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Wang YK, Lv XX, Wang ZQ, Zhou YM, Jiang B, Wang SN, Chen XD. The significance of the microlymphangiogenesis, microangiogenesis, and combined detection of programmed cell death-1 protein (PD-1)/ki67 in gastric cancer tissues. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2023:10.1007/s00432-023-04709-y. [PMID: 37179266 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-04709-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between the microlymphangiogenesis, microangiogenesis, and combined detection of the programmed cell death-1 protein (PD-1)/ki67 in patients with gastric cancer as well as the disease prognosis. METHODS Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the microlymphatic density (MLD) and microvessel density (MVD) in the central and peripheral zones in 92 cases of gastric cancer, along with the number of PD-1- and ki67-positive tumor cells. RESULTS The central zone of the gastric cancer tissue contained fewer atretic cord-like lymphatic vessels than the peripheral zone, while the peripheral zone contained an increased number of lymphatic vessels compared with the central zone. In most cases, the lumen was also dilated. Compared with the MLD in the peripheral zone, the MLD in central zone was significantly decreased. Compared with the number of PD-1-positive cells in the peripheral zone, the number of PD-1-positive cells in the central zone was significantly decreased, and compared with the number of ki67-positive cells in the peripheral zone. The differences in the microlymphangiogenesis, microangiogenesis, and the number of PD-1- and ki67-positive cells among the different histological types were not statistically significant. The microlymphangiogenesis, microangiogenesis, and PD-1- and ki67-positive cells were significantly decreased in the gastric cancer tissues from the patients in stages T1 and T2 compared with the gastric cancer tissues from the patients in stages T3 and T4. CONCLUSIONS The detection of the MLD and MVD as well as the positive expression of PD-1 and ki67 in gastric cancer tissue are important reference indicators for judging the prognosis of gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang-Kun Wang
- Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Longgang District Fourth People's Hospital, Shenzhen, 518123, China
| | - Xue-Xia Lv
- Department of Pathology, 989th Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force of the PLA, Luoyang, 471031, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Pathology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangzhou General Hospital, No. 703 Xincheng Avenue, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, 511300, China
| | - Yong-Mei Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangzhou General Hospital, No. 703 Xincheng Avenue, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, 511300, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Pathology, No. 990 Hospital of the PLA Joint Logistics Support Force, Zhumadian, 463000, China
| | - Su-Nan Wang
- Shenzhen Polytechnic, Xili Lake, Xilihu Town, Nanshan District, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Xiao-Dong Chen
- Department of Pathology, Foresea Life Insurance Guangzhou General Hospital, No. 703 Xincheng Avenue, Zengcheng District, Guangzhou, 511300, China.
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Hong B, Li J, Huang C, Huang T, Zhang M, Huang L. miR-300/FA2H affects gastric cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. Open Med (Wars) 2020; 15:882-889. [PMID: 33344772 PMCID: PMC7724006 DOI: 10.1515/med-2020-0188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miR/miRNA) expression disorders play a crucial role in the development of gastric cancer (GC). Increasing evidence has indicated that miRNAs participate in the process of numerous cancers. Previous research has demonstrated that miR-300 acts as a cancer-promoting factor or tumor suppressor in a number of tumors. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effects of miR-300 on GC cells remain largely unknown. The present study investigated the effects of miR-300 on GC cells and analyzed its molecular mechanism. First, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that miR-300 expression was increased in GC tissues and cell lines, with the highest expression observed in human gastric cancer cell line AGS. Subsequent results indicated that fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H) was a target of miR-300. FA2H-plasmid inhibited AGS cell proliferation and induced apoptosis. Finally, miR-300 inhibitor reduced cell proliferation and induced apoptosis, whereby these effects were reversed by FA2H-small interfering RNA. Therefore, the data demonstrated that miR-300/FA2H might be a new potential biomarker and therapeutic target for GC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Hong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangshan Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, 291 Donggu Road, Dandong Street, Xiangshan County, Ningbo, 315700, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangshan Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, 291 Donggu Road, Dandong Street, Xiangshan County, Ningbo, 315700, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunxiao Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangshan Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, 291 Donggu Road, Dandong Street, Xiangshan County, Ningbo, 315700, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangshan Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, 291 Donggu Road, Dandong Street, Xiangshan County, Ningbo, 315700, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengpei Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangshan Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, 291 Donggu Road, Dandong Street, Xiangshan County, Ningbo, 315700, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijiang Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangshan Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, 291 Donggu Road, Dandong Street, Xiangshan County, Ningbo, 315700, People's Republic of China
