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Xu Q, Ren N, Ren L, Yang Y, Pan J, Shang H. RNA m6A methylation regulators in liver cancer. Cancer Cell Int 2024; 24:1. [PMID: 38166832 PMCID: PMC10763310 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and a primary cause of cancer-related death. In recent years, despite the great development of diagnostic methods and targeted therapies for liver cancer, the incidence and mortality of liver cancer are still on the rise. As a universal post-transcriptional modification, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification accomplishes a dynamic and reversible m6A modification process, which is executed by three types of regulators, methyltransferases (called writers), demethylases (called erasers) and m6A-binding proteins (called readers). Many studies have shown that m6A RNA methylation has an important impact on RNA metabolism, whereas its regulation exception is bound up with the occurrence of human malignant tumors. Aberrant methylation of m6A RNA and the expression of related regulatory factors may be of the essence in the pathogenesis and progression of liver cancer, yet the precise molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this paper, we review the current research situations of m6A methylation in liver cancer. Among the rest, we detail the mechanism by which methyltransferases, demethylases and m6A binding proteins regulate the occurrence and development of liver cancer by modifying mRNA. As well as the potential effect of m6A regulators in hepatocarcinogenesis and progression. New ideas and approaches will be given to the prevention and treatment of liver cancer through the following relevant research results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoping Xu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China
| | - Ning Ren
- Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang, Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lanqi Ren
- Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang, Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yibei Yang
- Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang, Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junjie Pan
- Fourth Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang, Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, 310051, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongkai Shang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Key Laboratory of Clinical Cancer Pharmacology and Toxicology Research of Zhejiang Province, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Cancer Center, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310006, China.
- The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of the Fourth Clinical Medical College, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Gynecology, Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
- Department of Gynecology, Westlake University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
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Jia W, Liu X, Zhang Z. Role of TOP2A and CDC6 in liver cancer. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35604. [PMID: 37861550 PMCID: PMC10589547 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors with high mortality worldwide, which is characterized by aggressive growth and metastasis. However, the relationship between TOP2A and CDC6 and HCC remains unclear. GSE121248 and GSE101728 profiles for liver cancer were downloaded from the gene expression omnibus database generated using GPL21047and GPL570. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened and weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed. The construction and analysis of protein-protein interaction network, functional enrichment analysis, gene set enrichment analysis. Gene expression heat map was drawn and survival analysis was performed. Comparative toxicogenomics database analysis were performed to find the disease most related to the core gene. TargetScan was used to screen miRNAs regulating central DEGs. 885 DEGs were identified. According to gene ontology analysis, they were mainly enriched in organic acid metabolism process, metabolic pathway, p53 signal pathway and PPAR signal pathway. The enrichment items are similar to the GOKEGG enrichment items of differentially expressed genes, mainly in the process of organic acid metabolism, p53 signal pathway and PPAR signal pathway. In the enrichment project of metascape, gene ontology has PIDPLK1 pathway, mitotic cell cycle, tumor retinoblastoma gene. The construction and analysis of protein-protein interaction network obtained 10 core genes (TOP2A, CDK1, ASPM, RACGAP1, ZWINT, CDC6, AURKA, NCAPG, BUB1B, CCNB1), and found that these core genes were highly expressed in tumor tissues and low in normal tissues. Comparative toxicogenomics database analysis showed that 10 genes (TOP2A, CDK1, ASPM, RACGAP1, ZWINT, CDC6, AURKA, NCAPG, BUB1B, CCNB1) were related to necrosis, inflammation, HCC, liver cirrhosis, and adenoid cystic carcinoma. TOP2A and CDC6 are highly expressed in liver cancer, which may become molecular targets for early diagnosis and precise treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Jia
- Department of Digestive, Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Badachu Xixia Village, Shijingshan District, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
