Prognostic Value of NME1 (NM23-H1) in Patients with Digestive System Neoplasms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Construction and analysis of protein-protein interaction network for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Clinical findings reveal that the five-year survival rate for mid-to late-stage ESCC patients is merely around 20 %, whereas those diagnosed at an early stage can achieve up to a 95 % survival rate. Consequently, early detection is paramount to improving ESCC patient survival. Protein markers are essential for diagnosing diseases, and the identification of new candidate proteins associated with ESCC through the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network is aimed for in this paper. The PPI network related to ESCC was constructed using protein data, comprising 2094 nodes and 19,660 edges. To assess the nodes' importance in the network, three metrics-degree centrality, betweenness centrality, and closeness centrality-were employed, leading to the identification of 81 key proteins. Subsequently, the biological significance of these proteins in the network was explored, combining biomedical knowledge from three perspectives: network, node, and cluster. The results demonstrated that 52 out of 81 key proteins were confirmed to be linked to ESCC. Among the remaining 29 unreported proteins, 18 displayed significant biological significance, indicating their potential as protein markers related to ESCC.

NME1 and DCC variants are associated with susceptibility and tumor characteristics in Mexican patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third in cancer incidence globally and is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. The nucleoside diphosphate kinase 1 (NME1) and netrin 1 receptor (DCC) genes have been associated with resistance against tumorigenesis and tumor metastasis. This study investigates the potential association between NME1 (rs34214448 G > T and rs2302254 C > T) and DCC (rs2229080 G > C and rs714 A > G) variants and susceptibility to colorectal cancer development.

METHODS

Samples from 232 colorectal cancer patients and 232 healthy blood donors underwent analysis. Variants were identified using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methodology. Associations were assessed using odds ratios (OR), and the p values were adjusted with Bonferroni test.

RESULTS

Individuals carrying the G/T and T/T genotypes for the NME1 rs34214448 variant exhibited a higher susceptibility for develop colorectal cancer (OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.76-4.09, P = 0.001 and OR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.37-4.47, P = 0.001, respectively). These genotypes showed significant associations in patients over 50 years (OR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.81-4.54, P = 0.001 and OR = 2.99, 95% CI: 1.54-5.79, P = 0.001 respectively) and with early Tumor-Nodule-Metastasis (TNM) stage (P = 0.001), and tumor location in the rectum (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the DCC rs2229080 variant revealed that carriers of the G/C genotype had an increased risk for develop colorectal cancer (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.28-3.11, P = 0.002) and were associated with age over 50 years, sex, and advanced TNM stages (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that the NME1 rs34214448 and DCC rs2229080 variants play a significant role in colorectal cancer development.

Immune classification and identification of prognostic genes for uveal melanoma based on six immune cell signatures

Cutaneous melanoma could be treated by immunotherapy, which only has limited efficacy on uveal melanoma (UM). UM immunotyping for predicting immunotherapeutic responses and guiding immunotherapy should be better understood. This study identified molecular subtypes and key genetic markers associated with immunotherapy through immunosignature analysis. We screened a 6-immune cell signature simultaneously correlated with UM prognosis. Three immune subtypes (IS) were determined based on the 6-immune cell signature. Overall survival (OS) of IS3 was the longest. Significant differences of linear discriminant analysis (LDA) score were detected among the three IS types. IS3 with the highest LDA score showed a low immunosuppression. IS1 with the lowest LDA score was more immunosuppressive. LDA score was significantly negatively correlated with most immune checkpoint-related genes, and could reflect UM patients’ response to anti-PD1 immunotherapy. Weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) identified that salmon, purple, yellow modules were related to IS and screened 6 prognostic genes. Patients with high-expressed NME1 and TMEM255A developed poor prognosis, while those with high-expressed BEX5 and ROPN1 had better prognosis. There was no notable difference in OS between patients with high-expressed LRRN1 and ST13 and those with low-expressed LRRN1 and ST13. NME1, TMEM255A, Bex5 and ROPN1 showed potential prognostic significance in UM.

Construction prognosis model based on autophagy-related gene signatures in hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim: To develop robust and accurate prognostic biomarkers to help clinicians optimize therapeutic strategies. Materials & methods: Differentially prognosis-related autophagy genes were identified by bioinformatics analysis method. Results: Seven prognosis-related autophagy genes were more significantly related to the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that these genes were mainly enriched in the autophagy pathway. BIRC5, HSPB8 and TMEM74 exhibited significant prognostic value for HCC. Besides, the risk score and BIRC5 have significant significance with clinicopathological significance of HCC. Conclusion: The research has identified a number of prognosis-related autophagy genes that associated with the survival and clinical stage of HCC. In addition, the prognostic model can be used to calculate the patient's risk score and these prognosis-related autophagy genes might serve as therapeutic targets.

