[Corrigendum] Fully human VEGFR2 monoclonal antibody BC001 attenuates tumor angiogenesis and inhibits tumor growth

Subsequently to the publication of the above paper, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, for the scratch wound assay experiments shown in Fig. 1 on p. 2413, the panels showing the '0 h' experiments for the respective incubations with VEGF or BC001 were apparently identical. The authors were able to re‑examine their original data files, and realized that this figure had been inadverently assembled incorrectly. The revised version of Fig. 1, containing the correct data for the '0 h / BC001' panel, is shown below. Note that the revisions made to this figure do not affect the overall conclusions reported in the paper. The authors are grateful to the Editor of International Journal of Oncology for allowing them the opportunity to publish this Corrigendum, and apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Oncology 45: 2411‑2420, 2014; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2690].

Identification of differentially methylated genes as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of breast cancer

Background

Aberrant DNA methylation is significantly associated with breast cancer.

Methods

In this study, we aimed to determine novel methylation biomarkers using a bioinformatics analysis approach that could have clinical value for breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Firstly, differentially methylated DNA patterns were detected in breast cancer samples by comparing publicly available datasets (GSE72245 and GSE88883). Methylation levels in 7 selected methylation biomarkers were also estimated using the online tool UALCAN. Next, we evaluated the diagnostic value of these selected biomarkers in two independent cohorts, as well as in two mixed cohorts, through ROC curve analysis. Finally, prognostic value of the selected methylation biomarkers was evaluated breast cancer by the Kaplan-Meier plot analysis.

Results

In this study, a total of 23 significant differentially methylated sites, corresponding to 9 different genes, were identified in breast cancer datasets. Among the 9 identified genes, ADCY4, CPXM1, DNM3, GNG4, MAST1, mir129-2, PRDM14, and ZNF177 were hypermethylated. Importantly, individual value of each selected methylation gene was greater than 0.9, whereas predictive value for all genes combined was 0.9998. We also found the AUC for the combined signature of 7 genes (ADCY4, CPXM1, DNM3, GNG4, MAST1, PRDM14, ZNF177) was 0.9998 [95% CI 0.9994–1], and the AUC for the combined signature of 3 genes (MAST1, PRDM14, and ZNF177) was 0.9991 [95% CI 0.9976–1]. Results from additional validation analyses showed that MAST1, PRDM14, and ZNF177 had high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for breast cancer diagnosis. Lastly, patient survival analysis revealed that high expression of ADCY4, CPXM1, DNM3, PRDM14, PRKCB, and ZNF177 were significantly associated with better overall survival.

Conclusions

Methylation pattern of MAST1, PRDM14, and ZNF177 may represent new diagnostic biomarkers for breast cancer, while methylation of ADCY4, CPXM1, DNM3, PRDM14, PRKCB, and ZNF177 may hold prognostic potential for breast cancer.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12957-021-02124-6.

Hydroxychloroquine potentiates the anti-cancer effect of bevacizumab on glioblastoma via the inhibition of autophagy

Bevacizumab (BEV) is widely used for the treatment of patients with recurrent glioblastoma (GBM), but recent evidence demonstrated that BEV induced cytoprotective autophagy, which allows tumor cells to survive. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) inhibits lysosomal acidification and blocks autophagy via influencing autophagosome fusion and degradation. HCQ is often used to enhance the efficacy of chemoradiotherapy. However, whether HCQ sensitizes GBM cells to BEV and the molecular mechanism of this effect are not clear. We showed that high concentrations of BEV increased the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and caused the degradation of Beclin1 in the LN18 and LN229 cell lines, indicating that high concentrations of BEV induced the autophagy of the LN18 and LN229 cells. However, BEV (100 μg/ml) did not influence the autophagy of the LN18 and LN229 cells, and HCQ at less than 5 μg/ml significantly accumulated LC3B-II and p62 proteins and blocked the autophagy process. Importantly, we found that HCQ (5 μg/ml) potentiated the anti-cancer effect of BEV (100 μg/ml). Therefore, HCQ is a novel strategy that may augment the efficacy of BEV for GBM via the inhibition of autophagy.

Prognostic value of angiopoietin-2 in non-small cell lung cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Background

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most frequent cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The targeted therapy had made important progress in recent years, but few potential predictive biomarkers for prognosis of NSCLC patients were identified. Angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), a cytokine upregulated in tumor endothelial cells and some tumor cells including NSCLC, is a partial agonist and antagonist of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1). Ang-1 is another ligand for the tyrosine kinase receptor Tie2; it promotes recruitment of pericytes and smooth muscle cells, stabilizing vascular networks by binding to Tie2. Although many studies mainly considered that Ang-2 correlated with progression and prognosis of NSCLC significantly, there are much conflicting and controversial data. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between Ang-2 and prognosis, a clinical outcome of NSCLC.

