Six-Gene Signature for Differential Diagnosis and Therapeutic Decisions in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer-A Validation Study

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) poses a challenge due to its heterogeneity, necessitating precise histopathological subtyping and prognostication for optimal treatment decision-making. Molecular markers emerge as a potential solution, overcoming the limitations of conventional methods and supporting the diagnostic-therapeutic interventions. In this study, we validated the expression of six genes (MIR205HG, KRT5, KRT6A, KRT6C, SERPINB5, and DSG3), previously identified within a 53-gene signature developed by our team, utilizing gene expression microarray technology. Real-time PCR on 140 thoroughly characterized early-stage NSCLC samples revealed substantial upregulation of all six genes in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) compared to adenocarcinoma (ADC), regardless of clinical factors. The decision boundaries of the logistic regression model demonstrated effective separation of the relative expression levels between SCC and ADC for most genes, excluding KRT6C. Logistic regression and gradient boosting decision tree classifiers, incorporating all six validated genes, exhibited notable performance (AUC: 0.8930 and 0.8909, respectively) in distinguishing NSCLC subtypes. Nevertheless, our investigation revealed that the gene expression profiles failed to yield predictive value regarding the progression of early-stage NSCLC. Our molecular diagnostic models manifest the potential for an exhaustive molecular characterization of NSCLC, subsequently informing personalized treatment decisions and elevating the standards of clinical management and prognosis for patients.

Flake Graphene-Based Nanomaterial Approach for Triggering a Ferroptosis as an Attractive Theranostic Outlook for Tackling Non-Small Lung Cancer: A Mini Review

Lung cancer is a highly aggressive neoplasm that is now a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. One of the major approaches for killing cancer cells is related with activation of apoptotic cell death with anti-cancer drugs. However, the efficiency of apoptosis induction in tumors is limited. Consequently, the development of other forms of non-apoptotic cell death is up to date challenge for scientists worldwide. This situation motivated us to define the aim of this mini-review: gathering knowledge regarding ferroptosis—newly defined programmed cell death process characterized by the excessive accumulation of iron—and combining it with yet another interesting nanomaterial-based graphene approach. In this manuscript, we presented brief information about non-small lung cancer and ferroptosis, followed by a section depicting the key-features of graphene-based nanomaterials influencing their biologically relevant properties.

A brief overview of clinical significance of novel Notch2 regulators

The Notch pathway is an essential signaling system allowing neighboring cells to communicate and accomplish their proper developmental role in physiological condition. Nevertheless, there are many controversies conferring its function in pathological condition, particularly in cancer. It has been discovered that epigenetic regulation, posttranslational modifications, gene overexpression, and mutations may lead to the dysregulation of the Notch pathway. Additionally, Notch-mediated signaling can support tumor-suppressing mechanisms in certain types of cancer or may have oncogenic functions in others. Notch2 is one of the receptors commonly expressed in a variety of cancer cells, including gastric, hematological, and lung cancer. Moreover, it can be dysregulated in other diseases. In efforts to explain the role of Notch2 in the pathogenesis of cancer, recent studies indicated an association between this receptor and dysregulation of miRNAs, tumor-associated stromal cell, and modulation in tumor cells. Consequently, Notch2 function in the carcinogenesis process is unquestionable, whereas information according to the effect of its inhibition in tumor is still obscure. Hence, the aim of our study was to evaluate the current state of knowledge conferring Notch2 inhibition, with a particular focus on its role in cancer.

JAG1 overexpression contributes to Notch1 signaling and the migration of HTLV-1-transformed ATL cells

Background

HTLV-1 is a retrovirus that infects over 20 million people worldwide and is responsible for the hematopoietic malignancy adult T cell leukemia (ATL). We previously demonstrated that Notch is constitutively activated in ATL cells. Activating genetic mutations were found in Notch; however, Notch signaling was also activated in the absence of genetic mutations suggesting the existence of other mechanisms.

Methods

We analyzed the expression of Notch receptor ligands in HTLV-I-transformed cells, ATL patient-derived cell lines, and fresh uncultured ATL samples by RT-PCR, FACS, and immunohistochemistry. We then investigated viral and cellular molecular mechanisms regulating expression of JAG1. Finally, using shRNA knock-down and neutralizing antibodies, we investigated the function of JAG1 in ATL cells.

