Correlation of LAPTM4B polymorphisms with hepatocellular carcinoma in Chinese patients

Serum LAPTM4B as a Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarker for Breast Cancer

Background

Lysosome-associated protein transmembrane-4 beta (LAPTM4B) is an integral membrane protein overexpressed in various cancers and may function as a prognostic tumor marker. The present study is aimed at understanding the clinical significance of serum LAPTM4B in breast cancer (BC).

Methods

Serum LAPTM4B level was evaluated in 426 BC patients, 40 benign breast disease, and 80 healthy controls by ELISA. We used the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve to assess the diagnostic significance. 46 BC patients were recruited to monitor the dynamic change of serum LAPTM4B during adjuvant therapy (AT). In addition, sera from a subset of 330 patients undergoing AT, including anti-HER2 treatment, were collected to evaluate the association between LAPTM4B levels and AT efficacy. Descriptive and explorative statistical analyses were used to assess LAPTM4 B's potential as a diagnostic and prognostic marker in BC.

Results

Serum LAPTM4B level was significantly increased in BC patients than benign group and controls. It could well discriminate BC from healthy controls with diagnostic accuracy with an AUC of 0.912, a sensitivity of 85.9%, and a specificity of 83.8%. Compared with pre-AT, serum LAPTM4B concentration remarkably decreased after AT. In addition, patients in the invalid response group (PD + SD) showed higher LAPTM4B levels than the valid response group (PR + CR).

Conclusion

Our results proposed that serum LAPTM4B had a high diagnostic and prognostic impact as a circulating biomarker in BC.

Expression signature of lysosomal-associated transmembrane protein 4B in hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a lethal disease worldwide and therefore the establishment of novel diagnostic biomarkers is imperative. In this study, it was hypothesized that an abnormal expression of the lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane 4 beta ( LAPTM4B) gene is crucial in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus-mediated hepatocellular carcinoma; hence we investigated the expression profile of LAPTM4B in hepatitis C virus-induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

A group of 189 consecutive patients (hepatitis C virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma as tumor cases; n=93, hepatitis C virus-related cirrhotics as disease controls; n=96) opting for living donor liver transplantation as a therapeutic surgical regimen were recruited with informed consent. Additionally, paired adjacent non-tumorous tissues (n=93) obtained from cases were also included. Serum LAPTM4B protein concentrations were assessed by third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and LAPTM4B mRNA, and protein expressions at tissue level were determined by quantitative real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry techniques, respectively.

RESULTS

LAPTM4B protein concentrations in sera of patients were higher ( p<0.001) in tumor cases (1.25±0.25 ng/ml) compared to disease controls (0.53±0.28 ng/ml). Our study also depicts positive clinicopathological correlations between alpha-fetoprotein titers (b=0.65; p<0.001), quantitative hepatitis C virus RNA copies (b=0.33; p<0.001), and LAPTM4B protein concentrations, all in sera of patients. In addition, qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed a significantly higher ( p<0.05) tissue LAPTM4B mRNA and protein expression, respectively, in tumor cases rather than in non-tumorous tissues and disease controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, our results illustrate the LAPTM4B gene as a diagnostic biomarker in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma having documented evidence of chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

AP4 positively regulates LAPTM4B to promote hepatocellular carcinoma growth and metastasis, while reducing chemotherapy sensitivity

Polymorphisms of the lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane-4 beta (LAPTM4B) gene are related to various forms of tumour susceptibility, which led us to hypothesize that some unique transcription factors targeting this polymorphism region may affect the biological function of LAPTM4B in tumour progression. In this study, we found that the transcription factor AP4 directly binds to the polymorphism region of the LAPTM4B gene promoter and induces its transcription. In addition, we demonstrated that AP4 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation and metastasis and depresses chemotherapy sensitivity via LAPTM4B by activating the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway and caspase-dependent pathway. Interestingly, we found that AP4 could not only regulate LAPTM4B by directly binding to the promoter, but also be regulated via a positive feedback mechanism involving LAPTM4B acting on c-myc. Finally, we showed that AP4 and LAPTM4B are highly coexpressed in HCC tissues, and their coexpression may be a marker of poor prognosis. These findings provide evidence of the expression and functional coupling between AP4 and LAPTM4B and shed light on the regulation of LAPTM4B and its function in liver cancer.

