Serum fucose level in malignant diseases

Assessment of Serum Fucose Level among Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients: A Case-Control Study

Background

Serum glycoproteins, which are made up of various monosaccharides, are altered in malignancy, a disorder of cellular conduct. L-fucose, a methyl pentose that serves as the last sugar in the majority of plasma glycoproteins, is one of the monosaccharides. Numerous illness conditions and cancers have been linked to increased levels of protein-bound fucose.

Materials and Methods

In the current study, the serum fucose levels of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and healthy individuals were assessed and compared. The present study included a total of 30 OSCC patients and 30 healthy controls. The Winzler method was used to estimate the serum L-fucose levels using a spectrophotometer (Spectronic 20, Thermo Fisher Scientific, USA).

Results

Age and sex had no effect on serum fucose levels. In contrast to healthy individuals, OSCC patients' mean serum fucose levels significantly increased. In conclusion, patients with OSCC can benefit from the use of serum fucose as an investigative biomarker.

Lectin drug conjugate therapy for colorectal cancer

Drug resistance represents an obstacle in colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment because of its association with poor prognosis. rBC2LCN is a lectin isolated from Burkholderia that binds cell surface glycans that have fucose moieties. Because fucosylation is enhanced in many types of cancers, this lectin could be an efficient drug carrier if CRC cells specifically present such glycans. Therefore, we examined the therapeutic efficacy and toxicity of lectin drug conjugate therapy in CRC mouse xenograft models. The affinity of rBC2LCN for human CRC cell lines HT-29, LoVo, LS174T, and DLD-1 was assessed in vitro. The cytocidal efficacy of a lectin drug conjugate, rBC2LCN-38 kDa domain of pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE38) was evaluated by MTT assay. The therapeutic effects and toxicity for each CRC cell line-derived mouse xenograft model were compared between the intervention and control groups. LS174T and DLD-1 cell lines showed a strong affinity for rBC2LCN. In the xenograft model, the tumor volume in the rBC2LCN-PE38 group was significantly reduced compared with that using control treatment alone. However, the HT-29 cell line showed weak affinity and poor therapeutic efficacy. No significant toxicities or adverse responses were observed. In conclusion, we demonstrated that rBC2LCN lectin binds CRC cells and that rBC2LCN-PE38 significantly suppresses tumor growth in vivo. In addition, the efficacy of the drug conjugate correlated with its binding affinity for each CRC cell line. These results suggest that lectin drug conjugate therapy has potential as a novel targeted therapy for CRC cell surface glycans.

Synthesis of diglycosylated (di)sulfides and comparative evaluation of their antiproliferative effect against tumor cell lines: A focus on the nature of sugar-recognizing mediators involved

A mini-library of symmetrical and unsymmetrical diglycosyl (di)sulfides, containing d-galactose, l-fucose and N-acetyl glucosamine units, were synthesized and tested for the antiproliferative activity against cervix carcinoma (HeLa) and melanoma (A375) tumor cell lines as well as healthy fibroblasts (HDF). Comparative analysis of results seems to indicate that the most relevant antiproliferative effect is not primarily influenced by interactions with galectins, as the most cytotoxic compound observed for HeLa and A375 is not a ligand for such receptors. The most active molecules against HeLa and A375 lines also exhibited a good selectivity, showing a low toxicity to HDF cells. Obtained results offer useful indications for future design of structurally simple antitumor molecules based on sugar moieties with bridging sulfur atoms.

Serum fucose level in oral cancer, leukoplakia, and oral sub mucous fibrosis: A biochemical study

AIMS

To estimate the serum fucose levels in clinically and histopathologically diagnosed oral cancer, oral leukoplakia, and oral submucous fibrosis cases. To compare and correlate the severity of dysplasia or histopathological grading of the premalignant and malignant lesions with serum fucose levels.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of serum fucose as a reliable biomarker for early detection of malignant transformation of potentially malignant lesions and conditions and prediction of biologic behavior of the malignant lesions.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The intended study shall include 100 participants divided into 4 groups. Groups I, II, and III will include 25 clinically and histological diagnosed cases of oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, and oral cancer, and 25 normal control group. Fucose was measured according to the method of Dische and Shettles as adopted by Winzler.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Statistical analysis will be done using SPSS statistical software (Version 10), and the levels of significance will be analyzed using the paired and unpaired t-tests.

