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Yang P, Meng M, Zhou Q. Oncogenic cancer/testis antigens are a hallmarker of cancer and a sensible target for cancer immunotherapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2021; 1876:188558. [PMID: 33933558 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2021.188558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows that numerous cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are uniquely overexpressed in various types of cancer and most CTAs are oncogenic. Overexpression of oncogenic CTAs promotes carcinogenesis, cancer metastasis, and drug resistance. Oncogenic CTAs are generally associated with poor prognosis in cancer patients and are an important hallmark of cancer, making them a crucial target for cancer immunotherapy. CTAs-targeted antibodies, vaccines, and chimeric antigen receptor-modified T cells (CAR-T) have recently been used in cancer treatment and achieved promising outcomes in the preclinical and early clinical trials. However, the efficacy of current CTA-targeted therapeutics is either moderate or low in cancer therapy. CTA-targeted cancer immunotherapy is facing enormous challenges. Several critical scientific problems need to be resolved: (1) the antigen presentation function of MHC-I protein is usually deficient in cancer patients, so that very low amounts of intracellular CTA epitopes are presented to tumor cell membrane surface, leading to weak immune response and subsequent immunity to CTAs; (2) various immunosuppressive cells are rich in tumor tissues leading to diminished tumor immunity; (3) the tumor tissue microenvironment markedly reduces the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. In the current review paper, the authors propose new strategies and approaches to overcome the barriers of CTAs-targeted immunotherapy and to develop novel potent immune therapeutics against cancer. Finally, we highlight that the oncogenic CTAs have high tumor specificity and immunogenicity, and are sensible targets for cancer immunotherapy. We predict that CTAs-targeted immunotherapy will bring about breakthroughs in cancer therapy in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Yang
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226000, PR China
| | - Mei Meng
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, PR China; 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, PR China
| | - Quansheng Zhou
- Cyrus Tang Hematology Center, Jiangsu Institute of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, PR China; 2011 Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, PR China.
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Li C, Peng Z, Wang Y, Lam G, Nissen N, Tang J, Yuan X, Lewis M, Greene MI, Pandol SJ, Wang Q. Epithelial cell transforming 2 is regulated by Yes-associated protein 1 and mediates pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G380-G395. [PMID: 33501895 PMCID: PMC8202240 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00185.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is highly metastatic and represents one of the deadliest forms of human cancers. Previous studies showed that activation of Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) plays a key role in malignant transformation in the pancreas. In this study, we found that YAP1 regulates the expression of epithelial cell transforming 2 (ECT2), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho-like GTPases. By immunohistochemistry analysis of human tissues, we show that ECT2 is highly expressed in primary PDAC and liver metastasis but not in normal pancreas. These correlations were also observed in a mouse model of PDAC, where pancreatic transformation is driven by mutants of Kras and Trp53. Notably, nuclear ECT2 is upregulated in the transition from preneoplastic lesions to PDAC. High levels of YAP1 or ECT2 expression correlates with the poor overall survival rate of patients with PDAC. We further demonstrate that ECT2 is required for pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro. Finally, using a syngeneic orthotopic xenograft mouse model for pancreatic cancer, we found that ablation of ECT2 expression reduces pancreatic cancer growth and dissemination to the liver. These findings highlight the critical role of ECT2 in promoting pancreatic cancer growth and metastasis and provides insights into the development of novel methods for early detection and treatment.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the deadliest forms of human cancers. In this study, we identified a novel signaling mechanism involved in PDAC progression and metastasis. Yes-associated protein 1 mediates the expression of epithelial cell transforming 2, which is elevated in PDAC and correlates with poor survival. Epithelial cell transforming 2 is required for PDAC growth and metastasis. This study provides insights into the development of novel methods for early detection and treatment of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ce Li
- 1Department of Medical Oncology, First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China,2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Zhenzi Peng
- 2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California,3Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yizhou Wang
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Gloria Lam
- 2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nicholas Nissen
- 5Comprehensive Transplant Center, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Jie Tang
- 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Xiaopu Yuan
- 6Department of Pathology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Michael Lewis
- 7Department of Pathology, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Health Care System, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mark I. Greene
