51
|
Chen J, Wang G, Zhang D, Luo X, Zhang D, Zhang Y. Construction of novel hypoxia-related gene model for prognosis and tumor microenvironment in endometrial carcinoma. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1075431. [PMID: 36589842 PMCID: PMC9797861 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1075431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Endometrial cancer is currently one of the three most common female reproductive cancers, which seriously threatens women's lives and health. Hypoxia disrupts the tumor microenvironment, thereby affecting tumor progression and drug resistance. METHODS We established hypoxia-related gene model to predict patient prognosis and 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates. Then, the expression level of hypoxia-related genes and survival data were extracted for comprehensive analysis by Cox regression analysis, and the model was established. RESULTS We analyzed the survival and prognosis of patients in the high and low-risk groups. The Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the low-risk group is associated with a better survival rate. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year AUC values of the model were 0.680, 0.698, and 0.687, respectively. Finally, we found that LAG3 may be a potential immune checkpoint for endometrial cancer. CONCLUSION We found four hypoxia-related genes (ANXA2, AKAP12, NR3C1, and GPI) associated with prognosis. The hypoxia-related gene model can also predict prognosis and tumor microenvironment in endometrial cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guocheng Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Donghai Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomei Luo
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Da Zhang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, Changchun Center Hospital, Changchun, Jilin, China
- *Correspondence: Yongli Zhang, ; Da Zhang,
| | - Yongli Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yongli Zhang, ; Da Zhang,
| |
Collapse
|
52
|
Tian Y, Wen F, Wang S, Lv N. LHX1 as a potential biomarker regulates EMT induction and cellular behaviors in uterine corpus endometrial carcinoma. Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2022; 77:100103. [PMID: 36116266 PMCID: PMC9489736 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2022.100103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the expression of LHX1 and its role as a biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC). METHODS The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to detect the expression level of LHX1 in UCEC cells and tissues, and to find out the effect of LHX1 on prognosis. Co-expressed genes were then identified by Spearman correlation analysis, and the protein-protein interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape software. The R "clusterProfiler" package was used to conduct Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. A series of in vitro experiments were performed to evaluate LHX1 expression and detect UCEC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. Western blotting was used to determine the effect of LHX1 on expression levels of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)-related proteins. RESULTS LHX1 was upregulated in UCEC tissues and correlated with poor overall survival and disease-specific survival outcomes. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that genes co-expressed with LHX1 were enriched in cell adhesion. The expression of LHX1 was positively correlated with the expression levels of genes related to EMT induction and invasion. LHX1 can enhance the proliferation, migration, and invasion activities of UCEC cells in vitro, and alter the expression levels of EMT-related proteins. CONCLUSION LHX1 expression was highly upregulated in UCEC cells and tissues, which was correlated with the prognosis of patients with UCEC. LHX1 may regulate UCEC progression at least in part by modulating EMT induction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tian
- Department of Gynecology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China.
| | - Fang Wen
- Department of Gynecology, The First Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, Shenyang, China
| | - Na Lv
- Blood Collection Center, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| |
Collapse
|
53
|
Holcakova J, Bartosik M, Anton M, Minar L, Hausnerova J, Bednarikova M, Weinberger V, Hrstka R. New Trends in the Detection of Gynecological Precancerous Lesions and Early-Stage Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6339. [PMID: 34944963 PMCID: PMC8699592 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevention and early diagnostics of precancerous stages are key aspects of contemporary oncology. In cervical cancer, well-organized screening and vaccination programs, especially in developed countries, are responsible for the dramatic decline of invasive cancer incidence and mortality. Cytological screening has a long and successful history, and the ongoing implementation of HPV triage with increased sensitivity can further decrease mortality. On the other hand, endometrial and ovarian cancers are characterized by a poor accessibility to specimen collection, which represents a major complication for early diagnostics. Therefore, despite relatively promising data from evaluating the combined effects of genetic variants, population screening does not exist, and the implementation of new biomarkers is, thus, necessary. The introduction of various circulating biomarkers is of potential interest due to the considerable heterogeneity of cancer, as highlighted in this review, which focuses exclusively on the most common tumors of the genital tract, namely, cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers. However, it is clearly shown that these malignancies represent different entities that evolve in different ways, and it is therefore necessary to use different methods for their diagnosis and treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Holcakova
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic; (J.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Martin Bartosik
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic; (J.H.); (M.B.)
