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Streeter SS, Xu X, Hebert KA, Werth PM, Hoopes PJ, Jarvis LA, Pogue BW, Paulsen KD, Samkoe KS, Henderson ER. Neoadjuvant Therapies Do Not Reduce Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Expression or EGFR-Targeted Fluorescence in a Murine Model of Soft-Tissue Sarcomas. Mol Imaging Biol 2024; 26:272-283. [PMID: 38151580 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-023-01884-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE ABY-029, an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted, synthetic Affibody peptide labeled with a near-infrared fluorophore, is under investigation for fluorescence-guided surgery of sarcomas. To date, studies using ABY-029 have occurred in tumors naïve to chemotherapy (CTx) and radiation therapy (RTx), although these neoadjuvant therapies are frequently used for sarcoma treatment in humans. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of CTx and RTx on tumor EGFR expression and ABY-029 fluorescence of human soft-tissue sarcoma xenografts in a murine model. PROCEDURES Immunodeficient mice (n = 98) were divided into five sarcoma xenograft groups and three treatment groups - CTx only, RTx only, and CTx followed by RTx, plus controls. Four hours post-injection of ABY-029, animals were sacrificed followed by immediate fluorescence imaging of ex vivo adipose, muscle, nerve, and tumor tissues. Histological hematoxylin and eosin staining confirmed tumor type, and immunohistochemistry staining determined EGFR, cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), and smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression levels. Correlation analysis (Pearson's correlation coefficients, r) and linear regression (unstandardized coefficient estimates, B) were used to determine statistical relationships in molecular expression and tissue fluorescence between xenografts and treatment groups. RESULTS Neoadjuvant therapies had no broad impact on EGFR expression (|B|≤ 7.0, p ≥ 0.4) or on mean tissue fluorescence (any tissue type, (|B|≤ 2329.0, p ≥ 0.1). Mean tumor fluorescence was significantly related to EGFR expression (r = 0.26, p = 0.01), as expected. CONCLUSION Results suggest that ABY-029 as an EGFR-targeted, fluorescent probe is not negatively impacted by neoadjuvant soft-tissue sarcoma therapies, although validation in humans is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Streeter
- Department of Orthopaedics, Dartmouth Health, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA.
| | - Xiaochun Xu
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Kendra A Hebert
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Paul M Werth
- Department of Orthopaedics, Dartmouth Health, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
- Department of Orthopaedics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - P Jack Hoopes
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Department of Surgery, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
| | - Lesley A Jarvis
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
- Department of Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
| | - Brian W Pogue
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Keith D Paulsen
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Department of Surgery, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
| | - Kimberley S Samkoe
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Department of Surgery, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
| | - Eric R Henderson
- Department of Orthopaedics, Dartmouth Health, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
- Department of Orthopaedics, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Dartmouth Cancer Center, Dartmouth Health, Lebanon, NH, 03756, USA
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2
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High Prevalence of 5T4/Trophoblast Glycoprotein in Soft Tissue Sarcomas. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13194841. [PMID: 34638324 PMCID: PMC8508483 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13194841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The expression of 5T4/trophoblast glycoprotein was evaluated in several histological subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) to determine whether the prevalence and level of expression of this membrane-associated glycoprotein is sufficient for use in targeted therapies. Tumor tissue microarrays containing cores from different histological subtypes of STS were stained using a standardized immunohistochemical staining method to detect 5T4; the level of staining was assessed using a semi-quantitative scoring method. No 5T4 staining was seen in the angiosarcomas and liposarcomas investigated in this study. 5T4 staining in the other STS subtypes was seen in more than 50% of cases, warranting further investigation into whether this antigen could evoke an anti-tumor immune response or can be used as target for the delivery of more potent toxins through antibody drug conjugates.
