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He J, Wu F, Li J, Deng Q, Chen J, Li P, Jiang X, Yang K, Xu S, Jiang Z, Li X, Jiang Z. Tumor suppressor CLCA1 inhibits angiogenesis via TGFB1/SMAD/VEGF cascade and sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to Sorafenib. Dig Liver Dis 2024; 56:176-186. [PMID: 37230858 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly vascularized tumor with a poor prognosis. Novel vascular-related therapeutic targets and prognostic markers remain urgently needed. AIMS To investigate the role and mechanism of CLCA1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS Immunofluorescence, Co-immunoprecipitation and rescue experiment were used to determine the specific mechanisms of CLCA1. Chemosensitivity assay was used to measure the impact of CLCA1 on Sorafenib. RESULTS CLCA1 was dramatically downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and tissues. Ectopic expression of CLCA1 induced cell apoptosis and G0/G1 phase arrest while suppressed cell growth, inhibited migration and invasion, reversal of epithelial mesenchymal transition in vitro and reduced xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, CLCA1 could co-localize and interact with TGFB1, thereby suppressing HCC angiogenesis through the TGFB1/SMAD/VEGF signaling cascade in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, CLCA1 also enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to the first-line targeted therapy, Sorafenib. CONCLUSION CLCA1 sensitizes HCC cells to Sorafenib and suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma angiogenesis through downregulating TGFB1 signaling cascade. This newly identified CLCA1 signaling pathway may help guide the anti-angiogenesis therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma. We also support the possibility of CLCA1 being a prognostic biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin He
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Junfeng Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Qianxi Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Pengtao Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xianyao Jiang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Haikou 570100, China
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shuman Xu
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zhongxiang Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaoqing Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Zheng Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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Devan AR, Pavithran K, Nair B, Murali M, Nath LR. Deciphering the role of transforming growth factor-beta 1 as a diagnostic-prognostic-therapeutic candidate against hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2022; 28:5250-5264. [PMID: 36185626 PMCID: PMC9521521 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v28.i36.5250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that performs a dual role as a tumor suppressor and tumor promoter during cancer progression. Among different ligands of the TGF-β family, TGF-β1 modulates most of its biological outcomes. Despite the abundant expression of TGF-β1 in the liver, steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression triggers elevated TGF-β1 levels, contributing to poor prognosis and survival. Additionally, elevated TGF-β1 levels in the tumor microenvironment create an immunosuppressive stage via various mechanisms. TGF-β1 has a prime role as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HCC. Moreover, TGF-β1 is widely studied as a therapeutic target either as monotherapy or combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. This review provides clinical relevance and up-to-date information regarding the potential of TGF-β1 in diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy against HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswathy R Devan
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
| | - Keechilat Pavithran
- Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
| | - Bhagyalakshmi Nair
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
| | - Maneesha Murali
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
| | - Lekshmi R Nath
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Health Science Campus, Kochi 682041, Kerala, India
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3
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Peng L, Yuan XQ, Zhang CY, Ye F, Zhou HF, Li WL, Liu ZY, Zhang YQ, Pan X, Li GC. High TGF-β1 expression predicts poor disease prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Oncotarget 2018; 8:34387-34397. [PMID: 28415739 PMCID: PMC5470976 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) promotes the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We evaluated the associations between TGF-β1 expression and clinicopathological parameters in HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), as well as the prognostic power of TGF-β1 expression. Eligible studies were retrieved from several databases, and effects (hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs)) for overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were pooled to assess the prognostic ability of TGF-β1 expression in HCC patients. Twelve qualified articles and our TCGA data comprising 2,021 HCC patients were incorporated. In the TCGA analysis, HCC patients with higher TGF-β1 expression presented a shorter OS than those with lower TGF-β1 expression (HR = 1.42, p < 0.05). In the meta-analysis, univariate analyses showed that HCC patients with higher TGF-β1 expression had a shorter OS (pooling HR = 1.71, p < 0.01) and DFS/RFS/MFS/PFS (pooling HR = 1.60, p < 0.01) than those with lower TGF-β1 expression. In conclusion, our results suggested that high TGF-β1 expression promotes a poor prognosis in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Peng
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Qing Yuan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, P.R. China.,Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Pharmacogenetics, Changsha 410078, P.R. China
| | - Chao-Yang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China
| | - Fei Ye
- Department of Cardiology, the Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410100, P.R. China
| | - Hui-Fang Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Changsha Health Vocational College, Changsha 410100, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Ling Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China
| | - Zhao-Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China
| | - Ya-Qin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China
| | - Xi Pan
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China.,Department of Oncology, the third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410013, P.R. China
| | - Guan-Cheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis of the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of Chinese Ministry of Education, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China.,Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha 410078, P.R. China
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Nemopilema nomurai jellyfish venom exerts an anti-metastatic effect by inhibiting Smad- and NF-κB-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HepG2 cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2808. [PMID: 29434219 PMCID: PMC5809415 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20724-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key initial step in metastasis for malignant cancer cells to obtain invasive and motile properties. Inhibiting EMT has become a new strategy for cancer therapy. In our previous in vivo study, Nemopilema nomurai jellyfish venom (NnV) -treated HepG2 xenograft mice group showed that E-cadherin expression was strongly detected compared with non-treated groups. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether NnV could inhibit the invasive and migratory abilities of HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and to examine its effect on EMT. Our results revealed that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 induced cell morphological changes and downregulated E-cadherin and β-catenin expression, but upregulated N-cadherin and vimentin expression through the Smad and NF-κB pathways in HepG2 cells. Treatment of TGF-β1-stimulated HepG2 cells with NnV reversed the EMT-related marker expression, thereby inhibiting cell migration and invasion. NnV also significantly suppressed the activation of p-Smad3, Smad4, and p-NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicated that NnV can significantly suppress cell migration and invasion by inhibiting EMT in HepG2 cells, and therefore might be a promising target for hepatocellular carcinoma therapeutics.
