Striatins and STRIPAK complex partners in clinical outcomes of patients with breast cancer and responses to drug treatment

Objective

Striatins (STRNs) family, which contains three multi-domain scaffolding proteins, are cornerstones of the striatins interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex. Although the role of the STRIPAK complex in cancer has become recognized in recent years, its clinical significance in breast cancer has not been fully established.

Methods

Using a freshly frozen breast cancer tissue cohort containing both cancerous and adjacent normal mammary tissues, we quantitatively evaluated the transcript-level expression of all members within the STRIPAK complex along with some key interacting and regulatory proteins of STRNs. The expression profile of each molecule and the integrated pattern of the complex members were assessed against the clinical-pathological factors of the patients. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used to evaluate the breast cancer patients' response to chemotherapies. Four human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-361, MCF-7, and SK-BR-3, were subsequently adopted for in vitro work.

Results

Here we found that high-level expressions of STRIP2, calmodulin, CCM3, MINK1 and SLMAP were respectively associated with shorter overall survival (OS) of patients. Although the similar pattern observed for STRN3, STRN4 and a contrary pattern observed for PPP2CA, PPP2CB and PPPR1A were not significant, the integrated expression profile of STRNs group and PPP2 group members constitutes a highly significant prognostic indicator for OS [P<0.001, hazard ratio (HR)=2.04, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.36-3.07] and disease-free survival (DFS) (P=0.003, HR=1.40, 95% CI, 1.12-1.75). Reduced expression of STRN3 has an influence on the biological functions including adhesiveness and migration. In line with our clinical findings, the breast cancer cells responded to STRN3 knockdown with changes in their chemo-sensitivity, of which the response is also breast cancer subtype dependent.

Conclusions

Our results suggest a possible role of the STRIPAK complex in breast cancer development and prognosis. Among the members, the expression profile of STRN3 presents a valuable factor for assessing patients' responses to drug treatment.

ALCAM, Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule, in Clinical Gastric Cancer and Patient's Response to Chemotherapies

BACKGROUND/AIM

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM/CD166), a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, has been shown to regulate cell adhesion through both homotypic and heterotypic interactions. In cancer, it might be involved in disease progression and chemotherapy drug resistance. The present study explored the clinical and prognostic significance of ALCAM in gastric cancer and its impact on patient's responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapies and cancer cells' response to chemodrugs in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two independent cohorts were included to evaluate the link between ALCAM and the clinical outcomes and pathological factors of the patients. The gastric cancer cell lines HGC27 and AGS were used to generate ALCAM knockdown cell models. The cytotoxicity of chemotherapy drugs was examined using ALCAM knockdown cell models.

RESULTS

Patients with gastric cancer who had high levels of ALCAM transcripts showed a significantly shorter overall survival in both cohorts (p=0.043 and 0.006, respectively). Patients who resisted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy had marginally higher levels of ALCAM than those responded (p=0.056). Patients with low levels of ALCAM expression and resisted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy had the worst clinical outcome with a significantly shorter overall survival (p=0.004) and disease-free survival (p=0.006), whereas such results did not appear in high ALCAM expression patients. ALCAM knockdown cells were more sensitive to Cisplatin, Oxaliplatin and 5-Fluorouracil compared with their respective control cells.

CONCLUSION

ALCAM acts as a negative prognostic indicator in patients with gastric cancer and high levels of ALCAM expression result in increased chemotherapy drug resistance.

Abstract P6-14-17: Endomucins and their expression in breast cancer and the cellular and therapeutic impact

Introduction. Endomucin-1 and endomucin-2 are two proteins structurally related, yet with low homology. The membrane bound sialoglycoproteins appear to play a key role in interfering with the formation of focal adhesion complexes (FAC) and matrix adhesiveness of cells, by mechanisms independent of the MUC1 repeat, which the endomucins do not possess. Endomucins are thought to be expressed at high levels in endothelium and haematopietic cell lineages, although the levels in mammary tissues also seem high. Despite the seeming importance of endomucins in the adhesion and migration of cells, including cancer cells, the clinical value of endomucin in clinical cancer, including breast cancer, is largely unknown. The present study examined the expression profile of endomucins, together with the focal adhesion kinase FAK, in breast cancer and aimed to explore the cellular impact of endomucin on cancer cells. Methods. Human breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 and a range of other cell types were used. An endomucin overexpression cell model was created and subsequently used to evaluate the function of the cells. The expression profile of the endomucin-1 and endomucin-2 transcripts and FAK, in an existing fresh frozen breast cancer tissue cohort, were quantified. Results. High levels of endomucins, particularly endomucin-1, are good indicators for the overall survival of the patient, p=0.021 for endomucin-1 and p=0.15 for endomucin-2. When expression levels of FAK were integrated into the survival analysis model, patients with high levels of both endomucins and low levels of FAK had the most favourable outcome, compared with those with most unfavourable outcome who had low level of endomucin and high FAK (survival during the follow up period respectively at 100% and 54%, p=0.013, Harzoud Ratio 0.298). Together with the Nottingham Prognostic Index, which independently predicts a poor outcome (p=0.009, HR=7.6), the integrated expression profile of endomucin/FAK represents an independent prognostic indicator for favourable overall survival (p=0.003, HR=0.13), and indeed for a favourable disease free survival (p=0.008, HR=0.17). Mammary tissues, and indeed breast cancer cell lines, expressed high levels of endomucin-2 transcripts and low levels of endomucin-1 transcripts. High levels of endomucin-2 were also seen in fibroblasts and vascular endothelial cells. We created a breast cancer cell submodel with MCF-7, by overexpressing endomucin. It was shown that although endomucin over-expression had some marginal impact on the adhesiveness of breast cancer cells, the over-expression however, had significant impact on cells’ sensitivity to FAK inhibitor, with a markedly reduced adhesiveness to matrix (p&lt; 0.001 control versus endomucin overexpression cells). Discussion. Endomucins have a reduced expression in breast cancers and the reduction, together with low levels of focal adhesion kinase, facilitate a favourable outcome for the patients. Together with the findings of in vitro cell models, it would suggest that the expression profile of endomucins and FAK may be a good indicator, not only for evaluating clinical outcomes, but also for choice of target therapies.

Citation Format: Amber Xinyu Li, Tracey A. Martin, Lin Ye, Andrew J. Sanders, Fiona Ruge, Jane Lane, Eleri Davies, Wen G. Jiang. Endomucins and their expression in breast cancer and the cellular and therapeutic impact [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-14-17.

Abstract P6-12-01: ALCAM (Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule) is associated with HGF/MET signalling pathway in different subtypes of breast cancer

Introduction. ALCAM (Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule), also known as CD166, is a cell adhesion molecule which belongs to the immunoglobulin superfamily and is widely expressed in various human tissues. It has been demonstrated that ALCAM plays an important role in the progression of malignant diseases and tumour metastasis in multiple cancer types including breast cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of ALCAM and cancer progression is currently unclear. The present study performed protein array analyses using ALCAM genetically manipulated cell models to select potential protein partners of ALCAM. The study focused on MET (Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) Receptor), a prominent ALCAM interacting protein kinase and a protooncogene contributing to cancer progression and spread. Method. Human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 were selected to create ALCAM knockdown cell models. A range of other breast cancer cell line with differing hormone receptor status were also used. Protein samples of transfected cells were used to perform Kinexus protein kinase microarray analysis. The protein interaction between ALCAM and other prospective protein kinases including MET was verified by the method of immunoprecipitation. Additionally, the ALCAM knockdown model was also assessed for the impact of ALCAM and HGF/MET on the biological functions by Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS). Results. MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 cells both were strongly expressed ALCAM. Cells models with ALCAM knocking down were successfully created by way of anti-ALCAM shRNA. We have shown on the protein kinase microarray analysis that the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor, MET was one of the kinases significantly affected following ALCAM knocking down. It was also found that the alteration of protein interaction between the MET protein kinase and ALCAM protein showed an opposite pattern between ER positive and ER negative ALCAM knocking down cells. This protein interaction was observed by immunoprecipitation in MDA-MB-361 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, but not in MCF-7 cells. The biological analyses using the ECIS technologies showed that MET kinase inhibitors and exogenous recombinant HGF affected the ALCAM-mediated cell adhesion in different breast cancer subtypes. Conclusion. ALCAM is associated with HGF/MET signalling and the interaction between ALCAM and MET is different amongst subtypes of breast cancer which have different hormone receptor status.

Citation Format: Yiming Yang, Andrew J. Sanders, Wen G. Jiang. ALCAM (Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule) is associated with HGF/MET signalling pathway in different subtypes of breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-12-01.