RESULT

In subjects of 4 groups were age- and gender-matched and comparable thus these may also not influence the study outcome measure (fucose levels). ANOVA revealed significantly different fucose levels among the groups (F = 17.00, P < 0.001). Mean fucose level did not differ (P > 0.05) between oral leukoplakia, oral submucous fibrosis, and oral cancer (84.5%) groups. The increase in mean fucose levels with severity was the highest in the oral cancer group followed by oral submucous fibrosis and oral leukoplakia group. The mean fucose levels did not differ between mild and moderate grades (P > 0.05) in all the 3 groups.

CONCLUSION

The evaluation of serum l-fucose would be of good help in assessing early malignant change in increasing the accuracy of clinical diagnosis and also in assessing the spread and invasiveness of oral cancer, oral submucous fibrosis, and leukoplakia.

Potential role of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to identify salivary metabolite alterations in patients with head and neck cancer

The analysis of the salivary metabolomic profile may offer an early phase approach to assess the changes associated with a wide range of diseases including head and neck cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for detecting the salivary metabolic changes associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Unstimulated whole-mouth saliva samples collected from HNSCC patients (primary tumour was located either in the larynx or in the oral cavity) and healthy controls were analysed by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. Reliably identified salivary metabolites were quantified and the determined concentration values were compared group-wise using a Mann-Whitney U-test. Multivariate discrimination function analysis (DFA) was conducted to identify such a combination of metabolites, when considered together, that gives maximum discrimination between the groups. HNSCC patients exhibited significantly increased concentrations of 1,2-propanediol (P=0.032) and fucose (P=0.003), while proline levels were significantly decreased (P=0.043). In the DFA model, the most powerful discrimination was achieved when fucose, glycine, methanol and proline were considered as combined biomarkers, resulting in a correct classification rate of 92.1%, sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 93.3%. To conclude, NMR spectrometric analysis was revealed to be a feasible approach to study the metabolome of saliva that is sensitive to metabolic changes in HNSCC and straightforward to collect in a non-invasive manner. Salivary fucose was of particular interest and therefore, controlled longitudinal studies are required to assess its clinical relevance as a diagnostic biomarker in HNSCC.

Correlation of serum levo-fucose levels as a biomarker with tumor node metastasis staging in oral cancer patients

Background:

oral cancer is a result of disordered cellular behavior initiated by various stimuli which is characterized by the alteration of serum glycoproteins consisting of different monosaccharides. One of these is levo-fucose (L-fucose), a methyl pentose. Elevated levels of protein-bound fucose have been reported in various malignancies.

Aim:

The present study attempted to correlate levels of serum L-fucose as a biomarker with the various tumor node metastasis (TNM) stages of oral cancer.

Methodology:

The study was carried out on 90 subjects consisting of 30 healthy controls and 60 histopathologically proven oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cases. The serum fucose level estimation was done based on the method adopted by Winzler. Statistical analysis included independent sample's t-test, one-way ANOVA test, Karl–Pearson correlation test, and Tukey's HSD post hoc test to evaluate the significance and variability of values between groups.

Results:

Significant elevation in serum fucose levels was noticed among OSCC patients when compared with the controls and a progressive ascent of L-fucose levels were noted as the stage of severity increased. Serum fucose levels were independent of histopathological grading, age, and sex.

Conclusion:

Serum L-fucose levels were increased in OSCC patients, and a positive correlation was observed between serum L-fucose levels and TNM staging of OSCC. Thus, serum L-fucose can be used as an effective diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in OSCC patients.

Relationship Between Increased Fucosylation and Metastatic Potential in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Fucose is utilized for the modification of different molecules involved in blood group determination, immunological reactions, and signal transduction pathways. We have recently reported that enhanced activity of the fucosyltransferase 3 and/or 6 promoted TGF-ß-mediated epithelial mesenchymal transition and was associated with increased metastatic potential of colorectal cancer (CRC), suggesting that fucose is required by CRC cells. With this in mind, we examined requirement of L-fucose in CRC cells and developed fucose-bound nanoparticles as vehicles for delivery of anticancer drugs specific to CRC.

