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Moma CA, Barreto IS, Assumpção LVM, Zantut-Wittmann DE. Predominance of CD4+ T cells in metastatic cervical lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Endocr Connect 2024; 13:e240135. [PMID: 38913547 PMCID: PMC11301539 DOI: 10.1530/ec-24-0135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Background Papillary thyroid carcinoma has become increasingly prevalent over the years. Avoiding unnecessary treatments and the risk of complications is essential, as well as understanding the mechanisms of tumor progression and the conditions that indicate a worse prognosis. Assessment of the tumor microenvironment can allow us understand how the immune system organizes itself to contain neoplastic progression. Methods We compared characteristics related to the lymphocytic subpopulations in the thyroid tumor microenvironment and lymph nodes in two groups, with and without lymph node metastatic involvement. Results Of the 400 cases followed up at a thyroid cancer reference service, 32 were selected, of which, 13 cases did not present lymph node metastasis (N0 group) and 19 had lymph node involvement (N1 group). Clinical data were collected, and immunohistochemical reactions were performed for markers CD4, CD8, FoxP3, CD25, and CD20 in lymph nodes and peritumoral infiltrate. We found that the N1 group had larger tumor sizes, higher risk staging, higher frequency of extrathyroidal extension, shorter disease-free times, and higher expression of CD4+ T lymphocytes in lymph nodes; however, there was no difference in the expression of other markers or in the pattern of lymphocyte distribution in the lymph node. Conclusion In cervical lymph nodes, the higher frequency of CD4+ T lymphocytes is related to the presence of metastasis. However, there were no differences in lymphocytic subpopulations in the thyroid tumor microenvironment. The absence of changes in unaffected lymph nodes could not predict any tumor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Aparecida Moma
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Icléia Siqueira Barreto
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ligia Vera Montali Assumpção
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denise Engelbrecht Zantut-Wittmann
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
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Papachristos AJ, Serrao-Brown H, Gill AJ, Clifton-Bligh R, Sidhu SB. Medullary Thyroid Cancer: Molecular Drivers and Immune Cellular Milieu of the Tumour Microenvironment-Implications for Systemic Treatment. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2296. [PMID: 39001359 PMCID: PMC11240419 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132296] [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: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
In this review, we explore the underlying molecular biology of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) and its interplay with the host immune system. MTC is consistently driven by a small number of specific pathogenic variants, beyond which few additional genetic events are required for tumorigenesis. This explains the exceedingly low tumour mutational burden seen in most MTC, in contrast to other cancers. However, because of the low tumour mutational burden (TMB), there is a correspondingly low level of tumour-associated neoantigens that are presented to the host immune system. This reduces tumour visibility and vigour of the anti-tumour immune response and suggests the efficacy of immunotherapy in MTC is likely to be poor, acknowledging this inference is largely based on the extrapolation of data from other tumour types. The dominance of specific RET (REarranged during Transfection) pathogenic variants in MTC tumorigenesis rationalizes the observed efficacy of the targeted RET-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in comparison to multi-kinase inhibitors (MKIs). Therapeutic durability of pathway inhibitors is an ongoing research focus. It may be limited by the selection pressure TKI treatment creates, promoting survival of resistant tumour cell clones that can escape pathway inhibition through binding-site mutations, activation of alternate pathways, and modulation of the cellular and cytokine milieu of the tumour microenvironment (TME).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Papachristos
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Hazel Serrao-Brown
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Anthony J Gill
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- NSW Health Pathology, Department of Anatomical Pathology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Roderick Clifton-Bligh
- Cancer Diagnosis and Pathology Group, Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
| | - Stanley B Sidhu
- Northern Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
- Endocrine Surgical Unit, Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia
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3
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Fang X, Huang X, Lu J, Su D. Causal role of immune cells in thyroid cancer: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1425873. [PMID: 38953025 PMCID: PMC11215042 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1425873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The immune system plays an important role in the development and treatment of thyroid cancer(THCA).However, the correlation between immune cells and THCA has not been systematically studied. Methods This study used a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to determine the causal relationship between immune cell characteristics and THCA. Based on a large sample of publicly available genetic data, we explored the causal relationship between 731 immune cell characteristics and THCA risk. The 731 immunophenotypes were divided into 7 groups, including B cell panel(n=190),cDC panel(n=64),Maturation stages of T cell panel(n=79),Monocyte panel(n=43),Myeloid cell panel(n=64),TBNK panel(n=124),and Treg panel(n=167). The sensitivity of the results was analyzed, and heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy were excluded. Results After FDR correction, the effect of immunophenotype on THCA was not statistically significant. It is worth mentioning, however, that there are some unadjusted low P-values phenotypes. The odds ratio (OR) of CD62L on monocyte on THCA risk was estimated to be 0.953 (95% CI=0.930~0.976, P=1.005×10-4),and which was estimated to be 0.975(95% CI=0.961-0.989, P=7.984×10-4) for Resting Treg%CD4 on THCA risk. Furthermore, THCA was associated with a reduced risk of 5 immunophenotype:CD25 on CD39+ CD4 on Treg (OR=0.871, 95% CI=0.812~0.935, P=1.274×10-4), activated Treg AC (OR=0.884, 95% CI=0.820~0.953, P=0.001), activated & resting Treg % CD4 Treg (OR=0.872, 95%CI=0.811~0.937,P=2.109×10-4),CD28- CD25++ CD8br AC(OR=0.867,95% CI=0.809~0.930,P=6.09×10-5),CD28-CD127-CD25++CD8brAC(OR=0.875,95%CI=0.814~0.942,P=3.619×10-4).THCA was associated with an increased risk of Secreting Treg % CD4 Treg (OR=1.143, 95% CI=1.064~1.229, P=2.779×10-4) and CD19 on IgD+ CD24+ (OR=1.118, 95% CI=1.041~1.120, P=0.002). Conclusions These findings suggest the causal associations between immune cells and THCA by genetic means. Our results may have the potential to provide guidance for future clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianliu Fang
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Huang
- Rehabilitation Medicine Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Jianhua Lu
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Danke Su
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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Chen H, Du X. Increased FGF2 expression promotes immune cell infiltration and correlates with an unfavorable prognosis in thyroid cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e32272. [PMID: 38873667 PMCID: PMC11170142 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e32272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
To delve into the expression and functions of FGF2 in patient with thyroid cancer (THCA), we conducted a systematic analysis of the association of FGF2 with immune cell infiltration, and prognosis in THCA patients. The transcription and protein levels, methylation, and biological properties of FGF2 were examined, along with its correlation with prognosis and immune cell infiltration in THCA patients using online databases UALCAN, Human Protein Atlas, Kaplan-Meier Plotter, DNMIVD, cBioPortal, GEPIA, Metascape, Linkedomics and TIMER. Clinical samples were collected for Western blot analyses. FGF2 was substantially overexpressed in the tumor group and shown correlations with age, tumor histology, nodal metastasis, and cancer stages. Moreover, higher expression of FGF2 (HR = 3.42, 95 % CI:1.57-7.44, p = 0.00099) was greatly correlated with poorer relapse-free survival in THCA patients, particularly in female patients. FGF2 methylation level was increased in the tumor group (p = 1.29E-6), and higher methylation levels of FGF2 were positively correlated with the poorer progression-free interval in THCA patients (p = 0.015). FGF2 mutations were markedly associated with shorter disease-free survival, with a mutation rate of 6 % among the total 498 THCA patients. FGF2 functions were potentially related to cell adhesion, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and angiogenesis. FGF2 expression showed positive correlations with the infiltration of B cells (Cor = 0.569, p = 1.04e-42), CD4+ T cells (Cor = 0.555, p = 9.43e-41), macrophages (Cor = 0.438, p = 2.94e-42), neutrophils (Cor = 0.578, p = 9.354e-45), and dendritic cells (Cor = 0.591, p = 5.00e-47). FGF2 is a potential prognostic marker in THCA patients, with its functions possibly related to cell adhesion, interaction of the cytokine-cytokine receptor, angiogenesis, and the promotion of multiple immune cell infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Chen
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, China
| | - Xiaoyun Du
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, China
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Tao Q, Chen Y, Liang Q, Shi J, Wang Z, Min H, Gao Q, Yao X, Wang L. Puerarin Alleviates Experimental Autoimmune Thyroiditis by Regulating Macrophages. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 212:1670-1679. [PMID: 38668725 PMCID: PMC11102028 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is the most common organ-specific autoimmune disease, predominantly affecting women. Although the pathogenesis of HT is incompletely understood, some studies have found that macrophage polarization plays a role. Puerarin is a soy isoflavone compound that has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects and regulates macrophage immune activity. This study aimed to verify the therapeutic effect of puerarin on HT and explored its regulatory effect on macrophage polarization imbalance in HT. Through bioinformatics analysis and molecular biology methods, it was found that macrophages increased significantly in HT patients and model mice. Immunological staining showed that puerarin intervention could reduce tissue inflammatory cell infiltration. Molecular biological examination displayed that puerarin could inhibit local and systemic inflammation levels, and the expression of marker thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase Abs. In vivo experimental results indicated that puerarin regulated macrophage polarity and reduced inflammatory damage, possibly by inhibiting the pyroptosis signaling pathway. In vivo macrophage clearance experiments demonstrated that puerarin relied on macrophages to exert its mechanism of action in treating HT. The results of this study indicate that macrophages are important mediators in the development of HT, and puerarin can regulate macrophage polarity and inflammatory status to provide thyroid tissue protection, which provides a new idea for the treatment of HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Tao
- Center for Translational Medicine and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu Chen
- The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiao Liang
- Center for Translational Medicine and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianfeng Shi
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiguo Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Haiyan Min
- Central Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qian Gao
- Center for Translational Medicine and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- The Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoming Yao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Li C, Mao X, Song L, Sheng J, Yang L, Huang X, Wang L. Unveiling HOXB7 as a novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker through pan-cancer computer screening. Comput Biol Med 2024; 176:108562. [PMID: 38728993 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2024.108562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
We attempted to investigate the role of HOXB7 in tumor progression and evolution by means of an extensive computer screening analysis of various cancer types. We performed univariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses to assess the impact of HOXB7 on overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and progression-free interval (PFI) in different types of cancer. Furthermore, we examined the relationship between HOXB7 and several clinical features: tumor microenvironment, immune regulatory genes, immune checkpoints, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI). We performed gene set enrichment analysis to gain deeper insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of HOXB7, and validated our findings through functional assays in cells, including methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium cytotoxicity and Transwell invasion assays. HOXB7 expression was associated with different clinical characteristics in numerous malignancies. Higher HOXB7 expression was associated with worse OS, DSS, and PFI in some cancer types. In particular, HOXB7 expression was favorably associated with immune cell infiltration, immune regulatory genes, immunological checkpoints, TMB, and MSI in malignancies. Furthermore, we identified a strong link between copper death-associated gene expression and HOXB7 expression. According to the findings of this study, HOXB7 might serve as an appealing focus for tumor diagnosis and immunotherapy and a prospective indicator of prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Li
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Xulong Mao
- Department of Cardiology, First School of Clinical Medicine College, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434000, China
| | - Lanlan Song
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Jueqi Sheng
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China
| | - Lehe Yang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China.
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China.
| | - Liangxing Wang
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Heart and Lung, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, 325000, China.
