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Molecular Classification of Human Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment 2016

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2016) | Viewed by 258256

Special Issue Editor

Department of Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Hong Kong, China
Interests: cancer biomarker; evidence-based medicine; extracellular vesicles; genomics; microRNA; molecular diagnostics; non-coding RNAs; nasopharyngeal carcinoma; next-generation sequencing; non-small cell lung cancer; proteomics; drug repurposing and bioinformatics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Worldwide, human cancer occurs with increasingly higher incidences and mortalities. The traditional diagnostic practice for this disease is mainly based on histological patterns. Recent research supports the notion that cancer is not a single malignant disorder, but rather, a group of distinct molecular diseases. In the era of precision medicine with targeted therapies, there is an imperative need to overcome the limitations of the conventional classification system, so as to accurately stratify patients to achieve maximum therapeutic efficacy. As such, many molecular diagnostic tests have been developed to identify the underlying genetic signatures and incorporate them into the conventional histopathological classifications of cancers.

The profiling of cancer has yielded a number of genetic, microRNA, proteomic, metabolic, and imaging markers for molecular classification. Newer approaches include, but are not limited to, cancer stem cell analysis and next-generation sequencing. Indeed, molecular classification has already been extensively applied to some types of cancer, such as the subtypes of luminal A and lumina B estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, the subtypes of ALK- and EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer, the subtypes of WNT pathway and Sonic Hedgehog pathway medulloblastoma, etc. This Special Issue discusses the significance of molecular classification and its impact on the diagnosis of, and rational therapy for cancer.

Dr. William Chi-shing Cho
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • cancer biomarker
  • cancer stem cells
  • clinical trial
  • copy number variation
  • cytogenetics
  • diagnostic imaging
  • digital PCR
  • epigenomics
  • fluorescence in situ hybridization
  • genome-wide association studies
  • genomic database
  • genomics
  • immunohistochemistry
  • metabolomics
  • methylation
  • microarray
  • microfluidics, nanofluidics
  • microRNA
  • molecular classification
  • molecular diagnostics
  • molecular tumor pathology
  • next-generation sequencing
  • non-coding RNAs
  • omics
  • PCR array
  • personalized medicine
  • post-translational modifications
  • precision medicine
  • proteomics
  • single nucleotide polymorphism
  • targeted therapy
  • theranostics
  • translational cancer research

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Published Papers (30 papers)

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4336 KiB  
Article
Circulating Cell-Free DNA and Circulating Tumor Cells as Prognostic and Predictive Biomarkers in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with First-Line Chemotherapy
by Simona Coco, Angela Alama, Irene Vanni, Vincenzo Fontana, Carlo Genova, Maria Giovanna Dal Bello, Anna Truini, Erika Rijavec, Federica Biello, Claudio Sini, Giovanni Burrafato, Claudia Maggioni, Giulia Barletta and Francesco Grossi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(5), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18051035 - 11 May 2017
Cited by 35 | Viewed by 5664
Abstract
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we examined the prognostic role of cfDNA and CTCs, in separate and joint analyses, in NSCLC patients receiving first line [...] Read more.
Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are promising prognostic and predictive biomarkers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we examined the prognostic role of cfDNA and CTCs, in separate and joint analyses, in NSCLC patients receiving first line chemotherapy. Seventy-three patients with advanced NSCLC were enrolled in this study. CfDNA and CTC were analyzed at baseline and after two cycles of chemotherapy. Plasma cfDNA quantification was performed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) whereas CTCs were isolated by the ScreenCell Cyto (ScreenCell, Paris, France) device and enumerated according to malignant features. Patients with baseline cfDNA higher than the median value (96.3 hTERT copy number) had a significantly worse overall survival (OS) and double the risk of death (hazard ratio (HR): 2.14; 95% confidence limits (CL) = 1.24–3.68; p-value = 0.006). Conversely, an inverse relationship between CTC median baseline number (6 CTC/3 mL of blood) and OS was observed. In addition, we found that in patients reporting stable disease (SD), the baseline cfDNA and CTCs were able to discriminate patients at high risk of poor survival. cfDNA demonstrated a more reliable biomarker than CTCs in the overall population. In the subgroup of SD patients, both biomarkers identified patients at high risk of poor prognosis who might deserve additional/alternative therapeutic interventions. Full article
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Article
Genetic Polymorphisms Contribute to the Individual Variations of Imatinib Mesylate Plasma Levels and Adverse Reactions in Chinese GIST Patients
by Jing Liu, Zhiyu Chen, Hanmei Chen, Yingyong Hou, Weiqi Lu, Junyi He, Hanxing Tong, Yuhong Zhou and Weimin Cai
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(3), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18030603 - 13 Mar 2017
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5183
Abstract
Imatinib mesylate (IM) has dramatically improved the outcomes of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients. However, the clinical responses of IM may considerably vary among single individuals. This study aimed to investigate the influences of genetic polymorphisms of drug-metabolizing enzyme (CYP3A4), transporters (ABCB1, ABCG2), [...] Read more.
Imatinib mesylate (IM) has dramatically improved the outcomes of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients. However, the clinical responses of IM may considerably vary among single individuals. This study aimed to investigate the influences of genetic polymorphisms of drug-metabolizing enzyme (CYP3A4), transporters (ABCB1, ABCG2), and nuclear receptor (Pregnane X Receptor (PXR, encoded by NR1I2)) on IM plasma levels and related adverse reactions in Chinese GIST patients. A total of 68 Chinese GIST patients who have received IM 300–600 mg/day were genotyped for six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (CYP3A4 rs2242480; ABCB1 rs1045642; ABCG2 rs2231137; NRI12 rs3814055, rs6785049, rs2276706), and the steady-state IM trough plasma concentrations were measured by a validated HPLC method. There were statistically significant variances in the steady-state IM trough plasma concentrations (from 272.22 to 4365.96 ng/mL). Subjects of GG in rs2242480, T allele carriers in rs1045642 and CC in rs3814055 had significantly higher steady-state IM dose-adjusted trough plasma concentrations. Subjects of CC in rs3814055 had significantly higher incidence rate of edema. The genetic polymorphisms of rs2242480, rs1045642, rs3814055 were significantly associated with IM plasma levels, and the genetic variations of rs3814055 were significantly associated with the incidence rate of edema in Chinese GIST patients. The current results may serve as valuable fundamental knowledge for IM therapy in Chinese GIST patients. Full article
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Article
FKBP51 Immunohistochemical Expression: A New Prognostic Biomarker for OSCC?
by Daniela Russo, Francesco Merolla, Massimo Mascolo, Gennaro Ilardi, Simona Romano, Silvia Varricchio, Virginia Napolitano, Angela Celetti, Loredana Postiglione, Pier Paolo Di Lorenzo, Luigi Califano, Giovanni Orabona Dell’Aversana, Fabio Astarita, Maria Fiammetta Romano and Stefania Staibano
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(2), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18020443 - 18 Feb 2017
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5137
Abstract
Up-to-date, several molecular markers of prognosis have been studied in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), but none entered in the clinical setting. Therapy of OSCC tumors mainly relies on surgery, radiotherapy and partially on chemotherapy; there is an urgent need for biomarkers able [...] Read more.
