Aurora Kinase A expression predicts platinum-resistance and adverse outcome in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma patients

The Impact of Centrosome Pathologies on Ovarian Cancer Development and Progression with a Focus on Centrosomes as Therapeutic Target

The impact of centrosome abnormalities on cancer cell proliferation has been recognized as early as 1914 (Boveri, Zur Frage der Entstehung maligner Tumoren. Jena: G. Fisher, 1914), but vigorous research on molecular levels has only recently started when it became fully apparent that centrosomes can be targeted for new cancer therapies. While best known for their microtubule-organizing capabilities as MTOC (microtubule organizing center) in interphase and mitosis, centrosomes are now further well known for a variety of different functions, some of which are related to microtubule organization and consequential activities such as cell division, migration, maintenance of cell shape, and vesicle transport powered by motor proteins, while other functions include essential roles in cell cycle regulation, metabolic activities, signal transduction, proteolytic activity, and several others that are now heavily being investigated for their role in diseases and disorders (reviewed in Schatten and Sun, Histochem Cell Biol 150:303-325, 2018; Schatten, Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 235:43-50, 2022a; Schatten, Adv Anat Embryol Cell Biol 235:17-35, 2022b).Cancer cell centrosomes differ from centrosomes in noncancer cells in displaying specific abnormalities that include phosphorylation abnormalities, overexpression of specific centrosomal proteins, abnormalities in centriole and centrosome duplication, formation of multipolar spindles that play a role in aneuploidy and genomic instability, and several others that are highlighted in the present review on ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer cell centrosomes, like those in other cancers, display complex abnormalities that in part are based on the heterogeneity of cells in the cancer tissues resulting from different etiologies of individual cancer cells that will be discussed in more detail in this chapter.Because of the critical role of centrosomes in cancer cell proliferation, several lines of research are being pursued to target centrosomes for therapeutic intervention to inhibit abnormal cancer cell proliferation and control tumor progression. Specific centrosome abnormalities observed in ovarian cancer will be addressed in this chapter with a focus on targeting such aberrations for ovarian cancer-specific therapies.

The impact of PARP inhibitors in the whole scenario of ovarian cancer management: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Carboplatin is still the cornerstone of the first-line treatment in advanced Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (aEOC) management and the clinical response to platinum-derived agents remains the major predictor of long-term outcomes.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We aimed to identify the best treatment of the aEOC in terms of efficacy and safety, considering all treatment phases. A systematic literature search has been done to compare all treatments in aEOC population. Randomized trials with available survival and safety data published in the 2011-2022 timeframe were enclosed. Only trials reporting the BRCA or HRD (Homologous Recombination Deficiency) status were considered.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

A ranking of treatment schedules on the progression-free survival (PFS) endpoint was performed. The random-effect model was used to elaborate and extract data. The Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) by Bayesian model was performed by STATA v17. Data on PFS were extracted in terms of Hazard ratio with relative confidence intervals.

RESULTS

This NMA involved 18 trials for a total of 9105 patients. Within 12 treatment groups, we performed 3 different sensitivity analyses including "all comers" Intention to Treat (ITT) population, BRCA-mutated (BRCAm), and HRD subgroups, respectively. Considering the SUCRA-reported cumulative PFS probabilities, we showed that in the ITT population, the inferred best treatment was niraparib plus bevacizumab with a SUCRA of 96.7. In the BRCAm subgroup, the best SUCRA was for olaparib plus chemotherapy (96,9). The HRD population showed an inferred best treatment for niraparib plus bevacizumab (SUCRA 98,4). Moreover, we reported a cumulative summary of PARPi toxicity, in which different 3-4 grade toxicity profiles were observed, despite the PARPi "class effect" in terms of efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering all aEOC subgroups, the best therapeutical option was identified as PARPi plus chemotherapy and/or antiangiogenetic agents, suggesting the relevance of combinatory approaches based on molecular profile. This work underlines the potential value of "chemo-free" regimens to prolong the platinum-free interval (PFI).

Cell cycle kinases (AUKA, CDK1, PLK1) are prognostic biomarkers and correlated with tumor-infiltrating leukocytes in HBV related HCC

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the high incidence cancers and third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. HBV is the top most risk factor accounting for 50-80% of the HCC cases. Kinases: Aurora kinase A (AURKA), cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1) and Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), the key regulators of cell mitosis are overexpressed in varieties of cancers including HCC. However, the exact role of these genes in prognosis of HCC is not fully unveiled. In addition, there is no such an accurate prognostic biomarker for HBV-related HCC. To address this issue, we performed a multidimensional analysis of AURKA, CDK1 and PLK1 with a series of publicly available databases in multiple cancers and with experimental validation in HBV-related HCC tissues. Overexpression of AURKA, CDK1 and PLK1 was found in multiple cancers including HCC. Elevated expression of these genes could result from lowered DNA methylation and genomic alterations. Transcriptional overexpression was significantly correlated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. The expression levels were also significantly positively associated with tumor grades and stages. Furthermore, the expression levels of these genes had a strong correlation with infiltration of immune cells. Our analysis shows that AURKA, CDK1 and PLK1 are correlated with immune infiltration and are the prognostic biomarkers for HBV-induced HCC.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Novel Aurora A Kinase Inhibitor Fangchinoline Enhances Cisplatin-DNA Adducts and Cisplatin Therapeutic Efficacy in OVCAR-3 Ovarian Cancer Cells-Derived Xenograft Model

