FASL polymorphism is associated with response to bacillus Calmette-Guérin immunotherapy in bladder cancer

Fas -670 A/G polymorphism predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after curative resection in Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis, also called programmed cell death, is a genetically controlled process against hyperproliferation and malignancy. The Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) system is considered a major pathway for apoptosis in cells and tissues. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Fas and FasL gene may have effects on the recurrence and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after curative hepatectomy.

METHODS

We investigated the relationship between Fas rs1800682, rs2234767 and FasL rs763110 polymorphisms and recurrence-free survival (RFS) as well as overall survival (OS) in 117 Chinese Han patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy.

RESULTS

In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, only Fas rs1800682 (-670 A/G) was associated with RFS and OS. Compared with AA genotype, the AG/GG genotype was significantly associated with better RFS (P = 0.008) and OS (P = 0.020). Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that Fas rs1800682 remained as a significant independent predictor of RFS for HCC patients with hepatectomy [AG/GG vs. AA: adjusted hazard ratio = 0.464, 95% confidence interval: 0.275-0.782, P = 0.004], but was not an independent predictor of OS (P = 0.395).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that Fas -670 G allele may play a protective role in the recurrence and survival of HCC patients with hepatectomy. Furthermore, Fas rs1800682 polymorphism might be a promising biomarker for HCC patients after hepatectomy.

Protein Glycosylation and Tumor Microenvironment Alterations Driving Cancer Hallmarks

Decades of research have disclosed a plethora of alterations in protein glycosylation that decisively impact in all stages of disease and ultimately contribute to more aggressive cell phenotypes. The biosynthesis of cancer-associated glycans and its reflection in the glycoproteome is driven by microenvironmental cues and these events act synergistically toward disease evolution. Such intricate crosstalk provides the molecular foundations for the activation of relevant oncogenic pathways and leads to functional alterations driving invasion and disease dissemination. However, it also provides an important source of relevant glyco(neo)epitopes holding tremendous potential for clinical intervention. Therefore, we highlight the transversal nature of glycans throughout the currently accepted cancer hallmarks, with emphasis on the crosstalk between glycans and the tumor microenvironment stromal components. Focus is also set on the pressing need to include glycans and glycoconjugates in comprehensive panomics models envisaging molecular-based precision medicine capable of improving patient care. We foresee that this may provide the necessary rationale for more comprehensive studies and molecular-based intervention.

Hypoxia enhances the malignant nature of bladder cancer cells and concomitantly antagonizes protein O-glycosylation extension

Invasive bladder tumours express the cell-surface Sialyl-Tn (STn) antigen, which stems from a premature stop in protein O-glycosylation. The STn antigen favours invasion, immune escape, and possibly chemotherapy resistance, making it attractive for target therapeutics. However, the events leading to such deregulation in protein glycosylation are mostly unknown. Since hypoxia is a salient feature of advanced stage tumours, we searched into how it influences bladder cancer cells glycophenotype, with emphasis on STn expression. Therefore, three bladder cancer cell lines with distinct genetic and molecular backgrounds (T24, 5637 and HT1376) were submitted to hypoxia. To disclose HIF-1α-mediated events, experiments were also conducted in the presence of Deferoxamine Mesilate (Dfx), an inhibitor of HIF-1α proteasomal degradation. In both conditions all cell lines overexpressed HIF-1α and its transcriptionally-regulated protein CA-IX. This was accompanied by increased lactate biosynthesis, denoting a shift toward anaerobic metabolism. Concomitantly, T24 and 5637 cells acquired a more motile phenotype, consistent with their more mesenchymal characteristics. Moreover, hypoxia promoted STn antigen overexpression in all cell lines and enhanced the migration and invasion of those presenting more mesenchymal characteristics, in an HIF-1α-dependent manner. These effects were reversed by reoxygenation, demonstrating that oxygen affects O-glycan extension. Glycoproteomics studies highlighted that STn was mainly present in integrins and cadherins, suggesting a possible role for this glycan in adhesion, cell motility and invasion. The association between HIF-1α and STn overexpressions and tumour invasion was further confirmed in bladder cancer patient samples. In conclusion, STn overexpression may, in part, result from a HIF-1α mediated cell-survival strategy to adapt to the hypoxic challenge, favouring cell invasion. In addition, targeting STn-expressing glycoproteins may offer potential to treat tumour hypoxic niches harbouring more malignant cells.