| | - Zhilei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
- School of Basic Medicine, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, P.R. China
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Vij M, Veerankutty FH, Raju LP, Gowrishankar G, Rajalingam R, Jothimani D, Kaliamoorthy I, Rammohan A, Rela M. Frequent expression of PD-L1 in lymphocyte-rich hepatocellular carcinoma: A report of 4 cases. Ann Diagn Pathol 2023; 66:152172. [PMID: 37348413 DOI: 10.1016/j.anndiagpath.2023.152172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is an immune checkpoint inhibitor. PD-L1 binds to its receptor programmed death receptor (PD-1) expressed by immune cells and plays a key role in regulating immune responses. Engagement of PD-L1 on cancer cells and PD-1 on immune cells avoid destruction of tumour cells by immune cells. Immunostaining with PD-L1 has been suggested as a biomarker predictive of antiPD-L1 immunotherapy. Lymphocyte-rich hepatocellular carcinoma (LrHCC) is a rare histological HCC subtype which is characterised by neoplastic epithelial cells intermixed with numerous immune cells. METHODS Here in we investigated immunohistochemical PD-L1 expression in 4 cases of LrHCC. Tumour proportion score (TPS) and immune cell score was recorded. Immunophenotypic characterization of the tumour and inflammatory cells was also done. Epstein-Barr encoding region (EBER) in situ hybridization (ISH) assay as performed in all four tumours. RESULTS Expression of PD-L1 was demonstrated in tumour epithelial cells and immune cells in all four cases. Incomplete to membranous staining was demonstrated in the tumour cells. Tumour proportion score (TPS) was 1.2-20 %. Immune cells demonstrated membranous and cytoplasmic immunostaining. Immune cell score was ≥1 % to >10 %. CONCLUSION PD-L1 expression in both tumour and immune cells suggests distinct immunogenic feature and potential role of antiPD-L1 therapies in cases with inoperable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukul Vij
- Department of Pathology, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Fadl H Veerankutty
- The Institute of Liver Disease & Transplantation, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lexmi Priya Raju
- Department of Pathology, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gowripriya Gowrishankar
- Department of Pathology, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Rajesh Rajalingam
- The Institute of Liver Disease & Transplantation, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dinesh Jothimani
- The Institute of Liver Disease & Transplantation, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy
- The Institute of Liver Disease & Transplantation, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Ashwin Rammohan
- The Institute of Liver Disease & Transplantation, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mohamed Rela
- The Institute of Liver Disease & Transplantation, Dr.Rela Institute & Medical Centre, No. 7 CLC Works Road Chromepet, Chennai 44, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Spârchez Z, Crăciun R, Nenu I, Mocan LP, Spârchez M, Mocan T. Refining Liver Biopsy in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An In-Depth Exploration of Shifting Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2324. [PMID: 37626820 PMCID: PMC10452389 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The field of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has faced significant change on multiple levels in the past few years. The increasing emphasis on the various HCC phenotypes and the emergence of novel, specific therapies have slowly paved the way for a personalized approach to primary liver cancer. In this light, the role of percutaneous liver biopsy of focal lesions has shifted from a purely confirmatory method to a technique capable of providing an in-depth characterization of any nodule. Cancer subtype, gene expression, the mutational profile, and tissue biomarkers might soon become widely available through biopsy. However, indications, expectations, and techniques might suffer changes as the aim of the biopsy evolves from providing minimal proof of the disease to high-quality specimens for extensive analysis. Consequently, a revamped position of tissue biopsy is expected in HCC, following the reign of non-invasive imaging-only diagnosis. Moreover, given the advances in techniques that have recently reached the spotlight, such as liquid biopsy, concomitant use of all the available methods might gather just enough data to improve therapy selection and, ultimately, outcomes. The current review aims to discuss the changing role of liver biopsy and provide an evidence-based rationale for its use in the era of precision medicine in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeno Spârchez
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Prof. Dr. O. Fodor” Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (Z.S.); (I.N.); (T.M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Rareș Crăciun
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Prof. Dr. O. Fodor” Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (Z.S.); (I.N.); (T.M.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Iuliana Nenu
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Prof. Dr. O. Fodor” Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (Z.S.); (I.N.); (T.M.)
