Cyclin D1 expression is useful as a prognostic indicator for advanced esophageal carcinomas, but not for superficial tumors

Meningioma Tumor Microenvironment

The tumor microenvironment consists of noncancerous cells, such as immune cells and fibroblasts, and the proteins produced by these cells as well as the extracellular matrix components in the environment around a tumor. Tumor influences the behavior of the cells present in the surrounding environment, while the cells in the tumor microenvironment modulate the evolution of the tumor. Little is known about the microenvironment of meningioma, the most common benign intracranial tumor. Here, we review the current knowledge of the tumor microenvironment of meningioma and discusses its importance in meningioma tumorigenesis as well as in the designation of novel therapeutic approaches.

Cyclin D1 expression predicts postoperative distant metastasis and survival in resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose

We aim to identify esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with increased risk of postoperative metastases.

Results

A high level of cyclin D1 expression, together with poor tumor cell differentiation and advanced tumor stages, increased risk of postoperative metastasis and decreased distant metastasis-free survival in ESCC in both cohorts. A high level of cyclin D1 expression also decreased overall survival in the training cohort (p < 0.01) but not in the validation cohort (p = 0.415). However, when the two cohorts of patients were pooled to obtain a larger case number, a high level of cyclin D1 expression was again demonstrated as an independent predictor that decreased overall survival (p < 0.01).

Methods

We used data from two institutions to establish training (n = 319) and validation (n = 164) cohorts. Tissue microarrays were generated for immunohistochemical evaluation. The correlation among cyclin D1 expression, clinicopathologic variables, postoperative distant metastases, overall survival, and distant metastasis-free survival were analyzed. Multivariate analyses were used to test the independent factors impacting postoperative distant metastases and survival. The outcomes generated from the training cohort were then tested using the validation cohort and pooled dataset.

Conclusions

High level of cyclin D1 expression increased distant metastasis, decreased overall survival and distant metastasis-free survival in resectable ESCC. Using a combination of cyclin D1 expression, tumor cell differentiation grade, and tumor stages, identifying patients with increased risk of postoperative metastases becomes possible.

Co-existence of cyclin D1 and vascular endothelial growth factor protein expression is a poor prognostic factor for UICC stage I-III colorectal cancer patients after curative resection

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Studies have indicated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the predominant angiogenic factor. Cyclin D1 (CCND1) induces production of VEGF and is required for migration of blood vessels. Our aim was to determine the roles of CCND1 and VEGF overexpression in CRC patients.

METHODS

We analyzed clinicopathological features, VEGF and CCND1 expressions by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining in 100 stage I-III CRC patients (44 were postoperative relapsed; 56 were postoperative non-relapsed) to determine the correlation between clinicopathologic features and co-existence of CCND1 and VEGF. Furthermore, the clinical outcomes of co-existence of CCND1 and VEGF were investigated.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed vascular invasion (P = 0.019), VEGF overexpression (P = 0.033), and high postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels (P = 0.022) were independent predictors of postoperative relapse. Co-existence of CCND1 and VEGF overexpression had significantly poorer disease-free survival rates (P  = 0.004) and overall survival rates (P = 0.001) than other phenotypes.

CONCLUSIONS

Co-existence of CCND1 and VEGF overexpression would potentially assist in TNM staging systems to predict the prognosis of these patients who would benefit from intensive follow-up and therapeutic programs.

Clinicopathological and prognostic role of cyclin D1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a meta-analysis

Cyclin D1 is one of the most commonly over-expressed oncogenes; however, its role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis of 20 studies, comprising 2,041 patients to clarify this issue. In all studies, paraffin-embedded surgical specimens were collected and the status of cyclin D1 was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The combined odds ratios (Ors) for cyclin D1 expression were 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-0.93) for well and moderately differentiated versus poorly differentiated tumors, 0.65 (95% CI: 0.45-0.94) for T1/T2 versus T3/ T4 tumors, 0.59 (95% CI: 0.39-0.90) for N0 versus N1 tumors, and 0.48 (95% CI: 0.33-0.71) for stage I/II versus stage III/IV diseases, respectively. The association between cyclin D1 expression and prognosis was examined in 10 studies, and the combined hazard ratio was 1.78 (95% CI: 1.49-2.12). Cyclin D1 expression level detected by IHC is associated with worst clinicopathological features and prognosis for ESCC.

