Cytoplasmic IGF2BP2 Protein Expression in Human Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Prognostic and Clinical Implications

IGF2BP2: an m6A reader that affects cellular function and disease progression

Insulin-like growth factor 2 messenger RNA (mRNA)-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is a widely studied N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification reader, primarily functioning to recognize and bind to m6A modification sites on the mRNA of downstream target genes, thereby enhancing their stability. Previous studies have suggested that the IGF2BP2-m6A modification plays an essential role in cellular functions and the progression of various diseases. In this review, we focus on summarizing the molecular mechanisms by which IGF2BP2 enhances the mRNA stability of downstream target genes through m6A modification, thereby regulating cell ferroptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness, angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, and lipid metabolism, ultimately affecting disease progression. Additionally, we update the related research progress on IGF2BP2. This article aims to elucidate the effects of IGF2BP2 on cell ferroptosis, EMT, stemness, angiogenesis, inflammatory responses, and lipid metabolism, providing a new perspective for a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between IGF2BP2 and cell functions such as ferroptosis and EMT, as well as the potential for targeted IGF2BP2 therapy for tumors and other diseases.

Multifaceted roles of insulin‑like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 in human cancer (Review)

Insulin‑like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is an RNA binding protein that functions as an N6‑methyladenosine reader. It regulates various biological processes in human cancers by affecting the stability and expression of target RNA transcripts, including coding RNAs and non‑coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Numerous studies have shown that IGF2BP2 expression is aberrantly increased in various types of cancer and plays multifaceted roles in the development and progression of human cancers. In the present review, the clinical importance of IGF2BP2 is summarized and its involvement in the regulation of biological processes, including proliferation, metastasis, chemoresistance, metabolism, tumor immunity, stemness and cell death, in human cancers is discussed. The chemical compounds that have been developed as IGF2BP2 inhibitors are also detailed. As ncRNAs are now important potential therapeutic agents for cancer treatment, the microRNAs that have been reported to directly target and inhibit IGF2BP2 expression in cancers are also described. In summary, by reviewing the latest literature, the present study aimed to highlight the clinical importance and physiological functions of IGF2BP2 in human cancer, with a focus on the great potential of IGF2BP2 as a target for inhibitor development. The present review may inspire new ideas for future studies on IGF2BP2, which may serve as a specific therapeutic target in cancer.

Genetic variants of IGF2BP2 as potential predictors for perineural invasion of prostate cancer in a Taiwanese population

Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2), which binds with high affinity to numerous RNA transcripts, is known to promote tumorigenesis and metastasis, including in prostate cancer (PCa). Several case-control studies investigated associations between IGF2BP2 polymorphisms and cancer progression. However, the effects of IGF2BP2 genetic variants on clinicopathological progression and biochemical recurrence (BCR) of PCa remain unclear. In this study, we recruited 698 Taiwanese PCa patients who underwent a radical prostatectomy to investigate associations of IGF2BP2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with the risk of BCR and clinicopathological progression. Using a TaqMan allelic discrimination assay, we genotyped three IGF2BP2 SNPs located in the second intron: rs11705701 (G/A), rs4402960 (G/T), and rs1470579 (A/C). Our findings revealed that these IGF2BP2 SNPs had no significant effect on initial prostate-specific antigen (iPSA) levels or postoperative BCR. However, patients with the rs1470579 A/C genotype exhibited a higher risk of developing perineural invasion (PNI) compared to those with the homozygous A/A genotype. This association was particularly pronounced in patients with an elevated iPSA level (>10 ng/mL). Clinical observations from The Cancer Genome Atlas database showed that elevated IGF2BP2 levels in PCa tissues were significantly associated with higher Gleason scores and exhibited a trend toward correlating with tumor metastasis. In conclusion, our findings highlight that the IGF2BP2 rs1470579 A>C polymorphism may increase susceptibility for PNI among PCa patients in the Taiwanese population.

