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Tong Y, Zhu T, Xu F, Yang W, Wang Y, Zhang X, Chen X, Liu L. Construction of an immune-related gene prognostic model for obese endometrial cancer patients based on bioinformatics analysis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35488. [PMID: 39170242 PMCID: PMC11336703 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) affected the prognosis of tumors. However, its effect on the outcomes of obese endometrial cancer (EC) patients had not been reported. Methods This research performed a retrospective analysis of the transcriptome profiles and medical data of 503 EC patients. Immune scores were assessed by estimation algorithms. Cox and LASSO regression analyses were utilized to pinpoint key genes linked to prognosis, and the RPS was created to forecast the outcomes of obese EC patients. The relationship among genetic mutations and RPS was examined using CNV and somatic mutation information. ssGSEA and GSVA were employed to detect immune infiltration and immune pathway enrichment associated with key genes. The TIDE algorithm and GDSC database were utilized to forecast patients' responses of patients to immunotherapy and chemotherapy, respectively. Finally, we employed the 'rms' R software package to construct the nomogram. Results The prognosis of obese EC patients was associated with immune scores. Three key genes (EYA4, MBOAT2 and SCGB2A1) were identified. The risk prognosis score (RPS) for obese EC patients was established by risk stratification and prognostic prediction using prognostic genes. The higher the RPS, the worse the prognosis, and the more malignant the genomic alterations. The high RPS group had a significantly reduced proportion of most immune cells in comparison to the low RPS group. The high RPS group was linked to G2M, MYC and E2F related pathways such as cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell death. Cisplatin, tamoxifen and topotecan had a greater effect on the low RPS group. Notably, the nomogram had a good predictive ability. Conclusion Our study designed a reliable RPS for obese EC patients to forecast their prognosis, immune aggressiveness, and responses to immunotherapy and drug treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Tong
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Department of Pharmacy, Beidahuang Industry Group General Hospital, Harbin, 150088, China
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Wenjun Yang
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Yakun Wang
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xianze Zhang
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Xiujie Chen
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Department of Pharmacogenomics, College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150081, China
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2
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Kuhn E, Gambini D, Runza L, Ferrero S, Scarfone G, Bulfamante G, Ayhan A. Unsolved Issues in the Integrated Histo-Molecular Classification of Endometrial Carcinoma and Therapeutic Implications. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2458. [PMID: 39001520 PMCID: PMC11240465 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16132458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most frequent gynecological cancer, with an increasing incidence and mortality in recent times. The last decade has represented a true revolution with the development of the integrated histo-molecular classification of EC, which allows for the stratification of patients with morphologically indistinguishable disease into groups with different prognoses. Particularly, the POLE-mutated subgroup exhibits outstanding survival. Nevertheless, the indiscriminate application of molecular classification appears premature. Its prognostic significance has been proven mainly in endometrioid EC, the most common histotype, but it has yet to be convincingly confirmed in the other minor histotypes, which indeed account for a relevant proportion of EC mortality. Moreover, its daily use both requires a mindful pathologist who is able to correctly evaluate and unambiguously report immunohistochemical staining used as a surrogated diagnostic tool and is hampered by the unavailability of POLE mutation analysis. Further molecular characterization of ECs is needed to allow for the identification of better-tailored therapies in different settings, as well as the safe avoidance of surgery for fertility preservation. Hopefully, the numerous ongoing clinical trials in the adjuvant and metastatic settings of EC will likely produce evidence to refine the histo-molecular classification and therapeutic guidelines. Our review aims to retrace the origin and evolution of the molecular classification for EC, reveal its strengths and limitations, show clinical relevance, and uncover the desired future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Kuhn
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Donatella Gambini
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, 20144 Milan, Italy
| | - Letterio Runza
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferrero
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Pathology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Scarfone
- Gynecology Oncology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gaetano Bulfamante
- Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy
- Human Pathology and Molecular Pathology, TOMA Advanced Biomedical Assays S.p.A., 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Ayse Ayhan
- Department of Tumor Pathology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu 431-3192, Japan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
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3
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Sengal AT, Smith D, Snell CE, Leung S, Talhouk A, Williams ED, McAlpine JN, Pollock PM. Spatial expression of the FGFR2b splice isoform and its prognostic significance in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. J Pathol Clin Res 2022; 8:521-537. [PMID: 35866380 PMCID: PMC9535101 DOI: 10.1002/cjp2.