Knockdown of cyclin D1 inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and attenuates the invasive capacity of human glioblastoma cells

Elevated cyclin D1 (CCND1) in human glioblastoma correlates with poor clinical prognosis. In this study, the human glioblastoma cell lines SHG-44 and U251 were stably transfected with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting cyclin D1 or with ectogenic cyclin D1 by lentivirus-mediated transfection. Glioblastoma cells overexpressing or underexpressing cyclin D1 were then examined by in vitro growth assays, apoptosis assays, cell cycle analysis, and invasion assays. Cyclin D1 knockdown in SHG-44 cells inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and attenuated migration across Matrigel, a model of invasive capacity. Western blot analysis and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that cells underexpressing CCND1 exhibited decreased multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression, but enhanced apoptosis effector caspase-3 expression. In contrast, cyclin D1 overexpression promoted cell proliferation, attenuated apoptosis, and enhanced invasive capacity. Furthermore, cyclin D1 overexpression was associated with increased expression of MDR1 and Bcl-2, and decreased caspase-3 expression. Results using the U251 cell line confirmed the effects of CCND1-targeted shRNA and lentivirus-mediated overexpression on proliferation and apoptosis of glioblastoma cells. Overexpression of cyclin D1 enhanced the proliferation and invasive potential of human glioblastoma cells, while reducing apoptosis. The ability to suppress the malignant phenotype by downregulating cyclin D1 expression may provide a new gene therapy approach for patients with malignant glioma.

Using Q-RT-PCR to measure cyclin D1, TS, TP, DPD, and Her-2/neu as predictors for response, survival, and recurrence in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following radiochemotherapy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of thymidilate synthetase (TS), thymidilate phosphorylase (TP), dihydropyrimidin dehydrogenase (DPD), Her-2/neu, and cyclin D1 as predictors of therapy response, survival, and recurrence in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) following radiochemotherapy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-six patients with histologically proven intrathoracic, locally advanced ESCC (cT3, cN0/+, cM0) underwent preoperative, combined simultaneous radiochemotherapy followed by R0-transthoracic esophagectomy. Because R0 resection is the strongest known independent prognostic factor in this tumor entity, only R0-resected patients were included in this study. Pre-therapeutically taken, formalin-fixed, and paraffin-embedded tumor biopsies were used for laser-assisted microdissection of tumor cells and RNA extraction and subjected to real-time (TaqMan) quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR).

RESULTS

No significant correlation between clinical or histopathological parameters and the relative gene expression of TS, TP, DPD, or Her-2/neu was observed. However, patients with relative cyclin D1 levels below the median gene expression did not reach median survival compared to the 19.9 months seen in patients with relative cyclin D1 gene expression above the median (P = 0.02). Patients with low cyclin D1 levels experienced significantly less frequent recurrence of the tumor (20% versus 63%; P = 0.006), and there was a significant difference in the recurrence-free interval (P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the small number of investigated patients, our data seem to show that high levels of cyclin D1 measured by real-time Q-RT-PCR before neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy correlate significantly with patient survival, tumor recurrence, and recurrence-free-interval. Cyclin D1 might be useful in identifying patients at high risk of poor prognosis and suffering from recurrence after neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy treatment and R0 resection. Further investigations with a larger cohort are warranted.

Antisense to cyclin D1 inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor-stimulated growth of vascular endothelial cells: implication of tumor vascularization

PURPOSE

Our aim was to determine the effects of cyclin D1 inhibition on tumor-associated neovascularization and endothelial cell growth.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

We have generated adenovirus system for antisense to cyclin D1 (AS CyD1) and evaluated in vitro and in vivo effects. Small interfering RNA against cyclin D1 was also used to analyze cyclin D1 inhibition-associated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulation.