Up-to-date, several molecular markers of prognosis have been studied in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC), but none entered in the clinical setting. Therapy of OSCC tumors mainly relies on surgery, radiotherapy and partially on chemotherapy; there is an urgent need for biomarkers able to better stratify OSCC patients’ risk to address targeted therapeutic strategies. The role of immune response in the pathogenesis and biological behavior of OSCC has been investigated by several authors, and promising results have been obtained with immune checkpoint inhibitors. We already investigated the role of the immune modulator FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51), a FK506-binding immunophilin, in cutaneous melanoma biology, and its expression in several human solid tumors. In the present study, we aimed to assess the value of FKBP51 expression in OSCC tumor cells as a marker of outcome. We collected clinical data from 72 patients who underwent surgery for Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue, floor, lips and palate. FKBP51 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tumor tissues. In addition, we evaluated the human papillomavirus (HPV) status of primary tumors by immunohistochemistry, viral subtyping and In Situ Hybridization (ISH) assay. We found that high FKBP51-expressing tumors characterized the OSCCs with the worst prognosis: the high immunohistochemical expression of FKBP51 associated with death occurring within five years from the diagnosis with a sensitivity of 88.46% and a specificity of 91.67%. The estimated positive predictive value of the test was 88.45% and negative predictive value 91.67%. We tested FKBP51 mRNA presence, by RT-PCR assay, in a selected series of OSCC tumors, and we found that mRNA correlated well to the protein expression and to the clinical outcome. Applying the Bayes formula, we estimated an 88% probability of dying within five years from the diagnosis of OSCC patients with a high FKBP51 immunohistochemical (IHC) test result (>51% of FKBP51 positive tumor cells). On the basis of our analysis, we propose tumor tissue expression of FKBP51 protein as a reliable prognostic marker for OSCC tumors. Full article
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Article
Shp2 Plays a Critical Role in IL-6-Induced EMT in Breast Cancer Cells
by Xuan Sun, Jie Zhang, Zhiyong Wang, Wei Ji, Ran Tian, Fei Zhang and Ruifang Niu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(2), 395; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18020395 - 13 Feb 2017
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 8527
Abstract
Accumulative evidence demonstrates that the protein tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 functions as a powerful tumor promoter in many types of cancers. Abnormal expression of Shp2 has been implicated in many human malignancies. Overexpression of Shp2 in cancer tissues is correlated with cancer metastasis, resistance [...] Read more.
Accumulative evidence demonstrates that the protein tyrosine phosphatase Shp2 functions as a powerful tumor promoter in many types of cancers. Abnormal expression of Shp2 has been implicated in many human malignancies. Overexpression of Shp2 in cancer tissues is correlated with cancer metastasis, resistance to targeted therapy, and poor prognosis. The well-known function of Shp2 is its positive role in regulating cellular signaling initiated by growth factors and cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6). Several recent studies have shown that Shp2 is required for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), triggered by growth factors. However, whether Shp2 is involved in IL-6-signaling-promoted breast cancer EMT and progression, remains undefined. In this study, we showed that exogenous and endogenous IL-6 can enhance breast cancer invasion and migration, through the promotion of EMT. IL-6 also induces the activation of Erk1/2 and the phosphorylation of Shp2. Knockdown of Shp2 attenuated the IL-6-induced downregulation of E-cadherin, as well as IL-6-promoted cell migration and invasion. Moreover, by using Shp2 phosphatase mutants, phosphor-tyrosine mimicking, and deficiency mutants, we provided evidence that the phosphatase activity of Shp2 and its tyrosine phosphorylation, are necessary for the IL-6-induced downregulation of E-cadherin and the phosphorylation of Erk1/2. Our findings uncover an important function that links Shp2 to IL-6-promoted breast cancer progression. Full article
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6467 KiB  
Article
Multinucleated Giant Cancer Cells Produced in Response to Ionizing Radiation Retain Viability and Replicate Their Genome
by Razmik Mirzayans, Bonnie Andrais, April Scott, Ying W. Wang, Piyush Kumar and David Murray
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(2), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18020360 - 08 Feb 2017
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 6167
Abstract
Loss of wild-type p53 function is widely accepted to be permissive for the development of multinucleated giant cells. However, whether therapy-induced multinucleation is associated with cancer cell death or survival remains controversial. Herein, we demonstrate that exposure of p53-deficient or p21WAF1 (p21)-deficient [...] Read more.
Loss of wild-type p53 function is widely accepted to be permissive for the development of multinucleated giant cells. However, whether therapy-induced multinucleation is associated with cancer cell death or survival remains controversial. Herein, we demonstrate that exposure of p53-deficient or p21WAF1 (p21)-deficient solid tumor-derived cell lines to ionizing radiation (between 2 and 8 Gy) results in the development of multinucleated giant cells that remain adherent to the culture dish for long times post-irradiation. Somewhat surprisingly, single-cell observations revealed that virtually all multinucleated giant cells that remain adherent for the duration of the experiments (up to three weeks post-irradiation) retain viability and metabolize 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), and the majority (>60%) exhibit DNA synthesis. We further report that treatment of multinucleated giant cells with pharmacological activators of apoptosis (e.g., sodium salicylate) triggers their demise. Our observations reinforce the notion that radiation-induced multinucleation may reflect a survival mechanism for p53/p21-deficient cancer cells. With respect to evaluating radiosensitivity, our observations underscore the importance of single-cell experimental approaches (e.g., single-cell MTT) as the creation of viable multinucleated giant cells complicates the interpretation of the experimental data obtained by commonly-used multi-well plate colorimetric assays. Full article
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3611 KiB  
Article
Estrogen Enhances the Expression of the Multidrug Transporter Gene ABCG2—Increasing Drug Resistance of Breast Cancer Cells through Estrogen Receptors
by Fung-Wei Chang, Hueng-Chuen Fan, Jui-Ming Liu, Tai-Ping Fan, Jin Jing, Chia-Ling Yang and Ren-Jun Hsu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(1), 163; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18010163 - 14 Jan 2017
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 5251
Abstract
Background: Multidrug resistance is a major obstacle in the successful therapy of breast cancer. Studies have proved that this kind of drug resistance happens in both human cancers and cultured cancer cell lines. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance is important for [...] Read more.