[Research progress on the role and mechanism of IGF2BPs family in head and neck squamous carcinoma]

Objective:Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma（HNSCC） is one of the common malignant tumours, and most of them are in locally advanced stages at the time of diagnosis due to the lack of early symptoms, and the prognosis of such patients is still poor. M6A modification is the most common form of RNA modification in eukaryotic organisms, with a wide range of biological functions, and the family of IGF2BPs modulates growth, metastasis, chemotherapy resistance, and other processes of cancer by binding to and stabilizing a wide range of target RNAs through recognition of the m6A locus. The aim of this paper is to review the role and related mechanisms of IGF2BPs in head and neck squamous carcinoma, and to provide new ideas for early diagnosis and precision treatment of HNSCC.

The Emerging Role of IGF2BP2 in Cancer Therapy Resistance: From Molecular Mechanism to Future Potential

Tumor resistance is one of the primary reasons for cancer treatment failure, significantly limiting the options and efficacy of cancer therapies. Therefore, overcoming resistance has become a critical factor in improving cancer treatment outcomes. IGF2BP2, as a reader of m6A methylation, plays a pivotal role in the post-transcriptional regulation of RNA through the methylation of m6A sites. It not only contributes to cancer initiation and progression but also plays a key role in tumor drug resistance. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the mechanisms by which IGF2BP2 contributes to therapy resistance, with the aim of improving the efficacy of chemotherapy in cancer treatment. Advancing research in this area is crucial for developing more effective therapies that could significantly improve the quality of life for cancer patients.

IGF2BP2 promotes cell invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition through Src-mediated upregulation of EREG in oral cancer

Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2), with high affinity to a myriad of RNA transcripts, has been shown to elicit promotive effects on tumorigenesis and metastasis. Yet, the functional involvement of IGF2BP2 in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains poorly understood. In this study, we showed that IGF2BP2 was upregulated in head and neck cancer, and high levels of IGF2BP2 were associated with poor survival. In in vitro experiments, IGF2BP2 promoted migration and invasion responses of OSCC cells. Moreover, we identified an IGF2BP2-regulated gene, EREG, which functioned as a modulator of OSCC invasion downstream of IGF2BP2. In addition, EREG expression triggered the epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OSCC, as evidenced by the observation that knockdown of EREG weakened the induction of EMT mediated by IFG2BP2, and replenishment of EREG favored the EMT in IGF2BP2-depleted cells. Such IGF2BP2-regulated EREG expression, EMT, and cell invasion were dependent on the activation of FAK/Src signaling pathway. Collectively, these findings suggest that EREG, serving as a functional mediator of IGF2BP2-regulated EMT and cell invasion in oral cancer, may be implicated as a potential target for antimetastatic therapies.

Comprehensive analysis of the expression of the IGF2BPs gene family in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Association with prognostic value and tumor immunity

Background

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents a predominant type of cancer found in the head and neck region, characterized by a high incidence and unfavorable prognosis. The IGF2BPs gene family, which belongs to the RNA-binding protein class, has been critically implicated in several cancers, and its involvement in HNSCC necessitates further exploration.

Objective

To explore the clinical significance and potential biological functions of the IGF2BPs gene family in HNSCC.

Methods

A bioinformatic methodology was employed to examine the expression profile, diagnostic and prognostic significance, and biological mechanisms of the IGF2BPs gene family in HNSCC, with a particular emphasis on its involvement in the immune function of HNSCC. This was followed by in vitro investigations to unravel the biological roles of the IGF2BPs gene family in HNSCC.

Results

This investigation has demonstrated that, in contrast with normal control tissue, HNSCC has a substantial elevation in the expression level of the IGF2BPs gene family. Patients with a high level of IGF2BPs gene family expression demonstrated higher prediction accuracy for HNSCC. Furthermore, patients with HNSCC and elevated IGF2BPs gene family expression levels exhibited poor survival outcomes. The IGF2BPs gene family displayed a significant association with a variety of immune infiltrating cells and immune genes in HNSCC. Studies conducted in vitro have confirmed that IGF2BP2 silencing suppressed the migration, proliferation, and invasion of HNSCC cells.

Conclusions

It has been determined that the IGF2BPs gene family plays a crucial part in the onset and progression of HNSCC, and its association with tumor immunity has been established. The IGF2BPs gene family holds promising potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for HNSCC.