| | - Milan Anton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masaryk University and University Hospital, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Lubos Minar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masaryk University and University Hospital, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Jitka Hausnerova
- Department of Pathology, Masaryk University and University Hospital, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Marketa Bednarikova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hematology and Oncology, Masaryk University and University Hospital, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic;
| | - Vit Weinberger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Masaryk University and University Hospital, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.A.); (L.M.)
| | - Roman Hrstka
- Research Centre for Applied Molecular Oncology, Masaryk Memorial Cancer Institute, 656 53 Brno, Czech Republic; (J.H.); (M.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
54
|
Yuan Y, Chen Z, Cai X, He S, Li D, Zhao W. Identification of Hub Genes Correlated With Poor Prognosis for Patients With Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma by Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation. Front Oncol 2021; 11:766947. [PMID: 34868993 PMCID: PMC8639584 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.766947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) is one of the most common malignancies of the female genital tract and there remains a major public health problem. Although significant progress has been made in explaining the progression of UCEC, it is still warranted that molecular mechanisms underlying the tumorigenesis of UCEC are to be elucidated. The aim of the current study was to investigate key modules and hub genes related to UCEC pathogenesis, and to explore potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for UCEC. The RNA-seq dataset and corresponding clinical information for UCEC patients were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between 23 paired UCEC tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Subsequently, the co-expression network of DEGs was determined via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The Blue and Brown modules were identified to be significantly positively associated with neoplasm histologic grade. The highly connected genes of the two modules were then investigated as potential key factors related to tumor differentiation. Additionally, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for all genes in the two modules was constructed to obtain key modules and nodes. 10 genes were identified by both WGCNA and PPI analyses, and it was shown by Kaplan-Meier curve analysis that 6 out of the 10 genes were significantly negatively related to the 5-year overall survival (OS) in patients (AURKA, BUB1, CDCA8, DLGAP5, KIF2C, TPX2). Besides, according to the DEGs from the two modules, lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and lncRNA-TF-mRNA networks were constructed to explore the molecular mechanism of UCEC-related lncRNAs. 3 lncRNAs were identified as being significantly negatively related to the 5-year OS (AC015849.16, DUXAP8 and DGCR5), with higher expression in UCEC tissues compared to non-tumor tissues. Finally, quantitative Real-time PCR was applied to validate the expression patterns of hub genes. Cell proliferation and colony formation assays, as well as cell cycle distribution and apoptosis analysis, were performed to test the effects of representative hub genes. Altogether, this study not only promotes our understanding of the molecular mechanisms for the pathogenesis of UCEC but also identifies several promising biomarkers in UCEC development, providing potential therapeutic targets for UCEC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yuan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengzheng Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xushan Cai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Jiading District, Shanghai, China.,School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengxiang He
- School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dong Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
55
|
Chen H, Strickland AL, Castrillon DH. Histopathologic diagnosis of endometrial precancers: Updates and future directions. Semin Diagn Pathol 2021; 39:137-147. [PMID: 34920905 PMCID: PMC9035046 DOI: 10.1053/j.semdp.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Early detection of endometrial cancer, especially its precancers, remains a critical and evolving issue in patient management and the quest to decrease mortality due to endometrial cancer. Due to many factors such as specimen fragmentation, the confounding influence of endogenous or exogenous hormones, and variable or overlapping histologic features, identification of bona fide endometrial precancers and their reliable discrimination from benign mimics remains one of the most challenging areas in diagnostic pathology. At the same time, the diagnosis of endometrial precancer, or the presence of suspicious but subdiagnostic features in an endometrial biopsy, can lead to long clinical follow-up with multiple patient visits and serial endometrial sampling, emphasizing the need for accurate diagnosis. Our understanding of endometrial precancers and their diagnosis has improved due to systematic investigations into morphologic criteria, the molecular genetics of endometrial cancer and their precursors, the validation of novel biomarkers and their use in panels, and more recent methods such digital image analysis. Although precancers for both endometrioid and non-endometrioid carcinomas will be reviewed, emphasis will be placed on the former. We review these advances and their relevance to the histopathologic diagnosis of endometrial precancers, and the recently updated 2020 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Female Genital Tumors.