Background: Multidrug resistance is a major obstacle in the successful therapy of breast cancer. Studies have proved that this kind of drug resistance happens in both human cancers and cultured cancer cell lines. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of drug resistance is important for the reasonable design and use of new treatment strategies to effectively confront cancers. Results: In our study, ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2 (ABCG2), adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase and cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIc (COX6C) were over-expressed more in the MCF-7/MX cell line than in the normal MCF7 cell line. Therefore, we believe that these three genes increase the tolerance of MCF7 to mitoxantrone (MX). The data showed that the high expression of COX6C made MCF-7/MX have more stable on mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) expression than normal MCF7 cells under hypoxic conditions. The accumulation of MX was greater in the ATP-depleted treatment MCF7/MX cells than in normal MCF7/MX cells. Furthermore, E2 increased the tolerance of MCF7 cells to MX through inducing the expression of ABCG2. However, E2 could not increase the expression of ABCG2 after the inhibition of estrogen receptor α (ERα) in MCF7 cells. According to the above data, under the E2 treatment, MDA-MB231, which lacks ER, had a higher sensitivity to MX than MCF7 cells. Conclusions: E2 induced the expression of ABCG2 through ERα and the over-expressed ABCG2 made MCF7 more tolerant to MX. Moreover, the over-expressed ATP synthase and COX6c affected mitochondrial genes and function causing the over-expressed ABCG2 cells pumped out MX in a concentration gradient from the cell matrix. Finally lead to chemoresistance. Full article
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751 KiB  
Article
Circulating Cell-Free DNA Levels Could Predict Oncological Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Esophagectomy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
by Chih-Cheng Hsieh, Han-Shui Hsu, Shih-Ching Chang and Yann-Jang Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(12), 2131; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17122131 - 17 Dec 2016
Cited by 40 | Viewed by 4621
Abstract
Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a potential biomarker for cancer progression but its role is unclear in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after esophagectomy. We investigated relationships between plasma cfDNA levels and clinicopathological parameters in ESCC patients. Eighty-one ESCC patients who [...] Read more.
Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is a potential biomarker for cancer progression but its role is unclear in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after esophagectomy. We investigated relationships between plasma cfDNA levels and clinicopathological parameters in ESCC patients. Eighty-one ESCC patients who received esophagectomy were enrolled. Plasma samples from these patients and 95 normal controls were collected. DNA copy numbers were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. Subjects were divided into two groups by cfDNA level. Clinicopathological data were collected retrospectively and relationships between cfDNA levels and clinical parameters were evaluated. The cfDNA level in normal controls ranged from 0–4157 copies/mL. The cfDNA level of 96.3% ESCC patients was higher than the cutoff value (2447.26 copies/mL) with a specificity of 94.1%. The mean cfDNA concentration was 5918 copies/mL in lower and 53,311 copies/mL in higher cfDNA groups. No correlations were found between clinicopathological factors and cfDNA levels except for lymphovascular invasion. Higher cfDNA levels were associated with tumor relapse (p = 0.018). Five-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 34.7% and 33.8%, respectively. Patients with higher cfDNA levels had poorer DFS (p = 0.013). Patients with higher cfDNA levels had poorer OS, but not significantly (p = 0.164). Circulating cfDNA could be a biomarker for tumor relapse of ESCC with high sensitivity and specificity. Higher cfDNA levels were associated with tumor relapse and shorter DFS after esophagectomy in ESCC patients. Full article
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1164 KiB  
Article
A Novel Inflammation-Based Stage (I Stage) Predicts Overall Survival of Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
by Jian-Pei Li, Shu-Lin Chen, Xiao-Min Liu, Xia He, Shan Xing, Yi-Jun Liu, Yue-Hao Lin and Wan-Li Liu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(11), 1900; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17111900 - 15 Nov 2016
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4104
Abstract
Recent studies have indicated that inflammation-based prognostic scores, such as the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), modified GPS (mGPS) and C-reactive protein/Albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio, platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), have been reported to have prognostic value in patients with many types of [...] Read more.
Recent studies have indicated that inflammation-based prognostic scores, such as the Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS), modified GPS (mGPS) and C-reactive protein/Albumin (CRP/Alb) ratio, platelet–lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), have been reported to have prognostic value in patients with many types of cancer, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we proposed a novel inflammation-based stage, named I stage, for patients with NPC. A retrospective study of 409 newly-diagnosed cases of NPC was conducted. The prognostic factors (GPS, mGPS, CRP/Alb ratios, PLR, and NLR) were evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Then, according to the results of the multivariate analyses, we proposed a I stage combination of independent risk factors (CRP/Alb ratio and PLR). The I stage was calculated as follows: patients with high levels of CRP/Alb ratio (>0.03) and PLR (>146.2) were defined as I2; patients with one or no abnormal values were defined as I1 or I0, respectively. The relationships between the I stage and clinicopathological variables and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. In addition, the discriminatory ability of the I stage with other inflammation-based prognostic scores was assessed using the AUCs (areas under the curves) analyzed by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. The p value of <0.05 was considered to be significant. A total of 409 patients with NPC were enrolled in this study. Multivariate analyses revealed that only the CRP/Alb ratio (Hazard ratio (HR) = 2.093; 95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.222–3.587; p = 0.007) and PLR (HR: 2.003; 95% CI: 1.177–3.410; p = 0.010) were independent prognostic factors in patients with NPC. The five-year overall survival rates for patients with I0, I1, and I2 were 92.1% ± 2.9%, 83.3% ± 2.6%, and 63.1% ± 4.6%, respectively (p < 0.001). The I stage had a higher area under the curve value (0.670) compared with other systemic inflammation-based prognostic scores (p < 0.001). The I stage is a novel and useful predictive factor for OS in patients with NPC. Full article
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1733 KiB  
Article
Classification of 27 Tumor-Associated Antigens by Histochemical Analysis of 36 Freshly Resected Lung Cancer Tissues
by Gene Kurosawa, Mototaka Sugiura, Yoshinobu Hattori, Hiroyuki Tsuda and Yoshikazu Kurosawa
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(11), 1862; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17111862 - 08 Nov 2016
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4260
Abstract
In previous studies, we identified 29 tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and isolated 488 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically bind to one of the 29 TAAs. In the present study, we performed histochemical analysis of 36 freshly resected lung cancer tissues by using 60 [...] Read more.
In previous studies, we identified 29 tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) and isolated 488 human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that specifically bind to one of the 29 TAAs. In the present study, we performed histochemical analysis of 36 freshly resected lung cancer tissues by using 60 mAbs against 27 TAAs. Comparison of the staining patterns of tumor cells, bronchial epithelial cells, and normal pulmonary alveolus cells and interalveolar septum allowed us to determine the type and location of cells that express target molecules, as well as the degree of expression. The patterns were classified into 7 categories. While multiple Abs were used against certain TAAs, the differences observed among them should be derived from differences in the binding activity and/or the epitope. Thus, such data indicate the versatility of respective clones as anti-cancer drugs. Although the information obtained was limited to the lung and bronchial tube, bronchial epithelial cells represent normal growing cells, and therefore, the data are informative. The results indicate that 9 of the 27 TAAs are suitable targets for therapeutic Abs. These 9 Ags include EGFR, HER2, TfR, and integrin α6β4. Based on our findings, a pharmaceutical company has started to develop anti-cancer drugs by using Abs to TfR and integrin α6β4. HGFR, PTP-LAR, CD147, CDCP1, and integrin αvβ3 are also appropriate targets for therapeutic purposes. Full article
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Article
A Novel Role of Dickkopf-Related Protein 3 in Macropinocytosis in Human Bladder Cancer T24 Cells
by Nonoka Tsujimura, Nami O. Yamada, Yuki Kuranaga, Minami Kumazaki, Haruka Shinohara, Kohei Taniguchi and Yukihiro Akao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(11), 1846; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17111846 - 05 Nov 2016
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4651
Abstract
Dickkopf-related protein 3 (Dkk-3) is a potential tumor suppressor reported in various cancer entities. However, we found that Dkk-3 was exceptionally upregulated in bladder cancer T24 cells. To validate the biological role of Dkk-3 other than a tumor suppressor, we examined the function [...] Read more.
