Induction of proinflammatory response in prostate cancer epithelial cells by activated macrophages

Midline-1 inhibited high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fibrosis and inflammation through WNT/β-catenin signaling in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background and objects

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common disease that impairs the life quality of elderly men. The close relationship of BPH and diabetes has been generally established, however, the exact molecular mechanism remains unclear. Midline-1 (MID1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase belonging to Tripartite Motif family and its involvement in the initiation and progression of many diseases, such as diabetic kidney disease has been well accepted. This study aims to illuminate the potential impact of high glucose (HG) on prostatic cells and elucidate the molecular role of MID1 in the development of BPH.

Methods

In this work, human prostate specimens and cultured human prostate cell lines (BPH-1 and WPMY-1) were employed. The impact of HG treatment on these two lines was assessed and the expression and localization of MID1, along with its potential downstream target protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), were determined using multiple experimental methods. MID1-overexpressing cell models were further used to investigate the function of MID1 in regulating inflammation, fibrosis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Results

Herein we demonstrate diabetic individuals with BPH had lower expression of MID1 and higher expression of the catalytic subunit of PP2A (PP2Ac), larger prostate volume, higher international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and lower Qmax than non-diabetic groups. On a cellular level, HG treatment inhibited the expression of MID1, thus stimulating cellular proliferation and triggering EMT, fibrosis and inflammation of two prostatic cells via enhanced WNT/β-catenin signaling.

Conclusions

In general, our novel data demonstrate targeting MID1 might be a promising area of medical treatment for patients with both BPH and diabetes.

The Molecular Basis and Clinical Consequences of Chronic Inflammation in Prostatic Diseases: Prostatitis, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, and Prostate Cancer

Chronic inflammation is now recognized as one of the major risk factors and molecular hallmarks of chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate tumorigenesis. However, the molecular mechanisms by which chronic inflammation signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of these prostate diseases are poorly understood. Previous efforts to therapeutically target the upstream (e.g., TLRs and IL1-Rs) and downstream (e.g., NF-κB subunits and cytokines) inflammatory signaling molecules in people with these conditions have been clinically ambiguous and unsatisfactory, hence fostering the recent paradigm shift towards unraveling and understanding the functional roles and clinical significance of the novel and relatively underexplored inflammatory molecules and pathways that could become potential therapeutic targets in managing prostatic diseases. In this review article, we exclusively discuss the causal and molecular drivers of prostatitis, BPH, and prostate tumorigenesis, as well as the potential impacts of microbiome dysbiosis and chronic inflammation in promoting prostate pathologies. We specifically focus on the importance of some of the underexplored druggable inflammatory molecules, by discussing how their aberrant signaling could promote prostate cancer (PCa) stemness, neuroendocrine differentiation, castration resistance, metabolic reprogramming, and immunosuppression. The potential contribution of the IL1R-TLR-IRAK-NF-κBs signaling molecules and NLR/inflammasomes in prostate pathologies, as well as the prospective benefits of selectively targeting the midstream molecules in the various inflammatory cascades, are also discussed. Though this review concentrates more on PCa, we envision that the information could be applied to other prostate diseases. In conclusion, we have underlined the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that may need to be targeted and/or further investigated to better understand the association between chronic inflammation and prostate diseases.

Awakening of Dormant Breast Cancer Cells in the Bone Marrow

Up to 40% of patients with breast cancer (BC) have metastatic cells in the bone marrow (BM) at the initial diagnosis of localized disease. Despite definitive systemic adjuvant therapy, these cells survive in the BM microenvironment, enter a dormant state and recur stochastically for more than 20 years. Once they begin to proliferate, recurrent macrometastases are not curable, and patients generally succumb to their disease. Many potential mechanisms for initiating recurrence have been proposed, but no definitive predictive data have been generated. This manuscript reviews the proposed mechanisms that maintain BC cell dormancy in the BM microenvironment and discusses the data supporting specific mechanisms for recurrence. It addresses the well-described mechanisms of secretory senescence, inflammation, aging, adipogenic BM conversion, autophagy, systemic effects of trauma and surgery, sympathetic signaling, transient angiogenic bursts, hypercoagulable states, osteoclast activation, and epigenetic modifications of dormant cells. This review addresses proposed approaches for either eliminating micrometastases or maintaining a dormant state.

Prostatic Therapeutic Efficacy of LENILUTS®, a Novel Formulation with Multi-Active Principles

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTs) in men are usually associated to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-malignant prostate enlargement. Unfortunately, BPH etiology is still unclear. Recent works highlighted a relevant inflammation role in BPH onset and development. Consequently, to complement the 5-α reductase (and α-adrenergic receptor agonists-based therapy, an anti-inflammatory therapy should be devised. To reduce potential adverse effects of multi-drug treatment, plant extract-based therapies are becoming increasingly common. Serenoa repens, the main phytotherapic treatment for BPH, is not sufficient to front the multi-faceted etiology of BPH. In response to this, a novel, multiple phytotherapic agents-based formulation, LENILUTS®, was developed. In the present work, we compared, using an in vitro approach, the prostatic safety and efficacy of LENILUTS® with a commercial formulation, based only on Serenoa repens, and a 5αR inhibitor, Dutasteride. Furthermore, preliminary in vitro experiments to investigate the active principles, bioaccessibility and bioavailability of LENILUTS® were performed. Our results showed a better prostatic safety and therapeutic efficacy of LENILUTS® compared to the commercial formulation and Dutasteride, with increased anti-inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic activity, and a stronger inhibitory effect on the release of the key enzyme 5αR and Prostatic-Specific Antigen (PSA). The limited bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the active principles of LENILUTS® were highlighted. Considering the results obtained, the LENILUTS® formulation is more promising for BPH and LUTs therapy compared to formulations based on Serenoa repens only, but further efforts should be made to improve the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the active principles.