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5
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Zhou Y, Zhao Y, Gao Y, Hu W, Qu Y, Lou N, Zhu Y, Zhang X, Yang H. Hepatitis C virus NS3 protein enhances hepatocellular carcinoma cell invasion by promoting PPM1A ubiquitination and degradation. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2017; 36:42. [PMID: 28283039 PMCID: PMC5345236 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-017-0510-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background Growing evidence suggests that hepatitis C virus (HCV) contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by directly modulating oncogenic signaling pathways. Protein phosphatase magnesium-dependent 1A (PPM1A) has recently emerged as an important tumor suppressor as it can block a range of tumor-centric signaling pathways through protein dephosphorylation. However, the role and regulatory mechanisms of PPM1A in HCV-infected cells have not been reported. Methods Total, cytoplasmic, and nuclear PPM1A protein after HCV infection or overexpression of HCV nonstructural protein 3 (NS3) were detected by western blotting. The expression of PPM1A in normal liver and HCV-related HCC tissues was quantified by immunohistochemistry. The effects of HCV infection and NS3 expression on the PPM1A protein level were systematically analyzed, and the ubiquitination level of PPM1A was determined by precipitation with anti-PPM1A and immunoblotting with either anti-ubiquitin or anti-PPM1A antibody. Finally, the roles of NS3 and PPM1A in hepatoma cell migration and invasion were assessed by wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. Results HCV infection and replication decreased PPM1A abundance, mediated by NS3, in hepatoma cells. Compared to normal liver tissues, the expression of PPM1A was significantly decreased in the HCC tumor tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. NS3 directly interacted with PPM1A to promote PPM1A ubiquitination and degradation, which was dependent on its protease domain. Blockade of PPM1A through small interfering RNA significantly promoted HCC cell migration, invasion, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), which were further intensified by TGF-β1 stimulation, in vitro. Furthermore, restoration of PPM1A abrogated the NS3-mediated promotion of HCC migration and invasion to a great extent, which was dependent on its protein phosphatase function. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that the HCV protein NS3 can downregulate PPM1A by promoting its ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation, which might contribute to the migration and invasion of hepatoma cells and may represent a new strategy of HCV in carcinogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-017-0510-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yali Zhou
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yaoying Gao
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Wenjun Hu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Yan Qu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ning Lou
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology and College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Urology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
| | - Hongmei Yang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei Province, China.
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6
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Shehata HH, Abou Ghalia AH, Elsayed EK, Ahmed Said AM, Mahmoud SS. Clinical significance of high levels of survivin and transforming growth factor beta-1 proteins in aqueous humor and serum of retinoblastoma patients. J AAPOS 2016; 20:444.e1-444.e9. [PMID: 27663628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2016.07.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic values of survivin and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-B1) expression in aqueous humor and serum of retinoblastoma (RB) in comparison to the conventional RB marker lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and to elucidate a possible correlation between them and the clinicopathological features of the disease. METHODS This prospective, comparative study included 88 newly diagnosed children with RB and 80 age-matched controls with ophthalmic conditions other than tumors prepared for intraocular surgeries. Concentrations of survivin, TGF-B1, and LDH were measured in serum and aqueous humor before and 6 months after completion of therapy. RESULTS High serum and aqueous humor concentrations of the three proteins were detected in RB patients before treatment compared to the control group (P < 0.01), with a significant reduction of serum concentrations after treatment (P < 0.01). For the highest sensitivity and specificity, the optimal cutoff values of serum and aqueous survivin were 12.9 pg/ml and 25.2 pg/mg, with a significant positive correlation between aqueous survivin and RB staging and presence of optic nerve infiltration (r = 0.43, P = 0.04); the best cutoff values of serum and aqueous TGF-B1, 370.7 pg/ml and 39.8 pg/mg, with a significant positive correlation between aqueous TGF-B1 and poor differentiation of the tumor (r = 0.69, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of serum and aqueous humor survivin and TGF-B1 proteins make them promising markers for early detection and follow-up of RB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Hussein Shehata
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Eman Khairy Elsayed
- Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Safaa Saleh Mahmoud
- Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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Tu KS, Yao YM. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition and related signaling pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2016; 24:2131-2142. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v24.i14.2131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common forms of liver cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Although numerous therapeutic strategies have been employed to treat this fatal disease, the prognosis of HCC patients remains dismal with a low 5-year survival rate of approximately 30%. Postoperative recurrence and metastasis of HCC are the leading cause of poor prognosis. Metastasis has been thought to rely on non-motile epithelial tumor cells acquiring characteristics of mesenchymal cells, which are more migratory. This change is known as the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT has been considered one of the main reasons for the invasion and metastasis of HCC. Notably, increasing evidence indicates that several signaling pathways participate in the regulation of EMT in HCC. In the current review, we will discuss the current progress in research of EMT and its related signaling pathways in HCC.