- 8Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen J. Pandol
- 2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
| | - Qiang Wang
- 2Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
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Kosibaty Z, Murata Y, Minami Y, Noguchi M, Sakamoto N. ECT2 promotes lung adenocarcinoma progression through extracellular matrix dynamics and focal adhesion signaling. Cancer Sci 2020; 112:703-714. [PMID: 33215807 PMCID: PMC7893990 DOI: 10.1111/cas.14743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LAC) is the most prevalent form of lung cancer. Epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 (ECT2) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that has been implicated in oncogenic and malignant phenotypes of LAC. Here, we identified an oncogenic role of ECT2 in the extracellular matrix (ECM) dynamics of LAC cells. We showed that suppression of ECT2 decreased adhesion and spreading of LAC cells on ECM components. Morphologically, ECT2-depleted cells exhibited a rounded shape and cytoskeletal changes. Examination of transcriptional changes by RNA sequencing revealed a total of 1569 and 828 genes whose expressions were altered (absolute fold change and a difference of >2 fold) in response to suppression of ECT2 in two LAC cells (Calu-3 and NCI-H2342), respectively, along with 298 genes that were common to both cell lines. Functional enrichment analysis of common genes demonstrated a significant enrichment of focal adhesions. In accord with this observation, we found that ECT2 suppression decreased the expression level of proteins involved in focal adhesion signaling including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), Crk, integrin β1, paxillin, and p130Cas. FAK knockdown leads to impaired cell proliferation, adhesion, and spreading of LAC cells. Moreover, in LAC cells, ECT2 binds to and stabilizes FAK and is associated with the formation of the focal adhesions. Our findings provide new insights into the underlying role of ECT2 in cell-ECM dynamics during LAC progression and suggest that ECT2 could be a promising therapeutic avenue for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Kosibaty
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yoshihiko Murata
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yuko Minami
- Department of Pathology, National Hospital Organization, Ibaraki Higashi National Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Masayuki Noguchi
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Noriaki Sakamoto
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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Wang H, Liu H, Li J, Wei S, Liu X, Wan H, Zheng P, Zheng H. Effect of Ect2 Expression on the Growth of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells with Paclitaxel Intervention. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:12905-12918. [PMID: 33376345 PMCID: PMC7756022 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s275725] [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: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Object To identify the expression levels of ECT2 (epithelial cell transforming sequence 2) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) before and after administration of paclitaxel (PTX) and explore the interaction between ECT2 and PTX in breast cancer treatment. Methods Lentiviral (LV) packaging ECT2 overexpression and interference plasmids were constructed for in vitro assays. The effects of ECT2 expression on the TNBC cell line (HCC1806), particularly its roles in the proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis and cell cycle, were evaluated using the CCK-8 and other methods before and after PTX treatment. In nude mouse xenograft settings were performed to detect cell apoptosis and Ki-67 expression levels by TUNEL and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Results In the vitro assays, before and after the PTX treatment, comparison of the LV-ECT2 and sh-ECT2 groups and the remaining three groups (control, LV-NC, sh-NC) showed statistically significant differences in terms of cell proliferation, invasion and migration and apoptosis and changes in the cell cycle. In the vivo assays, the control, LV-ECT2 and sh-ECT2 groups markedly outweighed the corresponding PTX-treated groups. The LV-ECT2, PTX, sh-ECT2 and sh-ECT2-PTX were all significantly different from the control group in terms of body weight and tumour size changes. Cell apoptosis occurred in the PTX, sh-ECT2 and sh-ECT2-PTX groups. About the Ki-67 proliferation index, the PTX, LV-ECT2-PTX, sh-ECT2 and sh-ECT2-PTX groups were significantly different from the control group. Conclusion ECT2, which is a major driving factor in the growth of breast cancer cells, plays an important role in regulating TNBC growth. PTX therapy had significantly improved efficacy after silencing ECT2. This finding indicates that the inhibition of ECT2 expression may facilitate the treatment of breast cancer as a new regimen and provide a theoretical basis for the development of new targeted drugs as a replacement for PTX in breast cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongkun Wang
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pathology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Honggang Liu
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Pathology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuanyu Wei
- Department of Pathology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojun Liu
- Department of Pathology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Huili Wan
- Department of Pathology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiming Zheng