Abstract P2-11-33: Striatin and its interactive proteins Protein Phosphatase-2 (PP2) and PP2 regulatory elements in breast cancer

Introduction. The striatin protein family are calmodulin binding scaffolding proteins. Striatins have been involved in cell signalling and recently found also acting as cell adhesion molecules and adhesion regulators in adherens junctions and tight junctions. Straitins, particularly striatin-2 forms a recently discovered protein complex, STRIPAK, with other complex members including Protein Phosphatase-2 (PP2), STRIP, SIKE1 and certain PP2 regulatory proteins. The STRIPAK regulates multiple cell functions including gene transcription, endo- and exocytosis and cell adhesion, and several other important cell functions in cancer development and progression. The constitute members of the striatin protein complex may thus have important clinical bearings. In the present study, we investigated the expression profile of the striatin family members and key members of their interacting proteins, and discerned the relationship between the expression and disease progression and clinical outcome. Methods. Using an established fresh frozen breast cancer tissues cohort that included both normal mammary tissues and cancer tissues, we quantitatively evaluated the transcript expression of striatin-1 (STRN), striatin-3 (STRN3), straitin-4 (STRN4), its key regulator calmodulin (CALM) and the protein complex regulators protein phosphatase-2A (PPP2A), -2B (PPP2B) and the PPP2 regulatory elements PPP2R4 and PPP2R1A. The expression of each molecule was assessed against the clinical, pathological and prognostic factors of the patients. The integrated pattern of the complex members were also tested against the clinical outcome. Results. All three striatin members were expressed at good levels in mammary tissues and cancer tissues. STRN had little significant value against clinical and pathological factors. STRN3 and STRN4 were seen at high levels in tumours of high grade, with node positivity and with breast cancer related incidence. It was high level expressions of STRN3, STRN4 and CALM that were respectively associated with shorter overall survival (OS) of the patients and together they formed a poor prognostic indicator (p=0.034, HR=1.7). STRN had little impact on clinical outcomes. In a clear contrast, high levels of PPP2A, PPP2B and PPPR1A, but not PPP2R4, were seen in patients with significantly longer OS and together form a favourable prognostic indicator (p=0.034, HR=0.685). Integration of both STRN group and PPP2 group indicators constitutes a highly significant prognostic indicator for OS (p&lt; 0.00001, HR=2.1 (95%CI 1.36-3.07)) and DFS (p=0.003, HR=1.402 (95%CI 1.12-1.75)). The predictive value of the integrated profile is independent of other clinical, pathological and hormone receptor status in multivariate analyses with OS (p&lt; 0.0001, HR=3.861) and for DFS (p&lt; 0.001, HR=2.055 (95%CI 1.36-3.07)). The same value stands when applied for the subtypes including triple negative breast cancers. Discussion. The STRIPAK complexes including Striatins play important regulatory roles in various cell functions and cancer development. Consistently, we found that high level expressions of STRN3, STRN4 and CALM, as a poor prognostic indicator were associated with shorter overall survival (OS) of the patients, while high levels of PPP2A, PPP2B and PPPR1A, as a favourable prognostic indicator, were seen in patients with significantly longer OS. Combination of both STRN group and PPP2 group indicators constitutes a greater significant prognostic indicator for OS and DFS. Future studies should focus on investigating the exact roles of the STRIPAK in cancer development and progression.

Citation Format: Amber Xinyu Li, Andrew J. Sanders, Tracey A. Martin, Lin Ye, Fiona Ruge, QingPing Dou, Eleri Davies, Wen G. Jiang. Striatin and its interactive proteins Protein Phosphatase-2 (PP2) and PP2 regulatory elements in breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-11-33.

Abstract P3-05-42: Identification of subpopulation of breast cancer patients with poor clinical outcome using CUB domain containing protein-1 (CDCP1)/CD318 and its interactive proteins SRC and the HGF axis

Introduction. The CUB domain containing protein 1, also known as TRASK (Transmembrane and associated with Src kinases) or CD318, has been suggested as a biomarker for stem cells or stem like cells. The transmembrane CDCP1 protein is known to activate the Src kinase and has recently shown to play a key part in the aggressiveness of breast cancer cells including migration, invasiveness and possibly growth induced by the motogenic Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) and its receptor MET (Kawase et al 2022), a process requires Rho-GEF, PI3K and STAT5. This appears to allow identification of a subset of cancer cells that are aggressive in their biological behaviours. Here, we examined the expression profile of CDCP1, SRC, the HGF/HGF receptor complex and HGF activation regulators in a cohort of breast cancer and attempt to establish if such protein axis is able to identify patients with high risk of poor clinical outcome. Methods. Using an establish breast cancer cohort which is comprised of both normal mammary tissues and breast cancer tissues freshly obtained after surgery, we quantified the gene transcripts of CDCP1/CD318 and examined its clinical and pathological relevance. Integrated analysis was conducted for CDCP1 and the expression profile of SRC, PI3K, HGF, the HGF receptor cMET, HGF activator (HGFA), HGF activation regulators including HAI-1, HAI2, matriptase-1 and matriptase-2, and STAT family members. This was done against the clinical outcome of the patients as well as the clinical and pathological factors. Results. Breast cancer tissues expressed high levels of CDCP1 compared with normal mammary tissues. CDCP1 itself had a weak yet significant value in predicting the overall survival of the patients (p=0.047). The expression levels of these CDCP1 related molecules aren’t significantly correlated with CDCP1. However, integrated analyses revealed that CDCP1, together with its pathway regulators SRC, HGF, the HGF receptor (MET) and the HGF activation regulators matriptases form a power prognostic indicator for the clinical outcome of the patients (p&lt; 0.0001, HR=1.8 for overall survival (OS) and p=0.002, HR=1.5 for disease-free survival (DFS)). This integrated profile has also identified subgroups of patients with highly favourable and very poor clinical outcomes over a ten-year follow-up period, with the respective survival at 100% and 36% respectively. The predictive power for OS and DFS is highly independent of other clinical and pathological factors in a multivariate analysis (p=0.003 and p=0.017 respectively). The predictive power is applicable to ER negative and HER2 positive tumours. Discussion. CDCP1/CD318, a factor known to stimulate cancer cell aggressiveness, together with its pathway kinase SRC and newly identified extracellular activator HGF and the HGF regulators forms a significant independent prognostic factor. It identifies subgroups of patients with favourable and poor prognosis, allowing consideration of targeted therapies for the patients. Reference Kawase N, Sugihara A, Kajiwara K, Hiroshima M, Akamatsu K, Nada S, Matsumoto K, Ueda M, Okada M. SRC kinase activator CDCP1 promotes hepatocyte growth factor-induced cell migration/invasion of a subset of breast cancer cells. J Biol Chem, 2022, 298:101630. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101630

Citation Format: Yiming Yang, Xuefei Dong, Tracey A. Martin, Lin Ye, Jane Lane, Andrew J. Sanders, QingPing Dou, Eleri Davies, Wen G. Jiang. Identification of subpopulation of breast cancer patients with poor clinical outcome using CUB domain containing protein-1 (CDCP1)/CD318 and its interactive proteins SRC and the HGF axis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-05-42.

nWASP Inhibition Increases Wound Healing via TrKb/PLCγ Signalling

(1) Background: Chronic wounds represent a major burden to patients and healthcare systems and identifying new therapeutic targets to encourage wound healing is a significant challenge. This study evaluated nWASP as a new therapeutic target in human wound healing and determined how this can be regulated. (2) Methods: Clinical cohorts from patients with chronic wounds were tested for the expression of nWASP and cell models were employed to evaluate the influence of nWASP on cellular functions that are key to the healing process following knockdown and/or the use of nWASP-specific inhibitors. (3) Results: nWASP was significantly elevated at transcript levels in human non-healing chronic wounds versus healing tissues. nWASP inhibitors, wiskostatin and 187-1, along with the knockdown of nWASP, modified both HaCaT and HECV cell behaviour. We then identified two signalling pathways affected by nWASP inhibition: TrkB signalling and downstream PLCγ1 phosphorylation were impaired by nWASP inhibition in HaCaT cells. The healing of wounds in a diabetic murine model was significantly improved with an nWASP inhibitor treatment. (4) Conclusions: This study showed that nWASP activity was related to the non-healing behaviour of chronic wounds and together with the findings in the in vivo models, it strongly suggested nWASP as a therapeutic target in non-healing wounds that are regulated via TrkB and PLCγ1 signalling.

Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM), a Potential 'Seed' and 'Soil' Receptor in the Peritoneal Metastasis of Gastrointestinal Cancers

Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM/CD166) is a cell-cell adhesion protein conferring heterotypic and homotypic interactions between cells of the same type and different types. It is aberrantly expressed in various cancer types and has been shown to be a regulator of cancer metastasis. In the present study, we investigated potential roles of ALCAM in the peritoneal transcoelomic metastasis in gastrointestinal cancers, a metastatic type commonly occurred in gastro-intestinal and gynaecological malignancies and resulting in poor clinical outcomes. Specifically, we studied whether ALCAM acts as both a 'seed' receptor in these tumour cells and a 'soil' receptor in peritoneal mesothelial cells during cancer metastasis. Gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer tissues with or without peritoneal metastasis were compared for their levels of ALCAM expression. The impact of ALCAM expression in these tumours was also correlated to the patients' clinical outcomes, namely peritoneal metastasis-free survival. In addition, cancer cells of gastric and pancreatic origins were used to create cell models with decreased or increased levels of ALCAM expression by genetic knocking down or overexpression, respectively. Human peritoneal mesothelial cells were also genetically transfected to generate cell models with different profiles of ALCAM expression. These cell models were used in the tumour-mesothelial interaction assay to assess if and how the interaction was influenced by ALCAM. Both gastric and pancreatic tumour tissues from patients who developed peritoneal metastases had higher levels of ALCAM transcript than those without. Patients who had tumours with high levels of ALCAM had a much shorter peritoneal metastasis free survival compared with those who had low ALCAM expression (p = 0.006). ALCAM knockdown of the mesothelial cell line MET5A rendered the cells with reduced interaction with both gastric cancer cells and pancreatic cancer cells. Likewise, levels of ALCAM in both human gastric and pancreatic cancer cells were also a determining factor for their adhesiveness to mesothelial cells, a process that was likely to be triggered the phosphorylation of the SRC kinase. A soluble ALCAM (sALCAM) was found to be able to inhibit the adhesiveness between cancer cells and mesothelial cells, mechanistically behaving like a SRC kinase inhibitor. ALCAM is an indicator of peritoneal metastasis in both gastric and pancreatic cancer patients. It acts as not only a potential peritoneal 'soil' receptor of tumour seeding but also a 'soil' receptor in peritoneal mesothelial cells during cancer metastasis. These findings have an important therapeutic implication for treating peritoneal transcoelomic metastases.