Growth and differentiation factor 15 and NF-κB expression in benign prostatic biopsies and risk of subsequent prostate cancer detection

Growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF‐15), also known as macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (MIC‐1), may act as both a tumor suppressor and promotor and, by regulating NF‐κB and macrophage signaling, promote early prostate carcinogenesis. To determine whether expression of these two inflammation‐related proteins affect prostate cancer susceptibility, dual immunostaining of benign prostate biopsies for GDF‐15 and NF‐κB was done in a study of 503 case‐control pairs matched on date, age, and race, nested within a historical cohort of 10,478 men. GDF‐15 and NF‐κB expression levels were positively correlated (r = 0.39; p < 0.0001), and both were significantly lower in African American (AA) compared with White men. In adjusted models that included both markers, the odds ratio (OR) for NF‐κB expression was statistically significant, OR =0.87; p = 0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI) =0.77–0.99, while GDF‐15 expression was associated with a nominally increased risk, OR =1.06; p = 0.27; 95% CI =0.96–1.17. When modeling expression levels by quartiles, the highest quartile of NF‐κB expression was associated with almost a fifty percent reduction in prostate cancer risk (OR =0.51; p = 0.03; 95% CI =0.29–0.92). In stratified models, NF‐κB had the strongest negative association with prostate cancer in non‐aggressive cases (p = 0.03), older men (p = 0.03), and in case‐control pairs with longer follow‐up (p = 0.02). Risk associated with GDF‐15 expression was best fit using nonlinear regression modeling where both first (p = 0.02) and second (p = 0.03) order GDF‐15 risk terms were associated with significantly increased risk. This modeling approach also revealed significantly increased risk associated with GDF‐15 expression for subsamples defined by AA race, aggressive disease, younger age, and in case‐control pairs with longer follow‐up. Therefore, although positively correlated in benign prostatic biopsies, NF‐κB and GDF‐15 expression appear to exert opposite effects on risk of prostate tumor development.

Stress proteins: the biological functions in virus infection, present and challenges for target-based antiviral drug development

Stress proteins (SPs) including heat-shock proteins (HSPs), RNA chaperones, and ER associated stress proteins are molecular chaperones essential for cellular homeostasis. The major functions of HSPs include chaperoning misfolded or unfolded polypeptides, protecting cells from toxic stress, and presenting immune and inflammatory cytokines. Regarded as a double-edged sword, HSPs also cooperate with numerous viruses and cancer cells to promote their survival. RNA chaperones are a group of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), which are essential factors for manipulating both the functions and metabolisms of pre-mRNAs/hnRNAs transcribed by RNA polymerase II. hnRNPs involve in a large number of cellular processes, including chromatin remodelling, transcription regulation, RNP assembly and stabilization, RNA export, virus replication, histone-like nucleoid structuring, and even intracellular immunity. Dysregulation of stress proteins is associated with many human diseases including human cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s diseases, Alzheimer disease), stroke and infectious diseases. In this review, we summarized the biologic function of stress proteins, and current progress on their mechanisms related to virus reproduction and diseases caused by virus infections. As SPs also attract a great interest as potential antiviral targets (e.g., COVID-19), we also discuss the present progress and challenges in this area of HSP-based drug development, as well as with compounds already under clinical evaluation.

Cytokine Expression by Human Macrophage-Like Cells Derived from the Monocytic Cell Line THP-1 Differs Between Treatment With Milk from Preterm- and Term-Delivering Mothers and Pasteurized Donor Milk

Immunomodulatory proteins from human milk may enhance the protection and development of the infant’s gut. This study compared the immunomodulatory effects of treatment with milk from preterm-(PM) and term-delivering (TM) mothers and pasteurized donor milk (DM) on cytokine gene expression in human macrophage-like cells derived from the monocytic cell line THP-1. The gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12 (p40), IL-10 and GAPDH in macrophages treated with PM, TM and DM at steady and activated (inflammatory) states were measured using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. TNF-α and IL-6 in macrophages (both states) with DM were higher than PM or TM. IL-10 in steady state macrophages with DM was higher than PM whereas DM increased IL-10 in activated macrophages compared with TM. TM increased IL-6 and IL-12 (p40) in steady state macrophages compared with PM. IL-12 (p40) in activated macrophages with TM was higher than PM. IL-10 in steady state macrophages with TM was higher than PM. These results suggest that DM induces higher gene expression of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages compared with PM or TM. PM reduced gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared with TM, which may decrease the development of necrotizing enterocolitis and systematic inflammation.

In Vitro Antioxidant and Cancer Inhibitory Activity of a Colored Avocado Seed Extract

Avocado (Persea americana) seeds have been used traditionally for a number of health-related indications. Because of its high polyphenol content, we investigated the potential antioxidant and anticancer effects of a colored avocado seed extract (CASE). CASE exhibited an oxygen radical acceptance capacity value of 2012 ± 300 trolox equivalents/mg. CASE reduced lipid hydroperoxide formation in an oil-in-water emulsion (33% reduction at 500 μg/mL). CASE dose-dependently reduced the viability of human breast (MCF7), lung (H1299), colon (HT29), and prostate (LNCaP) cancer cells in vitro. The half maximal inhibitory concentrations ranged from 19 to 132 μg/mL after treatment for 48 h. CASE treatment downregulated the expression of cyclin D₁ and E₂ in LNCaP cells. This was associated with cell G₀/G₁ phase cycle arrest. CASE also dose-dependently induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells. CASE reduced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor κB, a prosurvival signal. Further studies are needed to examine these effects in in vivo models.

Inflammation and NF-κB Signaling in Prostate Cancer: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Prostate cancer is a highly prevalent form of cancer that is usually slow-developing and benign. Due to its high prevalence, it is, however, still the second most common cause of death by cancer in men in the West. The higher prevalence of prostate cancer in the West might be due to elevated inflammation from metabolic syndrome or associated comorbidities. NF-κB activation and many other signals associated with inflammation are known to contribute to prostate cancer malignancy. Inflammatory signals have also been associated with the development of castration resistance and resistance against other androgen depletion strategies, which is a major therapeutic challenge. Here, we review the role of inflammation and its link with androgen signaling in prostate cancer. We further describe the role of NF-κB in prostate cancer cell survival and proliferation, major NF-κB signaling pathways in prostate cancer, and the crosstalk between NF-κB and androgen receptor signaling. Several NF-κB-induced risk factors in prostate cancer and their potential for therapeutic targeting in the clinic are described. A better understanding of the inflammatory mechanisms that control the development of prostate cancer and resistance to androgen-deprivation therapy will eventually lead to novel treatment options for patients.

Phage Therapy in Prostatitis: Recent Prospects

Prostatitis has various etiology including bacterial infection and dysregulated immunity; some of its forms remain a serious therapeutic challenge. Inflammation occurs in all forms of this disorder and is proposed to predispose to the development of prostate cancer (PC). There are reports that phage therapy is effective in chronic bacterial prostatitis. Recent findings suggest that phages not only eliminate bacteria, but also mediate immunomodulating (for example, anti-inflammatory) functions. The immunomodulating effects of phages could be beneficial in treating all forms of prostatitis and play some role in the prevention of the development of PC. As the etiological factors contributing to the majority of prostatitis cases remains largely unknown, and management options are often likewise limited, phage therapy merits further research as an attractive therapeutic option given its immunomodulating effects irrespective of the underlying causative factor(s).