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8
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Zhang S, Sun WY, Wu JJ, Gu YJ, Wei W. Decreased expression of the type III TGF-β receptor enhances metastasis and invasion in hepatocellullar carcinoma progression. Oncol Rep 2016; 35:2373-81. [PMID: 26882862 DOI: 10.3892/or.2016.4615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily of cytokines is multifunctional and involved in the regulation of cell growth and differentiation. TGF-β can induce an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of both epithelial and endothelial cells. This has consequences for cancer progression in regards to both migration and invasion abilities. The type III TGF-β receptor (TβRIII) is a ubiquitously expressed TGF-β co-receptor which regulates TGF-β signaling and the progression of various types of cancer. Previous studies have shown that TβRIII exhibits abnormal expression and plays an essential role in regulating cancer invasion and metastasis, while little is known in regards to its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. In the present study, we designed the present research to study the role of TβRIII in the invasion and metastasis of HCC and the possible mechanisms involved. The results demonstrated decreased expression of TβRIII in HCC patient tissues and human HCC cell lines. TGF-β1 stimulation led to the increased migratory ability and reduced expression of TβRIII in HCC cells. In addition, knockdown of TβRIII by small interfering RNA (siRNA) promoted the migration and invasion of HCC cells and induced activation of the Smad2 and Akt pathways. All the results suggest that TβRIII is a novel suppressor of HCC progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine of the Chinese Education Ministry, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Wu-Yi Sun
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine of the Chinese Education Ministry, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Jing-Jing Wu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine of the Chinese Education Ministry, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Yuan-Jing Gu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine of the Chinese Education Ministry, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine of the Chinese Education Ministry, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti‑inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
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Abstract
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been shown to be markedly resistant to conventional cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Therefore, therapeutic strategies that selectively target CSCs will ultimately lead to better cancer treatments. Currently, accessible conventional therapeutic agents mainly eliminate the bulk tumor but do not eliminate CSCs. Therefore, the discovery and improvement of CSC-targeting therapeutic agents are necessary. Nanoparticles effectively inhibit multiple types of CSCs by targeting specific signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, transforming growth factor-β, and hedgehog signaling) and/or specific markers (aldehyde dehydrogenases, CD44, CD90, and CD133) critically involved in CSC function and maintenance. In this review article, we summarized a number of findings to provide current information about their therapeutic potential of nanoparticles in various cancer cell types and CSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Sun Hong
- Laboratory of Tumor Suppressor, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea ; Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyu-Beom Jang
- Laboratory of Tumor Suppressor, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea ; Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa-Yong Lee
- The Faculty of Liberal Arts, Jungwon University, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong-Seok Nam
- Laboratory of Tumor Suppressor, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea ; Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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10
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Dhanasekaran R, Nakamura I, Hu C, Chen G, Oseini AM, Seven ES, Miamen AG, Moser CD, Zhou W, van Kuppevelt TH, van Deursen J, Mounajjed T, Fernandez-Zapico ME, Roberts LR. Activation of the transforming growth factor-β/SMAD transcriptional pathway underlies a novel tumor-promoting role of sulfatase 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2015; 61:1269-83. [PMID: 25503294 PMCID: PMC4376661 DOI: 10.1002/hep.27658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In vitro studies have proposed a tumor suppressor role for sulfatase 1 (SULF1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, high expression in human HCC has been associated with poor prognosis. The reason underlying this paradoxical observation remains to be explored. Using a transgenic (Tg) mouse model overexpressing Sulf1 (Sulf1-Tg), we assessed the effects of SULF1 on the diethylnitrosamine model of liver carcinogenesis. Sulf1-Tg mice show a higher incidence of large and multifocal tumors with diethylnitrosamine injection compared to wild-type mice. Lung metastases were found in 75% of Sulf1-Tg mice but not in wild-type mice. Immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and reporter assays all show a significant activation of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD transcriptional pathway by SULF1 both in vitro and in vivo. This effect of SULF1 on the TGF-β/SMAD pathway is functional; overexpression of SULF1 promotes TGF-β-induced gene expression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition and enhances cell migration/invasiveness. Mechanistic analyses demonstrate that inactivating mutation of the catalytic site of SULF1 impairs the above actions of SULF1 and diminishes the release of TGF-β from the cell surface. We also show that SULF1 expression decreases the interaction between TGF-β1 and its heparan sulfate proteoglycan sequestration receptor, TGFβR3. Finally, using gene expression from human HCCs, we show that patients with high SULF1 expression have poorer recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio 4.1, 95% confidence interval 1.9-8.3; P = 0.002) compared to patients with low SULF1. We also found strong correlations of SULF1 expression with TGF-β expression and with several TGF-β-related epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes in human HCC. CONCLUSION Our study proposes a novel role of SULF1 in HCC tumor progression through augmentation of the TGF-β pathway, thus defining SULF1 as a potential biomarker for tumor progression and a novel target for drug development for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ikuo Nakamura
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Chunling Hu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Gang Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905,Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Abdul M. Oseini
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Elif Sezin Seven
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Alexander G Miamen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Catherine D Moser
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | | | - Jan van Deursen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Taofic Mounajjed
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Martin E. Fernandez-Zapico
- Schulze Center for Novel Therapeutics, Division of Oncology Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
| | - Lewis R. Roberts
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905
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11