- Department of Pathology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Huixia Zheng
- Department of Pathology, First Clinical Medical College, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan City, Shanxi, People's Republic of China
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Ulke HM, Mutze K, Lehmann M, Wagner DE, Heinzelmann K, Günther A, Eickelberg O, Königshoff M. The Oncogene ECT2 Contributes to a Hyperplastic, Proliferative Lung Epithelial Cell Phenotype in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2020; 61:713-726. [PMID: 31145635 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2019-0047oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and lung cancer are progressive lung diseases with a poor prognosis. IPF is a risk factor for the development of lung cancer, and the incidence of lung cancer is increased in patients with IPF. The disease pathogenesis of IPF and lung cancer involves common genetic alterations, dysregulated pathways, and the emergence of hyperplastic and metaplastic epithelial cells. Here, we aimed to identify novel, common mediators that might contribute to epithelial cell reprogramming in IPF. Gene set enrichment analysis of publicly available non-small cell lung cancer and IPF datasets revealed a common pattern of misregulated genes linked to cell proliferation and transformation. The oncogene ECT2 (epithelial cell transforming sequence 2), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rho GTPases, was highly enriched in both IPF and non-small cell lung cancer compared with nondiseased controls. Increased expression of ECT2 was verified by qPCR and Western blotting in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis and human IPF tissue. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated strong expression of ECT2 staining in hyperplastic alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells in IPF, as well as its colocalization with proliferating cell nuclear antigen, a well-known proliferation marker. Increased ECT2 expression coincided with enhanced proliferation of primary mouse ATII cells as analyzed by flow cytometry. ECT2 knockdown in ATII cells resulted in decreased proliferation and collagen I expression in vitro. These data suggest that the oncogene ECT2 contributes to epithelial cell reprogramming in IPF, and further emphasize the hyperplastic, proliferative ATII cell as a potential target in patients with IPF and lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrik M Ulke
- Lung Repair and Regeneration, Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, University Hospital Großhadern, and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Kathrin Mutze
- Lung Repair and Regeneration, Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, University Hospital Großhadern, and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Mareike Lehmann
- Lung Repair and Regeneration, Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, University Hospital Großhadern, and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Darcy E Wagner
- Lung Repair and Regeneration, Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, University Hospital Großhadern, and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany.,Lung Bioengineering and Regeneration, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Katharina Heinzelmann
- Lung Repair and Regeneration, Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, University Hospital Großhadern, and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Günther
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany; and
| | - Oliver Eickelberg
- Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Melanie Königshoff
- Lung Repair and Regeneration, Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Ludwig Maximilians University, University Hospital Großhadern, and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Member of the German Center for Lung Research, Munich, Germany.,Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado, Denver, Aurora, Colorado
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The role of contextual signal TGF-β1 inducer of epithelial mesenchymal transition in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases: an update on its pathological significance and therapeutic potential. Contemp Oncol (Pozn) 2019; 23:187-194. [PMID: 31992949 PMCID: PMC6978756 DOI: 10.5114/wo.2019.91543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LA) is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Despite the advances over last decade in new targeted therapies, cancer genetics, diagnostics, staging, and surgical techniques as well as new chemotherapy and radiotherapy protocols, the death rate from LA remains high. The tumour microenvironment is composed of several cytokines, one of which is transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), which modulates and mediates the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), correlated with invasive growth in LAs, and exhibits its pleiotropic effects through binding to transmembrane receptors TβR-1 (also termed activin receptor-like kinases – ALKs) and TβR-2. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with the tumoural spreading process and therapeutic resistance of this serious pathology. In this review, we briefly discuss the current role of contextual signal TGF-β1 inducer of epithelial mesenchymal transition in metastatic lung adenocarcinoma patients with brain metastases, and give an overview of our current mechanistic understanding of the TGF-β1-related pathways in brain metastases progression, TGF-β1 pathway inhibitors that could be used for clinical treatment, and examination of models used to study these processes. Finally, we summarise the current progress in the therapeutic approaches targeting TGF-β1.
