Expression Levels Of Molecular Markers Research Articles

Tumor-related molecular determinants of neurocognitive deficits in patients with diffuse glioma.

Cognitive impairment is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with diffuse glioma, and is the result of multiple factors. We hypothesized that molecular tumor characteristics influence neurocognitive functioning (NCF), and aimed to identify tumor-related markers of NCF in diffuse glioma patients. We examined the relation between cognitive performance (executive function, memory, and psychomotor speed) and intratumoral expression levels of molecular markers in treatment-naive patients with diffuse glioma. We performed a single-center study in a consecutive cohort, through a two-step design: (1) hypothesis-free differential expression and gene set enrichment analysis to identify candidate oncogenetic markers for cognitive impairment. Nineteen molecular markers of interest were derived from this set of genes, as well as from prior knowledge; (2) correlation of cognitive performance to intratumoral expression levels of these nineteen molecular markers, measured with immunohistochemistry. From 708 included patients with immunohistochemical data, we performed an in-depth analysis of neuropsychological data in 197, and differential expression analysis in 65 patients. After correcting for tumor volume and location, we found significant associations between expression levels of CD3 and IDH-1 and psychomotor speed; between IDH-1, ATRX, NLGN3, BDNF, CK2Beta, EAAT1, GAT-3, SRF, and memory performance; and between IDH-1, P-STAT5b, NLGN3, CK2Beta, and executive functioning. P-STAT5b, CD163, CD3, and Semaphorin-3A were independently associated after further correction for histopathological grade. Molecular characteristics of glioma can be independent determinants of patients' cognitive functioning. This suggests that besides tumor volume, location, and histological grade, variations in glioma biology influence cognitive performance through mechanisms that include perturbation of neuronal communication. These results pave the way towards targeted cognition improving therapies in neuro-oncology.

Metformin Promotes the Hair-Inductive Activity of Three-Dimensional Aggregates of Epidermal and Dermal Cells Self-Assembled in vitro

Introduction: Although it has been reported that the antidiabetic drug metformin has multiple extra-hypoglycemic activities, such as anti-oxidation, antiaging, and even antitumor, topical metformin also can induce hair regeneration, but the precise mechanism involved in that process is still unclear. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of metformin on hair growth in a mouse hair-follicle reconstitution model generated by in vitro self-assembled three-dimensional aggregates of epidermal and dermal cells (DCs) (3D aggregates). Methods: Epidermal cells and DCs were isolated and cultured from the mouse skin of 50 C57BL/6 mouse pups (1-day-old). For tracing the distribution of DCs during the self-assembly process of 3D aggregates, the DCs were labeled with Vybrant Dil Cell-Labeling Solution and mixed with epidermal cells at a 1:1 ratio. Formed 3D aggregates were treated with 10 mM metformin and then were grafted into recipient BALB/c nude mice. The biomarkers (hepatocyte growth factor [HGF], prominin-1 [CD133], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], β-catenin, and SRY-box transcription factor 2 [SOX2]) associated with the hair-inductive activity of DCs were detected in the grafted skin tissues and in cultured 3D aggregates treated with metformin using immunofluorescent staining, quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and Western blotting. Furthermore, the expression levels of CD133 were also examined in DCs with different passage numbers using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: Metformin directly stimulates the activity of ALP of cultured 3D aggregates, upregulates both the protein and mRNA expression levels of molecular markers (HGF, CD133, ALP, β-catenin, and SOX2), and improves the survival rate of reconstituted hair follicles. Moreover, we also found that metformin increases the expression of CD133 in DCs thus maintaining their trichogenic capacity that would normally be lost by serial subculture. Conclusions: These results suggest that metformin can promote hair follicle regeneration in vitro through upregulation of the hair-inductive capability of DCs, warranting further evaluation in the clinical treatment of male or female pattern hair loss.