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Shang D, Liu Y, Yang P, Chen Y, Tian Y. TGFBI-promoted Adhesion, Migration and Invasion of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma Depends on Inactivation of von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor. Urology 2012; 79:966.e1-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2011.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Revised: 11/11/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Breuhahn K, Schirmacher P. Signaling networks in human hepatocarcinogenesis--novel aspects and therapeutic options. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2011; 97:251-77. [PMID: 21074736 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385233-5.00009-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the most common human malignancies with poor prognosis. Because therapeutic strategies are insufficient for most HCC patients, there is a great need to determine the central molecular mechanisms and pathways in order to derive novel targets for systemic therapy. There is vast evidence that not only the dysregulation of distinct signaling cascades, but also their interactions at different levels, affect tumor cell function. Through these interactions, the effects of pathways can be increased, and even new tumor-supporting qualities acquired that further facilitate HCC progression. Although several approaches for the modulation of these relevant pathways are under development, future therapeutic strategies should take into account that oncogenic stimuli cannot be understood in a monodimensional manner. In order to avoid escape mechanisms during therapy, strategies based on comprehensive knowledge of the interactive regulatory network in hepatocarcinogenesis are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Breuhahn
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
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13
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Yokomizo C, Yamaguchi K, Itoh Y, Nishimura T, Umemura A, Minami M, Yasui K, Mitsuyoshi H, Fujii H, Tochiki N, Nakajima T, Okanoue T, Yoshikawa T. High expression of p300 in HCC predicts shortened overall survival in association with enhanced epithelial mesenchymal transition of HCC cells. Cancer Lett 2011; 310:140-7. [PMID: 21764211 DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2011] [Revised: 06/16/2011] [Accepted: 06/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
P300 impacts the transcription of several genes involved in biological behavior of human malignancies including hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). We found p300 is highly expressed in 47% of surgically resected HCC specimens by immunohistochemistry, which correlated with advanced TNM staging (P = 0.034), vascular invasion (P = 0.036), intrahepatic metastasis (P = 0.001) and shortened overall survival (P = 0.028). In vitro study, knocking down of p300 expression in hepatoma cells recovered E-cadherin expression, inhibited the translocation of beta (β)-catenin into the nuclei, decreased cyclin D1 activity and suppressed the migration/invasion of HCC cells. Furthermore, suppression of p300 led to down-regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related molecules such as Snail, Twist and HIF-1 alpha. These observations suggest that p300 contributes to the EMT-related progression of HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chihiro Yokomizo
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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14
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Fransvea E, Mazzocca A, Santamato A, Azzariti A, Antonaci S, Giannelli G. Kinase activation profile associated with TGF-β-dependent migration of HCC cells: a preclinical study. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2010; 68:79-86. [PMID: 20844878 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-010-1459-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2010] [Accepted: 09/02/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To identify the molecular mechanisms responsible for tumor cell migration is essential for developing agents that can prevent the relapse or the metastatic spread of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS In this study, we investigated the effects of the transforming growth factor-β receptor I inhibitor LY2109761 on two different human HCC cell lines, in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS LY2109761 inhibits HCC migration in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition is associated with the decreased phosphorylation of SMAD-2, FAK and β1-integrin, and with increased levels of E-cadherin. By contrast, LY2109761 did not alter the phosphorylation pattern of p38MAPkinase. In a two- and a three-day time-course and in dose-titration experiments, LY2109761 inhibited HCC migration as well as phospho-SMAD-2 and the adhesion proteins. LY2109761 showed the best effect on day 2 at 1 nM and for 3 days at 100 nM concentration. This suggests that maximum effects were sustained for several days and were not dependent on excess concentrations. Finally, in a xenograft model of HCC, LY2109761 strongly inhibits tumor growth, intravasation and metastasis at the aforementioned lower concentrations. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, inhibition of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) appears to occur at low concentrations of LY2109761 that displays multiple effects on kinases that control HCC cell migration. These findings may help the design of future clinical trials with inhibitors of TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Fransvea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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15
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Lee NPY, Cheung ST, Poon RTP, Fan ST, Luk JM. Genomic and proteomic biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Biomark Med 2010; 1:273-84. [PMID: 20477402 DOI: 10.2217/17520363.1.2.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most deadly liver malignancies found worldwide, with hepatitis virus infection being the prominent risk factor for this lesion. Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are usually first diagnosed when in the advanced stage; thus, long-term clinical outcomes are poor and patients have limited treatment options. Currently, surveillance of hepatocellular carcinoma relies upon serological testing of alpha-fetoprotein levels and hepatic ultrasonography, which have low sensitivity and specificity, and are sometimes operator-dependent, respectively. Therefore, discovery of new biomarkers for early and accurate detection of hepatocellular carcinoma would be of great clinical value. Genomic and proteomic approaches are two major laboratory platforms for the identification of candidate hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers based on profiling and validating with tumor and nontumor clinical samples. Frequently, these diagnostic markers have been found in association with genetic aberrations, protein-level alterations, post-translational modifications and immune functions. With the discovery of these biomarkers, earlier detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk subjects (e.g., cirrhosis and hepatitis carriers) becomes possible, which will enable clinicians to offer patients better clinical management and more effective treatment modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikki P Y Lee
- The University of Hong Kong, Department of Surgery and Center for Cancer Research, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, PR China
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16
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Mazzocca A, Fransvea E, Lavezzari G, Antonaci S, Giannelli G. Inhibition of transforming growth factor beta receptor I kinase blocks hepatocellular carcinoma growth through neo-angiogenesis regulation. Hepatology 2009; 50:1140-51. [PMID: 19711426 DOI: 10.1002/hep.23118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Curative therapies for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are mainly invasive, and with the exception of sorafenib, no medical treatments are available for advanced or metastatic stages of HCC. We investigated the antitumoral effect of blocking the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway in HCC with LY2109761, a kinase inhibitor of TGF-beta receptor I kinase. The antitumor activity of LY2109761 was associated with inhibition of molecular pathways involved in neo-angiogenesis and tumor growth of HCC. This anti-angiogenic effect is more effective than that of bevacizumab, which specifically targets vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We found that the paracrine cross-talk between HCC and endothelial cells is blocked by LY210976, inhibiting blood vessel formation. This effect was mediated by SMAD2/3 and affected the secretion of VEGF. Finally, LY2109761 does not show significant effects on physiological angiogenetic development. CONCLUSION These data support the rationale for targeting TGF-beta signaling in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Mazzocca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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17