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Bie LY, Li N, Deng WY, Lu XY, Guo P, Luo SX. Serum miR-191 and miR-425 as Diagnostic and Prognostic Markers of Advanced Gastric Cancer Can Predict the Sensitivity of FOLFOX Chemotherapy Regimen. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:1705-1715. [PMID: 32158234 PMCID: PMC7049268 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s233086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose miR-191 and miR-425 have been proved to be highly expressed in gastric carcinoma (GC). However, little research has been done on their clinical value in serum of patients with advanced GC. In addition, it is not clear whether they can be used as markers for the response and prognosis of GC patients treated with oxaliplatin combined with 5-fluorouracil and FOLFOX chemotherapy. Patients and Methods A total of 230 patients with advanced GC admitted to our hospital were selected as the study objects, all of whom received FOLFOX chemotherapy regimen. Another 100 cases of healthy subjects were included. QRT-PCR was employed to detect the serum expression of miR-191 and miR-425 in patients. Results Compared with the healthy subjects, the serum expressions of miR-191 and miR-425 in GC patients were significantly upregulated, which were correlated with differentiation degree and TNM staging, respectively. According to the ROC curve, the AUC of miR-191 and miR-425 for GC diagnosis was 0.937 and 0.901, respectively, while the AUC for differentiation degree diagnosis was 0.854 and 0.822, and that for TNM staging diagnosis was 0.860 and 0.829, respectively. The predictive AUC of miR-191 and miR-425 for chemosensitivity was 0.868 and 0.835, respectively, with a combined predictive AUC of 0.935. Low differentiation degree, high TNM staging, high miR-191 and high miR-425 expressions were independent risk factors for chemotherapy insensitivity. Differentiation degree, TNM staging, chemotherapy effect, miR-191 and miR-425 were independent influencing factors for the prognosis of GC patients. Conclusion Up-regulated expression of miR-191 and miR-425 in the serum of patients with advanced GC are effective biomarkers for the diagnosis, chemotherapy and prognosis evaluation of GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Yu Bie
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University/Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University/Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Ying Deng
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University/Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yu Lu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University/Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Ping Guo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College, Nanyang 473061, People's Republic of China
| | - Su-Xia Luo
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University/Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou 450008, Henan Province, People's Republic of China
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An JX, Ma MH, Zhang CD, Shao S, Zhou NM, Dai DQ. miR-1236-3p inhibits invasion and metastasis in gastric cancer by targeting MTA2. Cancer Cell Int 2018; 18:66. [PMID: 29743816 PMCID: PMC5930941 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-018-0560-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs deregulation are common in human tumor progression. miR-1236-3p has been reported to function as tumor suppressor microRNA in various malignancies. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the downregulated expression of miR-1236-3p in gastric cancer (GC) tissues and cell lines, and clarify its biological function in GC. Methods Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the mRNA level of miR-1236-3p in GC. Dual luciferase assay was used to demonstrate that MTA2 was one of the candidate target genes of miR-1236-3p. Western blots were utilized to detect the protein levels. Cell function assays were also performed to determine the function of miR-1236-3p in GC. Results miR-1236-3p expression, which was associated with lymph node metastasis, differentiation and clinical stage, was significantly reduced in GC tissues and cell lines. miR-1236-3p over-expression could inhibit GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and inhibition of miR-1236-3p expression had opposite effects. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MTA2 was a candidate target of miR-1236-3p, and miR-1236-3p over-expression significantly inhibited the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. We also found that miR-1236-3p could suppress the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in GC cells. Conclusions Our results suggest that miR-1236-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in GC and could be a promising therapeutic target for GC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Xiang An
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032 China
| | - Ming-Hui Ma
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032 China
| | - Chun-Dong Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032 China
| | - Shuai Shao
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032 China
| | - Nuo-Ming Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032 China
| | - Dong-Qiu Dai
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110032 China
