1
|
Scarini JF, Gonçalves MWA, de Lima-Souza RA, Lavareze L, de Carvalho Kimura T, Yang CC, Altemani A, Mariano FV, Soares HP, Fillmore GC, Egal ESA. Potential role of the Eph/ephrin system in colorectal cancer: emerging druggable molecular targets. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1275330. [PMID: 38651144 PMCID: PMC11033724 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1275330] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Eph/ephrin system regulates many developmental processes and adult tissue homeostasis. In colorectal cancer (CRC), it is involved in different processes including tumorigenesis, tumor angiogenesis, metastasis development, and cancer stem cell regeneration. However, conflicting data regarding Eph receptors in CRC, especially in its putative role as an oncogene or a suppressor gene, make the precise role of Eph-ephrin interaction confusing in CRC development. In this review, we provide an overview of the literature and highlight evidence that collaborates with these ambiguous roles of the Eph/ephrin system in CRC, as well as the molecular findings that represent promising therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- João Figueira Scarini
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Moisés Willian Aparecido Gonçalves
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Reydson Alcides de Lima-Souza
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luccas Lavareze
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Talita de Carvalho Kimura
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ching-Chu Yang
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Utah (UU), Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Albina Altemani
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Viviane Mariano
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Heloisa Prado Soares
- Division of Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah (UU), Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Gary Chris Fillmore
- Biorepository and Molecular Pathology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah (UU), Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Erika Said Abu Egal
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- Biorepository and Molecular Pathology, Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah (UU), Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ling J, Chang A, Zhao H, Ye H, Zhuo X. EPHB2 as a recurrence-related gene and a prognostic indicator in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A bioinformatics screening and immunohistochemistry verification. Histol Histopathol 2022; 37:889-897. [PMID: 35441696 DOI: 10.14670/hh-18-459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Recurrence and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radical treatment is a major bottleneck in clinical treatment. Therefore, we aimed to find the genes related to metastasis after radical treatment in NPC patients. Public datasets in the Gene Expression Omnibus database were consulted and the differential expression genes (DEGs) were screened out. The possible roles of the DEGs were annotated by Gene Ontology, and pathway analysis. The hub genes/proteins were then filtered out through protein-protein interaction network construction. The key genes were sifted out from the hub genes, and their expressions were verified by qPCR and immunohistochemistry assays. A total of 28 DEGs were filtered out, which may be enriched in different signaling pathways. Of these DEGs, 11 hub genes were filtered out, among which EPHB2 was shown to be over-expressed in NPC tissues. Further experimental assays confirmed that EPHB2 was overexpressed in NPC cells, which might be associated with tumor recurrence, neck lymph node metastasis, and advanced clinical stages. Moreover, high EPHB2 expression predicted poor prognosis in NPC patients. EPHB2 might be a novel recurrence-related biomarker and a prognostic factor for NPC. Moreover, it might also be used as a potential treatment target for NPC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junjun Ling
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Aoshuang Chang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Houyu Zhao
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
| | - Huiping Ye
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xianlu Zhuo
