Prognostic and clinicopathological value of p16 protein aberrant expression in colorectal cancer: A PRISMA-compliant Meta-analysis

SATB1 and p16 Expression and Prognostic Value in Croatian Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients: A Unicentric Study

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is a rare lymphoid neoplasm in which Hodgkin/Reed-Stenberg (HRS) cells are admixed with a population of non-neoplastic inflammatory cells and fibrosis. Dysregulated expressions of cell cycle regulators and transcription factors have been proven as one of the hallmarks of HL. In that context, SATB1 and p16 have been reported as potential regulators of HL progression and survival. However, to date, no studies have assessed the expression levels of SATB1 and p16 in HL in Croatian patients or their prognostic values. Therefore, we investigated the expression pattern of SATB1 and p16 in paraffin-embedded lymph node biopsies using standard immunohistochemistry. We found that 21% of the patients stained positive for SATB1, while 15% of the patients displayed positive staining for p16. Furthermore, we aimed to understand the prognostic value of each protein through the analysis of the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). SATB1 showed a significantly positive correlation with better OS and PFS, while p16 expression had no impact. Interestingly, when patients were stratified by a combination of the two studied markers, we found that patients in the SATB1+/p16- group tended to have the best prognosis in HL, according to statistical significance. In conclusion, SATB1 and p16 might be potentially useful as diagnostic and prognostic markers for HL.

Senescence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: relationship between senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) mRNA expression level and clinicopathological features

BACKGROUND

Cellular senescence is a state characterized by cell-cycle arrest and apoptotic resistance. Senescence in cancer may be induced by oncogenes or therapy. While cellular senescence might play an important role in protection against cancer development, elevated and uncontrolled senescent cells accumulation may promote carcinogenesis by secreting a collection of pro-inflammatory factors, collectively termed the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We determined the gene expression at mRNA level of selected cellular senescence markers (p16 and LMNB1) and SASP factors (IL-6, IL-1b, CXCL-1 and TNF-α) in 72 cancerous tissues and 64 normal tissues obtained from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and correlated this data with patients' clinical follow-up.

RESULTS

Our results indicate higher levels of selected SASP factors in cancerous compared to normal tissues. We presented the relationship between SASP factors expression at the transcript level and the progression of the disease. Moreover, we proposed CXCL1 as a candidate biomarker differentiating normal tissues from cancerous ones and IL1b expression as a molecular factor related to increased TNM stage.

CONCLUSION

Our primary study indicates that SASP expression may be associated with some clinicopathological features. However, a more detailed study is needed to present specific role of senescence-related mechanism and SASPs especially in tumor therapy response and in relation to the patient's immune system condition.

Abnormal p16 expression and prognostic significance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to analyze p16 expression status and evaluate whether abnormal p16 expression was associated with prognosis in a large-scale esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cohort of patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated p16 expression status of 525 ESCC samples using immunohistochemistry. Associations between abnormal p16 expression and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

P16 negative, focal expression and overexpression were found in 87.6%, 6.9% and 5.5% of ESCC patients. No significant association was observed between abnormal p16 expression and age, sex, tumor site and location, differentiation, vessel and nerve invasion, T stage and lymph node metastasis. In all patients, the survival of p16 focal expression group tended to be better compared with negative group (disease free survival/DFS P=0.040 and overall survival/OS P=0.052) and overexpression group (DFS P=0.201 and OS P=0.258), and there was no survival difference between negative group and overexpression group. The multivariate analysis for OS and DFS found that only clinical stage was a significantly independent prognostic factor (P<0.001). When patients were divided into I-II stage (n=290) and III-IVa stage (n=235), the survival of focal expression group was better compared with negative group (DFS P=0.015 and OS P=0.019), and tended to be better compared with overexpression group (DFS P=0.405 and OS P=0.432) in I-II stage ESCC, which was not found in III-IVa stage ESCC.

CONCLUSION

P16 overexpression or negative expression tend to be associated with unfavorable outcomes, especially in I-II stage ESCC. Our study will help to identify a subgroup of ESCC patients with excellent prognosis after surgical therapy.

Difficult diagnosis in the clinical evaluation of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the sigmoid colon: a case report

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the sigmoid colon is an exceedingly rare subtype of colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with chronic inflammatory conditions. Due to its variable clinical presentation ranging from subclinical to fully symptomatic and limited available information, it poses a diagnostic challenge. We aim to provide a review of the current literature and raise awareness about the importance of a thorough clinical analysis for an early diagnosis.

CASE PRESENTATION

We describe the case of a 59-year-old Peruvian woman with a medical history of diverticular disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The patient presented with nonspecific symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, constipation, and bloating. Diagnostic tests and biopsy revealed a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma of the sigmoid colon. The patient underwent surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Despite the rarity of this type of cancer in the colon, the patient's clinical course highlights the importance of considering it as a potential diagnosis in patients with nonspecific symptoms and a history of gastrointestinal disorders. Surgical treatment followed by radiotherapy is the preferred management. Factors such as lack of postoperative complications and the stage of the neoplasia can augur a positive.

