Anti-tumor effect of AZD8055 against bladder cancer and bladder cancer-associated macrophages

A prognostic glycolysis-related gene signature in osteosarcoma: implications for metabolic programming, immune microenvironment, and drug response

Background/Aims

Osteosarcoma (OS), a malignant tumor originating in the bone or cartilage, primarily affects children and adolescents. Notably, glycolysis is the main target for metabolic programming to ensuring the energy supply for cancer. This study aimed to establish a glycolysis-related gene (GRG) risk signature in OS to comprehensively assessing the pathogenic, prognosis, and their application in predicting drug response.

Methods

mRNA expression profiles were acquired from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO, GSE16091, GSE39058, and GSE21257). Using the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm, patients with OS were stratified into distinct subgroups based on 288 GRGs identified through univariable Cox analysis. Univariate Cox regression analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the molecular clusters was conducted to establish a risk signature comprising GRGs in OS. The prognostic efficacy of this risk signature was assessed via Kaplan-Meier curve analysis and Cox regression, evaluating its independence as a prognostic indicator. Additionally, the predictive potential of the risk model for drug response was evaluated using the "OncoPredict" package. Furthermore, the distribution of immune cell types in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data was examined in correlation with the four identified GRGs risk signatures, followed by validation of expression levels in vitro using RT-PCR.

Results

Patients diagnosed with OS were categorized into two distinct molecular subgroups, exhibiting notable variations in prognosis and tumor microenvironment. Univaria te Cox regression analysis was employed to identify four GRGs, namely chondroitin sulfate glucuronyltransferase (CHPF), Ras-related GTP-binding protein D (RRAGD), nucleoprotein TPR (TPR), and versican core protein (VCAN), which constitute a prognostic signature for patients with OS. This signature demonstrated robust prognostic value, as corroborated by Kaplan-Meier, univariate, and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Significant differences in tumor microenvironment immune infiltration (such as B cells, monocytes) were observed between molecular subgroups. Moreover, a significant disparity in drug sensitivity to AZD8055, paclitaxel, and PD0325901 was noted between the high-risk and low-risk cohorts, and the established four-gene risk signature served as dependable prognostic indicators in the validation cohort, confirmed at the cellular level through external dataset validation and reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) experiments.

Conclusion

A risk signature based on GRGs was established for OS, exhibiting robust predictive efficacy for prognostic assessment, and offering significant clinical utility for the prognosis of OS.

Phosphatidic acid as a cofactor of mTORC1 in platinum-based chemoresistance: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential

Platinum-based chemotherapeutics, such as cisplatin and carboplatin, are widely used to treat various malignancies. However, the development of chemoresistance remains a significant challenge, limiting their efficacy. This review explores the multifaceted mechanisms of platinum-based chemoresistance, with a particular focus on the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in promoting tumor survival and resistance to platinum compounds. Additionally, we examined the role of phosphatidic acid (PA) and its synthesizing enzymes, phospholipase D (PLD) and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT), in the regulation of mTORC1 activity. Given the involvement of mTORC1 in chemoresistance, we evaluated the potential of mTOR inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy to overcome platinum resistance. Finally, we discuss combination therapies targeting the mTOR pathway alongside conventional chemotherapy to improve treatment outcomes. This review highlights the potential of targeting mTORC1 and related pathways to improve therapeutic strategies for chemoresistant cancers.

Role of the AKT signaling pathway in regulating tumor-associated macrophage polarization and in the tumor microenvironment: A review

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are present in and are important components of the tumor microenvironment (TME). TAMs differentiate into 2 functionally distinct morphologies, classically activated (M1)-type TAMs and alternatively activated (M2)-type TAMs, when stimulated by different cytokines. The 2 types of TAMs exhibit distinct properties and functions. M1 TAMs secrete high levels of pro-inflammatory and chemotactic factors, exerting proinflammatory, antitumor effects. Conversely, M2 TAMs alter the extracellular matrix, facilitate cellular immune escape, and stimulate tumor angiogenesis, thereby promoting anti-inflammatory responses and tumor growth. The ratio of M1 TAMs to M2 TAMs in the TME is closely related to the prognosis of the tumor. Tumor cells and other cells in the TME can regulate the polarization of TAMs and thus promote tumor progression through the secretion of various substances; however, polarized TAMs can also act on various cells in the TME through the secretion of exosomes, thus forming a positive feedback loop. Therefore, modulating the phenotype of TAMs in the TME or blocking the polarization of M2 TAMs might be a new approach for cancer treatment. However, the intracellular signaling pathways involved in the polarization of TAMs are poorly understood. The AKT signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway involved in the polarization, growth, proliferation, recruitment, and apoptosis of TAMs, as well as the action of TAMs on other cells within the TME. This paper reviews the AKT signaling pathway in the polarization of TAMs and the regulation of the TME and provides new ideas for tumor immunotherapy.