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kim H, Myung JK, Paik SS, Kim H, Park H, Kim YJ, Lee SB, Kim HU, Song HJ, Jeong IH, Hong S, Park CM, Lee C, Kim Y, Jang B. EPHB2 expression is associated with intestinal phenotype of gastric cancer and indicates better prognosis by suppressing gastric cancer migration. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:1295-1308. [PMID: 35411225 PMCID: PMC8984899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein tyrosine kinase Ephrin type-B receptor 2 (EPHB2) belongs to one of the intestinal stem cell signature genes and plays a crucial role in maintaining the crypt-villous axis. Herein, we aimed to investigate the expression of EPHB2 during gastric carcinogenesis and evaluated its prognostic and functional significance in gastric cancer (GC). EPHB2 expression was upregulated in intestinal metaplasia and GCs compared to normal antral and fundic glands. EPHB2 mRNA levels were strongly correlated with the intestinal stem cell markers OLFM4, LGR5, and EPHB3. Notably, EPHB2 expression was significantly correlated with CDX2 expression, and in vitro studies demonstrated that CDX2 expression increased both EPHB2 transcription and protein levels. In a large cohort of GC patients, EPHB2 positivity was observed in 39% of 704 GCs and was negatively correlated with tumor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, and tumor-node-metastasis stages. Notably, EPHB2 positivity was associated with better overall survival, and it was an independent prognostic marker in intestinal-type GCs. Overexpression of EPHB2 in GC cell lines, MKN-28 and MKN-74, reduced migration activity by suppressing phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase, whereas no significant difference was observed in proliferation rates. Thus, we suggest that EPHB2 acts as a tumor suppressor in GCs and can be a prognostic marker in intestinal-type GCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyesung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University HospitalJeju, South Korea
| | - Jae Kyung Myung
- Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Sam Paik
- Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Hyunsung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Hosub Park
- Department of Pathology, Hanyang University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Yeon Ju Kim
- Department of Life Science, Research Institute for Natural Sciences, Hanyang UniversitySeoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Bum Lee
- Laboratory of Radiation Exposure and Therapeutics, National Radiation Emergency Medical Center, Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical ScienceSeoul, South Korea
| | - Heung Up Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University HospitalJeju, South Korea
| | - Hyun Joo Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University HospitalJeju, South Korea
| | - In Ho Jeong
- Department of Surgery, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University HospitalJeju, South Korea
| | - Suji Hong
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University HospitalJeju, South Korea
| | - Chul Min Park
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jeju National University School of MedicineJeju, South Korea
| | - Cheol Lee
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Younghoon Kim
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of MedicineSeoul, South Korea
| | - Bogun Jang
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University HospitalJeju, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Papadakos SP, Petrogiannopoulos L, Pergaris A, Theocharis S. The EPH/Ephrin System in Colorectal Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052761. [PMID: 35269901 PMCID: PMC8910949 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The EPH/ephrin system constitutes a bidirectional signaling pathway comprised of a family of tyrosine kinase receptors in tandem with their plasma membrane-bound ligand (ephrins). Its significance in a wide variety of physiologic and pathologic processes has been recognized during the past decades. In carcinogenesis, EPH/ephrins coordinate a wide spectrum of pathologic processes, such as angiogenesis, vessel infiltration, and metastasis. Despite the recent advances in colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis and treatment, it remains a leading cause of death globally, accounting for 9.2% of all cancer deaths. A growing body of literature has been published lately revitalizing our scientific interest towards the role of EPH/ephrins in pathogenesis and the treatment of CRC. The aim of the present review is to present the recent CRC data which might lead to clinical practice changes in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stavros P Papadakos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Leonidas Petrogiannopoulos
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Alexandros Pergaris
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| | - Stamatios Theocharis