RESULTS

The xenografts treated with adenoviral AS CyD1 showed less vessel density and displayed smaller tumor size in colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and DLD1. In vitro studies indicated that AS CyD1 decreased VEGF protein expression in DLD1 but not in HCT116. Cyclin D1 small interfering RNA caused a decrease in VEGF expression at protein and RNA levels in DLD1. A modest decrease was noted in the VEGF promoter activity, with inactivation of the STAT3 transcription factor through dephosphorylation. On the hand, the cyclin D1 inhibition plus STAT3 inhibitor markedly decreased VEGF expression in HCT116, although VEGF did not change by the STAT3 inhibitor alone. In cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), VEGF augmented cyclin D1 expression and cell growth. AS CyD1 significantly inhibited HUVEC growth even in the presence of VEGF. AS CyD1 also significantly suppressed in vitro tube formation in VEGF-treated HUVEC and in vivo macroaneurysm formation in VEGF-treated Matrigel plug.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that cyclin D1 may play a role in the maintenance of VEGF expression and that AS CyD1 could be potentially useful for targeting both cancer cells and their microenvironment of tumor vessels.

Genotyping of patients with sporadic and radiation-associated meningiomas

Ionizing radiation is the most established risk factor for meningioma formation. Our aim was to evaluate the main effect of selected candidate genes on the development of meningioma and their possible interaction with ionizing radiation in the causation of this tumor. The total study population included 440 cases and controls: 150 meningioma patients who were irradiated for tinea capitis in childhood, 129 individuals who were similarly irradiated but did not develop meningioma, 69 meningioma patients with no previous history of irradiation, and 92 asymptomatic population controls. DNA from peripheral blood samples was genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in 12 genes: NF2, XRCC1, XRCC3, XRCC5, ERCC2, Ki-ras, p16, cyclin D1, PTEN, E-cadherin, TGFB1, and TGFBR2. SNP analysis was done using the MassArray system (Sequenom, San Diego, CA) and computerized analysis by SpectroTYPER. Logistic regressions were applied to evaluate main effect of each gene on meningioma formation and interaction between gene and radiation. Intragenic SNPs in the Ki-ras and ERCC2 genes were associated with meningioma risk (odds ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-2.92 and odds ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-2.84, respectively). A significant interaction was found between radiation and cyclin D1 and p16 SNPs (P for interaction = 0.005 and 0.057, respectively). Our findings suggest that Ki-ras and ERCC2 SNPs are possible markers for meningioma formation, whereas cyclin D1 and p16 SNPs may be markers of genes that have an inverse effect on the risk to develop meningioma in irradiated and nonirradiated populations.

Chromosomal aberrations in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma among Chinese: gain of 12p predicts poor prognosis after surgery

Sixty primary esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs) were evaluated for cytogenetic changes by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Recurrent chromosomal aberrations were correlated with stage and clinical outcome after esophagectomy to identify cytogenetic changes that are of prognostic significance. Chromosomal aberrations were found in 52 (86.7%) cases. The most frequently detected chromosomal gains involved 3q (67.3%), 8q (57.7%), 5p (51.9%), 7q (28.8%), 15q (28.8%), 20p (21.2%), 20q (28.8%), 1q (26.9%), 7p (26.9%), 2p (23.1%), and 12p (23.1%). Chromosome 12p was most frequently involved in high-level amplification. Six of the 12 cases with gain in 12p showed high-level amplification and the minimum overlapping region localized to 12pter-p13. The most frequently detected chromosomal loss involved 3p (46.2%), 4q (26.9%), 4p (23.1%), 3q (19.2%), 9p (17.3%), 19p (17.3%), and whole 13 (15.4%). No significant correlation was found between the recurrent chromosomal aberrations and pathological stage of ESCC. Univariate analysis demonstrated that late pathological stage (III and IV), gain in 12p, and loss in 3p are associated with poor relapse-free survival. Multivariate analysis confirmed gain in 12p as independent prognosticator for relapse-free survival after esophagectomy besides pathological stage. We conclude that chromosomal aberrations are common in ESCC. Gain in 12p is indicative of poor prognosis after esophagectomy, and combined modality therapy would be indicated in these patients.