Dickkopf-related protein 3 (Dkk-3) is a potential tumor suppressor reported in various cancer entities. However, we found that Dkk-3 was exceptionally upregulated in bladder cancer T24 cells. To validate the biological role of Dkk-3 other than a tumor suppressor, we examined the function of Dkk-3 in T24 cells. Gene silencing of Dkk-3 inhibited cell growth through inducing G0/G1 cell-cycle arrest. Furthermore, Dkk-3 knock-down caused macropinocytosis accompanied by autophagy, which were canceled in part by their inhibitors 5-(N-ethyl-N-isopropyl) amiloride (EIPA) and 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The macropinocytosis was induced by the Dkk-3 knock-down when there were sufficient extracellular nutrients. On the other hand, when the nutritional condition was poor, the autophagy was mainly induced by the Dkk-3 knock-down. These data indicated that Dkk-3 has a role in modulating macropinocytotic and autophagic pathways, a distinct function other than a Wnt antagonist. Full article
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Article
Rack1 Mediates the Interaction of P-Glycoprotein with Anxa2 and Regulates Migration and Invasion of Multidrug-Resistant Breast Cancer Cells
by Yi Yang, Na Wu, Zhiyong Wang, Fei Zhang, Ran Tian, Wei Ji, Xiubao Ren and Ruifang Niu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(10), 1718; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17101718 - 13 Oct 2016
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 9613
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug resistance is always associated with more rapid tumor recurrence and metastasis. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is a well-known multidrug-efflux transporter, confers enhanced invasion ability in drug-resistant cells. Previous studies have shown that P-gp probably exerts its tumor-promoting function via protein-protein [...] Read more.
The emergence of multidrug resistance is always associated with more rapid tumor recurrence and metastasis. P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is a well-known multidrug-efflux transporter, confers enhanced invasion ability in drug-resistant cells. Previous studies have shown that P-gp probably exerts its tumor-promoting function via protein-protein interaction. These interactions were implicated in the activation of intracellular signal transduction. We previously showed that P-gp binds to Anxa2 and promotes the invasiveness of multidrug-resistant (MDR) breast cancer cells through regulation of Anxa2 phosphorylation. However, the accurate mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, a co-immunoprecipitation coupled with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry-based interactomic approach was performed to screen P-gp binding proteins. We identified Rack1 as a novel P-gp binding protein. Knockdown of Rack1 significantly inhibited proliferation and invasion of MDR cancer cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that Rack1 functioned as a scaffold protein that mediated the binding of P-gp to Anxa2 and Src. We showed that Rack1 regulated P-gp activity, which was necessary for adriamycin-induced P-gp-mediated phosphorylation of Anxa2 and Erk1/2. Overall, the findings in this study augment novel insights to the understanding of the mechanism employed by P-gp for promoting migration and invasion of MDR cancer cells. Full article
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994 KiB  
Article
Influence of Preoperative Serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Level on the Prognosis of Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
by Shu-Lin Chen, Ning Xue, Mian-Tao Wu, Hao Chen, Xia He, Jian-Pei Li, Wan-Li Liu and Shu-Qin Dai
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(9), 1474; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17091474 - 03 Sep 2016
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 5700
Abstract
The purpose of this work is to analyze preoperative serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and their effect on the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgical operation. These analyses were performed retrospectively in patients with NSCLC followed by surgery; [...] Read more.
The purpose of this work is to analyze preoperative serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and their effect on the prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgical operation. These analyses were performed retrospectively in patients with NSCLC followed by surgery; participants were recruited between January 2004 and January 2008. All clinical information and laboratory results were collected from medical records. We explored the association between preoperative serum AST and recurrence-free survival (RFS), and the overall survival (OS) of NSCLC patients. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox multivariate analysis, stratified by the AST median value, were used to evaluate the prognostic effect. A chi-squared test was performed to compare clinical characteristics in different subgroups. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. A total of 231 patients were enrolled. The median RFS and OS were 22 and 59 months, respectively. The AST levels were divided into two groups, using a cut-off value of 19 U/L: High AST (>19 U/L), n = 113 vs. low AST (≤19 U/L), n = 118. Multivariate analysis indicated that preoperative serum AST > 19 U/L (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.685, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.493–0.994, p = 0.046 for RFS, HR = 0.646, 95% CI: 0.438–0.954, p = 0.028 for OS) was an independent prognostic factor for both RFS and OS. High preoperative serum AST levels may serve as a valuable marker to predict the prognosis of NSCLC after operation. Full article
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Article
High Expression of XRCC6 Promotes Human Osteosarcoma Cell Proliferation through the β-Catenin/Wnt Signaling Pathway and Is Associated with Poor Prognosis
by Bin Zhu, Dongdong Cheng, Shijie Li, Shumin Zhou and Qingcheng Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(7), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17071188 - 22 Jul 2016
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 6917
Abstract
Increasing evidences show that XRCC6 (X-ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 6) was upregulated and involved in tumor growth in several tumor types. However, the correlation of XRCC6 and human osteosarcoma (OS) is still unknown. This study was conducted with [...] Read more.