Aurora A kinase (Aurora A) is a serine/threonine kinase regulating control of multiple events during cell-cycle progression. Playing roles in promoting proliferation and inhibiting cell death in cancer cells leads Aurora A to become a target for cancer therapy. It is overexpressed and associated with a poor prognosis in ovarian cancer. Improving cisplatin therapy outcomes remains an important issue for advanced-stage ovarian cancer treatment, and Aurora A inhibitors may improve it. In the present study, we identified natural compounds with higher docking scores than the known Aurora A ligand through structure-based virtual screening, including the natural compound fangchinoline, which has been associated with anticancer activities but not yet investigated in ovarian cancer. The binding and inhibition of Aurora A by fangchinoline were verified using cellular thermal shift and enzyme activity assays. Fangchinoline reduced viability and proliferation in ovarian cancer cell lines. Combination fangchinoline and cisplatin treatment enhanced cisplatin-DNA adduct levels, and the combination index revealed synergistic effects on cell viability. An in vivo study showed that fangchinoline significantly enhanced cisplatin therapeutic effects in OVCAR-3 ovarian cancer-bearing mice. Fangchinoline may inhibit tumor growth and enhance cisplatin therapy in ovarian cancer. This study reveals a novel Aurora A inhibitor, fangchinoline, as a potentially viable adjuvant for ovarian cancer therapy.

RBL2/DREAM-mediated repression of the Aurora kinase A/B pathway determines therapy responsiveness and outcome in p53 WT NSCLC

Wild-type p53 is a stress-responsive transcription factor and potent tumor suppressor. P53 activates or represses genes involved in cell cycle progression or apoptosis in order to arrest the cell cycle or induce cell death. Transcription repression by p53 is indirect and requires repressive members of the RB-family (RB1, RBL1, RBL2) and formation of repressor complexes of RB1-E2F and RBL1/RBL2-DREAM. Many aurora kinase A/B (AURKA/B) pathway genes are repressed in a p53-DREAM-dependent manner. We found heightened expression of RBL2 and reduced expression of AURKA/B pathway genes is associated with improved outcomes in p53 wild-type but not p53 mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Knockdown of p53, RBL2, or the DREAM component LIN37 increased AURKA/B pathway gene expression and reduced paclitaxel and radiation toxicity in NSCLC cells. In contrast, pharmacologic inhibition of AURKA/B or knockdown of AURKA/B pathway components increased paclitaxel and IR sensitivity. The results support a model in which p53-RBL2-DREAM-mediated repression of the AURKA/B pathway contributes to tumor suppression, improved tumor therapy responses, and better outcomes in p53 wild-type NSCLCs.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of the Beclin-1 Expression Predicts the Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Autophagy is a cellular process responsible for maintaining homeostasis; a dysregulation of this process is involved in the development and progression of neoplasms. Beclin-1 is one of the major proteins linked to autophagy. However, the data regarding the association between the role of Beclin-1 and the progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) are rather low. For this reason, the objective of this study is to evaluate, through immunohistochemical techniques, the prognostic role of the expression of Beclin-1 autophagy marker in patients with OSCC. Methods: This is a single-centre retrospective study that includes patients with OSCC admitted to the Maxillofacial Unit of “Magna Graecia” University between January 2019 and September 2020. All the samples obtained from surgery were treated with anti Beclin-1 antibodies and subjected to immunohistochemical methods. Results: A total of 26 samples were analysed and the following variables were evaluated for each: percentage of positive Beclin-1 expression by tumour cells, signal strength of tumour cells, and total score. The variables considered were first normalised according to the D’Agostino and Pearson test, then analysed using the Pearson linear correlation coefficient: a statistically significant correlation was found between the parameters infiltration-intensity (p = 0.0088), infiltration-percent (p = 0.0123), intensity-total score (p = 0.0060). Conclusions: The immunohistochemical evaluation of Beclin-1 revealed a statistically significant correlation between the intensity of the molecule’s expression and a greater degree of infiltration of the neoplasm. Beclin-1 can, therefore, be considered a valid prognostic index of disease.

Natural anthraquinone compound emodin as a novel inhibitor of aurora A kinase: A pilot study

Aurora kinase A (AURKA) carries out an essential role in proliferation and involves in cisplatin resistance in various cancer cells. Overexpression of AURKA is associated with the poor prognosis of cancer patients. Thus, AURKA has been considered as a target for cancer therapy. Developing AURKA inhibitors became an important issue in cancer therapy. A natural compound emodin mainly extracted from rhubarbs possesses anti-cancer properties. However, the effect of emodin on AURKA has never been investigated. In the present study, molecular docking analysis indicated that emodin interacts with AURKA protein active site. We also found nine emodin analogues from Key Organic database by using ChemBioFinder software. Among that, one analogue 8L-902 showed a similar anti-cancer effect as emodin. The bindings of emodin and 8L-902 on AURKA protein were confirmed by cellular thermal shift assay. Furthermore, emodin inhibited the AURKA kinase activity in vitro and enhanced the cisplatin-DNA adduct level in a resistant ovarian cancer cell line. It seems that emodin may have the potential to inhibit cancer cell growth and enhance cisplatin therapy in cancer with resistance. Collectively, our finding reveals a novel AURKA inhibitor, emodin, which may be vulnerable to ovarian cancer therapy in the future.

Aurora kinases in ovarian cancer

Aurora kinases (AURK) are key regulators of the mitotic spindle formation. AURK is frequently overexpressed in ovarian cancer and this overexpression has been frequently associated with prognosis in these tumours. Interestingly, AURK have been shown to interact with DNA repair mechanisms and other cell cycle regulators. These functions have brought light to Aurora family as a potential target for anticancer therapy. In the last years, two clinical trials with different AURK inhibitors have shown activity in epithelial and clear-cell ovarian cancer. Although there is a lack of predictive factors of AURK inhibition activity, recent trials have identified some candidates. This review will focus in the functions of the AURK family, its role as prognostic factor in epithelial ovarian cancer and potential clinical implications.

