HIV-Associated Cancer Biomarkers: A Requirement for Early Diagnosis

Cancer and HIV: The Molecular Mechanisms of the Deadly Duo

The immune deficiency associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection causes a distinct increased risk of developing certain cancer types. Kaposi sarcoma (KS), invasive cervical cancer and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) are the prominent malignancies that manifest as a result of opportunistic viral infections in patients with advanced HIV infection. Despite the implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), the prevalence of these acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining malignancies (ADMs) remains high in developing countries. In contrast, developed countries have experienced a steady decline in the occurrence of these cancer types. However, there has been an increased mortality rate attributed to non-ADMs. Here, we provide a review of the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the development of ADMs and non-ADMs which occur in HIV-infected individuals. It is evident that ART alone is not sufficient to fully mitigate the potential for ADMs and non-ADMs in HIV-infected individuals. To enhance the diagnosis and treatment of both HIV and malignancies, a thorough comprehension of the mechanisms driving the development of such cancers is imperative.

Possible cancer-causing capacity of COVID-19: Is SARS-CoV-2 an oncogenic agent?

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has shown diverse life-threatening effects, most of which are considered short-term. In addition to its short-term effects, which has claimed many millions of lives since 2019, the long-term complications of this virus are still under investigation. Similar to many oncogenic viruses, it has been hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 employs various strategies to cause cancer in different organs. These include leveraging the renin angiotensin system, altering tumor suppressing pathways by means of its nonstructural proteins, and triggering inflammatory cascades by enhancing cytokine production in the form of a "cytokine storm" paving the way for the emergence of cancer stem cells in target organs. Since infection with SARS-CoV-2 occurs in several organs either directly or indirectly, it is expected that cancer stem cells may develop in multiple organs. Thus, we have reviewed the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the vulnerability and susceptibility of specific organs to cancer development. It is important to note that the cancer-related effects of SARS-CoV-2 proposed in this article are based on the ability of the virus and its proteins to cause cancer but that the long-term consequences of this infection will only be illustrated in the long run.

Identification of unique transcriptomic signatures and key genes through RNA sequencing and integrated WGCNA and PPI network analysis in HIV infected lung cancer

With the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HARRT), the survival time of AIDS patients has been greatly extended. However, the incidence of lung cancer in HIV-infected patients is increasing and has become a major problem threatening the survival of AIDS patients. The aim of this study is to use Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and differential gene analysis to find possible key genes involved in HIV-infected lung cancer. In this study, using lung tissue samples from five pairs of HIV-infected lung cancer patients, second-generation sequencing was performed and transcriptomic data were obtained. A total of 132 HIV-infected lung cancer-related genes were screened out by WGCNA and differential gene expression analysis methods. Based on gene annotation analysis, these genes were mainly enriched in mitosis-related functions and pathways. In addition, in protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, a total of 39 hub genes were identified. Among them, five genes (ASPM, CDCA8, CENPF, CEP55, and PLK1) were present in both three hub gene lists (intersection gene, DEGs, and WCGNA module) suggesting that these five genes may become key genes involved in HIV-infected lung cancer.

LncRNA RP11-499E18.1 Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Process of Ovarian Cancer Cells by Dissociating PAK2-SOX2 Interaction

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC)is a deadly gynecological malignancy worldwide. It is urgent to identify diagnostic biomarkers of OC to disclose the underlying mechanism. Methods and Materials: Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify target genes. Gene expression was detected and altered by qRT-PCR and cell transfection, respectively. The interaction between RP11-499E18.1 and PAK2, as well as that between PAK2 and SOX2, was determined using RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assay, respectively. Localizations of RP11-499E18.1, PAK2, and SOX2 were respectively determined employing immunohistochemical (IHC), IF, and FISH. The regulatory effects of RP11-499E18.1, PAK2, and SOX2 on OC cell proliferation, migration, colony formation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related factor expression, and SOX2 nuclear translocation were determined. Finally, the effects of RP11-499E18.1 and PAK2 expression on the tumor growth in nude mice were determined. Results: RP11-499E18.1, PAK2, and SOX2 were selected in our study. RP11-499E18.1 was downregulated, while PAK2 and SOX2 was upregulated in OC tissues and cells. RP11-499E18.1 coexists in the nucleus and cytoplasm of OC cells. There is an interaction between RP11-499E18.1 and PAK2, as well as PAK2 and SOX2 in OC cells. Alteration of RP11-499E18.1 and PAK2 expression both had no influence on PAK2 and SOX2 levels, but PAK2 upregulation notably augmented p-SOX2 level. RP11-499E18.1 overexpression suppressed OC cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation, as well as SOX2 nuclear translocation. Besides, it inhibited tumor growth in nude mice. However, these effects were notably reversed by PAK2 upregulation and eventually offset by SOX2 knockdown. Additionally, RP11-499E18.1 overexpression reduced PAK2-SOX2 interaction and SOX phosphorylation, and increased the binding of RP11-499E18.1 by PAK2. Conclusion: These lines of evidence demonstrated that RP11-499E18.1 might play its tumor suppressor roles in OC via regulation of the RP11-499E18.1-PAK2-SOX2 axis. This research indicated that RP11-499E18.1 might be used as a diagnostic biomarker for OC in the future.