Sensitivity of human granulosa cell tumor cells to epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition

Advanced Granulosa Cell Tumors of the Ovary: A Review with a Focus on Current and Novel Therapeutic Approaches

Granulosa cell tumor (GCT) is the most common nonepithelial ovarian malignancy. Still, it is considered rare, with a paucity of high-level evidence guiding management, particularly in the metastatic setting. Advancements in molecular pathology allowed the identification of several targetable mutations that play an important role in GCT pathogenesis. Although current management approaches rely on guidelines extrapolated from the more common epithelial subtype, the unique histopathologic and molecular characteristics of GCTs entail a more focused approach. Systemic therapy remains the cornerstone treatment for advanced disease, and although chemotherapy has been the standard for decades, targeted treatments have gained considerable attention lately. Due to the rarity of this disease, validation of new therapies in large trials is the rate-limiting step for developing evidence-based recommendations. This review sheds light on pathogenesis, clinical and molecular characteristics, and prognostic factors, and discusses current treatment options including the role of novel therapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors in advanced GCT.

Obovatol inhibits the growth and aggressiveness of tongue squamous cell carcinoma through regulation of the EGF‑mediated JAK‑STAT signaling pathway

Migration and invasion are the most important characteristics of human malignancies which limit cancer drug therapies in the clinic. Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is one of the rarest types of cancer, although it is characterized by a higher incidence, rapid growth and greater potential for metastasis compared with other oral neoplasms worldwide. Studies have demonstrated that the phenolic compound obovatol exhibits anti‑tumor effects. However, the potential mechanisms underlying obovatol‑mediated signaling pathways have not been completely elucidated in TSCC. The present study investigated the anti‑tumor effects and potential molecular mechanisms mediated by obovatol in TSCC cells and tissues. The results of the present study demonstrated that obovatol exerted cytotoxicity in SCC9 TSCC cells, and inhibited their migration and invasion. In addition, obovatol induced apoptosis in SCC9 TSCC cells by increasing caspase 9/3 and apoptotic protease enhancing factor 1 expression levels. Western blot analysis demonstrated that obovatol inhibited the expression of pro‑epidermal growth factor (EGF), Janus kinase (JAK), and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) in SCC9 TSCC cells. A study of the molecular mechanisms demonstrated that depletion of EGF reversed the obovatol‑mediated inhibition of SCC9 TSCC cell growth and aggressiveness. Animal experiments indicated that obovatol significantly inhibited TSCC tumor growth and increased the number of apoptotic cells in tumor tissues. In conclusion, the results of the present study provided scientific evidence that obovatol inhibited TSCC cell growth and aggressiveness through the EGF‑mediated JAK‑STAT signaling pathway, suggesting that obovatol may be a potential anti‑TSCC agent.

FOXO1/3 and PTEN Depletion in Granulosa Cells Promotes Ovarian Granulosa Cell Tumor Development

The forkhead box (FOX), FOXO1 and FOXO3, transcription factors regulate multiple functions in mammalian cells. Selective inactivation of the Foxo1 and Foxo3 genes in murine ovarian granulosa cells severely impairs follicular development and apoptosis causing infertility, and as shown here, granulosa cell tumor (GCT) formation. Coordinate depletion of the tumor suppressor Pten gene in the Foxo1/3 strain enhanced the penetrance and onset of GCT formation. Immunostaining and Western blot analyses confirmed FOXO1 and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) depletion, maintenance of globin transcription factor (GATA) 4 and nuclear localization of FOXL2 and phosphorylated small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 2/3 in the tumor cells, recapitulating results we observed in human adult GCTs. Microarray and quantitative PCR analyses of mouse GCTs further confirmed expression of specific genes (Foxl2, Gata4, and Wnt4) controlling granulosa cell fate specification and proliferation, whereas others (Emx2, Nr0b1, Rspo1, and Wt1) were suppressed. Key genes (Amh, Bmp2, and Fshr) controlling follicle growth, apoptosis, and differentiation were also suppressed. Inhbb and Grem1 were selectively elevated, whereas reduction of Inha provided additional evidence that activin signaling and small mothers against decapentaplegic (SMAD) 2/3 phosphorylation impact GCT formation. Unexpectedly, markers of Sertoli/epithelial cells (SRY [sex determining region Y]-box 9/keratin 8) and alternatively activated macrophages (chitinase 3-like 3) were elevated in discrete subpopulations within the mouse GCTs, indicating that Foxo1/3/Pten depletion not only leads to GCTs but also to altered granulosa cell fate decisions and immune responses. Thus, analyses of the Foxo1/3/Pten mouse GCTs and human adult GCTs provide strong evidence that impaired functions of the FOXO1/3/PTEN pathways lead to dramatic changes in the molecular program within granulosa cells, chronic activin signaling in the presence of FOXL2 and GATA4, and tumor formation.