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Complete resection of the whole tumor remains the only approach to treat this malignant disease. Since gastric cancer is usually asymptomatic in its early stages, many people are diagnosed at an advanced stage when the tumor is inoperable. In addition, because other conventional treatments (radiotherapy and chemotherapy) have only modest efficacy for those with advanced/metastatic gastric cancer, the prognosis in such cases is poor. Recently, trials have provided some promising results regarding molecular-targeted therapy, raising the possibility that the development of these agents could be a fruitful approach. However, the benefit of molecular-targeted therapy for advanced gastric cancer remains inconclusive. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of molecular-targeted therapy , either alone or in combination with chemotherapy, in people with advanced gastric cancer. SEARCH METHODS We searched the following databases (from inception to December 2015): the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL. In addition, we searched the reference lists of included trials and contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults (aged 18 years or older) with histologically-confirmed advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach/gastro-esophageal junction. Trials of participants with esophageal adenocarcinoma were also considered to be eligible. The eligible trials should aim to evaluate the effects of molecular-targeted agents on participants' prognosis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently performed selection of eligible trials, assessment of trial quality, and data extraction. We used methods of survival analysis and expressed the intervention effect as a hazard ratio (HR) when pooling time-to-event data, and calculated the odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous data and mean differences (MDs) for continuous data, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). MAIN RESULTS We included 11 studies randomizing 4014 participants to molecular-targeted therapy plus conventional chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone. Five were at low risk of bias, and we considered the risk of bias in the other six studies to be high, mainly due to their open-label design. All identified studies reported data regarding survival. We found low-quality evidence that molecular-targeted may have a small effect on mortality (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.05, 10 studies) compared with conventional chemotherapy alone. Similarly, it may have little effect on progression-free survival when compared with conventional chemotherapy alone (HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.04, 11 studies; low-quality evidence). We did not find evidence from subgroup analysis that survival outcomes differed by type of molecular-targeted agent (EGFR- or VEGF-targeting agents) or tumor type, meaning that we were unable to explain the variation in effect across the studies by the presence or absence of prognostic biomarkers or type of molecular-targeted agent. From 11 eligible trials, we were able to use data from 3723 participants with measurable tumors. We found low-quality evidence that molecular-targeted therapy may increase tumor response (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.55, low-quality evidence). Data from one small trial were too limited to determine the effect of treatment on quality of life (very low-quality evidence). The addition of targeted therapy to chemotherapy probably increases the risk of adverse events (OR 2.23, 95% CI 1.27 to 3.92, 5 trials, 2290 participants, moderate-quality evidence) and severe adverse event (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.37, 8 trials, 3800 participants), compared with receiving chemotherapy alone. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is uncertainty about the effect of adding targeted therapy to chemotherapy on survival outcomes in people with advanced gastric cancer, with very little information on its impact on quality of life. There is more certain evidence of increased risk of adverse events and serious adverse events. The main limitation of the evidence for survival outcomes was inconsistency of effects across the studies, which we could not explain by prespecified subgroups in terms of the type of therapy or tumor type. Ongoing studies in this area are small and unlikely to improve our understanding of the effects of targeted therapy, and larger studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Song
- Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Medical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsBox 281StockholmSwedenSE‐17177
| | - Jianwei Zhu
- Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong UniversityDepartment of OrthopaedicsNo.324, Jingwu RoadJinanShandongChina250021
| | - DongHao Lu
- West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology20, 3rd Section, Ren Min Nan RdChengduSichuanChina610041
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Ortega HH, Veiga-Lopez A, Sreedharan S, del Luján Velázquez MM, Salvetti NR, Padmanabhan V. Developmental Programming: Does Prenatal Steroid Excess Disrupt the Ovarian VEGF System in Sheep? Biol Reprod 2015; 93:58. [PMID: 26178718 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.131607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal testosterone (T), but not dihydrotestosterone (DHT), excess disrupts ovarian cyclicity and increases follicular recruitment and persistence. We hypothesized that the disruption in the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system contributes to the enhancement of follicular recruitment and persistence in prenatal T-treated sheep. The impact of T/DHT treatments from Days 30 to 90 of gestation on VEGFA, VEGFB, and their receptor (VEGFR-1 [FLT1], VEGFR-2 [KDR], and VEGFR-3 [FLT4]) protein expression was examined by immunohistochemistry on Fetal Days 90 and 140, 22 wk, 10 mo (postpubertal), and 21 mo (adult) of age. Arterial morphometry was performed in Fetal Day 140 and postpubertal ovaries. VEGFA and VEGFB expression were found in granulosa cells at all stages of follicular