Coordinated expression of activated mitogen-activated protein kinases in salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma

Significance and mechanisms of perineural invasion in malignant tumors

Cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide. Tumor invasion and metastasis pose significant challenges for clinical management. In addition to the traditional pathways of metastasis such as hematologic or lymphatic transmission, perineural invasion (PNI) has become a unique mechanism of metastasis, which is closely associated with neuropathic pain, motor deficits, and poor prognosis. PNI is often observed in malignant tumors of the pancreas, head and neck, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs, and it reflects a unique neurotropic transfer behavior utilizing neural networks. Despite its clinical significance, targeted therapies for PNI are still lacking. This review synthesizes current evidences regarding PNI, elucidates the clinical significance of PNI in tumor metastasis, prognosis, and neurological dysfunction. By integrating the latest advances in multi-omics, we analyzed the potential key molecular pathways and tumor microenvironment drivers of PNI, and proposed future research directions for developing PNI-specific therapies to improve patient outcomes.

Portulacerebroside A inhibits adhesion, migration, and invasion of human leukemia HL60 cells and U937 cells through the regulation of p38/JNK signaling pathway

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly malignant hematopoietic tumor. This study aimed to explore the effect of portulacerebroside A (PCA) on the adhesion, migration, and invasion in human leukemia HL60 cells and U937 cells and clarify the possible mechanisms involved, which could provide potential strategies for the treatment of AML. By methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium analysis, it was found that PCA (1-10 μM) suppressed the cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. A total of 1, 2, and 5 μM of PCA dramatically inhibited the adhesion, migration, and invasion of HL60 cells and U937 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Phosphorylation level of JNK and P38 protein level was measured by Western blot. After the real-time quantification polymerase chain reaction and Western blot detection of the total RNA and protein, messenger RNA, and protein expression levels of Ras homologous C (RhoC), metastasis-associated gene 1 (MTA1) and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (MMP-2/9) were decreased significantly in a dose-dependent manner. The phosphorylation level of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38) was decreased dramatically in HL60 cells and U937 cells after PCA treatment. In conclusion, PCA significantly inhibits the adhesion, migration, and invasion of HL60 cells and U937 cells by suppressing the p38/JNK pathway and regulating the expressions of related genes.

Biological and prognostic relevance of mitogen-activated protein kinases in pancreatic adenocarcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were to study the biological and clinical significance of 3 main proteins of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, ERK1/2, P38, and MKK4, in a series of patients having pancreatic adenocarcinomas treated by surgery.

METHODS

We examined the immunohistochemical expression of 3 MAPK proteins, ERK1/2, P38, and MKK4 in 99 surgically resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas. Tumor protein expression was studied with regard to pathological characteristics and to postsurgical recurrence-free and overall survivals.

RESULTS

MKK4 expression was related to tumor cell proliferation, evaluated by the Ki67 index (P < 0.01). ERK1/2 expression was related to a shorter recurrence-free survival on both univariate and multivariate analysis (P < 0.01; odds ratio, 8.39; 95% confidence interval, 2.68-26.26) independently of lymph node metastases and tumor size, and to a shorter overall survival (P = 0.01) on univariate analysis. In patients without postsurgical treatment, both ERK1/2 and P38 tumor expression correlated with a shorter recurrence-free survival (P < 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our study suggest that in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, the MKK4 protein was directly related to high cell proliferation, and that tumor ERK1/2 and P38 expression correlated to shorter postsurgical recurrence-free and overall survivals.