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Li B, Lin JP, Li Z, Yin C, Yang JB, Meng YQ. Clinicopathological and prognostic significance of epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 expression in cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 47:4139-4148. [PMID: 31698961 DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2019.1687503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies have investigated the prognostic significance of ECT2 (epithelial cell transforming sequence 2) expression in patients with cancer. Nevertheless, conflicting results have been obtained. We thus performed a meta-analysis to systematically assess the prognostic significance of ECT2 in cancer. Electronic databases (PubMed and EMBASE) were searched for eligible studies. Hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate effect sizes. A total of 5,305 patients from 19 articles and 21 studies were included. The pooled results revealed that high ECT2 expression was correlated with advanced TNM stage (OR = 2.17; 95% CI: 1.42-3.32), positive lymph node metastasis (OR = 2.98; 95% CI: 2.28-3.89), distant metastasis (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.03-4.92), and poor tumour differentiation (OR = 2.25; 95% CI: 1.03-4.92). More importantly, high ECT2 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (HR = 2.26; 95% CI, 1.84-2.78) and recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.24-1.86). Our results suggested that ECT2 is a promising prognostic indicator and therapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jun-Ping Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zheng Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ci Yin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jian-Bao Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yu-Qi Meng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University Second Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou, China
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Luo Y, Yu T, Zhang Q, Fu Q, Hu Y, Xiang M, Peng H, Zheng T, Lu L, Shi H. Upregulated N-cadherin expression is associated with poor prognosis in epithelial-derived solid tumours: A meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Invest 2018; 48:e12903. [PMID: 29405291 PMCID: PMC5887888 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND N-cadherin is an important molecular in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and has been reported to be associated with aggressive behaviours of tumours. However, prognostic value of N-cadherin in solid malignancies remains controversially. MATERIALS AND METHODS The Pubmed/MELINE and EMBASE databases were used for a comprehensive literature searching. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and hazard ratio (HR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to quantify the prognostic role. RESULTS Involving 36 studies with 5705 patients were performed to investigate relationships between N-cadherin upregulation and clinicopathological features, survival. Results suggested upregulated N-cadherin was associated with lymph node metastasis (RR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.00, 1.35]), higher histological grade (RR = 1.36, 95%CI [1.14, 1.62]), angiolymphatic invasion (RR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.06, 1.34]) and advanced clinical stage (RR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.06, 1.64]), while upregulated N-cadherin was apt to be associated with distant metastasis (RR = 1.43, 95% CI [0.99, 2.05]). Moreover, N-cadherin was correlated with poor prognosis of 3-year survival (HR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.51, 2.10]), 5-year survival (HR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.17, 2.10]) and overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.20, 1.44]). Subgroup analyses according to cancer types were also conducted for applying these conclusions to some tumours more properly. No publication bias was found except subgroup analysis of distant metastasis (P = .652 for Begg's test and 0.023 for Egger's test). CONCLUSIONS Taken together, upregulation of N-cadherin is associated with more aggressive behaviours of epithelial-derived solid malignancies and can be regarded as a predictor of poor survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Head and Neck OncologyWest China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Ting Yu
- West China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qiongwen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Head and Neck OncologyWest China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- West China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Qingyu Fu
- West China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Yuzhu Hu
- West China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Mengmeng Xiang
- West China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Haoning Peng