Expression of Egr-1, c-fos and cyclin D1 in esophageal cancer and its precursors: An immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization study

AIM: To examine the expression of Egr-1, c-fos and cyclin D1 at both transcript and protein levels in esophageal carcinoma and to correlate the level of their expressions with precancerous and paracancerous esophageal lesions and esophageal carcinoma.

METHODS: In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used respectively to detect the expression of mRNA and proteins of Egr-1, c-fos and cyclin D1 in 70 cases of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and their corresponding para-cancerous mucosa and upper cut edge mucosa.

RESULTS: In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed positive staining of all three mRNAs in the cytoplasm and those of the proteins in nuclei. Overexpression of Egr-1, c-fos and cyclin D1 mRNAs and their proteins was found in dysplasia and squamous carcinomas. The expression level of Egr-1 and c-fos was high, and cyclin D1 was low in dysplasia mucosa, whereas the expression of Egr-1 was decreased, c-fos was maintained and cyclin D1 was increased in the cancers. The expression of both c-fos and cyclinD1 was consistent between the mRNA and protein in their corresponding high expression lesions.

CONCLUSION: The expression of Egr-1, c-fos and cyclin D1 varies in esophageal precancerous lesions and cancer tissues, suggesting an involvement of these genes in the development of esophageal carcinoma.

Overexpression of Caspase-1 in adenocarcinoma of pancreas and chronic pancreatitis

AIM: To identify the expression of Caspase-1(interleukin-1β converting enzyme) and its role in adenoma of the pancreas and chronic pancreatitis.

METHODS: The expression of Caspase-1 was assessed in 42 pancreatic cancer tissue samples, 38 chronic pancreatitis specimens, and 9 normal pancreatic tissues by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS: Overexpression of Caspase-1 was observed in both disorders, but there were differences in the expression patterns in distinct morphologic compartments. Pancreatic cancer tissues showed a clear cytoplasmatic overexpression of Caspase-1 in tumor cells of 71% of the tumors, whereas normal pancreatic tissues showed only occasional immunoreactivity. In chronic pancreatitis, overexpression of Caspase-1 was found in atrophic acinar cells (89%), hyperplastic ducts (87%), and dedifferentiating acinar cells (84%). Although in atrophic cells a clear nuclear expression was found, hyperplastic ducts and dedifferentiating acinar cells showed clear cytoplasmic expression. Western blot analysis revealed a marked expression of the 45 kDa precursor of Caspase-1 in pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis (80% and 86%, respectively). Clear bands at 30 kDa, which suggested the p10-p20 heterodimer of active Caspase-1, were found in 60% of the cancer tissue and 14% of the pancreatitis tissue specimens, but not in normal pancreatic tissues.

CONCLUSION: Overexpression of Caspase-1 is a frequent event in pancreatic disorders and its differential expression patterns may reflect two functions of the protease. One is its participation in the apoptotic pathway in atrophic acinar cells and tumor-surrounding pancreatitis tissue, the other is its possible role in proliferative processes in pancreatic cancer cells and hyperplastic duct cells and dedifferentiating acinar cells in chronic pancreatitis.

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA, telomerase content and multi-gene expression in esophageal epithelial dysplasia

AIM: To investigate the alteration of molecular events and the early carcinogenesis mechanism of esophageal epithelial cells in the high incidence area of esophageal cancer.

METHODS: Esophageal epithelial cells of esophageal cancer patients were collected from the high incidence area in China. Content of DNA and telomerase as well as multi-gene expressions such as p53, p21 and cyclin D₁ in esophageal precancer cells were quantitatively analysed by flow cytometry (FCM) with indirect immunofluorescence technique and DNA propidium iodide fluorescence staining.

RESULTS: FCM analysis results showed the DNA content increased significantly and the heteroploid rate was 87.9% in occurred carcinogenesis. P53 protein accumulation and ras p21 increase were seen in the early carcinogenesis of the esophagus. The positive rate of p53 and ras p21 was 100% (5/5, 4/4 respectively) in the cancer group. Telomerase and oncogene cyclin D₁ were over- expressed in all of the cancer patients.

CONCLUSION: Increased DNA content and heteroploid rate, accumulation of p53 protein, and over-expression of p21, telomerase and cyclin D₁ proteins were early molecular events during the development of esophageal cancer.