Methods

The search was based on major databases from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CNKI, and 20 eligible publications (range from 2002 to 2015) are included in our meta-analysis with 2011 NSCLC patients in total. These studies illuminated the correlation between the expression of Ang-2 and NSCLC, based on either prognostic factors or clinicopathological features. Pooled calculations were carried out on the odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95 % confidence interval (CI) to perform this meta-analysis, and all statistical analyses were carried out by STATA 12.0 and Review Manager 5.3.

Results

According to our results, the expression of Ang-2 in NSCLC tissues was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissues, indicating that Ang-2 over-expression may be a predictive marker (pooled OR = 5.09, corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) 3.10–8.36, p = 0.000). In addition, our pooled data showed that Ang-2 expression was positively correlated with tumor stages (pooled OR = 3.58, 95 % CI 2.40–5.35, p = 0.000), differentiation (pooled OR = 0.65, 95 % CI 0.45–0.94, p = 0.02), lymphatic invasion (pooled OR = 3.15, 95 % CI 1.97–5.03, p = 0.000), and poor survival (pooled OR = 1.93, 95 % CI 1.47–2.52, p = 0.000) of NSCLC, but seems to have no significant impact on tumor size (pooled OR = 1.09, 95 % CI 0.59–2.00, p = 0.78).

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that Ang-2 expression significantly correlated with poor prognosis for patients with NSCLC.

Fully human VEGFR2 monoclonal antibody BC001 attenuates tumor angiogenesis and inhibits tumor growth

The critical role of VEGFR2 in tumor neovascularization and progression has allowed the design of clinically beneficial therapies based on it. Here we show that BC001, a new fully human anti-VEGFR2 monoclonal antibody, inhibits VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell migration, tube formation, and effectively suppressed the transdifferentiation of cancer stem cells into endothelial cells in vitro. Since BC001 exhibited no activity against the mouse VEGFR2 and mouse based study was required to confirm its efficacy in vivo, BC101, the mouse analogue of BC001, was developed. BC101 significantly attenuated angiogenesis according to Matrigel plug assay and resulted in ~80% growth inhibition of mouse B16F10 homograft tumors relative to vehicle control. Similarly, human analogue BC001 suppressed the growth of human xenograft tumors HCT116 and BGC823. Furthermore, immunohistochemical results showed reduced expression of CD31, VEGFR2 and Ki-67, as well as increased expression of Caspase 3 in BC001-treated tumor, which indicated BC001 was able to significantly decrease microvessel density, suppress proliferation and promote apoptosis. These results demonstrate the fully human VEGFR2 monoclonal antibody BC001 can work as an effective inhibitor of tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo.

Time trends of early gastric carcinoma. A clinicopathologic analysis of 2846 cases

BACKGROUND

Despite recent improvements in the diagnostic accuracy and techniques for identifying early gastric carcinoma, gastric carcinoma remains a major cause of death in the world.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic features of 2846 surgically resected early gastric carcinomas from 1962-1987 were reviewed, and the time trends of a variety of clinicopathologic factors were studied using both an univariate and a multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

The differentiated type of carcinoma increased in frequency from 34-50%. The percentage of patients older than 60 years of age increased from 32-56%. The number of lesions measuring less than 3 cm increased from 28-56%. The frequency of shallow-type-IIc carcinomas measuring less than 3 cm, which had been previously difficult to detect and were mainly composed of differentiated carcinomas, increased from 46-69%. The relative proportion of the differentiated type of carcinoma was significantly higher in patients older than 60 years of age than in those younger than 60. The relative proportion of differentiated-type carcinomas measuring less than 3 cm, which had been easy to detect as opposed to undifferentiated-type carcinomas, significantly increased from 56-76%.

CONCLUSIONS

The above time trends may indeed reflect genuine change. However, the recent increase in the rate of differentiated-type, small-sized carcinomas also suggests the possibility that such results may, in fact, be due mainly to improvements in both diagnostic accuracy and medical technology. Thus, a large number of undifferentiated-type, small-sized carcinomas might have merely failed to be found in routine gastric examination.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach. A quantitative analysis on its submucosal invasion using a computer image analyzer