Increasing evidences show that XRCC6 (X-ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 6) was upregulated and involved in tumor growth in several tumor types. However, the correlation of XRCC6 and human osteosarcoma (OS) is still unknown. This study was conducted with the aim to reveal the expression and biological function of XRCC6 in OS and elucidate the potential mechanism. The mRNA expression level of XRCC6 was measured in osteosarcoma cells and OS samples by quantitative transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). The expression of XRCC6 protein was measured using Western blot and immunohistochemical staining in osteosarcoma cell lines and patient samples. Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8), colony-forming and cell cycle assays were used to test cell survival capacity. We found that XRCC6 was overexpressed in OS cells and OS samples compared with the adjacent non-tumorous samples. High expression of XRCC6 was correlated with clinical stage and tumor size in OS. Reduced expression of XRCC6 inhibits OS cell proliferation through G2/M phase arrest. Most importantly, further experiments demonstrated that XRCC6 might regulate OS growth through the β-catenin/Wnt signaling pathway. In conclusion, these findings indicate that XRCC6 exerts tumor-promoting effects for OS through β-catenin/Wnt signaling pathway. XRCC6 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for OS patients. Full article
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Communication
A Novel Technique to Detect EGFR Mutations in Lung Cancer
by Yuanbin Liu, Ting Lei, Zhiyu Liu, Yanbin Kuang, Jianxin Lyu and Qi Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(5), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17050792 - 23 May 2016
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8145
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations occur in multiple human cancers; therefore, the detection of EGFR mutations could lead to early cancer diagnosis. This study describes a novel EGFR mutation detection technique. Compared to direct DNA sequencing detection methods, this [...] Read more.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations occur in multiple human cancers; therefore, the detection of EGFR mutations could lead to early cancer diagnosis. This study describes a novel EGFR mutation detection technique. Compared to direct DNA sequencing detection methods, this method is based on allele-specific amplification (ASA), recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), peptide nucleic acid (PNA), and SYBR Green I (SYBR), referred to as the AS-RPA-PNA-SYBR (ARPS) system. The principle of this technique is based on three continuous steps: ASA or ASA combined with PNA to prevent non-target sequence amplification (even single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs), the rapid amplification advantage of RPA, and appropriate SYBR Green I detection (the samples harboring EGFR mutations show a green signal). Using this method, the EGFR 19Del(2) mutation was detected in 5 min, while the EGFR L858R mutation was detected in 10 min. In this study, the detection of EGFR mutations in clinical samples using the ARPS system was compatible with that determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing methods. Thus, this newly developed methodology that uses the ARPS system with appropriate primer sets is a rapid, reliable, and practical way to assess EGFR mutations in clinical samples. Full article
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Article
Variability in Immunohistochemical Detection of Programmed Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) in Cancer Tissue Types
by Giosuè Scognamiglio, Anna De Chiara, Maurizio Di Bonito, Fabiana Tatangelo, Nunzia Simona Losito, Annamaria Anniciello, Rossella De Cecio, Crescenzo D’Alterio, Stefania Scala, Monica Cantile and Gerardo Botti
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(5), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17050790 - 21 May 2016
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 6733
Abstract
In normal cell physiology, programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, PD-L1, play an immunoregulatory role in T-cell activation, tolerance, and immune-mediated tissue damage. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway also plays a critical role in immune escape of tumor cells and has been demonstrated to [...] Read more.
In normal cell physiology, programmed death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand, PD-L1, play an immunoregulatory role in T-cell activation, tolerance, and immune-mediated tissue damage. The PD-1/PD-L1 pathway also plays a critical role in immune escape of tumor cells and has been demonstrated to correlate with a poor prognosis of patients with several types of cancer. However, recent reports have revealed that the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of the PD-L1 in tumor cells is not uniform for the use of different antibodies clones, with variable specificity, often doubtful topographical localization, and with a score not uniquely defined. The purpose of this study was to analyze the IHC expression of PD-L1 on a large series of several human tumors to correctly define its staining in different tumor tissues. Full article
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Article
The Prognostic Role of STEAP1 Expression Determined via Immunohistochemistry Staining in Predicting Prognosis of Primary Colorectal Cancer: A Survival Analysis
by Ching-Hsiao Lee, Sung-Lang Chen, Wen-Wei Sung, Hung-Wen Lai, Ming-Ju Hsieh, Hsu-Heng Yen, Tzu-Cheng Su, Yu-Hu Chiou, Chia-Yu Chen, Cheng-Yu Lin, Mei-Ling Chen and Chih-Jung Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(4), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17040592 - 19 Apr 2016
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5278
Abstract
STEAP1 (six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1) is a transmembrane protein that functions as a potential channel or transporter protein. It is overexpressed in certain cancers and is viewed as a promising therapeutic target. However, the prognostic role of STEAP1 is [...] Read more.
STEAP1 (six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1) is a transmembrane protein that functions as a potential channel or transporter protein. It is overexpressed in certain cancers and is viewed as a promising therapeutic target. However, the prognostic role of STEAP1 is still controversial, and no role for STEAP1 has yet been indicated in colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association of STEAP1 expression with colorectal cancer prognosis. STEAP1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining of a tissue array of 165 cancer specimens from primary colorectal cancer patients. The mean and medium follow-up times after surgery were 5.1 and 3.9 years, respectively. A total of 139 patients died during the 13 years of follow-up in the survey period. The prognostic value of STEAP1 with respect to overall survival was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models. In total, 164 samples displayed detectable STEAP1 expression in the cytoplasm and membrane. Low STEAP1 expression was correlated with poor overall survival (five-year survival: 33.7% vs. 57.0%, low expression vs. high expression, p = 0.020). Accordingly, multivariate analysis identified low STEAP1 expression as an independent risk factor (hazard ratio = 1.500, p = 0.018), especially in elderly patients or those with late stage cancers, late T values, and early N values. We suggest that analysis of STEAP1 expression by immunohistochemical staining could serve as an independent prognostic marker for colorectal patients. This finding should be validated by other investigative groups. Full article
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Article
CD86+/CD206+, Diametrically Polarized Tumor-Associated Macrophages, Predict Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patient Prognosis
by Pingping Dong, Lijie Ma, Longzi Liu, Guangxi Zhao, Si Zhang, Ling Dong, Ruyi Xue and She Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(3), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17030320 - 01 Mar 2016
Cited by 141 | Viewed by 10550
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant infiltrating immune cells in tumor microenvironment, have distinct functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. CD68+ TAMs represent multiple polarized immune cells mainly containing CD86+ antitumoral M1 macrophages and CD206+ protumoral M2 macrophages. TAMs expression [...] Read more.
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), the most abundant infiltrating immune cells in tumor microenvironment, have distinct functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. CD68+ TAMs represent multiple polarized immune cells mainly containing CD86+ antitumoral M1 macrophages and CD206+ protumoral M2 macrophages. TAMs expression and density were assessed by immunohistochemical staining of CD68, CD86, and CD206 in tissue microarrays from 253 HCC patients. Clinicopathologic features and prognostic value of these markers were evaluated. We found that CD68+ TAMs were not associated with clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis in HCC. Low presence of CD86+ TAMs and high presence of CD206+ TAMs were markedly correlated with aggressive tumor phenotypes, such as multiple tumor number and advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage; and were associated with poor overall survival (OS) (p = 0.027 and p = 0.024, respectively) and increased time to recurrence (TTR) (p = 0.037 and p = 0.031, respectively). In addition, combined analysis of CD86 and CD206 provided a better indicator for OS (p = 0.011) and TTR (p = 0.024) in HCC than individual analysis of CD86 and CD206. Moreover, CD86+/CD206+ TAMs predictive model also had significant prognosis value in α-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative patients (OS: p = 0.002, TTR: p = 0.005). Thus, these results suggest that combined analysis of immune biomarkers CD86 and CD206 could be a promising HCC prognostic biomarker. Full article
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Article
Synergetic Effects of PARP Inhibitor AZD2281 and Cisplatin in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Vitro and in Vivo
by Masaaki Yasukawa, Hisako Fujihara, Hiroaki Fujimori, Koji Kawaguchi, Hiroyuki Yamada, Ryoko Nakayama, Nanami Yamamoto, Yuta Kishi, Yoshiki Hamada and Mitsuko Masutani
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(3), 272; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17030272 - 24 Feb 2016
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 6528
Abstract
Cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for treatment of oral carcinoma, and combinatorial effects are expected to exert greater therapeutic efficacy compared with monotherapy. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is reported to be involved in a variety of cellular processes, such as DNA repair, cell death, [...] Read more.