development with increased expression in antral follicles. VEGFA was present in theca interna, while VEGFB was present in theca interna/externa and stromal cells. All three receptors were expressed in the granulosa, theca, and stromal cells during all stages of follicular development. VEGFR-3 increased with follicular differentiation with the highest level seen in the granulosa cells of antral follicles. None of the members of the VEGF family or their receptor expression were altered by age or prenatal T/DHT treatments. At Fetal Day 140, area, wall thickness, and wall area of arteries from the ovarian hilum were larger in prenatal T- and DHT-treated females, suggestive of early androgenic programming of arterial differentiation. This may facilitate increased delivery of endocrine factors and thus indirectly contribute to the development of the multifollicular phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Héctor Ortega
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of Litoral, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina Argentine National Research Council (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Almudena Veiga-Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics and the Reproductive Sciences Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Shilpa Sreedharan
- Department of Pediatrics and the Reproductive Sciences Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Melisa María del Luján Velázquez
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of Litoral, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina Argentine National Research Council (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Natalia Raquel Salvetti
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, National University of Litoral, Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina Argentine National Research Council (CONICET), Esperanza, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Department of Pediatrics and the Reproductive Sciences Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Thomaidis T, Maderer A, Al-Batran SE, Kany J, Pauligk C, Steinmetz K, Schad A, Hofheinz R, Schmalenberg H, Homann N, Galle PR, Moehler M. VEGFR-3 and CXCR4 as predictive markers for treatment with fluorouracil, leucovorin plus either oxaliplatin or cisplatin in patients with advanced esophagogastric cancer: a comparative study of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Internistische Onkologie (AIO). BMC Cancer 2014; 14:476. [PMID: 24981311 PMCID: PMC4094395 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-14-476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combination of fluoropyrimidines and a platinum derivative are currently standards for systemic chemotherapy in advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Nevertheless, individual likelihood for response to these therapeutic regimes remains uncertain. Even more, no predictive markers are available to determine which patients may benefit more from oxaliplatin versus cisplatin or vice versa. The new invasion and stem cell markers VEGFR-3 and CXCR4 have been linked prognostically with more aggressive esophagogastric cancer types. Thus, we aimed to assess correlations of VEGFR-3 and CXCR4 expression levels with clinical outcome in a randomized phase III study of patients with oxaliplatin/leucovorin/5-FU (FLO) versus cisplatin/leucovorin/5-FU (FLP). METHODS The patients data examined in this study (n = 72) were from the collective of the FLO vs. FLP phase III AIO trial. Tumour tissues were stained via immunohistochemistry for VEGFR-3 and CXCR4 expression and results were evaluated by two independent, blinded investigators.Outcome parameter: Survival analysis was calculated for patients receiving FLO vs. FLP in relation to VEGFR-3 and CXCR4 expression. RESULTS 54% and 36% of the examined tumour tissues showed strong positive expression of VEGFR-3 and CXCR4 respectively. No superiority of each regime was detected in terms of overall survival (OS) in the whole population. Patients with strong expression of CXCR4 on their tumour tissues profited more in terms of OS under the treatment of FLP (mOS: 28 vs 15 months, p = 0.05 respectively). Patients with negative VEGFR-3 and CXCR4 expression had a trend to live longer when FLO regime was applied (mOS: 22 vs. 9 months, p = 0.099 and 20 vs. 10 months, p = 0.073 respectively). In an exploratory analysis of patients older than 60 years at diagnosis, we observed a significant benefit in overall survival for VEGFR-3 and CXCR4-positive patients when treated with FLP (p = 0.002, p = 0.021 respectively). CONCLUSIONS CXCR4 positive patients profited in terms of OS from FLP, whereas FLO proved to be more effective in CXCR4 and VEGFR-3 negative patients. Our results suggest, despite the limited size of the study, a predictive value of these biomarkers concerning chemotherapy with FLP or FLO in advanced esophagogastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Markus Moehler
- I, Medical Department, Johannes-Gutenberg University of Mainz, Langenbeckstr,1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