Transcriptome-based stemness indices analysis reveals platinum-based chemo-theraputic response indicators in advanced-stage serous ovarian cancer

Serous ovarian cancer (SOC) is a main histological subtype of ovarian cancer, in which cancer stem cells (CSC) are responsible for its chemoresistance. However, the underlying modulation mechanisms of chemoresistance led by cancer stemness are still undefined. We aimed to investigate potential drug-response indicators among stemness-associated biomarkers in advanced SOC samples. The mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi) of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was evaluated and corrected by tumor purity. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to explore the gene modules and key genes involved in stemness characteristics. We found that mRNAsi and corrected mRNAsi scores were both greater in tumors of Grade 3 and 4 than that of Grade 1 and 2. Forty-two key genes were obtained from the most significant mRNAsi-related gene module. Functional annotation revealed that these key genes were mainly involved in the mitotic division. Thirteen potential platinum-response indicators were selected from the genes enriched to platinum-response associated pathways. Among them, we identified 11 genes with prognostic value of progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced SOC patients treated with platinum and 7 prognostic genes in patients treated with a combination of platinum and taxol. The expressions of the 13 key genes were also validated between platinum-resistant and -sensitive SOC samples of advanced stages in two Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. The results revealed that CDC20 was a potential platinum-sensitivity indicator in advanced SOC. These findings may provide a new insight for chemotherapies in advanced SOC patients clinically.

Cross-talks in colon cancer between RAGE/AGEs axis and inflammation/immunotherapy

The tumour microenvironment is the result of the activity of many types of cells in various metabolic states, whose metabolites are shared between cells. This cellular complexity results in an availability profile of nutrients and reactive metabolites such as advanced glycation end products (AGE). The tumour microenvironment is not favourable to immune cells due to hypoxia and for the existence of significant competition between various types of cells for a limited nutrient pool. However, it is now known that cancer cells can influence the host's immune reaction through the expression and secretion of numerous molecules. The microenvironment can therefore present itself in different patterns that contribute to shaping immune surveillance. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most important causes of death in cancer patients. Recently, immunotherapy has begun to give encouraging results in some groups of patients suffering from this neoplasm. The analysis of literature data shows that the RAGE (Receptor for advanced glycation end products) and its numerous ligands contribute to connect the energy metabolic pathway, which appears prevalently disconnected by mitochondrial running, with the immune reaction, conditioned by local microbiota and influencing tumour growth. Understanding how metabolism in cancer and immune cells shapes response and resistance to therapy, will provide novel potential strategies to increase both the number of tumour types treated by immunotherapy and the rate of immunotherapy response. The analysis of literature data shows that an immunotherapy approach based on the knowledge of RAGE and its ligands is not only possible, but also desirable in the treatment of CRC.

Genome-wide analysis of copy number alterations led to the characterisation of PDCD10 as oncogene in ovarian cancer

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We have identified 201 altered chromosomal bands and 3300 altered genes in human ovarian cancer samples.

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The gene encoding for PDCD10 was selected for further studies.

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PDCD10 was found to be over-expressed in primary cancer samples and in the corresponding metastatic lesions.

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High PDCD10 expression correlates with grade, nodal involvement or advanced FIGO stage.

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PDCD10 is involved in the control of cell growth and motility in vitro as well as tumorigenicity in vivo.

Copy Number Alterations (CNAs) represent the most common genetic alterations identified in ovarian cancer cells, being responsible for the extensive genomic instability observed in this cancer. Here we report the identification of CNAs in a cohort of Italian patients affected by ovarian cancer performed by SNP-based array.

Our analysis allowed the identification of 201 significantly altered chromosomal bands (70 copy number gains; 131 copy number losses). The 3300 genes subjected to CNA identified here were compared to those present in the TCGA dataset. The analysis allowed the identification of 11 genes with increased CN and mRNA expression (PDCD10, EBAG9, NUDCD1, ENY2, CSNK2A1, TBC1D20, ZCCHC3, STARD3, C19orf12, POP4, UQCRFS1). PDCD10 was selected for further studies because of the highest frequency of CNA.

PDCD10 was found, by immunostaining of three different Tissue Micro Arrays, to be over-expressed in the majority of ovarian primary cancer samples and in metastatic lesions. Moreover, significant correlations were found in specific subsets of patients, between increased PDCD10 expression and grade (p < 0.005), nodal involvement (p < 0.05) or advanced FIGO stage (p < 0.01).

Finally, manipulation of PDCD10 expression by shRNA in ovarian cancer cells (OVCAR-5 and OVCA429) demonstrated a positive role for PDCD10 in the control of cell growth and motility in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo.

In conclusion, this study allowed the identification of novel genes subjected to copy number alterations in ovarian cancer. In particular, the results reported here point to a prominent role of PDCD10 as a bona fide oncogene.

Identification of the Hub Genes Associated with the Prognosis of Ovarian Cancer Patients via Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis and Experimental Validation

Background

This study aimed to identify the hub genes associated with prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer by using integrated bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

Methods

Four microarray datasets (GSE12470, GSE14407, GSE18521 and GSE46169) were analyzed by the GEO2R tool to screen common differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, the (KEGG) pathway and Reactome pathway enrichment analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) construction, and the identification of hub genes were performed. Furthermore, we performed the survival and expression analysis of the hub genes. In vitro functional assays were performed to assess the effects of hub genes on ovarian cancer cell proliferation, caspase-3/7 activity and invasion.

