The Role of NQO1 in Ovarian Cancer

Tryptophan metabolism enzymes are potential targets in ovarian clear cell carcinoma

AIM

As the second most prevalent subtype of epithelial ovarian cancers, ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is known for its chemoresistance to conventional platinum-based therapy. In this work, we examined the tryptophan (Trp) metabolism enzymes' differential expression in patients with OCCC to assess the potential for personalised treatment.

METHODS

A total of 127 OCCC tissues were used to construct tissue microarrays, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of the Trp enzymes IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 was performed. The correlations between Trp enzyme expression and clinical characteristics were analysed.

RESULTS

Positive IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 staining was identified in 26.8%, 94.5%, 75.6% and 82.7% of OCCC respectively. IDO1-positive samples were more common in the chemoresistant group than in the platinum-sensitive group (46.7% vs. 19.8%). Moreover, positive expression of IDO1, TDO2 and IL4I1 was related to advanced stage, metastasis, bilateral tumours, endometriosis and tumour rupture (p < 0.05) respectively. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between bilateral tumours, lymph node metastasis, advanced stage, distant metastasis and aberrant cytology with a poor prognosis for OCCC, while the absence of residual tumour was correlated with a favourable outcome (p < 0.05). However, only bilateral tumours and lymph node metastases were related to a poor prognosis after multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to investigate the expression of the Trp enzymes IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 in OCCC tissues. IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 were detected in the majority of OCCC. Clinical traits were correlated with IDO1, IDO2, TDO2 and IL4I1 expression. IDO1 may be used as a therapeutic target given the large percentage of chemoresistant cases with IDO1 expression. These results will aid the development of personalised therapies for OCCC.

Machine Learning Quantification of Intraepithelial Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes as a Significant Prognostic Factor in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinomas

The prognostic and predictive role of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has been demonstrated in various neoplasms. The few publications that have addressed this topic in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) have approached TIL quantification from a semiquantitative standpoint. Clinical correlation studies, therefore, need to be conducted based on more accurate TIL quantification. We created a machine learning system based on H&E-stained sections using 76 molecularly and clinically well-characterized advanced HGSOC. This system enabled immune cell classification. These immune parameters were subsequently correlated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFI). An intense colonization of the tumor cords by TILs was associated with a better prognosis. Moreover, the multivariate analysis showed that the intraephitelial (ie) TILs concentration was an independent and favorable prognostic factor both for OS (p = 0.02) and PFI (p = 0.001). A synergistic effect between complete surgical cytoreduction and high levels of ieTILs was evidenced, both in terms of OS (p = 0.0005) and PFI (p = 0.0008). We consider that digital analysis with machine learning provided a more accurate TIL quantification in HGSOC. It has been demonstrated that ieTILs quantification in H&E-stained slides is an independent prognostic parameter. It is possible that intraepithelial TIL quantification could help identify candidate patients for immunotherapy.

Enzymes Dysregulation in Cancer: From Diagnosis to Therapeutical Approaches

The metabolic reprogramming that occurs in cancer cells is a hallmark of cancer [...].

Molecular mechanisms of ROS-modulated cancer chemoresistance and therapeutic strategies

Drug resistance is the main obstacle to achieving a cure in many cancer patients. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are master regulators of cancer development that act through complex mechanisms. Remarkably, ROS levels and antioxidant content are typically higher in drug-resistant cancer cells than in non-resistant and normal cells, and have been shown to play a central role in modulating drug resistance. Therefore, determining the underlying functions of ROS in the modulation of drug resistance will contribute to develop therapies that sensitize cancer resistant cells by leveraging ROS modulation. In this review, we summarize the notable literature on the sources and regulation of ROS production and highlight the complex roles of ROS in cancer chemoresistance, encompassing transcription factor-mediated chemoresistance, maintenance of cancer stem cells, and their impact on the tumor microenvironment. We also discuss the potential of ROS-targeted therapies in overcoming tumor therapeutic resistance.

In Silico and In Vitro Studies of 4-Hydroxycoumarin-Based Heterocyclic Enamines as Potential Anti-Tumor Agents

The present study reports the one-step synthesis of several 3-formyl-4-hydroxycouramin-derived enamines (4a-4i) in good yields (65-94%). The characterization of the synthesized compounds was carried out via advanced analytical and spectroscopic techniques, such as melting point, electron impact mass spectrometry (EI-MS), 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, elemental analysis, FTIR, and UV-Visible spectroscopy. The reaction conditions were optimized, and the maximum yield was obtained at 3-4 h of reflux of the reactants, using 2-butanol as a solvent. The potato disc tumor assay was used to assess Agrobacterium tumefaciens-induced tumors to evaluate the anti-tumor activities of compounds (4a-4i), using Vinblastine as a standard drug. The compound 4g showed the lowest IC50 value (1.12 ± 0.2), which is even better than standard Vinblastine (IC50 7.5 ± 0.6). For further insight into their drug actions, an in silico docking of the compounds was also carried out against the CDK-8 protein. The binding energy values of compounds were found to agree with the experimental results. The compounds 4g and 4h showed the best affinities toward protein, with a binding energy value of -6.8 kcal/mol.

Ovarian Cancer: Advances in Pathophysiology and Therapies

We are pleased to present this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, entitled "Ovarian Cancer: Advances in Pathophysiology and Therapies" [...].