Extended Lifetime In Vivo Pulse Stimulated Ultrasound Imaging

An on-demand long-lived ultrasound contrast agent that can be activated with single pulse stimulated imaging (SPSI) has been developed using hard shell liquid perfluoropentane filled silica 500-nm nanoparticles for tumor ultrasound imaging. SPSI was tested on LnCAP prostate tumor models in mice; tumor localization was observed after intravenous (IV) injection of the contrast agent. Consistent with enhanced permeability and retention, the silica nanoparticles displayed an extended imaging lifetime of 3.3±1 days (mean±standard deviation). With added tumor specific folate functionalization, the useful lifetime was extended to 12 ± 2 days; in contrast to ligand-based tumor targeting, the effect of the ligands in this application is enhanced nanoparticle retention by the tumor. This paper demonstrates for the first time that IV injected functionalized silica contrast agents can be imaged with an in vivo lifetime ~500 times longer than current microbubble-based contrast agents. Such functionalized long-lived contrast agents may lead to new applications in tumor monitoring and therapy.

Oxidative stress and prostatic diseases

Prostatic diseases are a common health problem among males in Western countries, and include chronic prostatic diseases, which have an unclear pathogenesis and few treatment options. In vitro and in vivo studies describe oxidative stress as a major pathway involved in the occurrence of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatic cancer and chronic prostatitis. Thus, the oxidative stress cascade is a potential target for the treatment of prostatic diseases. This paper presents a systematic review of the available data concerning the association between oxidative stress and the most common chronic prostatic diseases, and describes the available treatment options that act upon this pathway.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Direct the Immunological Fate of Macrophages

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are multipotent stem cells with a broad well-described immunosuppressive potential. They are able to modulate both the innate and the adaptive immune response. Particularly, MSC are able to regulate the phenotype and function of macrophages that are critical for different biological processes including wound healing, inflammation, pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases, and tumor growth. These multifunctional roles of macrophages are due to their high plasticity, which enable them to adopt different phenotypes such as a pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. MSC promote macrophage differentiation toward an M2-like phenotype with a high tissue remodeling potential and anti-inflammatory activity but also a pro-tumorigenic function. MSC regulatory effect on macrophages is mediated through the secretion of different immunomodulatory molecules such as PGE₂, IL1RA, and IL-6. Moreover, the presence of macrophages in damaged tissue and inflammation is essential for MSC to exert their therapeutic function. In this chapter, we discuss how the interplay between macrophages and MSC mutually modulates their phenotypes and functions, orchestrates tissue repair, and controls inflammation during autoimmunity and tumor growth.

Goniothalamin and Celecoxib Effects During Aging: Targeting Pro-Inflammatory Mediators in Chemoprevention of Prostatic Disorders

BACKGROUND

Prostate is highly affected by aging, which lead to inflammatory disorders that can predispose to cancer development. Chemoprevention has emerged as a new therapeutic approach, intensifying studies evaluating the biological properties of new compounds. The aim of this study was to characterize the inflammatory responses in the prostate ventral lobe from senile mice treated with Goniothalamin (GTN), a promising natural compound with anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties. Its activity was compared to Celecoxib, an established nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

METHODS

The animals were divided into: Control groups; Young (18-week-old FVB), Senile (52-week-old FVB). Treated groups: Senile-Goniothalamin (150 mg/kg orally), Senile-Celecoxib (10 mg/kg orally). The ventral lobe was collected after 4 weeks for light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, ELISA, and Western blotting analysis.

RESULTS

Both treatments were efficient in controlling the inflammatory process in the prostate from senile mice, maintaining the glandular morphology integrity. GTN reduced all inflammatory mediators evaluated (TNF-α, COX-2, iNOS) and different from Celecoxib, it also decreased the protein levels of NF-kB and p-NF-kB.

CONCLUSIONS

Finally, GTN and Celecoxib controlled inflammation in the prostate, and sensitized the senescent microenvironment to anti-inflammatory stimuli. Thus, both treatments are indicated as potential drugs in the prostatic diseases prevention during senescence. Prostate 77:838-848, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Immune mediators in the tumor microenvironment of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer tissue is composed of both cancer cells and host cells. The milieu of host components that compose the tumor is termed the tumor microenvironment (TME). Host cells can be those derived from the tissue in which the tumor originates (e.g., fibroblasts and endothelial cells) or those recruited, through chemotactic or other factors, to the tumor (e.g., circulating immune cells). Some immune cells are key players in the TME and represent a large proportion of non-tumor cells found within the tumor. Immune cells can have both anti-tumor and pro-tumor activity. In addition, crosstalk between prostate cancer cells and immune cells affects immune cell functions. In this review, we focus on immune cells and cytokines that contribute to tumor progression. We discuss T-regulatory and T helper 17 cells and macrophages as key modulators in prostate cancer progression. In addition, we discuss the roles of interleukin-6 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand in modulating prostate cancer progression. This review highlights the concept that immune cells and cytokines offer a potentially promising target for prostate cancer therapy.

The Prognostic Value of Baseline Lymphocyte, Neutrophil, and Monocyte Counts in Locally Advanced Cervical Carcinoma Treated with Radiation

Background. To determine the prognostic significance of pretreatment levels of circulating lymphocyte (CLC), neutrophil (CNC), and monocyte (CMC) counts in patients with locally advanced cervical carcinoma (CC) treated with definitive radiation. Methods. A retrospective, dual-institution review of patients with Stage IB2-IVA CC from 2005 to 2015. Progression-free (PFS) and Overall Survival (OS) were determined for high and low CLC, CNC, and CMC groups. Multivariate analysis was used to confirm prognostic value of baseline leukocyte counts. Results. 181 patients were included. Median follow-up time was 26 (3–89) months. CNC had no effect on PFS or OS. PFS was similar between CMC groups; however, OS was significantly improved for patients with low CMC (62.5 versus 45.3 months, p = 0.016). High CLC was associated with improved PFS (48.5 versus 27.8 months, p = 0.048) and OS (58.4 versus 34.9 months, p = 0.048). On multivariate analysis, high CNC was associated with increased relapse risk (HR 1.12, p = 0.006) and low CLC was associated with increased mortality risk (HR 0.67, p = 0.027). Conclusion. This study demonstrates that leukocyte values can provide prognostic information in CC. These hypothesis-generating findings warrant further prospective investigations.