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Hsu HL, Chen HK, Tsai CH, Liao PL, Chan YJ, Lee YC, Lee CC, Li CH. Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Defect Attenuates Mitogen-Activated Signaling through Leucine-Rich Repeats and Immunoglobulin-like Domains 1 (LRIG1)-Dependent EGFR Degradation. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9988. [PMID: 34576152 PMCID: PMC8464816 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) genomic pathway has been well-characterized in a number of respiratory diseases. In addition, the cytoplasmic AHR protein may act as an adaptor of E3 ubiquitin ligase. In this study, the physiological functions of AHR that regulate cell proliferation were explored using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. The doubling-time of the AHR-KO clones of A549 and BEAS-2B was observed to be prolonged. The attenuation of proliferation potential was strongly associated with either the induction of p27Kip1 or the impairment in mitogenic signal transduction driven by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and EGF receptor (EGFR). We found that the leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains 1 (LRIG1), a repressor of EGFR, was induced in the absence of AHR in vitro and in vivo. The LRIG1 tends to degrade via a proteasome dependent manner by interacting with AHR in wild-type cells. Either LRIG1 or a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17) were accumulated in AHR-defective cells, consequently accelerating the degradation of EGFR, and attenuating the response to mitogenic stimulation. We also affirmed low AHR but high LRIG1 levels in lung tissues of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. This might partially elucidate the sluggish tissue repairment and developing inflammation in COPD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Lin Hsu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan;
- Pulmonary Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 116, Taiwan
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Hong-Kai Chen
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Chi-Hao Tsai
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, USA;
| | - Po-Lin Liao
- Institute of Food Safety and Health Risk Assessment, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
| | - Yen-Ju Chan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Cheng Lee
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
| | - Chen-Chen Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, China Medicine University, Taichung 404, Taiwan;
| | - Ching-Hao Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 110, Taiwan;
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Chen X, Liang R, Lai L, Chen K, Zhu X. Prognostic Role of EGFR/p-EGFR in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol 2021; 11:697369. [PMID: 34490092 PMCID: PMC8417403 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.697369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/phosphorylated EGFR (p-EGFR) expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma remains controversial. A meta-analysis was performed to investigate prognostic significance of EGFR/p-EGFR expression in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods Literatures published before November 2020 were systematically searched in relevant databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wan fang databases. STATA 13 statistical software was used to analyze the pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity of the studies was examined by I2. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis were performed to explore sources of heterogeneity. The potential publication bias was assessed using both Egger's and Begg's tests. Results A total of 20 literatures with 1545 patients were included for the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis results suggested that high expression of EGFR was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.24-3.15, P = 0.001) and disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 2.58, 95% CI: 1.87-3.56, P = 0.000). However, it was not significantly associated with progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 1.85, 95% CI: 0.90-3.82, P = 0.09) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 0.73-2.67, P = 0.319). The subgroup analysis indicated that patients with EGFR high expression in studies of higher TNM stage (III-IV) ratio had significantly poor OS (HR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.09-4.73, P = 0.03), but heterogeneity existed in studies (I2 = 95.1%, P = 0.000). Sensitivity analyses revealed that EGFR expression did not significantly affect OS by an individual study solely, indicating there was inherent heterogeneity in OS cohorts. There was no significant heterogeneity among eight studies in the DFS cohorts (I2 = 0%, P = 0.606). There was significant heterogeneity between EGFR expression and DMFS (I2 = 82.8%, P = 0.000). Sub-group analysis in differentiated carcinoma demonstrated a smaller heterogeneity (I2 = 33.2%). In addition, p-EGFR high expression had no significant correlation with OS (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.88-1.14, P = 0.982) and DMFS (HR = 1.21, 95% CI: 0.96-1.52, P = 0.112). The heterogeneity among p-EGFR and OS studies was small (I2 = 21%, P = 0.26). There was no significant heterogeneity in the DMFS cohorts (I2 = 0%, P = 0.497). Conclusion EGFR high-expression was significantly associated with poor OS and DFS, which may serve as a prognostic predictor for nasopharyngeal cancer. Systematic Review Registration [https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO], identifier [number CRD42021258457].