Collapse
|
56
|
Wang N, Zhang J, Fan X, Ma J, He J, Kang S, Cheng J, Ma J. Identification of risk factors for the prognosis of Chinese patients with endometrial carcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27305. [PMID: 34559145 PMCID: PMC8462610 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to retrospectively analyze risk factors for the prognosis of Chinese patients with endometrial carcinoma.Total 600 patients who were admitted to the Department of Gynecology, the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University and were pathologically diagnosed as endometrial carcinoma after surgery from January 1, 1997 to December 31, 2006 were selected, and the related factors affecting their prognosis were analyzed.The survival of 600 patients with endometrial carcinoma was 2 to 136.5 months (average survival 57.39 ± 33.55 months), and 109 cases (18.2%) died from endometrial cancer. The overall survival rate of 1, 3, and 5 years after surgery was 96.8%, 89.9%, and 82.1%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that age, menopausal status, pathological type, histological grade, pathological staging, tumor size, myometrial invasion, cervical involvement, ovarian metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and treatment method were the factors affecting the prognosis of endometrial carcinoma. Multivariate regression analysis showed that pathological type, histological grade, pathological staging, and cervical involvement were independent risk factors for the prognosis of endometrial carcinoma. The patients with high-grade and deep myometrial invasion, cervical involvement, full cavity tumor, and lymph node metastasis had a high incidence of ovarian metastasis.Pathological type, histological grade, pathological staging, and cervical involvement are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of Chinese patients with endometrial carcinoma.
Collapse
|
57
|
Terzic M, Aimagambetova G, Kunz J, Bapayeva G, Aitbayeva B, Terzic S, Laganà AS. Molecular Basis of Endometriosis and Endometrial Cancer: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9274. [PMID: 34502183 PMCID: PMC8431548 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The human endometrium is a unique tissue undergoing important changes through the menstrual cycle. Under the exposure of different risk factors in a woman's lifetime, normal endometrial tissue can give rise to multiple pathologic conditions, including endometriosis and endometrial cancer. Etiology and pathophysiologic changes behind such conditions remain largely unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the pathophysiology of endometriosis and its potential role in the development of endometrial cancer from a molecular perspective. A better understanding of the molecular basis of endometriosis and its role in the development of endometrial pathology will improve the approach to clinical management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milan Terzic
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Avenue 53, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan or (M.T.); (S.T.)
- National Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Clinical Academic Department of Women’s Health, University Medical Center, Turan Avenue 32, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan; (G.B.); (B.A.)
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Gulzhanat Aimagambetova
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Avenue 53, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan;
| | - Jeannette Kunz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Avenue 53, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan;
| | - Gauri Bapayeva
- National Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Clinical Academic Department of Women’s Health, University Medical Center, Turan Avenue 32, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan; (G.B.); (B.A.)
| | - Botagoz Aitbayeva
- National Research Center for Maternal and Child Health, Clinical Academic Department of Women’s Health, University Medical Center, Turan Avenue 32, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan; (G.B.); (B.A.)
| | - Sanja Terzic
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Nazarbayev University, Kabanbay Batyr Avenue 53, Nur-Sultan 010000, Kazakhstan or (M.T.); (S.T.)
| | - Antonio Simone Laganà
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Filippo Del Ponte” Hospital, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
58
|
Di Fiore R, Suleiman S, Pentimalli F, O’Toole SA, O’Leary JJ, Ward MP, Conlon NT, Sabol M, Ozretić P, Erson-Bensan AE, Reed N, Giordano A, Herrington CS, Calleja-Agius J. Could MicroRNAs Be Useful Tools to Improve the Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Gynecological Cancers? A Brief Overview. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22083822. [PMID: 33917022 PMCID: PMC8067678 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22083822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Gynecological cancers pose an important public health issue, with a high incidence among women of all ages. Gynecological cancers such as malignant germ-cell tumors, sex-cord-stromal tumors, uterine sarcomas and carcinosarcomas, gestational trophoblastic neoplasia, vulvar carcinoma and melanoma of the female genital tract, are defined as rare with an annual incidence of <6 per 100,000 women. Rare gynecological cancers (RGCs) are associated with poor prognosis, and given the low incidence of each entity, there is the risk of delayed diagnosis due to clinical inexperience and limited therapeutic options. There has been a growing interest in the field of microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs of ∼22 nucleotides in length, because of their potential to regulate diverse biological processes. miRNAs usually induce mRNA degradation and translational repression by interacting with the 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) of target mRNAs, as well as other regions and gene promoters, as well as activating translation or regulating transcription under certain conditions. Recent research has revealed the enormous promise of miRNAs for improving the diagnosis, therapy and prognosis of all major gynecological cancers. However, to date, only a few studies have been performed on RGCs. In this review, we summarize the data currently available regarding RGCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Di Fiore
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta;
- Center for Biotechnology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
- Correspondence: (R.D.F.); (J.C.-A.); Tel.: +356-2340-3871 (R.D.F.); +356-2340-1892 (J.C.-A.)