A predictive model to estimate the pretest probability of metastasis in patients with osteosarcoma

Osteosarcomas (OSs) represent a huge challenge to improve the overall survival, especially in metastatic patients. Increasing evidence indicates that both tumor-associated elements but also on host-associated elements are under a remarkable effect on the prognosis of cancer patients, especially systemic inflammatory response. By analyzing a series prognosis of factors, including age, gender, primary tumor size, tumor location, tumor grade, and histological classification, monocyte ratio, and NLR ratio, a clinical predictive model was established by using stepwise logistic regression involved circulating leukocyte to compute the estimated probabilities of metastases for OS patients. The clinical predictive model was described by the following equations: probability of developing metastases = ex/(1 + ex), x = -2.150 +  (1.680 × monocyte ratio) + (1.533 × NLR ratio), where is the base of the natural logarithm, the assignment to each of the 2 variables is 1 if the ratio >1 (otherwise 0). The calculated AUC of the receiver-operating characteristic curve as 0.793 revealed well accuracy of this model (95% CI, 0.740-0.845). The predicted probabilities that we generated with the cross-validation procedure had a similar AUC (0.743; 95% CI, 0.684-0.803). The present model could be used to improve the outcomes of the metastases by developing a predictive model considering circulating leukocyte influence to estimate the pretest probability of developing metastases in patients with OS.

Human Prostate Cancer Hallmarks Map

Human prostate cancer is a complex heterogeneous disease that mainly affects elder male population of the western world with a high rate of mortality. Acquisitions of diverse sets of hallmark capabilities along with an aberrant functioning of androgen receptor signaling are the central driving forces behind prostatic tumorigenesis and its transition into metastatic castration resistant disease. These hallmark capabilities arise due to an intense orchestration of several crucial factors, including deregulation of vital cell physiological processes, inactivation of tumor suppressive activity and disruption of prostate gland specific cellular homeostasis. The molecular complexity and redundancy of oncoproteins signaling in prostate cancer demands for concurrent inhibition of multiple hallmark associated pathways. By an extensive manual curation of the published biomedical literature, we have developed Human Prostate Cancer Hallmarks Map (HPCHM), an onco-functional atlas of human prostate cancer associated signaling and events. It explores molecular architecture of prostate cancer signaling at various levels, namely key protein components, molecular connectivity map, oncogenic signaling pathway map, pathway based functional connectivity map etc. Here, we briefly represent the systems level understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with prostate tumorigenesis by considering each and individual molecular and cell biological events of this disease process.

Oxidative stress in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Several parameters including inflammatory mediators, hormones, dietary factors, inflammatory genes, and oxidative stress (OS) have been considered to play a role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostate tissue damage and OS may lead to compensatory cellular proliferation with resulting hyperplastic growth.

METHODS

We searched MEDLINE for articles in English published up to March 2014 using the key words 'oxidative stress', 'antioxidants' and 'benign prostatic hyperplasia'.

RESULTS

Prostatic inflammation can cause the generation of free radicals. The extent of oxidative damage can be exacerbated by a decreased efficiency of antioxidant defense mechanisms. The balance between OS and the antioxidant component also has a role in developing prostate disease. Several works show the role of oxidant products and of depletion of antioxidant substances in BPH patients. It is accepted that free radicals play a role in carcinogenesis and that BPH should be considered a premalignant condition which may evolve into prostate cancer. High OS parameters and low antioxidant activity are more prominent in prostate cancer patients compared with BPH and controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Further studies are needed to clarify the potential role of antioxidants in BPH also in view of preventing the progression to prostate cancer.

Immunological markers predict the prognosis of patients with squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer has become the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. However, treatment failures still represent enormous challenges, and it is doubtful whether standard treatment modalities could continuously achieve substantial improvements. As one of the novel therapy strategies, PD-L1 has been shown the function of down-regulating T cell activation through receptor PD-1. Moreover, prognosis of cancer patients is based not only on tumor-related factors but also on host-related factors, particularly systemic inflammatory response. Significantly, squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) revealed to be divergent clinical and molecular phenotypes compared with non-squamous NSCLC. Monocyte ratio, neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio, PD-L1 immunostaining score and PD-1-positive stained tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte counts were assessed by Fisher's linear discriminant analysis to discriminate whether overall survival (OS) would exceeding 5 years. Finally, a prediction model was established for OS based on these immunological markers. Furthermore, this prediction model was validated in a second set of squamous NSCLC patients. The model offers a novel tool for survival prediction and could have important clinical implications for patients with squamous NSCLC, thus providing a framework for future individualized therapy.

Prognostic value of monocyte and neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio in patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma

Metastatic soft tissue sarcomas (STS) represent enormous challenges to improve the low survival rate, which is almost the same as past 2 decades ago. Prognosis of cancer patients are based not only on tumor-related factors but also on host-related factors, particularly systemic inflammatory response. We evaluated the association among possible risk factors and survival for metastatic STS by reviewed a single-institution nearly 50-year experience. We found that both monocyte ratio and NLR ratio were significant prognostic predictors for OS and PFS of metastatic STS. And patients with monocyte ratio or NLR ratio > 1 should be screened out as candidates for more intensive or aggressive multimodality treatments and more aggressive follow-up. For this reason, this result could serve as a basis for future prospective study.

Sustained proliferation in cancer: Mechanisms and novel therapeutic targets

Proliferation is an important part of cancer development and progression. This is manifest by altered expression and/or activity of cell cycle related proteins. Constitutive activation of many signal transduction pathways also stimulates cell growth. Early steps in tumor development are associated with a fibrogenic response and the development of a hypoxic environment which favors the survival and proliferation of cancer stem cells. Part of the survival strategy of cancer stem cells may manifested by alterations in cell metabolism. Once tumors appear, growth and metastasis may be supported by overproduction of appropriate hormones (in hormonally dependent cancers), by promoting angiogenesis, by undergoing epithelial to mesenchymal transition, by triggering autophagy, and by taking cues from surrounding stromal cells. A number of natural compounds (e.g., curcumin, resveratrol, indole-3-carbinol, brassinin, sulforaphane, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, genistein, ellagitannins, lycopene and quercetin) have been found to inhibit one or more pathways that contribute to proliferation (e.g., hypoxia inducible factor 1, nuclear factor kappa B, phosphoinositide 3 kinase/Akt, insulin-like growth factor receptor 1, Wnt, cell cycle associated proteins, as well as androgen and estrogen receptor signaling). These data, in combination with bioinformatics analyses, will be very important for identifying signaling pathways and molecular targets that may provide early diagnostic markers and/or critical targets for the development of new drugs or drug combinations that block tumor formation and progression.

