Is availability of anti-EGFR therapy for the colorectal adenocarcinomas showing fascin expression limited?

Fascin in Gynecological Cancers: An Update of the Literature

Simple Summary

Fascin, an actin-binding protein, is upregulated in different types of human cancers. It is reportedly responsible for increasing the invasive and metastatic ability of cancer cells by reducing cell–cell adhesions. This review provides a brief overview of fascin and its interactions with other genes and oncoviruses to induce the onset and progression of cancer.

Abstract

Fascin is an actin-binding protein that is encoded by the FSCN1 gene (located on chromosome 7). It triggers membrane projections and stimulates cell motility in cancer cells. Fascin overexpression has been described in different types of human cancers in which its expression correlated with tumor growth, migration, invasion, and metastasis. Moreover, overexpression of fascin was found in oncovirus-infected cells, such as human papillomaviruses (HPVs) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), disrupting the cell–cell adhesion and enhancing cancer progression. Based on these findings, several studies reported fascin as a potential biomarker and a therapeutic target in various cancers. This review provides a brief overview of the FSCN1 role in various cancers with emphasis on gynecological malignancies. We also discuss fascin interactions with other genes and oncoviruses through which it might induce cancer development and progression.

Emerging Role of Fascin-1 in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Gastrointestinal Cancers

Simple Summary

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers, remain as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a large proportion accounting for fatalities related to metastatic disease. The active involvement of fascin-1 in forming membrane protrusions crucial for cellular movement has been identified as an important molecular mechanism behind the phenotypic switch from the localized to the metastatic tumor. Thus, fascin-1 expression status in the malignant tissue has been utilized as an important component in determining the patient’s clinicopathological outcomes. In this review, we provide an up-to-date literature review of the role of fascin-1 in the initiation and metastatic progression of GI tract cancers, its involvement in patients’ clinical outcomes, and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers, remain as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a large proportion accounting for fatalities related to metastatic disease. Invasion of primary cancer occurs by the actin cytoskeleton remodeling, including the formation of the filopodia, stereocilia, and other finger-like membrane protrusions. The crucial step of actin remodeling in the malignant cells is mediated by the fascin protein family, with fascin-1 being the most active. Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein that cross-links filamentous actin into tightly packed parallel bundles, giving rise to finger-like cell protrusions, thus equipping the cell with the machinery necessary for adhesion, motility, and invasion. Thus, fascin-1 has been noted to be a key component for determining patient diagnosis and treatment plan. Indeed, the overexpression of fascin-1 in GI tract cancers has been associated with a poor clinical prognosis and metastatic progression. Moreover, fascin-1 has received attention as a potential therapeutic target for metastatic GI tract cancers. In this review, we provide an up-to-date literature review of the role of fascin-1 in the initiation of GI tract cancers, metastatic progression, and patients’ clinical outcomes.

Analyses on K-ras mutations and fascin expression in patients with cardia cancer

Mutations of K-rat sarcoma (K-ras) in patients with cardia cancer and their effects on the expression of fascin were investigated. A total of 90 cardia cancer patients treated in Jining First People's Hospital from March 2014 to March 2017 were randomly selected. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was extracted from paraffin-embedded cardia cancer specimens. Pyrosequencing was applied to detect sequences of K-ras gene in all patients and to analyze the mutations of K-ras gene. Then, genotyping of mutations at each mutation site was carried out using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression level of fascin in patients was measured via immunohistochemistry and qPCR. The results revealed that among 90 patients with cardia cancer, 21 patients had K-ras mutations (23.3%), including 20 cases of exon 12 mutation and 1 case of exon 13 mutation. Risk factor analyses revealed that alcohol abuse was a high risk factor for mutations (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the mutation probability between heterozygotes and homozygotes for four mutations at codon 12 (p>0.05). The heterozygote at codon 13 had a higher mutation probability than homozygote (p<0.05). Immunohistochemistry suggested that the number of positive cells in the mutant group was larger than that in the non-mutant group (p<0.05). The results of qPCR showed that the expression level of fascin gene in the mutant group was 2.3 times higher than that in the non-mutant group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the probability of codon 12 mutation in K-ras gene is increased in patients with cardia cancer, and fascin is highly expressed in mutant patients, which is positively correlated with the mutations in K-ras gene.

Fascin-1 expression as stratification marker in borderline epithelial tumours of the ovary

AIMS

To evaluate the actin-bundling protein fascin-1 (FSCN1) as marker for borderline ovarian tumours (BOTs).

METHODS

We analysed a retrospective cohort of 140 BOTs with validated diagnosis by an independent pathologist. Immunohistochemical detection of FSCN1 was quantified as combined immunoreactive score (CIS) blinded to clinical patient data. Analyses were first performed for FSCN1 positive versus negative, and then verified using three categories derived from the observed distribution (negative, weak, strong; CIS 0, 1-2, 3-9).

RESULTS

We detected FSCN1 positivity in 51.4%, and strong expression (CIS 3-9) in 14.3% of the samples. FSCN1 positivity was associated with serous subtype (p<0.001) and micropapillary pattern (p<0.001). Correlation with micropapillary pattern remained significant within the serous BOT (SBOT) subgroup (p=0.022). Strong FSCN1 expression (CIS 3-9) was associated both with the presence of implants (p=0.022), and a higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (p=0.020).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis links FSCN1 with SBOT with micropapillary pattern. Strong expression is associated with higher FIGO stage and the presence of implants, both related to elevated risk of recurrence. Hence, FSCN1 is an interesting marker worth further analyses of its prognostic value in BOTs.