Cisplatin is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for treatment of oral carcinoma, and combinatorial effects are expected to exert greater therapeutic efficacy compared with monotherapy. Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation is reported to be involved in a variety of cellular processes, such as DNA repair, cell death, telomere regulation, and genomic stability. Based on these properties, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are used for treatment of cancers, such as BRCA1/2 mutated breast and ovarian cancers, or certain solid cancers in combination with anti-cancer drugs. However, the effects on oral cancer have not been fully evaluated. In this study, we examined the effects of PARP inhibitor on the survival of human oral cancer cells in vitro and xenografted tumors derived from human oral cancer cells in vivo. In vitro effects were assessed by microculture tetrazolium and survival assays. The PARP inhibitor AZD2281 (olaparib) showed synergetic effects with cisplatin in a dose-dependent manner. Combinatorial treatment with cisplatin and AZD2281 significantly inhibited xenografted tumor growth compared with single treatment of cisplatin or AZD2281. Histopathological analysis revealed that cisplatin and AZD2281 increased TUNEL-positive cells and decreased Ki67- and CD31-positive cells. These results suggest that PARP inhibitors have the potential to improve therapeutic strategies for oral cancer. Full article
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Article
ERα Mediates Estrogen-Induced Expression of the Breast Cancer Metastasis Suppressor Gene BRMS1
by Hongtao Ma and Lauren S. Gollahon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(2), 158; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17020158 - 26 Jan 2016
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5277
Abstract
Recently, estrogen has been reported as putatively inhibiting cancer cell invasion and motility. This information is in direct contrast to the paradigm of estrogen as a tumor promoter. However, data suggests that the effects of estrogen are modulated by the receptor isoform with [...] Read more.
Recently, estrogen has been reported as putatively inhibiting cancer cell invasion and motility. This information is in direct contrast to the paradigm of estrogen as a tumor promoter. However, data suggests that the effects of estrogen are modulated by the receptor isoform with which it interacts. In order to gain a clearer understanding of the role of estrogen in potentially suppressing breast cancer metastasis, we investigated the regulation of estrogen and its receptor on the downstream target gene, breast cancer metastasis suppressor 1 (BRMS1) in MCF-7, SKBR3, TTU-1 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Our results showed that estrogen increased the transcription and expression of BRMS1 in the ERα positive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Additionally, the ERα specific agonist PPT also induced the transcription and expression of BRMS1. However, the two remaining estrogen receptor (ER) subtype agonists had no effect on BRMS1 expression. In order to further examine the influence of ERα on BRMS1 expression, ERα expression was knocked down using siRNA (siERα). Western blot analysis showed that siERα reduced estrogen-induced and PPT-induced BRMS1 expression. In summary, this study demonstrates estrogen, via its α receptor, positively regulates the expression of BRMS1, providing new insight into a potential inhibitory effect of estrogen on metastasis suppression. Full article
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Article
Decreased Expression of BNC1 and BNC2 Is Associated with Genetic or Epigenetic Regulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
by Yali Wu, Xiaolei Zhang, Yongzhen Liu, Fengmin Lu and Xiangmei Chen
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(2), 153; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17020153 - 25 Jan 2016
Cited by 169 | Viewed by 6072
Abstract
The aberrant expression of transcription factor Basonuclin (BNC) had been reported in different kinds of tumors. Here, we investigated the expression and methylation status of two Basonuclin homologs, BNC1 and BNC2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found that the expression levels [...] Read more.
The aberrant expression of transcription factor Basonuclin (BNC) had been reported in different kinds of tumors. Here, we investigated the expression and methylation status of two Basonuclin homologs, BNC1 and BNC2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We found that the expression levels of both BNC1 and BNC2 were down-regulated in HCC cell lines and primary HCC tissues. The frequency and intensity of BNC1 promoter hypermethylation in tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent non-tumor tissues. 5-Aza-2’-Deoxycytidine treatment could significantly increase the BNC1 expression in the methylated HCC cell lines, which implicated that epigenetic modification contributed to the down-regulation of BNC1. In addition, BNC1 hypermethylation in tumor tissues was more likely to happen in female patients. No methylation of the BNC2 promoter was found in HCC tumor tissues. However, a frequent deletion of the BNC2 gene was observed, which indicated that the chromosomal loss of the BNC2 gene might be one important reason for its lower expression level in HCC. Our results suggested that BNC1 and BNC2 were down-regulated in HCC which may provide new insight into the tumorigenesis of HCC. Full article
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Article
Unraveling Molecular Differences of Gastric Cancer by Label-Free Quantitative Proteomics Analysis
by Peng Dai, Qin Wang, Weihua Wang, Ruirui Jing, Wei Wang, Fengqin Wang, Kazem M. Azadzoi, Jing-Hua Yang and Zhen Yan
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(1), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17010069 - 21 Jan 2016
Cited by 30 | Viewed by 6137
Abstract
Gastric cancer (GC) has significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and especially in China. Its molecular pathogenesis has not been thoroughly elaborated. The acknowledged biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, recurrence monitoring and treatment are lacking. Proteins from matched pairs of human GC and adjacent tissues [...] Read more.
Gastric cancer (GC) has significant morbidity and mortality worldwide and especially in China. Its molecular pathogenesis has not been thoroughly elaborated. The acknowledged biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, recurrence monitoring and treatment are lacking. Proteins from matched pairs of human GC and adjacent tissues were analyzed by a coupled label-free Mass Spectrometry (MS) approach, followed by functional annotation with software analysis. Nano-LC-MS/MS, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to validate dysregulated proteins. One hundred forty-six dysregulated proteins with more than twofold expressions were quantified, 22 of which were first reported to be relevant with GC. Most of them were involved in cancers and gastrointestinal disease. The expression of a panel of four upregulated nucleic acid binding proteins, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein hnRNPA2B1, hnRNPD, hnRNPL and Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX-1) were validated by Nano-LC-MS/MS, qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry assays in ten GC patients’ tissues. They were located in the keynotes of a predicted interaction network and might play important roles in abnormal cell growth. The label-free quantitative proteomic approach provides a deeper understanding and novel insight into GC-related molecular changes and possible mechanisms. It also provides some potential biomarkers for clinical diagnosis. Full article
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Article
Anti-Oncogenic gem-Dihydroperoxides Induce Apoptosis in Cancer Cells by Trapping Reactive Oxygen Species
by Yuki Kuranaga, Nami Yamada, Maiko Kashiwaya, Moeko Nakamura, Lei Cui, Minami Kumazaki, Haruka Shinohara, Nobuhiko Sugito, Kohei Taniguchi, Yuko Ito, Tatsushi Nakayama, Bunji Uno, Akichika Itoh and Yukihiro Akao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(1), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17010071 - 08 Jan 2016
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5951
Abstract
Organic gem-dihydroperoxides (DHPs) and their derived peroxides have attracted a great deal of attention as potential anti-cancer agents. However, the precise mechanism of their inhibitory effect on tumors is unknown. To determine the mechanism of the inhibitory effects of DHPs, we examined [...] Read more.