Transglutaminase-4 (Prostate Transglutaminase), a Potential Biological Factor and Clinical Indicator for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Prostate Cancer

Transglutaminase-4, also known as prostate transglutaminase, is a protein encoded by the TGM4 gene. TGase-4 was thought to be exclusively expressed in the prostate gland and has been suggested to be involved in certain medical conditions, such as infertility and possibly prostate cancer. In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the understanding of this unique protein in prostate cancer, with emerging clinical evidence. The present concise review summarised the current understanding of this intriguing enzyme in prostate cancer and presents an argument that TGase-4 is a useful indicator of both the development and progression of the disease.

Overexpressed transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in lung adenocarcinoma harbours a new opportunity for therapeutic targeting

The specific biological function of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) in pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear. In this study, TRPV1 expression in tumor tissues, primary cells and cell lines of LUAD, as well as the mechanism mediating its hyperexpression were systematically studied. Multiple models and techniques were adopted to elucidate the relationship between TRPV1 hyperexpression and tumor recurrence and metastasis. Results showed that TRPV1 expression was increased in tumor tissues and primary tumor cells of LUAD patients. The increased expression was associated with worse overall survival outcome and raised HIF1α levels. TRPV1 expression in A549 and NCI-H292 cells was increased after pretreatment with cigarette smoke extract or spermine NONOate. Moreover, A549 cells with TRPV1 overexpression has enhanced tumor growth rates in subcutaneous grafted tumor models, and increased intrapulmonary metastasis after tail vein infusion in nude BALB/c nude mice. Mechanistically, TRPV1 overexpression in A549 cells promoted HIF1α expression and nuclear translocation by promoting CREB phosphorylation and activation of NOS1-NO pathway, ultimately leading to accelerated cell proliferation and stronger invasiveness. In addition, based on photothermal effects, CuS-TRPV1 mAb effectively targeted and induced apoptosis of TRPV1-A549 cells both in vivo and in vitro, thereby mitigating tumor growth and metastasis induced by xenotransplantation of TRPV1-A549 cells. In conclusion, TRPV1 hyperexpression in LUAD is a risk factor for tumor progression and is involved in proliferation and migration of tumor cells through activation of HIF1α. Our study also attempted a new strategy inhibiting the recurrence and metastasis of LUAD: by CuS-TRPV1 mAb precisely kill TRPV1 hyperexpression cells through photothermal effects.

Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 1 (HAVcr-1) Initiates Prostate Cancer Progression in Human Cells via Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)-Induced Changes in Junctional Integrity

Background: HAVcR-1 has been linked to cancer aetiology and may regulate junctional complexes, with its role in prostate cancer still unexplored. This study aims to investigate the expression of HAVcR-1 in prostate cancer samples and the exploration of the cellular/molecular impact of HAVcR-1. Methods: Levels of HAVcR-1 ectodomain in the serum of prostate cancer patients were compared to healthy controls, and assessed as the total protein and gene expression of HAVcR-1 and tissues sections. The manipulation of HAVcR-1 levels within prostate cancer cell lines determined changes in cell behaviour using in vitro cell models and barrier function assays. Protein/phosphoprotein levels were assessed using Western blotting. Results: Levels of HAVcR-1 ectodomain from serum were decreased in patients with prostate cancer. Ectodomain levels correlated with the Gleason score. Histologically, the total protein/gene expression of HAVcR-1 was overexpressed in prostate cancer. The overexpression of HAVcR-1 in prostate cancer cell lines resulted in key changes in cell behaviour and the phosphorylation of β-catenin with a concurrent decrease in membranous E-cadherin, increased nuclear β-catenin and increased cyclin D1 protein expression, which were associated with HGF-promoted changes in the barrier function. Conclusions: HAVcR-1 expression and ectodomain release coincides with the presence of prostate cancer; thus, indicating HAVcR-1 as a potential biomarker to aid in diagnostics, and implicating HAVcR-1 in the dysregulation of junctional complexes.

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM)/CD166 in pancreatic cancer, a pivotal link to clinical outcome and vascular embolism

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM, or CD166) is a cell adhesion molecule and one of potential tumour metastasis 'soil' receptors that via homotypic and heterotypic interactions, mediates cancer cell adhesion. The present study investigated clinical, pathological and prognostic values of ALCAM in patients with pancreatic cancer. Human pancreatic cancer (PANC-1 and Mia PaCa-2) and human vascular endothelial cell lines were used to construct cell models differentially expressing levels of ALCAM. Tumour-endothelial interaction and tumour migration were assessed by a DiI-based method and electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) assay. Pancreatic cancer tissues (n=223), collected immediately after surgery, were analysed for levels of the ALCAM transcripts, which were also analysed against clinical, pathological and clinical outcomes of the patients. ALCAM protein was assessed by immunohistochemistry on a tissue array. Our study demonstrate that pancreatic cancer tissues had significantly higher levels of ALCAM transcripts than normal tissues (P<0.00001). There were no significant differences with staging, differentiation and tumour locations. Tumours from patients who died of pancreatic cancer had significantly high levels of ALCAM compared with those who lived (P=0.018), and this finding was further supported by ROC analysis (P=0.016). Multivariant analysis showed that ALCAM is an independent prognosis factor for overall survival (HR=5.485), with both nodal status and TNM staging contributing to the model (HR=2.578 and 3.02, respectively). A surprising finding was the relationship between ALCAM expression and microvessel embolism of tumour cells (P=0.021, with vs without tumour embolism). Levels of ALCAM were found to be a determinant factor to adherence of the pancreatic cancer cells to vascular endothelial cells, as demonstrated by pancreatic cancer cell models genetically engineered to express differential levels of ALCAM. The tumour-endothelial interaction mediated by ALCAM was readily blocked by addition of soluble ALCAM. Our data supports the conclusion that ALCAM expression is aberrant in pancreatic cancer and its raised expression is an independent prognostic factor for the survival of the patients and the microvascular embolism by cancer cells. Our results suggest that ALCAM plays a key role in mediating tumour-endothelial cell interactions and enhancing tumour embolism in pancreatic cancer, and targeting ALCAM represents a potential therapeutic strategy for treating human pancreatic cancer.

Sensitivity of the Wound Edge Gene Signature "WD14" in Responding to Clinical Change: A Longitudinal Cohort Study

Introduction: WounD14 (WD14) gene signature is a recently developed tool derived from genetic interrogation of wound edge biopsies of chronic venous leg ulcers to identify heard-to-heal wounds and enable clinicians to target aggressive therapies to promote wound healing. This study aimed to evaluate if changes in wound clinical healing status were detected by the WD14 gene signature over time as this is currently poorly understood. Material and methods: WD14 was developed through gene screening and subsequent validation in 3 patient cohorts involving 85 consecutive patients with chronic venous leg ulcers referred to a tertiary wound healing unit. Patients underwent a wound edge biopsy to interrogate for a "healing" or "non-healing" genotype. A smaller cohort (18%) underwent a second biopsy, which comprised this pilot cohort reported herein. Twelve weeks following biopsy, wounds were clinically assessed for healing status based on reduction in size and compared to WD14 genotype. Results: Sequential biopsies and WD14 scores were derived from 16 patients. WD14 signature predicted wound healing status among this cohort at either visit (32 wound edge biopsies) with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 85.2% (95% CI 74.1%-92.0%) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 80.0% (95% CI 34.2%-96.9%). A total of 6 wounds underwent altered clinical status between the 2 visits. In this cohort, WD14 has a PPV of 66.7% (95% CI 47.3%-81.7%) and NPV of 100%. Conclusion: Although the WD14 gene signature did change with wound healing status, larger studies are required to precisely clarify its role and ability to prognosticate wounds of differing clinical status over time.

The Clinical and Theranostic Values of Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule (ALCAM)/CD166 in Human Solid Cancers

Simple Summary

ALCAM (activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule) is an important regulator in human cancers, particularly solid tumours. Its expression in cancer tissues has prognostic values depending on cancer types and is also linked to distant metastases. A truncated form, soluble form of ALCAM (sALCAM) in circulation has been suggested to be a prognostic indicator and a potential therapeutic tool. This article summarises recent findings and progress in ALCAM and its involvement in cancer, with a primary focus on its clinical connections and therapeutic values.

Abstract

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM), also known as CD166, is a cell adhesion protein that is found in multiple cell types. ALCAM has multiple and diverse roles in various physiological and pathological conditions, including inflammation and cancer. There has been compelling evidence of ALCAM’s prognostic value in solid cancers, indicating that it is a potential therapeutic target. The present article overviews the recent findings and progress in ALCAM and its involvement in cancer, with a primary focus on its clinical connections in cancer and therapeutic values.

O18 Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and its intracellular linkers in assessing the outcome of patients with breast cancer

Introduction

ALCAM (also known as CD166) is a membrane integral protein and said to have a role in predicting the clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer, but the pattern of the prediction value is inconsistent. ALCAM confers cell-cell adhesion via heterotypic and homotypic interactions and linked to cytoskeleton via the ERM protein family (Ezrin, Moesin, Radixin and EHM2), particularly ezrin. The present study explored if the ALCAM and its ERM linkers may assist in refining the prognostic value of ALCAM.