Results

Here, we report the overexpression of the Notch ligand, JAG1, in freshly uncultured ATL patient samples compared to normal PBMCs. We found that in ATL cells, JAG1 overexpression relies upon the viral protein Tax and cellular miR-124a, STAT3, and NFATc1. Interestingly, our data show that blockade of JAG1 signaling dampens Notch1 downstream signaling and limits cell migration of transformed ATL cells.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that targeting JAG1 can block Notch1 activation in HTLV-I-transformed cells and represents a new target for immunotherapy in ATL patients.

Current views on the role of Notch signaling and the pathogenesis of human leukemia

The Notch signaling pathway is highly conserved from Drosophila to humans and plays an important role in the regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis.Constitutive activation of Notch signaling has been shown to result in excessive cellular proliferation and a wide range of malignancies, including leukemia, glioblastoma and lung and breast cancers. Notch can also act as a tumor suppressor, and its inactivation has been associated with an increased risk of spontaneous squamous cell carcinoma. This minireview focuses on recent advances related to the mechanisms and roles of activated Notch1, Notch2, Notch3 and Notch4 signaling in human lymphocytic leukemia, myeloid leukemia and B cell lymphoma, as well as their significance, and recent advances in Notch-targeted therapies.

HTLV-I p30 inhibits multiple S phase entry checkpoints, decreases cyclin E-CDK2 interactions and delays cell cycle progression

BACKGROUND

Human T-cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) has efficiently adapted to its host and establishes a persistent infection characterized by low levels of viral gene expression and slow proliferation of HTLV-I infected cells over decades. We have previously found that HTLV-I p30 is a negative regulator of virus expression.

RESULTS

In this study we show that p30 targets multiple cell cycle checkpoints resulting in a delayed entry into S phase. We found that p30 binds to cyclin E and CDK2 and prevents the formation of active cyclin E-CDK2 complexes. In turn, this decreases the phosphorylation levels of Rb and prevents the release of E2F and its transcriptional activation of genes required for G1/S transition. Our studies also show that HTLV-II p28 does not bind cyclin E and does not affect cell cycle progression.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to HTLV-I, the HTLV-II-related retrovirus is not oncogenic in humans. Here we report that the HTLV-I p30 delays cell cycle progression while its homologue, HTLV-II p28, does not, providing evidence for important differences between these two related retrovirus proteins.

Levels of HBV-DNA, sFas and sFasL among healthy HBsAg carriers in period of three years

PURPOSE

The object of the study was the usefulness of sFas and sFasL concentration in the prognosis of disease development in healthy HBsAg carriers.

PATIENTS

34 healthy HBsAg carriers were examined over a three-years period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

HBV-DNA was extracted using the Gene Elute Mammalian Genomic DNA Miniprep Kit (Sigma, USA). HBV-DNA concentration and YMDD mutations were measured by RT-PCR based on TaqMan Universal Master Mix (Applied Biosystems, USA). HBeAg and anti-HBe in serum were detected by MEIA method (ABBOTT, Germany). The concentration of sFas and sFasL in serum was estimated by ELISA method (Bender MedSystems, Austria).

RESULTS

Within three year observation period the number of carriers with absent HBV-DNA increased from 19% to 33%. HBV-DNA above 105 copies/ml, which was detected in 63% of carriers, decreased to 11% (p < 0.05). After 3 years, a reduction of HBV-DNA levels was observed in 89% of carriers (p < 0.05). The occurrence of sFasL decreased from 56% to 48%. sFasL correlated with HBV-DNA (p < 0.05). The concentration of sFas decreased (p < 0.01). Chronic hepatitis B developed in 11% of men carriers, and 11% eliminated HBeAg, anti-HBe and HBV-DNA. YMDD mutant was not detected in any of the HBsAg carriers.

CONCLUSIONS

High concentration of sFasL in serum may suggest the development of chronic hepatitis and it seems that sFasL detection is never a good prognostic factor.