Emphasis of FAS/FASL gene polymorphism in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the seventh most common cancer among males worldwide. Some reliable markers in blood, urine, and tumor tissue, including clinicopathologic variables, molecular and inflammatory markers, gene polymorphisms, and tumor gene expression profiles are identified for predicting response to BCG immunotherapy in high-risk BCa patients.

AIMS

We aimed to determine if FAS and FASL polymorphisms are associated with lack of response to BCG in patients with BCa.

METHODS

The study included patients with primary non-muscle invasive BCa that had undergone transurethral resection (TUR). Patient demographics, BCa characteristics, use of BCG immunotherapy, lack of response to BCG (if administered), BCa recurrence, and fatty acid synthetase/fatty acid syntethase ligand (FAS/FASL) polymorphisms were investigated.

RESULTS

The study included 127 patients with primary BCa. Mean age of the 107 (84.3%) male and 20 (15.7%) female patients was 59.3 ± 13.2 years. Among the patients that received BCG immunotherapy, more FAS homozygous patients had BCa recurrence than FAS polymorphism-negative patients (P < 0.001) and more patients with homozygote FASL polymorphisms had BCa recurrence than those with heterozygous FASL polymorphisms and no polymorphism.

CONCLUSION

Evaluation of FAS/FASL polymorphisms can predict lack of response to BCG immunotherapy and prevent the loss of valuable time before such alternative treatments as early cystectomy are initiated.

Quantitative assessment of the relationship between Fas/FasL genes polymorphisms and head and neck cancer risk

BACKGROUND

Molecular epidemiological studies have demonstrated a closer association between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk, and the results of these published studies were inconsistent. We therefore performed this meta-analysis to explore the associations between Fas/FasL polymorphisms and HNC risk.

METHODS

Four online databases (PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang) were searched. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CIs) were calculated to assess the association between Fas -670A>G, Fas -1377G>A, and FasL -844C>T polymorphisms and HNC risk. In addition, heterogeneity, accumulative/sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were conducted to check the statistical power.

RESULTS

Overall, 9 related publications (20 independent case-control studies) involving 3179 patients and 4217 controls were identified. Significant association of protective effects was observed between FasL -844C>T polymorphism and HNC risk in codominant and dominant model models (CT vs CC: OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.79-1.00, P = .05, I = 38.3%, CT+TT vs CC: OR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.79-0.98, P = .02, I = 35.8%). Furthermore, the similar protective effects were observed the subgroup analysis of in Asian population and population-based controls group.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis indicated that FasL -844C>T polymorphism plays a protective role against HNC development, but the Fas -670A>G and Fas -1377G>A polymorphisms maybe not associated with HNC risk.

Targeted O-glycoproteomics explored increased sialylation and identified MUC16 as a poor prognosis biomarker in advanced-stage bladder tumours

Bladder carcinogenesis and tumour progression is accompanied by profound alterations in protein glycosylation on the cell surface, which may be explored for improving disease management. In a search for prognosis biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets we have screened, using immunohistochemistry, a series of bladder tumours with differing clinicopathology for short-chain O-glycans commonly found in glycoproteins of human solid tumours. These included the Tn and T antigens and their sialylated counterparts sialyl-Tn(STn) and sialyl-T(ST), which are generally associated with poor prognosis. We have also explored the nature of T antigen sialylation, namely the sialyl-3-T(S3T) and sialyl-6-T(S6T) sialoforms, based on combinations of enzymatic treatments. We observed a predominance of sialoglycans over neutral glycoforms (Tn and T antigens) in bladder tumours. In particular, the STn antigen was associated with high-grade disease and muscle invasion, in accordance with our previous observations. The S3T and S6T antigens were detected for the first time in bladder tumours, but not in healthy urothelia, highlighting their cancer-specific nature. These glycans were also overexpressed in advanced lesions, especially in cases showing muscle invasion. Glycoproteomic analyses of advanced bladder tumours based on enzymatic treatments, Vicia villosa lectin-affinity chromatography enrichment and nanoLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis resulted in the identification of several key cancer-associated glycoproteins (MUC16, CD44, integrins) carrying altered glycosylation. Of particular interest were MUC16 STn⁺ -glycoforms, characteristic of ovarian cancers, which were found in a subset of advanced-stage bladder tumours facing the worst prognosis. In summary, significant alterations in the O-glycome and O-glycoproteome of bladder tumours hold promise for the development of novel noninvasive diagnostic tools and targeted therapeutics. Furthermore, abnormal MUC16 glycoforms hold potential as surrogate biomarkers of poor prognosis and unique molecular signatures for designing highly specific targeted therapeutics.