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7
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Wang Z, Wang H, Zhou Y, Li L, Lyu M, Wu C, He T, Tan L, Zhu Y, Guo T, Wu H, Zhang H, Sun Y. An individualized protein-based prognostic model to stratify pediatric patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3560. [PMID: 38671151 PMCID: PMC11053152 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47926-w] [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: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pediatric papillary thyroid carcinomas (PPTCs) exhibit high inter-tumor heterogeneity and currently lack widely adopted recurrence risk stratification criteria. Hence, we propose a machine learning-based objective method to individually predict their recurrence risk. We retrospectively collect and evaluate the clinical factors and proteomes of 83 pediatric benign (PB), 85 pediatric malignant (PM) and 66 adult malignant (AM) nodules, and quantify 10,426 proteins by mass spectrometry. We find 243 and 121 significantly dysregulated proteins from PM vs. PB and PM vs. AM, respectively. Function and pathway analyses show the enhanced activation of the inflammatory and immune system in PM patients compared with the others. Nineteen proteins are selected to predict recurrence using a machine learning model with an accuracy of 88.24%. Our study generates a protein-based personalized prognostic prediction model that can stratify PPTC patients into high- or low-recurrence risk groups, providing a reference for clinical decision-making and individualized treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihong Wang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - He Wang
- School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Center for Intelligent Proteomics, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Center for Intelligent Proteomics, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu Li
- School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Center for Intelligent Proteomics, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengge Lyu
- School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Center for Intelligent Proteomics, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chunlong Wu
- Westlake Omics (Hangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Tianen He
- School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Center for Intelligent Proteomics, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lingling Tan
- Westlake Omics (Hangzhou) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhu
- School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Center for Intelligent Proteomics, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tiannan Guo
- School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
- Westlake Center for Intelligent Proteomics, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hongkun Wu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Yaoting Sun
- School of Medicine, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
- Westlake Center for Intelligent Proteomics, Westlake Laboratory of Life Sciences and Biomedicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Research Center for Industries of the Future, Westlake University, Hangzhou, China.
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Pradhan R, Kundu A, Kundu CN. The cytokines in tumor microenvironment: from cancer initiation-elongation-progression to metastatic outgrowth. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 196:104311. [PMID: 38442808 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
It is a well-known fact that cancer can be augmented by infections and inflammation. In fact, chronic inflammation establishes a tumor-supporting-microenvironment (TME), which contributes to neoplastic progression. Presently, extensive research is going on to establish the interrelationship between infection, inflammation, immune response, and cancer. Cytokines are the most essential components in this linkage, which are secreted by immune cells and stromal cells of TME. Cytokines have potential involvement in tumor initiation, elongation, progression, metastatic outgrowth, angiogenesis, and development of therapeutic resistance. They are also linked with increased cancer symptoms along with reduced quality of life in advanced cancer patients. The cancer patients experience multiple symptoms including pain, asthenia, fatigue, anorexia, cachexia, and neurodegenerative disorders etc. Anti-cancer therapeutics can be developed by targeting cytokines along with TME to reduce the immunocompromised state and also modulate the TME. This review article depicts the composition and function of different inflammatory cells within the TME, more precisely the role of cytokines in cancer initiation, elongation, and progression as well as the clinical effects in advanced cancer patients. It also provides an overview of different natural compounds, nanoparticles, and chemotherapeutic agents that can target cytokines along with TME, which finally pave the way for cytokines-targeted anti-cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajalaxmi Pradhan
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India.
| | - Anushka Kundu
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India.
| | - Chanakya Nath Kundu
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Campus-11, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India.
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Zhao YX, Ma LB, Yang Z, Zhang TH, Wang Y, Xiang C. TET1 is a Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker Associated with Immune Infiltration in Papillary Thyroid Cancer. Biochem Genet 2024; 62:718-740. [PMID: 37410307 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10442-5] [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: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the function of ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) and its underlying mechanism in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Using the RNA-Seq data based on GDC TCGA, we analyzed the gene expression pattern of TET1 in PTC. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to assess the TET1 protein level. Then, its diagnostic and prognostic functions were determined by various bioinformatics approaches. Enrichment analysis was performed to explore the potential pathways in which TET1 is mainly involved. Finally, the immune cell infiltration analysis was conducted and the association of TET1 mRNA expression with the expression levels of immune checkpoints, tumor mutation burden (TMB) score, microsatellite instability (MSI) score, and cancer stem cells (CSC) score was examined. TET1 expression was lower in PTC tissues compared with that in normal tissues (P < 0.01). Besides, TET1 had a certain value in diagnosing PTC, and low-TET1 mRNA expression led to favorable disease-specific survival (DSS) (P < 0.01). The enrichment analysis revealed autoimmune thyroid disease and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction were the consistent pathways in which TET1 participated. TET1 was negatively correlated with the Stromal score and Immune score. The different proportions of immune cell subtypes were observed between high- and low-TET1 expression groups. Interestingly, TET1 mRNA expression was inversely related to the expression levels of immune checkpoints, and TMB, MSI, and CSC scores. TET1 might be a robust diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for PTC. TET1 affected the DSS of PTC patients possibly through the regulation of immune-related pathways and tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Xun Zhao
- The Seventh Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, No. 1, Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China.
| | - Li-Bin Ma
- The Seventh Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, No. 1, Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Ze Yang
- The Seventh Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, No. 1, Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Tao-Hua Zhang
- The Seventh Department of General Surgery, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, No. 1, Donggang West Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No.88, Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cheng Xiang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No.88, Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Pradhan R, Paul S, Acharya SS, Sinha S, Dash SR, Kundu CN. Nano formulated Resveratrol inhibits PD-L1 in oral cancer cells by deregulating the association between tumor associated macrophages and cancer associated fibroblasts through IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling axis. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 125:109568. [PMID: 38185347 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment secrete several cytokines, which involved in tumor initiation, progression, metastatic outgrowth and angiogenesis. However, the association between TAMs and CAFs in the context of tumor development remain unclear. Here, we studied the relationship between TAMs and CAFs along with the involvement of cytokines in the production of cancer-stem-like-cells (CSCs) in oral cancer cells and explored the potential anticancer effects of Nano-formulated Resveratrol (Res-NP) using an activated macrophage-M1 (AM-M1) and activated fibroblast cells as the model system. IL-6 secretion was found to be enhanced in the conditioned-medium (CM) when AM-M1 cells + CAFs-like cells were cocultured together. CSCs-enriched population was developed after addition of CM of AM-M1 +CAFs in H-357 cells and patient-derived-primary-oral-cancer cells. AM-M1 cells+ CAFs-like cells secreted IL-6 enhanced CSCs growth, proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. IL-6 was found to promote PD-L1 expression in CSCs-enriched cells via JAK2/STAT3 pathway, as evident from the enhanced expression of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3. Nevertheless, Res-NP inhibited CSCs proliferation and reduced the expression of metastatic and angiogenic markers, in ovo blood vascularization, NO production and MMPs expression. Res-NP delinked the association between AM-M1 and CAFs by blocking IL-6 production and also disrupted the potential connection between IL-6 and PD-L1 with considerable decrease in p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 expressions. IL-6 depletion inhibited stemness and angiogenesis in oral CSCs by downregulating PD-L1 via JAK2/STAT3 cascade. Similar observations were also observed in Res-NP treated xenograft mice. Thus, data demonstrate that CSCs growth is dependent on IL-6/PD-L1 axis. Res-NP deregulates the association between AM-M1 and CAFs along-with attenuates carcinogenesis in in vitro, in ovo, ex vivo and in vivo model systems by inhibiting PD-L1 via IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajalaxmi Pradhan
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Subarno Paul
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Sushree Subhadra Acharya
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Saptarshi Sinha
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Somya Ranjan Dash
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Chanakya Nath Kundu
- Cancer Biology Division, School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
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11
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Zhang H, Tian L, Wang X, Shi X. The relationship between thyroid peroxidase antibody and differentiated thyroid cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1349041. [PMID: 38476675 PMCID: PMC10927769 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1349041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) has been found to be associated with the occurrence and development of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) for several years, but there is still controversy over whether thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) is related to differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods We scrutinized relevant studies published up to July 2023 across four major databases including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, to examine the association between TPOAb and DTC. Clinical outcome measures include the incidence of DTC, tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, lymph node metastasis, multifocality, recurrence and bilaterality. Results 12 original studies were included, involving a total of 20,330 subjects. Our analysis of the included studies revealed that TPOAb+ individuals exhibited a higher risk of developing DTC (OR=1.57 [95% CI: 1.00-2.45], p=0.049) than TPOAb- individuals. Furthermore, TPOAb+ DTC patients were more prone to present with bilateral (OR=1.40 [95% CI: 1.21-1.62], p<0.00001) and multifocal (OR=1.40 [95% CI: 1.23-1.60], p<0.00001) tumors than TPOAb- patients. Sensitivity analysis indicated a high sensitivity for these three findings. No significant differences in the risk of extrathyroidal extension and lymph node metastasis, recurrence rate, tumor size, were observed between TPOAb+ and TPOAb- DTC patients. Conclusion The presence of TPOAb is correlated with an increase prevalence of DTC. However, its effectiveness as a prognostic marker for DTC patients warrants further investigation. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42023448824.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haonan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Lijun Tian
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xichang Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoguang Shi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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12
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Wang K, Zhang Y, Xing Y, Wang H, He M, Guo R. Current and future of immunotherapy for thyroid cancer based on bibliometrics and clinical trials. Discov Oncol 2024; 15:50. [PMID: 38403820 PMCID: PMC10894806 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-024-00904-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer is a leading endocrine malignancy, with anaplastic and medullary subtypes posing treatment challenges. Existing therapies have limited efficacy, highlighting a need for innovative approaches. METHODS We analyzed 658 articles and 87 eligible clinical trials using bibliometric tools and database searches, including annual publication and citation trends, were executed using Web of Science, CiteSpace, and VOS Viewer. RESULTS Post-2018, there is a surge in thyroid cancer immunotherapy research, primarily from China and the University of Pisa. Of the 87 trials, 32 were Phase I and 55 were Phase II, mostly exploring combination therapies involving immune checkpoint inhibitors. CONCLUSION The study's dual approach verifies the swift advancement of thyroid cancer immunotherapy from diverse perspectives. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have become the preferred regimen for advanced MTC and ATC in late therapeutic lines. However, since ICB plays a pivotal role in ATC, current clinical trial data show that ATC patients account for more and the curative effect is more accurate. Anticipated future developments are inclined toward combination regimens integrating immunotherapy with chemotherapy or targeted therapies. Emerging approaches, such as bispecific antibodies, cytokine-based therapies, and adoptive cell therapies like CAR-T and TCR-T, are exhibiting considerable potential. Upcoming research is expected to concentrate on refining the tumor immune milieu and discovering novel biomarkers germane to immunotherapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Str, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Chang Chun, China
| | - Yang Xing
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Chang Chun, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Cancer Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Chang Chun, China
| | - Minghua He
- College of Computer Science and Technology, Jilin University, Chang Chun, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Str, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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13
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Su JY, Huang T, Zhang JL, Lu JH, Wang ML, Yan J, Lin RB, Lin SY, Wang J. Leveraging molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors treat advanced thyroid carcinoma to achieve thyroid carcinoma redifferentiation. Am J Cancer Res 2024; 14:407-428. [PMID: 38455407 PMCID: PMC10915323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer can be classified into three different types based on the degree of differentiation: well-differentiated, poorly differentiated, and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Well-differentiated thyroid cancer refers to cancer cells that closely resemble normal thyroid cells, while poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma are characterized by cells that have lost their resemblance to normal thyroid cells. Advanced thyroid carcinoma, regardless of its degree of differentiation, is known to have a higher likelihood of disease progression and is generally associated with a poor prognosis. However, the process through which well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma transforms into anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, also known as "dedifferentiation", has been a subject of intensive research. In recent years, there have been significant breakthroughs in the treatment of refractory advanced thyroid cancer. Clinical studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of dedifferentiated thyroid cancer. These drugs work by targeting specific molecules or proteins in cancer cells to inhibit their growth or by enhancing the body's immune response against the cancer cells. This article aims to explore some of the possible mechanisms behind the dedifferentiation process in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. It also discusses the clinical effects of molecular targeted drugs and immune checkpoint inhibitors in thyroid cancer patients with different degrees of differentiation. Furthermore, it offers insights into the future trends in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer, highlighting the potential for improved outcomes and better patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Yang Su
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
- Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang ProvinceHangzhou 310012, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia-Lin Zhang
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin-Hua Lu
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Meng-Lei Wang
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiang Yan
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ren-Bin Lin
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sheng-You Lin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical UniversityHangzhou 310007, Zhejiang, China
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14
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Vargas-Uricoechea H. Autoimmune Thyroid Disease and Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: A Review of the Mechanisms That Explain an Intriguing and Exciting Relationship. World J Oncol 2024; 15:14-27. [PMID: 38274715 PMCID: PMC10807914 DOI: 10.14740/wjon1728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune thyroid disease is a complex and highly frequent disease, where a wide variety of genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors (among others) come together and interact, and is characterized by the presence of two clinical outcomes: hypothyroidism (in Hashimoto's thyroiditis) and hyperthyroidism (in Graves-Basedow disease). For its part, differentiated thyroid carcinoma (mainly papillary carcinoma) is the most common type of cancer affecting the thyroid (and one of the most prevalent worldwide). An important co-occurrence between autoimmune thyroid disease and differentiated thyroid carcinoma has been documented. In this article, studies that have evaluated possible associations and relationships between autoimmune thyroid disease and differentiated thyroid cancer are systematically described and summarized. To date, the underlying mechanism that explains this association is inflammation; however, the characteristics and designs of the studies evaluated do not yet allow a causal relationship between the two entities to be established. These aspects have made it difficult to establish "causality" in the continuum of the pathogenesis between both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernando Vargas-Uricoechea
- Metabolic Diseases Study Group, Department of Internal Medicine, Universidad del Cauca, Popayan, Colombia.