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) is a frequently dysregulated receptor tyrosine kinase. FGFR2b and FGFR2c are the two main splice isoforms of FGFR2 and are normally localized in epithelial and mesenchymal cells, respectively. Previously, we demonstrated that FGFR2c mRNA expression was associated with aggressive tumor characteristics, shorter progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) in endometrioid ECs (EECs). The objectives of this study were to investigate the spatial expression of FGFR2b in normal and hyperplasia with and without atypia of human endometrium and to assess the prognostic significance of FGFR2b expression in EC. FGFR2b and FGFR2c mRNA expression was evaluated in normal (proliferative [n = 10], secretory [n = 15], and atrophic [n = 10] endometrium), hyperplasia with and without atypia (n = 19) as well as two patient cohorts of EC samples (discovery [n = 78] and Vancouver [n = 460]) using isoform-specific BaseScope RNA in situ hybridization assays. Tumors were categorized based on FGFR2 isoform expression (one, both, or neither) and categories were correlated with clinicopathologic markers, molecular subtypes, and clinical outcomes. The FGFR2b splice isoform was exclusively expressed in the epithelial compartment of normal endometrium and hyperplasia without atypia. We observed FGFR2c expression at the basalis layer of glands in 33% (3/9) of hyperplasia with atypia. In patients with EEC, FGFR2b+/FGFR2c- expression was found in 48% of the discovery cohort and 35% of the validation Vancouver cohort. In univariate analyses, tumors with FGFR2b+/FGFR2c- expression had longer PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.265; 95% CI 0.145-0.423; log-rank p < 0.019) and DSS (HR 0.31; 95% CI 0.149-0.622; log-rank p < 0.001) compared to tumors with FGFR2b-/FGFR2c+ expression in the large EEC Vancouver cohort. In multivariable Cox regression analyses, tumors with FGFR2b+/FGFR2c- expression were significantly associated with longer DSS (HR 0.37; 95% CI 0.153-0.872; log-rank p < 0.023) compared to FGFR2b-/FGFR2c+ tumors. In conclusion, FGFR2b+/FGFR2c- expression is associated with favorable clinicopathologic markers and clinical outcomes suggesting that FGFR2b could play a role in tailoring the management of EEC patients in the clinic if these findings are confirmed in an independent cohort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmerom T Sengal
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of HealthQueensland University of Technology (QUT) located at the Translational Research Institute (TRI)BrisbaneAustralia
| | - Deborah Smith
- Mater PathologyMater Research and University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Cameron E Snell
- Mater PathologyMater Research and University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Samuel Leung
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Genetic Pathology Evaluation CentreUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Aline Talhouk
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Division of Gynaecologic OncologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Elizabeth D Williams
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of HealthQueensland University of Technology (QUT) located at the Translational Research Institute (TRI)BrisbaneAustralia
| | - Jessica N McAlpine
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Division of Gynaecologic OncologyUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverBCCanada
| | - Pamela M Pollock
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of HealthQueensland University of Technology (QUT) located at the Translational Research Institute (TRI)BrisbaneAustralia
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Zhang X, Soutto M, Chen Z, Bhat N, Zhu S, Eissmann MF, Ernst M, Lu H, Peng D, Xu Z, El-Rifai W. Induction of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 4 by Helicobacter pylori via Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 With a Feedforward Activation Loop Involving SRC Signaling in Gastric Cancer. Gastroenterology 2022; 163:620-636.e9. [PMID: 35588797 PMCID: PMC9629135 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) infection is the main risk factor for gastric cancer. The role of fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGRFs) in H pylori-mediated gastric tumorigenesis remains largely unknown. This study investigated the molecular and mechanistic links between H pylori, inflammation, and FGFR4 in gastric cancer. METHODS Cell lines, human and mouse gastric tissue samples, and gastric organoids models were implemented. Infection with H pylori was performed using in vitro and in vivo models. Western blot, real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays were used for molecular, mechanistic, and functional studies. RESULTS Analysis of FGFR family members using The Cancer Genome Atlas data, followed by validation, indicated that FGFR4 messenger (m)RNA was the most significantly overexpressed member in human gastric cancer tissue samples (P < .001). We also detected high levels of Fgfr4 mRNA and protein in gastric dysplasia and adenocarcinoma lesions in mouse models. Infection with J166, 7.13, and PMSS1 cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA)+ H pylori strains induced FGFR4 mRNA and protein expression in in vitro and in vivo models. This was associated with a concordant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Analysis of the FGFR4 promoter suggested several putative binding sites for STAT3. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and an FGFR-promoter luciferase reporter containing putative STAT3 binding sites and their mutants, we confirmed a direct functional binding of STAT3 on the FGFR4 promoter. Mechanistically, we also discovered a feedforward activation loop between FGFR4 and STAT3 where the fibroblast growth factor 19–FGFR4 axis played an essential role in activating STAT3 in a SRC proto-oncogene non-receptor tyrosine kinase dependent manner. Functionally, we found that FGFR4 protected against H pylori-induced DNA damage and cell death. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrated a link between infection, inflammation, and FGFR4 activation, where a feedforward activation loop between FGFR4 and STAT3 is established via SRC proto-oncogene non-receptor tyrosine kinase in response to H pylori infection. Given the relevance of FGFR4 to the etiology and biology of gastric cancer, we propose FGFR4 as a druggable molecular vulnerability that can be tested in patients with gastric cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mohammed Soutto
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zheng Chen
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Nadeem Bhat
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Shoumin Zhu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Moritz F Eissmann
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthias Ernst
- Cancer and Inflammation Laboratory, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and School of Cancer Medicine, La Trobe University, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Heng Lu
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Dunfa Peng
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida
| | - Zekuan Xu
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Wael El-Rifai
- Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida; Department of Veterans Affairs, Miami Healthcare System, Miami, Florida; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.