Prognostic significance of preoperative peripheral blood monocyte ratio in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Leukocyte subsets in peripheral blood, which include neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, have not been well established as prognostic factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent curative hepatic resection for HCC at the National Cancer Center, Republic of Korea, from 2001 to 2008 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Clinicopathologic factors, cancer-specific survival (CSS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed with respect to preoperative lymphocyte subsets, especially monocyte ratio.

RESULTS

The 603 patients had a median follow-up of 40.0 months and a 5-year overall survival rate of 67.7 %. In univariate analysis of survivals, preoperative lymphocyte ratio ≤35 % and monocyte ratio >7 % were significantly poor prognostic factors. In multivariate analysis, preoperative monocyte ratio >7 %, satellite nodule, and microvascular invasion were independent risk factors for CSS and DFS (hazard ratio of monocyte ratio >7 % = 1.77, p = 0.02 and 1.57, p = 0.006, respectively). Considering monocyte ratio with preoperative α-fetoprotein level, patients with both abnormal α-fetoprotein levels (>12 ng/mL) and monocyte ratio >7 % showed significantly worse CSS and DFS than other groups (p < 0.001). Cirrhotic patients with monocyte ratio >7 % showed significantly poor CSS and DFS compared with non-cirrhotic patients (p = 0.033 and <0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

A preoperative monocyte ratio >7 % of peripheral blood is an independent risk factor for CSS and DFS after hepatic resection for HCC. Preoperative monocyte ratio might be considered as a novel biomarker for HCC.

Somatostatin Derivate (smsDX) Attenuates the TAM-Stimulated Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Prostate Cancer via NF-κB Regulation

Tumor development and progression are influenced by macrophages of the surrounding microenvironment. To investigate the influences of an inflammatory tumor microenvironment on the growth and metastasis of prostate cancer, the present study used a co-culture model of prostate cancer (PCa) cells with tumor-associated macrophage (TAM)-conditioned medium (MCM). MCM promoted PCa cell (LNCaP, DU145 and PC-3) growth, and a xenograft model in nude mice consistently demonstrated that MCM could promote tumor growth. MCM also stimulated migration and invasion in vitro. Somatostatin derivate (smsDX) significantly attenuated the TAM-stimulated proliferation, migration and invasion of prostate cancer. Immunohistochemistry revealed that NF-κB was over-expressed in PCa and BPH with chronic inflammatory tissue specimens and was positively correlated with macrophage infiltration. Further investigation into the underlying mechanism revealed that NF-κB played an important role in macrophage infiltration. SmsDX inhibited the paracrine loop between TAM and PCa cells and may represent a potential therapeutic agent for PCa.

Characterization of the roles of suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 in prostate cancer development and progression

As negative feedback regulators of cytokine signaling, suppressor of cytokine signaling proteins are induced by interleukins and various peptide hormones and may prevent sustained activation of signaling pathways. In particular, suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) plays pivotal roles in the development and progression of various cancers and exerts pleiotropic effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis. In recent years, abnormal expression of SOCS-3 and its multiple functions have been extensively investigated in human carcinomas, particularly in prostate cancer. SOCS-3 can act as an oncogene or a tumor suppressor depending on the cellular context. In this review, we focus on the role of SOCS-3 in prostate cancer development and prognosis, as well as the potential of SOCS-3 as a therapeutic target and diagnostic marker.

Chronic inflammatory mediators enhance prostate cancer development and progression

Chronic inflammation is postulated to influence prostate cancer progression. Preclinical studies have claimed that inflammatory mediators are involved in prostate cancer development and therefore suggested these as attractive targets for intervention. However, among the many pro-inflammatory mediators, there is no consensus regarding the identity of the primary one(s). In clinical studies, chronic inflammation has been found in prostate tumor specimens, and tissues resected for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although collective evidence from molecular, experimental and clinical data suggests that inflammation can contribute or promote prostate carcinogenesis, an etiologic link has not yet been established. Moreover, the role of chronic inflammation in the onset of castration resistant and metastatic disease is unclear. Therefore it is important to open a dialog regarding recent findings on how chronic inflammatory mediators contribute to prostate cancer progression, and their usefulness to prevent disease progression. In this commentary, we assess the current literature with respect to chronic inflammation as a potential initiator and promoter of prostate carcinogenesis and discuss the prospects for its potential clinical applications.

All trans-retinoic acid abrogates the pro-tumorigenic phenotype of prostate cancer tumor-associated macrophages

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a prominent cell type of the tumor stroma and stimulate malignant cell growth, survival and metastasis. The present manuscript demonstrates that prostate cancer cell-derived factors induce a pro-tumoral TAM-like phenotype characterized by increased proliferation and increased expression of pro-angiogenic, immunosuppressive and pro-metastatic factors. These effects were abrogated by all trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), a clinically available molecule with known immune-modulating properties. Furthermore, ATRA inhibited the cancer cell-stimulated proliferation of the pro-tumoral macrophages and restored their cytotoxic capacity towards prostate cancer cells. These findings suggest the use of ATRA as an immunomodulating agent to block the activity of prostate cancer TAMs.

Transcriptome analysis reveals a dynamic and differential transcriptional response to sulforaphane in normal and prostate cancer cells and suggests a role for Sp1 in chemoprevention

SCOPE

Epidemiological studies provide evidence that consumption of cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, can reduce the risk of cancer development. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a phytochemical derived from cruciferous vegetables that induces anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic responses in prostate cancer cells, but not in normal prostate cells. The mechanisms responsible for this cancer-specific cytotoxicity remain unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We utilized RNA sequencing and determined the transcriptomes of normal prostate epithelial cells, androgen-dependent prostate cancer cells, and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells treated with SFN. SFN treatment dynamically altered gene expression and resulted in distinct transcriptome profiles depending on prostate cell line. SFN also down-regulated the expression of genes that were up-regulated in prostate cancer cells. Network analysis of genes altered by SFN treatment revealed that the transcription factor Specificity protein 1 (Sp1) was present in an average of 90.5% of networks. Sp1 protein was significantly decreased by SFN treatment in prostate cancer cells and Sp1 may be an important mediator of SFN-induced changes in expression.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the data show that SFN alters gene expression differentially in normal and cancer cells with key targets in chemopreventive processes, making it a promising dietary anti-cancer agent.