- First Department of Pathology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 157 72 Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lin H, Xia L, Lian J, Chen Y, Zhang Y, Zhuang Z, Cai H, You J, Guan G. Delineation of colorectal cancer ligand-receptor interactions and their roles in the tumor microenvironment and prognosis. J Transl Med 2021; 19:497. [PMID: 34876143 PMCID: PMC8650275 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03162-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunotherapies targeting ligand-receptor interactions (LRIs) are advancing rapidly in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), and LRIs also affect many aspects of CRC development. However, the pattern of LRIs in CRC and their effect on tumor microenvironment and clinical value are still unclear. METHODS We delineated the pattern of LRIs in 55,539 single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) samples from 29 patients with CRC and three bulk RNA-seq datasets containing data from 1411 CRC patients. Then the influence of tumor microenvironment, immunotherapy and prognosis of CRC patients were comprehensively investigated. RESULTS We calculated the strength of 1893 ligand-receptor pairs between 25 cell types to reconstruct the spatial structure of CRC. We identified tumor subtypes based on LRIs, revealed the relationship between the subtypes and immunotherapy efficacy and explored the ligand-receptor pairs and specific targets affecting the abundance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Finally, a prognostic model based on ligand-receptor pairs was constructed and validated. CONCLUSION Overall, through the comprehensive and in-depth investigation of the existing ligand-receptor pairs, this study provides new ideas for CRC subtype classification, a new risk screening tool for CRC patients, and potential ligand-receptor pair targets and pathways for CRC therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hexin Lin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou City, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Lu Xia
- Xiamen Cell Therapy Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University. School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiabian Lian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiamen Key Laboratory of Genetic Testing, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yinan Chen
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yiyi Zhang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou City, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Zhicheng Zhuang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou City, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - HuaJun Cai
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou City, 350001, Fujian, China
| | - Jun You
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,School of Clinical Medicine, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guoxian Guan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, 20 Chazhong Road, Fuzhou City, 350001, Fujian, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Genetic Predisposition to Numerous Large Ulcerating Basal Cell Carcinomas and Response to Immune Therapy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY AND VENEROLOGY 2021; 4:70-75. [PMID: 34278326 PMCID: PMC8265835 DOI: 10.1097/jd9.0000000000000170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Well-defined germ-line mutations in the PTCH1 gene are associated with syndromic multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). Here, we used whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify the role of patched-1 in patients with multiple, unusually large BCCs. Methods: A 72-year old patient presenting with numerous BCCs progressing to large ulcerating lesions was enrolled. WES was used to identify the pathogenic gene locus. Results: Genetic work-up by WES identified a homozygous PTCH1 nonsense mutation in the tumor tissue but not present in her blood cells or in non-lesional skin. In addition, heterozygous missense mutations were identified in three cancer-associated genes (EPHB2, RET, and GALNT12) in blood cells as well as in lesional and non-lesional skin. We also tested systemic immune therapy as a potentially beneficial approach to treat patients with numerous large BCCs on scatted areas of involvement. A rapid and sustained response to nivolumab was noted, suggesting that it is an efficacious drug for long-term therapeutic outcome. Conclusion: PTCH1, EPHB2, RET, and GALNT12 may potentially contribute to the synergistic oncogene driven malignant transformation manifesting as multiple, unusually large BCCs.
Collapse
|
7
|
He Q, Li Z, Yin J, Li Y, Yin Y, Lei X, Zhu W. Prognostic Significance of Autophagy-Relevant Gene Markers in Colorectal Cancer. Front Oncol 2021; 11:566539. [PMID: 33937013 PMCID: PMC8081889 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.566539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant solid tumor with an extremely low survival rate after relapse. Previous investigations have shown that autophagy possesses a crucial function in tumors. However, there is no consensus on the value of autophagy-associated genes in predicting the prognosis of CRC patients. This work screens autophagy-related markers and signaling pathways that may participate in the development of CRC, and establishes a prognostic model of CRC based on autophagy-associated genes. Methods