Multi-omics analysis reveals that ferroptosis-related gene CISD2 is a prognostic biomarker of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent malignancy, with high mortality rate and unavailability of accurate therapies. However, its early prevention remains a challenge. In the purview of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM), it is paramount to identify novel and powerful biomarkers. CISD2 is a crucial regulator of iron homeostasis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent studies showed that the NEET protein (NAF-1) encoded by CISD2 is involved in regulating the proliferation and metastasis of tumor cells. Nevertheless, the prognostic value and immunological correlations of CISD2 remain unclear.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analyses conducted utilizing data from comprehensive databases The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). All statistical evaluations were executed employing R software.

RESULTS

Our investigation of biological function, enrichment pathway, and immune correlation revealed a discernable linkage between CISD2 and the immune response. Moreover, we found that the suppression of CISD2 is associated with immune cell infiltration and various immune signatures.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study successfully revealed the potential prognostic and biological function of CISD2 in HNSCC. High expression of CISD2 are linked to gender, race, grade, etc., can notably enhance the early detection, prognosis, and prediction for individuals afflicted with HNSCC.

POLD4 Promotes Glioma Cell Proliferation and Suppressive Immune Microenvironment: A Pan-Cancer Analysis Integrated with Experimental Validation

POLD4 plays a crucial part in the complex machinery of DNA replication and repair as a vital component of the DNA polymerase delta complex. In this research, we obtained original information from various publicly available databases. Using a blend of R programming and internet resources, we initiated an extensive examination into the correlation between POLD4 expression and the various elements of cancers. In addition, we performed knockdown experiments in glioma cell lines to authenticate its significant impact. We discovered that POLD4 is upregulated in various malignant tumors, demonstrating a significant correlation with poor patient survival prognosis. Using function analysis, it was uncovered that POLD4 exhibited intricate associations with signaling pathways spanning multiple tumor types. Subsequent investigations unveiled the close association of POLD4 with the immune microenvironment and the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Drugs like trametinib, saracatinib, and dasatinib may be used in patients with high POLD4. Using experimental analysis, we further confirmed the overexpression of POLD4 in gliomas, as well as its correlation with glioma recurrence, proliferation, and the suppressive immune microenvironment. Our research findings indicate that the expression pattern of POLD4 not only serves as a robust indicator of prognosis in cancer patients but also holds promising potential as a new focus for treatment.

Wilms' Tumor 1 (WT1): A Novel Immunomarker of Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans-An Immunohistochemical Study on a Series of 114 Cases of Bland-Looking Mesenchymal Spindle Cell Lesions of the Dermis/Subcutaneous Tissues

Simple Summary

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a superficial fibroblastic spindle cell sarcoma with a high rate of local recurrence (20% to 50%) but with a low metastatic potential. DFSP is characterized by COL1A1-PDGFB gene fusion and diffuse immunohistochemical expression of CD34. This immunomarker is especially useful in distinguishing DFSP from its morphological mimickers, especially when pathologists are faced with small biopsies. Apart from CD34, there are no additional diagnostic immunomarkers for DFSP, and thus, there is the need to identify more sensitive and specific markers for this sarcoma. Recently, Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1) has been shown to be diffusely expressed in the cytoplasm of several benign and malignant mesenchymal spindle cell lesions. Based on this background, the aim of this study is to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of WT1 protein in a series of bland-looking spindle cell lesions of the dermis/subcutis, emphasizing its potential diagnostic role in identifying DFSP among its morphological mimickers.

Abstract

Purpose: to investigate the immunohistochemical expression and distribution of Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1) (transcription factor produced by the tumor suppressor gene of the same name) in a series of 114 cases of bland-looking mesenchymal spindle cell lesions of the dermis/subcutaneous tissues to establish whether this immunomarker is differentially expressed in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) versus its potential morphological mimickers. Methods: This retrospective multi-centric immunohistochemical study included 57 DFSP cases, 15 dermatofibromas, 5 deep fibrous histiocytomas, 8 neurofibromas, 5 spindle cell lipomas, 8 dermal scars, 6 nodular fasciitis, 5 cutaneous leiomyomas and 5 solitary fibrous tumors. Among the 57 DFSP cases, 11 were recurrent lesions; 2 non-recurrent cases exhibited an additional “fibrosarcomatous” overgrowth and 1 recurrent and 2 primary tumors contained a minority of “giant cell fibroblastoma” components. Results: Most DFSP (95% of cases) exhibited cytoplasmic staining for WT1; 11/11 residual/recurrent tumors showed diffuse and strong WT1 cytoplasmic immunoreactivity; apart from neurofibromas, WT1 expression was lacking in all the other cases studied. Conclusions: The cytoplasmic expression of WT1 may be exploitable as a complementary diagnostic immunomarker to CD34 in confirming the diagnosis of DFSP and to better evaluate the residual/recurrent tumor component.