NCOG-13. TUMOR-RELATED MOLECULAR DETERMINANTS OF NEUROCOGNITIVE DEFICITS IN PATIENTS WITH DIFFUSE GLIOMA

Abstract BACKGROUND Cognitive impairment is a common and debilitating symptom in patients with diffuse glioma and is the result of multiple factors. We hypothesized that molecular tumor characteristics influence neurocognitive functioning (NCF), and we aimed to identify tumor-related markers of NCF in diffuse glioma patients. METHODS We examined the relation between cognitive performance (executive function, memory and psychomotor speed) and intratumoral expression level of molecular markers, in treatment-naive patients with diffuse glioma. We performed a single-center study in a prospectively collected cohort, through a two-step design: (1) differential expression and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to identify candidate oncogenetic markers for cognitive impairment in a hypothesis-free manner. Nineteen molecular markers of interest were derived from this set of genes as well as from prior knowledge; (2) correlation of cognitive performance (executive function, memory and psychomotor speed) to intratumoral expression level of these nineteen molecular markers, measured with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS After correcting for tumor volume and location, we found significant associations, between expression level of CD3 and IDH on the one hand with psychomotor speed on the other; between IDH, ATRX, BDNF, CSNK2B, EAAT1, GAT-3, SRF and memory performance; and between IDH, P-STAT5b, CSNK2B and executive functioning. P-STAT5b, CD163, CD3 and SEMA3 were independently associated after further correction for histopathological grade. CONCLUSION Several molecular characteristics of gliomas are independent determinants of patients’ cognitive functioning. This suggests that besides tumor volume, location and histological grade, variations in glioma biology influence cognitive performance through mechanisms that include perturbation of neuronal communication. These results pave the way towards targeted cognition improving therapies in neuro-oncology.

Immune-Related lncRNA Signature for Predicting the Immune Landscape of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a significant role in the development, establishment, and progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This article aims to develop an immune-related lncRNA (irlncRNA) model, regardless of expression levels, for risk assessment and prognosis prediction in HNSCC patients. Methods: We obtained clinical data and corresponding full transcriptome expression of HNSCC patients from TCGA, downloaded GTF files to distinguish lncRNAs from Ensembl, discerned irlncRNAs based on co-expression analysis, distinguished differentially expressed irlncRNAs (DEirlncRNAs), and paired these DEirlncRNAs. Univariate Cox regression analysis, LASSO regression analysis, and stepwise multivariate Cox regression analysis were then performed to screen lncRNA pairs, calculate the risk coefficient, and establish a prognosis model. Finally, the predictive power of this model was validated through the AUC and the ROC curves, and the AIC values of each point on the five-year ROC curve were calculated to select the maximum inflection point, which was applied as a cut-off point to divide patients into low- or high-risk groups. Based on this methodology, we were able to more effectively differentiate between these groups in terms of survival, clinico-pathological characteristics, tumor immune infiltrating status, chemotherapeutics sensitivity, and immunosuppressive molecules. Results: A 13-irlncRNA-pair signature was built, and the ROC analysis demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity of this signature for survival prediction. The Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that the high-risk group had a significantly shorter survival rate than the low-risk group, and the chi-squared test certified that the signature was highly related to survival status, clinical stage, T stage, and N stage. Additionally, the signature was further proven to be an independent prognostic risk factor via the Cox regression analyses, and immune infiltrating analyses showed that the high-risk group had significant negative relationships with various immune infiltrations. Finally, the chemotherapeutics sensitivity and the expression level of molecular markers were also significantly different between high- and low-risk groups. Conclusion: The signature established by paring irlncRNAs, with regard to specific expression levels, can be utilized for survival prediction and to guide clinical therapy in HNSCC.

Resveratrol Attenuates the Proliferation of Prostatic Stromal Cells in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia by Regulating Cell Cycle Progression, Apoptosis, Signaling Pathways, BPH Markers, and NF- κB Activity.

Resveratrol can inhibit cell proliferation and metastasis and induce apoptosis. However, the mechanisms of action through which resveratrol inhibits the abnormal proliferation of prostate stromal cells, causing prostatic hyperplasia, have not been fully elucidated. Here, we evaluated the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on cell proliferation associated with prostatic hyperplasia using WPMY-1 cells. Our results showed that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of WPMY-1 cells via the induction of G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest, which was caused by downregulated expression of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases regulated by increased p21WAF1 and p27KIP1 expression level. In addition, resveratrol treatment suppressed the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2. The expression levels of molecular markers affecting prostate development were also reduced by treatment with resveratrol. Finally, resveratrol attenuated the binding activity of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB in WPMY-1 cells, and accelerated apoptotic cell death via intrinsic cascade pathway. These results indicate that resveratrol may be useful for the prevention or treatment of prostatic hyperplasia.