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Affiliation(s)
- Xishan Chen
- Department of Oncology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, China
| | - Renba Liang
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lin Lai
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Kaihua Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhu
- Department of Oncology, Wuming Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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Candidate Biomarkers for Specific Intraoperative Near-Infrared Imaging of Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030557. [PMID: 33535618 PMCID: PMC7867119 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Near-infrared imaging of tumors during surgery facilitates the oncologic surgeon to distinguish malignant from healthy tissue. The technique is based on fluorescent tracers binding to tumor biomarkers on malignant cells. Currently, there are no clinically available fluorescent tracers that specifically target soft tissue sarcomas. This review searched the literature to find candidate biomarkers for soft tissue sarcomas, based on clinically used therapeutic antibodies. The search revealed 7 biomarkers: TEM1, VEGFR-1, EGFR, VEGFR-2, IGF-1R, PDGFRα, and CD40. These biomarkers are abundantly present on soft tissue sarcoma tumor cells and are already being targeted with humanized monoclonal antibodies. The conjugation of these antibodies with a fluorescent dye will yield in specific tracers for image-guided surgery of soft tissue sarcomas to improve the success rates of tumor resections. Abstract Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for localized soft tissue sarcomas (STS). The curative treatment highly depends on complete tumor resection, as positive margins are associated with local recurrence (LR) and prognosis. However, determining the tumor margin during surgery is challenging. Real-time tumor-specific imaging can facilitate complete resection by visualizing tumor tissue during surgery. Unfortunately, STS specific tracers are presently not clinically available. In this review, STS-associated cell surface-expressed biomarkers, which are currently already clinically targeted with monoclonal antibodies for therapeutic purposes, are evaluated for their use in near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging of STS. Clinically targeted biomarkers in STS were extracted from clinical trial registers and a PubMed search was performed. Data on biomarker characteristics, sample size, percentage of biomarker-positive STS samples, pattern of biomarker expression, biomarker internalization features, and previous applications of the biomarker in imaging were extracted. The biomarkers were ranked utilizing a previously described scoring system. Eleven cell surface-expressed biomarkers were identified from which 7 were selected as potential biomarkers for NIRF imaging: TEM1, VEGFR-1, EGFR, VEGFR-2, IGF-1R, PDGFRα, and CD40. Promising biomarkers in common and aggressive STS subtypes are TEM1 for myxofibrosarcoma, TEM1, and PDGFRα for undifferentiated soft tissue sarcoma and EGFR for synovial sarcoma.
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6
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Sardar HS, Zai Q, Xu X, Gunn JR, Pogue BW, Paulsen KD, Henderson ER, Samkoe KS. Dual-agent fluorescent labeling of soft-tissue sarcomas improves the contrast based upon targeting both interstitial and cellular components of the tumor milieu. J Surg Oncol 2020; 122:1711-1720. [PMID: 32885452 DOI: 10.1002/jso.26190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current practices for fluorescence-guided cancer surgery utilize a single fluorescent agent, but homogeneous distribution throughout the tumor is difficult to achieve. We hypothesize that administering a perfusion and a molecular-targeted agent at their optimal administration-to-imaging time will improve whole-tumor contrast. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Mice bearing subcutaneous xenograft human synovial sarcomas were administered indocyanine green (ICG) (3 mg/kg) or ABY-029 (48.7 μg/kg)-an epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted Affibody molecule-alone or in combination. Fluorescence contrast and signal distribution were compared between treatment groups. Two commercial fluorescence imaging systems were tested for simultaneous imaging of ICG and ABY-029. RESULTS ABY-029 has a moderate positive correlation with viable tumor (ρ = 0.2 ± 0.4), while ICG demonstrated a strong negative correlation (ρ = -0.6 ± 0.1). The contrast-to-variance ratio was highest in the ABY-029 +ICG (2.5 ± 0.8), compared to animals that received ABY-029 (2.3 ± 0.8) or ICG (2.0 ± 0.5) alone. Moreover, the combination of ABY-029 + ICG minimizes the correlation between viable tumor and fluorescence intensity (ρ = -0.1 ± 0.2) indicating the fluorescence signal distribution is more homogeneous throughout the tumor milieu. CONCLUSION Dual-agent imaging utilizing a single channel in a commercial fluorescence-guided imaging system tailored for IRDye 800CW is a promising method to increase tumor contrast in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hira S Sardar
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Qais Zai
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Xiaochun Xu
- Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Jason R Gunn
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
| | - Brian W Pogue
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Keith D Paulsen
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Eric R Henderson
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Department of Orthopaedics, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Kimberley S Samkoe
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire.,Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire
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Wang X, Yeo RX, Hogg PJ, Goldstein D, Crowe P, Dilda PJ, Yang JL. The synergistic inhibitory effect of combining therapies targeting EGFR and mitochondria in sarcomas. Oncotarget 2020; 11:46-61. [PMID: 32002123 PMCID: PMC6967775 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our group previously demonstrated that sarcoma cell lines were insensitive to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor gefitinib monotherapy. PENAO, an anti-tumour metabolic compound created in our laboratory, is currently in clinical trials. Considering the positive regulation of tumour energy production by both the EGFR signalling and tumour metabolism pathways, this study aimed to investigate the effect and mechanisms of combination therapy using gefitinib and PENAO in sarcoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. PENAO monotherapy reduced proliferation in 12 sarcoma cell lines. Combining gefitinib and PENAO resulted in synergistic inhibition in both a time- and dose-dependent manner in 3 sarcoma cell lines with less prominent monotherapy effects. Combined treatment significantly enhanced cell death and perturbed mitochondrial function. In vivo combination therapy with PENAO and gefitinib was non-toxic to mice and significantly delayed tumour growth and prolonged survival. At 20 days after treatment, tumours from the combination treated mice were significantly smaller than those from untreated and single drug treated mice. The survival curves also showed significant difference across and between groups. The combination of PENAO and gefitinib in vitro and in vivo, shows promise as a treatment pathway in this poor outcome tumour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Wang
- Sarcoma and Nano-oncology Group, Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Reichelle X Yeo
- Sarcoma and Nano-oncology Group, Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,The Centenary Institute, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Philip J Hogg
- The Centenary Institute, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Philip Crowe
- Sarcoma and Nano-oncology Group, Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Pierre J Dilda
- Tumour Metabolism Group, Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jia-Lin Yang
- Sarcoma and Nano-oncology Group, Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.,Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Zhu Z, Jin Z, Deng Y, Wei L, Yuan X, Zhang M, Sun D. Co-expression Network Analysis Identifies Four Hub Genes Associated With Prognosis in Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Front Genet 2019; 10:37. [PMID: 30778371 PMCID: PMC6369179 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are heterogeneous tumors derived from mesenchymal cells that differentiate into soft tissues. The prognosis of patients who present with an STS is influenced by the regulation of a complex gene network. Methods: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify gene modules associated with STS (Samples = 156). Results: Among the 11 modules identified, the black and blue modules were highly correlated with STS. However, using preservation analysis, the black module demonstrated low preservation, therefore the blue module was chosen as the module of interest. Furthermore, a total of 20 network hub genes were identified in the blue module, 12 of which were also hub nodes in the protein-protein interaction network of the module genes. Following additional verification, 4 of 12 genes (RRM2, BUB1B, CENPF, and KIF20A) demonstrated poorer overall survival and disease-free survival rate in the test datasets. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) demonstrated that samples with a high level of blue module eigengene (ME) were enriched in cell cycle and metabolism associated signaling pathways. Conclusion: In summary, co-expression network analysis identified four hub genes associated with prognosis for STS, which may diminish the prognosis by influencing cell cycle and metabolism associated signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zheng Jin
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuyou Deng
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Lai Wei
- College of Computer and Control Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaowei Yuan
- Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Dahui Sun
- Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Low HIF-1α and low EGFR mRNA Expression Significantly Associate with Poor Survival in Soft Tissue Sarcoma Patients; the Proteins React Differently. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123842. [PMID: 30513863 PMCID: PMC6321736 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In various tumors, the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and the epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) have an impact on survival. Nevertheless, the prognostic impact of both markers for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is not well studied. We examined 114 frozen tumor samples from adult soft tissue sarcoma patients and 19 frozen normal tissue samples. The mRNA levels of HIF-1α, EGFR, and the reference gene hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) were quantified using a multiplex qPCR technique. In addition, levels of EGFR or HIF-1α protein were determined from 74 corresponding protein samples using ELISA techniques. Our analysis showed that a low level of HIF-1α or EGFR mRNA (respectively, relative risk (RR) = 2.8; p = 0.001 and RR = 1.9; p = 0.04; multivariate Cox´s regression analysis) is significantly associated with a poor prognosis in STS patients. The combination of both mRNAs in a multivariate Cox’s regression analysis resulted in an increased risk of early tumor-specific death of patients (RR = 3.1, p = 0.003) when both mRNA levels in the tumors were low. The EGFR protein level had no association with the survival of the patient’s cohort studied, and a higher level of HIF-1α protein associated only with a trend to significance (multivariate Cox’s regression analysis) to a poor prognosis in STS patients (RR = 1.9, p = 0.09). However, patients with low levels of HIF-1α protein and a high content of EGFR protein in the tumor had a three-fold better survival compared to patients without such constellation regarding the protein level of HIF-1α and EGFR. In a bivariate two-sided Spearman’s rank correlation, a significant correlation between the expression of HIF-1α mRNA and expression of EGFR mRNA (p < 0.001) or EGFR protein (p = 0.001) was found, additionally, EGFR mRNA correlated with EGFR protein level (p < 0.001). Our results show that low levels of HIF-1α mRNA or EGFR mRNA are negative independent prognostic markers for STS patients, especially after combination of both parameters. The protein levels showed a different effect on the prognosis. In addition, our analysis suggests a possible association between HIF-1α and EGFR expression in STS.