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5
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Wu M, Qiu Q, Zhou Q, Li J, Yang J, Zheng C, Luo A, Li X, Zhang H, Cheng X, Lu W, Liu P, Lu B, Lu Y. circFBXO7/miR-96-5p/MTSS1 axis is an important regulator in the Wnt signaling pathway in ovarian cancer. Mol Cancer 2022; 21:137. [PMID: 35768865 PMCID: PMC9241180 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01611-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND CircRNAs are a novel class of evolutionarily conserved noncoding RNA molecules that form covalently closed continuous loop structures without 5' caps and 3' poly(A) tails. Accumulating evidence suggests that circRNAs play important regulatory roles in cancer and are promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as targets for cancer therapy. In this study, we identify and explore the role of a novel circRNA, circFBXO7, in ovarian cancer. METHODS rRNA-depleted RNA-sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed circRNAs between ovarian cancerous and normal tissues. qRT-PCR and single-molecule RNA in-situ hybridization was used to quantify circFBXO7 expression in tumor tissues. The association of circFBXO7 expression with patient prognosis was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The biological function of circFBXO7 was also investigated using loss-of-function and gain-of-function assays in vivo and in vitro. Luciferase reporter and TOP/FOP-Flash reporter assays were then conducted together with RNA immunoprecipitation and western blot to assess the circFBXO7/miR-96-5p/MTSS1/Wnt/β-catenin axis. RESULTS circFBXO7 was downregulated in ovarian cancer which was associated with poor prognosis. Biologically, circFBXO7 overexpression significantly suppressed ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in vivo, whereas its knockdown exerted an opposite role. Mechanistically, circFBXO7 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-96-5p to regulate the expression of MTSS1. Consequently, downregulation of MTSS1 led to excessive accumulation of β-catenin and increased phosphorylation of GSK3β, leading to the translocation of β-catenin to the nucleus, thereby activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and ultimately promoting ovarian cancer progression. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that circFBXO7 acts as a bone fide tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer and that the circFBXO7/miR-96-5p/MTSS1 axis is an important regulator in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway which may provide a promising target for ovarian cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Wu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qiongzi Qiu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qing Zhou
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia Li
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diagnosis and Monitoring Research of Zhejiang Province, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Juze Yang
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diagnosis and Monitoring Research of Zhejiang Province, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Chengcai Zheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Aoran Luo
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xufan Li
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diagnosis and Monitoring Research of Zhejiang Province, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China
| | - Honghe Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Research Unit of Intelligence Classification of Tumor Pathology and Precision Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China.,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weiguo Lu
- Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China.,Women's Reproductive Health Key Laboratory of Zhejiang Province, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pengyuan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Medicine in Diagnosis and Monitoring Research of Zhejiang Province, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310016, China. .,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Bingjian Lu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China. .,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Yan Lu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women's Hospital and Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, Zhejiang, China. .,Cancer Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310013, Zhejiang, China.