Activation of the Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway in combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma: significant correlation between p-4E-BP1 expression in cholangiocarcinoma component and prognosis.

The Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, which plays an important role in regulating cellular functions including proliferation, motility, and invasion, is known to be activated in many cancers. Combined hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC) (cHCC-CC) has wide histological diversity characterized by relatively poor prognosis. Because of a lack of investigation into its molecular mechanisms, no effective systemic therapy is currently available for unresectable cHCC-CC tumors. Here, we retrospectively examined the clinicopathological and activation statuses of the Akt/mTOR pathway in 89 cases of cHCC-CC. Expression levels of molecular markers associated with this signaling pathway, including phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt), p-mTOR, p-ribosomal protein S6 (p-S6RP), and p-eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding protein 1 (p-4E-BP1), were measured by immunohistochemical staining. In addition, such activation in different cHCC-CC morphological categories was compared by dividing cases into those with HCC (n = 86), CC (n = 78), and intermediate components (n = 60). Comparison of prognosis among these groups revealed that p-4E-BP1 immunopositivity in cHCC-CC cases containing CC a component was a significant risk factor for poorer overall survival (P = 0.041). By evaluating factors in p-4E-BP1 expression in 78 cHCC-CC cases with a CC component, only lymph node metastasis was significantly correlated with positive immunostaining for p-4E-BP1 (P = 0.0222). In conclusion, p-4E-BP1 expression, especially in cHCC-CC cases with a CC component, was a notable Akt/mTOR pathway-related factor associated with poor prognosis. Assessing histological structure and p-4E-BP1 expression in cHCC-CC may be helpful for both predicting prognosis and using molecular targeted therapy.

Protective Effects of Melatonin on Methamphetamine-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Rat Model.

The specialized brain endothelial cells interconnected by unique junctions and adhesion molecules are distinctive features of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), maintaining the homeostasis of the cerebral microenvironment. This study was designed to investigate the protective effects of melatonin on methamphetamine (METH)-induced alterations of BBB integrity. Wistar rats were randomly distributed into groups and underwent melatonin pretreatment and escalating-high doses of METH treatment. Immunohistochemistry was performed to demonstrate the BBB leakage. Protein and RNA samples were isolated from hippocampal and prefrontal cortical tissues and measured expression levels of molecular markers associated with BBB structural components and inflammatory processes. METH provoked the loss of zonula occludens (ZO)-1, occludin, and claudin-5 tight junction proteins. Furthermore, METH caused an excessive increase in matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) enzyme, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and the increase in NAD(P)H oxidase 2 (NOX2). Melatonin exerted the protective effects by recovering tight junction loss; attenuating excessive MMP-9, NOX2, and cell adhesion molecule expression; and reducing serum albumin in the brain. Our results also showed the protective effects of melatonin against METH neurotoxic profiles, characterized by reactive gliosis: microglia (integrin-αM) and astrocyte (GFAP); an excessive upregulation of primary pro-inflammatory cytokines: interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); activation of neuroinflammatory signaling: nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB); and suppression of anti-oxidative signaling: nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), that may exacerbate BBB structural impairment. Our results provide insights into the beneficial effects of melatonin against METH-induced BBB disruption and mechanisms that play detrimental roles in BBB impairment by in vivo design.

SB-216763, a GSK-3β inhibitor, protects against aldosterone-induced cardiac, and renal injury by activating autophagy.