Organic gem-dihydroperoxides (DHPs) and their derived peroxides have attracted a great deal of attention as potential anti-cancer agents. However, the precise mechanism of their inhibitory effect on tumors is unknown. To determine the mechanism of the inhibitory effects of DHPs, we examined the effects of DHPs on leukemia K562 cells. As a result, certain DHPs used in this study exhibited growth-inhibitory activity according to a clear structure-activity relationship. The most potent DHP, 12AC3O, induced apoptosis in K562 cells, but not in peripheral blood monocytes (PBMCs) or fibroblast cells. 12AC3O induced apoptosis through the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway and thereafter through the extrinsic pathway. The activity of the former pathway was partly attenuated by a JNK inhibitor. Interestingly, 12AC3O induced apoptosis by trapping a large amount of ROS, leading to an extremely lower intracellular ROS level compared with that in the cells in the steady-state condition. These results suggest that an appropriate level of intracellular ROS was necessary for the maintenance of cancer cell growth. DHPs may have a potential to be a novel anti-cancer agent with minimum adverse effects on normal cells. Full article
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Review

Jump to: Research

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Review
Predictive and Prognostic Molecular Biomarkers for Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Rectal Cancer
by Delphine Dayde, Ichidai Tanaka, Rekha Jain, Mei Chee Tai and Ayumu Taguchi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(3), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18030573 - 07 Mar 2017
Cited by 130 | Viewed by 10872
Abstract
The standard of care in locally advanced rectal cancer is neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) followed by radical surgery. Response to nCRT varies among patients and pathological complete response is associated with better outcome. However, there is a lack of effective methods to select rectal [...] Read more.
The standard of care in locally advanced rectal cancer is neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) followed by radical surgery. Response to nCRT varies among patients and pathological complete response is associated with better outcome. However, there is a lack of effective methods to select rectal cancer patients who would or would not have a benefit from nCRT. The utility of clinicopathological and radiological features are limited due to lack of adequate sensitivity and specificity. Molecular biomarkers have the potential to predict response to nCRT at an early time point, but none have currently reached the clinic. Integration of diverse types of biomarkers including clinicopathological and imaging features, identification of mechanistic link to tumor biology, and rigorous validation using samples which represent disease heterogeneity, will allow to develop a sensitive and cost-effective molecular biomarker panel for precision medicine in rectal cancer. Here, we aim to review the recent advance in tissue- and blood-based molecular biomarker research and illustrate their potential in predicting nCRT response in rectal cancer. Full article
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Review
The Interplay of LncRNA-H19 and Its Binding Partners in Physiological Process and Gastric Carcinogenesis
by Li Zhang, Yuhang Zhou, Tingting Huang, Alfred S. L. Cheng, Jun Yu, Wei Kang and Ka Fai To
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(2), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18020450 - 20 Feb 2017
Cited by 74 | Viewed by 8005
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a novel and effective modulator in carcinogenesis, has become a study hotspot in recent years. The imprinted oncofetal lncRNA H19 is one of the first identified imprinted lncRNAs with a high expression level in embryogenesis but is barely detectable [...] Read more.
Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), a novel and effective modulator in carcinogenesis, has become a study hotspot in recent years. The imprinted oncofetal lncRNA H19 is one of the first identified imprinted lncRNAs with a high expression level in embryogenesis but is barely detectable in most tissues after birth. Aberrant alterations of H19 expression have been demonstrated in various tumors, including gastric cancer (GC), implicating a crucial role of H19 in cancer progression. As one of the top malignancies in the world, GC has already become a serious concern to public health with poor prognosis. The regulatory roles of H19 in gastric carcinogenesis have been explored by various research groups, which leads to the development of GC therapy. This review comprehensively summarizes the current knowledge of H19 in tumorigenesis, especially in GC pathogenesis, with emphasis on the underneath molecular mechanisms depicted from its functional partners. Furthermore, the accumulated knowledge of H19 will provide better understanding on targeted therapy of GC. Full article
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Review
PET Imaging for Initial Staging and Therapy Assessment in Multiple Myeloma Patients
by Clément Bailly, Rodolphe Leforestier, Bastien Jamet, Thomas Carlier, Mickael Bourgeois, François Guérard, Cyrille Touzeau, Philippe Moreau, Michel Chérel, Françoise Kraeber-Bodéré and Caroline Bodet-Milin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(2), 445; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18020445 - 18 Feb 2017
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4630
Abstract
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological neoplasm characterized by the clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. MM results in diffuse or focal bone infiltration and extramedullary lesions. Over the past two decades, advances have been made with regard to [...] Read more.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological neoplasm characterized by the clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. MM results in diffuse or focal bone infiltration and extramedullary lesions. Over the past two decades, advances have been made with regard to the diagnosis, staging, treatment, and imaging of MM. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are currently recommended as the most effective imaging modalities at diagnostic. Yet, recent data from the literature suggest that positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) using 18F-deoxyglucose (FDG) is a promising technique for initial staging and therapeutic monitoring in this pathology. This paper reviews the recent advances as well as the potential place of a more specific radiopharmaceutical in MM. Full article
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Review
Colorectal Carcinoma: A General Overview and Future Perspectives in Colorectal Cancer
by Inés Mármol, Cristina Sánchez-de-Diego, Alberto Pradilla Dieste, Elena Cerrada and María Jesús Rodriguez Yoldi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(1), 197; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18010197 - 19 Jan 2017
Cited by 838 | Viewed by 57231
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death. Most cases of CRC are detected in Western countries, with its incidence increasing year by year. The probability of suffering from colorectal cancer is about [...] Read more.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death. Most cases of CRC are detected in Western countries, with its incidence increasing year by year. The probability of suffering from colorectal cancer is about 4%–5% and the risk for developing CRC is associated with personal features or habits such as age, chronic disease history and lifestyle. In this context, the gut microbiota has a relevant role, and dysbiosis situations can induce colonic carcinogenesis through a chronic inflammation mechanism. Some of the bacteria responsible for this multiphase process include Fusobacterium spp, Bacteroides fragilis and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli. CRC is caused by mutations that target oncogenes, tumour suppressor genes and genes related to DNA repair mechanisms. Depending on the origin of the mutation, colorectal carcinomas can be classified as sporadic (70%); inherited (5%) and familial (25%). The pathogenic mechanisms leading to this situation can be included in three types, namely chromosomal instability (CIN), microsatellite instability (MSI) and CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). Within these types of CRC, common mutations, chromosomal changes and translocations have been reported to affect important pathways (WNT, MAPK/PI3K, TGF-β, TP53), and mutations; in particular, genes such as c-MYC, KRAS, BRAF, PIK3CA, PTEN, SMAD2 and SMAD4 can be used as predictive markers for patient outcome. In addition to gene mutations, alterations in ncRNAs, such as lncRNA or miRNA, can also contribute to different steps of the carcinogenesis process and have a predictive value when used as biomarkers. In consequence, different panels of genes and mRNA are being developed to improve prognosis and treatment selection. The choice of first-line treatment in CRC follows a multimodal approach based on tumour-related characteristics and usually comprises surgical resection followed by chemotherapy combined with monoclonal antibodies or proteins against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth receptor (EGFR). Besides traditional chemotherapy, alternative therapies (such as agarose tumour macrobeads, anti-inflammatory drugs, probiotics, and gold-based drugs) are currently being studied to increase treatment effectiveness and reduce side effects. Full article
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Review
Soluble Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors (sEGFRs) in Cancer: Biological Aspects and Clinical Relevance
by Sally Maramotti, Massimiliano Paci, Gloria Manzotti, Cristian Rapicetta, Mila Gugnoni, Carla Galeone, Alfredo Cesario and Filippo Lococo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(4), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17040593 - 19 Apr 2016
Cited by 34 | Viewed by 7249
Abstract
The identification of molecules that can reliably detect the presence of a tumor or predict its behavior is one of the biggest challenges of research in cancer biology. Biological fluids are intriguing mediums, containing many molecules that express the individual health status and, [...] Read more.