Method

Gene transcripts of ACLAM and the ERM family members were quantitatively analysed in an existing breast cancer cohort collected freshly after surgery. The relationship between ALCAM and patient’s survival (follow-up 10 years) were stratified by the ALCAM linkers. Statistical methods were Kaplan-Meier’s survival method, ROC and logistic regression.

Result

ALCAM significantly correlated with four ERM family members (P &lt; 0.005). Patients with high levels of ALCAM transcripts had significantly long overall survival. Further stratification by the epithelial rich Ezrin and endothelial rich Moesin identified subgroup of patients with good prognosis. Multivariant analysis indicates that the combined power of ALCAM and ERM family serves as an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.003) together with the other two factors, namely the Nottingham Prognostic Index and Nodal status (P = 0.02). A similar prediction power for disease free survival was seen with ALCAM and ERM combination.

Conclusion

ALCAM and its intracellular cytoskeletal linker molecules, the ERM family, together forms a significant prognostic factor to the clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer.

Take-home Message

ALCAM stratified by the ERM family have prognostic value in breast cancer

Epithelial Protein Lost in Neoplasm, EPLIN, the Cellular and Molecular Prospects in Cancers

Epithelial Protein Lost In Neoplasm (EPLIN), also known as LIMA1 (LIM Domain And Actin Binding 1), was first discovered as a protein differentially expressed in normal and cancerous cell lines. It is now known to be key to the progression and metastasis of certain solid tumours. Despite a slow pace in understanding the biological role in cells and body systems, as well as its clinical implications in the early years since its discovery, recent years have witnessed a rapid progress in understanding the mechanisms of this protein in cells, diseases and indeed the body. EPLIN has drawn more attention over the past few years with its roles expanding from cell migration and cytoskeletal dynamics, to cell cycle, gene regulation, angiogenesis/lymphangiogenesis and lipid metabolism. This concise review summarises and discusses the recent progress in understanding EPLIN in biological processes and its implications in cancer.

Expression of Death Associated Proteins DAP1 and DAP3 in Human Pancreatic Cancer

BACKGROUND

Death associated proteins (DAPs) are involved in the apoptosis of various cell types in response to interferon gamma, including cancer cells. The present study assessed both DAP1 and DAP3 in human pancreatic cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DAP1 and DAP3 transcripts were quantitatively analysed in pancreatic tumour tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues using real time PCR followed by statistical analyses for their clinical implications.

RESULTS

Levels of DAP3 transcripts in pancreatic cancer were markedly higher than in normal tissues, whereas DAP1 had lower levels in cancer versus normal tissues. Adenocarcinomas showed higher levels of DAP3 than other histological types. Patients with high levels of DAP3 had a significantly shorter overall survival than those with low levels (p=0.012). The status of DAP3 and lymph node involvement identified patients with poor survival (p<0.00001).

CONCLUSION

DAP3 was highly expressed in pancreatic tumour tissues and was significantly associated with shorter survival.

NUPR1 and its potential role in cancer and pathological conditions (Review)

Nuclear protein‑1 (NUPR1) is also known as Com‑1 or p8. It is a protein primarily found in the nucleus of various cells, including cancer cells, and it has been found to play an important role in cell stress and stress‑related apoptosis. Over the past two decades, NUPR1 has been firmly indicated to play a role in the development and progression of numerous types of cancer, as well as in a number of other pathological conditions, including pancreatitis, diabetes, neurological and inflammatory conditions. The past decade has witnessed a rapid understanding of the biological and cellular mechanisms through which NUPR1 operates on cells and the identification of new variant of the protein. Most importantly, there have been comprehensive studies on the clinical and pathological aspects of NUPR1 and its variant in multiple malignancies and identification of therapeutic methods by targeting the protein. The present review aimed to summarise the current knowledge relating to NUPR1 in human malignancies and to discuss the associated controversies and potential future prospects of this molecule.

Location, function and role of stromal cell‑derived factors and possible implications in cancer (Review)

Despite improvements in therapy and management, cancer represents and remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Although genetics serve an important role in tumorigenesis and tumour progression, the tumour microenvironment (TME) in solid tumours is also important and has been indicated to contribute to these processes. Stromal cell‑derived factors (SDFs) represent an important family within the TME. The family includes SDF‑1, SDF‑2, SDF2‑like 1 (SDF2L1), SDF‑3, SDF‑4 and SDF‑5. SDF‑1 has been demonstrated to act as a positive regulator in a number of types of tumour, such as oesophago‑gastric, pancreatic, lung, breast, colorectal and ovarian cancer, while the biology and functions of other members of the SDF family, including SDF‑2, SDF2L1, SDF‑4 and SDF‑5, in cancer are different, complex and controversial, and remain mainly unknown. Full identification and understanding of the SDFs across multiple types of cancer is required to elucidate their function and establish potential key targets in cancer.

Influence of anaesthetics on the production of cancer cell motogens, stromal cell-derived factor-1 and hepatocyte growth factor by fibroblasts

Anaesthetics have been implicated to influence cancer cells and progression. Similarly, crosstalk between cancer cells and stromal components within the microenvironment is also an important factor driving progression. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are key chemokines/cytokines produced by fibroblasts which have been established as influential factors in cancer progression. The present study explored the capacity of anaesthetics to influence the expression of these key molecules in fibroblasts. The anaesthetics rocuronium bromide (RB), vecuronium bromide (VB), suxamethonium chloride CRS (SCC), dexmedetomidine hydrochloride (DH) and lidocaine were used to treat MRC-5 fibroblasts over a range of concentrations. Following treatment, transcript expression of SDF-1 and HGF was quantified using quantitative PCR. Treatment of MRC-5 cells with RB brought about a reduction of SDF-1 expression which was found to be significant in the 45 µg/ml treatment group. Treatment with the other anaesthetics brought about some alterations in SDF-1 expression but these were not found to be statistically significant. Treatment with the tested anaesthetics did not have any significant effect on HGF transcript expression within MRC-5 cells, although again some alterations were observed. The results indicated that anaesthetics may have an impact on the fibroblast component of the tumour microenvironment, potentially influencing SDF-1 and HGF expression which in turn could influence tumour progression.

Indexing Early Visual Memory Durability in Infancy

The goal was to examine the scope and development of early visual memory durability. We investigated individual- and age-related differences across three unique tasks in 6- to 12-month-olds (M_age  = 8.87, N = 49) by examining the effect of increased delay on memory performance. Results suggest longer-term memory processes are quantifiable by 8 months using a modified Change Detection paradigm and spatial-attention cueing processes are quantifiable by 10 months using a modified Delayed Response paradigm, utilizing 500-1,250 ms delays. Performance improved from 6 to 12 months and longer delays impaired performance. We found no evidence for success on the Delayed Match Retrieval task at any age. These outcomes help inform our understanding of infant visual memory durability and its emergence throughout early development.

TfR1 binding with H-ferritin nanocarrier achieves prognostic diagnosis and enhances the therapeutic efficacy in clinical gastric cancer

H-ferritin (HFn) nanocarrier is emerging as a promising theranostic platform for tumor diagnosis and therapy, which can specifically target tumor cells via binding transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1). This led us to investigate the therapeutic function of TfR1 in GC. The clinical significance of TfR1 was assessed in 178 GC tissues by using a magneto-HFn nanoparticle-based immunohistochemistry method. The therapeutic effects of doxorubicin-loaded HFn nanocarriers (HFn-Dox) were evaluated on TfR1-positive GC patient-derived xenograft (GC-PDX) models. The biological function of TfR1 was investigated through in vitro and in vivo assays. TfR1 was upregulated (73.03%) in GC tissues, and reversely correlated with patient outcome. TfR1-negative sorted cells exhibited tumor-initiating features, which enhanced tumor formation and migration/invasion, whereas TfR1-positive sorted cells showed significant proliferation ability. Knockout of TfR1 in GC cells also enhanced cell invasion. TfR1-deficient cells displayed immune escape by upregulating PD-L1, CXCL9, and CXCL10, when disposed with IFN-γ. Western blot results demonstrated that TfR1-knockout GC cells upregulated Akt and STAT3 signaling. Moreover, in TfR1-positive GC-PDX models, the HFn-Dox group significantly inhibited tumor growth, and increased mouse survival, compared with that of free-Dox group. TfR1 could be a potential prognostic and therapeutic biomarker for GC: (i) TfR1 reversely correlated with patient outcome, and its negative cells possessed tumor-aggressive features; (ii) TfR1-positive cells can be killed by HFn drug nanocarrier. Given the heterogeneity of GC, HFn drug nanocarrier combined with other therapies toward TfR1-negative cells (such as small molecules or immunotherapy) will be a new option for GC treatment.

Incorporating MicroRNA into Molecular Phenotypes of Circulating Tumor Cells Enhances the Prognostic Accuracy for Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

The molecular phenotype of circulating tumor cells is associated with clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to enhance the prognostic accuracy of the circulating tumor cell phenotype in metastatic breast cancer by incorporating miRNA into a combined prediction model.

Background.

The molecular phenotype of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) was associated with clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer. CTCs isolated from patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) display a unique microRNA (miRNA) expression profile. The aim of this study was to enhance the prognostic accuracy of the CTC phenotype in patients with MBC, by incorporating miRNA into a combined prediction model.