Reference Genes for Addressing Gene Expression of Bladder Cancer Cell Models under Hypoxia: A Step Towards Transcriptomic Studies

Highly aggressive, rapidly growing tumors contain significant areas of hypoxia or anoxia as a consequence of inadequate and/or irregular blood supply. During oxygen deprivation, tumor cells withstand a panoply of adaptive responses, including a shift towards anaerobic metabolism and the reprogramming of the transcriptome. One of the major mediators of the transcriptional hypoxic response is the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1), whose stabilization under hypoxia acts as an oncogenic stimulus contributing to chemotherapy resistance, invasion and metastasis. Gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR is a powerful tool for cancer cells phenotypic characterization. Nevertheless, as cells undergo a severe transcriptome remodeling.in response to oxygen deficit, the precise identification of reference genes poses a significant challenge for hypoxic studies. Herein, we aim to establish the best reference genes for studying the effects of hypoxia on bladder cancer cells. Accordingly, three bladder cancer cell lines (T24, 5637, and HT1376) representative of two distinct carcinogenesis pathways to invasive cancer (FGFR3/CCND1 and E2F3/RB1) were used. Additionally, we have explored the most suitable control gene when addressing the influence of Deferoxamine Mesilate salt (DFX), an iron chelator often used to avoid the proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α, acting as an hypoxia-mimetic agent. Using bioinformatics tools (GeNorm and NormFinder), we have elected B2M and HPRT as the most stable genes for all cell lines and experimental conditions out of a panel of seven putative candidates (HPRT, ACTB, 18S, GAPDH, TBP, B2M, and SDHA). These observations set the molecular basis for future studies addressing the effect of hypoxia and particularly HIF-1α in bladder cancer cells.

Prediction of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Response in Patients with Bladder Cancer after Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor by Using Genetic Variation Based on Genomic Studies

Purpose. We aimed to comprehensively review contemporary literature on genetic and epigenetic biomarkers associated with the prediction of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) response after the transurethral resection of a bladder tumor and to discuss the application of these biomarkers in precision cancer care for bladder cancer. Method. We performed a systematic review of published literatures in the databases PubMed and Embase by using the following key words: bladder cancer, BCG, gene, and methylation. Studies associated with cell lines, animal models, and muscle invasive bladder cancer were excluded. Results. The genetic variations associated with BCG response can be classified into three categories: germline variations, somatic variations, and epigenetic alterations. Genes related to BCG response were mainly involved in single-nucleotide polymorphisms, copy number variations, and gene methylations. Conclusions. Although these gene alterations are currently the most promising predictive markers of BCG response, most studies about bladder cancer DNA biomarkers are related to germline variations in candidate genes, and the results are not consistent. Only one study is related to somatic variation, and further evaluation in large-scale validation studies should be conducted to assess the potential clinical application of these findings. In addition, other biomarkers based on different “–omics” technologies should be considered in future studies.

FAS and FASL genetic polymorphisms impact on clinical outcome of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Background

FAS-670 A>G (rs1800682) and FASL-844 C>T (rs763110) polymorphisms have been previously correlated with clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and breast and bladder cancers. We investigated the influence of these polymorphisms on clinical outcome of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) patients.

Patients and methods

In this cohort study (NCT02269878), 68 epithelioid MPM Egyptian patients treated with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy were recruited in the period between April 2014 and May 2015. The genotype analysis was performed using TaqMan^® single-nucleotide polymorphism genotyping assay. The association between the selected polymorphisms and response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 18 months was evaluated.