Integrative analysis of single-cell and transcriptome sequencing with experimental validation reveals PKHD1L1 as a novel biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma

Polycystic kidney and hepatic disease 1-like protein 1 (PKHD1L1) is predicted to encode a large type I transmembrane protein involved in hearing transmission and mediating cellular immunity under physiological conditions. However, its role in cancer progression, especially in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we observed significantly lower expression of PKHD1L1 in LUAD tissues than in normal lung tissues on the basis of the integration of public datasets from the TCGA and GEO cohorts. Furthermore, we found that low PKHD1L1 expression was a strong predictor of poor prognosis in patients with LUAD. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed that PKHD1L1 is associated primarily with asthma and multiple immune processes. Through meticulous analysis of immune cell infiltrates and single-cell datasets, we discerned a notable correlation between the expression of PKHD1L1 and the presence of B cells, with a particularly strong association observed in plasma cells. This finding led us to believe that the role of PKHD1L1 may extend beyond its previously reported involvement in cellular immunity, potentially impacting humoral immunity as well. In vitro experiments revealed that the over-expression of PKHD1L1 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration ability of LUAD cell lines. These findings suggest that PKHD1L1 is an important prognostic indicator and a potential therapeutic target for LUAD.

Spermine Synthase : A Potential Prognostic Marker for Lower-Grade Gliomas

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs).

METHODS

A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway.

RESULTS

The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased.

CONCLUSION

High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

The Potential Biological Roles and Clinical Significance of Anaphase-Promoting Complex Subunit 1 in Colorectal Cancer

BackgroundAnaphase-promoting complex subunit 1 (ANAPC1) is a regulator of cellular mitosis and an important factor in tumorigenesis. To date, a comprehensive assessment of the potential role, biological behaviours, and clinical significance of ANAPC1 in colorectal cancer (CRC) is still lacking.Materials and methodsThis study integrated 2329 mRNA expression data, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and internal immunohistochemistry of 416 tissue samples to comprehensively evaluate the abnormal expression pattern of ANAPC1 in CRC. It also incorporated evidence from immune infiltration analysis, functional enrichment analysis, and weighted gene co-expression network analysis to explore the biological behaviour of ANAPC1 in CRC. In addition, in vitro cell biology experiments such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot (WB), cholecystokinin 8 (CCK-8), wound healing, cell cycle, and apoptosis assays were conducted to verify the potential effect of ANAPC1 on CRC cells.ResultsANAPC1 mRNA was significantly overexpressed in CRC tissue (SMD = 2.07, 95% CI 1.59-2.55, P < .05) and malignant epithelial cells (P < .05). Validation at the protein level similarly confirmed the overexpression of ANAPC1 in CRC tissue (P < .05). ANAPC1 in CRC may play a role in abnormal ribosome biogenesis, DNA replication, ATP-dependent activity acting on DNA, nuclear division, chromosome segregation, and other pathways. In vitro experiments demonstrated that HCT-116 cells with ANAPC1 knockdown had reduced proliferation and migration abilities, increased cell apoptosis rate, and altered cell cycle distribution. In addition, CRC patients with low ANAPC1 expression were more likely to benefit from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. ANAPC1 was significantly downregulated in malignant epithelial cells of CRC treated with PD-1 inhibitors (P < .05).ConclusionANAPC1 may have a positive impact on the development of CRC by being involved in pathways related to DNA replication, chromosome segregation, and ribosomes.

Diagnostic potential of NRG1 in benign nerve sheath tumors and its influence on the PI3K-Akt signaling and tumor immunity

OBJECTIVE

Benign nerve sheath tumors (BNSTs) present diagnostic challenges due to their heterogeneous nature. This study aimed to determine the significance of NRG1 as a novel diagnostic biomarker in BNST, emphasizing its involvement in the PI3K-Akt pathway and tumor immune regulation.

