Pathological Significance and Prognostic Roles of Thrombospondin-3, 4 and 5 in Bladder Cancer

Effect of GLIS1 on the Lymph Node Metastasis of Cervical Squamous Carcinoma Based on Transcriptome Analysis

Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among female reproductive malignancies, and lymph node metastasis (LNM) represents the major reason for its poor prognosis. In this study, we aimed to identify transcriptome differences in patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who developed LNM or not and to outline the function of GLIS1 in determining metastatic fate in CSCC. In The Cancer Genome Atlas-endocervical adenocarcinoma project, patients with LNM had shorter overall survival than those without. Transcriptome data from CSCC patients with and without LNM were analyzed to screen for differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs were enriched in metastasis-related pathways, such as extracellular matrix organization, cell-cell adhesion, and regulation of tissue remodeling. GLIS1 was overexpressed in tumor tissues of patients with LNM. COMP and ITGA11 were screened as downstream targets of GLIS1. GLIS1 promoted their transcription by binding to the promoter regions of COMP and ITGA11. GLIS1 enhanced the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in CSCC cells, while the knockdown of COMP or ITGA11 reversed the promotion of GLIS1 on CSCC cell malignant phenotype. Together, our results demonstrate that GLIS1 might be related to the LNM of CSCC patients via COMP and ITGA11.

Stromal cartilage oligomeric matrix protein as a tumorigenic driver in ovarian cancer via Notch3 signaling and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

BACKGROUND

Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, is vital in preserving cartilage integrity. Further, its overexpression is associated with the aggressiveness of several types of solid cancers. This study investigated COMP's role in ovarian cancer, exploring clinicopathological links and mechanistic insights.

METHODS

To study the association of COMP expression in cancer cells and stroma with clinicopathological features of ovarian tumor patients, we analyzed an epithelial ovarian tumor cohort by immunohistochemical analysis. Subsequently, to study the functional mechanisms played by COMP, an in vivo xenograft mouse model and several molecular biology techniques such as transwell migration and invasion assay, tumorsphere formation assay, proximity ligation assay, and RT-qPCR array were performed.

RESULTS

Based on immunohistochemical analysis of epithelial ovarian tumor tissues, COMP expression in the stroma, but not in cancer cells, was linked to worse overall survival (OS) of ovarian cancer patients. A xenograft mouse model showed that carcinoma-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) expressing COMP stimulate the growth and metastasis of ovarian tumors through the secretion of COMP. The expression of COMP was upregulated in CAFs stimulated with TGF-β. Functionally, secreted COMP by CAFs enhanced the migratory capacity of ovarian cancer cells. Mechanistically, COMP activated the Notch3 receptor by enhancing the Notch3-Jagged1 interaction. The dependency of the COMP effect on Notch was confirmed when the migration and tumorsphere formation of COMP-treated ovarian cancer cells were inhibited upon incubation with Notch inhibitors. Moreover, COMP treatment induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and upregulation of active β-catenin in ovarian cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that COMP secretion by CAFs drives ovarian cancer progression through the induction of the Notch pathway and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Thrombospondins in the tumor microenvironment

Many cancers begin with the formation of a small nest of transformed cells that can remain dormant for years. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) initially promotes dormancy by suppressing angiogenesis, a key early step in tumor progression. Over time, increases in drivers of angiogenesis predominate, and vascular cells, immune cells, and fibroblasts are recruited to the tumor mass forming a complex tissue, designated the tumor microenvironment. Numerous factors, including growth factors, chemokine/cytokine, and extracellular matrix, participate in the desmoplastic response that in many ways mimics wound healing. Vascular and lymphatic endothelial cells, and cancer-associated pericytes, fibroblasts, macrophages and immune cells are recruited to the tumor microenvironment, where multiple members of the TSP gene family promote their proliferation, migration and invasion. The TSPs also affect the immune signature of tumor tissue and the phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages. Consistent with these observations, expression of some TSPs has been established to correlate with poor outcomes in specific types of cancer.

Current look at the most promising proteomic and glycomic biomarkers of bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer (BC) belongs to the most frequent cancer types. The diagnostic process is still long and costly, with a high percentage of false-positive or -negative results. Due to the cost and lack of effectiveness, older methods need to be supplemented or replaced by a newer more reliable method. In this regard, proteins and glycoproteins pose high potential.

METHODS

We performed an online search in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to find relevant studies published in English up until May 2023. If applicable, we set the AUC threshold to 0.90 and sensitivity/specificity (SN/SP) to 90%.

FINDINGS

Protein and glycoprotein biomarkers are a demonstrably viable option in BC diagnostics. Cholinesterase shows promise in progression-free survival. BLCA-4, ORM-1 along with HTRA1 in the detection of BC. Matrix metallopeptidase 9 exhibits potential for stratification of muscle-invasive subtypes with high negative predictive value for aggressive phenotypes. Distinguishing non-muscle invasive subtypes benefits from Keratin 17. Neu5Gc-modified UMOD glycoproteins pose potential in BC diagnosis, while fibronectin, laminin-5, collagen type IV, and lamprey immunity protein in early detection of BC.

Unusual Suspects: Bone and Cartilage ECM Proteins as Carcinoma Facilitators

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the complex three-dimensional network of fibrous proteins and proteoglycans that constitutes an essential part of every tissue to provide support for normal tissue homeostasis. Tissue specificity of the ECM in its topology and structure supports unique biochemical and mechanical properties of each organ. Cancers, like normal tissues, require the ECM to maintain multiple processes governing tumor development, progression and spread. A large body of experimental and clinical evidence has now accumulated to demonstrate essential roles of numerous ECM components in all cancer types. Latest findings also suggest that multiple tumor types express, and use to their advantage, atypical ECM components that are not found in the cancer tissue of origin. However, the understanding of cancer-specific expression patterns of these ECM proteins and their exact roles in selected tumor types is still sketchy. In this review, we summarize the latest data on the aberrant expression of bone and cartilage ECM proteins in epithelial cancers and their specific functions in the pathogenesis of carcinomas and discuss future directions in exploring the utility of this selective group of ECM components as future drug targets.