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15
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Liang J, Deng Y, Zhang Y, Wu B, Zhou J. Identification and clinical value of a new ceRNA axis (TIMP3/hsa-miR-181b-5p/PAX8-AS1) in thyroid cancer. Health Sci Rep 2024; 7:e1859. [PMID: 38410497 PMCID: PMC10895078 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Thyroid cancer (TC) is a prevalent and increasingly common malignant tumor. In most cases, TC progresses slowly and runs a virtually benign course. However, challenges remain with the treatment of refractory TC, which does not respond to traditional management or is subject to relapse or metastasis. Therefore, new therapeutic regimens for TC patients with poor outcomes are urgently needed. Methods The differentially expressed RNAs were identified from the expression profile data of RNA from TC downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Multiple databases were utilized to investigate the regulatory relationship among RNAs. Subsequently, a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network was established to elucidate the ceRNA axis that is responsible for the clinical prognosis of TC. To understand the potential mechanism of ceRNA axis in TC, location analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and immune-related analysis were conducted. Results A ceRNA network of TC was constructed, and the TIMP3/hsa-miR-181b-5p/PAX8-AS1 ceRNA axis associated with the prognosis of TC was successfully identified. Our results showed that the axis might influence the prognosis of TC through its regulation of regulating tumor immunity. Conclusions Our findings provide evidence that TIMP3/hsa-miR-181b-5p/PAX8-AS1 axis is significantly related to the prognosis of TC. The molecules involved in this axis may serve as novel therapeutic approaches for TC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamin Liang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yu Deng
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yubi Zhang
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Jing Zhou
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Department of Breast and Thyroid Surgery, People's Hospital of Dongxihu District Wuhan City and Union Dongxihu HospitalHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
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16
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Jin Z, Han Y, Zhang J, Liu Z, Li R, Liu Z. Prognosis and therapy in thyroid cancer by gene signatures related to natural killer cells. J Gene Med 2024; 26:e3657. [PMID: 38282150 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3657] [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: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial to cancer development and prognosis. However, the role of NK cell-related genes in immunotherapy and the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) is not well understood. This study aimed to develop reliable risk signatures associated with NK cell-related genes for predicting thyroid cancer (THCA). METHODS The single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from seven THCA samples (GSE184362) and bulk-RNA-seq data of 502 THCA patients (TCGA-THCA) were included. The scRNA-seq data was analyzed using the "Seurat" R package to identify differentially expressed genes in NK cells. The clustering analysis was carried out using the R package "ConsensusClusterPlus". The gene set variation analysis (GSVA) algorithm was applied to assess the variations in biological pathways among subtypes. The ESTIMATE algorithm was utilized to calculate the scores for stromal, immune and estimate variables. In addition, we used the single sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis and CIBERSORT algorithms to assess the degree to which immune cells and pathways related to immunity were enriched based on the meta-cohort. In the TCGA-THCA cohort, the "glmnet" R package was used for the gene selection, and LASSO Cox analysis was used to construct prognostic features. The "maftools" R package was used to examine the somatic mutation landscape of THCA in both low- and high-risk groups. RESULTS One-hundred and eighty-five NK cell marker genes were screened, and nine genes were associated with the THCA prognosis. KLF2, OSTF1 and TAPBP were finally identified and constructed a risk signature with significant prognostic value. KLF2 and OSTF1 were protective genes, and TAPBP was a risk gene. Patients at high risk had a considerably lower overall survival compared with those at low risk. Mutations in the TCGA-THCA cohort were predominantly C > T. Increased tumor mutation burden (TMB) levels were linked to overall survival. The low-risk H-TMB+ group had a better prognosis, while the high-risk L-TMB+ group had the worst prognosis. CONCLUSION Natural killer cell-related genes KLF2, OSTF1 and TAPBP were used to develop a novel prognostic risk signature, offering a new perspective on the prognosis and treatment of THCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Jin
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yadong Han
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ran Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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17
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Komatsuda H, Kono M, Wakisaka R, Sato R, Inoue T, Kumai T, Takahara M. Harnessing Immunity to Treat Advanced Thyroid Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 12:45. [PMID: 38250858 PMCID: PMC10820966 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010045] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of thyroid cancer (TC) has increased over the past 30 years. Although differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) has a good prognosis in most patients undergoing total thyroidectomy followed by radioiodine therapy (RAI), 5-10% of patients develop metastasis. Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) has a low survival rate and few effective treatments have been available to date. Recently, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been successfully applied to RAI-resistant or non-responsive TC to suppress the disease. However, TC eventually develops resistance to TKIs. Immunotherapy is a promising treatment for TC, the majority of which is considered an immune-hot malignancy. Immune suppression by TC cells and immune-suppressing cells, including tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and regulatory T cells, is complex and dynamic. Negative immune checkpoints, cytokines, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) suppress antitumor T cells. Basic and translational advances in immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), molecule-targeted therapy, tumor-specific immunotherapy, and their combinations have enabled us to overcome immune suppression and activate antitumor immune cells. This review summarizes current findings regarding the immune microenvironment, immunosuppression, immunological targets, and immunotherapy for TC and highlights the potential efficacy of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Komatsuda
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
| | - Michihisa Kono
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Risa Wakisaka
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
| | - Ryosuke Sato
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
| | - Takahiro Inoue
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
| | - Takumi Kumai
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
- Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
| | - Miki Takahara
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan; (H.K.); (M.K.); (R.W.); (R.S.); (T.I.); (M.T.)
- Department of Innovative Head & Neck Cancer Research and Treatment, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa 078-8510, Japan
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18
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Zhu L, Li XJ, Gangadaran P, Jing X, Ahn BC. Tumor-associated macrophages as a potential therapeutic target in thyroid cancers. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:3895-3917. [PMID: 37796300 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03549-6] [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: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages are important precursor cell types of the innate immune system and bridge adaptive immune responses through the antigen presentation system. Meanwhile, macrophages constitute substantial portion of the stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) (referred to as tumor-associated macrophages, or TAMs) and exhibit conflicting roles in the development, invasion, and metastasis of thyroid cancer (TC). Moreover, TAMs play a crucial role to the behavior of TC due to their high degree of infiltration and prognostic relevance. Generally, TAMs can be divided into two subgroups; M1-like TAMs are capable of directly kill tumor cells, and recruiting and activating other immune cells in the early stages of cancer. However, due to changes in the TME, M2-like TAMs gradually increase and promote tumor progression. This review aims to discuss the impact of TAMs on TC, including their role in tumor promotion, gene mutation, and other factors related to the polarization of TAMs. Finally, we will explore the M2-like TAM-centered therapeutic strategies, including chemotherapy, clinical trials, and combinatorial immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Zhu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiu Juan Li
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shan-Dong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Prakash Gangadaran
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiuli Jing
- Center for Life Sciences Research, School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Taian, Shan-Dong Province, 271000, People's Republic of China.
| | - Byeong-Cheol Ahn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 FOUR KNU Convergence Educational Program of Biomedical Sciences for Creative Future Talents, Department of Biomedical Science, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea.
- Department Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, 41944, Republic of Korea.
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Tao Y, Li P, Feng C, Cao Y. New Insights into Immune Cells and Immunotherapy for Thyroid Cancer. Immunol Invest 2023; 52:1039-1064. [PMID: 37846977 DOI: 10.1080/08820139.2023.2268656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine malignancy worldwide, and the incidence of TC has gradually increased in recent decades. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is the most common subtype and has a good prognosis. However, advanced DTC patients with recurrence, metastasis and iodine refractoriness, as well as more aggressive subtypes such as poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), still pose a great challenge for clinical management. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to explore the inherent molecular heterogeneity of different TC subtypes and the global landscape of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) to find new potential therapeutic targets. Immunotherapy is a promising therapeutic strategy that can be used alone or in combination with drugs targeting tumor-driven genes. This article focuses on the genomic characteristics, tumor-associated immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression of different subtypes of TC patients to provide guidance for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujia Tao
- School of Medical Laboratory, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Peng Li
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chao Feng
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Cao
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, The 960th Hospital of the PLA, Jinan, Shandong, China
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20
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Jia M, Liang J, Li Z, Qin Y, Li Q, Wang J, Lu X. Screening tumor stage-specific candidate neoantigens in thyroid adenocarcinoma using integrated exome and transcriptome sequencing. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1187160. [PMID: 37854594 PMCID: PMC10579579 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1187160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The incidence of thyroid carcinoma (THCA), the most common endocrine tumor, is continuously increasing worldwide. Although the overall prognosis of THCA is good, patients with distant metastases exhibit a mortality rate of 5-20%. Methods To improve the diagnosis and overall prognosis of patients with thyroid cancer, we screened specific candidate neoantigen genes in early- and late-stage THCA by analyzing the transcriptome and somatic cell mutations in this study. Results The top five early-stage neoantigen-related genes (NRGs) were G protein-coupled receptor 4 [GPR4], chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 [CSPG4], teneurin transmembrane protein 1 [TENM1], protein S 1 [PROS1], and thymidine kinase 1 [TK1], whereas the top five late-stage NRGs were cadherin 6 [CDH6], semaphorin 6B [SEMA6B], dysferlin [DYSF], xenotropic and polytropic retrovirus receptor 1 [XPR1], and ABR activator of RhoGEF and GTPase [ABR]. Subsequently, we used machine learning models to verify their ability to screen NRGs and analyze the correlations among NRGs, immune cell types, and immune checkpoint regulators. The use of candidate antigen genes resulted in a better diagnostic model (the area under the curve [AUC] value of the early-stage group [0.979] was higher than that of the late-stage group [0.959]). Then, a prognostic model was constructed to predict NRG survival, and the 1-, 3- and 5-year AUC values were 0.83, 0.87, and 0.86, respectively, which were closely related to different immune cell types. Comparison of the expression trends and mutation frequencies of NRGs in multiple tumors revealed their potential for the development of broad spectrum therapeutic drugs. Conclusion In conclusion, the candidate NRGs identified in this study could potentially be used as therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers for the development of novel broad spectrum therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Jia
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jiawen Liang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Academy of Medical Science, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhuyao Li
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ye Qin
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qianqian Li
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jianwei Wang
- School of Computer and Artificial Intelligence, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiubo Lu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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21
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Lu C, Wang C, Li F, Liu X, Wang G, Li J, Wang Z, Han N, Zhang Y, Si Z, Wang X. The influence of stimulated thyroglobulin and lymphocyte subsets before radioiodine therapy on the therapeutic response in patients with intermediate- and high-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. Clin Exp Med 2023; 23:2193-2200. [PMID: 36348126 DOI: 10.1007/s10238-022-00932-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors influencing the short-term response to the initial radioiodine therapy (RT) course in patients with intermediate- and high-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A total of 182 patients with intermediate- and high-risk PTC who underwent RT in our hospital from March 2018 to October 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The patients were divided into incomplete response (IR) and nonincomplete response (Non-IR) groups according to the response observed in clinical follow-up within 6-12 months after RT. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the effects of 15 observed factors on the response to RT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to determine the value of factors found to be significant in multivariate analyses for predicting an IR. A total of 182 patients with intermediate- and high-risk PTC were analyzed; the percentage of patients with a Non-IR was 61.54% (112/182), and the percentage of patients with an IR was 38.46% (70/182). The CD4+ T-cell percentage (t = 4.757, P = 0.000), CD4/CD8 (z = - 2.632, P = 0.008), stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) level (z = - 8.273, P = 0.000) and M stage (χ2 = 17.823, P = 0.000) of the two groups were significantly different. Multivariate analysis showed that only the sTg level (OR: 1.116, 95% CI 1.068-1.165, P < 0.001) and CD4+ T-cell percentage (OR: 0.909, 95% CI 0.854-0.968, P = 0.003) were independent factors associated with the therapeutic response to RT. The cutoff sTg level and CD4+ T-cell percentage for predicting an IR were 7.62 μg/L and 40.95%, respectively. The sTg level and CD4+ T-cell percentage were verified to be independent predictive factors of RT response. Higher sTg levels and lower CD4+ T-cell percentages were related to an IR in patients with intermediate- and high-risk PTC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghui Lu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Congcong Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Fengqi Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Xinfeng Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Guoqiang Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Jiao Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Zenghua Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Na Han
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Zengmei Si
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China
| | - Xufu Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao, 266003, Shandong, China.