Identification of ampullary carcinoma mixed subtype using a panel of six antibodies and its clinical significance

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the function of immunomarkers CK7, CK20, CK17, CDX2, MUC1, and MUC2 in the identification of primary ampullary carcinoma mixed subtype.

METHODS

Forty-two cases of primary ampullary carcinoma were performed by immunohistochemical studies. The correlation between the mixed subtype and the other two subtypes and patient survival data was analyzed using the SPSS 16.0 statistical software.

RESULTS

Among 42 cases, 12 (28.6%) cases were classified as mixed subtype, which showed variable expression patterns: 91.7% (11/12) for CK7, 83.3% (10/12) for CK20; 66.7% (8/12) for CK17, CDX2, and MUC1; and 50% (6/12) for MUC2. Ten (83.3%) mixed types coexpressed four or more immunomarkers. Eight (19%) intestinal subtypes mainly showed a positive expression of CK20, CDX2, and MUC2. Twenty-two (52.4%) pancreaticobiliary subtypes showed a positive expression of CK7, MUC1, and CK17. Stages III and IV diseases in mixed subtype (25%) and intestinal subtype (25%) were less than pancreaticobiliary subtype(63.6%) (p = 0.039). Follow-up data appeared to show a better survival rate for patients with mixed subtype than those with pancreaticobiliary subtypes.

CONCLUSION

Immunohistochemical staining provided a more reliable means of diagnosing mixed ampulla carcinoma. Accurate subtyping of ampullary carcinoma is clinically important to select effective chemotherapy regimens and to assess disease prognosis.

Galectin-3 may serve as a potential marker for diagnosis and prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Background

Galectin-3 is a member of the beta-galactoside-binding protein family and functions as a modulator of cell growth through galactoside-binding protein correlated with the occurrence and metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods

A systematic review of published articles on Web of Science and PubMed was performed. After establishing inclusion and exclusion criteria, nine articles were selected. Three studies referred to galectin-3 expression in PTC and non-PTC patients. Three studies referred to galectin-3 expression in PTC patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and without LNM. Three studies referred to galectin-3 expression in both PTC (with and without LNM) and non-PTC patients. Data analysis was performed by using RevMan5.2 software.

Results

A total of 424 patients from six eligible studies that provided data about galectin-3 expression in PTC and non-PTC patients were included. A total of 378 patients from six eligible studies that provided data about galectin-3 expression in PTC with LNM and without LNM were included. Immunohistochemistry technique was used in all the studies. Galectin-3 was found to be a highly sensitive (275/424, 64.86%) marker in the diagnosis of PTC, but was found to be expressed only in a few cases involving other types of thyroid lesions (58/424, 13.68%). The odds ratio, expressed as PTC group versus other thyroid lesions group, was 13.97 (95% CI: 7.51–26.01, P<0.00001). The results also showed that the positive expression rates of galectin-3 in PTC patients with LNM were higher than those in PTC patients without LNM.

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrated that galectin-3 may become a potentially useful immunomarker to distinguish between PTC and non-PTC patients. In addition, PTC patients with positive expression of galectin-3 were more prone to LNM.

Using a panel of immunomarkers to define homologies in Mammalian brains

Brain mapping has relied on a small number of routine chemical stains for many decades. The advent of immunomarkers has had a major impact on the ability to define homologous nuclei from one species to another. The first atlas to present a panel of immunomarkers was that of Paxinos et al. (1999a,b) in the adult rat brain. The markers used were parvalbumin, calbindin, calretinin, SMI32, tyrosine hydroxylase, and NADPH diaphorase (plus nissl and acetylcholinesterase). The ‘signature’ of a nucleus of interest in a new species can be tested against the findings in the rat. Since the pattern of immunomarkers seems to be conserved in mammalian evolution, such extrapolations can be made with reasonable confidence. A marmoset brain stained with a comprehensive set of immunomarkers has recently been published on the internet (Tokuno et al., 2009) and we are in the process of defining nuclear homologies in this brain by comparison with the same markers in the rat. In this article, we present an example (mapping the amygdala in the marmoset) which demonstrates the application of this immunomarker panel in defining homologies. The technique is particularly valuable in situations where little data on hodology or electrophysiology are available.