Gene transcripts from the TCGA database and autophagy-associated gene data from the GeneCards database were used to obtain expression levels of autophagy-associated genes, followed by Wilcox tests to screen for autophagy-related differentially expressed genes. Then, 11 key autophagy-associated genes were identified through univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis and used to establish prognostic models. Additionally, immunohistochemical and CRC cell line data were used to evaluate the results of our three autophagy-associated genes EPHB2, NOL3, and SNAI1 in TCGA. Based on the multivariate Cox analysis, risk scores were calculated and used to classify samples into high-risk and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, risk profiling, and independent prognosis analysis were carried out. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to estimate the specificity and sensitivity of the prognostic model. Finally, GSEA, GO, and KEGG analysis were performed to identify the relevant signaling pathways. Results A total of 301 autophagy-related genes were differentially expressed in CRC. The areas under the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year receiver operating characteristic curves of the autophagy-based prognostic model for CRC were 0.764, 0.751, and 0.729, respectively. GSEA analysis of the model showed significant enrichment in several tumor-relevant pathways and cellular protective biological processes. The expression of EPHB2, IL-13, MAP2, RPN2, and TRAF5 was correlated with microsatellite instability (MSI), while the expression of IL-13, RPN2, and TRAF5 was related to tumor mutation burden (TMB). GO analysis showed that the 11 target autophagy genes were chiefly enriched in mRNA processing, RNA splicing, and regulation of the mRNA metabolic process. KEGG analysis showed enrichment mainly in spliceosomes. We constructed a prognostic risk assessment model based on 11 autophagy-related genes in CRC. Conclusion A prognostic risk assessment model based on 11 autophagy-associated genes was constructed in CRC. The new model suggests directions and ideas for evaluating prognosis and provides guidance to choose better treatment strategies for CRC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinglian He
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Ziqi Li
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Jinbao Yin
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yuling Li
- Department of Pathology, Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yuting Yin
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Xue Lei
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Wei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
SMOC2, an intestinal stem cell marker, is an independent prognostic marker associated with better survival in colorectal cancers. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14591. [PMID: 32884102 PMCID: PMC7471277 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71643-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to investigate the expression profile of SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 2 (SMOC2) during colorectal cancer (CRC) progression and assess its prognostic impact in CRC patients. In our study, we showed that SMOC2 transcript level was higher in CRC samples than in normal mucosa (P = 0.017); this level was not associated with candidate cancer stem cell markers (CD44, CD166, CD133, and CD24) or intestinal stem cell markers (LGR5, ASCL2, and EPHB2) except for OLFM4 (P = 0.04). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that SMOC2-positive cells were confined to the crypt bases in the normal intestinal mucosa, hyperplastic polyps, and sessile serrated adenomas, whereas traditional serrated adenomas and conventional adenomas exhibited focal or diffuse distribution patterns. In total, 28% of 591 CRCs were positive for SMOC2, but SMOC2 positivity had negative correlations with lymphatic invasion (P = 0.002), venous invasion (P = 0.002), and tumor stage (P < 0.001). However, a positive association with nuclear β-catenin expression was seen. Furthermore, while upregulated SMOC2 expression was maintained during the adenoma-carcinoma transition, it decreased in cancer cells at the invasive front but did not decline further during lymph node metastasis. SMOC2 positivity showed no correlations with molecular abnormalities, including microsatellite instability, CpG island methylator phenotype, and mutations of KRAS and BRAF. In addition, we showed comprehensively that SMOC2 positivity is an independent prognostic marker for better clinical outcomes in a large cohort of CRC patients (P = 0.006). In vitro studies also demonstrated that induced SMOC2 expression in DLD1 cells exerts a suppressive role in tumor growth as well as in migration, colony, and sphere formation abilities. Taken together, our results suggest SMOC2 as a candidate tumor suppressor in CRC progression.