Subjects, Materials, and Methods.

CTCs were detected by CellSearch and enriched by magnetic cell sorting. miRNA deep sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to screen and verify potentially CTC‐specific miRNA candidates. Patients with MBC were enrolled from two independent cohorts, and overall survival (OS) and chemotherapy response were analyzed.

Results.

We screened and identified that miR‐106b was an upregulated molecule in patients with MBC with CTC ≥5/7.5 mL (n = 16) compared with patients with CTC = 0/7.5 mL (n = 16) and healthy donors (n = 8). The expression of CTC‐specific miR‐106b correlated with vimentin and E‐cadherin in CTC and acted as an independent factor for predicting OS (hazard ratio 2.157, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.098–4.239, p = .026). Although CTC‐specific miR‐106b, E‐cadherin, and vimentin showed a prognostic potential independently, the prognostic performance for OS based on the combination of three markers was significantly enhanced in Cohort 1 (area under the curve [AUC] 0.752, 95% CI 0.658–0.847, n = 128) and further validated in Cohort 2 (AUC 0.726, 95% CI 0.595–0.856, n = 91). Besides, a combined model incorporating miR‐106b was associated with therapy response.

Conclusion.

The phenotypic assemblies of CTC incorporating miR‐106b show enhanced prognostic accuracy of overall survival in patients with MBC.

Implications for Practice.

In order to enhance the prognostic accuracy of the circulating tumor cell (CTC) phenotype in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), this study screened and identified a CTC‐specific microRNA (miRNA), miR‐106b, as an upregulated molecule based on the comparison of miRNA profile between CTCs, primary tumors, and healthy blood donors. By incorporating miR‐106b into a combined prediction model, the prognostic accuracy of the CTC phenotype for patients with MBC was greatly improved in both the training and validation cohorts. This work provides clinical evidence supporting the prognostic potential of CTC‐specific miRNA for patients with MBC. These results indicate that developing CTC‐specific miRNAs as new biomarkers will help to further optimize personalized therapy.

Development and validation of a gene expression test to identify hard-to-heal chronic venous leg ulcers

Background

Chronic venous leg ulcers pose a significant burden to healthcare systems, and predicting wound healing is challenging. The aim of this study was to develop a genetic test to evaluate the propensity of a chronic ulcer to heal.

Methods

Sequential refinement and testing of a gene expression signature was conducted using three distinct cohorts of human wound tissue. The expression of candidate genes was screened using a cohort of acute and chronic wound tissue and normal skin with quantitative transcript analysis. Genes showing significant expression differences were combined and examined, using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, in a controlled prospective study of patients with venous leg ulcers. A refined gene signature was evaluated using a prospective, blinded study of consecutive patients with venous ulcers.

Results

The initial gene signature, comprising 25 genes, could identify the outcome (healing versus non-healing) of chronic venous leg ulcers (area under the curve (AUC) 0·84, 95 per cent c.i. 0·73 to 0·94). Subsequent refinement resulted in a final 14-gene signature (WD14), which performed equally well (AUC 0·88, 0·80 to 0·97). When examined in a prospective blinded study, the WD14 signature could also identify wounds likely to demonstrate signs of healing (AUC 0·73, 0·62 to 0·84).

Conclusion

A gene signature can identify people with chronic venous leg ulcers that are unlikely to heal.

Effect of younger age on survival outcomes in T1N0M0 breast cancer: A propensity score matching analysis

PURPOSE

We evaluated the effect of younger age on recurrence risk in Chinese women diagnosed with T1N0M0 breast cancer (BC), using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

METHODS

We included 365 women who were diagnosed with T1N0M0 BC between 2003 and 2016, and who received surgery at our center. They were classified as younger (≤40 years) and older (>40 years). We used PSM to balance clinicopathologic characteristics between the two age groups. Survival was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method, before and after PSM.

RESULTS

Over a median follow-up period of 79 months, 54 patients developed recurrences. Before PSM, younger patients had worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) than older patients. Significantly worse RFS was seen in younger patients with HER2⁺ BC compared with their older counterparts. Younger patients had higher rates of locoregional recurrence rather than metastasis, especially in the first 5 years after diagnosis. After PSM, the two age groups still significantly differed in 5-year RFS.

CONCLUSION

Among PSM pairs with T1N0M0 BC, with equal baselines and treatment conditions, we found that patients who presented at younger ages had worse outcomes, independently of other pathological features. Younger patients with BC may require more individualized therapy to improve their prognosis.

Abstract P6-09-07: Expression of miR-106b in circulating tumor cells is associated with EMT and prognosis in metastatic breast cancer patients

# Co-first author: W.T., G.L., X.X.

* Co-Correspondence: C.G. and W.G.J.

Abstract

Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) display changes in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and miRNAs regulate EMT in breast cancer cells. The association between EMT characteristics and miRNA expression in CTCs of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and their clinical implications remain unknown.

Methods: CTC-specific miRNAs were screened based on comparison of the miRNA profile between CTC and primary tumor. RT-PCR was used to quantity the expression levels of EMT makers and miRNA candidates. We enrolled 219 MBC patients with CTCs ≥ 5/7.5mL blood from 2 cohorts and CTCs were detected and enriched by CellSearch. Overall survival (OS) and radiological response were analyzed. CTCs were divided into epithelial- (E-CTCs) and mesenchymal-like CTC (M-CTCs) phenotypes based on a cut-off value derived from suspended breast cancer cells recovered from PBMCs.

Results: MiR-106b displayed upregulation in CTCs, with a higher level in M-CTCs than E-CTCs. Patients with E-CTCs showed better OS than those with M-CTCs (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.14-2.78, P =0.012). CTCs from chemo-resistant MBC patients exhibited higher miR-106b. CTC-specific miR-106b was negatively associated with therapy response and OS (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.06-2.84, P = 0.029).

Conclusions: CTC-specific miR-106b was associated with EMT phenotypes of CTCs and may predict prognosis in MBC patients.

Citation Format: Tan W, Liang G, Xie X, Tan L, Sanders AJ, Liu Z, Ling Y, Zhong W, Jiang WG, Gong C. Expression of miR-106b in circulating tumor cells is associated with EMT and prognosis in metastatic breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-09-07.

The Evaluation of Durative Transfusion of Endostar Combined with Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND

The overall survival (OS) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poor, with median OS of advanced NSCLC with standard systemic chemotherapy being reported at 13.6 months and the 5-year survival rate at less than 15%. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate Endostar combined with chemotherapy in patients with advanced NSCLC.

METHODS

Data on 116 cases of pathologically confirmed stage IIIB-IV NSCLC were retrospectively collected. The control group was treated with chemotherapy combined with intravenous infusion of Endostar while the test group received durative transfusion of Endostar. The short-term therapeutic effects including overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and safety were evaluated in both groups. In the follow-up, progression-free survival (PFS) and OS were also analysed.

RESULTS

In the test group, the ORR was 53.4%, which was similar to that in the control group (44.8%) (p > 0.05). However, the DCR in the test group (86.2%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (70.7%) (p < 0.01). The median time to progression in the test group (6 months) was also significantly longer than that in the control group (4 months). Importantly, the median OS in the test group (17.5 months) was improved compared to the control group (13.5 months). The 1-year survival rate in the test and control groups was 9.7 and 15.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference in side effects (including thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, nausea, and vomiting) between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Endostar durative transfusion combined with chemotherapy showed a higher DCR, longer PFS and OS time, and was well tolerated in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Mechanistic insights of epithelial protein lost in neoplasm in prostate cancer metastasis

EPLIN is frequently downregulated or lost in various cancers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the importance of EPLIN in prostate cancer progression, with particular focus on the mechanistic implications to elucidate EPLIN's tumor suppressive function in cancer. EPLIN expression was evaluated in prostate cancer cell lines and tissues. PC-3 and LNCaP EPLINα overexpression models were generated through transfection with EPLINα sequence and EPLIN knockdown was achieved using shRNA in CA-HPV-10 cells. Functional assays were performed to evaluate cellular characteristics and potential mechanisms were evaluated using a protein microarray, and validated using western blot analysis. EPLIN expression was reduced in clinical prostate cancer sections, including hyperplasia (p ≤ 0.001) and adenocarcinoma (p = 0.005), when compared to normal prostate tissue. EPLINα overexpression reduced cell growth, migration and invasion, and influenced transcript, protein and phosphoprotein expression of paxillin, FAK and Src. EPLIN knockdown increased the invasive and migratory nature of CA-HPV-10 cells and also induced changes to FAK and Src total and/or phospho expression. Functional characterization of cellular migration and invasion in addition to FAK and Src inhibition demonstrated differential effects between control and EPLINα overexpression and EPLIN knockdown cell lines. This study highlights that EPLIN expression in prostate cancer is able to influence several aspects of cancer cell characteristics, including cell growth, migration and invasion. The mechanism of the tumor suppressive action of EPLIN remains to be fully elucidated; and this study proposes a role for EPLIN's ability to regulate the aggressive characteristics of prostate cancer cells partially through regulating FAK/Src signaling.