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Wang X, Goldstein D, Crowe PJ, Yang JL. Antitumour effects and mechanisms of action of the panHER inhibitor, dacomitinib, alone and in combination with the STAT3 inhibitor, S3I-201, in human sarcoma cell lines. Int J Oncol 2018; 52:2143-2154. [PMID: 29620166 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2018.4337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The 5-year survival rate for metastatic sarcoma is 16%. Although the phosphorylated human epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR/HER1) has been shown to be an independent predictor of overall survival in patients with sarcoma, we have previously demonstrated that sarcoma cell lines exhibit resistance, despite gefitinib blocking p-EGFR and signal transducers in EGFR downstream pathways. Gefitinib failed to decrease the ratio of phosphorylated (p-)signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3)/p-STAT1, suggesting that relative STAT3 abundance and activation may be involved in drug resistance. In this study, we used the panHER inhibitor, dacomitinib, to further block HER2-dependent activation, applying multiple methods, such as proliferation assay, clonogenic survival assay, anti-anoikis assay and western blot analysis. Although dacomitinib inhibited EGFR, HER2, AKT and Erk activation more effectively than gefitinib, it still only exerted minimal anti-proliferative effects on sarcoma cell lines due to the STAT3 escape pathway. However, the addition of the STAT3 inhibitor, S3I-201, to dacomitinib achieved a significant enhancement in growth inhibition, by perturbing p-STAT3/p-STAT1. Using a panel of sarcoma cell lines with different histological types, we identified that the addition of the STAT3 inhibitor enhanced the growth inhibitory effects of the panHER inhibitor, dacomitinib, on sarcoma cells. Our findings may have clinical implications on overcoming the resistance caused by the STAT3 escape pathway and optimising EGFR/panHER-targeted therapy in sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochun Wang
- Sarcoma and Nano-Oncology Group, Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - David Goldstein
- Department of Medical Oncology, Prince of Wales Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Philip J Crowe
- Sarcoma and Nano-Oncology Group, Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Jia-Lin Yang
- Sarcoma and Nano-Oncology Group, Adult Cancer Program, Lowy Cancer Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
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Samkoe KS, Bates BD, Tselepidakis NN, DSouza AV, Gunn JR, Ramkumar DB, Paulsen KD, Pogue BW, Henderson ER. Development and evaluation of a connective tissue phantom model for subsurface visualization of cancers requiring wide local excision. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2017; 22:1-12. [PMID: 29274143 PMCID: PMC5741805 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.22.12.121613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Wide local excision (WLE) of tumors with negative margins remains a challenge because surgeons cannot directly visualize the mass. Fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) may improve surgical accuracy; however, conventional methods with direct surface tumor visualization are not immediately applicable, and properties of tissues surrounding the cancer must be considered. We developed a phantom model for sarcoma resection with the near-infrared fluorophore IRDye 800CW and used it to iteratively define the properties of connective tissues that typically surround sarcoma tumors. We then tested the ability of a blinded surgeon to resect fluorescent tumor-simulating inclusions with ∼1-cm margins using predetermined target fluorescence intensities and a Solaris open-air fluorescence imaging system. In connective tissue-simulating phantoms, fluorescence intensity decreased with increasing blood concentration and increased with increasing intralipid concentrations. Fluorescent inclusions could be resolved at ≥1-cm depth in all inclusion concentrations and sizes tested. When inclusion depth was held constant, fluorescence intensity decreased with decreasing volume. Using targeted fluorescence intensities, a blinded surgeon was able to successfully excise inclusions with ∼1-cm margins from fat- and muscle-simulating phantoms with inclusion-to-background contrast ratios as low as 2∶1. Indirect, subsurface FGS is a promising tool for surgical resection of cancers requiring WLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberley S. Samkoe
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
- Address all correspondence to: Kimberley S. Samkoe, E-mail:
| | - Brent D. Bates
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Niki N. Tselepidakis
- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Alisha V. DSouza
- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Jason R. Gunn
- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Dipak B. Ramkumar
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedics, Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Keith D. Paulsen
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Brian W. Pogue
- Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
- Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
| | - Eric R. Henderson
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Department of Orthopaedics, Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States
- White River Junction VAMC, White River Junction, Vermont, United States
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