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Chan CYK, Yuen VWH, Chiu DKC, Goh CC, Thu KL, Cescon DW, Soria-Bretones I, Law CT, Cheu JWS, Lee D, Tse APW, Tan KV, Zhang MS, Wong BPY, Wong CM, Khong PL, Ng IOL, Bray MR, Mak TW, Yau TCC, Wong CCL. Polo-like kinase 4 inhibitor CFI-400945 suppresses liver cancer through cell cycle perturbation and eliciting antitumor immunity. Hepatology 2023; 77:729-744. [PMID: 35302667 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Prognosis of HCC remains poor due to lack of effective therapies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have delayed response and are only effective in a subset of patients. Treatments that could effectively shrink the tumors within a short period of time are idealistic to be employed together with ICIs for durable tumor suppressive effects. HCC acquires increased tolerance to aneuploidy. The rapid division of HCC cells relies on centrosome duplication. In this study, we found that polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4), a centrosome duplication regulator, represents a therapeutic vulnerability in HCC. APPROACH AND RESULTS An orally available PLK4 inhibitor, CFI-400945, potently suppressed proliferating HCC cells by perturbing centrosome duplication. CFI-400945 induced endoreplication without stopping DNA replication, causing severe aneuploidy, DNA damage, micronuclei formation, cytosolic DNA accumulation, and senescence. The cytosolic DNA accumulation elicited the DEAD box helicase 41-stimulator of interferon genes-interferon regulatory factor 3/7-NF-κβ cytosolic DNA sensing pathway, thereby driving the transcription of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes, which recruit immune cells. CFI-400945 was evaluated in liver-specific p53/phosphatase and tensin homolog knockout mouse HCC models established by hydrodynamic tail vein injection. Tumor-infiltrated immune cells were analyzed. CFI-400945 significantly impeded HCC growth and increased infiltration of cluster of differentiation 4-positive (CD4 + ), CD8 + T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells. Combination therapy of CFI-400945 with anti-programmed death-1 showed a tendency to improve HCC survival. CONCLUSIONS We show that by targeting a centrosome regulator, PLK4, to activate the cytosolic DNA sensing-mediated immune response, CFI-400945 effectively restrained tumor progression through cell cycle inhibition and inducing antitumor immunity to achieve a durable suppressive effect even in late-stage mouse HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cerise Yuen-Ki Chan
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology , Hong Kong Science Park , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Vincent Wai-Hin Yuen
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology , Hong Kong Science Park , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | | | - Chi-Ching Goh
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Kelsie L Thu
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research , Princess Margaret Cancer Centre , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - David W Cescon
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research , Princess Margaret Cancer Centre , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Isabel Soria-Bretones
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research , Princess Margaret Cancer Centre , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Cheuk-Ting Law
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Jacinth Wing-Sum Cheu
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology , Hong Kong Science Park , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Derek Lee
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology , Hong Kong Science Park , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Aki Pui-Wah Tse
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology , Hong Kong Science Park , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Kel Vin Tan
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Misty Shuo Zhang
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology , Hong Kong Science Park , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Bowie Po-Yee Wong
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Chun-Ming Wong
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Pek-Lan Khong
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Mark R Bray
- The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research , Princess Margaret Cancer Centre , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Tak Wah Mak
- Centre for Oncology and Immunology , Hong Kong Science Park , Hong Kong SAR , China.,The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research , Princess Margaret Cancer Centre , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Thomas Chung-Cheung Yau
- State Key Laboratory of Liver Research , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Department of Medicine , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China
| | - Carmen Chak-Lui Wong
- Department of Pathology , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Centre for Oncology and Immunology , Hong Kong Science Park , Hong Kong SAR , China.,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research , The University of Hong Kong , Hong Kong SAR , China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for RNA Medicine , Sun Yat-Sen University , Guangzhou , China
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2