Abstract 879: Investigating the activity of neratinib in human gastric cancer and gastric cancer cells, implications on clinical outcome and chemotherapy resistance

Background. The EGF receptor (EGFR) kinase family plays important role in tumour growth and progression and has been a validated therapeutic target for lung cancers. Here, we examined the activity of an irreversible pan-HER tyrosine kinase inhibitor, neratinib, on kinase phosphorylation and cellular response in human gastric cancer. The study also examined the expression of the neratinib responsive kinases in relation to chemoresistance in human gastric cancer. Method. Tumour and normal gastric tissues from a cohort of 85 patients were obtained along with clinical outcome and therapeutic response to chemotherapy. The level of expression of a panel of protein kinases of interest, including EGFR family members, was quantitatively analysed using a protein based kinase array. Human gastric cancer cells (AGS and HGC27) were assessed for their sensitivity to neratinib, inhibitors of other candidate kinases and combinations thereof. Cellular growth, migration and matrix adhesiveness were evaluated using multiple in vitro platforms. Result. We identified a panel of kinases that were highly responsive to the treatment by neratinib in cell lines. In the gastric cancer cohort, expression of these kinases significantly correlated with the overall survival of the patients (p&lt;0.001) and, together with node involvement, invasion, staging and type of surgery, was an independent prognostic indicator for the clinical outcome. Expression of the EGFR kinase family members EGFR, HER2, and HER4 was linked to poor clinical outcome. Expression of both neratinib response kinases and EGFR family members was also associated with therapeutic resistance to chemotherapies in the cohort of patients analyzed. In vitro, neratinib caused a concentration dependent inhibition of migration, matrix adhesiveness and growth in human gastric cancer cells. The migratory pace of the gastric cancer cells was particularly sensitive to neratinib. The role of two neratinib response kinases, Protein Kinase C iota (PKCi) and Mouse Double Minute 2 homologue (MDM2), was then further investigated. Interestingly, both PKCi and MDM2 were aberrantly expressed in gastric cancer tissues. In addition, the PKCi inhibitor Oncrasin-1 and the MDM2 antagonist Nutlin-3 both demonstrated synergy with neratinib in inhibiting adhesiveness and migration of the gastric cancer cells. Conclusion. Our data indicates that EGFR family members and other neratinib responsive kinases are aberrantly expressed in human gastric cancer and may be of prognostic value for the patients. In addition, gastric cancer cells are sensitive to neratinib, and displayed reduced migration when combined with inhibitors of PKCi or MDM2, two of the neratinib responsive kinases.

Citation Format: W. G. Jiang, Tracey A. Martin, Sioned Owen, Lin Ye, Andrew J. Sanders, Yuxin Cui, Meng Xie, Shiqin Jia, Yongning Jia, Fiona Ruge, Francesca Avogadri-Connors, Alshad S. Lalani, Richard P. Bryce, Jiafu Ji. Investigating the activity of neratinib in human gastric cancer and gastric cancer cells, implications on clinical outcome and chemotherapy resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 879.

Abstract P4-05-03: Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and HER2 positively correlate in breast cancer and effect cell responsiveness to neratinib and cMET inhibitor

Background: Upregulation of heat shock protein-27 (HSP27), a key member of the HSP family, has been shown to confer resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in solid tumours including breast cancer. Evidence is also emerging that HSP27 is linked to the metastatic spread of breast cancer and key cellular traits including cellular migration. Neratinib is an orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor that irreversibly binds and inhibits EGFR, HER2 and HER4 receptor tyrosine kinases. cMET, the receptor for hepatocyte growth factor and target for cancer therapies, has been shown to be trans-phosphorylated by EGFR. In the current study, we evaluated HSP27 expression within a breast cancer cohort and its implications in cellular responsiveness to cMET inhibition and neratinib.

Methods: HSP27 transcript expression was analysed in our chemotherapy naïve breast cancer cohort (n=124) using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and compared to clinic-pathological information including long-term survival over a ten year follow up period. In addition, the correlation between HSP27 and HER2 expression was explored using Spearman Rank order. High-throughput cell migration analysis was performed using ECIS, on MCF-7 control and HSP27 siRNA knockdown cells in conjunction with neratinib and PHA 665752, a small molecule cMET inhibitor.

Results: In our primary breast cancer cohort, there were no significant associations between HSP27 transcript expression levels and tumour grade, TNM or estrogen receptor (ER) status. Combined survival expression analysis indicated that the worst patient prognosis was associated with high levels of both HER2 and HSP27 and high HER2 and low HSP27 whereas best patient prognosis was associated with low HER2 and low HSP27 expression. Knockdown of HSP27 in MCF7 cells brought about a reduction in cellular migration compared to the control. Additionally, this reduction was enhanced by the addition of neratinib, in a concentration dependent manner, and also cMET inhibition when individually treated. Furthermore, the greatest inhibitory effects on MCF-7 migration were seen following HSP27 knockdown and combined treatment with neratinib and PHA 665752.

Conclusions: Our current data suggests that HSP27 confers low sensitivity to drugs such as neratinib and PHA 665752, particularly in relation to cellular migration and hence potentially metastasis. Therefore, the targeting of HSP27, HER2 and cMET appear to act syngeristically to regulate cellular migration in vitro. Furthermore, clinically expression of HER2 and HSP27 may serve as a prognostic marker for breast cancer survival. Hence, combination therapies that target both HSP and HER2 pathways may provide new clinical opportunities for preventing breast cancer progression.

Citation Format: Owen S, Sanders AJ, Ruge F, Lalani AS, Avogadri-Connors F, Bryce RP, Jiang WG. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) and HER2 positively correlate in breast cancer and effect cell responsiveness to neratinib and cMET inhibitor [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-05-03.

Abstract P3-15-04: Signalling pathways targeted by the YangZheng Xiaoji extract and the therapeutic implications in human breast cancer

Background. Yangzheng Xiaoji is a formulation of Chinese medicine and has been used in the treatment of solid cancer as an adjuvant to chemotherapy by reducing the side effects to the patient. There has been evidence to show that the medicine has a direct biological role in cancer cells. In the present study, we sought to investigate the potential effects of the medicine on breast cancer cells and in particular aimed to identify the key targets and molecular pathways contributing to the anti-cancer effect of the medicine.

Methods. Human breast cancer cell lines (BT549, BT20, MDA MB-231, MCF-7 and ZR 75-1) with varying invasiveness and receptor status were used. The soluble extract of Yangzheng Xiaoji, namely DME25 was used in the study. The effects of DME25 on the growth, toxicity and cellular migration were assessed. Signalling kinase changes were screened using kinase antibody array based array technologies. Kinases were also validated using phosphorylation based protein blotting.

Results. Of the five breast cancer cell lines tested, Yangzheng Xiaoji extract DME25 showed little cytotoxicity over a broad range of concentrations. However, DME25 were able to markedly reduce the migration of the panel of breast cancer tested, without being toxic. Triple negative cells responded in a similar fashion with other cells. It was also noted that the adhesion of these cells were also inhibited by DME25. Using a protein kinase array, it was shown that a number of kinase complexes were inhibited by the medicine, notable ones including EGFR family kinases (reduced by 35%), Janus protein kinases (JAK) (by 57%), and Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (Rac1 or CDC42 GTPase) (by 49%) and Ribosomal protein S6 kinases (RSKs) (by 52%). Given the clinical significance of RSKs in human breast cancer, we further evaluated the role of RSK and RSK inhibitors in DME mediated cell functions and have demonstrated that both in triple negative breast cancer cells and receptor positive breast cancer cell lines, DME25 was able to synergistically enhance the effect of RSK2 inhibitor, SL1010-1, on the both the cellular migration and cell growth.

Conclusion. Yangzheng Xiaoji has a broad and direct effect on the migration of breast cancer, an effect unrelated to hormone receptor status and independent of cytotoxicity. The medicine appears to target kinase pathway, particularly for the RSK kinases, suggesting an important clinical implication in the treatment of breast cancer.

Citation Format: Jiang WG, Ye L, Owen S, Ruge F, Martin TA, Sanders AJ, Gao G, Wei C, Wu Y, Davies E. Signalling pathways targeted by the YangZheng Xiaoji extract and the therapeutic implications in human breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-15-04.

Abstract P1-07-27: Prognostic value of programmed death 1/Programmed death ligand 1/ mammalian target of rapamycin/Rictor/Tuberin in human breast cancer

Background:The Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) regulates a multitude of cellular processes including metabolism, proliferation and growth. It is known to form two multi-protein complexes - complex 1 (mTORC1) and complex 2 (mTORC2) with Raptor and Rictor being their core proteins vital for their integrity.

Tuberin, the product of the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex gene 2, TSC2, has been characterized as a tumour suppressor and negatively regulates the mTOR pathway.

Programmed Death 1 (PD-1), a transmembrane protein particularly expressed on the surface of tumour cells, acts as an immune checkpoint receptor. Together with its ligand Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PDL-1) they form a pathway which when activated influences anti-tumour immunity and supresses anti-tumour adaptive responses. The expression of PD1/PDL-1 is lightly regulated by the mTOR pathway.

We investigated the value of expression patterns of all these molecules in breast cancer as potential prognostic factors.

Materials and Methods: Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis was used to determine the transcript expression profile of the five genes of interest (PD-1, PDL-1, mTOR, Rictor and Tuberin) in 128 breast cancer specimens.The correlation between PD-1 or PDL-1 with mTOR, Rictor and Tuberin was assessed using the Spearman Rank Order Correlation. Subsequently, a combined analysis was performed, where the influence of favourable expression in relation to patient overall (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) using the Kaplan Meier survival curves and multivariate analysis.