As has been indicated, signet-ring cell carcinoma often shows a three-layered pattern of mucus-containing cells in the mucosa, reproducing an organized differentiation in the normal mucosa. In 110 lesions of early stage signet-ring cell carcinoma of the stomach, the proportion between the area with the three-layered pattern and the non-layered area without such layered pattern was measured using a computer image analyzer. As the result, a positive correlation could be demonstrated between the extent of the non-layered area and the tumor size expressed in the largest diameter (r = 0.2777, P < 0.01). The incidence of submucosal invasion significantly increased when the non-layered area exceeded 50% of the total area of signet-ring cell carcinoma. The sites of submucosal invasion were almost always limited to within the non-layered area bearing another positive correlation between the area of submucosal invasion and that of non-layered intramucosal pattern (r = 0.4427, P < 0.01). Thus, it is indicated that the incidence of submucosal invasion in early signet-ring cell carcinoma was significantly related to a dissolution of the three-layered pattern of carcinoma within the mucosa. In addition, the presence or absence of fibrous and lymphoid stromal reactions to the carcinoma was evaluated in relation to the incidence of submucosal invasion.

Pathology and prognosis of gastric carcinoma. Findings in 10,000 patients who underwent primary gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, gastric carcinoma remains a major cause of death in the world.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic profile of 10,000 consecutive patients who underwent primary gastrectomy during 1962-1989 were reviewed and prognostic factors influencing survival in those with gastric carcinoma were analyzed in 7031 patients.

RESULTS

Incidence of gastrectomy for carcinoma has increased steadily and the rate of early carcinoma exceeded that of advanced carcinoma in the recent period of 1985-1989. Five-year and 10-year survival rates were 46.1% and 35.2% in 3868 patients with advanced carcinoma, and 88.8% and 77.3% in 3163 patients with early carcinoma, respectively. In patients with advanced carcinoma, significantly poorer survival rates were noticed for patients older than 70 years of age, those who underwent total gastrectomy, tumors involving the entire stomach or greater than 10 cm in diameter, a macroscopic diffusely infiltrative pattern, adenosquamous histologic type, positive surgical resection margins, or lymph node metastasis. None of the above poor prognostic features were identified in patients with early gastric carcinoma group except for those older than 70 years of age. Although lymph node metastases were present in 10% of early gastric carcinomas, this feature did not impart a poor prognosis. Patients with advanced carcinoma grossly resembling an early carcinoma had an intermediate prognosis, suggesting the existence of a developmentally midstage lesion between early and advanced carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The study illustrates that the most important role for clinicians treating with gastric carcinoma should be early detection and aggressive surgery for resectable tumors, followed by detailed pathologic examination.

Pathology and prognosis of gastric carcinoma. Findings in 10,000 patients who underwent primary gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, gastric carcinoma remains a major cause of death in the world.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic profile of 10,000 consecutive patients who underwent primary gastrectomy during 1962-1989 were reviewed and prognostic factors influencing survival in those with gastric carcinoma were analyzed in 7031 patients.

RESULTS

Incidence of gastrectomy for carcinoma has increased steadily and the rate of early carcinoma exceeded that of advanced carcinoma in the recent period of 1985-1989. Five-year and 10-year survival rates were 46.1% and 35.2% in 3868 patients with advanced carcinoma, and 88.8% and 77.3% in 3163 patients with early carcinoma, respectively. In patients with advanced carcinoma, significantly poorer survival rates were noticed for patients older than 70 years of age, those who underwent total gastrectomy, tumors involving the entire stomach or greater than 10 cm in diameter, a macroscopic diffusely infiltrative pattern, adenosquamous histologic type, positive surgical resection margins, or lymph node metastasis. None of the above poor prognostic features were identified in patients with early gastric carcinoma group except for those older than 70 years of age. Although lymph node metastases were present in 10% of early gastric carcinomas, this feature did not impart a poor prognosis. Patients with advanced carcinoma grossly resembling an early carcinoma had an intermediate prognosis, suggesting the existence of a developmentally midstage lesion between early and advanced carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The study illustrates that the most important role for clinicians treating with gastric carcinoma should be early detection and aggressive surgery for resectable tumors, followed by detailed pathologic examination.

Pathology and prognosis of gastric carcinoma. Findings in 10,000 patients who underwent primary gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, gastric carcinoma remains a major cause of death in the world.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic profile of 10,000 consecutive patients who underwent primary gastrectomy during 1962-1989 were reviewed and prognostic factors influencing survival in those with gastric carcinoma were analyzed in 7031 patients.