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22
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Amini S, Golshani M, Moslehi M, Hajiahmadi S, Askari G, Iraj B, Bagherniya M. The effect of selenium supplementation on sonographic findings of salivary glands in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients treated with radioactive iodine: study protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Trials 2023; 24:501. [PMID: 37550760 PMCID: PMC10405508 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-023-07470-2] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroid cancer is a very damaging disease. The most common treatment for this disease includes thyroidectomy and then using radioactive iodine (RAI). RAI has many side effects, including a decrease in salivary secretions, followed by dry mouth and oral and dental injuries, as well as increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Selenium can be effective in these patients by improving inflammation and oxidative stress and by modulating salivary secretions. So far, only one clinical trial has investigated the effect of selenium on thyroid cancer patients treated with radioiodine therapy (RIT) conducted on 16 patients; considering the importance of this issue, to show the potential efficacy of selenium in these patients, more high-quality trials with a larger sample size are warranted. METHODS This is a parallel double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial that includes 60 patients aged 20 to 65 years with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) treated with RAI and will be conducted in Seyyed al-Shohada Center, an academic center for referral of patients to receive iodine, Isfahan, Iran. Thirty patients will receive 200 µg of selenium for 10 days (3 days before to 6 days after RAI treatment) and another 30 patients will receive a placebo for the same period. Sonographic findings of major salivary glands, salivary secretions, and sense of taste will be evaluated before and 6 months after 10-day supplementation. DISCUSSION Due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as improving salivary secretions, selenium may improve the symptoms of thyroid cancer treated with radioactive iodine. In past studies, selenium consumption has not reduced the therapeutic effects of radiation therapy, and at a dose of 300 to 500 μg/day, it has not had any significant side effects in many types of cancer under radiation therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT20201129049534N6 . Registered on 16 September 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepide Amini
- Nutrition and Food Security Research Center and Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Marjan Golshani
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Masoud Moslehi
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Somayeh Hajiahmadi
- Department of Radiology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Askari
- Nutrition and Food Security Research Center and Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Anesthesia and Critical Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Bijan Iraj
- Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Bagherniya
- Nutrition and Food Security Research Center and Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
- Anesthesia and Critical Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
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23
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Suh HY, Choi H, Cho SW, Paeng JC, Cheon GJ, Park YJ, Kang KW. FDG uptake reflects an immune-enriched subtype of thyroid cancer: Clinical implications of imaging-based molecular characterization. Cancer Med 2023; 12:17068-17077. [PMID: 37466323 PMCID: PMC10501276 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.6350] [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: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Iodine and FDG uptakes have been established as methods to define the biological properties of thyroid cancer. As various cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) affect tumor metabolism, we investigated the association between glucose metabolism in thyroid cancer and the TME using transcriptomic analyses. METHODS We used F-18 FDG PET and RNA sequencing data of thyroid cancer to find associations between TME cell types and glucose metabolism. In addition, publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing data of papillary thyroid cancer was used to investigate glucose metabolism in cell types of the TME. The correlations between the FDG uptake and biological properties of the TME, including glucose metabolism and tumor differentiation score (TDS) were evaluated. Estimation of the proportions of immune and cancer cells (EPIC) was performed. The biological properties of each cell type were also assessed in the single-cell RNA sequencing data. RESULTS FDG uptake showed a positive correlation with the enrichment score of macrophages and glycolysis activity. In single-cell RNA sequencing, immune cells had both high glucose transporters (GLUTs) and glycolysis signatures, while thyrocytes including cancer cells showed relatively low GLUTs and glycolysis signatures, suggesting that FDG uptake mainly occurred in immune cells of the TME. Moreover, the high GLUTs of myeloid cells were negatively associated with TDS. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that thyroid cancer with high FDG uptake can be mediated by enriched immune cells of the TME. We suggest that FDG uptake in thyroid cancer could be a marker for the immune-rich type and provide clinical implications for treatment stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoon Young Suh
- Department of Nuclear MedicineSeoul National University HospitalSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and TechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Hongyoon Choi
- Department of Nuclear MedicineSeoul National University HospitalSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research CenterSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Internal MedicineSeoul National University HospitalSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Internal MedicineSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Jin Chul Paeng
- Department of Nuclear MedicineSeoul National University HospitalSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research CenterSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Gi Jeong Cheon
- Department of Nuclear MedicineSeoul National University HospitalSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and TechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research CenterSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Cancer Research InstituteSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Institute on AgingSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Convergence Science and TechnologySeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Internal MedicineSeoul National University HospitalSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Internal MedicineSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research CenterSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - Keon Wook Kang
- Department of Nuclear MedicineSeoul National University HospitalSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Institute of Radiation Medicine, Medical Research CenterSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
- Cancer Research InstituteSeoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical SciencesSeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
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Fei H, Han X, Wang Y, Li S. Mining Prognostic Biomarkers of Thyroid Cancer Patients Based on the Immune-Related Genes and Development of a Reliable Prognostic Risk Model. Mediators Inflamm 2023; 2023:6503476. [PMID: 37554551 PMCID: PMC10406562 DOI: 10.1155/2023/6503476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Tumor immunity serves an essential role in the occurrence and development of thyroid cancer (THCA). The aim of this study is to establish an immune-related prognostic model for THCA patients by using immune-related genes (IRGs). METHODS Wilcox test was used to screen the differentially expressed immune-related genes (DEIRGs) in THCA and normal tissues, then the DEIRGs related to prognosis were identified using univariate Cox regression analysis. According to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort, we developed a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression prognostic model and performed validation analyses regard to the predictive value of the model in internal (TCGA) and external (International Cancer Genome Consortium) cohorts respectively. Finally, we analyzed the correlation among the prognostic model, clinical variables, and immune cell infiltration. RESULTS Eighty-two of 2,498 IRGs were differentially expressed between THCA and normal tissues, and 18 of them were related to prognosis. LASSO Cox regression analysis identified seven DEIRGs with the greatest prognostic value to construct the prognostic model. The risk model showed high predictive value for the survival of THCA in two independent cohorts. The risk score according to the risk model was positively associated with poor survival and the infiltration levels of immune cells, it can evaluate the prognosis of THCA patients independent of any other clinicopathologic feature. The prognostic value and genetic alternations of seven risk genes were evaluated separately. CONCLUSION Our study established and verified a dependable prognostic model associated with immune for THCA, both the identified IRGs and immune-related risk model were clinically significant, which is conducive to promoting individualized immunotherapy against THCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjun Fei
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yanlin Wang
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Shuyuan Li
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
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25
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Zhang L, Li Z, Zhang M, Zou H, Bai Y, Liu Y, Lv J, Lv L, Liu P, Deng Z, Liu C. Advances in the molecular mechanism and targeted therapy of radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. Med Oncol 2023; 40:258. [PMID: 37524925 DOI: 10.1007/s12032-023-02098-3] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Most patients with differentiated thyroid cancer have a good prognosis after radioactive iodine-131 treatment, but there are still a small number of patients who are not sensitive to radioiodine treatment and may subsequently show disease progression. Therefore, radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer treated with radioiodine usually shows reduced radioiodine uptake. Thus, when sodium iodine symporter expression, basolateral membrane localization and recycling degradation are abnormal, radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer may occur. In recent years, with the deepening of research into the pathogenesis of this disease, an increasing number of molecules have become or are expected to become therapeutic targets. The application of corresponding inhibitors or combined treatment regimens for different molecular targets may be effective for patients with advanced radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. Currently, some targeted drugs that can improve the progression-free survival of patients with radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer, such as sorafenib and lenvatinib, have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer. However, due to the adverse reactions and drug resistance caused by some targeted drugs, their application is limited. In response to targeted drug resistance and high rates of adverse reactions, research into new treatment combinations is being carried out; in addition to kinase inhibitor therapy, gene therapy and rutin-assisted iodine-131 therapy for radioactive-iodine refractory thyroid cancer have also made some progress. Thus, this article mainly focuses on sodium iodide symporter changes leading to the main molecular mechanisms in radioactive-iodine refractory differentiated thyroid cancer, some targeted drug resistance mechanisms and promising new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Zhi Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Huangren Zou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Yuke Bai
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Yanlin Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Juan Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Ling Lv
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Pengjie Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
| | - Zhiyong Deng
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China.