Results

A total of 89 common DEGs were identified among these four datasets. The KEGG and Reactome pathway results showed that the DEGs were mainly associated with cell cycle, mitotic and p53 signaling pathway. A total of 20 hub genes were identified from the PPI network by using sub-module analysis. The survival analysis revealed that high expression of six hub genes (AURKA, BUB1B, CENPF, KIF11, KIF23 and TOP2A) were significantly correlated with shorter overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with ovarian cancer. Furthermore, the expression of the six hub genes were validated by the GEPIA database and Human Protein Atlas, and functional studies revealed that knockdown of KIF11 and KIF23 suppressed the SKOV3 cell proliferation, increased caspase-3/7 activity and attenuated invasive potentials of SKOV3 cells. In addition, knockdown of KIF11 and KIF23 up-regulated E-cadherin mRNA expression but down-regulated N-cadherin and vimentin mRNA expression in SKOV3 cells.

Conclusion

Our results showed that six hub genes were up-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues and may predict poor prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer. KIF11 and KIF23 may play oncogenic roles in ovarian cancer cell progression via promoting ovarian cancer cell proliferation and invasion.

The role of Aurora-A in human cancers and future therapeutics

Aurora-A is a mitotic serine/threonine-protein kinase and an oncogene. In normal cells, Aurora-A appears from G2 phase and localizes at the centrosome, where it participates in centrosome replication, isolation and maturation. Aurora-A also maintains Golgi apparatus structure and spindle assembly. Aurora-A undergoes ubiquitination-mediated degradation after the cell division phase. Aurora-A is abnormally expressed in tumor cells and promotes cell proliferation by regulating mitotic substrates, such as PP1, PLK1, TPX2, and LAST2, and affects other molecules through a non-mitotic pathway to promote cell invasion and metastasis. Some molecules in tumor cells also indirectly act on Aurora-A to regulate tumor cells. Aurora-A also mediates resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is involved in tumor immunotherapy. Clinical trials of Aurora-A molecular inhibitors are currently underway, and clinical transformation is just around the corner.

Mycosis fungoides and gastric T-cell lymphoma: A case report

Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a cutaneous malignant lymphoma with an extended clinical course. MF presents in series of dermatological manifestations, beginning with patches and plaques of the skin, and eventually evolving into tumours. Often MF can occur for extended periods without worsening of external symptoms, while the disease advances internally in organs such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung, bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and kidney. The present report presents a clinical case in which gastrointestinal symptomatology occurred a decade after the first dermatological manifestation. Immunohistochemical analysis of the skin, along with small bowel biopsies revealed evidence of gastric T-cell lymphoma. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to describe such a case in the literature.

Microenvironment Molecular Profile Combining Glycation Adducts and Cytokines Patterns on Secretome of Short-term Blood-derived Cultures during Tumour Progression

Cancer cells are known to secrete many bioactive factors acting both with paracrine and autocrine mechanisms by which they condition the surrounding microenvironment. At the same time, the intracytoplasmic metabolic activities microenvironment influences the profile of this secretion. It is well known that cancer cells exhibit prevalent glycolytic metabolism and a more oxidative atmosphere compared to their healthy counterparts; this metabolic phenotype promotes glycate adducts formation and secretion. Considering the exacerbation of metabolic changes during the cancer progression, it is suggestive to explore the potential correlation between the increasing rate of glycan adducts and the specific pattern of secreted cytokines in different phases of cancer disease. We analyzed the secretomes of blood-derived cancer cell cultures from cancer patients and healthy subjects. The relative glycate adducts content in cancer secretomes was higher in comparison to that of healthy samples. Moreover, the stratification based on different phases of cancer disease correlated with a specific cytokines panel. The results obtained open a new perspective of observation of the intricate relationship between metabolome and inflammation in cancer. By using the analysis of secretome combined with a standardized protocol of liquid biopsy, it would be possible to identify specific profiles of molecular markers useful to arrange alternative and personalized medicine strategies.

A systematic literature review assessing if genetic biomarkers are predictors for platinum-based chemotherapy response in ovarian cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Ovarian cancer is the deadliest of gynecologic malignancies with the 5-year overall survival rate remaining at approximately 30%, a rate that has not improved over the last three decades. Standard of care for epithelial ovarian cancer patients consists of a platinum compound with a taxane given intravenously following debulking surgery; however, 80% of cases relapse within 2 years of diagnosis. This review sought to identify key underlying biomarkers related to platinum resistance in ovarian cancer to establish possible prognostic biomarkers of chemoresponse.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted across three databases PubMed, EMBASE and SCOPUS to summarise the evidence for prognostic biomarkers in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients.

RESULTS

Forty-eight human studies were used in the review encompassing 6719 participants in retrospective and prospective study designs. A total of 68 biomarkers were reported that were significantly correlated with chemoresponse and/or survival reporting a p value less than or equal to 0.05.

CONCLUSION

This review accentuates the pleiotropic phenotypic complexities related to the response to platinum therapy in ovarian cancer. A one-size-fits-all approach may be ineffective in a large portion of patients, emphasising the need for a whole system-based approach and personalised treatment strategies. Identifying key biomarkers to aid clinical decision-making is the first essential step in developing and appropriating therapies for at-risk patients, reducing toxicity and improving quality of life.