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Jeng LB, Lo WY, Hsu WY, Lin WD, Lin CT, Lai CC, Tsai FJ. Analysis of urinary nucleosides as helper tumor markers in hepatocellular carcinoma diagnosis. RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY : RCM 2009; 23:1543-1549. [PMID: 19399767 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.4034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common neoplasm in Taiwan, for which early diagnosis is difficult and the prognosis is usually poor. HCC is usually diagnosed by abdominal sonography and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) detection. Modified nucleosides, regarded as indicators for the whole-body turnover of RNAs, are excreted in abnormal amounts in the urine of patients with malignancies and can serve as tumor markers. We analyzed the excretion patterns of urinary nucleosides from 25 HCC patients and 20 healthy volunteers by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) under optimized conditions. The HPLC/ESI-MS/MS approach with selective reaction monitoring (SRM) allowed for the sensitive determination of nucleosides in human urine samples. The mean levels of the urinary nucleosides adenosine, cytidine, and inosine were significantly higher in HCC patients than healthy volunteers (average of 1.78-, 2.26-, and 1.47-fold, respectively). However, the mean levels of urinary 1-methyladenosine, 3-methylcytidine, uridine, and 2'-deoxyguanosine were not significantly different. Combined with the determination of serum AFP levels, the higher levels of urinary adenosine, cytidine, and inosine may be additional diagnosis markers for HCC in Taiwanese patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Bin Jeng
- Department of Surgery, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
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18
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Fransvea E, Mazzocca A, Antonaci S, Giannelli G. Targeting transforming growth factor (TGF)-betaRI inhibits activation of beta1 integrin and blocks vascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology 2009; 49:839-50. [PMID: 19115199 DOI: 10.1002/hep.22731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Vascular invasion is one of the major negative prognostic factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), leading to cancer recurrence. To invade, HCC cells must penetrate the vessel wall, consisting of endothelial cells and extracellular matrix components, including fibronectin and fibrinogen. Employing invasive and noninvasive HCC cells, we studied the mechanism underlying vascular invasion. We show that HCC cells invade blood vessels via alpha5beta1, that is equally expressed in invasive and noninvasive cells. However, in the former, the intracytoplasmic tail of beta1 integrin is constitutively phosphorylated at threonine 788-789 and the extracellular part is conformationally activated. In noninvasive cells, beta1 integrin is not activated. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 specifically phosphorylates beta1 integrin (threonine 788-789) via Smad-2 and Smad-3, causing a conformational change of the extracellular component with an inside-out mechanism. This leads noninvasive HCC cells to behave like invasive cells. A selective TGF-betaRI inhibitor inhibits phosphorylation of the beta1 integrin intracytoplasmic tail, and blocks invasion of HCC cells, both constitutively invasive and with acquired invasive properties. In human HCC tissues with microvascular invasion, phospho-beta1 integrin was detected as well as TGF-beta1, p-Smad-2, and E-cadherin. CONCLUSION TGF-beta1 promotes vascular invasion by activating beta1 integrin. This suggests a rationale for targeting TGF-betaRI in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Fransvea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Internal Medicine; University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
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19
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Fransvea E, Angelotti U, Antonaci S, Giannelli G. Blocking transforming growth factor-beta up-regulates E-cadherin and reduces migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Hepatology 2008; 47:1557-66. [PMID: 18318443 DOI: 10.1002/hep.22201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment is challenging because the mechanisms underlying tumor progression are still largely unknown. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 is considered a crucial molecule in HCC tumorigenesis because increased levels of patients' serum and urine are associated with disease progression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibition of TGF-beta signaling and its impact on HCC progression. Human HCC cell lines were treated with a TGF-beta receptor kinase inhibitor (LY2109761) whose selectivity was determined in a kinase assay. Exogenous TGF-beta1 phosphorylates the TGF-beta receptor, consequently activating Smad-2, whereas the drug selectively blocks this effect and dephosphorylates autocrine p-Smad-2 at concentrations ranging from 0.001 to 0.1 microM. A cytotoxic effect documented by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), trypan blue, and propidium iodide staining assays was observed at 10microM, whereas the drug inhibits (P < 0.001) the migration of HCC cells on fibronectin, laminin-5, and vitronectin and invasion through Matrigel (P < 0.001) at concentrations up to 0.1 microM. LY2109761 up-regulates (P < 0.001) E-cadherin mRNA and protein levels. This increase was localized at the cellular membrane where E-cadherin mediates anchorage that is cell-cell dependent. Consistently, a functional monoclonal antibody that inhibits E-cadherin-dependent cell-cell contact restores the migratory and invasive activity. Finally, nonmetastatic HCC tissues from 7 patients were cultured with TGF-beta1 in the presence or absence of LY2109761. E-cadherin expression was reduced by TGF-beta1 and was significantly (P < 0.0001) increased by LY2109761 treatment, measured by quantitative real-time PCR on microdissected tissues and by immunohistochemistry on serial sections. In 72 patients, E-cadherin tissue expression was more weakly expressed in metastatic than in nonmetastatic HCC (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION LY2109761 blocks migration and invasion of HCC cells by up-regulating E-cadherin, suggesting that there could be a mechanistic use for this molecule in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilia Fransvea
- Department of Internal Medicine, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Section of Internal Medicine, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
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20
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Abstract
The completely assembled human genome has made it possible for modern medicine to step into an era rich in genetic information and high-throughput genomic analysis. These novel and readily available genetic resources and analytical tools may be the key to unravel the molecular basis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, since an efficient treatment for this disease is lacking, further understanding of the genetic background of HCC will be crucial in order to develop new therapies aimed at selected targets. We report on the current status and recent developments in HCC genetics. Special emphasis is given to the genetics and regulation of major signalling pathways involved in HCC such as p53, Wnt-signalling, TGFβ, Ras, and Rb pathways. Furthermore, we describe the influence of chromosomal aberrations as well as of DNA methylation. Finally, we report on the rapidly developing field of genomic expression profiling in HCC, mainly by microarray analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Teufel
- Department of Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg University, Building 301, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany.