- Department of Physiology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Lavinia Patricia Mocan
- Department of Histology, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Mihaela Spârchez
- 2nd Pediatric Department, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400124 Cluj-Napoca, Romania;
| | - Tudor Mocan
- Department of Gastroenterology, “Prof. Dr. O. Fodor” Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 400162 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; (Z.S.); (I.N.); (T.M.)
- UBBMed Department, Babeș-Bolyai University, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Sun L, Zhao H, Ding XY, Yang K, Wang GS, Chen JM, Han XY, Wan G, Zhang L, Zhou XG, Chen XM, Wang P, Xie W. Clinicopathological Features of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Metabolic Risk Factors. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2023; 10:833-846. [PMID: 37304209 PMCID: PMC10257051 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s412129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aims to explore the pathological characteristics of metabolic-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its correlation with metabolic factors. Methods Fifty-one patients with liver cancer of unknown causes were enrolled. Biopsy of the liver and staining of the liver tissues with hematoxylin-eosin as well as special and immunohistochemical stains were performed. The histological subtypes of HCC were diagnosed based on the WHO Classification of Malignant Hepatocellular Tumors. The NAFLD activity score system was adopted for assessing the surrounding non-neoplastic liver tissues. Results Of the total, 42 (82.4%) patients were diagnosed with HCC, 32 had metabolic risk factors, 20 patients met the diagnostic criteria of the metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)-related HCC, and 40.6% (13/32) had liver cirrhosis. The incidence of cirrhosis (p = 0.033) and diabetes mellitus type 2 (p = 0.036) in patients with MAFLD-related HCC was notably higher than that in HCC patients with only metabolic risk factors. Among the 32 HCC cases with metabolic risk factors, trabecular type was the most prevalent, followed by steatohepatitis type, scirrhous type, solid type, pseudoglandular type, clear-cell type, and macrotrabecular type. The degree of tumor cells' swelling and ballooning was found to be positively related to the degree of fibrosis in the surrounding liver tissues (p = 0.011) as well as the proportion of cirrhosis (p = 0.004). Moreover, the degree of fibrosis in the surrounding liver tissues showed a negative correlation with the levels of serum cholesterol (p = 0.002), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.002), ApoA1 (p = 0.009), ApoB (p = 0.022), total protein (p = 0.015), WBC count (p = 0.006), and PLT count (p = 0.015). Conclusion Pathological characteristics of the tumor and adjacent non-neoplastic liver tissues of HCC with metabolic risk factors were found to be correlated with metabolic abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Sun
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhao
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yan Ding
- Department of Cancer Center, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Yang
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gui-Shuang Wang
- Center of Medical Insurance, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jia-Min Chen
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Yi Han
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Gang Wan
- Department of Medical Records and Statistics, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xin-Gang Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Mei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Pathology, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wen Xie
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, People’s Republic of China
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Qin P, Yan J, Huang H, Wang Q, Li M, Zhang Y, Wang J, Jiang T, Zhang X, Zhou Y. Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 3 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 241:124323. [PMID: 37023875 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Equilibrative nucleoside transporter 3 (ENT3) belongs to the solute carrier family 29. Nucleoside transporters encoded by ENT3 play an important role in the uptake of nucleosides, nucleobases, and their nucleoside analogs, as well as participate in and regulate several physiological activities. However, no study has so far reported the role of ENT3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We employed bioinformatics to analyze the expression, prognosis, and mechanism of ENT3 in HCC, as well as verified the same through biological experiments including cell proliferation, cell migration and invasion, and cell cycle and apoptosis, along with the detection of the AKT/mTOR protein expression in the pathway by Western blotting. ENT3 was widely and highly expressed in pan-cancer and upregulated in HCC. The upregulated ENT3 was related to the poor prognosis and clinical features in HCC patients. ENT3 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis. ENT3 knockdown reduced the p-AKT and p-mTOR protein phosphorylation level, inhibited p-p70S6K1 and increased the p-4EBP1-the downstream effector of the AKT/mTOR pathway-protein phosphorylation level. Our study findings demonstrated that the expression of ENT3 was upregulated in HCC, which represents a poor prognosis. Thus, ENT3 promotes the progression of HCC through the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peifang Qin
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Jianguo Yan
- Department of Physiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Haitao Huang
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Physiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Mao Li
- Department of Physiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Yuting Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Jiahui Wang
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China; Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Microenvironmental Regulation, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Yali Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China; Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Guilin Medical University, Guilin 541004, China.