The Transcription Factor AP4 Promotes Oncogenic Phenotypes and Cisplatin Resistance by Regulating LAPTM4B Expression

Lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane-4 beta (LAPTM4B) is a novel oncogene, whose overexpression is involved in cancer occurrence and progression. However, the mechanism of LAPTM4B transcriptional regulation remains unclear. In this study, the results of transcription factor (TF) profiling plate arrays indicated that AP4 was a potential transcription factor regulating LAPTM4B expression. LAPTM4B was positively correlated with AP4 and they were both associated with poor overall and disease-free survival. Luciferase and electrophoretic mobility shift assay assays confirmed that AP4 directly bound to the polymorphism region of LAPTM4B promoter and modulated its transcription. Functionally, AP4 promoted cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and assisted drug resistance in part through upregulation of LAPTM4B. Taken together, these findings identify LAPTM4B as a direct AP4 target gene and the interaction of AP4 and LAPTM4B plays an important role in breast cancer progression.Implications: This study demonstrates that AP4 promotes cell growth, migration, invasion, and cisplatin resistance through upregulation of LAPTM4B expression, thus representing an attractive therapeutic target for breast cancer. Mol Cancer Res; 16(5); 857-68. ©2018 AACR.

Association of lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta gene polymorphism with pancreatic carcinoma susceptibility in the Chinese population

Pancreatic carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy with particularly low 5-year survival rate. In order to improve the dismal survival rate, identification of new potential susceptibility risk factors for the prevention and early detection of pancreatic carcinoma is of utmost importance. Lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta has two alleles designated as LAPTM4B*1 and LAPTM4B*2. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta gene polymorphism and the risk of pancreatic carcinoma in China. A population-based case-control analysis was performed in 233 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 842 control subjects. The genotypes of lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta were determined by utilizing polymerase chain reaction based on specific primers. The χ2 test was used to analyze the differences of categorical variables and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were computed using an unconditional logistic regression model. A significant difference in the frequency of LAPTM4B*2 was observed between the patients and the controls (33.05% vs 27.55%, p = 0.03). LAPTM4B*2 had a 1.33-fold (95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.71) higher risk for developing pancreatic carcinoma when compared with LAPTM4B*1 carriers. We found that the frequency of LAPTM4B*1/2 + *2/2 in pancreatic carcinoma group was higher than that in the control group (57.94% vs 48.34%, p = 0.01). However, no significant association was observed between lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta genotypes and gender, age, family history of cancer, smoking/alcohol status, histopathological differentiation, lymph node metastasis, clinical stage, or serum cancer antigen 19-9 level. These findings indicate that the LAPTM4B*2 allele is associated with the high risk of pancreatic carcinoma and carrying LAPTM4B*2 may be a susceptible factor to Chinese pancreatic carcinoma patients.

LAPTM4B: an oncogene in various solid tumors and its functions

The oncogene Lysosome-associated protein transmembrane-4β (LAPTM4B) gene was identified, and the polymorphism region in the 5′-UTR of this gene was certified to be associated with tumor susceptibility. LAPTM4B-35 protein was found to be highly expressed in various solid tumors and could be a poor prognosis marker. The functions of LAPTM4B in solid tumors were also explored. It is suggested that LAPTM4B could promote the proliferation of tumor cells, boost invasion and metastasis, resist apoptosis, initiate autophagy and assist drug resistance.

The relationship between LAPTM4B polymorphisms and cancer risk in Chinese Han population: a meta-analysis

LAPTM4B is a newly cloned gene that shows an active role in many solid tumors progression in substantial researches, mainly through the autophage function. Accumulated studies have been conducted to determine the association of LAPTM4B polymorphism with cancer risk. While the results are inconsistent, we conducted the meta-analysis to determine the strength of the relationship. Results showed that allele*2 carriers exhibited a significantly increased risk of cancer development with comparison to allele*1 homozygote (for *1/2, OR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.367-1.758; for *2/2, OR = 2.093, 95%CI 1.666-2.629; for *1/2 + *2/2, OR = 1.806, 95%CI 1.527-2.137). We also observed a significant association between *2/2 homozygote and cancer risk with comparison to allele*1 containing genotypes (OR = 1.714, 95%CI 1.408-2.088). Allele*2 is a risk factor for cancer risk (OR = 1.487, 95%CI 1.339-1.651). Stratified analysis by tumor type exhibits the significant association of this genetic variants with various cancers. In conclusion, LAPTM4B polymorphism is associated with cancer risk and allele*2 is a risk factor.