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Chiu DKC, Yuen VWH, Cheu JWS, Wei LL, Ting V, Fehlings M, Sumatoh H, Nardin A, Newell EW, Ng IOL, Yau TCC, Wong CM, Wong CCL. Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Up-regulate PVRL1, Stabilizing PVR and Inhibiting the Cytotoxic T-Cell Response via TIGIT to Mediate Tumor Resistance to PD1 Inhibitors in Mice. Gastroenterology 2020; 159:609-623. [PMID: 32275969 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2020.03.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [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] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Immune checkpoint inhibitors are effective in the treatment of some hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), but these tumors do not always respond to inhibitors of programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1, also called PD1). We investigated mechanisms of resistance of liver tumors in mice to infiltrating T cells. METHODS Mice were given hydrodynamic tail vein injections of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 (CRISPR-Cas9) and transposon vectors to disrupt Trp53 and overexpress C-Myc (Trp53KO/C-MycOE mice). Pvrl1 and Pvrl3 were knocked down in Hepa1-6 cells by using short hairpin RNAs. Hepa1-6 cells were injected into livers of C57BL/6 mice; some mice were given intraperitoneal injections of antibodies against PD1, T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT), or CD8 before the cancer cells were injected. Liver tissues were collected from mice and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; tumors were analyzed by mass cytometry using markers to detect T cells and other lymphocytes. We obtained HCC and nontumorous liver tissues and clinical data from patients who underwent surgery in Hong Kong and analyzed the tissues by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Trp53KO/C-MycOE mice developed liver tumors in 3-5 weeks; injections of anti-PD1 did not slow tumor development. Tumors from mice given anti-PD1 had larger numbers of memory CD8+ T cells (CD44+CD62L-KLRG1int) and T cells that expressed PD1, lymphocyte activating 3 (LAG3), and TIGIT compared with mice not given the antibody. HCC tissues from patients had higher levels of PVRL1 messenger RNA and protein than nontumorous tissues. Increased PVRL1 was associated with shorter times of disease-free survival. Knockdown of Pvrl1 in Hepa1-6 cells caused them to form smaller tumors in mice, infiltrated by higher numbers of CD8+ T cells that expressed the inhibitory protein TIGIT; these effects were not observed in mice with depletion of CD8+ T cells. In Hepa1-6 cells, PVRL1 stabilized cell surface PVR, which interacted with TIGIT on CD8+ T cells; knockdown of Pvrl1 reduced cell-surface levels of PVR but not levels of Pvr messenger RNA. In Trp53KO/C-MycOE mice and mice with tumors grown from Hepa1-6 cells, injection of the combination of anti-PD1 and anti-TIGIT significantly reduced tumor growth, increased the ratio of cytotoxic to regulatory T cells in tumors, and prolonged survival. CONCLUSIONS PVRL1, which is up-regulated by HCC cells, stabilizes cell surface PVR, which interacts with TIGIT, an inhibitory molecule on CD8+ effector memory T cells. This suppresses the ant-tumor immune response. Inhibitors of PVRL1/TIGIT, along with anti-PD1 might be developed for treatment of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Larry Lai Wei
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Vox Ting
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | | | | | - Evan W Newell
- ImmunoSCAPE Pte Ltd, Singapore; Vaccine and Infections Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
| | - Irene Oi-Lin Ng
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Thomas Chung-Cheung Yau
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Chun-Ming Wong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Carmen Chak-Lui Wong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
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3
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Ng L, Kwan V, Chow A, Yau TCC, Poon RTP, Pang R, Law WL. Overexpression of Pin1 and rho signaling partners correlates with metastatic behavior and poor recurrence-free survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. BMC Cancer 2019; 19:713. [PMID: 31324164 PMCID: PMC6642482 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-019-5919-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Identification of molecular markers for early detection or prediction of metastasis is crucial for both management of HCC patient postoperative treatment and identify new therapeutic targets to inhibit HCC progression and metastasis. In the current study, we investigated the clinical correlation between Pin1, RhoA and RhoC and their association with HCC metastasis. Methods Using a randomized study design of primary HCC samples from 139 patients, we determined messenger RNA expression of Pin1, RhoA and RhoC and their prognostic value. Results Our findings demonstrated for the first time the clinical correlation of Pin1 in HCC metastasis. Pin1, RhoA and RhoC transcript levels were significantly higher in HCC specimens when compared with the paired adjacent non-tumorous liver. Pin1 overexpression was closely correlated with that of RhoA (R = 0.562, p < 0.001) and RhoC (R = 0.529, p < 0.001), and their co-overexpressions correlated with metastatic HCC (p = 0.000012) and poor recurrence-free survival of HCC patients (p < 0.00001), which showed better prognostic significance than either Pin1, RhoA or RhoC overexpression alone. Co-overexpressions of Pin1 + RhoA/RhoC were also an independent factor for predicting development of metastasis after curative resection in our multivariate regression model (p < 0.001). Conclusion Pin1, RhoA and RhoC co-overexpressions are prognostic factor for metastatic HCC and predict poor recurrence-free survival. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12885-019-5919-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lui Ng
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Virginia Kwan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Ariel Chow
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Thomas Chung-Cheung Yau
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Ronnie Tung-Ping Poon
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.,Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
| | - Roberta Pang
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong. .,Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong.