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Breuhahn K, Longerich T, Schirmacher P. Dysregulation of growth factor signaling in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncogene 2006; 25:3787-800. [PMID: 16799620 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1209556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 432] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of pleiotropic growth factors, receptors and their downstream signaling pathway components represent a central protumorigenic principle in human hepatocarcinogenesis. Especially the Insulin-like Growth Factor/IGF-1 receptor (IGF/IGF-1R), Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF/MET), Wingless (Wnt/beta-catenin/FZD), Transforming Growth Factor alpha/Epidermal Growth Factor receptor (TGFalpha/EGFR) and Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGFbeta/TbetaR) pathways contribute to proliferation, antiapoptosis and invasive behavior of tumor cells. This review focuses on the relevant alterations in these pathways identified in human human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Resultant functional effects are modulated by multiple cross-talks between the different signaling pathways and additional tumor-relevant factors, such as cyclooxygenase-2 and p53. Several specific strategies are currently under development such as receptor kinase inhibitors, neutralizing antibodies and antagonistic proteins, which may improve the systemic treatment of human HCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Breuhahn
- Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
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22
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Yoon G, Kim JY, Choi YK, Won YS, Lim IK. Direct activation of TGF-beta1 transcription by androgen and androgen receptor complex in Huh7 human hepatoma cells and its tumor in nude mice. J Cell Biochem 2006; 97:393-411. [PMID: 16187311 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.20638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Importance of androgen for promotion of hepatocelullar carcinoma (HCC) has long been supported by clinical and experimental evidences. However, mechanisms involved in the carcinogenesis have not yet been fully elucidated. Moreover, unbalanced expression of TGF-beta1 during tumor progression results in prooncogenic rather than growth inhibition. To investigate the effect of androgen on transcriptional regulation of TGF-beta1, we isolated rat TGF-beta1 promoter, based on our previous report (GenBank AF249327), and examined regulation of its promoter activity by dihydrotestosterone in Huh7, LNCaP, and PC3 cells. Several putative transcription factor-binding sites were found, but no TATA box. When the full-length (-4784 to +68) and variously deleted promoter DNAs were evaluated, the promoter region spanning from -2732 to -1203 showed the highest activity towards dihydrotestosterone in a dose-dependent manner in both Huh7 and PC3 cells with androgen receptor (AR) expression. Putative androgen response sequence half site (5'-TGTCCT-3') was identified to be located within -1932 to -1927, proved by mutant (5'-AGACCT-3') analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. AR mediated upregulation of TGF-beta1 expression was confirmed by HCC developed in nude mice with AR-overexpressed Huh7-cells. This work presents in vivo and in vitro evidences of activation of TGF-beta1 expression by androgen and AR, and implicates the modulation of hepatocarcinogenesis by AR through the regulation of TGF-beta1 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyesoon Yoon
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon 443-721, Korea
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23
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Fischer ANM, Herrera B, Mikula M, Proell V, Fuchs E, Gotzmann J, Schulte-Hermann R, Beug H, Mikulits W. Integration of Ras subeffector signaling in TGF-beta mediated late stage hepatocarcinogenesis. Carcinogenesis 2005; 26:931-42. [PMID: 15705598 DOI: 10.1093/carcin/bgi043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Immortalized p19(ARF) null hepatocytes (MIM) feature a high degree of functional differentiation and are susceptible to transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta driven growth arrest and apoptosis. In contrast, polarized MIM hepatocytes expressing hyperactive Ha-Ras continue proliferation in cooperation with TGF-beta, and adopt an invasive phenotype by executing an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study, we analyzed the involvement of Ras subeffectors in TGF-beta mediated hepatocellular EMT by employing MIM hepatocytes, which express Ras mutants allowing selective activation of either mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling (V12-S35) or phosphoinositide 3-OH (PI3)3 kinase (PI3K) signaling (V12-C40). We found that MAPK signaling in MIM-S35 hepatocytes was necessary and sufficient to promote resistance to TGF-beta mediated inhibition of proliferation in vitro and in vivo. MIM-S35 hepatocytes showed also PI3K activation during EMT, however, MAPK signaling on its own protected hepatocytes from apoptosis. Yet, MIM-C40 hepatocytes failed to form tumors and required additional MAPK stimulation to overcome TGF-beta mediated growth arrest. In vivo, the collaboration of MAPK signaling and TGF-beta activity drastically accelerated the cell-cycle progression of the hepatocytes, leading to vast tumor formation. From these data we conclude that MAPK is crucial for the cooperation with TGF-beta to regulate the proliferation as well as the survival of hepatocytes during EMT, and causes the fatal increase in hepatocellular tumor progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N M Fischer