Results

The median age of patients was 55 years and 45.6% of them received platinum in combination with pemetrexed, while 54.4% received platinum in combination with gemcitabine. FASL-844 CC genotype was more common than expected in early-stage tumor (P=0.042). It was found that there was no association between the investigated polymorphisms and response rate or 18-month OS. However, the PFS rate at 18 months for FASL-844 CC genotype carriers was 45% versus 10.6% for FASL-844 CT/TT genotypes carriers (log-rank: 6.2; P=0.013). Also, the number of platinum-based cycles and tumor stage were found to be significant variables for PFS by univariate analysis (P≤0.001 and P=0.006, respectively). Stratified Cox regression showed that the carriers of FASL-844 CT/TT genotypes were still more susceptible to disease progression than carriers of FASL-844 CC genotype (adjusted HR =3.77, 95% CI: 1.34–10.62, P=0.012).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that FASL-844 C/T polymorphism could predict PFS in MPM patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy; therefore, this should be further evaluated as a potential marker for the prediction of clinical outcome in patients with MPM.

Treatment of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG): Biological markers and simulation studies

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is the preferred first line treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder carcinoma (NMIBC) in order to prevent recurrence and progression of cancer. There is ongoing need for the rational selection of i) BCG dose, ii) frequency of BCG administration along with iii) synergistic adjuvant therapy and iv) a reliable set of biochemical markers relevant to tumor response. In this review we evaluate cellular and molecular markers pertinent to the immunological response triggered by the BCG instillation and respective mathematical models of the treatment. Specific examples of markers include diverse immune cells, genetic polymorphisms, miRNAs, epigenetics, immunohistochemistry and molecular biology 'beacons' as exemplified by cell surface proteins, cytokines, signaling proteins and enzymes. We identified tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I, a combination of Ki-67/CK20, IL-2, IL-8 and IL-6/IL-10 ratio as the most promising markers for both pre-BCG and post-BCG treatment suitable for the simulation studies. The intricate and patient-specific nature of these data warrants the use of powerful multi-parametral mathematical methods in combination with molecular/cellular biology insight and clinical input.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the Fas gene are associated with papillary thyroid cancer

OBJECTIVES

Fas is the prototypic representative of the death receptor subgroup of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. Recently, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the Fas or Fas ligand (FasL) genes have been shown to be associated with an increased risk of several cancers and with the prognosis of several cancers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the SNPs of the Fas and FasL genes and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) and to assess the relationship between these SNPs and the clinicopathological characteristics of PTC.

METHODS

Five SNPs located within the two genes of Fas and FasL were genotyped using direct sequencing in 94 patients with PTC and 364 healthy controls. Genetic data were analyzed using commercially available software. And, the statistical analyses were performed according to clinicopathologic characteristics of PTC.

RESULTS

Genotyping analysis demonstrated that the intron SNP (rs1571013), promoter SNP (rs1800682) and 3'-UTR SNP (rs1468063) of Fas were significantly associated with the development of PTC. We also detected a significant difference between patients with PTC and healthy controls with respect to Fas gene allele frequencies. Furthermore, we found that the 3'-UTR SNP (rs1468063) of Fas was associated with the multifocality of cancer [dominant model, OR 0.28, p=0.028; log-additive model, OR 0.43, p=0.033].

CONCLUSION

We observed a significant association between SNPs of the Fas gene and the development of PTC. In addition, there was a significant association between a Fas SNP and the multifocality of PTC.

Assessment of the BD MGIT TBc identification test for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in a network of mycobacteriology laboratories

We evaluate the performance of the TBcID assay in a panel of 100 acid-fast bacilli cultures. Sixty-four isolates were TBcID positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), whereas 36 gave negative results. These included 28 nontuberculous mycobacteria, one nonmycobacterial isolate, one M. tuberculosis, and six M. bovis BCG strains. This corresponds to a sensitivity of 90.14%, specificity of 100%, and positive and negative predictive values of 100% and 80.55%, respectively. The test is rapid, easy to perform and interpret, and does not require sample preparation or instrumentation. However, a negative result does not exclude the presence of a strain belonging to MTBC, especially when mutations in mpb64 gene are present or some M. bovis BCG strains are isolated. The TBcID showed potential to assist in the identification of MTBC when the implementation and usage of molecular methods are often not possible, principally in resource-limited countries.