Cinobufagin Triggers Defects in Spindle Formation and Cap-Dependent Translation in Liver Cancer Cells by Inhibiting the AURKA-mTOR-eIF4E Axis

Cinobufagin is a Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) inhibitor with excellent anticancer effects to prolong the survival of patients. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the underlying mechanism of the anticancer effects of cinobufagin using overexpression or inhibition of aurora kinase A (AURKA) signaling. First, high expression of Na+/K+-ATPase alpha 1 subunit (ATP1A1) and AURAK resulted in increased malignant transformation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients using the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) data and tissue samples. After treatment with cinobufagin, we successfully screened 202, 249, and 335 changing expression proteins in Huh-7 cells under normal, overexpression, and inhibition of AURKA using tandem mass tags (TMT)-labeled quantitative proteomics coupled to 2D liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these molecules were closely associated with chromosome segregation, DNA damage, and regulation of translation processes. We further confirmed that cinobufagin induced DNA damage and chromosome segregation disorders and suppresses translational processing in oncogenes by decreasing the expression of AURKA, mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR), p-mTOR, p-extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), and p-eIF4E, while increasing the expression of p-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) (S65, T37, T46, T45) and increasing the interaction between eIF4 and 4E-BP1. Our results suggested that cinobufagin performed an antitumor effects in liver cancer cells by inhibiting the AURKA-mTOR-eIF4E axis.

Innate and Adaptive Immunity Linked to Recognition of Antigens Shared by Neural Crest-Derived Tumors

In the adult, many embryologic processes can be co-opted by during cancer progression. The mechanisms of divisions, migration, and the ability to escape immunity recognition linked to specific embryo antigens are also expressed by malignant cells. In particular, cells derived from neural crests (NC) contribute to the development of multiple cell types including melanocytes, craniofacial cartilage, glia, neurons, peripheral and enteric nervous systems, and the adrenal medulla. This plastic performance is due to an accurate program of gene expression orchestrated with cellular/extracellular signals finalized to regulate long-distance migration, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and survival. During neurulation, prior to initiating their migration, NC cells must undergo an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in which they alter their actin cytoskeleton, lose their cell–cell junctions, apicobasal polarity, and acquire a motile phenotype. Similarly, during the development of the tumors derived from neural crests, comprising a heterogeneous group of neoplasms (Neural crest-derived tumors (NCDTs)), a group of genes responsible for the EMT pathway is activated. Here, retracing the molecular pathways performed by pluripotent cells at the boundary between neural and non-neural ectoderm in relation to the natural history of NCDT, points of contact or interposition are highlighted to better explain the intricate interplay between cancer cells and the innate and adaptive immune response.

Emerging Designs of Electronic Devices in Biomedicine

A long-standing goal of nanoelectronics is the development of integrated systems to be used in medicine as sensor, therapeutic, or theranostic devices. In this review, we examine the phenomena of transport and the interaction between electro-active charges and the material at the nanoscale. We then demonstrate how these mechanisms can be exploited to design and fabricate devices for applications in biomedicine and bioengineering. Specifically, we present and discuss electrochemical devices based on the interaction between ions and conductive polymers, such as organic electrochemical transistors (OFETs), electrolyte gated field-effect transistors (FETs), fin field-effect transistor (FinFETs), tunnelling field-effect transistors (TFETs), electrochemical lab-on-chips (LOCs). For these systems, we comment on their use in medicine.

MicroRNA-490-3p suppresses hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and migration by targeting the aurora kinase A gene (AURKA)

INTRODUCTION

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common and prevalent cancer type among liver cancers. In this study, expression of miR-490-3p and aurora kinase A gene (AURKA) was investigated in HCC. Additionally, we explored the microRNA (miR)-490-3p/AURKA relationship as well as the influence on HCC cell proliferation and migration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The dual luciferase reporter assay serves to verify the target relationship between miR-490-3p and AURKA. miR-490-3p mimics, AURKA siRNA and AURKA cDNA, were transfected into HCC cells. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were chosen for examining the relative expression of miR-490-3p and AURKA in HCC tissues, adjacent tissues, HCC cells and normal cells. The study detected the proliferation of HCC cells with the application of MTT assay and colony formation assay. Transwell assay was applied for the observation of migration, and wound healing assay for invasion.

RESULTS

The experiment results showed that miR-490-3p expression was down-regulated and AURKA expression was up-regulated in HCC cells and tissues. AURKA was the target gene of miR-490-3p and overexpression of miR-490-3p could inhibit the expression of AURKA in HCC cells. miR-490-3p overexpression could inhibit HCC cell migration and invasion, while AURKA promoted HCC cell migration. All experiment results indicated that miR-490-3p was low-expressed while AURKA was over-expressed in HCC cells and tissues compared to normal liver cells and tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-490-3p could down-regulate the expression of AURKA, thus suppressing the proliferation and migration of HCC cells.

Inhibition of Aurora A enhances radiosensitivity in selected lung cancer cell lines

Background

In mammalian cells, Aurora serine/threonine kinases (Aurora A, B, and C) are expressed in a cell cycle-dependent fashion as key mitotic regulators required for the maintenance of chromosomal stability. Aurora-A (AURKA) has been proven to be an oncogene in a variety of cancers; however, whether its expression relates to patient survival and the association with radiotherapy remains unclear in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

Here, we first analyzed AURKA expression in 63 NSCLC tumor samples by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and used an MTS assay to compare cell survival by targeting AURKA with MLN8237 (Alisertib) in H460 and HCC2429 (P53-competent), and H1299 (P53-deficient) cell lines. The radiosensitivity of MLN8237 was further evaluated by clonogenic assay. Finally, we examined the effect of combining radiation and AURKA inhibition in vivo with a xenograft model and explored the potential mechanism.

