FBXW7 attenuates tumor drug resistance and enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy

Characteristics of genomic alterations and heavy metals in hypertensive patients with non‑small cell lung cancer

Both lung cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are prevalent diseases that contribute to global mortality rates. Although individuals with CVD may face an elevated risk of cancer based on the presence of shared risk factors (such as tobacco smoking and excessive body weight), the roles of somatic mutations and heavy metal distributions remain unknown. The present study aimed to explore the differences in somatic mutations and heavy metal distributions between hypertensive patients and non-hypertensive patients in a cohort of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Tumor tissue samples from 64 patients were analyzed using a next-generation sequencing panel consisting of 82 tumor-related genes through hybrid capture. Serum samples were also analyzed to determine the levels of 18 heavy metals using inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Among the 16 hypertensive patients, all patients (16/16; 100.00%) harbored 47 somatic mutations in 14 mutant genes, whereas 45 patients without hypertension (45/48; 93.75%) harbored 113 somatic mutations across 26 mutant genes (no mutations were detected in the remaining 3 patients). Among the 32 identified mutant genes in these two groups, FBXW7, CBR3, CDKN2A, HRAS, SMO and UGT1A1 were exclusively observed in patients with hypertension, while 18 mutant genes were only observed in patients without hypertension. No significant mutually exclusive interactions were found in hypertensive patients, but mutually exclusive interactions were observed between EGFR and STK11 (P=0.0240) and between STK11 and KRAS (P=0.0169) in non-hypertensive patients. 'Non-small cell lung cancer' was the top Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway in hypertensive patients, whereas 'central carbon metabolism in cancer' was the top pathway in patients without hypertension. Moreover, the proportions of altered key signaling pathways and biological function categories shared between these two groups were 54.37% (56/103) and 21.62% (8/37), respectively. Furthermore, the levels of chromium (Cr) in the serum of hypertensive patients were notably elevated compared with those in patients without hypertension. In addition, significant negative correlations were observed between Cr and CEA, between CYFRA21-1 and Zn, and between NSE and As in hypertensive patients but not in non-hypertensive patients, indicating differing interactive profiles among the traditional serum biomarkers and heavy metals between these two patient groups. In summary, there were differences in genomic alterations, somatic interactions and the serum levels of Cr between patients with NSCLC with hypertension and patients with NSCLC without hypertension. Furthermore, patients with hypertension exhibited significant negative correlations between Cr and CEA, between CYFRA21-1 and Zn, and between NSE and As, suggesting that heavy metals may contribute to the occurrence of NSCLC with different hypertensive status.

Comprehensive genomic analysis in sporadic early-onset colorectal adenocarcinoma patients

BACKGROUND

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in young adults has increased worldwide. Our study aimed to evaluate genomic alterations in early-onset (aged 15-39 years) sporadic CRC.

METHODS

Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 90 patients with histologically confirmed colorectal adenocarcinoma with proficient mismatch repair status from Siriraj Hospital (Bangkok, Thailand) were extracted. Patients with clinically suspected familial adenomatous polyposis were excluded. A 517-gene mutational analysis was performed by next-generation sequencing using the Oncomine Comprehensive Assay Plus kit. The previously reported molecular data in adult-onset CRC from our group were used as a comparator group.

RESULTS

The five most frequently mutated genes were APC (66%), TP53 (51%), KRAS (47%), ARID1A (31%), and KMT2B (31%). When compare with adult-onset, NOTCH1 (11.1% vs. 1.9%), FBXW7 (23.3% vs. 14.8%), PIK3CA (20% vs. 12.1%), and FGFR3 (8.9% vs. 3.7%) mutations were more prevalent in early-onset. No differences were observed in other common mutations, such as TP53, EGFR, KRAS, NRAS and BRAF mutations. An increased prevalence in KRAS codon 12 mutations was also observed in early-onset patients compared to the adult-onset group (38.9% vs. 29.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the genomic landscape between early- and adult-onset CRC appears similar. However, our study revealed the enrichment of NOTCH1, FBXW7, PIK3CA, and FGFR3 along with KRAS G12 mutations, were more frequent in early-onset compared to adult-onset cases. Further studies with a larger cohort of patients on the comprehensive analysis of genetic/epigenetic signatures are required.