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Medical University of Vienna, Borschke-Gasse 8a, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Tsai JF, Jeng JE, Chuang LY, You HL, Wang LY, Hsieh MY, Chen SC, Chuang WL, Lin ZY, Yu ML, Dai CY. Serum insulin-like growth factor-II as a serologic marker of small hepatocellular carcinoma. Scand J Gastroenterol 2005; 40:68-75. [PMID: 15841717 DOI: 10.1080/00365520410009311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is not a useful tumor marker for diagnosis of small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). There is over-expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II in HCC tissue. This study investigates the diagnostic application of IGF-II in small HCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum levels of IGF-II and AFP were determined in 41 patients with small cirrhotic HCC (< or = 3 cm), 41 sex- and age-matched patients with cirrhosis alone (LC), and 41 healthy adults. The optimal cut-off values for diagnosing HCC were determined with receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS Both IGF-II and AFP levels in HCC were higher than those in LC patients or controls (each p = 0.0001). The IGF-II levels in LC patients were lower than those in controls (p = 0.001). In HCC patients, multivariate analysis indicated that that both IGF-II (odds ratio, 4.54; 95% confidence interval, 2.15-9.55; p = 0.0001) and AFP (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.08; p = 0.003) were found to be associated with an increased risk of presence of HCC. The optimal cut-off values of IGF-II (4.1 mg/g prealbumin) and AFP (50 ng/ml) were determined with ROC curves. The sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy values for IGF-II were 63%, 90%, and 70%, respectively. Those for AFP were 44%, 95%, and 70%, respectively. Determination of both markers in parallel significantly increase the diagnostic accuracy (88%) and sensitivity (80%), with a high specificity (90%). CONCLUSIONS Serum IGF-II level can be used as an independent serologic marker or a complementary tumor marker to AFP for diagnosis of small HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- J F Tsai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
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25
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Ni RZ, Huang JF, Xiao MB, Li M, Meng XY. Glycylproline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase isoenzyme in diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2003; 9:710-3. [PMID: 12679916 PMCID: PMC4611434 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v9.i4.710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate the role of glycylproline dipeptidyl aminopeptidase (GPDA) isoenzyme in the diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC), especially in patients with negative alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).
METHODS: A stage gradient polyacrylamide gel discontinuous electrophoresis system was developed to separate serum GPDA isoenzymes, which were determined in 102 patients with PHC, 45 cases with liver cirrhosis, 24 cases with chronic hepatitis, 35 cases with benign liver space-occupying lesions, 20 cases with metastatic liver cancer and 50 cases with extra-hepatic cancer, as well as 80 healthy subjects. The relationships between GPDA isoenzymes and AFP, the sizes of tumors, as well as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also analyzed.
RESULTS: Serum GPDA was separated into two isoenzymes, GPDA-S and GPDA-F. The former was positive in all subjects, while the latter was found mainly in majority of PHC (85.3%) and a few cases with liver cirrhosis (11.1%), chronic hepatitis (33.3%), metastatic liver cancer (15.0%) and non-hepatic cancer (16.0%). GPDA-F was negative in all healthy subjects and patients with benign liver space-occupying lesions, including abscess, cysts and angioma. There was no correlation between GPDA-F and AFP concentration or tumor size. GPDA-F was consistently positive and not correlated with ALT in PHC, but GPDA-F often converted to negative as decline of ALT in benign liver diseases. The electrophoretic migration of GPDA-F became sluggish after the treatment of neuraminidase.
CONCLUSION: GPDA-F is a new useful serum marker for PHC. Measurement of serum GPDA-F is helpful in diagnosis of PHC, especially in patients with negative AFP. GPDA-F is one kind of glycoproteins rich in sialic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Run-Zhou Ni
- Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong Medical College, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu Province, China.