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Yang D, Su Y, Zhao F, Hu Y, Zhao K, Xiong X, Zhu M, Pei J, Ding Y. Low-grade hepatocellular carcinoma characteristics, a practical nomogram and risk stratification system: a SEER population-based study. Expert Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 16:1115-1123. [PMID: 36412566 DOI: 10.1080/17474124.2022.2150610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study is to establish a nomogram and risk stratification system to predict OS in patients with low-grade HCC. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data were extracted from the SEER database. C-index, time-dependent AUCs, and calibration plots were used to evaluate the effective performance of the nomogram. NRI, IDI, and DCA curves were adopted to compare the clinical utility of nomogram with AJCC. RESULTS 3415 patients with low-grade HCC were available. The C-indices for the training and validation cohorts were 0.773 and 0.772. The time-dependent AUCs in the training cohort were 0.821, 0.817, and 0.846 at 1, 3 and 5 years. Calibration plots for 1-, 3- and 5-year OS showed good consistency between actual observations and that predicted by the nomogram. The values of NRI at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.37, 0.66, and 0.64. The IDI values at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.11, 0.16, and 0.23 (P< 0.001). DCA curves demonstrated that the nomogram showed better ability of predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS probabilities than AJCC. CONCLUSIONS A nomogram and risk stratification system for predicting OS in patients with low-grade HCC were established and validated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dashuai Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Su
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College in Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Fangrui Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yong Hu
- Departments of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kailiang Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiangyun Xiong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Mingqiang Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Junpeng Pei
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Youming Ding
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Liu C, Wu Z, Wang L, Yang Q, Huang J, Huang J. A Mitophagy-Related Gene Signature for Subtype Identification and Prognosis Prediction of Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012123. [PMID: 36292980 PMCID: PMC9603050 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer. In this study, the correlation between mitophagy and HCC prognosis was evaluated using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Clinical and transcriptomic data of HCC patients were downloaded from TCGA dataset, and mitophagy-related gene (MRG) datasets were obtained from the Molecular Signature Database. Then, a consensus clustering analysis was performed to classify the patients into two clusters. Furthermore, tumor prognosis, clinicopathological features, functional analysis, immune infiltration, immune checkpoint (IC)-related gene expression level, tumor stem cells, ferroptosis status, and N6-methyladenosine analysis were compared between the two clusters. Finally, a mitophagy-related signature was developed. Two clusters (C1 and C2) were identified using the consensus clustering analysis based on the MRG signature. Patients with the C1 subtype exhibited upregulated pathways with better liver function, downregulated cancer-related pathways, lower cancer stem cell scores, lower Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion scores (TIDE), different ferroptosis status, and better prognosis compared with the patients with the C2 subtype. The C2 subtype was characterized by the increased grade of HCC, as well as the increased number of immune-related pathways and m6A-related genes. Higher immune scores were also observed for the C2 subtype. A signature containing four MRGs (PGAM5, SQSTM1, ATG9A, and GABARAPL1) which can accurately predict the prognosis of HCC patients was then identified. This four-gene signature exhibited a predictive effect in five other cancer types, namely glioma, uveal melanoma, acute myeloid leukemia, adrenocortical carcinoma, and mesothelioma. The mitophagy-associated subtypes of HCC were closely related to the immune microenvironment, immune checkpoint-related gene expression, cancer stem cells, ferroptosis status, m6A, prognosis, and HCC progression. The established MRG signature could predict prognosis in patients with HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- Institute of Geriatric Cardiovascular Disease, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Zhen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200437, China
| | - Liping Wang
- Institute of Geriatric Cardiovascular Disease, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Institute of Geriatric Cardiovascular Disease, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610083, China
| | - Ji Huang
- Key Lab for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, International Joint Laboratory for Arteriosclerotic Disease Research of Hunan Province, Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang 421009, China
| | - Jichang Huang