PROGNOSIS

A prompt diagnosis is crucial, as detecting a neoplasia in its early stages can make surgery more effective.

Colon cancer transcriptome

Over the last four decades, methodological innovations have continuously changed transcriptome profiling. It is now feasible to sequence and quantify the transcriptional outputs of individual cells or thousands of samples using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). These transcriptomes serve as a connection between cellular behaviors and their underlying molecular mechanisms, such as mutations. This relationship, in the context of cancer, provides a chance to unravel tumor complexity and heterogeneity and uncover novel biomarkers or treatment options. Since colon cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies, its prognosis and diagnosis seem to be critical. The transcriptome technology is developing for an earlier and more accurate diagnosis of cancer which can provide better protectivity and prognostic utility to medical teams and patients. A transcriptome is a whole set of expressed coding and non-coding RNAs in an individual or cell population. The cancer transcriptome includes RNA-based changes. The combined genome and transcriptome of a patient may provide a comprehensive picture of their cancer, and this information is beginning to affect treatment decision-making in real-time. A full assessment of the transcriptome of colon (colorectal) cancer has been assessed in this review paper based on risk factors such as age, obesity, gender, alcohol use, race, and also different stages of cancer, as well as non-coding RNAs like circRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and siRNAs. Similarly, they have been examined independently in the transcriptome study of colon cancer.

Cyclin-dependent kinases as potential targets for colorectal cancer: past, present and future

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common cancer in the world and its prevalence is increasing in developing countries. Deregulated cell cycle traverse is a hallmark of malignant transformation and is often observed in CRC as a result of imprecise activity of cell cycle regulatory components, viz. cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). Apart from cell cycle regulation, some CDKs also regulate processes such as transcription and have also been shown to be involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. This article aims to review cyclin-dependent kinases as potential targets for CRC. Furthermore, therapeutic candidates to target CDKs are also discussed.

Interpretation of P16 expression as a marker of HPV in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent types of tumors worldwide. P16ᴵᴺᴷ⁴ᵃ is a widely used immunohistochemical marker for high-risk HPV infection. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between P16 expression as an indicator of HPV infection and colorectal cancer in Egyptian patients, as well as its association with histopathological characteristics.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was performed on 59 cases of colorectal carcinoma cases and 30 specimens of normal colonic mucosa.

RESULTS

p16 protein was detected in 22% (13 of 59) of patients with colorectal carcinoma. No evidence of P16 expression in all 30 cases of non-neoplastic colonic mucosa was found. More frequent expression of P16 was seen in distal carcinomas.

CONCLUSION

our study demonstrated that P16 protein is expressed in a reasonable percent of colorectal carcinoma cases, suggesting a role of HPV in colorectal carcinogenesis. The present study highlights the role of p16 protein expression which is important in the pathogenesis in colorectal carcinoma, especially regarding distal tumors.

Clinical Applications of Classical and Novel Biological Markers of Pancreatic Cancer

The incidence and prevalence of pancreatic adenocarcinoma have increased in recent years. Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer death, but it is projected to become the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality by 2040. Most patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage of the disease, with very limited 5-year survival. The discovery of different tissue markers has elucidated the underlying pathophysiology of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and allowed stratification of patient risk at different stages and assessment of tumour recurrence. Due to the invasive capacity of this tumour and the absence of screening markers, new immunohistochemical and serological markers may be used as prognostic markers for recurrence and in the study of possible new therapeutic targets because the survival of these patients is low in most cases. The present article reviews the currently used main histopathological and serological markers and discusses the main characteristics of markers under development.

Detection of Human papillomavirus and the role of p16INK4a in colorectal carcinomas

INTRODUCTION

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with the development of anogenital and head and neck cancers. In recent years a potential role of HPV in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been suggested.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the presence of HPV in colorectal carcinomas and to study the role of p16INK4a as a marker of transcriptionally active HPV infection. In addition, to investigate the correlation between these findings and the CRC prognostic factors.

METHODS

Case control study with 92 cases of colorectal cancers, 75 controls of normal tissue adjacent to the tumor, and 30 controls of precursor lesions, including polyps and colorectal adenomas. Paraffinized samples were used, HPV detection and genotyping were performed by PCR and reverse hybridization by using the INNO LIPA kit, with SPF10 plus primers. The expression of the p16INK4a protein was investigated using immunohistochemistry. Data analysis was performed using descriptive, univariate statistics and survival curves were calculated by using the Kaplan Meier and log-rank method.

RESULTS

HPV was detected in 13% of the cases and the most prevalent genotype was HPV 16. HPV DNA was not detected in either control groups. The high expression of p16INK4a was observed in 30% of the cases, but it was not associated to the presence of HPV. The overall survival was 53.3% and was influenced by prognostic factors such as later stage, lymph node and distant metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on these results, HPV is unlikely to be involved in colorectal carcinogenesis and p16INK4a expression is not a relevant marker of transcriptionally active HPV infection in CRC.