METHODS

In this study, we first examined the expression of fucosylated proteins in 50 cases of CRC by immunochistochemical staining with biotinylated Aleuria aurantia lectin (AAL). Then we carried out an L-fucose uptake assay using three CRC cell lines. Finally, we developed fucose-bound nanoparticles as vehicles for the delivery of an anticancer drug, SN38, and examined tumor growth inhibition in mouse xenograft model (n = 6 mice per group). All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

We found a statistically significant relationship between vascular invasion, clinical stage, and intensity score of AAL staining (P≤ .02). L-fucose uptake assay revealed that L-fucose incorporation, as well as fucosylated protein release, was high in cells rich in fucosylated proteins. L-fucose-bound liposomes effectively delivered Cy5.5 into CRC cells. The excess of L-fucose decreased the efficiency of Cy5.5 uptake through L-fucose-bound liposomes, suggesting an L-fucose receptor dependency. Intravenously injected, L-fucose-bound liposomes carrying SN38 were successfully delivered to CRC cells, mediating efficient tumor growth inhibition (relative tumor growth ratio: no treatment group [NT], 8.29 ± 3.09; SN38-treated group [SN38], 3.53 ± 1.47; liposome-carrying, SN38-treated group [F0], 3.1 ± 1.39; L-fucose-bound, liposome-carrying, SN38-treated group [F50], 0.94 ± 0.89; F50 vs NT,P= .003; F50 vs SN38,P= .02, F50 vs F0,P= .04), as well as prolonging survival of mouse xenograft models (log-rank test,P< .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, fucose-bound liposomes carrying anticancer drugs provide a new strategy for the treatment of CRC patients.

Active Targeted Nanoparticles for Oral Administration of Gastric Cancer Therapy

Gastric carcinogenesis is a commonly diagnosed type of cancer and has a dismal prognosis because of the rate at which it aggressively spreads and because of the lack of effective therapies to stop its progression. This study evaluated a type of oral drug delivery system of a potential target-activated nanosizer comprising a fucose-conjugated chitosan and polyethylene glycol-conjugated chitosan complex with gelatin containing encapsulated green tea polyphenol extract epigallocatechin-3-gallate, allowing oral administration of the drug through a site-specific release in gastric cancer cells. The results demonstrated that the nanoparticles effectively reduced drug release within gastric acids and that a controlled epigallocatechin-3-gallate release inhibited gastric cancer cell growth, induced cell apoptosis, and reduced vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression. Furthermore, in vivo assay results indicated that the prepared epigallocatechin-3-gallate-loaded fucose-chitosan/polyethylene glycol-chitosan/gelatin nanoparticles significantly affected gastric tumor activity and reduced gastric and liver tissue inflammatory reaction in an orthotopic gastric tumor mouse model.

Targeting anticancer drug delivery to pancreatic cancer cells using a fucose-bound nanoparticle approach

Owing to its aggressiveness and the lack of effective therapies, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has a dismal prognosis. New strategies to improve treatment and survival are therefore urgently required. Numerous fucosylated antigens in sera serve as tumor markers for cancer detection and evaluation of treatment efficacy. Increased expression of fucosyltransferases has also been reported for pancreatic cancer. These enzymes accelerate malignant transformation through fucosylation of sialylated precursors, suggesting a crucial requirement for fucose by pancreatic cancer cells. With this in mind, we developed fucose-bound nanoparticles as vehicles for delivery of anticancer drugs specifically to cancer cells. L-fucose-bound liposomes containing Cy5.5 or Cisplatin were effectively delivered into CA19-9 expressing pancreatic cancer cells. Excess L-fucose decreased the efficiency of Cy5.5 introduction by L-fucose-bound liposomes, suggesting L-fucose-receptor-mediated delivery. Intravenously injected L-fucose-bound liposomes carrying Cisplatin were successfully delivered to pancreatic cancer cells, mediating efficient tumor growth inhibition as well as prolonging survival in mouse xenograft models. This modality represents a new strategy for pancreatic cancer cell-targeting therapy.