| | - Wai-Lun Law
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong
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4
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Ng L, Wan TMH, Man JHW, Chow AKM, Iyer D, Chen G, Yau TCC, Lo OSH, Foo DCC, Poon JTC, Leung WK, Pang RWC, Law WL. Identification of serum miR-139-3p as a non-invasive biomarker for colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 8:27393-27400. [PMID: 28404964 PMCID: PMC5432343 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.16171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant levels of circulating microRNAs are potential biomarkers for the early detection of colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to study miR-139-3p and miR-622 in serum as a non-invasive biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis. We applied quantitative polymerase chain reaction to determine the levels of miR-139-3p and miR-622 in 42 pairs of tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues, and in serum samples of 117 patients and 90 control subjects. Our results showed that miR-139-3p was silenced whereas miR-622 was overexpressed in colorectal cancer. Similarly, serum miR-139-3p level was significantly lower in colorectal cancer patients than in control subjects whereas miR-622 was more frequently detectable in patients. ROC analysis showed that AUC of miR-139-3p was 0.9935, with a sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 97.8%. Serum miR-139-3p level showed high sensitivity and specificity for both early and late stage CRCs and proximal and distal CRCs. Detectable serum miR-622 showed a sensitivity of 87.5% and specificity of 63.5% for discriminating CRC patients, but the sensitivity dropped for late stage patients (72.7%). We also included analyses of the blood CEA level for comparing the diagnostic performance of these blood-based biomarkers. The median level in CRC patients (3.6 ng/ml) was significantly higher than that in control (1.8 ng/ml). The AUC value of CEA in diagnosing CRC patients was 0.7515. CEA showed a positive correlation with tumor stage and age of patients and its level was higher in male. Collectively, serum miR-139-3p has strong potential as a promising non-invasive biomarker in colorectal cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lui Ng
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Timothy Ming-Hun Wan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Johnny Hon-Wai Man
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ariel Ka-Man Chow
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Deepak Iyer
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guanghua Chen
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Thomas Chung-Cheung Yau
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Oswens Siu-Hung Lo
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dominic Chi-Chung Foo
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jensen Tung-Chung Poon
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai-Keung Leung
- Department of Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Roberta Wen-Chi Pang
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai-Lun Law
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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5
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Ng L, Wan TMH, Lam CSC, Chow AKM, Wong SKM, Man JHW, Li HS, Cheng NSM, Pak RCH, Cheung AHK, Yau TCC, Lo OSH, Foo DCC, Poon JTC, Poon RTP, Pang RWC, Law WL. Post-operative plasma osteopontin predicts distant metastasis in human colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0126219. [PMID: 25961724 PMCID: PMC4427310 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0126219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [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: 08/28/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The overall prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is unsatisfactory due to cancer metastasis after operation. This study aims to investigate the clinical significance of plasma osteopontin (OPN) levels as minimally invasive, predictive, and surrogate biomarkers for prognosis of CRC patients. Methods This randomized study design consists of pre-operative and post-operative plasma samples from a total of 79 patients. We determined plasma levels of OPN by ELISA and examined their correlation with the clinicopathological parameters of CRC patients. The effects of endogenous and exogenous OPN on CRC metastasis were investigated by examination of the effect on regulators of epithelial to messenchymal transition and migration assay. Results Our findings demonstrated for the first time the clinical correlation of plasma OPN with metastasis of CRC patients. High post-operative plasma OPN level (>153.02 ng/ml) associated with development of metastasis after curative resection (p<0.001). Moreover, post-operative plasma OPN level correlated with disease-free survival of CRC patients (p=0.009) and was an independent factor for predicting development of metastasis in CRC patients after curative resection (p=0.036). Our in vitro model showed that OPN ectopic expression induced DLD1 cell migration through Snail and Twist1 overexpression and E-cadherin repression, and secretory OPN level enhanced cell migration. Conclusions The results of the current study suggest that post-operative plasma OPN correlated with post-operative metastasis, suggesting that it is a potential non-invasive biomarker for the development of future metastasis in CRC patients. In addition, OPN was shown to be involved in the metastatic process and thus inhibition of OPN is a potential therapeutic approach to treat CRC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lui Ng