Inflammation and prostate cancer: the role of interleukin 6 (IL-6)

Environmental and genetic aspects are reflected in the development of prostate cancer. In this context, there is growing evidence that chronic inflammation is involved in the regulation of cellular events in prostate carcinogenesis, including disruption of the immune response and regulation of the tumour microenvironment. One of the best surrogates of chronic inflammation in prostate cancer is interleukin 6 (IL-6). Serum IL-6 levels are elevated in patients with untreated metastatic or castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and correlate negatively with tumour survival and response to chemotherapy. Via multiple signal pathways including the Janus tyrosine family kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2)-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3-K) pathway, IL-6 is able to promote prostate cancer cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. IL-6 is associated with aggressive prostate cancer phenotype and may be involved in the metastatic process through regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and homing of cancer cells to the bone. A substantial body of evidence suggests that IL-6 plays a major role in the transition from hormone-dependent to CRPC, most notably through accessory activation of the androgen receptor. Collectively, these data have stimulated the development of agents targeting IL-6 signalling pathways. A chimeric anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody has been tested in clinical trials, with mixed results.

The same and not the same: heterogeneous functional activation of prostate tumor cells by TLR ligation

Background

Many types of tumors are organized in a hierarchy of heterogeneous cell populations with different molecular signature. Such heterogeneity may be associated with different responsiveness to microenvironment stimuli. In the present study, the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA), as well-known mediators of inflammation, on cancerous behavior of three prostate tumor cells, LNCaP, PC3 and DU145, were investigated.

Methods

Expression of TLR1-10, CD14 and MyD88 transcripts was investigated by RT-PCR. Protein expression of TLR2 and 4 was scrutinized by flow cytometry, immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting. Experiments were set up to assess the effects of LPS and LTA at different concentrations and times on cell proliferation, extracellular matrix invasion, adhesion and cytokine production.

Results

We showed that prostate cancer cell lines differentially express TLR1-10, MyD88 and CD14 transcripts. DU145 failed to express TLR4 gene. Positively-identified TLR2 protein in all prostate cancer cells and TLR4 protein in PC3 and LNCaP by Western blotting was not accompanied by cell surface expression, as judged by flow cytometry. Immunofluorescent staining clearly demonstrated predominantly perinuclear localization of TLR2 and TLR4. LTA activation of all prostate cancer cells significantly increased cell proliferation. Regardless of lacking TLR4, DU145 cells proliferated in response to LPS treatment. While LPS caused increased invasiveness of LNCaP, invasive capacity of PC3 was significantly reduced after LPS or LTA stimulation. Stimulation of all prostate tumor cells with LTA was associated with increased cell adhesion and IL-8 production. IL-6 production, however, was differentially regulated by LPS stimulation in prostate tumor cells.

Conclusion

The data shows that cancer cells originated from the same histologically origin exhibit heterogeneous response to the same TLR ligand. Therefore, a thorough and comprehensive judgment on how and to what extent a particular cancer is affected by TLR agonist could not be inferred by studying an individual cell line.

CXCL12/CXCR4 axis confers adriamycin resistance to human chronic myelogenous leukemia and oroxylin A improves the sensitivity of K562/ADM cells

This study was aimed at investigating the reversal effect of oroxylin A, a naturally bioactive monoflavonoid separated and purified from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, in human chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that CXCL12 could enhance the resistance of K562 cells to adriamycin (ADM) by increasing the expression of CXCR4, up-regulating the downstream PI3K/Akt pathway, and promoting translocation of NF-κB dimers into nucleus and subsequently decreasing the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in K562 cells. And we found that ADM resistance was partially reversed by CXCR4 siRNA transfection. Moreover, the sensitivity enhancement of oroxylin A was demonstrated by decreasing the expression of CXCR4 at both protein and mRNA levels, via PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway and triggering the apoptosis pathway in vitro. In addition, the in vivo study showed that oroxylin A increased apoptosis of leukemic cells with low systemic toxicity, and the mechanism was the same as in vitro study. In conclusion, all these results showed that oroxylin A improved the sensitivity of K562/ADM cells by increasing apoptosis in leukemic cells and decreasing the expression of CXCR4 and PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway, and probably served as a most promising agent for CML treatment.

Distinct phenotypes of human prostate cancer cells associate with different adaptation to hypoxia and pro-inflammatory gene expression

Hypoxia and inflammation are strictly interconnected both concurring to prostate cancer progression. Numerous reports highlight the role of tumor cells in the synthesis of pro-inflammatory molecules and show that hypoxia can modulate a number of these genes contributing substantially to the increase of cancer aggressiveness. However, little is known about the importance of the tumor phenotype in this process. The present study explores how different features, including differentiation and aggressiveness, of prostate tumor cell lines impact on the hypoxic remodeling of pro-inflammatory gene expression and malignancy. We performed our studies on three cell lines with increasing metastatic potential: the well differentiated androgen-dependent LNCaP and the less differentiated and androgen-independent DU145 and PC3. We analyzed the effect that hypoxic treatment has on modulating pro-inflammatory gene expression and evaluated the role HIF isoforms and NF-kB play in sustaining this process. DU145 and PC3 cells evidenced a higher normoxic expression and a more complete hypoxic induction of pro-inflammatory molecules compared to the well differentiated LNCaP cell line. The role of HIF1α and NF-kB, the master regulators of hypoxia and inflammation respectively, in sustaining the hypoxic pro-inflammatory phenotype was different according to cell type. NF-kB was observed to play a main role in DU145 and PC3 cells in which treatment with the NF-kB inhibitor parthenolide was able to counteract both the hypoxic pro-inflammatory shift and HIF1α activation but not in LNCaP cells. Our data highlight that tumor prostate cell phenotype contributes at a different degree and with different mechanisms to the hypoxic pro-inflammatory gene expression related to tumor progression.

Recent insights into NF-κB signalling pathways and the link between inflammation and prostate cancer

Inflammation is involved in regulation of cellular events in prostate carcinogenesis through control of the tumour micro-environment. A variety of bone marrow-derived cells, including CD4+ lymphocytes, macrophages and myeloid-derived suppressor cells, are integral components of the tumour micro-environment. On activation by inflammatory cytokines, NF-κB complexes are capable of promoting tumour cell survival through anti-apoptotic signalling in prostate cancer (PCa). Positive feedback loops are able to maintain NF-κB activation. NF-κB activation is also associated with the metastatic phenotype and PCa progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). A novel role for inhibitor of NF-κB kinase (IKK)-α in NF-κB-independent PCa progression to metastasis and CRPC has recently been uncovered, providing a new mechanistic link between inflammation and PCa. Expansion of PCa progenitors by IKK-α may be involved in this process. In this review, we offer the latest evidence regarding the role of the NF-κB pathway in PCa and discuss therapeutic attempts to target the NF-κB pathways. We point out the need to further dissect inflammatory pathways in PCa in order to develop appropriate preventive measures and design novel therapeutic strategies.