METHODS

Differential genes related to BNST were identified from the GEO database. Gene co-expression networks, protein-protein interaction networks, and LASSO regression were utilized to pinpoint key genes. The CIBERSORT algorithm assessed immune cell infiltration differences, and functional enrichment analyses explored BNST signaling pathways. Clinical samples helped establish PDX models, and in vitro cell lines to validate NRG1's role via the PI3K-Akt pathway.

RESULTS

Nine hundred eighty-two genes were upregulated, and 375 downregulated in BNST samples. WGCNA revealed the brown module with the most significant difference. Top hub genes included NRG1, which was also determined as a pivotal gene in disease characterization. Immune infiltration showed significant variances in neutrophils and M2 macrophages, with NRG1 playing a central role. Functional analyses confirmed NRG1's involvement in key pathways. Validation experiments using PDX models and cell lines further solidified NRG1's role in BNST.

CONCLUSION

NRG1 emerges as a potential diagnostic biomarker for BNST, influencing the PI3K-Akt pathway, and shaping the tumor immune microenvironment.

SYNPO2 promotes the development of BLCA by upregulating the infiltration of resting mast cells and increasing the resistance to immunotherapy

Synaptopodin 2 (SYNPO2) plays a pivotal role in regulating tumor growth, development and progression in bladder urothelial Carcinoma (BLCA). However, the precise biological functions and mechanisms of SYNPO2 in BLCA remain unclear. Based on TCGA database‑derived BLCA RNA sequencing data, survival analysis and prognosis analysis indicate that elevated SYNPO2 expression was associated with poor survival outcomes. Notably, exogenous SYNPO2 expression significantly promoted tumor invasion and migration by upregulating vimentin expression in BLCA cell lines. Enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of SYNPO2 in humoral immune responses and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, increased SYNPO2 levels increased the sensitivity of BLCA to PI3K/AKT pathway‑targeted drugs while being resistant to conventional chemotherapy. In in vivo BLCA mouse models, SYNPO2 overexpression increased pulmonary metastasis of 5637 cells. High SYNPO2 expression led to increased infiltration of innate immune cells, particularly mast cells, in both nude mouse model and clinical BLCA samples. Furthermore, tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion score showed that patients with BLCA patients and high SYNPO2 expression exhibited worse clinical outcomes when treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Notably, in the IMvigor 210 cohort, SYNPO2 expression was significantly associated with the population of resting mast cells in BLCA tissue following PD1/PDL1 targeted therapy. In conclusion, SYNPO2 may be a promising prognostic factor in BLCA by modulating mast cell infiltration and exacerbating resistance to immune therapy and conventional chemotherapy.

Multifaceted role of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway in human health and disease

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that controls cellular metabolism, catabolism, immune responses, autophagy, survival, proliferation, and migration, to maintain cellular homeostasis. The mTOR signaling cascade consists of two distinct multi-subunit complexes named mTOR complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2). mTOR catalyzes the phosphorylation of several critical proteins like AKT, protein kinase C, insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1R), 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), ribosomal protein S6 kinase (S6K), transcription factor EB (TFEB), sterol-responsive element-binding proteins (SREBPs), Lipin-1, and Unc-51-like autophagy-activating kinases. mTOR signaling plays a central role in regulating translation, lipid synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, biogenesis of lysosomes, nutrient sensing, and growth factor signaling. The emerging pieces of evidence have revealed that the constitutive activation of the mTOR pathway due to mutations/amplification/deletion in either mTOR and its complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2) or upstream targets is responsible for aging, neurological diseases, and human malignancies. Here, we provide the detailed structure of mTOR, its complexes, and the comprehensive role of upstream regulators, as well as downstream effectors of mTOR signaling cascades in the metabolism, biogenesis of biomolecules, immune responses, and autophagy. Additionally, we summarize the potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as an important modulator of mTOR signaling. Importantly, we have highlighted the potential of mTOR signaling in aging, neurological disorders, human cancers, cancer stem cells, and drug resistance. Here, we discuss the developments for the therapeutic targeting of mTOR signaling with improved anticancer efficacy for the benefit of cancer patients in clinics.