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Timothy Ming-Hun Wan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Colin Siu-Chi Lam
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ariel Ka-Man Chow
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sunny Kit-Man Wong
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Johnny Hon-Wai Man
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hung-Sing Li
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nathan Shiu-Man Cheng
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ryan Chung-Hei Pak
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alvin Ho-Kwan Cheung
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas Chung-Cheung Yau
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Oswens Siu-Hung Lo
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Dominic Chi-Chung Foo
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jensen Tung-Chung Poon
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ronnie Tung-Ping Poon
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Roberta Wen-Chi Pang
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Wai-Lun Law
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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6
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Lam CSC, Cheung AHK, Wong SKM, Wan TMH, Ng L, Chow AKM, Cheng NSM, Pak RCH, Li HS, Man JHW, Yau TCC, Lo OSH, Poon JTC, Pang RWC, Law WL. Prognostic significance of CD26 in patients with colorectal cancer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e98582. [PMID: 24870408 PMCID: PMC4037185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background CD26, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, was discovered firstly as a membrane-associated peptidase on the surface of leukocyte. We previously demonstrated that a subpopulation of CD26+ cells were associated with the development of distant metastasis, enhanced invasiveness and chemoresistance in colorectal cancer (CRC). In order to understand the clinical impact of CD26, the expression was investigated in CRC patient's specimens. This study investigated the prognostic significance of tumour CD26 expression in patients with CRC. Examination of CD26+ cells has significant clinical impact for the prediction of distant metastasis development in colorectal cancer, and could be used as a selection criterion for further therapy. Methods Tumour CD26 expression levels were studied by immunohistochemistry using Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues in 143 patients with CRC. Tumour CD26 expression levels were correlated with clinicopathological features of the CRC patients. The prognostic significance of tumour tissue CD26 expression levels was assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. Result CD26 expression levels in CRC patients with distant metastasis were significantly higher than those in non-metastatic. High expression levels of CD26 were significantly associated with advanced tumour staging. Patients with a high CD26 expression level had significantly worse overall survival than those with a lower level (p<0.001). Conclusions The expression of CD26 was positively associated with clinicopathological correlation such as TNM staging, degree of differentiation and development of metastasis. A high CD26 expression level is a predictor of poor outcome after resection of CRC. CD26 may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Siu-Chi Lam
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Alvin Ho-Kwan Cheung
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sunny Kit-Man Wong
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Timothy Ming-Hun Wan
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lui Ng
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ariel Ka-Man Chow
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nathan Shiu-Man Cheng
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ryan Chung-Hei Pak
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hung-Sing Li
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Johnny Hon-Wai Man
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas Chung-Cheung Yau
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Oswens Siu-Hung Lo
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jensen Tung-Chung Poon
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Roberta Wen-Chi Pang
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Centre for Cancer Research, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Wai Lun Law
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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7