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Wong H, Yau T. Targeted therapy in the management of advanced gastric cancer: are we making progress in the era of personalized medicine? Oncologist 2012; 17:346-58. [PMID: 22334453 PMCID: PMC3316920 DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2011-0311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death. With greater understanding of the molecular basis of carcinogenesis, targeted agents have led to a modest improvement in the outcome of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) patients. METHODS AND RESULTS We conducted an overview of the published evidence regarding the use of targeted therapy in AGC patients. Thus far, the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) pathway, angiogenic pathway, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)-Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway have emerged as potential avenues for targeted therapy in AGC patients. The promising efficacy results of the Trastuzumab for Gastric Cancer trial led to the approved use of trastuzumab-based therapy as first-line treatment for patients with HER-2+ AGC. On the other hand, the Avastin® in Gastric Cancer trial evaluating bevacizumab in combination with chemotherapy did not meet its primary endpoint of a longer overall survival duration despite a significantly higher response rate and longer progression-free survival time in patients in the bevacizumab arm. Phase III data are awaited for other targeted agents, including cetuximab, panitumumab, lapatinib, and everolimus. CONCLUSION Recent progress in targeted therapy development for AGC has been modest. Further improvement in the outcome of AGC patients will depend on the identification of biomarkers in different patient populations to facilitate the understanding of gastric carcinogenesis, combining different targeted agents with chemotherapy, and unraveling new molecular targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilda Wong
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Thomas Yau
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Department of Medicine, and
- Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong
- Centre for Cancer Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Graziosi L, Mencarelli A, Santorelli C, Renga B, Cipriani S, Cavazzoni E, Palladino G, Laufer S, Burnet M, Donini A, Fiorucci S. Mechanistic role of p38 MAPK in gastric cancer dissemination in a rodent model peritoneal metastasis. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 674:143-52. [PMID: 22119383 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Revised: 10/27/2011] [Accepted: 11/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Peritoneal dissemination is a highly frequent complication of poorly differentiated gastric cancers for which no effective therapies are available. Constitutive activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling cascades is recognized as a causative factor in the malignant transformation of several carcinoma cell types. In the present study we provide evidence that p38 MAPK inhibition protects against gastric cancer cells dissemination in a mouse model of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Administering mice with ML3403 and SB203580, potent and selective p38 MAPK inhibitors, attenuate the formation of neoplastic foci induced by intraperitoneal inoculation of gastric cancer cells. By gene array analysis we found that such a protective effect correlates with a robust downregulation in the expression of CXC chemokine receptor-4, Fms-related tyrosine kinase 4 (FLT4), the non-receptor spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) and the collagen α2(IV) (COL4A2) in neoplasic foci. Inhibition of p38 MAPK in vivo increased the sensitivity of tumor cells to cisplatin and associated with a robust downregulation in the expression of the multidrug resistance (MDR)-1, a well defined marker of resistance to chemotherapy. In summary, p38 MAPK inhibition by a small molecule is beneficial in preventing the peritoneal dissemination of poorly differentiated gastric cancer cells by acting at multiple check-points in the process of attachment and diffusion of tumor cells in the peritoneum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigina Graziosi
- Dipartimento di Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Radiologiche e Odontostomatologiche, Nuova Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Sant' Andrea delle Fratte, 06132 Perugia, Italy
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11
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Pietrowski D, Szabo L, Sator M, Just A, Egarter C. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is correlated with a reduction of soluble VEGF receptor protein level and a higher amount of VEGF-A. Hum Reprod 2011; 27:196-9. [PMID: 22016416 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially life-threatening condition associated with increased vascular permeability. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system and its receptors have been identified as the main angiogenic factors responsible for increased capillary permeability and are therefore discussed as crucial for the occurrence of OHSS. Recently, a number of soluble receptors for the VEGFs have been detected (sVEGF-Rs) and it has been shown that these sVEGF-Rs compete with the membrane-standing VEGF-R to bind VEGFs. METHODS We analyzed the serum levels of soluble VEGF-R1, -R2 and -R3 in 34 patients suffering from OHSS and in 34 controls without this disease. In a subgroup analysis, we correlated the severity of the OHSS with the detected amounts of VEGF-R1, -R2 and -R3. In addition, we determined the amount of total VEGF-A in the samples. RESULTS All the three soluble VEGF receptors tended to be higher in the control group compared with that in the OHSS group but this difference only reached significance for sVEGF-R2 (mean ± SEM: 15.5 ± 0.6 versus 13.8 ± 0.5 ng/ml, respectively, P< 0.05). In the subgroup analysis, sVEGF-R2 levels decreased as the severity of OHSS increased (OHSS-I: 16.8 ± 1.9 ng/ml and OHSS-III: 12.7 ± 1.0 ng/ml, P< 0.05) Moreover, the serum levels of total VEGF-A were higher in the OHSS group than those in the controls (537.7 ± 38.9 versus 351 ± 53.4 pg/ml, respectively P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We propose that VEGF-A plays a role in the occurrence of OHSS, that the amount of biologically available VEGF-A is modulated by sVEGF-Rs and that different combinations of VEGF-A and sVEGF-R levels might contribute to the severity of OHSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Pietrowski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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