Results

We found that increased AURKA expression correlated with decreased time to progression and overall survival (p = 0.0447 and 0.0096, respectively). AURKA inhibition using 100 nM MLN8237 for 48 h decreases cell growth in a partially P53-dependent manner, and the survival rates of H460, HCC2429, and H1299 cells were 56, 50, and 77%, respectively. In addition, the survival of H1299 cells decreased 27% after ectopic restoration of P53 expression, and the radiotherapy enhancement was also influenced by P53 expression (DER H460 = 1.33; HCC2429 = 1.35; H1299 = 1.02). Furthermore, tumor growth of H460 was delayed significantly in a subcutaneous mouse model exposed to both MLN8237 and radiation.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results confirmed that the expression of AURKA correlated with decreased NSCLC patient survival, and it might be a promising inhibition target when combined with radiotherapy, especially for P53-competent lung cancer cells. Modulation of P53 function could provide a new option for reversing cell resistance to the AURKA inhibitor MLN8237, which deserves further investigation.

Evaluation of core serous epithelial ovarian cancer genes as potential prognostic markers and indicators of the underlying molecular mechanisms using an integrated bioinformatics analysis

Ovarian cancer is a major cause of mortality in women. However, the molecular events underlying the pathogenesis of the disease are yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, an integrated bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify core genes involved in serous epithelial ovarian cancer. A total of three expression datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, and included 46 serous epithelial ovarian cancer and 30 ovarian surface epithelium samples. The three datasets were merged, and batch normalization was performed. The normalized merged data were subsequently analyzed for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). In total, 2,212 DEGs were identified, including 1,300 upregulated and 912 downregulated genes. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that these DEGs were primarily involved in ‘regulation of cell cycle’, ‘mitosis’, ‘DNA packaging’ and ‘nucleosome assembly’. The main cellular components included ‘extracellular region part’, ‘chromosome’, ‘extracellular matrix’ and ‘condensed chromosome kinetochore’, whereas the molecular functions included ‘Calcium ion binding’, ‘polysaccharide binding’, ‘enzyme inhibitor activity’, ‘growth factor activity’, ‘cyclin-dependent protein kinase regulator activity’, ‘microtubule motor activity’ and ‘Wnt receptor activity’. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that these DEGs were predominantly involved in ‘Wnt signaling pathway’, ‘pathways in cancer’, ‘PI3K-Akt signaling pathway’, ‘cell cycle’, ‘ECM-receptor interaction’, ‘p53 signaling pathway’ and ‘focal adhesion’. The 20 most significant DEGs were identified from the protein-protein interaction network, and Oncomine analysis of these core genes revealed that 13 were upregulated and two were downregulated in serous epithelial ovarian cancer. Survival analysis revealed that cyclin B1, polo like kinase 1, G protein subunit γ transducin 1 and G protein subunit γ 12 are key molecules that may be involved in the prognosis of serous epithelial ovarian cancer. These core genes may provide novel treatment targets, although their roles in the carcinogenesis and prognosis of serous epithelial ovarian cancer require further study.

Inhibition of AURKA Reduces Proliferation and Survival of Gastrointestinal Cancer Cells With Activated KRAS by Preventing Activation of RPS6KB1

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Activation of KRAS signaling and overexpression of the aurora kinase A (AURKA) are often detected in luminal gastrointestinal cancers. We investigated regulation of ribosomal protein S6 kinase B1 (RPS6KB1) by AURKA and the effects of alisertib, an AURKA inhibitor, in mice xenograft tumors grown from human gastrointestinal cancer cells with mutant, activated forms of KRAS.

METHODS

We tested the effects of alisertib or AURKA overexpression or knockdown in 10 upper gastrointestinal or colon cancer cell lines with KRAS mutations or amplifications using the CellTiter-Glo luminescence and clonogenic cell survival assays. We used the proximity ligation in situ assay to evaluate protein co-localization and immunoprecipitation to study protein interactions. Nude mice with xenograft tumors grown from HCT116, SNU-601, SW480, or SNU-1 cells were given oral alisertib (40 mg/kg, 5 times/wk) for 4 weeks. Tumor samples were collected and analyzed by immunoblots and immunohistochemistry. Tissue microarrays from 151 paraffin-embedded human colon tumors, with adjacent normal and adenoma tissues, were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for levels of AURKA.

RESULTS

Alisertib reduced proliferation and survival of the cell lines tested. AURKA knockdown or inhibition with alisertib reduced levels of phosphorylated RPS6KB1 (at T389) and increased levels of proteins that induce apoptosis, including BIM, cleaved PARP, and cleaved caspase 3. AURKA co-localized and interacted with RPS6KB1, mediating RPS6KB1 phosphorylation at T389. We detected AURKA-dependent phosphorylation of RPS6KB1 in cell lines with mutations in KRAS but not in cells with wild-type KRAS. Administration of alisertib to mice with xenograft tumors significantly reduced tumor volumes (P < .001). Alisertib reduced phosphorylation of RPS6KB1 and Ki-67 and increased levels of cleaved caspase 3 in tumor tissues. In analyses of tissue microarrays, we found significant overexpression of AURKA in gastrointestinal tumor tissues compared with non-tumor tissues (P = .0003).

CONCLUSION

In studies of gastrointestinal cancer cell lines with activated KRAS, we found AURKA to phosphorylate RPS6KB1, promoting cell proliferation and survival and growth of xenograft tumors in mice. Agents that inhibit AURKA might slow the growth of gastrointestinal tumors with activation of KRAS.

Simultaneous identification of clinically relevant single nucleotide variants, copy number alterations and gene fusions in solid tumors by targeted next-generation sequencing

In this study, we have set-up a routine pipeline to evaluate the clinical application of Oncomine™ Focus Assay, a panel that allows the simultaneous detection of single nucleotide hotspot mutations in 35 genes, copy number alterations (CNAs) in 19 genes and gene fusions involving 23 genes in cancer samples. For this study we retrospectively selected 106 patients that were submitted to surgical resection for lung, gastric, colon or rectal cancer.