The Molecular Hallmarks of the Serrated Pathway in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide. It includes different subtypes that differ in their clinical and prognostic features. In the past decade, in addition to the conventional adenoma-carcinoma model, an alternative multistep mechanism of carcinogenesis, namely the “serrated pathway”, has been described. Approximately, 15 to 30% of all CRCs arise from neoplastic serrated polyps, a heterogeneous group of lesions that are histologically classified into three morphologic categories: hyperplastic polyps, sessile serrated adenomas/polyps, and the traditional serrated adenomas/polyps. Serrated polyps are characterized by genetic (BRAF or KRAS mutations) and epigenetic (CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP)) alterations that cooperate to initiate and drive malignant transformation from normal colon mucosa to polyps, and then to CRC. The high heterogeneity of the serrated lesions renders their diagnostic and pathological interpretation difficult. Hence, novel genetic and epigenetic biomarkers are required for better classification and management of CRCs. To date, several molecular alterations have been associated with the serrated polyp-CRC sequence. In addition, the gut microbiota is emerging as a contributor to/modulator of the serrated pathway. This review summarizes the state of the art of the genetic, epigenetic and microbiota signatures associated with serrated CRCs, together with their clinical implications.

Correlation of p16 and cyclin D1 expression with the incidence and prognosis of cardiac carcinoma

Correlation of p16 and cyclin D1 expression with the incidence and prognosis of cardiac carcinoma was investigated. Thirty-six patients with cardiac carcinoma treated in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were selected. After the radical operation of cardiac carcinoma, carcinoma tissues were taken, and the corresponding para-carcinoma tissues were used as controls. p16 and cyclin D1 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression in cardiac carcinoma tissues and para-carcinoma tissues were detected via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot analysis. The survival time and pathological conditions of patients with cardiac carcinoma were recorded in detail, and correlation of p16 and cyclin D1 with incidence and prognosis of cardiac carcinoma was studied. In cardiac carcinoma tissues, the p16 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly lower than those in para-carcinoma tissues (P<0.01), but the cyclin D1 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher than those in para-carcinoma tissues (P<0.01). The expression of p16 and cyclin D1 protein had correlation with the tumor size, lymph node metastasis and tumor-node-metastasis stage of cardiac carcinoma (P<0.01). There was a negative correlation between expression of p16 and cyclin D1 in cardiac carcinoma (P<0.01). According to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the survival rate of patients with high expression of p16 was obviously higher than that of patients with low expression of p16 (P<0.01), while the survival rate of patients with high expression of cyclin D1 was obviously lower than that of patients with low expression of cyclin D1 (P<0.01). Both p16 and cyclin D1 are closely related to the incidence and prognosis of cardiac carcinoma, which may become indexes for the incidence and prognosis of cardiac carcinoma.

High Glucose Concentrations Negatively Regulate the IGF1R/Src/ERK Axis through the MicroRNA-9 in Colorectal Cancer

Studies have revealed that people with hyperglycemia have a high risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Hyperglycemia may be responsible for supplying energy to CRC cells. However, the potential molecular mechanism for this association remains unclear. Furthermore, microRNA-9 (miR-9) has a tumor-suppressive function in CRC. Aberrant reduced expression of miR-9 is involved in the development and progression of malignancy caused by a high glucose (HG) concentration. In this study, we used an HG concentration to activate miR-9 downregulation in CRC cells. Our results indicated that miR-9 decreased the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R)/Src signaling pathway and downstream cyclin B1 and N-cadherin but upregulated E-cadherin. The HG concentration not only promoted cell proliferation, increased the G1 population, and modulated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) protein expression and morphology but also promoted the cell migration and invasion ability of SW480 (low metastatic potential) and SW620 (high metastatic potential) cells. In addition, low glucose concentrations could reverse the effect of the HG concentration in SW480 and SW620 cells. In conclusion, our results provide new evidence for multiple signaling pathways being regulated through hyperglycemia in CRC. We propose that blood sugar control may serve as a potential strategy for the clinical management of CRC.

Butyrate-Induced In Vitro Colonocyte Differentiation Network Model Identifies ITGB1, SYK, CDKN2A, CHAF1A, and LRP1 as the Prognostic Markers for Colorectal Cancer Recurrence

Numerous mechanisms are believed to contribute to the role of dietary fiber-derived butyrate in the protection against the development of colorectal cancers (CRCs). To identify the most crucial butyrate-regulated genes, we exploited whole genome microarray of HT-29 cells differentiated in vitro by butyrate treatment. Butyrate differentiates HT-29 cells by relaxing the perturbation, caused by mutations of Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and TP53 genes, the most frequent mutations observed in CRC. We constructed protein-protein interaction network (PPIN) with the differentially expressed genes after butyrate treatment and extracted the hub genes from the PPIN, which also participated in the APC-TP53 network. The idea behind this approach was that the expression of these hub genes also regulated cell differentiation, and subsequently CRC prognosis by evading the APC-TP53 mutational effect. We used mRNA expression profile of these critical hub genes from seven large CRC cohorts. Logistic Regression showed strong evidence for association of these common hubs with CRC recurrence. In this study, we exploited PPIN to reduce the dimension of microarray biologically and identified five prognostic markers for the CRC recurrence, which were validated across different datasets. Moreover, these five biomarkers we identified increase the predictive value of the TNM staging for CRC recurrence.