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26
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Qin LX, Tang ZY. The prognostic molecular markers in hepatocellular carcinoma. World J Gastroenterol 2002; 8:385-92. [PMID: 12046056 PMCID: PMC4656407 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i3.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2002] [Revised: 04/23/2002] [Accepted: 05/08/2002] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) still remains dismal, although many advances in its clinical study have been made. It is important for tumor control to identify the factors that predispose patients to death. With new discoveries in cancer biology, the pathological and biological prognostic factors of HCC have been studied quite extensively. Analyzing molecular markers (biomarkers) with prognostic significance is a complementary method. A large number of molecular factors have been shown to associate with the invasiveness of HCC, and have potential prognostic significance. One important aspect is the analysis of molecular markers for the cellular malignancy phenotype. These include alterations in DNA ploidy, cellular proliferation markers (PCNA, Ki-67, Mcm2, MIB1, MIA, and CSE1L/CAS protein), nuclear morphology, the p53 gene and its related molecule MD M2, other cell cycle regulators (cyclin A, cyclin D, cyclin E, cdc2, p27, p73), oncogenes and their receptors (such as ras, c-myc, c-fms, HGF, c-met, and erb-B receptor family members), apoptosis related factors (Fas and FasL), as well as telomerase activity. Another important aspect is the analysis of molecular markers involved in the process of cancer invasion and metastasis. Adhesion molecules (E-cadherin, catenins, serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1, CD44 variants), proteinases involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix (MMP-2, MMP-9, uPA, uPAR, PAI), as well as other molecules have been regarded as biomarkers for the malignant phenotype of HCC, and are related to prognosis and therapeutic outcomes. Tumor angiogenesis is critical to both the growth and metastasis of cancers including HCC, and has drawn much attention in recent years. Many angiogenesis-related markers, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF), thrombospondin (TSP), angiogenin, pleiotrophin, and endostatin (ES) levels, as well as intratumor microvessel density (MVD) have been evaluated and found to be of prognostic significance. Body fluid (particularly blood and urinary) testing for biomarkers is easily accessible and useful in clinical patients. The prognostic significance of circulating DNA in plasma or serum, and its genetic alterations in HCC are other important trends. More attention should be paid to these two areas in future. As the progress of the human genome project advances, so does a clearer understanding of tumor biology, and more and more new prognostic markers with high sensitivity and specificity will be found and used in clinical assays. However, the combination of some items, i.e., the pathological features and some biomarkers mentioned above, seems to be more practical for now.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lun-Xiu Qin
- Liver Cancer Institute and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan university, 136 Yi Xue Yuan Road, Shanghai 200032, China
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Sepúlveda-Flores RN, Vera-Cabrera L, Flores-Gutiérrez JP, Maldonado-Garza H, Salinas-Garza R, Zorrilla-Blanco P, Bosques-Padilla FJ. Obesity-related non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and TGF-beta1 serum levels in relation to morbid obesity. Ann Hepatol 2002. [PMID: 15114294 DOI: 10.1016/s1665-2681(19)32190-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can vary from mild hepatic inflammation and steatosis to cirrhosis, and is most frequently associated with obesity, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and the female gender. The prevalence of fatty liver and NASH in the general population is 20% and 3%, respectively. In Western countries, 15-20% of the population is obese and 74-90% of them exhibit fatty changes in liver biopsies. We assessed the prevalence of NASH in morbidly obese patients and evaluated serum TGF-beta1 concentrations in different stages of liver fibrosis. Thirty-five obese patients were evaluated, nine male and 26 female. Their mean body mass index (BMI) was 43.62 +/- 7.92 kg/m2. Liver biopsies were evaluated by light microscopy; graded and staged according to Brunt's system. Serum obtained from patients was used to detect TGF-beta1 concentrations by an ELISA method. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were elevated in four of the patients and the mean level was 49.98 +/- 94.7 (8-65 IU/L). NASH was diagnosed in 32 (91%) of the biopsies, and the most common pattern seen was mixed, predominantly macrovesicular steatosis. Some degree of fibrosis was seen in 34 (97%) of the biopsies and 22 (63%) were at stage 2 (range 1-3). Serum concentrations of TGF-beta1 had no relationship with the stages of fibrosis. In conclusion, NASH and fibrosis are common in our obese patients, as observed in other studies. TGF-beta1 may play a key role in liver fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo N Sepúlveda-Flores
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Hospital Universitario Dr. José E. González, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Ave. Madero y Gonzalitos, C.P.660210 Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
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Dickson J, Davidson SE, Hunter RD, West CM. Pretreatment plasma TGF beta 1 levels are prognostic for survival but not morbidity following radiation therapy of carcinoma of the cervix. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2000; 48:991-5. [PMID: 11072155 DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(00)00729-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine whether pretreatment plasma-transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) levels are prognostic for tumor control and late morbidity following radiation therapy in carcinoma of the cervix. METHODS AND MATERIALS The study was comprised of 79 patients undergoing radiotherapy with curative intent for Stage I-III carcinoma of the cervix. TGF beta 1 levels were analyzed using ELISA. Late morbidity was measured using the Franco-Italian glossary. Data were available for the pretreatment levels of circulating tumor markers that represent disease burden, and for peripheral blood lymphocyte radiosensitivity measured as SF2. RESULTS Pretreatment TGF beta 1 levels were a significant prognostic factor for survival and local control. There were weak significant correlations of TGF beta 1 levels with disease stage and the levels of circulating tumor markers (CA125, TPA). There was a weak significant correlation between TGF beta 1 levels and normal cell radiosensitivity (lymphocyte SF2). There was no relationship between TGF beta 1 levels and grade of morbidity and pretreatment TGF beta 1 levels were not a significant prognostic factor for the probability of developing late morbidity. CONCLUSION In carcinoma of the cervix, pretreatment TGF beta 1 levels reflect tumor burden and are a significant prognostic factor for survival. Despite an underlying weak relationship of TGF beta 1 levels with intrinsic normal cell radiosensitivity, pretreatment levels are not prognostic for the probability of developing late complications. This finding does not rule out the possible usefulness of measurements toward the end of treatment once tumor burden has been reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Dickson
- CRC Experimental Radiation Oncology Group, Paterson Institute for Cancer Research, Manchester, United Kingdom
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