Case report: Immunotherapy guided by molecular profiling of tumors: illustrative cases and literature review

Predictive biomarkers are necessary for the identification of immunotherapy-responsive patients. Tumor mutation burden (TMB), as determined by next-generation sequencing (NGS), and PD-L1 expression, as evaluated by Immunohistochemistry (IHC), are the biomarkers most frequently employed in clinical practice. In addition, microsatellite instability (MSI) was the first biomarker to demonstrate immunotherapy efficacy irrespective of the type of tumor and possesses a high predictive value. However, its limited use across most tumor types limits its therapeutic potential. This report describes two cancer patients with positive TMB and PD-L1 expression. The molecular profile of the tumor indicated that the first patient was responsive to Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), while the second patient was resistant. These case studies demonstrate that tumor molecular analysis in combination with immunotherapy predictive biomarkers, such as PD-L1 expression and TMB, can enhance the prediction of response to ICI for specific patients. This methodology enables an individualized and improved approach to the treatment and management of the disease.

MYCN in human development and diseases

Somatic mutations in MYCN have been identified across various tumors, playing pivotal roles in tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and unfavorable prognoses. Despite its established notoriety as an oncogenic driver, there is a growing interest in exploring the involvement of MYCN in human development. While MYCN variants have traditionally been associated with Feingold syndrome type 1, recent discoveries highlight gain-of-function variants, specifically p.(Thr58Met) and p.(Pro60Leu), as the cause for megalencephaly-polydactyly syndrome. The elucidation of cellular and murine analytical data from both loss-of-function (Feingold syndrome model) and gain-of-function models (megalencephaly-polydactyly syndrome model) is significantly contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the physiological role of MYCN in human development and pathogenesis. This review discusses the MYCN's functional implications for human development by reviewing the clinical characteristics of these distinct syndromes, Feingold syndrome, and megalencephaly-polydactyly syndrome, providing valuable insights into the understanding of pathophysiological backgrounds of other syndromes associated with the MYCN pathway and the overall comprehension of MYCN's role in human development.

5-Aza-2'-Deoxycytidine Alters the Methylation Profile of Bortezomib-Resistant U266 Multiple Myeloma Cells and Affects Their Proliferative Potential

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy that accounts for 1% of all cancers and is the second-most-common hematological neoplasm. Bortezomib (BTZ) is a proteasome inhibitor widely implemented in the treatment of MM alone or in combination with other agents. The development of resistance to chemotherapy is one of the greatest challenges of modern oncology. Therefore, it is crucial to discover and implement new adjuvant therapies that can bypass therapeutic resistance. In this paper, we investigated the in vitro effect of methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine on the proliferative potential of MM cells and the development of resistance to BTZ. We demonstrate that alterations in the DNA methylation profile are associated with BTZ resistance. Moreover, the addition of methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine to BTZ-resistant MM cells led to a reduction in the proliferation of the BTZ-resistant phenotype, resulting in the restoration of sensitivity to BTZ. However, further in vitro and ex vivo studies are required before adjuvant therapy can be incorporated into existing treatment regimens.

FBXW7 and human tumors: mechanisms of drug resistance and potential therapeutic strategies

Drug therapy, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and endocrine therapy, stands as the foremost therapeutic approach for contemporary human malignancies. However, increasing drug resistance during antineoplastic therapy has become a substantial barrier to favorable outcomes in cancer patients. To enhance the effectiveness of different cancer therapies, an in-depth understanding of the unique mechanisms underlying tumor drug resistance and the subsequent surmounting of antitumor drug resistance is required. Recently, F-box and WD Repeat Domain-containing-7 (FBXW7), a recognized tumor suppressor, has been found to be highly associated with tumor therapy resistance. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the underlying mechanisms through which FBXW7 facilitates the development of drug resistance in cancer. Additionally, this review elucidates the role of FBXW7 in therapeutic resistance of various types of human tumors. The strategies and challenges implicated in overcoming tumor therapy resistance by targeting FBXW7 are also discussed.