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Tumor Hospital of Yunnan Province, 519 Kunzhou Road, Xishan District, Kunming, KM, 650118, China
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Xu Z, Shin HS, Kim YH, Ha SY, Won JK, Kim SJ, Park YJ, Parangi S, Cho SW, Lee KE. Modeling the tumor microenvironment of anaplastic thyroid cancer: an orthotopic tumor model in C57BL/6 mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1187388. [PMID: 37545523 PMCID: PMC10403231 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1187388] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Securing a well-established mouse model is important in identifying and validating new therapeutic targets for immuno-oncology. The C57BL/6 mouse is one of the most fully characterised immune system of any animal and provides powerful platform for immuno-oncology discovery. An orthotopic tumor model has been established using TBP3743 (murine anaplastic thyroid cancer [ATC]) cells in B6129SF1 hybrid mice, this model has limited data on tumor immunology than C57BL/6 inbred mice. This study aimed to establish a novel orthotopic ATC model in C57BL/6 mice and characterize the tumor microenvironment focusing immunity in the model. Methods Adapted TBP3743 cells were generated via in vivo serial passaging in C57BL/6 mice. Subsequently, the following orthotopic tumor models were established via intrathyroidal injection: B6129SF1 mice injected with original TBP3743 cells (original/129), B6129SF1 mice injected with adapted cells (adapted/129), and C57BL/6 mice injected with adapted cells (adapted/B6). Results The adapted TBP3743 cells de-differentiated but exhibited cell morphology, viability, and migration/invasion potential comparable with those of original cells in vitro. The adapted/129 contained a higher Ki-67+ cell fraction than the original/129. RNA sequencing data of orthotopic tumors revealed enhanced oncogenic properties in the adapted/129 compared with those in the original/129. In contrast, the orthotopic tumors grown in the adapted/B6 were smaller, with a lower Ki-67+ cell fraction than those in the adapted/129. However, the oncogenic properties of the tumors within the adapted/B6 and adapted/129 were similar. Immune-related pathways were enriched in the adapted/B6 compared with those in the adapted/129. Flow cytometric analysis of the orthotopic tumors revealed higher cytotoxic CD8+ T cell and monocytic-myeloid-derived suppressor cell fractions in the adapted/B6 compared with the adapted/129. The estimated CD8+ and CD4+ cell fractions in the adapted/B6 were similar to those in human ATCs but negligible in the original/B6. Conclusion A novel orthotopic tumor model of ATC was established in C57BL/6 mice. Compared with the original B6129SF1 murine model, the novel model exhibited more aggressive tumor cell behaviours and strong immune responses. We expect that this novel model contributes to the understanding tumor microenvironment and provides the platform for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Xu
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, YanBian University Hospital, Yanji, Jilin, China
| | - Hyo Shik Shin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Hyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Yun Ha
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Kyung Won
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Su-jin Kim
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Surgery, Thyroid Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Joo Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences Graduate School of Convergence Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sareh Parangi
- Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sun Wook Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Eun Lee
- Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Division of Surgery, Thyroid Center, Seoul National University Cancer Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Demetriou E, Fokou M, Frangos S, Papageorgis P, Economides PA, Economides A. Thyroid Nodules and Obesity. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1292. [PMID: 37374075 DOI: 10.3390/life13061292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A widely discussed topic in the pathophysiology of thyroid nodules is the role of obesity, a state that leads to increased systemic inflammatory markers. Leptin plays a vital role in forming thyroid nodules and cancer through several mechanisms. Together with chronic inflammation, there is an augmentation in the secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6), which contributed to cancer development, progression and metastasis. In addition, leptin exerts a modulatory action in the growth, proliferation and invasion of thyroid carcinoma cell lines via activating various signal pathways, such as Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and/or phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt). Through several proposed mechanisms, aberrant endogenous estrogen levels have been suggested to play a vital role in the development of both benign and malignant nodules. Metabolic syndrome triggers the development of thyroid nodules by stimulating thyroid proliferation and angiogenesis due to hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Insulin resistance influences the distribution and structure of the thyroid blood vessels. Insulin growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulin affect the regulation of the expression of thyroid genes and the proliferation and differentiation of thyroid cells. TSH can promote the differentiation of pre-adipocytes to mature adipocytes but also, in the presence of insulin, TSH possesses mitogenic properties. This review aims to summarize the underlying mechanisms explaining the role of obesity in the pathophysiology of thyroid nodules and discuss potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elpida Demetriou
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Maria Fokou
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Savvas Frangos
- Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid Cancer Clinic, Bank of Cyprus Oncology Center, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | - Panayiotis A Economides
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Economides Thyroid and Endocrinology Center, Engomi, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Aliki Economides
- Economides Thyroid and Endocrinology Center, Engomi, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
- Department of Health Sciences, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus
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Song M, Liu Q, Sun W, Zhang H. Crosstalk between Thyroid Carcinoma and Tumor-Correlated Immune Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2863. [PMID: 37345200 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15102863] [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: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy in the endocrine system. Although most TC can achieve a desirable prognosis, some refractory thyroid carcinomas, including radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer, as well as anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, face a myriad of difficulties in clinical treatment. These types of tumors contribute to the majority of TC deaths due to limited initial therapy, recurrence, and metastasis of the tumor and tumor resistance to current clinically targeted drugs, which ultimately lead to treatment failure. At present, a growing number of studies have demonstrated crosstalk between TC and tumor-associated immune cells, which affects tumor deterioration and metastasis through distinct signal transduction or receptor activation. Current immunotherapy focuses primarily on cutting off the interaction between tumor cells and immune cells. Since the advent of immunotherapy, scholars have discovered targets for TC immunotherapy, which also provides new strategies for TC treatment. This review methodically and intensively summarizes the current understanding and mechanism of the crosstalk between distinct types of TC and immune cells, as well as potential immunotherapy strategies and clinical research results in the area of the tumor immune microenvironment. We aim to explore the current research advances to formulate better individualized treatment strategies for TC patients and to provide clues and references for the study of potential immune checkpoints and the development of immunotherapy technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyuan Song
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Shenyang 110001, China
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Luo Q, Liu P, Yu P, Qin T. Cancer Stem Cells are Actually Stem Cells with Disordered Differentiation: the Monophyletic Origin of Cancer. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:827-838. [PMID: 36648606 PMCID: PMC10185654 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10508-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in cancer development. Based on advancements in CSC research, we propose a monophyletic model of cancer. This model is based on the idea that CSCs are stem cells with disordered differentiation whose original purpose was to repair damaged tissues. Inflammatory responses and damage repair signals are crucial for the creation and maintenance of CSCs. Normal quiescent stem cells are activated by environmental stimulation, such as an inflammatory response, and undergo cell division and differentiation. In the initial stage of cancer development, stem cell differentiation leads to heteromorphism due to the accumulation of gene mutations, resulting in the development of metaplasia or precancerosis. In the second stage, accumulated mutations induce poor differentiation and lead to cancer development. The monophyletic model illustrates the evolution, biological behavior, and hallmarks of CSCs, proposes a concise understanding of the origin of cancer, and may encourage a novel therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiankun Luo
- Department of Hepatobilliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Jinshui District, No. 7, Weiwu Rd., Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Hepatobilliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Jinshui District, No. 7, Weiwu Rd., Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Pengfei Yu
- Department of Hepatobilliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Jinshui District, No. 7, Weiwu Rd., Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Tao Qin
- Department of Hepatobilliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan University People's Hospital, Jinshui District, No. 7, Weiwu Rd., Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.
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30
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Denaro N, Romanò R, Alfieri S, Dolci A, Licitra L, Nuzzolese I, Ghidini M, Bareggi C, Bertaglia V, Solinas C, Garrone O. The Tumor Microenvironment and the Estrogen Loop in Thyroid Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15092458. [PMID: 37173925 PMCID: PMC10177023 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid cancer (TC) cells employ multiple signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR and RAS/Raf/MAPK, fostering cell proliferation, survival and metastasis. Through a complex interplay with immune cells, inflammatory mediators and stroma, TC cells support an immunosuppressive, inflamed, pro-carcinogenic TME. Moreover, the participation of estrogens in TC pathogenesis has previously been hypothesized, in view of the higher TC incidence observed among females. In this respect, the interactions between estrogens and the TME in TC could represent a relevant, unexplored area of research. We thereby collectively reviewed the available evidence concerning the potential carcinogenic role of estrogens in TC, specifically focusing on their crosstalk with the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerina Denaro
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Rebecca Romanò
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Salvatore Alfieri
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessia Dolci
- Endocrinology Unit, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Lisa Licitra
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Imperia Nuzzolese
- Head and Neck Medical Oncology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Ghidini
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Bareggi
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Bertaglia
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, S. Luigi Gonzaga Hospital, 10043 Orbassano, Italy
| | - Cinzia Solinas
- Medical Oncology, AOU Cagliari, Policlinico di Monserrato, 09042 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ornella Garrone
- Medical Oncology, Fondazione Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
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31
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Kou M, Lu W, Zhu M, Qu K, Wang L, Yu Y. Massively recruited sTLR9 + neutrophils in rapidly formed nodules at the site of tumor cell inoculation and their contribution to a pro-tumor microenvironment. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023:10.1007/s00262-023-03451-1. [PMID: 37079065 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03451-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Neutrophils exert either pro- or anti-tumor activities. However, few studies have focused on neutrophils at the tumor initiation stage. In this study, we unexpectedly found a subcutaneous nodule in the groin areas of mice inoculated with tumor cells. The nodule was developed 24 h after the inoculation, filled with tumor cells and massively recruited neutrophils, being designated as tumor nodules. 22% of the neutrophils in tumor nodules are surface TLR9 (sTLR9) expressing neutrophils (sTLR9+ neutrophils). With tumor progression, sTLR9+ neutrophils were sustainably increased in tumor nodules/tumor tissues, reaching to 90.8% on day 13 after inoculation, with increased expression of IL-10 and decreased or no expression of TNFα. In vivo administration of CpG 5805 significantly reduced sTLR9 expression of the sTLR9+ neutrophils. The reduction of sTLR9 on neutrophils in tumor nodules contributed to the induction of an anti-tumor microenvironment conductive to the inhibition of tumor growth. Overall, the study provides insights for understanding the role of sTLR9+ neutrophils in the tumor development, especially in the early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Kou
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenting Lu
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengru Zhu
- Department of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Kuo Qu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China
| | - Liying Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yongli Yu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, People's Republic of China.
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Chang F, Zhang JH, Wu WS, Tang S, Lv Z, Chen FM. FDC-SP as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and modulates immune infiltrates in renal cell carcinoma. BMC Bioinformatics 2023; 24:91. [PMID: 36899339 PMCID: PMC10007807 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-023-05215-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), one of the top 10 causes of cancer death, is responsible for more than 90% of all cases of primary renal cancer worldwide. Follicular dendritic cell-secreted protein (FDC-SP) specifically binds to activated B cells and regulates the generation of antibodies. It is also thought to promote cancer cell invasion and migration, which could help with tumor metastases. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of FDC-SP in the diagnosis and prognosis of RCC and to investigate the relationship between immune infiltration in RCC and these outcomes. RESULTS RCC tissues had significantly higher levels of FDC-SP protein and mRNA than normal tissues. The high level of FDC-SP expression was linked to the T stage, histological grade, pathological stage, N stage, M stage, and OS event. Functional enrichment analysis identified the major pathways that were enriched as immune response regulation, complement, and coagulation. Immunological checkpoints and immune cell infiltration were observed to substantially correlate with the levels of FDC-SP expression. FDC-SP expression levels showed the ability to precisely distinguish high-grade or high-stage renal cancer (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.830, 0.722), and RCC patients with higher FDC-SP expression levels had worse prognoses. The AUC values for one-, two-, and five-year survival rates were all greater than 0.600. Moreover, the FDC-SP expression is an independent predictive biomarker of OS in RCC patients. CONCLUSION FDC-SP may be a prospective therapeutic target in RCC as well as a possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarker associated with immune infiltration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Chang
- Department of Urology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Jiang-Hui Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China.,Department of Urology, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Wen-Song Wu
- Department of Urology, The Third Central Clinical College of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Shuai Tang
- Department of Urology, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China.,Department of Urology, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Zheng Lv
- Department of Urology, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China.,Department of Urology, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300170, China
| | - Fang-Min Chen
- Department of Urology, The Third Central Hospital of Tianjin, 83 Jintang Road, Hedong District, Tianjin, 300170, China. .,Department of Urology, Nankai University Affinity the Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, 300170, China.