| | - Sherif Suleiman
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta;
| | - Francesca Pentimalli
- Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori-IRCCS-Fondazione G. Pascale, I-80131 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Sharon A. O’Toole
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Histopathology, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 8 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - John J. O’Leary
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 8 Dublin, Ireland; (J.J.O.); (M.P.W.)
| | - Mark P. Ward
- Department of Histopathology, Trinity St James’s Cancer Institute, Trinity College Dublin, 8 Dublin, Ireland; (J.J.O.); (M.P.W.)
| | - Neil T. Conlon
- National Institute for Cellular Biotechnology, Dublin City University, Glasnevin, 9 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Maja Sabol
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.S.); (P.O.)
| | - Petar Ozretić
- Laboratory for Hereditary Cancer, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruđer Bošković Institute, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.S.); (P.O.)
| | - Ayse Elif Erson-Bensan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06810, Turkey;
| | - Nicholas Reed
- Beatson Oncology Centre, Gartnavel General Hospital, 1053 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK;
| | - Antonio Giordano
- Center for Biotechnology, Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, College of Science and Technology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA;
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - C. Simon Herrington
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Western General Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, UK;
| | - Jean Calleja-Agius
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, MSD 2080 Msida, Malta;
- Correspondence: (R.D.F.); (J.C.-A.); Tel.: +356-2340-3871 (R.D.F.); +356-2340-1892 (J.C.-A.)
| |
Collapse
|
59
|
Aguilar M, Zhang H, Zhang M, Cantarell B, Sahoo SS, Li HD, Cuevas IC, Lea J, Miller DS, Chen H, Zheng W, Gagan J, Lucas E, Castrillon DH. Serial genomic analysis of endometrium supports the existence of histologically indistinct endometrial cancer precursors. J Pathol 2021; 254:20-30. [PMID: 33506979 PMCID: PMC8252414 DOI: 10.1002/path.5628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The endometrium is unique as an accessible anatomic location that can be repeatedly biopsied and where diagnostic biopsies do not extirpate neoplastic lesions. We exploited these features to retrospectively characterize serial genomic alterations along the precancer/cancer continuum in individual women. Cases were selected based on (1) endometrial cancer diagnosis/hysterectomy and (2) preceding serial endometrial biopsies including for some patients an early biopsy before a precancer histologic diagnosis. A comprehensive panel was designed for endometrial cancer genes. Formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded specimens for each cancer, preceding biopsies, and matched germline samples were subjected to barcoded high‐throughput sequencing to identify mutations and track their origin and allelic frequency progression. In total, 92 samples from 21 patients were analyzed, providing an opportunity for new insights into early endometrial cancer progression. Definitive invasive endometrial cancers exhibited expected mutational spectra, and canonical driver mutations were detectable in preceding biopsies. Notably, ≥1 cancer mutations were detected prior to the histopathologic diagnosis of an endometrial precancer in the majority of patients. In 18/21 cases, ≥1 mutations were confirmed by abnormal protein levels or subcellular localization by immunohistochemistry, confirming genomic data and providing unique views of histologic correlates. In 19 control endometria, mutation counts were lower, with a lack of canonical endometrial cancer hotspot mutations. Our study documents the existence of endometrial lesions that are histologically indistinct but are bona fide endometrial cancer precursors. © 2021 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mitzi Aguilar
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - He Zhang
- Quantitative Biomedical Research Center, Department of Population and Data Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Musi Zhang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Brandi Cantarell
- Lyda Hill Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Subhransu S Sahoo
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hao-Dong Li
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ileana C Cuevas
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jayanthi Lea
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - David S Miller
- Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Hao Chen
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Wenxin Zheng
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey Gagan
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Elena Lucas
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Diego H Castrillon
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|