The identification of molecules that can reliably detect the presence of a tumor or predict its behavior is one of the biggest challenges of research in cancer biology. Biological fluids are intriguing mediums, containing many molecules that express the individual health status and, accordingly, may be useful in establishing the potential risk of cancer, defining differential diagnosis and prognosis, predicting the response to treatment, and monitoring the disease progression. The existence of circulating soluble growth factor receptors (sGFRs) deriving from their membrane counterparts has stimulated the interest of researchers to investigate the use of such molecules as potential cancer biomarkers. But what are the origins of circulating sGFRs? Are they naturally occurring molecules or tumor-derived products? Among these, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a cell-surface molecule significantly involved in cancer development and progression; it can be processed into biological active soluble isoforms (sEGFR). We have carried out an extensive review of the currently available literature on the sEGFRs and their mechanisms of regulation and biological function, with the intent to clarify the role of these molecules in cancer (and other pathological conditions) and, on the basis of the retrieved evidences, speculate about their potential use in the clinical setting. Full article
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Review
The TEAD Family and Its Oncogenic Role in Promoting Tumorigenesis
by Yuhang Zhou, Tingting Huang, Alfred S. L. Cheng, Jun Yu, Wei Kang and Ka Fai To
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(1), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17010138 - 21 Jan 2016
Cited by 140 | Viewed by 15045
Abstract
The TEAD family of transcription factors is necessary for developmental processes. The family members contain a TEA domain for the binding with DNA elements and a transactivation domain for the interaction with transcription coactivators. TEAD proteins are required for the participation of coactivators [...] Read more.
The TEAD family of transcription factors is necessary for developmental processes. The family members contain a TEA domain for the binding with DNA elements and a transactivation domain for the interaction with transcription coactivators. TEAD proteins are required for the participation of coactivators to transmit the signal of pathways for the downstream signaling processes. TEADs also play an important role in tumor initiation and facilitate cancer progression via activating a series of progression-inducing genes, such as CTGF, Cyr61, Myc and Gli2. Recent studies have highlighted that TEADs, together with their coactivators, promote or even act as the crucial parts in the development of various malignancies, such as liver, ovarian, breast and prostate cancers. Furthermore, TEADs are proposed to be useful prognostic biomarkers due to the ideal correlation between high expression and clinicopathological parameters in gastric, breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. In this review, we summarize the functional role of TEAD proteins in tumorigenesis and discuss the key role of TEAD transcription factors in the linking of signal cascade transductions. Improved knowledge of the TEAD proteins will be helpful for deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and identifying ideal predictive or prognostic biomarkers, even providing clinical translation for anticancer therapy in human cancers. Full article
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Review
The Clinical Significance of Phosphorylated Heat Shock Protein 27 (HSPB1) in Pancreatic Cancer
by Mitsuru Okuno, Seiji Adachi, Osamu Kozawa, Masahito Shimizu and Ichiro Yasuda
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(1), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17010137 - 21 Jan 2016
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 7377
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is one of most aggressive forms of cancer. After clinical detection it exhibits fast metastatic growth. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27; HSPB1) has been characterized as a molecular chaperone which modifies the structures and functions of other proteins in cells when [...] Read more.
Pancreatic cancer is one of most aggressive forms of cancer. After clinical detection it exhibits fast metastatic growth. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27; HSPB1) has been characterized as a molecular chaperone which modifies the structures and functions of other proteins in cells when they are exposed to various stresses, such as chemotherapy. While the administration of gemcitabine, an anti-tumor drug, has been the standard treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, accumulating evidence shows that HSP27 plays a key role in the chemosensitivity to gemcitabine. In addition, phosphorylated HSP27 induced by gemcitabine has been associated with the inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell growth. In this review, we summarize the role of phosphorylated HSP27, as well as HSP27, in the regulation of chemosensitivity in pancreatic cancer. Full article
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Review
The Functional Analysis of Histone Acetyltransferase MOF in Tumorigenesis
by Jiaming Su, Fei Wang, Yong Cai and Jingji Jin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17(1), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms17010099 - 14 Jan 2016
Cited by 68 | Viewed by 10184
Abstract
Changes in chromatin structure and heritably regulating the gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone post-translational modification, are involved in most cellular biological processes. Thus, abnormal regulation of epigenetics is implicated in the occurrence of various diseases, including cancer. Human MOF (males [...] Read more.
Changes in chromatin structure and heritably regulating the gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone post-translational modification, are involved in most cellular biological processes. Thus, abnormal regulation of epigenetics is implicated in the occurrence of various diseases, including cancer. Human MOF (males absent on the first) is a member of the MYST (Moz-Ybf2/Sas3-Sas2-Tip60) family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). As a catalytic subunit, MOF can form at least two distinct multiprotein complexes (MSL and NSL) in human cells. Both complexes can acetylate histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16); however, the NSL complex possesses broader substrate specificity and can also acetylate histone H4 at lysines 5 and 8 (H4K5 and H4K8), suggesting the complexity of the intracellular functions of MOF. Silencing of MOF in cells leads to genomic instability, inactivation of gene transcription, defective DNA damage repair and early embryonic lethality. Unbalanced MOF expression and its corresponding acetylation of H4K16 have been found in certain primary cancer tissues, including breast cancer, medulloblastoma, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, gastric cancer, as well as non-small cell lung cancer. In this review, we provide a brief overview of MOF and its corresponding histone acetylation, introduce recent research findings that link MOF functions to tumorigenesis and speculate on the potential role that may be relevant to tumorigenic pathways. Full article
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