Cyclin D1 genotype in areca-associated oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy in areca-chewing regions, accounting for up to 50% of malignant tumors in some South Asian countries. Amplification and/or over-expression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) is a frequent event in human malignancies, including OSCC. CCND1 G870A polymorphism (codon 242) gives rise to two isoforms of the protein. The objective of the present study was to evaluate if the risk, onset, and prognosis of areca-associated OSCC is related to CCND1 genotypes.

METHODS

We analyzed the CCND1 genotype in 70 OSCC cases and 93 control Taiwanese using single-strand conformation polymorphism techniques.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis showed that CCND1 genotype had no impact on the risk, onset, or survival of areca-associated OSCC. However, buccal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) appeared to be less frequently associated with AA genotype than non-BSCC (P = 0.02). In addition, amplification of CCND1 was significantly more prevalent in OSCC cases (22%) than in control subjects (2%, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that the CCND1 genotype may confer different risks for BSCC and non-BSCC.

Association between high initial tissue levels of cyclin d1 and recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Cyclin D1 expression and the rate of apoptosis have been reported to serve as important prognostic indicators in human cancers. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prognostic significance of both initial cyclin D1 expression and the apoptotic index in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study.

METHODS

Cyclin D1 protein levels and apoptosis in tumors and their corresponding adjacent, histologically normal tissues were determined at the time of initial diagnosis using immunohistochemical staining, Western blot analysis, and in situ end labeling, respectively, in 64 patients with T1-T4/N0-N2, poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx. All cases were treated by routine radiation therapy with a total median dose of 70 Gy and followed up for 10 years.

RESULTS

High levels of cyclin D1 were found in 35 of 64 tumor specimens (54.7%); no cyclin D1--positive cells were determinable in normal epithelium of the nasopharynx. Rates of early local recurrence (within 5 y) were significantly higher (P <.01) for patients with high levels of cyclin D1 before radiation therapy (24 of 35 patients [68.6%]) as compared with patients with low or no expression (3 of 29 [10.3%]). Furthermore, patients bearing high levels of cyclin D1 had a poorer prognosis concerning 10-year survival than the others (P <.001), whereas overexpression of cyclin D1 did not correlate with the initial TMN classification (P >.05). According to the rate of spontaneous apoptosis in tumors below or above the median, patients were divided into two groups. There was no statistically significant difference for the overall survival between the two groups (P >.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates that cyclin D1 can be used as an indicator of recurrence and subsequent prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiation therapy. At the same time, the apoptotic state before radiation therapy is of no value in predicting the prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Overexpression of caspase-1 in pancreatic disorders: implications for a function besides apoptosis

The caspases are known to play a crucial role in the triggering and execution of apoptosis in a variety of cell types. We assessed the expression of caspase-1 in 42 pancreatic cancer tissue samples, 38 chronic pancreatitis specimens, and nine normal pancreatic tissues by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. We found a clear overexpression of caspase-1 in both disorders, but differences in the expression patterns in distinct morphologic compartments. Pancreatic cancer tissue showed a clear cytoplasmatic overexpression of caspase-1 in tumor cells in 71% of the tumors, whereas normal pancreatic tissue showed only occasional immunoreactivity. In chronic pancreatitis an overexpression of caspase-1 was found in atrophic acinar cells (89%), hyperplastic ducts (87%), and dedifferentiating acinar cells (84%). Although in atrophic cells a clear nuclear expression was found, hyperplastic ducts and dedifferentiating acinar cells showed clear cytoplasmic expression. Western blot analysis revealed a marked expression of the 45 kDa precursor of caspase-1 in pancreatic cancer and chronic pancreatitis (80% and 86%, respectively). Clear bands at 30 kDa, suggested to represent the p10-p20 heterodimer of active caspase-1, were found in 60% of the cancer tissue and 14% of the pancreatitis tissue specimens. Since we found a highly significant correlation between cytoplasm overexpression of caspase-1 in pancreatic cancer and overexpression of the known prognostic factors cyclin D1, epidermal growth factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor, it is plausible that caspase-1 has a yet unknown function in proliferative processes in addition to its well-known role in the apoptotic pathway.