Collapse
|
9
|
Buckens OJ, El Hassouni B, Giovannetti E, Peters GJ. The role of Eph receptors in cancer and how to target them: novel approaches in cancer treatment. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:567-582. [PMID: 32348169 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1762566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Erythropoietin-producing human hepatocellular (Eph) receptors are among the largest family of tyrosine kinases that are divided into two classes: EphA and EphB receptors. Over the past two decades, their role in cancer has become more evident. AREAS COVERED There is a need for new anticancer treatments and more insight in the emerging role of Eph receptors in cancer. Molecular mechanisms underlying the pro-tumorigenic effects of Eph receptors could be exploited for future therapeutic strategies. This review describes the variability in expression levels and different effects on oncogenic and tumor suppressive downstream signaling of Eph receptors in various cancer types, and the small molecules, antibodies and peptides that target these receptors. EXPERT OPINION The complexity of Eph signaling is a challenge for the definition of clear targets for cancer treatment. Nevertheless, numerous drugs that target EphA2 and EphB4 are currently in clinical trials. However, some Eph targeted drugs also inhibit other tyrosine kinases, so it is unclear to what extent the targeting of Eph receptors contributes to their efficacy. Future research is warranted for an improved understanding of the full network in which Eph receptors function. This will be critical for the improvement of the anticancer effects of drugs that target the Eph receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Oscar J Buckens
- Amsterdam University College , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUMC, CCA , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Btissame El Hassouni
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUMC, CCA , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elisa Giovannetti
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUMC, CCA , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Pharmacology Lab, AIRC Start up Unit, Fondazione Pisana per La Scienza , Pisa, Italy
| | - Godefridus J Peters
- Laboratory Medical Oncology, Amsterdam UMC Location VUMC, CCA , Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Biochemistry, Medical University of Gdansk , Gdansk, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Li J, Zhang J, Hu H, Cai Y, Ling J, Wu Z, Deng Y. Gene Expression Signature to Predict Prognosis and Adjuvant Chemosensitivity of Colorectal Cancer Patients. Cancer Manag Res 2020; 12:3301-3310. [PMID: 32494194 PMCID: PMC7227814 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s243490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Molecular characteristics using gene-expression profiling can undoubtedly improve the prediction of treatment responses, and ultimately, the clinical outcome of cancer patients. We aimed at developing a genetic signature to improve the prediction of chemosensitivity and prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients and Methods We analyzed microarray data of 32 CRC patients to explore the potential functions and pathways involved in the disease relapse in CRC. Gene expression profiles and clinical follow-up information of GSE39582, GSE17536, and GSE103479 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) to identify prognostic genes. Eventually, a model of 15-mRNA signature was established, in which its efficacy for predicting chemosensitivity and prognosis was examined. Results Based on the proposed model of 15-mRNA signature, the test series patients could be classified into high-risk or low-risk subgroup with significantly different overall survival (OS) rate (hazard ratio [HR]=1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.30–1.70, P≤0.001). The prognostic value of this 15-mRNA signature was confirmed in another validation series. Further analysis revealed that the prognostic value of this signature was independent of the TNM stage and can predict adjuvant chemosensitivity of patients with early-stage CRC. Conclusion We identified a novel 15-mRNA signature in patients with CRC, which could be clinically helpful in the prognosis evaluation and the process of selection of patients with early-stage CRC for undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianxia Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianwei Zhang
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Huabin Hu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Cai
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiayu Ling
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Zehua Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanhong Deng
- Department of Medical Oncology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510655, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Li Y, Zhang X. Therapeutic effects of ephrin B receptor 2 inhibitors screened by molecular docking on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. J DERMATOL TREAT 2020; 33:373-379. [PMID: 32338086 DOI: 10.1080/09546634.2020.1756201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the most known form type of metastatic skin cancer. Activation of ephrin B receptor 2 (EphB2) signaling can promote the metastasis, invasion, and angiogenesis of CSCC cells. Therefore, EphB2 may act as a therapeutic target for CSCC. Here, we screened the inhibitors for EphB2 using molecular docking and then evaluated the effects of the identified inhibitors on cancer-related features of CSCC cells.Methods: The Schrodinger docking tool was used to predict the three-dimensional structure of EphB2 protein and its ligand binding sites, and EphB2 inhibitors were screened by high-throughput virtual screening combined with molecular docking. The effects of EphB2 inhibitors were analyzed for cell viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and xenograft tumor growth.Results: In vitro experiments, the identified small-molecule inhibitors markedly inhibited the skin cancer cells proliferation, induced apoptosis, altered the cell cycle, and inhibited cell invasion and migration in our study. In a xenograft model, the identified small-molecule inhibitors induced changes in the epithelial mesenchymal transition, which affected the progression of CSCC.Conclusion: EphB2 small-molecule inhibitors had anti-CSCC effects, establishing a solid theoretical basis for clinical research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- Department of Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xuanfen Zhang