- Institute of Geriatric Cardiovascular Disease, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610083, China
- Correspondence:
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Yin Y, Xu ZY, Liu YJ, Huang W, Zhang Q, Li JP, Zou X. Identification and Validation in a Novel Classification of Helicase Patterns for the Prediction of Tumor Proliferation and Prognosis. J Hepatocell Carcinoma 2022; 9:885-900. [PMID: 36061235 PMCID: PMC9432388 DOI: 10.2147/jhc.s378175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Helicases have been classified as a class of enzymes that determine the stability of the cellular genome. There is growing evidence that helicases can help tumor cells resist drug killing by repairing Deoxyribose Nucleic Acid (DNA) or stabilizing transcription, which may contribute to the understanding of drug resistance. Currently, identifying cancer biomarkers among helicases and stratifying patients according to helicase activity will be able to guide treatment well. Methods We clustered 371 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) by consensus clustering based on helicase expression profiles to identify potential molecular subtypes. The Multiscale Embedded Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (MEGENA) algorithm was used to find core differential gene modules between different molecular subtypes, and single-cell analysis was utlized to explore the potential function of hub gene. Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was used to verify the diagnostic value of DDX56 and its ability to reflect the proliferation efficiency of cancer cells. Results We identified two subtypes associated with helicase. High helicase subtype was associated with poor clinical outcome, massive M0 macrophage infiltration, and highly active cell proliferation features. In addition, we identified a new biomarker, DDX56, which has not been reported in HCC, was highly expressed in HCC tissues, associated with poor prognosis, and was also shown to be associated with high cell proliferative activity. Conclusion In conclusion, based on helicase expression profiles, we have developed a new classification system for HCC, which is a proliferation-related system, and has clinical significance in evaluating prognosis and treating HCC patients, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy. In addition, we identified a new biomarker, DDX 56, which is overexpressed in HCC tissues, predicts a poor prognosis and is a validated index of tumor cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yin
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zi-Yuan Xu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuan-jie Liu
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Huang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie-pin Li
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Oncology, Zhangjiagang TCM Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, 215600, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Zou
- Department of Oncology, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China
- No. 1 Clinical Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, People’s Republic of China
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Tumor, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210029, People’s Republic of China
- Correspondence: Xi Zou; Jie-pin Li, Email ;
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Nguyen RY, Xiao H, Gong X, Arroyo A, Cabral AT, Fischer TT, Flores KM, Zhang X, Robert ME, Ehrlich BE, Mak M. Cytoskeletal dynamics regulates stromal invasion behavior of distinct liver cancer subtypes. Commun Biol 2022; 5:202. [PMID: 35241781 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03121-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug treatment against liver cancer has limited efficacy due to heterogeneous response among liver cancer subtypes. In addition, the functional biophysical phenotypes which arise from this heterogeneity and contribute to aggressive invasive behavior remain poorly understood. This study interrogated how heterogeneity in liver cancer subtypes contributes to differences in invasive phenotypes and drug response. Utilizing histological analysis, quantitative 2D invasion metrics, reconstituted 3D hydrogels, and bioinformatics, our study linked cytoskeletal dynamics to differential invasion profiles and drug resistance in liver cancer subtypes. We investigated cytoskeletal regulation in 2D and 3D culture environments using two liver cancer cell lines, SNU-475 and HepG2, chosen for their distinct cytoskeletal features and invasion profiles. For SNU-475 cells, a model for aggressive liver cancer, many cytoskeletal inhibitors abrogated 2D migration but only some suppressed 3D migration. For HepG2 cells, cytoskeletal inhibition did not significantly affect 3D migration but did affect proliferative capabilities and spheroid core growth. This study highlights cytoskeleton driven phenotypic variation, their consequences and coexistence within the same tumor, as well as efficacy of targeting biophysical phenotypes that may be masked in traditional screens against tumor growth. Treatment for liver cancer is complicated by its various subtypes, which show different responses to anticancer drugs. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of targeting biophysical phenotypes related to cytoskeleton properties that are usually masked in traditional drug screens.