Interleukin-17A and interleukin-17F gene polymorphisms and hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma risk in a Chinese population

Interleukin (IL)-17A and IL-17F are inflammatory cytokines, which play a critical function in inflammation. Genetic variations in the IL-17A and IL-17F genes may be associated with a risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is a typical inflammation-related cancer. However, their relationship with HBV-related HCC has not been thoroughly investigated. We conducted a case-control study including 155 patients with HBV-related HCC and 171 healthy controls to assess the association between IL-17A rs4711998, IL-17A rs2275913, and IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms and risk of HCC. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-17A rs4711998, IL-17A rs2275913, and IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms between the HBV-related HCC patients and healthy controls. However, our results revealed a statistically significant association between the ACA haplotype and increased HCC risk [odds ratio (OR) 1.820, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.181-2.624, P = 0.013]. In contrast, the GCG haplotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of HBV-related HCC (OR 0.454, 95 % CI 0.112-0.898, P = 0.035). Our results suggest that IL-17A rs4711998, IL-17A rs2275913, and IL-17F rs763780 polymorphisms do not contribute to HBV-related HCC susceptibility independently. However, the ACA and GCG haplotypes in the IL-17 gene might be a risk factor and a protective marker, respectively, for HBV-related HCC in a Chinese population.

Genetic polymorphisms in hypoxia-inducible factor-1a gene and its association with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma in a Chinese population

Previous studies have demonstrated that hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) may play a vital role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the relationship between HIF-1a polymorphisms and HCC has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study is to determine whether HIF-1a polymorphisms are associated with HCC through a case-control study. Two polymorphisms in the HIF-1a gene (rs11549465 and rs115494657) were examined in 157 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC patients and 173 healthy controls using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. DNA sequencing was used to validate genotype results. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of HIF-1a rs11549465 and rs115494657 polymorphisms between the HBV-related HCC patients and healthy controls. However, the data revealed that subjects with the CG haplotype have a higher susceptibility to HBV-related HCC [odds ratio (OR)=2.327, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.578-4.721, P=0.008]. In contrast, the CA haplotype was associated with a significantly decreased risk of HBV-related HCC (OR=0.416, 95% CI=0.172-0.910, P=0.025). HIF-1a rs11549465 and rs115494657 polymorphisms appeared to be irrelevant to HBV-related HCC. However, the HIF-1a CG and CA haplotypes might be a risk factor and a protective marker, respectively, for HBV-related HCC in a Chinese population. Further investigations with a larger sample size may be required to validate the genetic effects of HIF-1a polymorphisms on HBV-related HCC.

LAPTM4B polymorphism increases susceptibility to multiple cancers in Chinese populations: a meta-analysis

Background

Lysosome-associated protein transmembrane-4 beta (LAPTM4B) is a novel cancer-related gene. While recent studies have reported that the LAPTM4B polymorphism increased the susceptibility of several cancers, the results remain inconclusive. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically summarize the possible association.

Results

The meta-analysis was conducted based on 17 studies in Chinese populations, including 4160 cases and 4148 controls. The relevant studies were searched through electronic databases updated in November 2013. The strength of association between the LAPTM4B polymorphism and susceptibility to multiple cancers was assessed by odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

The meta-analysis results suggested that the LAPTM4B polymorphism was significantly associated with overall susceptibility to multiple cancers in all genetic models (*2 vs. *1, OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.37–1.70; *2/2 vs. *1/1, OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.72–2.75; *2/1 vs.*1/1, OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.41–1.86; *2/1 + *2/2 vs. *1/1, OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 1.47–1.97; *2/2 vs. *2/1 + *1/1, OR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.50–2.05). Further subgroup analysis revealed a significant association between the LAPTM4B polymorphism and cancer susceptibility in the subgroups stratified by control source, cancer type, histopathologic differentiation, and TNM stage.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis indicated that the LAPTM4B *2 allele was associated with increasing risk of multiple cancers, tumor initiation and development.

Association of LAPTM4B gene polymorphism with nasopharyngeal carcinoma susceptibility in a Chinese population

Lysosome-associated protein transmembrane-4 beta (LAPTM4B) is a novel cancer-related gene. It has two alleles designated LAPTM4B 1 and LAPTM4B 2. Previous studies have revealed that LAPTM4B polymorphisms contribute to the risk of many cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between different LAPTM4B alleles and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), one of the most common cancers in southern China. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in a case-control study, we detected the LAPTM4B genotype in peripheral blood samples from 134 patients with NPC and 327 control subjects. The chi-square test was used to analyze differences of categorical variables and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Odds ratios and 95 % CI were computed using an unconditional logistic regression model. The frequency of allele 2 was 26.87 % in the NPC group, which was not significantly different from that of the control group (27.98 %, P = 0.867). Using the LAPTM4B 1/1 genotype as a reference, we found that the 1/2, 2/2 and 1/2 + 2/2 genotype were also not associated with the risk of NPC. No association was observed between LAPTM4B gene polymorphisms and the risk of NPC adjusted by gender and age. The results of our study indicated that the polymorphism of LAPTM4B gene did not influence the susceptibility of NPC in the Chinese population. Large-scale studies are needed to confirm our findings.