We found that 56 patients out of 106 showed at least one alteration (53%), with 47 patients carrying at least one relevant nucleotide variant, 10 patients carrying at least one CNA and 3 patients carrying one gene fusion. On the basis of the mutational profiles obtained, we have identified 22 patients (20.7%) that were potentially eligible for targeted therapy.

The most frequently mutated genes across all tumor types included KRAS (30 patients), PIK3CA (16 patients), BRAF (6 patients), EGFR (5 patients), NRAS (4 patients) and ERBB2 (3 patients) whereas CCND1, ERBB2, EGFR and MYC were the genes most frequently subjected to copy number gain. Finally, gene fusions were identified only in lung cancer patients and involved MET [MET(13)–MET(15) fusion] and FGFR3 [FGFR3(chr 17)–TACC3(chr 11)].

In conclusion, we demonstrate that the analysis with a multi-biomarker panel of cancer patients after surgery, may present several potential advantages in clinical daily practice, including the simultaneous detection of different potentially druggable alterations, reasonable costs, short time of testing and automated interpretation of results.

Low expression of PTEN is essential for maintenance of a malignant state in human gastric adenocarcinoma via upregulation of p‑AURKA mediated by activation of AURKA

Gastric adenocarcinoma remains a life‑threatening disease, emphasizing the importance of gaining an improved understanding of signaling pathways involved in this disease, which can lead to the development of novel therapeutic methods targeting common molecular pathways shared across different types of gastric adenocarcinoma. The present study revealed phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) and aurora kinase A (AURKA) gene alterations, which were involved in changes in the phenotypes of gastric cancer cells, including increased proliferation by cell counting kit‑8 assay and invasion capacity by Transwell invasion assay, and predicted survival rates by KM Plotter database in gastric cancer. The present study investigated the association between PTEN and AURKA. Western blotting revealed that phosphorylated (p)-AURKA correlated with two target genes, PTEN and AURKA. The downregulation of PTEN by small interfering (si)RNA not only increased the expression of AURKA at the mRNA and protein levels by western blotting and by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR, but also increased the expression of p‑AURKA by western blotting and immunofluorescence analysis. In addition, western blotting and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR revealed that the downregulation of AURKA affected the expression level of PTEN. Furthermore, PTEN suppressed the malignant phenotypic changes of gastric adenocarcinoma cells by regulating the expression of AURKA inhibited by p‑AURKA, suggesting that p‑AURKA may be the key mediator of the PTEN‑associated activation of AURKA and may be key in maintaining the PTEN‑induced malignant state of gastric adenocarcinoma cells. This hypothesis was confirmed by western blotting, and changes were observed in the protein expression of p‑AURKA and AURKA under conditions in which cells were treated with either MLN8237 or si‑PTEN transfection only, or with si‑PTEN transfection and MLN8237. Knockdown of the expression of PTEN altered the expression of p‑AKT, p‑glycogen synthase kinase 3β and β‑catenin, which are genes that have been reported to be involved in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma. The present study confirmed that p‑AURKA is important in the development of gastric adenocarcinoma and revealed a novel functional link between PTEN, AURKA and p‑AURKA activation. The results also suggest a novel drug design strategy in targeting PTEN and AURKA for more specific gastric cancer cell death that spares normal cells.

Decreased Eph receptor‑A1 expression is related to grade in ovarian serous carcinoma

Eph receptor‑A1 (EphA1) was the first member of the erythropoietin producing hepatocellular carcinoma (Eph) family of receptor tyrosine kinases. Although the roles of EphA1 in the tumorigenesis of various human cancers have been investigated, few studies have focused on ovarian carcinoma. The present study aimed to explore the profile of EphA1 expression in ovarian carcinomas, to analyzed the association between EphA1 expression and clinicopathologic parameters, and to investigate the roles of overexpressed EphA1 in ovarian cancer cells. EphA1 protein was detected in ovarian cancer cell lines and in a set of formalin‑fixed tissues, including normal fallopian tube, ovarian benign serous cystadenoma, borderline serous tumors and serous carcinoma. Ovarian cancer cell lines HO8910 and A2780 were transiently transfected with EphA1‑pCMV6‑GFP plasmid, and the proliferation and apoptosis of cells were measured. The association between EphA1 expression and clinicopathological parameters was statistically analyzed. EphA1 expression was negative in HO8910 and weakly positive in A2780 cells. The proliferation rate was significantly reduced in ovarian cancer cells after transfection with EphA1 plasmid compared with cells transfected with mock plasmid or untreated cells, but no obvious alteration in apoptosis was detected among these groups. EphA1 expression was positively detected in all normal fallopian tubes (10/10, 100%) and ovarian benign serous cystadenomas (12/12, 100%) as well as in some borderline serous tumors (9/15, 60%) and ovarian serous carcinomas (33/76, 43.42%). EphA1 expression was associated with grade of ovarian serous carcinomas, with loss of EphA1 more often observed in high‑grade tumors (P=0.016) and high Ki67 index tumors (P=0.007). These data suggest that EphA1 might be a useful marker for distinguishing low grade from high‑grade ovarian serous carcinoma.