- Department of Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Expression Profile and Prognostic Significance of EPHB3 in Colorectal Cancer. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040602. [PMID: 32294981 PMCID: PMC7226026 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein tyrosine kinase Ephrin type-B receptor 3 (EPHB3) is expressed in cells at the base of intestinal crypts, acting as a cellular guide in the maintenance of intestinal crypt architecture. We aimed to investigate the expression profile of EPHB3 in colorectal precancerous lesions and colorectal cancers (CRCs), and assess its prognostic value. EPHB3 expression was higher in CRCs than in normal mucosa and was associated with the intestinal stem cell markers EPHB2, OLFM4, LRIG1, and a proposed cancer stem cell marker, CD44. Enhanced EPHB3 expression significantly declined during the transformation from adenoma to carcinoma and as the tumor invaded into deeper tissue layers. Namely, a substantial reduction of EPHB3 expression was observed in the budding cancer cells at the invasive tumor fronts, which was more extensive than E-cadherin downregulation. In an azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium-induced, colitis-associated, CRC model, EPHB3 expression increased along with tumor development. In a large cohort of CRC patients, EPHB3 positivity was observed in 24% of 610 CRCs and was negatively correlated with tumor differentiation, lympho-vascular invasion, and tumor, node, and metastasis stages. EPHB3 was positively associated with microsatellite instability but was associated with neither CpG island methylation, nor with KRAS and BRAF mutations. Notably, EPHB3 positivity was associated with better clinical outcomes, although it was not an independent prognostic marker. Overexpression of EPHB3 in the colon cancer cell line, DLD1, led to decreased cell growth and migration and reduced mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Taken together, our data demonstrate the suppressive role of EPHB3 in CRC progression.
Collapse
|
13
|
Liang CY, Li ZY, Gan TQ, Fang YY, Gan BL, Chen WJ, Dang YW, Shi K, Feng ZB, Chen G. Downregulation of hsa-microRNA-204-5p and identification of its potential regulatory network in non-small cell lung cancer: RT-qPCR, bioinformatic- and meta-analyses. Respir Res 2020; 21:60. [PMID: 32102656 PMCID: PMC7045575 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-020-1274-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pulmonary malignant neoplasms have a high worldwide morbidity and mortality, so the study of these malignancies using microRNAs (miRNAs) has attracted great interest and enthusiasm. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical effect of hsa-microRNA-204-5p (miR-204-5p) and its underlying molecular mechanisms in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Expression of miR-204-5p was investigated by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). After data mining from public online repositories, several integrative assessment methods, including receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI), and comprehensive meta-analyses, were conducted to explore the expression and clinical utility of miR-204-5p. The potential objects regulated and controlled by miR-204-5p in the course of NSCLC were identified by estimated target prediction and analysis. The regulatory network of miR-204-5p, with its target genes and transcription factors (TFs), was structured from database evidence and literature references. Results The expression of miR-204-5p was downregulated in NSCLC, and the downtrend was related to gender, histological type, vascular invasion, tumor size, clinicopathologic grade and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). MiR-204-5p was useful in prognosis, but was deemed unsuitable at present as an auxiliary diagnostic or prognostic risk factor for NSCLC due to the lack of statistical significance in meta-analyses and absence of large-scale investigations. Gene enrichment and annotation analyses identified miR-204-5p candidate targets that took part in various genetic activities and biological functions. The predicted TFs, like MAX, MYC, and RUNX1, interfered in regulatory networks involving miR-204-5p and its predicted hub genes, though a modulatory loop or axis of the miRNA-TF-gene that was out of range with shortage in database prediction, experimental proof and literature confirmation. Conclusions The frequently observed decrease in miR-204-5p was helpful for NSCLC diagnosis. The estimated target genes and TFs contributed to the anti-oncogene effects of miR-204-5p.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Yu Liang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zu-Yun Li
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting-Qing Gan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530007, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye-Ying Fang
- Department of Radiotherapy, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin-Liang Gan
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Jie Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi-Wu Dang
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Ke Shi
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen-Bo Feng
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, People's Republic of China.
| |
Collapse
|