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Tang X, Deng Z, Ding P, Qiang W, Lu Y, Gao S, Hu Y, Yang Y, Du J, Gu C. A novel protein encoded by circHNRNPU promotes multiple myeloma progression by regulating the bone marrow microenvironment and alternative splicing. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2022; 41:85. [PMID: 35260179 PMCID: PMC8903708 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-022-02276-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Backgroud Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell malignancy in the bone marrow (BM), while immunoglobulin D type of MM (IgD MM) is a very rare but most severe subtype in all MM cases. Therefore, systemic study on IgD MM is purposeful to disclose the recurrent and refractory features in both IgD and other types of MM, and beneficial to the development of potent therapeutic strategy on MM. Methods Agilent SBC-ceRNA microarray chips were employed to examine 3 normal plasma cell samples (NPCs), 5 lgD MM samples and 5 lgG MM samples, respectively. Sanger sequencing, RNase R digestion and qPCR assays were used to detect the existence and expression of circHNRNPU. BaseScope™ RNA ISH assay was performed to test circHNRNPU levels in paraffin-embedded MM tissues. The protein encoded by circHNRNPU was identified by LC-MS/MS, which was named as circHNRNPU_603aa. The function of circHNRNPU_603aa on cellular proliferation and cell cycle was assessed by MTT test, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and MM xenograft mouse model in vivo. RIP-seq, RIP-PCR and WB analysis for ubiquitination were performed to explore the potential mechanism of circHNRNPU_603aa in MM. Exosomes were isolated from the culture supernatant of MM cells by ultracentrifugation and characterized by Transmission Electron Microscope and WB confirmation of exosomes markers Alix and CD9. Results CircHNRNPU was one of the top most abundant and differentially expressed circRNA in IgD MM relative to lgG and NPCs samples. Increased circHNRNPU was associated with poor outcomes in four independent MM patient cohorts. Intriguingly, MM cells secreted circHNRNPU, which encoded a protein named as circHNRNPU_603aa. Overexpressed circHNRNPU_603aa promoted MM cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo, in contrast knockdown of circHNRNPU_603aa by siRNA abrogated these effects. Due to circHNRNPU_603aa including RNA-binding RGG-box region, it regulated SKP2 exon skipping, thereby competitively inhibited c-Myc ubiquitin so as to stabilize c-Myc in MM. MM cells secreted circHNRNPU through exosomes to interfere with various cells in the BM microenvironment. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate that circHNRNPU_603aa is a promising diagnostic and therapeutic marker in both MM cells and BM niche. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-022-02276-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaozhu Tang
- Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhendong Deng
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Pinggang Ding
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Wanting Qiang
- Department of Hematology, Myeloma & Lymphoma Center, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Lu
- Department of Radiotherapy, The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shengyao Gao
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Hu
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Yang
- School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Hematology, Myeloma & Lymphoma Center, Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Chunyan Gu
- Nanjing Hospital of Chinese Medicine affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China. .,School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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7
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Epstein RJ, Tian LJ, Gu YF. 2b or Not 2b: How Opposing FGF Receptor Splice Variants Are Blocking Progress in Precision Oncology. JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2021; 2021:9955456. [PMID: 34007277 PMCID: PMC8110382 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9955456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
More than ten thousand peer-reviewed studies have assessed the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and their receptors (FGFRs) in cancer, but few patients have yet benefited from drugs targeting this molecular family. Strategizing how best to use FGFR-targeted drugs is complicated by multiple variables, including RNA splicing events that alter the affinity of ligands for FGFRs and hence change the outcomes of stromal-epithelial interactions. The effects of splicing are most relevant to FGFR2; expression of the FGFR2b splice isoform can restore apoptotic sensitivity to cancer cells, whereas switching to FGFR2c may drive tumor progression by triggering epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The differentiating and regulatory actions of wild-type FGFR2b contrast with the proliferative actions of FGFR1 and FGFR3, and may be converted to mitogenicity either by splice switching or by silencing of tumor suppressor genes such as CDH1 or PTEN. Exclusive use of small-molecule pan-FGFR inhibitors may thus cause nonselective blockade of FGFR2 isoforms with opposing actions, undermining the rationale of FGFR2 drug targeting. This splice-dependent ability of FGFR2 to switch between tumor-suppressing and -driving functions highlights an unmet oncologic need for isoform-specific drug targeting, e.g., by antibody inhibition of ligand-FGFR2c binding, as well as for more nuanced molecular pathology prediction of FGFR2 actions in different stromal-tumor contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J. Epstein
- New Hope Cancer Center, Beijing United Hospital, 9-11 Jiangtai West Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing 100015, China
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research and UNSW Clinical School, 84 Victoria St, Darlinghurst 2010 Sydney, Australia
| | - Li Jun Tian