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33
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Feng JW, Ye J, Qi GF, Hong LZ, Hu J, Wang F, Liu SY, Jiang Y. Nomograms for Prediction of High-Volume Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Patients. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2023; 168:1054-1066. [PMID: 36856043 DOI: 10.1002/ohn.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The coexistence rate between chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is quite high. Whether CLT influences metastatic lymph nodes remains uncertain. High-volume lymph node metastasis is recommended as an unfavorable pathological feature. We aimed to investigate risk factors for high-volume central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) and lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) in PTC patients. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Changzhou First People's Hospital. METHODS Clinicopathological characteristics of 1094 PTC patients who underwent surgery in our center from January 2019 to November 2021 were analyzed. RESULTS The number of metastatic lymph nodes in the central compartment and lateral compartment were lower in the CLT group. We demonstrated that age, BRAF V600E, shape, and the number of foci were risk factors for high-volume CLNM in patients with CLT. For patients without CLT, sex, age, tumor size, number of foci, and margin were risk factors for high-volume CLNM. Tumor size, number of foci, location, and CLNM were all risk factors for high-volume LLNM in patients with or without CLT. Body mass index was only associated with high-volume LLNM in CLT patients. All the above factors were incorporated into nomograms, which showed perfect discriminative ability. CONCLUSION Separate predictive systems should be used for CLT and non-CLT patients for a more accurate clinical assessment of lymph node status. Our nomograms of predicting high-volume CLNM and LLNM could facilitate risk-stratified management of PTC recurrence and treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Feng
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Gao-Feng Qi
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Li-Zhao Hong
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Hu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sheng-Yong Liu
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou First People's Hospital, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China
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Shen X, Wang M, Chen W, Xu Y, Zhou Q, Zhu T, Wang G, Cai S, Han Y, Xu C, Wang W, Meng L, Sun H. Senescence-related genes define prognosis, immune contexture, and pharmacological response in gastric cancer. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:2891-2905. [PMID: 37100457 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
As one of the prevalent tumors worldwide, gastric cancer (GC) has obtained sufficient attention in its clinical management and prognostic stratification. Senescence-related genes are involved in the tumorigenesis and progression of GC. A machine learning algorithm-based prognostic signature was developed from six senescence-related genes including SERPINE1, FEN1, PDGFRB, SNCG, TCF3, and APOC3. The TCGA-STAD cohort was utilized as a training set while the GSE84437 and GSE13861 cohorts were analyzed for validation. Immune cell infiltration and immunotherapy efficacy were investigated in the PRJEB25780 cohort. Data from the genomics of drug sensitivity in cancer (GDSC) database revealed pharmacological response. The GSE13861 and GSE54129 cohorts, single-cell dataset GSE134520, and The Human Protein Atlas (THPA) database were utilized for localization of the key senescence-related genes. Association of a higher risk-score with worse overall survival (OS) was identified in the training cohort (TCGA-STAD, P<0.001; HR = 2.03, 95% CI, 1.45-2.84) and the validation cohorts (GSE84437, P = 0.005; HR = 1.48, 95% CI, 1.16-1.95; GSE13861, P = 0.03; HR = 2.23, 95% CI, 1.07-4.62). The risk-score was positively correlated with densities of tumor-infiltrating immunosuppressive cells (P < 0.05) and was lower in patients who responded to pembrolizumab monotherapy (P = 0.03). Besides, patients with a high risk-score had higher sensitivities to the inhibitors against the PI3K-mTOR and angiogenesis (P < 0.05). Expression analysis verified the promoting roles of FEN1, PDGFRB, SERPINE1, and TCF3, and the suppressing roles of APOC3 and SNCG in GC, respectively. Immunohistochemistry staining and single-cell analysis revealed their location and potential origins. Taken together, the senescence gene-based model may potentially change the management of GC by enabling risk stratification and predicting response to systemic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaogang Shen
- Departments of gastrointestinal surgery, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of General Surgery, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | | | - Yu Xu
- Burning Rock Biotech, Guangzhou, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chunwei Xu
- Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenxian Wang
- Department of Clinical Trial, The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Hangzhou, China
| | - Lei Meng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hao Sun
- Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital, Chongqing, China
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35
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Yu JW, Pang R, Liu B, Zhang L, Zhang JW. Bioinformatics identify the role of chordin-like 1 in thyroid cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e32778. [PMID: 36749222 PMCID: PMC9901988 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000032778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The abnormal expression of chordin-like 1 (CHRDL1) is identified in many cancers, while the effect of CHRDL1 in thyroid cancer (THCA) remains unclear. The University of California Santa Cruz, Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis, University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer, and Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE33570, GSE33630, and GSE60542) were used for determining the mRNA and methylation expression of CHRDL1 in tumor and normal tissues. Human Protein Atlas was used for exploring the protein expression level of CHRDL1. The genes correlated to CHRDL1 were assessed by cBioPortal database. The prognostic value of CHRDL1 was evaluated through Kaplan-Meier method, cox regression, and nomogram analysis. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Gene Ontology, and gene set enrichment analysis were used for predicting potential function of CHRDL1. The relationship between CHRDL1 and immune cell infiltration was determined by Pearson method. The downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of CHRDL1 were identified in THCA through the analysis of data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Gene Expression Omnibus, and Human Protein Atlas database. The survival analysis showed that the CHRDL1 expression significantly affected disease-free interval (DFI) and progression-free interval, and CHRDL1 was an independent predictor of DFI. Besides, we found that C-C motif chemokine ligand 21 could significantly affect DFI time when it was co-expressed with CHRDL1. Additionally, the function of CHRDL1 was enriched in cell migration, apoptosis, and immune cell receptor. The downregulated expression of CHRDL1 was observed in THCA and caused poor prognosis. CHRDL1 may be involved in signal pathway related to cancer development and immune response, which suggested it could be a potential biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Yu
- Department of Head and Neck Thyroid, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Rui Pang
- Department of Head and Neck Thyroid, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Head and Neck Thyroid, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Head and Neck Thyroid, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jie-Wu Zhang
- Department of Head and Neck Thyroid, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- * Correspondence: Jie-Wu Zhang, Department of Head and Neck Thyroid, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital, No.150, Baojian Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150041, Heilongjiang, China (e-mail: )
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36
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Li C, Dong X, Yuan Q, Xu G, Di Z, Yang Y, Hou J, Zheng L, Chen W, Wu G. Identification of novel characteristic biomarkers and immune infiltration profile for the anaplastic thyroid cancer via machine learning algorithms. J Endocrinol Invest 2023:10.1007/s40618-023-02022-6. [PMID: 36725810 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-023-02022-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare and lethal malignant cancer. In recent years, the application of molecular-driven targeted therapy and immunotherapy has markedly improved the prognosis of ATC. This study aimed to identify characteristic genes for ATC diagnosis and revealed the role of ATC characteristic genes in drug sensitivity and immune cell infiltration. METHODS We downloaded ATC RNA-sequencing data from the GEO database. Following the combination and normalization of the dataset, we first divided the combined datasets into the training cohort and the validation cohort. We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ATC by differential expression analysis in the training cohort. We used two machine learning algorithms, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) to identify ATC characteristic genes. The CIBERSORT algorithm was performed to calculate the abundance of various immune cells in ATC. Finally, we validated the expression of ATC characteristic genes by quantitative RT-PCR (RT-qPCR) in ATC cell lines and immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS A total of 425 DEGs were identified in the training cohort, including 240 upregulated genes and 185 downregulated genes. Four ATC characteristic genes (ADM, PXDN, MMP1, and TFF3) were identified, and their diagnostic value was validated in the validation cohort (AUC in ROC analysis > 0.75). We established a practical gene expression-based nomogram to accurately predict the probability of ATC. We also found that ATC characteristic biomarkers are associated with the tumor immune microenvironment and drug sensitivity. CONCLUSION ADM, PXDN, MMP1, and TFF3 might serve as potential ATC diagnostic biomarkers and may be helpful for ATC molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Li
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - X Dong
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Q Yuan
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - G Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Z Di
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Y Yang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - J Hou
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - L Zheng
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - W Chen
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - G Wu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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37
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Ferrari SM, Elia G, Ragusa F, Paparo SR, Mazzi V, Patrizio A, Piaggi S, Baldini E, Centanni M, La Motta C, Antonelli A, Fallahi P. Antineoplastic Activity of Pazopanib in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer in Primary Culture. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032398. [PMID: 36768721 PMCID: PMC9916618 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is a rare and rapidly fatal human cancer. Its usual treatment includes the combination of surgery, external hyperfractionated radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. These treatments permit achieving about 6-10 months of median survival. For this reason, it is challenging to predict the ATC patient clinical therapy responsiveness. Pazopanib is a multitarget tyrosine kinase inhibitor of VEGF receptors, PDGF, and c-Kit. Until now, the effect of pazopanib in primary human ATC cells (pATC) has not been reported in the literature. The aim of our study was to evaluate in vitro the antineoplastic effect of pazopanib in pATC. Surgical thyroidal tissues were collected from five patients with ATC, from thyroid biopsy at the moment of first surgical operation. An inhibition of proliferation, migration, and invasion, and an increase in apoptosis were demonstrated upon treating pATC cells with pazopanib (p < 0.05). Moreover, pazopanib was able to significantly decrease the VEGF expression in pATC cells (p < 0.05). To conclude, in this study, we demonstrate the antineoplastic activity of the antiangiogenic inhibitor, pazopanib, in human pATC in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giusy Elia
- Department of Surgery, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragusa
- Department of Surgery, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Rosaria Paparo
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Valeria Mazzi
- Department of Surgery, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Armando Patrizio
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Simona Piaggi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Enke Baldini
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Centanni
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Latina, Italy
- Endocrine Unit, AUSL Latina, 04100 Latina, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Antonelli
- Department of Surgery, Medical and Molecular Pathology and of Critical Area, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050992318
| | - Poupak Fallahi
- Department of Translational Research and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Hu H, Chen Q, Zheng S, Du S, Ding S, Lun Y. Transcriptome Analysis Revealed Potential Neuro-Immune Interaction in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Tissues. Diseases 2023; 11:diseases11010009. [PMID: 36648874 PMCID: PMC9844349 DOI: 10.3390/diseases11010009] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recent study reported that papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) was associated with increased adrenergic nerve density. Meanwhile, emerging evidence suggested that tumor-innervating nerves might play a role in shaping the tumor microenvironment. We aimed to explore the potential interaction between neuronal markers and tumor microenvironmental signatures through a transcriptomic approach. METHODS mRNA sequencing was conducted using five pairs of PTC and adjacent normal tissues. The Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) was performed to calculate enrichment scores of gene sets related to tumor-infiltrating immune cells and the tumor microenvironment. The potential interaction was tested using the expression levels of a series of neuronal markers and gene set enrichment scores. RESULTS PTC tissues were associated with increased enrichment scores of CD8 T cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, mast cells, and checkpoint molecules. The neuronal marker for cholinergic neurons was positively correlated with CD8 T cell activation, while markers for serotonergic and dopaminergic neurons showed an inverse correlation. CONCLUSION Distinct neuronal markers exerted different correlations with tumor microenvironmental signatures. Tumor-innervating nerves might play a role in the formation of the PTC microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibei Hu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital (Guangming), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518107, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Microecology, School of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Putian University, Putian 351100, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital (Guangming), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Siqi Zheng
- Department of Child Healthcare, Shenzhen Guangming Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Shan Du
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital (Guangming), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Siqin Ding
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Shenzhen Hospital (Guangming), University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518107, China
| | - Yongzhi Lun
- Key Laboratory of Medical Microecology, School of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Putian University, Putian 351100, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-594-2613192
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Hou Y, Wang Q, Su L, Zhu Y, Xiao Y, Feng F. Increased tumor-associated mast cells facilitate thyroid cancer progression by inhibiting CD8+ T cell function through galectin-9. Braz J Med Biol Res 2023; 56:e12370. [PMID: 37042867 PMCID: PMC10085758 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x2023e12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
As an important component of solid tumors, mast cells show specific phenotypes in various tumor microenvironments. However, the precise mechanism of mast cell accumulation and the phenotypic features of thyroid cancer (TC) remain largely unknown. Here, we found that mast cells were obviously recruited to tumor tissue by TC-derived stem cell factor (SCF). With tumor progression, mast cell levels increased gradually. In addition, intratumoral mast cells expressed higher levels of the immunosuppressive molecule galectin-9, which effectively suppresses CD8+ T-cell antitumor immunity in vitro. Blocking galectin-9 on tumor-infiltrating mast cells reversed the immunosuppression of CD8+ T cells. In conclusion, our data elucidated novel protumorigenic and immunosuppressive roles of mast cells in TC. In addition, our results indicated that blocking mast cells may impede tumor progression and ameliorate the prognosis of TC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Hou
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Orthodontics, Deyang Stomatological Hospital, Deyang, Sichuan, China
| | - Li Su
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Yun Xiao
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Fei Feng
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
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A Novel Pyroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Prediction of Disease-Free Survival in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma. J Pers Med 2022; 13:jpm13010085. [PMID: 36675746 PMCID: PMC9863179 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13010085] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence and recurrence rate of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are high. Thus, it is critical to accurately identify patients at high risk of recurrence. Pyroptosis is a type of programmed cell death closely related to the progression and prognosis of cancer. However, the role of pyroptosis in PTC remains unclear. METHODS Transcriptome data for PTC patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The expression level of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in PTC and normal tissues was identified. Based on these differentially expressed genes, a risk score model of disease-free survival (DFS) was established using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox regression. In-cluster and quantitative real-time PCR validations were carried out. A nomogram, in combination with clinical factors, was also established. In addition, its relationship with immune characteristics and tumor gene mutations is discussed. RESULTS A risk score model with four PRGs, including CASP6, CASP9, IL-18, and NOD1, was established. The samples were divided into high- and low-risk clusters, according to the risk score, revealing significant differences in DFS between the two clusters. A nomogram was established combining age, lymph node metastasis and extrathyroidal extension. The area under the curve (AUC) of predicting one-, five-, and 10-year DFS in PTC patients was 0.745, 0.801, and 0.803, respectively. The low-risk cluster showed higher levels of immune infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression, while the high-risk cluster demonstrated a higher tumor mutation burden. CONCLUSION A predictive DFS model was established, based on PRGs, which may aid in identifying patients at high risk of recurrence. The present study helps to better understand the role of pyroptosis in the progression and prognosis of PTC.