Aurora kinases: novel therapy targets in cancers

Aurora kinases, a family of serine/threonine kinases, consisting of Aurora A (AURKA), Aurora B (AURKB) and Aurora C (AURKC), are essential kinases for cell division via regulating mitosis especially the process of chromosomal segregation. Besides regulating mitosis, Aurora kinases have been implicated in regulating meiosis. The deletion of Aurora kinases could lead to failure of cell division and impair the embryonic development. Overexpression or gene amplification of Aurora kinases has been clarified in a number of cancers. And a growing number of studies have demonstrated that inhibition of Aurora kinases could potentiate the effect of chemotherapies. For the past decades, a series of Aurora kinases inhibitors (AKIs) developed effectively repress the progression and growth of many cancers both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that Aurora kinases could be a novel therapeutic target. In this review, we'll first briefly present the structure, localization and physiological functions of Aurora kinases in mitosis, then describe the oncogenic role of Aurora kinases in tumorigenesis, we shall finally discuss the outcomes of AKIs combination with conventional therapy.

A phase 1 study of AMG 900, an orally administered pan-aurora kinase inhibitor, in adult patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Aurora kinases are involved in the pathophysiology of several cancers including acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this phase 1 study, we investigated the safety and efficacy of AMG 900, an orally administered, highly potent, selective, small-molecule inhibitor of both Aurora kinase A and B, in patients with AML . Patients with pathologically documented AML who either declined standard treatments or had relapsed from or were refractory to previous therapies were enrolled. Two every-2-week dose-escalation schedules using a modified 3 + 3 + 3 design were evaluated AMG 900 given daily for 4 days with 10 days off (4/10 schedule), and AMG 900 given daily for 7 days with 7 days off (7/7 schedule). Thirty-five patients were enrolled at 9 different dose levels: 22 patients on the 4/10 schedule (doses from 15 to 100 mg daily), and 13 patients on the 7/7 schedule (doses from 30 to 50 mg daily). Both schedules were tolerated; nausea (31%), diarrhea (29%), febrile neutropenia (29%), and fatigue (23%) were the most common treatment-related adverse events. Three patients (9%) achieved complete response with incomplete count recovery. Patients with higher baseline expression of a set of specific pathway-related genes (BIRC5, AURKA, TTK, CDC2, and CCNB1) were more likely to respond in an exploratory biomarker analysis. AMG 900 was tolerated in a general AML population, and pathway-specific biomarkers identified a potential target population. Future research efforts will be directed toward further exploration of biomarkers of response and combination of AMG 900 with other anticancer agents.

Cisplatin-resistant cancer cells are sensitive to Aurora kinase A inhibition by alisertib

De novo and acquired resistance to platinum therapy such as cisplatin (CDDP) is a clinical challenge in gastric cancer treatment. Aberrant expression and activation of aurora kinase A (AURKA) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) are detected in several cancer types. Herein, we investigated the role of AURKA in CDDP resistance in gastric cancer. Western blot analysis demonstrated overexpression of AURKA and phosphorylation of eIF4E in acquired and de novo CDDP‐resistant gastric cancer models. Inhibition of AURKA with MLN8237 (alisertib) alone or in combination with CDDP significantly suppressed viability of CDDP‐resistant cancer cells (P < 0.01). Additionally, inhibition or knockdown of AURKA decreased protein expression of p‐eIF4E (S209), HDM2, and c‐MYC in CDDP‐resistant cell models. This was associated with a significant decrease in cap‐dependent translation levels (P < 0.01). In vivo tumor xenografts data corroborated these results and confirmed that inhibition of AURKA was sufficient to overcome CDDP resistance in gastric cancer. Our data demonstrate that AURKA promotes acquired and de novo resistance to CDDP through regulation of p‐eIF4E (S209), c‐MYC, HDM2, and cap‐dependent translation. Targeting AURKA could be an effective therapeutic approach to overcome CDDP resistance in refractory gastric cancer and possibly other cancer types.

Characterization of ovarian clear cell carcinoma using target drug-based molecular biomarkers: implications for personalized cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

It has long been appreciated that different subtypes (serous, clear cell, endometrioid and mucinous) of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) have distinct pathogenetic pathways. However, clinical management, especially chemotherapeutic regimens, for EOC patients is not subtype specific. Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (CCC) is a rare histological subtype of EOC, which exhibits high rates of recurrence and low chemosensitivity. We assessed potential therapeutic targets for ovarian CCC patients through analyzing the variation of drug-based molecular biomarkers expression between ovarian CCC and high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC).

METHODS

Seven candidate drug-based molecular biomarkers, human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2), phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN), aurora kinase A (AURKA), breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1), breast cancer susceptibility gene 2 (BRCA2) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were measured in 96 ovarian CCC and 113 HGSC by immunohistochemistry in paraffin embedded tissues. The relationship between these biomarkers and clinicopathological factors were explored.

RESULTS

The expression level of four of the seven drug-based molecular biomarkers was markedly different between HGSC and CCC. High expression levels of HER2 and PD-L1 were more commonly observed in CCC patients (12.6% vs 2.7%, 21.1% vs 11.6%, P = 0.006, 0.064, respectively), while loss of BRCA1 and BRCA2 expression were more frequently occurred in HGSC patients (72.6% vs 54.3%, 89.4% vs 79.8%, P = 0.007, 0.054, respectively). Survival analysis showed that five of seven biomarkers had prognostic values but varied between subtypes. Furthermore, EGFR expressed frequently in CCC patients with endometriosis than in HGSC patients (44.4% vs 8.3%, P = 0.049). AURKA and PD-L1 correlated with the resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy in CCC patients (P = 0.043, 0.028, respectively) while no similar results were observed in HGSC patients.

CONCLUSION

Ovarian CCC showed a markedly different expression map of drug-based molecular biomarkers from HGSC, which suggested a new personalized target therapy in this rare subtype.