- West China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Tianying Zheng
- West China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Li Lu
- College of Computer ScienceSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
| | - Huashan Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Department of Head and Neck OncologyWest China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
- West China HospitalWest China School of MedicineSichuan UniversityChengduSichuanChina
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Wang HK, Liang JF, Zheng HX, Xiao H. Expression and prognostic significance of ECT2 in invasive breast cancer. J Clin Pathol 2017; 71:442-445. [DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2017-204569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
AimsTo investigate the expression of epithelial cell transforming sequence 2 (ECT2) in invasive breast cancer and its prognostic significance.MethodsECT2 immunohistochemical detection was performed in 165 breast cancer specimens and 100 normal control tissues. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis was used to confirm independent prognostic factors. The PHREG procedure linear hypotheses testing method was used to analyse survival data.ResultsExpression of ECT2 in breast cancer was significantly higher than that of the normal control group (p<0.001), and it was related to tumour grade, the status of lymph node metastasis, TNM staging, recurrence status, menopausal status, and the Ki-67 proliferation index (p<0.05), and not related to age, tumour size, tumour type, expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor 2, and triple-negative disease (p>0.05). Univariable analysis showed that expression of ECT2, the status of lymph node metastasis, triple-negative disease and Ki-67 proliferation index were related to the overall survival of patients with breast cancer (p<0.001, p=0.006, p=0.001, p=0.041, respectively). PHREG procedure linear hypotheses testing results for overall survival revealed that high expression of ECT2, lymph node metastasis, triple-negative disease and high Ki-67 proliferation index predicted lower overall survival rates. Multivariable Cox regression indicated that high expression of ECT2 and triple-negative disease were independent prognostic factors for patients with breast cancer (p<0.001, p=0.004, respectively).ConclusionsExpression of ECT2 may be one of the main causes of the occurrence and development of breast cancer, and high expression of ECT2 as an independent prognostic factor predicts a poor prognosis. ECT2 could also be a potential molecular target for designing therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
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10
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Chen Y, Tian P, Liu Y. P53 and Protein Phosphorylation Regulate the Oncogenic Role of Epithelial Cell Transforming 2 (ECT2). Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:3154-3160. [PMID: 28654632 PMCID: PMC5498131 DOI: 10.12659/msm.905388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, but little progress has been achieved in the treatment of advanced or metastatic GC. GC is highly heterogeneous and more studies are needed to elucidate the metastatic mechanisms. Epithelial cell transforming 2 (ECT2) has been reported to be up-regulated in GC tissues, but its signaling mechanisms remain unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, we used Western blot analysis to compare the expression level of ECT2 in 2 GC cell lines: MKN1 and MKN45. Mutagenesis and transfections were conducted to investigate the oncogenic mechanisms of ECT2 in GC cells. RESULTS ECT2 was expressed at higher levels in MKN1 than in MKN45. Immunoblotting results showed that MKN1 expression was suppressed by p53-WT but was enhanced by p53-mutant. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that ECT2 positively regulated the proliferation and invasion of GC cells. To better explore the mechanisms of ECT2 in promoting GC progression, we introduced site-directed mutants of ECT2, and found that the phosphor-mimic mutant T359D enhanced its oncogenic activity. In contrast, activation of RhoA was inhibited in cells transfected with ECT2 phosphor-deficient mutant T359A. We found that the epithelial cell biomarker E-cadherin was down-regulated by ECT2-T359D, highlighting the role of phosphorylation in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CONCLUSIONS Our results identified p53 as a novel up-stream signaling molecule of ECT2 in GC cells, and the post-translational modifications of ECT2 play important roles in regulating cancer development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Ping Tian
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China (mainland)
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Qilu Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China (mainland)
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