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Pani F, Yasuda Y, Rousseau ST, Bermea KC, Roshanmehr S, Wang R, Yegnasubramanian S, Caturegli P, Adamo L. Preconditioning of the immune system modulates the response of papillary thyroid cancer to immune checkpoint inhibitors. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-005538. [PMID: 36521928 PMCID: PMC9756278 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The response of solid tumors such as papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is highly variable. The biological basis of this variability remains unknown. METHODS To test the hypothesis that preconditioning of the immune system modulates the therapeutic effect of ICIs, we used a murine model where PTC and iodine exacerbated thyroiditis (IET) can be induced in a temporally predictable fashion. A total of 122 mice were divided into 3 experimental groups. In the first one, named concomitant IET and PTC (No.=40), IET, and PTC were induced at the same time; in the second one, named pre-existing IET (No.=44), IET was induced prior to the induction of PTC; in the third one, named no IET (No.=38), only PTC was induced. Following disease induction, mice of each group were treated with anti-PD-1 antibody, anti-lymphocyte activation gene 3 antibody (anti-Lag3), anti-T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 antibody (anti-Tim3), or IgG control. Ten weeks after the initial ICI injection, mice were sacrificed to collect the thyroid gland for histological analysis, to quantify the incidence and burden of PTC, and to perform high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing of infiltrating CD45+ cells. RESULTS In the concomitant IET and PTC group, ICI treatment reduced PTC incidence (p=0.002 comparing treatment with any ICI vs control), while it had no effect in the pre-existing IET and no IET groups. Single-cell sequencing of thyroidal CD45+ cells showed that the different ICIs tested had both specific and shared effects on all the components of the thyroidal immune cell infiltrate. The shared effect of the tested ICIs was dependent on the presence of pre-existing versus concomitant IET. In the context of concomitant IET, ICI treatment resulted in the modulation of a greater number of pathways related to both innate and adaptive immunity. CONCLUSIONS Response to ICIs depends on the status of the immune system of the treated individual. Modulation of the immune system should be explored as a tool to improve response to ICIs in patients with PTC or other forms of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiana Pani
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,GRC No. 16, GRC Tumeurs Thyroïdiennes, Thyroid and Endocrine Tumors Department; Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Yoshinori Yasuda
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan,Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Sylvie T Rousseau
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Kevin C Bermea
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Solmaz Roshanmehr
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rulin Wang
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Srinivasan Yegnasubramanian
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Patrizio Caturegli
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Luigi Adamo
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Wang Q, Xu Y. Comprehensive analysis of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs model in tumor immune microenvironment and prognostic value of cervical cancer. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1065701. [DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1065701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading gynecological malignancy in females worldwide. Cuproptosis, a form of cell death induced by copper, elicits a novel therapeutic strategy in anticancer therapy. Nonetheless, the effects of cuproptosis-related lncRNAs in CC remain unclear. Therefore, we aim to investigate cuproptosis-related lncRNAs, develop a risk model for prognostic prediction, and elucidate the immunological profile of CC. Transcription profiles and clinical follow-up data of CC were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Afterward, the risk model was built by distinguishing prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNAs using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. The correctness of the risk model was validated, and a nomogram was established followed by tumor immune microenvironment analysis. Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE) scores were used to assess immunotherapy response, and anticancer pharmaceutical half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) prediction was performed for potential chemotherapy medicines. Finally, through coexpression analysis, 199 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs were collected. A unique risk model was generated using 6 selected prognostic cuproptosis-related lncRNAs. The risk score performed a reliable independent prediction of CC survival with higher diagnostic effectiveness compared to generic clinical characteristics. Immunological cell infiltration investigation indicated that the risk model was substantially linked with CC patients’ immunology, and the low-risk patients had lower TIDE scores and increased checkpoint expression, suggesting a stronger immunotherapy response. Besides, the high-risk group exhibited distinct sensitivity to anticancer medications. The immune-related progression was connected to the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between risk groups. Generally, the risk model comprised 6 cuproptosis-related lncRNAs that may help predict CC patients’ overall survival, indicate immunocyte infiltration, and identify individualized treatment.
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Conway JW, Braden J, Wilmott JS, Scolyer RA, Long GV, Pires da Silva I. The effect of organ-specific tumor microenvironments on response patterns to immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1030147. [DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1030147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitors, have become widely used in various settings across many different cancer types in recent years. Whilst patients are often treated on the basis of the primary cancer type and clinical stage, recent studies have highlighted disparity in response to immune checkpoint inhibitors at different sites of metastasis, and their impact on overall response and survival. Studies exploring the tumor immune microenvironment at different organ sites have provided insights into the immune-related mechanisms behind organ-specific patterns of response to immunotherapy. In this review, we aimed to highlight the key learnings from clinical studies across various cancers including melanoma, lung cancer, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal cancer, breast cancer and others, assessing the association of site of metastasis and response to immune checkpoint inhibitors. We also summarize the key clinical and pre-clinical findings from studies exploring the immune microenvironment of specific sites of metastasis. Ultimately, further characterization of the tumor immune microenvironment at different metastatic sites, and understanding the biological drivers of these differences, may identify organ-specific mechanisms of resistance, which will lead to more personalized treatment approaches for patients with innate or acquired resistance to immunotherapy.
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Li B. Why do tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes have variable efficacy in the treatment of solid tumors? Front Immunol 2022; 13:973881. [PMID: 36341370 PMCID: PMC9635507 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.973881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Lymphocytes in tumor tissue are called tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and they play a key role in the control and treatment of tumor diseases. Since the discovery in 1987 that cultured TILs can kill tumor cells more than 100 times more effectively than T-cells cultured from peripheral blood in melanoma, it has been confirmed that cultured TILs can successfully cure clinical patients with melanoma. Since 1989, after we investigated TIL isolation performance from solid tumors, we modified some procedures to increase efficacy, and thus successfully established new TIL isolation and culture methods in 1994. Moreover, our laboratory and clinicians using our cultured TILs have published more than 30 papers. To improve the efficacy of TILs, we have been carrying out studies of TIL efficacy to treat solid tumor diseases for approximately 30 years. The three main questions of TIL study have been "How do TILs remain silent in solid tumor tissue?", "How do TILs attack homologous and heterologous antigens from tumor cells of solid tumors?", and "How do TILs infiltrate solid tumor tissue from a distance into tumor sites to kill tumor cells?". Research on these three issues has increasingly answered these questions. In this review I summarize the main issues surrounding TILs in treating solid tumors. This review aims to study the killing function of TILs from solid tumor tissues, thereby ultimately introducing the optimal strategy for patients suffering from solid tumors through personalized immunotherapy in the near future.