- New Hope Cancer Center, Beijing United Hospital, 9-11 Jiangtai West Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Yan Fei Gu
- New Hope Cancer Center, Beijing United Hospital, 9-11 Jiangtai West Rd, Chaoyang, Beijing 100015, China
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8
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Sengal AT, Smith D, Rogers R, Snell CE, Williams ED, Pollock PM. Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 2 Isoforms Detected via Novel RNA ISH as Predictive Biomarkers for Progestin Therapy in Atypical Hyperplasia and Low-Grade Endometrial Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13071703. [PMID: 33916719 PMCID: PMC8038411 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13071703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Women diagnosed with low-grade endometrioid cancer (EEC) and its precursor lesion, atypical hyperplasia (AH) are frequently treated with hormonal therapy including levonorgestrel releasing intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) as an alternative to surgery. Biomarkers that inform which group of patients are more likely to respond to LNG-IUD are not available. The aim of this study was to document the response rate to LNG-IUD therapy in women with AH and EEC and identify potential biomarkers to guide treatment response. The overall response rate (ORR) for the whole cohort was 30/69 (~44%) with a higher ORR seen in AH (64%) compared to EEC (23%). Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor (FGFR2) isoforms were detected using RNA in situ hybridization. The FGFR2c isoform was expressed in 16.7% of the samples, with those expressing FGFR2c 5-times more likely to have treatment failure. FGFR2 isoform expression could be used to guide treatment decisions following confirmation of this finding in an independent study. Abstract Women with atypical hyperplasia (AH) or well-differentiated early-stage endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) who wish to retain fertility and/or with comorbidities precluding surgery, are treated with progestin. Clinically approved predictive biomarkers for progestin therapy remain an unmet need. The objectives of this study were to document the overall response rate (ORR) of levonorgestrel intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) treatment, and determine the association of FGFR2b and FGFR2c expression with treatment outcome. BaseScope RNA ISH assay was utilized to detect expression of FGFR2b and FGFR2c mRNA in the diagnostic biopsies of 89 women (40 AH and 49 EEC) treated with LNG-IUD. Detailed clinical follow-up was available for 69 women which revealed an overall response rate (ORR) of 44% (30/69) with a higher ORR seen in AH (64%) compared to EEC (23%). The recurrence rate in women who initially responded to LNG-IUD was 10/30 (33.3%). RNA ISH was successful in 72 patients and showed FGFR2c expression in 12/72 (16.7%) samples. In the 59 women with detailed clinical follow-up and RNA-ISH data, women with tumours expressing FGFR2c were 5-times more likely to have treatment failure in both univariable (HR 5.08, p < 0.0001) and multivariable (HR 4.5, p < 0.002) Cox regression analyses. In conclusion, FGFR2c expression appears to be strongly associated with progestin treatment failure, albeit the ORR is lower in this cohort than previously reported. Future work to validate these findings in an independent multi-institutional cohort is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmerom T. Sengal
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital Campus, 37 Kent St., Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia; (A.T.S.); (E.D.W.)
| | - Deborah Smith
- Mater Pathology, Mater Research and University of Queensland, Mater Hospital, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; (D.S.); (C.E.S.)
| | - Rebecca Rogers
- Mater Pathology, Mater Research, Mater Hospital, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia;
| | - Cameron E. Snell
- Mater Pathology, Mater Research and University of Queensland, Mater Hospital, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; (D.S.); (C.E.S.)
| | - Elizabeth D. Williams
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital Campus, 37 Kent St., Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia; (A.T.S.); (E.D.W.)
| | - Pamela M. Pollock
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra (PA) Hospital Campus, 37 Kent St., Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia; (A.T.S.); (E.D.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-733437237
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A 'Real-Life' Experience on Automated Digital Image Analysis of FGFR2 Immunohistochemistry in Breast Cancer. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10121060. [PMID: 33297384 PMCID: PMC7762292 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10121060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We present here an assessment of a 'real-life' value of automated machine learning algorithm (AI) for examination of immunohistochemistry for fibroblast growth factor receptor-2 (FGFR2) in breast cancer (BC). Expression of FGFR2 in BC (n = 315) measured using a certified 3DHistech CaseViewer/QuantCenter software 2.3.0. was compared to the manual pathologic assessment in digital slides (PA). Results revealed: (i) substantial interrater agreement between AI and PA for dichotomized evaluation (Cohen's kappa = 0.61); (ii) strong correlation between AI and PA H-scores (Spearman r = 0.85, p < 0.001); (iii) a small constant error and a significant proportional error (Passing-Bablok regression y = 0.51 × X + 29.9, p < 0.001); (iv) discrepancies in H-score in cases of extreme (strongest/weakest) or heterogeneous FGFR2 expression and poor tissue quality. The time of AI was significantly longer (568 h) than that of the pathologist (32 h). This study shows that the described commercial machine learning algorithm can reliably execute a routine pathologic assessment, however, in some instances, human expertise is essential.
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