Widely targeted metabolomic analyses unveil the metabolic variations after stable knock-down of NME4 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells

NME4, also designated nm23-H4 or NDPK-D, has been known for years for its well-established roles in the synthesis of nucleoside triphosphates, though; little has been known regarding the differential metabolites involved as well as the biological roles NME4 plays in proliferation and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells. To understand the biological roles of NME4 in ESCC cells, lentiviral-based short hairpin RNA interference (shRNA) vectors were constructed and used to stably knock down NME4. Then, the proliferative and invasive variations were assessed using MTT, Colony formation and Transwell assays. To understand the metabolites involved after silencing of NME4 in ESCC cells, widely targeted metabolomic screening was taken. It was discovered that silencing of NME4 can profoundly suppress the proliferation and invasion in ESCC cells in vitro. Metabolically, a total of 11 differential metabolites were screened. KEGG analyses revealed that Tryptophan, Riboflavin, Purine, Nicotinate, lysine degradation, and Linoleic acid metabolism were also involved in addition to the well-established nucleotides metabolism. Some of these differential metabolites, say, 2-Picolinic Acid, Nicotinic Acid and Pipecolinic Acid were suggested to be associated with tumor immunomodulation. The data we described here support the idea that metabolisms occurred in mitochondrial was closely related to tumor immunity.

SPARC-p53: The double agents of cancer

Cancer is a complex disease with high incidence and mortality rates. The important role played by the tumor microenvironment in regulating oncogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis is by now well accepted in the scientific community. SPARC is known to participate in tumor-stromal interactions and impact cancer growth in ambiguous ways, which either enhance or suppress cancer aggressiveness, in a context-dependent manner. p53 transcription factor, a well-established tumor suppressor, has been reported to promote tumor growth in certain situations, such as hypoxia, thus displaying a duality in its action. Although both proteins are being tested in clinical trials, the synergistic relation between them is yet to be explored in clinical practice. In this review, we address the controversial roles of SPARC and p53 as double agents in cancer, briefly summarizing the interaction found between these two molecules and its importance in cancer.

Patients with Cholangiocarcinoma Present Specific RNA Profiles in Serum and Urine Extracellular Vesicles Mirroring the Tumor Expression: Novel Liquid Biopsy Biomarkers for Disease Diagnosis

: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) comprises a group of heterogeneous biliary cancers with dismal prognosis. The etiologies of most CCAs are unknown, but primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a risk factor. Non-invasive diagnosis of CCA is challenging and accurate biomarkers are lacking. We aimed to characterize the transcriptomic profile of serum and urine extracellular vesicles (EVs) from patients with CCA, PSC, ulcerative colitis (UC), and healthy individuals. Serum and urine EVs were isolated by serial ultracentrifugations and characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and immunoblotting. EVs transcriptome was determined by Illumina gene expression array [messenger RNAs (mRNA) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)]. Differential RNA profiles were found in serum and urine EVs from patients with CCA compared to control groups (disease and healthy), showing high diagnostic capacity. The comparison of the mRNA profiles of serum or urine EVs from patients with CCA with the transcriptome of tumor tissues from two cohorts of patients, CCA cells in vitro, and CCA cells-derived EVs, identified 105 and 39 commonly-altered transcripts, respectively. Gene ontology analysis indicated that most commonly-altered mRNAs participate in carcinogenic steps. Overall, patients with CCA present specific RNA profiles in EVs mirroring the tumor, and constituting novel promising liquid biopsy biomarkers.

Proton therapy delivery: what is needed in the next ten years?

Proton radiation therapy has been used clinically since 1952, and major advancements in the last 10 years have helped establish protons as a major clinical modality in the cancer-fighting arsenal. Technologies will always evolve, but enough major breakthroughs have been accomplished over the past 10 years to allow for a major revolution in proton therapy. This paper summarizes the major technology advancements with respect to beam delivery that are now ready for mass implementation in the proton therapy space and encourages vendors to bring these to market to benefit the cancer population worldwide. We state why these technologies are essential and ready for implementation, and we discuss how future systems should be designed to accommodate their required features.

