have the highest yield. Continuing efforts into better identifying which patients may benefit most from targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and combination therapies may ultimately lead to improved outcomes for patients with this disease.

Exploring the FGF/FGFR System in Ocular Tumors: New Insights and Perspectives

Ocular tumors are a family of rare neoplasms that develop in the eye. Depending on the type of cancer, they mainly originate from cells localized within the retina, the uvea, or the vitreous. Even though current treatments (e.g., radiotherapy, transpupillary thermotherapy, cryotherapy, chemotherapy, local resection, or enucleation) achieve the control of the local tumor in the majority of treated cases, a significant percentage of patients develop metastatic disease. In recent years, new targeting therapies and immuno-therapeutic approaches have been evaluated. Nevertheless, the search for novel targets and players is eagerly required to prevent and control tumor growth and metastasis dissemination. The fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptor (FGFR) system consists of a family of proteins involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. Indeed, tumor and stroma activation of the FGF/FGFR system plays a relevant role in tumor growth, invasion, and resistance, as well as in angiogenesis and dissemination. To date, scattered pieces of literature report that FGFs and FGFRs are expressed by a significant subset of primary eye cancers, where they play relevant and pleiotropic roles. In this review, we provide an up-to-date description of the relevant roles played by the FGF/FGFR system in ocular tumors and speculate on its possible prognostic and therapeutic exploitation.

Prognostic value of neutrophil/lymphocyte, platelet/lymphocyte, lymphocyte/monocyte ratios and Glasgow prognostic score in osteosarcoma: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Some studies investigated the prognostic role of several blood biomarkers, including the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR) and Glasgow prognostic score (GPS), in osteosarcoma, but their results were inconsistent with each other.

AIM

To identify the prognostic value of NLR, PLR, LMR and GPS in osteosarcoma patients through reviewing relevant studies.

METHODS

The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI databases were searched up to October 2, 2021. The primary and second outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), respectively. The hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to assess the association between these indicators and prognosis of osteosarcoma patients.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies involving 2087 patients were eventually included. The pooled results demonstrated that higher NLR and GPS were significantly associated with poorer OS (HR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.38-2.55, P < 0.001; HR = 2.19, 95%CI: 1.64-2.94, P < 0.001) and DFS (HR = 1.67, 95%CI: 1.37-2.04, P < 0.001; HR = 2.50, 95%CI: 1.39-4.48, P < 0.001). However, no significant relationship of PLR and LMR and OS (P = 0.085; P = 0.338) and DFS (P = 0.396; P = 0.124) was observed.

CONCLUSION

Higher NLR and GPS were related with worse prognosis and might serve as novel prognostic indicators for osteosarcoma patients.