RESULTS

Incidence of gastrectomy for carcinoma has increased steadily and the rate of early carcinoma exceeded that of advanced carcinoma in the recent period of 1985-1989. Five-year and 10-year survival rates were 46.1% and 35.2% in 3868 patients with advanced carcinoma, and 88.8% and 77.3% in 3163 patients with early carcinoma, respectively. In patients with advanced carcinoma, significantly poorer survival rates were noticed for patients older than 70 years of age, those who underwent total gastrectomy, tumors involving the entire stomach or greater than 10 cm in diameter, a macroscopic diffusely infiltrative pattern, adenosquamous histologic type, positive surgical resection margins, or lymph node metastasis. None of the above poor prognostic features were identified in patients with early gastric carcinoma group except for those older than 70 years of age. Although lymph node metastases were present in 10% of early gastric carcinomas, this feature did not impart a poor prognosis. Patients with advanced carcinoma grossly resembling an early carcinoma had an intermediate prognosis, suggesting the existence of a developmentally midstage lesion between early and advanced carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The study illustrates that the most important role for clinicians treating with gastric carcinoma should be early detection and aggressive surgery for resectable tumors, followed by detailed pathologic examination.

Pathology and prognosis of gastric carcinoma. Findings in 10,000 patients who underwent primary gastrectomy

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, gastric carcinoma remains a major cause of death in the world.

METHODS

The clinicopathologic profile of 10,000 consecutive patients who underwent primary gastrectomy during 1962-1989 were reviewed and prognostic factors influencing survival in those with gastric carcinoma were analyzed in 7031 patients.

RESULTS

Incidence of gastrectomy for carcinoma has increased steadily and the rate of early carcinoma exceeded that of advanced carcinoma in the recent period of 1985-1989. Five-year and 10-year survival rates were 46.1% and 35.2% in 3868 patients with advanced carcinoma, and 88.8% and 77.3% in 3163 patients with early carcinoma, respectively. In patients with advanced carcinoma, significantly poorer survival rates were noticed for patients older than 70 years of age, those who underwent total gastrectomy, tumors involving the entire stomach or greater than 10 cm in diameter, a macroscopic diffusely infiltrative pattern, adenosquamous histologic type, positive surgical resection margins, or lymph node metastasis. None of the above poor prognostic features were identified in patients with early gastric carcinoma group except for those older than 70 years of age. Although lymph node metastases were present in 10% of early gastric carcinomas, this feature did not impart a poor prognosis. Patients with advanced carcinoma grossly resembling an early carcinoma had an intermediate prognosis, suggesting the existence of a developmentally midstage lesion between early and advanced carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The study illustrates that the most important role for clinicians treating with gastric carcinoma should be early detection and aggressive surgery for resectable tumors, followed by detailed pathologic examination.

Coincident occurrence of granular cell tumor of the stomach with an early gastric carcinoma

In a 41-yr-old Japanese woman, a rare coincident lesion composed of granular cell tumor and early gastric adenocarcinoma was detected in the stomach. Beneath the poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma almost limiting to the mucosa, the granular cell tumor measuring 1.2 x 0.8 cm was spreading mainly in the submucosa without forming polypoid nodule. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first published report on this type of coincidence. Immunohistochemically, the cells of the granular cell tumor were strongly positive for S-100 protein, but negative for muscle markers (HHF 35, desmin), some of which connected with perineural Schwann cells surrounding small vessels in the submucosa. These features suggested that granular cell tumor in our case arose from Schwann cells surrounding small vessels in the submucosa of the stomach.

Depressed adenoma of the stomach, revisited. Histologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemical profiles

For 52 patients with depressed adenomas of the stomach, histopathologic studies were done on 56 tumors and for 43 of them, histochemical and immunohistochemical features were examined. In addition, nondepressed adenomas (n = 57) and the depressed type of early gastric adenocarcinomas of the well-differentiated variety (n = 44) were studied as the controls. Depressed adenomas in the majority (73%) involved the entire thickness of the mucous membrane of the stomach with tubules of atypical epithelium, presenting a severe grade in many of the cases (41%). Paneth's cells were found in cases of a depressed adenoma, in significantly higher percentages (61%) than in those with a nondepressed adenoma (P less than 0.01). The frequency of cases with argyrophil cells was also higher in depressed adenoma (63%) than in nondepressed adenoma (36%) or in cases of early gastric carcinoma (32%). Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 were noticed in tumor cells, immunohistochemically in 28% of the cases with depressed adenoma, the frequency being intermediate between cases of a benign nondepressed adenoma (6% for both CEA and CA 19-9) and cases of early gastric carcinoma (71% for CEA and 66% for CA 19-9). No difference was noticed in lectin reactivity and mucin content between depressed and nondepressed adenomas, whereas tumor cells in the early depressed carcinoma had a higher lectin reactivity and less mucin content than those seen in the adenomas. It would thus appear that depressed adenoma is a benign neoplastic lesion; however, the malignant potential of this lesion is somewhat higher than the nondepressed counterpart, as indicated by the immunoreactivity to tumor markers and follow-up results reported by colleagues previously.