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Pęczek P, Gajda M, Rutkowski K, Fudalej M, Deptała A, Badowska-Kozakiewicz AM. Cancer-associated inflammation: pathophysiology and clinical significance. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2022; 149:2657-2672. [PMID: 36260158 PMCID: PMC9579684 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-022-04399-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Cancer cells, despite stemming from the own cells of their host, usually elicit an immune response. This response usually enables elimination of cancer at its earliest stages. However, some tumors develop mechanisms of escaping immune destruction and even profiting from tumor-derived inflammation. Methods We summarized the roles of different immune cell populations in various processes associated with cancer progression and possible methods of reshaping tumor-associated inflammation to increase the efficacy of cancer therapy. Results Changes in various signaling pathways result in attraction of immunosuppressive, pro-tumorigenic cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells, tumor-associated macrophages, and neutrophils, while at the same time suppressing the activity of lymphocytes, which have the potential of destroying cancer cells. These changes promote tumor progression by increasing angiogenesis and growth, accelerating metastasis, and impairing drug delivery to the tumor site. Conclusion Due to its multi-faceted role in cancer, tumor-associated inflammation can serve as a valuable therapy target. By increasing it, whether through decreasing overall immunosuppression with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy or through more specific methods, such as cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, or chimeric antigen receptor T cells, cancer-derived immunosuppression can be overcome, resulting in immune system destroying cancer cells. Even changes occurring in the microbiota can influence the shape of antitumor response, which could provide new attractive diagnostic or therapeutic methods. Interestingly, also decreasing the distorted tumor-associated inflammation with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lead to positive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Pęczek
- Department of Cancer Prevention, Students' Scientific Organization of Cancer Cell Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Monika Gajda
- Department of Cancer Prevention, Students' Scientific Organization of Cancer Cell Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kacper Rutkowski
- Department of Cancer Prevention, Students' Scientific Organization of Cancer Cell Biology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Fudalej
- Department of Cancer Prevention, Medical University of Warsaw, Erazma Ciołka 27, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Oncology and Haematology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrzej Deptała
- Department of Cancer Prevention, Medical University of Warsaw, Erazma Ciołka 27, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Oncology and Haematology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, Warsaw, Poland
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Xu Q, Yang H, Fan G, Zhang B, Yu J, Zhang Z, Jia G. Clinical importance of PLA2R1 and RASSF9 in thyroid cancer and their inhibitory roles on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and thyroid cancer cell malignant behaviors. Pathol Res Pract 2022; 238:154092. [PMID: 36049438 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2022.154092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Thyroid cancer is a common malignant tumor with rising incidence worldwide. The purpose of this study was to explore key genes in thyroid cancer. The differentially expressed genes were analyzed according to GEO datasets. PLA2R1 and RASSF9 levels were confirmed by UALCAN and the Human Protein Atlas databases. The disease free survival and linear correlation were analyzed by GEPIA. ROC curve was generated according to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The methylation level and immune infiltration were analyzed using GSCA platform. PLA2R1, RASSF9 and Wnt/β-catenin-related protein levels were detected by western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay. Cell invasion and migration were evaluated by Transwell assay. There were 2 common differentially expressed genes (PLA2R1 and RASSF9) in thyroid cancer from GSE104005, GSE65144 and GSE53157 datasets. Decreased PLA2R1 and RASSF9 were associated with advanced stages and lower disease free survival. PLA2R1 and RASSF9 methylation levels were enhanced in thyroid cancer samples compared with normal samples. PLA2R1 methylation level was negatively correlated to its mRNA level. PLA2R1 and RASSF9 were related to immune infiltration in thyroid cancer. PLA2R1 and RASSF9 expression was associated with radioiodine resistance, and positively correlated to expression of iodide uptake-related factors. Multiple signaling pathways were involved in the action mechanisms of PLA2R1 and RASSF9, including the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Overexpression of PLA2R1 and RASSF9 inhibited the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, proliferation, invasion, and migration in thyroid cancer cells. Collectively, PLA2R1 and RASSF9 are two key genes in thyroid cancer, which have potential diagnostic, prognostic, and anti-tumor effects in thyroid cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Xu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China; Key Laboratory of Thyroid Tumor Prevention and Treatment, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China
| | - Han Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanshi Hospital of Nanyang, Nanyang 473000, China
| | - Gai Fan
- Department of Otolaryngology, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China; Key Laboratory of Thyroid Tumor Prevention and Treatment, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China
| | - Jinsong Yu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China; Key Laboratory of Thyroid Tumor Prevention and Treatment, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China
| | - Zhixin Zhang
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China; Key Laboratory of Thyroid Tumor Prevention and Treatment, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China
| | - Guangwei Jia
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Nanyang First People's Hospital affiliated to Henan University, Nanyang 473012, China.
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Xu L, Yang Z, Zhao Q, Feng H, Kuang J, Liu Z, Chen L, Zhan L, Yan J, Cai W, Qiu W. Effect of FOXP2 transcription factor on immune infiltration of thyroid cancer and its potential clinical value. Front Immunol 2022; 13:982812. [PMID: 36203616 PMCID: PMC9531268 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.982812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The clinical outcomes are not always favorable in certain thyroid cancer patients. The effect of Forkhead-box family on immune cells infiltration and tumor microenvironment in thyroid cancer was explored. The role of FOXP2 in tumor invasion and recurrence was investigated consequently. Methods TIMER and GEPIA were firstly employed to compare FOXPs expression in normal and cancer tissues from multiple human cancers. The results from database were confirmed by quantitative Real Time-PCR and Western blot in matched thyroid cancer and adjacent normal tissues, in addition to a panel of thyroid cancer cell lines and normal thyroid cell. GEPIA platform was employed to discover the possibility of FOXPs as prognostic indicator. TISIBD and UACLCAN were then employed to estimate the influence of FOXPs on lymph node metastasis and tumor staging. GEPIA analysis was initially employed to analyze correlation of FOXPs and tumor immune infiltrating cells, and TIMER dataset was then included for standardization according to tumor purity. Result Different member of FOXPs showed divergence in expression in various cancer tissues. Lower FOXP1, FOXP2 and higher FOXP3, FOXP4 levels could be identified in thyroid cancer tissues when compared with matched normal tissue. There was an inverse correlation between FOXP2, FOXP4 and immune invasion, whereas FOXP1 and FOXP3 were positively correlated. FOXPs showed remarkable correlations with multiply immune cells. More importantly, only FOXP2 showed the significant effect on recurrence and tumor staging. Conclusion As immune regulatory factor, the reduction of FOXP2 may affect tumor microenvironments and immune cells infiltration, enhance tumor immune escape, and promote recurrence of thyroid cancer. FOXP2 could be a new potential diagnostic and prognostic marker.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jiqi Yan
- *Correspondence: Jiqi Yan, ; Wei Cai, ; Weihua Qiu,
| | - Wei Cai
- *Correspondence: Jiqi Yan, ; Wei Cai, ; Weihua Qiu,
| | - Weihua Qiu
- *Correspondence: Jiqi Yan, ; Wei Cai, ; Weihua Qiu,
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Wang L, Sun X, He J, Liu Z. Identification and Validation of Prognostic Related Hallmark ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters Associated With Immune Cell Infiltration Patterns in Thyroid Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:781686. [PMID: 35837087 PMCID: PMC9273952 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.781686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a large superfamily of membrane proteins that facilitate the translocation of heterogeneous substrates. Studies indicate that ABC transporters may play important roles in various carcinomas. However, the correlation between ABC transporters and immunomodulation in thyroid carcinoma (TC), as well as the prognoses for this disease, is poorly understood.TC data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database were used to identify prognostic hallmark ABC transporters associated with immune cell infiltration patterns via multiple bioinformatic analyses. Thereafter, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to validate the expression of these selected hallmark ABC transporters in both TC and para-cancerous thyroid tissues. Of a total of 49 ABC transporters, five (ABCA8, ABCA12, ABCB6, ABCB8, and ABCC10) were identified as hallmark ABC transporters. All five were differentially expressed in TC and associated with the relapse-free survival rates of patients with TC. Immunoregulation by these five hallmark ABC transporters involved the modulation of various aspects of immune cell infiltration, such as hot or cold tumor subsets and the abundances of infiltrating immune cells, as well as specific immunomodulators and chemokines. Besides the diverse significantly correlated factors, the five hallmark ABC transporters and correlated genes were most highly enriched in plasma membrane, transporter activity, and transmembrane transport of small molecules. In addition, many chemicals, namely bisphenol A and vincristine, affected the expression of these five transporters. The qRT-PCR results of collected TC and para-cancerous thyroid tissues were consistent with those of TCGA. The findings in this study may reveal the role played by these five hallmark ABC transporters in regulating immune cell infiltration patterns in TC as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying their functions, leading to a better understanding of their potential prognostic and immunotherapeutic values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidong Wang
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaodan Sun
- Postdoctoral Research Workstation, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
- Department of 1st Gynecologic Oncology Surgery, Jilin Cancer Hospital, Changchun, China
| | - Jingni He
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- *Correspondence: Zhen Liu,
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Chen Y, Hong C, Zhou Q, Qin Z. Roles of Cadherin2 in Thyroid Cancer. Front Oncol 2022; 12:804287. [PMID: 35756646 PMCID: PMC9218104 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.804287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The majority of drug-resistant cells in Thyroid cancer (THCA) tend to exhibit an Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype, and abnormal expression of the cell adhesion molecule Cadherin2 (CDH2) is a hallmark of EMT. However, the roles of CDH2 in THCA and its underlying mechanisms are unknown. Methods We analyzed the CDH2 expression in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and screened for genes positively associated with CDH2. Small interfering RNA and cell transfection were used for knocking down CDH2 in THCA cells, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and immunofluorescence to detect cell proliferation. Binding miRNAs of CDH2 and CDH2-associated genes were predicted using the Encyclopedia of RNA Interactomes (ENCORI) database. The expression of genes in clinical THCA tissues was investigated from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database and validated by qRT-PCR. We conducted the cell functions pathways of CDH2 and CDH2-associated gene FRMD3 by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. We also showed the correlation between CDH2 and FRMD3 expression and tumor immune infiltration. Results The expression of CDH2 was significantly higher in THCA tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Moreover, there were strongly associations of CDH2 expression with the stages T and N. Cellular function assays showed that CDH2 exerted its growth-promoting activity of THCA. To better understand how CDH2 was regulated in THCA, we sought genes associated with CDH2. Correlation analysis revealed that there were negative correlations between genes (CDH2, FRMD3) and miRNAs (hsa-miR-410-3p, hsa-miR-411-5p, hsa-miR-299-5p). Moreover, CDH2 and FRMD3 expression were significantly higher in tumor tissues than in normal tissues, while hsa-miR-410-3p, hsa-miR-411-5p and hsa-miR-299-5p were significantly decreased in tumor tissues compared with normal tissues in THCA. GO and KEEG results showed that CDH2 and FRMD3 were strongly associated with immune-related functions. High expression of CDH2 and FRMD3 was linked to the suppression of immune cells. There were strong negativity correlations between CDH2, FRMD3 and T-cell exhaustion factors. Conclusion Our data indicated that CDH2 and CDH2-related gene FRMD3 might have the critical effects on altering tumors becoming ‘cold tumors’ eventually leading to immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaojin Hong
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qihao Zhou
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhiquan Qin
- Cancer Center, Department of Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
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Gao T, Zhao L, Zhang F, Cao C, Fan S, Shi X. Evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of NUSAP1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma and identify the relationship with genes, proteins, and immune factors. World J Surg Oncol 2022; 20:207. [PMID: 35710427 PMCID: PMC9202173 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-022-02652-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nucleolar spindle-associated protein 1 (NUSAP1) is reported to be a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker for a variety of cancers, but relevant studies are lacking in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods The relationship between NUSAP1 expression and the overall survival (OS) of pan-cancer was examined by GEPIA and KMplot. We explored the relationship between NUSAP1 and clinical PTC data based on the THCA dataset of TCGA and the GEO dataset of NCBI; GO, KEGG analysis, and ceRNA networks were performed on co-expressed genes through LinkedOmics and Starbase. We assessed the relevance between NUSAP1 and the tumor microenvironment using ESTIMATE, correlations between NUSAP1 and immune cells with TIMER, the relationship between NUSAP1 and immunotherapy by TCIA, and small-molecule drugs targeting NUSAP1 that can be discovered using the CMap database. Results Higher expression of NUSAP1 in pan-cancer tissues was correlated with shorter OS. NUSAP1 was also significantly expressed in PTC tissues and was an independent prognostic risk factor. Compared to the NUSAP1 low expression group, the NUSAP1 high expression group was more likely to also have lymph node metastasis, pathological PTC type, shorter progression-free survival (PFS), and higher scores for immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment. The genes associated with NUSAP1 were mostly involved in the cell cycle, immune-related pathways, and AITD. Ten lncRNAs (GAS5, SNHG7, UCA1, SNHG1, HCP5, DLEU2, HOTAIR, TP53TG1, SNHG12, C9orf106), eleven miRNAs (hsa-miR-10a-5p, hsa-miR-10b-5p, hsa-miR-18a-5p, hsa-miR-18b-5p, hsa-miR-128-3p, hsa-miR-214-3p, hsa-miR-219a-2-3p, hsa-miR-339-5p, hsa-miR-494-3p, hsa-miR-545-3p, hsa-miR-769-5p), and one mRNA (NUSAP1) were constructed. NUSAP1 participated in the formation of the tumor microenvironment. CMap predicted the 10 most important small molecules about NUSAP1. Conclusions In PTC, NUSAP1 shows good diagnostic value and prognostic value; NUSAP1 impacts the cell cycle, immune-related pathways, and AITD and has a complex effect on the tumor microenvironment in PTC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-022-02652-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Gao
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Conghui Cao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Institute of Endocrinology, NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Thyroid Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuting Fan
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoguang Shi
- Department of Endocrinology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110001, People's Republic of China.
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