Expressions of ZNF436, β-catenin, EGFR, and CMTM5 in breast cancer and their clinical significances

UDP-6-glucose dehydrogenase in hormonally responsive breast cancers

Survival for metastatic breast cancer is low and thus, continued efforts to treat and prevent metastatic progression are critical. Estrogen is shown to promote aggressive phenotypes in multiple cancer models irrespective of estrogen receptor (ER) status. Similarly, UDP-Glucose 6-dehydrogenase (UGDH) a ubiquitously expressed enzyme involved in extracellular matrix precursors, as well as hormone processing increases migratory and invasive properties in cancer models. While the role of UGDH in cellular migration is defined, how it intersects with and impacts hormone signaling pathways associated with tumor progression in metastatic breast cancer has not been explored. Here we demonstrate that UGDH knockdown blunts estrogen-induced tumorigenic phenotypes (migration and colony formation) in ER+ and ER- breast cancer in vitro. Knockdown of UGDH also inhibits extravasation of ER- breast cancer ex vivo, primary tumor growth and animal survival in vivo in both ER+ and ER- breast cancer. We also use single cell RNA-sequencing to demonstrate that our findings translate to a human breast cancer clinical specimen. Our findings support the role of estrogen and UGDH in breast cancer progression provide a foundation for future studies to evaluate the role of UGDH in therapeutic resistance to improve outcomes and survival for breast cancer patients.

Chromosome 1p36 candidate gene ZNF436 predicts the prognosis of neuroblastoma: a bioinformatic analysis

BACKGROUND

Genetic 1p deletion is reported in 30% of all neuroblastoma and is associated with the unfavorable prognosis of neuroblastoma. The expressions and prognosis of 1p candidate genes in neuroblastoma are unclear.

METHODS

Public neuroblastoma cohorts were obtained for secondary analysis. The prognosis of 1p candidate genes in neuroblastoma was determined using Kaplan-Meier and cox regression analysis. The prediction of the nomogram model was determined using timeROC.

RESULTS

First, we confirmed the bad prognosis of 1p deletion in neuroblastoma. Moreover, zinc finger protein 436 (ZNF436) located at 1p36 region was down-regulated in 1p deleted neuroblastoma and higher ZNF436 expression was associated with the longer event free survival and overall survival of neuroblastoma. The expression levels of ZNF436 were lower in neuroblastoma patients with MYCN amplification or age at diagnosis ≥ 18months, or with stage 4 neuroblastoma. ZNF436 had robust predictive values of MYCN amplification and overall survival of neuroblastoma. Furthermore, the prognostic significance of ZNF436 in neuroblastoma was independent of MYCN amplification and age of diagnosis. Combinations of ZNF436 with MYCN amplification or age of diagnosis achieved better prognosis. At last, we constructed a nomogram risk model based on age, MYCN amplification and ZNF436. The nomogram model could predict the overall survival of neuroblastoma with high specificity and sensitivity.

CONCLUSIONS

Chromosome 1p36 candidate gene ZNF436 was a prognostic maker of neuroblastoma.

Current Opinions on the Relationship Between CMTM Family and Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a typically malignant tumor in the digestive system. The mortality of HCC ranks third place in the world, second only to lung cancer and colorectal cancer. For the characteristics of high invasiveness, high metastasis, high recurrence rate as well as short survival time, HCC treatment has always been difficult in clinical practice. Many causes have contributed to the appearance of these features, including insidious onset, high degree of malignancy, lack of effective early molecular diagnostic markers, and disease prediction models. The human chemokine-like factor superfamily (CMTMs) is a new gene family consisting of CKLF and CMTM1-CMTM8. CMTMs have a marvel domain which can activate and chemotaxis immune cells. Many studies have reported that CMTMs are involved in the regulation of cell growth and development, and play an important role in the malignant progression of the immune system and reproductive system, especially in the development of tumors. In this review, we summarized the structure and function of the human CMTMs, the relationship between its family members and HCC, the prognostic value, potential functions, and mechanisms in HCC. CMTMs could provide a new diagnostic and therapeutic target in clinical practice for patients with HCC.

An overview of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors in cancer therapy

Epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR), a transmembrane receptor on the cell surface, carries extracellular messages into the cell and alters the activity of the nucleus through tyrosine signalling. EGFR-targeted treatments have influenced the new era of precision oncology throughout the last few decades. Despite significant progress, long-term remission from solid tumours is still a distant goal for many oncologists. There are several methods by which tumour cells alter the activity of this protein in solid tumours. EGFR-related oncogenic pathways, resistance mechanisms, and novel avenues to suppress tumour development and metastatic spread were discovered in clinical specimens using preclinical models (cell cultures, xenografts, mouse models), which were then validated in those specimens. EGFR has been implicated in the onset and advancement of a variety of cancers, according to research. An overview of EGFR's structural anatomy and physiology, its role in cancers, and clinical studies that target EGFR in various tumours are included in this review.

Mammaglobin, GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3), and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression in different breast cancer subtypes and their clinical significance

Increasing evidence has shown that mammaglobin, GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3), and epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) have unique clinical implications for breast cancer subtyping and classification, as well as for breast cancer targeted therapy. It is particularly important to clarify the correlation between their expression and different molecular breast carcinoma subtypes to better understand the molecular basis of the subtypes and to identify effective therapeutic targets for the disease. This study aimed to evaluate mammaglobin, GATA3, and EGFR expression in different breast cancer subtypes, as well as their clinical significance. Subjects of the study included 228 patients with breast cancer at The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China. They were divided into triple negative (TN), Luminal A, Luminal B, and HER-2 positive (HER-2.P) breast cancer groups based on molecular classification. Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect mammaglobin, GATA3, and EGFR expression in cases of different molecular subtypes before determining the correlation between protein expression and subtype. Mammaglobin and GATA3 expression levels were found to significantly vary with respect to histopathological grade, lymph node status, and molecular subtype; EGFR expression was significantly correlated with breast cancer histopathological grade and molecular subtype. For breast cancer, the expression levels of mammaglobin and GATA3, as well as mammaglobin and EGFR, were significantly correlated. In addition, there was a significantly negative correlation between the expression levels of GATA3 and EGFR in breast cancer tissue samples, especially in HER-2.P samples. These findings provide a theoretical basis for assessing breast cancer clinical prognosis based on the cancer subtype, and hence, have significant practical value.

CMTM Family and Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers: A Comprehensive Review

Gastrointestinal tract cancers are a highly heterogeneous group of malignant diseases, contributing significantly to the burden of death worldwide. Chemokine-like factor (CKLF)-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family (CMTMs) plays important roles in cancer development and progression. Since the first member was cloned, there have been abundant studies on the relationships between the CMTM family and human cancers. It has been reported that the CMTM family has a large potential prognostic value for multiple cancers. Meanwhile, upregulated or downregulated expression of the family members was related to advanced tumor stage, metastasis, and overall survival. Studies have also reported that these proteins play critical roles in antitumor immunity. We performed a systematic review to sum up the latest advances of CMTM family’ roles in gastrointestinal tract cancers, with a primary focus on hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric carcinoma.