Prognostic Biomarkers for Gastric Cancer: An Umbrella Review of the Evidence

Introduction: Biomarkers are biological molecules entirely or partially participating in cancerous processes that function as measurable indicators of abnormal changes in the human body microenvironment. Aiming to provide an overview of associations between prognostic biomarkers and gastric cancer (GC), we performed this umbrella review analyzing currently available meta-analyses and grading the evidence depending on the credibility of their associations. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted by two independent investigators of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Databases to identify meta-analyses investigating associations between prognostic biomarkers and GC. The strength of evidence for prognostic biomarkers for GC were categorized into four grades: strong, highly suggestive, suggestive, and weak. Results: Among 120 associations between prognostic biomarkers and GC survival outcomes, only one association, namely the association between platelet count and GC OS, was supported by strong evidence. Associations between FITC, CEA, NLR, foxp3+ Treg lymphocytes (both 1- and 3-year OS), CA 19-9, or VEGF and GC OS were supported by highly suggestive evidence. Four associations were considered suggestive and the remaining 108 associations were supported by weak or not suggestive evidence. Discussion: The association between platelet count and GC OS was supported by strong evidence. Associations between FITC, CEA, NLR, foxp3+ Treg lymphocytes (both 1- and 3-year OS), CA 19-9, or VEGF and GC OS were supported by highly suggestive evidence, however, the results should be interpreted cautiously due to inadequate methodological quality as deemed by AMSTAR 2.0.

YAP1-mediated pancreatic stellate cell activation inhibits pancreatic cancer cell proliferation

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are activated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and are responsible for dense desmoplastic stroma. Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) can induce cancer-associated fibroblast activation in liver and breast tumors, but its effect on PSCs is unknown. In the present study, we determined that YAP1 was highly expressed in the nuclei of PDAC-derived activated PSCs. RNAi-mediated or pharmacological inhibition of YAP1 led to PSC deactivation. In addition, YAP1 stimulated the expression of secreted protein acidic and cysteine rich (SPARC) in PSCs, which was inhibited by RUNX1. SPARC secreted from PSCs inhibited pancreatic cancer cell (PCC) proliferation. High expression of nuclear YAP1 in tumor stroma was significantly correlated with SPARC expression and fibrosis degree in human PDAC tissues. Our study revealed a critical role for YAP1 in the regulation of PSC activation and paracrine signaling. Our findings provide insights into a novel rationale for targeting YAP1 to reprogram the PDAC microenvironment.

Role of PARK7 and NDKA in stroke management: a review of PARK7 and NDKA as stroke biomarkers

AIM

Biomarkers are molecules measured in plasma, serum or other body fluids to characterize a disease. PARK7 and NDKA roles in the management of stroke are still on study. Therefore, their potentials need to be developed in totality. The aim of this review is to demonstrate that PARK7 and NDKA could present more clinical important information as biomarkers for management of stroke disease. Main contents: Four main aspects of PARK7 and NDKA are exploited in this review. First, their diagnostic value is discussed in order to demonstrate their possible role as stroke diagnosis markers. Second, this article will exploit the correlation of both markers with time, by showing their dynamic changes in serum and plasma. Third, it describes the observed relationship of their levels with NIH Stroke Scale. The last aspect visits the possibility of their implementation in stroke therapy.

CONCLUSION

This article explores recent findings and proposes the potential roles that PARK7 and NDKA play in the management of acute stroke disease.

Matricellular proteins and survival in patients with pancreatic cancer: A systematic review

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a fundamental role in tissue architecture and homeostasis and modulates cell functions through a complex interaction between cell surface receptors, hormones, several bioeffector molecules, and structural proteins like collagen. These components are secreted into ECM and all together contribute to regulate several cellular activities including differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, and migration. The so-called "matricellular" proteins (MPs) have recently emerged as important regulators of ECM functions. The aim of our review is to consider all different types of MPs family assessing the potential relationship between MPs and survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). A systematic computer-based search of published articles, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Statement issued in 2009 was conducted through Ovid interface, and literature review was performed in May 2017. The search text words were identified by means of controlled vocabulary, such as the National Library of Medicine's MESH (Medical Subject Headings) and Keywords. Collected data showed an important role of MPs in carcinogenesis and in PDAC prognosis even though the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown and data are not univocal. Therefore, a better understanding of MPs role in regulation of ECM homeostasis and remodeling of specific organ niches may suggest potential novel extracellular targets for the development of efficacious therapeutic strategies.