Results: The mRNA expression of the molecules showed a varying degree of association with the clinicopathological parameters. PD-1 transcript expression showed a significant correlation with mTOR expression (p &lt; 0.001). PDL-1 transcript expression was seen to correlate with mTOR (p &lt; 0.001), Rictor (p &lt; 0.001) and Tuberin (p &lt; 0.01) transcript expression. However, when the expression profile was analysed using an integrated expression score, the combined predictive value for the clinical outcome of the five genes was highly significant in terms of OS (p &lt; 0.001) and DFS (p = 0.001), and was found to be an independent prognostic factor (p&lt;0.001) for breast cancer related death using a multivariate analysis.

Conclusions: Our study identifies a molecular signature of 5 genes as a powerful prognostic predictor of OS and DFS in patients with breast cancer.

Citation Format: Uhercik M, Sanders AJ, Owen S, Davies EL, Sharma AK, Jiang WG, Mokbel K. Prognostic value of programmed death 1/Programmed death ligand 1/ mammalian target of rapamycin/Rictor/Tuberin in human breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-07-27.

The IL-17B-IL-17 receptor B pathway promotes resistance to paclitaxel in breast tumors through activation of the ERK1/2 pathway

Interleukin 17B (IL-17B) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that belongs to the IL-17 cytokines family and binds to IL-17 receptor B (IL-17RB). Here we found that high expression of IL-17B and IL-17RB is associated with poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer and that IL-17B expression upregulation is specifically associated with poorer survival in patients with basal-like breast cancer. We thus focused on IL-17B role in breast cancer by using luminal and triple negative (TN)/basal-like tumor cell lines. We found that IL-17B induces resistance to conventional chemotherapeutic agents. In vivo, IL-17B induced resistance to paclitaxel and treatment with an anti-IL-17RB neutralizing antibody completely restored breast tumor chemosensitivity, leading to tumor shrinkage. We next focused on the signaling pathways activated in human breast cancer cell lines upon incubation with IL-17B. We observed that IL-17B induces ERK1/2 pathway activation, leading to upregulation of anti-apoptotic proteins of the BCL-2 family. IL-17B-induced chemoresistance was completely abolished by incubation with PD98059, an inhibitor of the MAPK/ERK pathway, indicating that the ERK pathway plays a crucial role. Altogether our results emphasize the role of the IL-17B/IL-17RB signaling pathway in breast tumors and identify IL-17B and its receptor as attractive therapeutic targets for potentiating breast cancer chemotherapy.

Clinical Significance of PD1 and PDL1 in Human Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Programmed death 1 (PD1) and its ligand programmed death ligand 1 (PDL1) form a pathway which when activated is thought to result in suppression of antitumor adaptive responses, influencing antitumor immunity. With potential targeted therapies emerging against PDL1, we investigated the clinical significance of mRNA expression levels of PD1 and PDL1 in our breast cancer cohort to explore its association with disease progression and prognosis. Previous studies evaluating the expression of PD1 and PDL1 (mRNA or protein) and its association with prognosis in breast cancer showed both positive and negative correlations and hence remain controversial.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine transcript expression levels of PD1 and PDL1 in a cohort consisting of primary breast cancer tissues (n=127) and matching non-neoplastic background tissues (n=33) with available clinical and pathological information. Two-sample two-tailed t-test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Wilcoxon tests were performed.

RESULTS

Significant PDL1 transcript level reductions were seen in patients who developed metastases, as well as those who had local recurrence, compared to patients who remained disease-free. Higher PDL1 transcript levels were also associated with better overall and disease-free survival. Significantly higher transcript expression levels of PD1 were found in tumor tissue, whilst a general increase in PDL1 expression was found in tumor tissues, although this did not reach statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates higher levels of expression of PDL1 are associated with favorable clinical outcome.

Expression of Osteoprotegrin Is Enhanced in Lung Cancer Tissues and Promotes Aggressive Cellular Traits in H3122 Lung Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Osteoprotegrin (OPG), a secreted protein and a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily has been well-characterized and is an important regulator of bone remodeling by blocking osteoclast maturation thus preventing osteolysis. In recent years, OPG has been reported to have an association with the malignant capacity of various cancer types and cancer-associated bone metastasis, although the mechanisms of this are not clearly understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, OPG expression was analyzed in human lung cancer tissue and normal tissue based on the dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas and Oncomine. The in vitro effect of OPG on H3122 lung cancer cells was also assessed by characterizing cell function following knock-down and forced overexpression in this cell line.

RESULTS

The expression of OPG was significantly increased in lung cancer tissues compared to the normal control group and OPG promoted the malignant phenotypes of H3122 cells in in vitro models.

CONCLUSION

OPG may be a potential driver of lung cancer cells and therefore might have potential in therapy and diagnostics.

Potential Implication of Paxillin in Cancer Establishment Within the Bone Environment

BACKGROUND

Bone metastases are a common feature of advanced prostatic malignancies. They are characterised by a unique prevalence of osteoblastic phenotype and a poor prognosis. Paxillin is a 68-kDa signal transduction adaptor and scaffold protein that contains motifs involved in the mediation of protein-protein interactions. The state of paxillin phosphorylation is central to determining a cell's ability to adhere, detach and migrate and hence has been linked to processes such as wound repair and tumour metastasis. The current study explored the impact of paxillin suppression on prostate and breast cancer cell function and their responsiveness to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and bone matrix extract (BME) in order to assess its potential to influence bone colonization and homing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hammerhead ribozyme transgenes were used to knockdown the expression of paxillin in breast and prostate cancer cell lines. The impact on the cell growth, migration, adhesion and invasion was assessed using in vitro functional assays. In order to explore potential mechanisms, focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor was also used.

RESULTS

Knockdown of paxillin expression was observed in all tested cell lines following transfection with the ribozyme transgene. The knockdown of paxillin increased proliferation and invasiveness of LNCaP cells, with no effect on their attachment abilities. The opposite, however, is true for PC-3 cells where, following knockdown, cellular attachment was significantly reduced, while no significant changes in growth and invasiveness were detected. In the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer knockdown model, cells had little difference in proliferative rates and generally increased attachment and reduced invasive abilities. Treatments with HGF and BME had differential effects on targeted cells when compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that paxillin appears to influence major cell functions in a diverse range of prostate and breast cancer models. The responsiveness of cells to environmental factors such as HGF or BME may be influenced by paxillin status, although this seems to be dependent on cell type.

Key Factors in Breast Cancer Dissemination and Establishment at the Bone: Past, Present and Future Perspectives

Bone metastases associated with breast cancer remain a clinical challenge due to their associated morbidity, limited therapeutic intervention and lack of prognostic markers. With a continually evolving understanding of bone biology and its dynamic microenvironment, many potential new targets have been proposed. In this chapter, we discuss the roles of well-established bone markers and how their targeting, in addition to tumour-targeted therapies, might help in the prevention and treatment of bone metastases. There are a vast number of bone markers, of which one of the best-known families is the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). This chapter focuses on their role in breast cancer-associated bone metastases, associated signalling pathways and the possibilities for potential therapeutic intervention. In addition, this chapter provides an update on the role receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) play on breast cancer development and their subsequent influence during the homing and establishment of breast cancer-associated bone metastases. Beyond the well-established bone molecules, this chapter also explores the role of other potential factors such as activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) and its potential impact on breast cancer cells' affinity for the bone environment, which implies that ALCAM could be a promising therapeutic target.

EPLIN: a fundamental actin regulator in cancer metastasis?

Treatment of malignant disease is of paramount importance in modern medicine. In 2012, it was estimated that 162,000 people died from cancer in the UK which illustrates a fundamental problem. Traditional treatments for cancer have various drawbacks, and this creates a considerable need for specific, molecular targets to overcome cancer spread. Epithelial protein lost in neoplasm (EPLIN) is an actin-associated molecule which has been implicated in the development and progression of various cancers including breast, prostate, oesophageal and lung where EPLIN expression is frequently lost as the cancer progresses. EPLIN is important in the regulation of actin dynamics and has multiple associations at epithelial cells junctions. Thus, EPLIN loss in cancer may have significant effects on cancer cell migration and invasion, increasing metastatic potential. Overexpression of EPLIN has proved to be an effective tool for manipulating cancerous traits such as reducing cell growth and cell motility and rendering cells less invasive illustrating the therapeutic potential of EPLIN. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of EPLIN, highlighting EPLIN involvement in regulating cytoskeletal dynamics, signalling pathways and implications in cancer and metastasis.

Expression of the SOCS family in human chronic wound tissues: Potential implications for SOCS in chronic wound healing

Cytokines play important roles in the wound healing process through various signalling pathways. The JAK-STAT pathway is utilised by most cytokines for signal transduction and is regulated by a variety of molecules, including suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins. SOCS are associated with inflammatory diseases and have an impact on cytokines, growth factors and key cell types involved in the wound-healing process. SOCS, a negative regulator of cytokine signalling, may hold the potential to regulate cytokine-induced signalling in the chronic wound-healing process. Wound edge tissues were collected from chronic venous leg ulcer patients and classified as non-healing and healing wounds. The expression pattern of seven SOCSs members, at the transcript and protein level, were examined in these tissues using qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Significantly higher levels of SOCS3 (P=0.0284) and SOCS4 (P=0.0376) in non-healing chronic wounds compared to the healing/healed chronic wounds were observed at the transcript level. Relocalisation of SOCS3 protein in the non-healing wound environment was evident in the investigated chronic biopsies. Thus, the results show that the expression of SOCS transcript indicated that SOCS members may act as a prognostic biomarker of chronic wounds.