Anti-androgen resistance in prostate cancer cells chronically induced by interleukin-1β

Chronic inflammation has been linked to cancer initiation and progression in a variety of tissues, yet the impact of acute and chronic inflammatory signaling on androgen receptor function has not been widely studied. In this report, we examine the impact of the inflammation-linked cytokine, interleukin-1β on androgen receptor function in prostate cancer cells. We demonstrate that acute interleukin-1β treatment inhibits the transcription of the androgen receptor gene itself, resulting in the reduction of androgen receptor protein levels. Interestingly, in cells subjected to chronic interleukin-1β stimulation, the transcription of the androgen receptor gene is restored within a few cell passages and the cells acquire the ability to grow in the presence of the anti-androgen, bicalutamide. Importantly, the changes that accompany this loss of androgen receptor regulation and gain of anti-androgen resistance are stably heritable since once established, the phenotype is maintained even in the absence of exogenously added interleukin-1β. Further, bicalutamide resistance correlates with increased transcription of androgen receptor target genes and histone H3K4 dimethylation at M-phase gene enhancers. Overall, our studies demonstrate a novel route to anti-androgen resistance upon exposure to an inflammatory cytokine and provide a new tool to further understand how anti-androgen resistance emerges under chronic inflammation.

Do androgen deprivation drugs affect the immune cross-talk between mononuclear and prostate cancer cells?

The aim of the study was to examine the effect of androgen deprivation drugs, i.e. leuprolide and bicalutamide on the immune cross-talk between human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and cells from PC-3 and LNCaP human prostate cancer lines. PBMC, PC-3 and LNCaP were separately incubated without and with two androgen-deprivation drugs, i.e. leuprolide and bicalutamide, and the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-1ra and IL-10 was examined. In addition, the effect of both drugs on the production of those cytokines was carried out after 24 hours incubation of PBMC with both types of cancer cells. Leuprolide or bicalutamide did not affect the production of the cytokines by PBMC or by the prostate cancer cells from the two lines. Incubation of PBMC with PC-3 or LNCaP cells caused increased production of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 as compared with PBMC incubated without malignant cells. While 10(-7) M and 10(-8) M of leuprolide caused a decreased secretion of IL-1β by PBMC previously incubated with prostate cancer cells without the drug, bicalutamide did not affect this PBMC activity at any drug concentration. This observation suggests the existence of an additional mechanism explaining the effect of androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer patients.

A simplified culture system to examine soluble factor interactions between mammalian cells

Interactions between different cell types play critical roles in normal development and disease, but remain challenging to analyse. Here, a co-culture system is described that overcomes many of the limitations of existing methods, is simple to construct and modify, and is compatible with standard cellular and molecular assays.

The S100A4 Oncoprotein Promotes Prostate Tumorigenesis in a Transgenic Mouse Model: Regulating NFκB through the RAGE Receptor

S100A4, a calcium-binding protein, is known for its role in the metastatic spread of tumor cells, a late event of cancer disease. This is the first report showing that S100A4 is not merely a metastatic protein but also an oncoprotein that plays a critical role in the development of tumors. We earlier showed that S100A4 expression progressively increases in prostatic tissues with the advancement of prostate cancer (CaP) in TRAMP, an autochthonous mouse model. To study the functional significance of S100A4 in CaP, we generated a heterozygously deleted S100A4 (TRAMP/S100A4(+/-)) genotype by crossing TRAMP with S100A4(-/-) mice. TRAMP/S100A4(+/-) did not show a lethal phenotype, and transgenes were functional. As compared to age-matched TRAMP littermates, TRAMP/S100A4(+/-) mice exhibited 1) an increased tumor latency period (P < 0.001), 2) a 0% incidence of metastasis, and 3) reduced prostatic weights (P < 0.001). We generated S100A4-positive clones from S100A4-negative CaP cells and tested their potential. S100A4-positive tumors grew at a faster rate than S100A4-negative tumors in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model. The S100A4 protein exhibited growth factor-like properties in multimode (intracellular and extracellular) forms. We observed that 1) the growth-promoting effect of S100A4 is due to its activation of NFκB, 2) S100A4-deficient tumors exhibit reduced NFκB activity, 3) S100A4 regulates NFκB through the RAGE receptor, and 4) S100A4 and RAGE co-localize in prostatic tissues of mice. Keeping in view its growth-promoting role, we suggest that S100A4 qualifies as an excellent candidate to be exploited for therapeutic agents to treat CaP in humans.

HMGB1: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Prostate Cancer

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was originally discovered as a chromatin-binding protein several decades ago. It is now increasingly evident that HMGB1 plays a major role in several disease conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, arthritis, sepsis, and cancer. It is intriguing how deregulation of HMGB1 can result in a myriad of disease conditions. Interestingly, HMGB1 is involved in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and metastasis during cancer progression. Furthermore, HMGB1 has been demonstrated to exert intracellular and extracellular functions, activating key oncogenic signaling pathways. This paper focuses on the role of HMGB1 in prostate cancer development and highlights the potential of HMGB1 to serve as a key target for prostate cancer treatment.

Oroxylin A prevents inflammation-related tumor through down-regulation of inflammatory gene expression by inhibiting NF-κB signaling

Increasing evidence suggests that inflammatory microenvironment plays a critical role at different stages of tumor development. However, the molecular mechanisms of the interaction between inflammation and proliferation of cancer cells remain poorly defined. Here we reported the inhibitory effects of oroxylin A on the inflammation-stimulated proliferation of tumor cells and delineated the mechanism of its action. The results indicated that treatment with oroxylin A inhibited NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of IκBα and IKKα/β in both human colon tumor HCT116 cells and human monocytes THP-1 cells. In addition, in THP-1 cells, oroxylin A significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced secretion of prototypical proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 but not IL-1β, and it was confirmed at the transcription level. Moreover, oroxylin A inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells stimulated by LPS-induced THP-1 cells in co-culture microenvironment. In summary, oroxylin A modulated NF-κB signaling pathway involved in inflammation-induced cancer initiation and progression and therefore could be a potential cancer chemoprevention agent for inflammation-related cancer.