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Wang LP, Lin J, Ma XQ, Xu DY, Shi CF, Wang W, Jiang XJ. Exosomal DLX6-AS1 from hepatocellular carcinoma cells induces M2 macrophage polarization to promote migration and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma through microRNA-15a-5p/CXCL17 axis. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2021; 40:177. [PMID: 34039401 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01973-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells-secreted exosomes (exo) could stimulate M2 macrophage polarization and promote HCC progression, but the related mechanism of long non-coding RNA distal-less homeobox 6 antisense 1 (DLX6-AS1) with HCC-exo-mediated M2 macrophage polarization is largely ambiguous. Thereafter, this research was started to unearth the role of DLX6-AS1 in HCC-exo in HCC through M2 macrophage polarization and microRNA (miR)-15a-5p/C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 17 (CXCL17) axis. Methods DLX6-AS1, miR-15a-5p and CXCL17 expression in HCC tissues and cells were tested. Exosomes were isolated from HCC cells with overexpressed DLX6-AS1 and co-cultured with M2 macrophages. MiR-15a-5p/CXCL17 down-regulation assays were performed in macrophages. The treated M2 macrophages were co-cultured with HCC cells, after which cell migration, invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transition were examined. The targeting relationships between DLX6-AS1 and miR-15a-5p, and between miR-15a-5p and CXCL17 were explored. In vivo experiment was conducted to detect the effect of exosomal DLX6-AS1-induced M2 macrophage polarization on HCC metastasis. Results Promoted DLX6-AS1 and CXCL17 and reduced miR-15a-5p exhibited in HCC. HCC-exo induced M2 macrophage polarization to accelerate migration, invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transition in HCC, which was further enhanced by up-regulated DLX6-AS1 but impaired by silenced DLX6-AS1. Inhibition of miR-15a-5p promoted M2 macrophage polarization to stimulate the invasion and metastasis of HCC while that of CXCL17 had the opposite effects. DLX6-AS1 mediated miR-15a-5p to target CXCL17. DLX6-AS1 from HCC-exo promoted metastasis in the lung by inducing M2 macrophage polarization in vivo. Conclusion DLX6-AS1 from HCC-exo regulates CXCL17 by competitively binding to miR-15a-5p to induce M2 macrophage polarization, thus promoting HCC migration, invasion and EMT. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01973-z.
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Vij M, Calderaro J. Pathologic and molecular features of hepatocellular carcinoma: An update. World J Hepatol 2021; 13:393-410. [PMID: 33959223 PMCID: PMC8080551 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v13.i4.393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Morphological diversity and several new distinct pathologic subtypes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are now well-recognized. Recent advances in tumor genomics and transcriptomics have identified several recurrent somatic/genetic alterations that are closely related with histomorphological subtypes and have therefore, greatly improved our understanding of HCC pathogenesis. Pathologic subtyping allows for a diagnosis which is clinically helpful and can have important implication in patient prognostication as some of these subtypes are extremely aggressive with vascular invasion, early recurrence, and worst outcomes. Several targeted treatments are now being considered in HCC, and the reporting of subtypes may be quite useful for personalized therapeutic purpose. This manuscript reviews the recently identified histomorphological subtypes and molecular alterations in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukul Vij
- Department ofPathology, Dr Rela Institute and Medical Center, Chennai 600044, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Julien Calderaro
- Department of Pathology, Groupe Hospitalier Henri Mondor, Creteil F-94010, France
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