Differential expression of CCN family members CYR611, CTGF and NOV in gastric cancer and their association with disease progression

CCN is an acronym for cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV). Aberrations of certain CCN members including CYR61, CTGF, Wnt1-inducible signalling pathway protein (WISP)-1 and -3 have been reported in gastric cancer. The present study aimed to examine the clinical relevance of NOV along with CYR61 and CTGF in gastric cancer by analysing their transcript levels. CYR61, CTGF and NOV transcript expression in 324 gastric cancer samples with paired adjacent normal gastric tissues were determined using real-time quantitative PCR and the results were statistically analysed against patient clinicopathological data using SPSS software. NOV mRNA levels in gastric cancer tissues were significantly elevated when compared with levels in their paired adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Local advanced tumours with invasive expansion (T3 and T4) expressed higher levels of NOV (p=0.013) compared with the less invasive tumours (T1 and T2). CYR61 transcript levels were also significantly increased in gastric cancers compared with levels in the adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that patients with CYR61-low transcript levels had longer overall survival (OS) (p=0.018) and disease-free survival (DFS) (p=0.015). NOV overexpression promoted the in vitro proliferation of AGS cells while the knockdown resulted in a reduced proliferation of HGC27 cells. A similar effect was observed for the invasion of these two gastric cancer cell lines. NOV expression was increased in gastric cancer which was associated with local invasion and distant metastases. Taken together, the expression of NOV and CYR61 was increased in gastric cancer. The elevated expression of CYR61 was associated with poorer survival. NOV promoted proliferation and invasion of gastric cancer cells. Further investigations may highlight their predictive and therapeutic potential in gastric cancer.

Designing a broad-spectrum integrative approach for cancer prevention and treatment

Targeted therapies and the consequent adoption of "personalized" oncology have achieved notable successes in some cancers; however, significant problems remain with this approach. Many targeted therapies are highly toxic, costs are extremely high, and most patients experience relapse after a few disease-free months. Relapses arise from genetic heterogeneity in tumors, which harbor therapy-resistant immortalized cells that have adopted alternate and compensatory pathways (i.e., pathways that are not reliant upon the same mechanisms as those which have been targeted). To address these limitations, an international task force of 180 scientists was assembled to explore the concept of a low-toxicity "broad-spectrum" therapeutic approach that could simultaneously target many key pathways and mechanisms. Using cancer hallmark phenotypes and the tumor microenvironment to account for the various aspects of relevant cancer biology, interdisciplinary teams reviewed each hallmark area and nominated a wide range of high-priority targets (74 in total) that could be modified to improve patient outcomes. For these targets, corresponding low-toxicity therapeutic approaches were then suggested, many of which were phytochemicals. Proposed actions on each target and all of the approaches were further reviewed for known effects on other hallmark areas and the tumor microenvironment. Potential contrary or procarcinogenic effects were found for 3.9% of the relationships between targets and hallmarks, and mixed evidence of complementary and contrary relationships was found for 7.1%. Approximately 67% of the relationships revealed potentially complementary effects, and the remainder had no known relationship. Among the approaches, 1.1% had contrary, 2.8% had mixed and 62.1% had complementary relationships. These results suggest that a broad-spectrum approach should be feasible from a safety standpoint. This novel approach has potential to be relatively inexpensive, it should help us address stages and types of cancer that lack conventional treatment, and it may reduce relapse risks. A proposed agenda for future research is offered.

The clinical significance and impact of interleukin 15 on keratinocyte cell growth and migration

Chronic wounds represent a significant burden to health services and are associated with patient morbidity. Novel methods to diagnose and/or treat problematic wounds are needed. Interleukin (IL)-15 is a cytokine involved in a number of biological processes and disease states such as inflammation, healing and cancer progression. The current study explores the expression profile of IL-15 and IL-15 receptor α (IL-15Rα) in chronic wounds and its impact on keratinocytes. IL-15 and IL-15Rα expression were examined in healing and non-healing chronic wounds using qPCR and immunohistochemical analysis. The impact of recombinant IL-15 (rhIL-15) on human adult low calcium temperature (HaCaT) keratinocyte growth and migratory potential was further examined. IL-15 transcript expression was slightly, though non-significantly elevated in healing chronic wounds compared with non-healing chronic wounds. IL-15 protein staining was minimal in both subtypes of chronic wounds. By contrast, IL-15Rα transcript and protein expression were both observed to be enhanced in non-healing chronic wounds compared with healing chronic wounds. The treatment of HaCaT cells with rhIL-15 generally enhanced cell growth and promoted migration. Analysis with small molecule inhibitors suggested that the pro-migratory effect of rhIL-15 may be associated with ERK, AKT, PLCγ and FAK signalling. IL-15 may promote healing traits in keratinocytes and the differential expression of IL-15Rα is observed in chronic wounds. Together, this may imply a complex role for this interleukin in wound healing.

Potential implications of interleukin-7 in chronic wound healing

Methods of identifying chronic wounds that will heal in a timely, coordinated fashion and those that will not, together with novel therapeutic strategies, are vital for progression in the field of wound healing. Interleukin (IL)-7 has been associated with various biological and pathological processes. The present study explored the potential role of IL-7 in wound healing. IL-7 expression levels were examined in a clinical cohort of chronic wounds using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical staining analysis. The impact of recombinant human IL-7 (rhIL-7) on the growth and migrational rates of HaCaT keratinocyte cells was subsequently examined using in vitro growth and electric cell-substrate impedance sensing functional assays. The mRNA expression levels of IL-7 were increased in the healed chronic wound tissue samples, compared with non-healed chronic wound tissue samples, although the difference was not statistically significant. Similarly, immunohistochemical analysis revealed a greater staining intensity of IL-7 in the healed chronic wound tissue sections compared with the non-healed tissue sections. Treatment with rhIL-7 did not affect HaCaT cell growth rates, but was shown to enhance cell migration, an effect that could be further enhanced through the addition of inhibitors of neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein and protein kinase B. The data of the present study suggest that the expression levels of IL-7 may be increased in healing chronic wounds, and thus IL-7 may have a role in this process, potentially through its effects on the cellular migration of keratinocytes.

Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase Enhancers, PIKEs: Their Biological Functions and Roles in Cancer

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase enhancer (PIKE) belongs to a family of GTP-binding proteins, including three isoforms, PIKE-S, PIKE-L and PIKE-A. PIKE-S and PIKE-L interact with PI3K to enhance the activity of PI3K, but PIKE-A directly binds to AKT and up-regulates its activity. PIKEs also interacts with a variety of signaling molecules in addition to PI3K and AKT, to trigger multiple physiological functions. Overexpression or mutation of PIKE has been observed in a variety of tumors, especially PIKE-A, which acts as a proto-oncogene, promoting cancer cell growth, transformation and invasion through AKT signaling. Knockdown of PIKE-A or blocking of PIKE-A/AKT interactions enhances apoptosis, inhibits cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Moreover, PIKE plays an important role in tumorigenesis through other signaling pathways, such as focal adhesion kinase, signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A, and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells. The current review explores the functional role of PIKE and its potential in cancer therapy.

IL24 and its Receptors Regulate Growth and Migration of Pancreatic Cancer Cells and Are Potential Biomarkers for IL24 Molecular Therapy

BACKGROUND

Pancreatic cancer is hard to diagnose and treat due to its asymptomatic development and early metastasis. Supplementary therapy including molecular targeted therapy is needed to improve the outcome of pancreatic cancer. The significance of interleukin 24 (IL24) and its receptors in pancreatic cancer were investigated in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was carried out in 200 patient samples of pancreatic cancer. Transcript and protein expression were investigated in pancreatic cancer cells. Impact of IL24 recombinant protein on cell functions was examined.

RESULTS

High IL20R1 transcript expression was related to early T stage, and advanced N, and M stage. They collectively correlated with the survival of the patients. Treatment with IL24 inhibited cell growth, but its impact on migration varied depending on protein concentration.

CONCLUSION

IL20R1 correlated with prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer, and mediates pancreatic cancer cell growth and migration. It may be a potential biomarker for IL24 molecular-targeted therapy.

Targeting of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Kappa B (RANK) in PC-3 Cells Increases Cell Proliferation and Matrix Adhesion In Vitro

BACKGROUND

In Western societies, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer amongst men. Efforts to improve diagnosis and treatment remain a major focus and have been proven beneficial in the approach to localised disease. However, currently, metastatic disease management still remains palliative. Receptor activator of nuclear kappa B (RANK) has been extensively studied in bone biology and immunology, whilst several links have been made between RANK-positive breast cancer cells and disease progression. Its role in prostate cancer biology remains poorly understood, therefore the aim of this study was to explore the functional role of endogenously produced RANK in metastatic PC-3 prostate cancer cells in isolation and in response to hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RANK expression was targeted using hammerhead ribozyme technology in PC-3 prostate cancer cells, and verified by polymerase chain reaction and western blot. A variety of in vitro functional assays were conducted, including cell proliferation and matrix adhesion in the presence of HGF.

RESULTS

Suppression of RANK expression was successfully targeted with anti-RANK hammerhead ribozyme transgenes, as verified by PCR and western blot. Reduced RANK expression resulted in significantly increased PC-3 cell proliferation (p<0.01) and cell-matrix adhesion (p<0.05) compared to control cells.

CONCLUSION

Previous work into RANK and prostate cancer has focused on its interaction with the bone environment, particularly with regard to its receptor RANK ligand. This study has shown that endogenous RANK expression changes might also influence prostate cancer cell behaviour. Further work is now required to elucidate the signaling pathways involved in these processes.