Prognostic value of pre-treatment circulating monocyte count in patients with cervical cancer: comparison with SCC-Ag level

OBJECTIVE

Higher level of circulating monocyte has been reported to be related with higher cancer incidence and mortality. We investigated the role of pre-treatment circulating monocyte count for cancer specific survival in cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients comparing with pre-treatment squamous cell carcinoma-related antigen (SCC-Ag) level.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix (FIGO stage IB to IVA) who had complete blood cell counts with differential cell count and serum SCC-Ag level within 2 weeks before starting initial treatment and were treated at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea, from 1996 to 2007.

RESULTS

The 788 patients in our study group had a median follow-up of 53.4 months and a five-year survival rate of 87.8%. The median value for pre-treatment circulating monocyte count was 349/μl (21-1463), and the median concentration of SCC-Ag was 1.6 ng/ml (0.1-362.0). In multivariable analysis, the pre-treatment circulating monocyte count was an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival and overall survival in locally advanced disease (P=0.007 and P=0.038) but not in case of SCC-Ag for overall survival. The combined index of monocyte count and SCC-Ag level could enhance the prognostic value of SCC-Ag alone in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

A higher pre-treatment circulating monocyte count is independently associated with poor prognosis in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma. The pre-treatment circulating monocyte count may be considered as an adjunctive biomarker with SCC-Ag.

The PCa Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a very complex niche that consists of multiple cell types, supportive matrix and soluble factors. Cells in the TME consist of both host cells that are present at tumor site at the onset of tumor growth and cells that are recruited in either response to tumor- or host-derived factors. PCa (PCa) thrives on crosstalk between tumor cells and the TME. Crosstalk results in an orchestrated evolution of both the tumor and microenvironment as the tumor progresses. The TME reacts to PCa-produced soluble factors as well as direct interaction with PCa cells. In return, the TME produces soluble factors, structural support and direct contact interactions that influence the establishment and progression of PCa. In this review, we focus on the host side of the equation to provide a foundation for understanding how different aspects of the TME contribute to PCa progression. We discuss immune effector cells, specialized niches, such as the vascular and bone marrow, and several key protein factors that mediate host effects on PCa. This discussion highlights the concept that the TME offers a potentially very fertile target for PCa therapy.

Monocyte number associated with incident cancer and mortality in middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling Danes

BACKGROUND

Monocytes play an important role in innate immunity and exhibit prognostic value in some cancers. It was hypothesised that activation of the innate immune system through mobilisation of monocytes to tissue macrophages develops an inflammatory state associated with increased risk of cancer and mortality.

METHODS

To test this hypothesis monocyte number was measured in a sample of 669 Danish men (59%) and women (41%) aged 55 to 75 years who were free of any known prevalent cancer or cardiovascular disease. The population was followed for 6.3 years, during which period incident cancers and deaths were compiled from validated national registries.

RESULTS

Fifty-two subjects developed cancer and 83 subjects died during follow-up. The upper quintile of monocyte number (median 0.44×10⁹/L, lower quintile <0.33, upper quintile >0.60) was associated with an increased risk of cancer (hazard ratio [HR] 2.00 [95% CI 1.12-3.57]) and deaths (HR 1.67 [1.03-2.72]) in univariate analyses, after correction for age and gender (cancer HR 2.15 [1.20-3.86] and death HR 1.63 [1.00-2.67]), and following additional correction for smoking habits, diabetes, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol (cancer HR 2.00 [1.10-3.70] and death HR 1.30 [0.78-2.16]). COX regression models, with inclusion of the aforementioned explanatory variables and added heart rate variability, alcohol use, and CRP, revealed monocyte count (per 0.1×10⁹/L increase) to be independently associated with incident cancer (HR 1.12 (1.05-1.19)) and death (HR 1.13 (1.06-1.19)).

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy middle-aged and elderly community-dwelling Danes circulating monocytes independently predicted incident cancer and mortality.

Aristolochic acid I suppressed iNOS gene expression and NF-κB activation in stimulated macrophage cells

Aristolochic acid I (AAI) is a phytotoxin that has been found in various herbal remedies and linked to the development of human carcinogenesis. To investigate the playing role of AAI in the function of macrophages, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells RAW264.7 were employed as a model to examine the effect of AAI on the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene. AAI reduced the expression of iNOS mRNA and protein, as well as the production of NO in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Treatment of transfected macrophages with AAI effectively suppressed the luciferase activities of the iNOS promoter which is activated by LPS. The results of promoter deletion and electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA) indicated that the NF-κB binding site at nucleotides -86 to -76 was the major site that was most responsible for the inhibitory effect of AAI. Moreover, the presence of AAI substantially reduced the phosphorylation of the inhibitory κBα (IκBα) protein in LPS-stimulated cultures. AAI also down-regulated the LPS-induction of TNF-α, a NF-κB regulated gene. On the other hand, AAI did not modulate the luciferase activities of reporter construct that contained iNOS mRNA 3'-UTR. Taken together, the data herein suggest that in activated macrophages, AAI effectively down-regulated the expression of iNOS gene by interfering with the activation of NF-κB at the transcription level. The stability of iNOS mRNA was not the target of AAI inhibition.

Risk of prostate cancer is not associated with levels of C-reactive protein and other commonly used markers of inflammation

Most population-based studies studied the association between inflammation and prostate cancer (PCa) by assessing C-reactive protein (CRP). As these findings have shown inconsistent results, we aimed to also study different markers that have been commonly taken as indications of inflammation. A cohort based on four groups of men (n = 34,891), according to age at cohort entry (45, 55, 65 and 75 years), with measurements of glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, haptoglobin, albumin, hemoglobin and leukocytes were selected from the Apolipoprotein Mortality Risk database. A total of 17,937 men had measurements of non-high-sensitive CRP. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze associations between inflammatory markers and PCa. A total of 49 of 12,063 men developed PCa in the age 45 group, whereas 207 of 9,940, 472 of 8,266 and 276 of 3,618 were diagnosed in the age 55, 65 and 75 groups, respectively. Mean follow-up time was 7.5 years (SD: 3.9). No markers showed an association with PCa risk, nor was there a trend by quartiles or an indication for different PCa risks by strata of hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia status. The studied markers were not found to be associated with PCa risk. These null findings might be due to methodological issues; however, it is unlikely that strong and long-lasting associations between inflammation and PCa risk were missed as this was a large database with long follow-up. This indicates need for international consensus on appropriate inflammatory markers in the context of cancer that may be practically applied in large studies.