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Chow AKM, Ng L, Lam CSC, Wong SKM, Wan TMH, Cheng NSM, Yau TCC, Poon RTP, Pang RWC. The Enhanced metastatic potential of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells with sorafenib resistance. PLoS One 2013; 8:e78675. [PMID: 24244338 PMCID: PMC3823841 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0078675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [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: 06/25/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acquired resistance towards sorafenib treatment was found in HCC patients, which results in poor prognosis. To investigate the enhanced metastatic potential of sorafenib resistance cells, sorafenib-resistant (SorR) cell lines were established by long-term exposure of the HCC cells to the maximum tolerated dose of sorafenib. Cell proliferation assay and qPCR of ABC transporter genes (ABCC1-3) were first performed to confirm the resistance of cells. Migration and invasion assays, and immunoblotting analysis on the expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) regulatory proteins were performed to study the metastatic potential of SorR cells. The expression of CD44 and CD133 were studied by flow cytometry and the gene expressions of pluripotency factors were studied by qPCR to demonstrate the enrichment of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in SorR cells. Control (CTL) and SorR cells were also injected orthotopically to the livers of NOD-SCID mice to investigate the development of lung metastasis. Increased expressions of ABCC1-3 were found in SorR cells. Enhanced migratory and invasive abilities of SorR cells were observed. The changes in expression of EMT regulatory proteins demonstrated an activation of the EMT process in SorR cells. Enriched proportion of CD44+ and CD44+CD133+ cells were also observed in SorR cells. All (8/8) mice injected with SorR cells demonstrated lung metastasis whereas only 1/8 mouse injected with CTL cells showed lung metastasis. HCC cells with sorafenib resistance demonstrated a higher metastatic potential, which may be due to the activated EMT process. Enriched CSCs were also demonstrated in the sorafenib resistant cells. This study suggests that advanced HCC patients with acquired sorafenib resistance may have enhanced tumor growth or distant metastasis, which raises the concern of long-term sorafenib treatment in advanced HCC patients who have developed resistance of sorafenib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Ka-Man Chow
- Centre for Cancer Research, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Lui Ng
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Colin Siu-Chi Lam
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sunny Kit-Man Wong
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Timothy Ming-Hun Wan
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Nathan Shiu-Man Cheng
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Thomas Chung-Cheung Yau
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ronnie Tung-Ping Poon
- Centre for Cancer Research, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Roberta Wen-Chi Pang
- Centre for Cancer Research, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- * E-mail:
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Ng L, Tung-Ping Poon R, Yau S, Chow A, Lam C, Li HS, Chung-Cheung Yau T, Law WL, Pang R. Suppression of actopaxin impairs hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis through modulation of cell migration and invasion. Hepatology 2013; 58:667-79. [PMID: 23504997 DOI: 10.1002/hep.26396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 03/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Early reports suggested that actopaxin, a member of the focal adhesion proteins, regulates cell migration. Here we investigated whether actopaxin is involved in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and metastasis. We examined actopaxin expression in human HCC samples using immunohistochemistry and western blotting. The functional and molecular effect of actopaxin was studied in vitro by overexpression in a nonmetastatic HCC cell line, as well as repression in a metastatic cell line. The in vivo effect of actopaxin repression was studied in nonobese diabetic and severe combined immunodeficient mice. We found that actopaxin was frequently overexpressed in human HCC patients and its overexpression positively correlated with tumor size, stage, and metastasis. Actopaxin expression also correlated with the metastatic potential of HCC cell lines. Actopaxin overexpression induced the invasion and migration ability of nonmetastatic HCC cells, whereas down-regulation of actopaxin reverted the invasive phenotypes and metastatic potential of metastatic HCC cells through regulating the protein expression of certain focal adhesion proteins including ILK, PINCH, paxillin, and cdc42, as well as regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway. Furthermore, there was a close association between actopaxin and CD29. HCC cells with stronger CD29 expression showed a higher actopaxin level, whereas actopaxin repression attenuated CD29 activity. Finally, actopaxin down-regulation enhanced the chemosensitivity of HCC cells towards oxaliplatin treatment by way of a collective result of suppression of survivin protein, β-catenin, and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways and up-regulation of p53. CONCLUSION This study provides concrete evidence of a significant role of actopaxin in HCC progression and metastasis, by way of regulation of cell invasiveness and motility, an epithelial-mesenchymal transition process, and chemosensitivity to cytotoxic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lui Ng
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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