LAPTM4B gene polymorphism and endometrial carcinoma risk and prognosis

A novel gene called LAPTM4B (lysosome-associated protein transmembrane 4 beta) plays several crucial roles in carcinogenesis. In this case-control study, we investigated the relationship between LAPTM4B gene polymorphism and susceptibility to endometrial carcinoma (EC). In an adjusted multivariate logistic regression analyses, subjects with the LAPTM4B*1/2 and *2/2 genotypes respectively exhibited 1.572-fold (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.041-2.375) and 2.335-fold (95% CI = 1.365-3.995) increases in the risk of developing EC relative to those carrying LAPTM4B*1/1. Patients with LAPTM4B *2 had both significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (both p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that LAPTM4B genotype is an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS (both p < 0.001). These results suggest that LAPTM4B polymorphisms might play an important role in the aetiology of EC.

LAPTM4B allele *2 is associated with breast cancer susceptibility and prognosis

Background

Lysosome-associated protein transmembrane 4 beta (LAPTM4B) has two alleles named LAPTM4B*1 and LAPTM4B*2. Allele *1 contains only one copy of a 19-bp sequence at the 5′UTR in the first exon, whereas this sequence of allele*2 is duplicated and arrayed as a tandem repeat. Previous studies revealed that LAPTM4B polymorphisms contribute to the risk of certain types of cancers. This study aimed to investigate the polymorphism of LAPTM4B in breast cancer by analysis the correlation of LAPTM4B genotype with breast cancer susceptibility, clinicopathologic features and prognosis.

Methods

Genotyping of the LAPTM4B polymorphism was determined by PCR method. The expression levels of LAPTM4B in breast cancer tissues and breast cancer cell lines were determined by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. The correlation of LAPTM4B genotype with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis were assessed statistically.

Results

The results of qRT-PCR analysis indicated that LAPTM4B*2 was associated with the higher level of LAPTM4B expression compared with the LAPTM4B*1 in both breast cancer cell lines and breast cancer tissues. We found that LAPTM4B*2 was associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. LAPTM4B*2 was significantly associated with higher histopathologic grade, lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.

Conclusion

LAPTM4B*2 is a risk factor associated with breast cancer susceptibility and poor prognosis. LAPTM4B*2 may be a potential predicative marker for the susceptibility, progression and metastasis of breast cancer.

LAPTM4B allele *2 is a marker of poor prognosis for gallbladder carcinoma

Background

Lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta (LAPTM4B) is a novel cancer-related gene which has two alleles designated LAPTM4B*1 and LAPTM4B*2. In this study we investigated the correlation of LAPTM4B genotype with prognosis and clinicopathologic features in patients who had undergone curative resection for gallbladder carcinoma (GBC).

Methodology/Principal Findings

PCR assay was performed to determine the LAPTM4B genotype in 85 patients. The correlation of LAPTM4B genotype with clinicopathologic parameters was assessed with the Chi-squared test. Differences in patient survival were determined by the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors was carried out with Cox regression analysis. Patients with LAPTM4B *2 had both significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (both P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that LAPTM4B genotype is a prognostic factor for OS and DFS (both P<0.001).

Conclusions/Significance

LAPTM4B allele *2 is a risk factor associated with poor prognosis in patients with resected GBC, and LAPTM4B status may be therefore be useful preoperatively as an adjunct in evaluation of the operability of GBC.

LAPTM4B allele *2 is a marker of poor prognosis following hepatic tumor resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Lysosomal protein transmembrane 4 beta (LAPTM4B) is a gene related to hepatocellular carcinoma that has two alleles designated LAPTM4B*1 and LAPTM4B*2. This study aimed to investigate the correlation of LAPTM4B genotype with prognosis and clinicopathologic features in patients who have undergone resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methodology/Principal Findings

The LAPTM4B genotype was analyzed by PCR in 68 patients who had undergone curative hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. The correlation of LAPTM4B genotype with clinicopathologic parameters was assessed with the Chi-squared test. Differences in patient survival were determined by the Kaplan–Meier method. Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors was carried out with Cox regression analysis. Patients with LAPTM4B *2 had both significantly shorter overall survival (OS) and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (both P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that LAPTM4B genotype is an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS (both P<0.001).

Conclusions/Significance

Allele *2 of LAPTM4B is a risk factor associated with poor prognosis in patients with resected HCC. LAPTM4B status may be useful preoperatively as an adjunct in evaluation of the operability of HCC.