Cardiovascular and renal inflammation induced by Aldosterone (Aldo) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and renal fibrosis. GSK‐3β contributes to inflammatory cardiovascular and renal diseases, but its role in Aldo‐induced hypertension, and renal damage is not clear. In the present study, rats were treated with Aldo combined with SB‐216763 (a GSK‐3β inhibitor) for 4 weeks. Hemodynamic, cardiac, and renal parameters were assayed at the indicated time. Here we found that rats treated with Aldo presented cardiac and renal hypertrophy and dysfunction. Cardiac and renal expression levels of molecular markers attesting inflammation and fibrosis were increased by Aldo infusion, whereas the treatment of SB‐216763 reversed these alterations. SB‐216763 suppressed cardiac and renal inflammatory cytokines levels (TNF‐a, IL‐1β, and MCP‐1). Meanwhile, SB‐216763 increased the protein levels of LC3‐II in the cardiorenal tissues as well as p62 degradation, indicating that SB‐216763 induced autophagy activation in cardiac, and renal tissues. Importantly, inhibition of autophagy by 3‐MA attenuated the role of SB‐216763 in inhibiting perivascular fibrosis, and tubulointerstitial injury. These data suggest that SB‐216763 protected against Aldo‐induced cardiac and renal injury by activating autophagy, and might be a therapeutic option for salt‐sensitive hypertension and renal fibrosis.

Insights into the mechanism of a novel shockwave-assisted needle-free drug delivery device driven by in situ-generated oxyhydrogen mixture which provides efficient protection against mycobacterial infections

BackgroundNeedle-free, painless and localized drug delivery has been a coveted technology in the area of biomedical research. We present an innovative way of trans-dermal vaccine delivery using a miniature detonation-driven shock tube device. This device utilizes~2.5 bar of in situ generated oxyhydrogen mixture to produce a strong shockwave that accelerates liquid jets to velocities of about 94 m/s.MethodOxyhydrogen driven shock tube was optimized for efficiently delivering vaccines in the intradermal region in vivo. Efficiency of vaccination was evaluated by pathogen challenge and host immune response. Expression levels of molecular markers were checked by qRT-PCR.ResultsHigh efficiency vaccination was achieved using the device. Post pathogen challenge with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 100% survival was observed in vaccinated animals. Immune response to vaccination was significantly higher in the animals vaccinated using the device as compared to conventional route of vaccination.ConclusionA novel device was developed and optimized for intra dermal vaccine delivery in murine model. Conventional as well in-house developed vaccine strains were used to test the system. It was found that the vaccine delivery and immune response was at par with the conventional routes of vaccination. Thus, the device reported can be used for delivering live attenuated vaccines in the future.

Mice endometrium receptivity in early pregnancy is impaired by maternal hyperinsulinemia.

Previous studies have investigated the lower embryo implantation rates in women with polycystic ovary syndrome, obesity and type 2 diabetes, and specifically the association between the abnormal oocyte and embryo and hyperinsulinemia. The importance of hyperinsulinemia on maternal endometrium receptivity remains to be elucidated. The present study used a hyperinsulinemic mouse model to determine whether hyperinsulinemia may affect endometrial receptivity. An insulin intervention mouse model was first established. The serum levels of insulin, progesterone and estradiol were subsequently detected by ELISA assay analysis. The number of implantation sites was recorded using Trypan blue dye and the morphology of mice uteri was investigated using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expression levels of molecular markers associated with endometrial receptivity were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses. Finally, the importance of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) expression following insulin treatment was determined. Mice treated with insulin developed insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. The number of implantation sites following insulin treatment did not differ between the control and insulin-treated groups. Additionally, no significant morphological alterations in mice uteri between control and insulin-treated groups were observed. However, the expression levels of estrogen receptor (Esr) 1, Esr2, progesterone receptor and homeobox A10 associated with endometrial receptivity, were imbalanced during endometrium receptivity when maternal hyperinsulinemia was induced. Western blot analysis revealed that expression levels of endometrial phosphorylated (p)-mTOR and p-ribosomal protein S6 kinase β-1 were significantly greater in the insulin-treated group. These results demonstrated that although an embryo may implant into endometrium, mice endometrium receptivity in early pregnancy may be impaired by maternal hyperinsulinemia. In addition, mTOR signaling may be involved in this process. The present study provides preliminary results demonstrating that female reproduction may be compromised during hyperinsulinemia, which requires further investigation in future studies.

Prognostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2, platelet-derived growth factor-β (PDGF-β), and PDGF-β receptor expression in papillary renal cell carcinoma

The prognostic value of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-β, and PDGF receptor (PDGFR)-β in papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) is unknown. A total of 145 patients, who were confirmed to have pRCC, were analyzed. Expression levels of molecular markers were assessed via immunohistochemistry. The median follow-up period for all patients was 52.0 (interquartile range, 34.5-90.5) months. Among the cohort of 145 patients, high VEGF expression was observed in 100 (69.0%) patients, whereas high expression of VEGFR2, PDGF-β, and PDGFR-β was observed in 64 (44.1%), 42 (29.0%), and 30 (20.7%) patients, respectively. Only patients with high VEGFR2 expression exhibited improved 10-year recurrence-free survival (85.3% versus 58.1%; P=.005) and cancer-specific survival (86.4% versus 70.1%; P=.014) rates compared with individuals who exhibited low expression. Multivariate analysis revealed that high VEGFR2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for recurrence (hazard ratio, 0.326; P=.006) and cancer-specific mortality (hazard ratio, 0.334; P=.046). During follow-up, 17 patients received targeted drug therapy. Patients with high VEGFR2 expression showed a better initial response (partial response, 40%; stable disease, 20%; progressive disease, 40%) than patients with low expression did (partial response, 0%; stable disease, 58.3%; progressive disease, 41.7%; P=.052). pRCC with high VEGFR2 expression seems to be associated with a better initial response to targeted drug therapy and a better prognostic outcome.

Low-dose dasatinib rescues cardiac function in Noonan syndrome.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is a common autosomal dominant disorder that presents with short stature, craniofacial dysmorphism, and cardiac abnormalities. Activating mutations in the PTPN11 gene encoding for the Src homology 2 (SH2) domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP2) causes approximately 50% of NS cases. In contrast, NS with multiple lentigines (NSML) is caused by mutations that inactivate SHP2, but it exhibits some overlapping abnormalities with NS. Protein zero-related (PZR) is a SHP2-binding protein that is hyper-tyrosyl phosphorylated in the hearts of mice from NS and NSML, suggesting that PZR and the tyrosine kinase that catalyzes its phosphorylation represent common targets for these diseases. We show that the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, dasatinib, at doses orders of magnitude lower than that used for its anticancer activities inhibited PZR tyrosyl phosphorylation in the hearts of NS mice. Low-dose dasatinib treatment of NS mice markedly improved cardiomyocyte contractility and functionality. Remarkably, a low dose of dasatinib reversed the expression levels of molecular markers of cardiomyopathy and reduced cardiac fibrosis in NS and NSML mice. These results suggest that PZR/SHP2 signaling is a common target of both NS and NSML and that low-dose dasatinib may represent a unifying therapy for the treatment of PTPN11-related cardiomyopathies.

Abstract B26: Leptin affects proliferation, stem cells and chemotherapeutic treatment outcome of pancreatic cancer: A link to health disparity

Abstract Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive disease that is in most cases advanced at the time of diagnosis. The overall 5-year survival rate for PC patients is less than 5 %. African-Americans show the highest incidence of obesity and PC as well as mortality rate. How obesity is associated to PC incidence and health disparity is still an unanswered question. High levels of leptin shown by obese African American patients could impact negatively on PC. We hypothesize that leptin signaling induces PC proliferation, stem cells (PCSC) and drug resistance. Methods: Human PC cell lines derived from primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma (Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2-highly aggressive, BxPC-3-less aggressive) and from metastatic tumor (AsPC-1) were challenged with leptin and chemotherapeutic agents. Cell proliferation, apoptosis rate, and the expression levels of molecular markers were analyzed. PCSC markers were determined in cell lines and tumor biopsies. Effects of leptin and chemotherapeutics on PC-tumorsphere formation were also determined. Results: Leptin stimulated proliferation of PC cells, induced the expression of PCSC markers and increased tumorsphere formation. Moreover, leptin impaired the efficacy of chemotherapeutics on PC cells. Conclusions: Present data suggest leptin is a proliferative and survival factor for PC that reduces chemotherapeutic effectiveness. These observations are of paramount importance for obese African American PC patients, who show the highest levels of leptin, poor prognosis and outcome of chemotherapeutic treatment. Acknowledgements: this work was supported by the DOD W81XWH-13-1-0382; NIH/SBIR 1R41CA183399-01A1; Pilot Project Award from MSM/Tuskegee University/UAB Cancer Center Partnership grant 5U54CA118638; PC SPORE Grant from UAB to RRGP, and facilities and support services at Morehouse School of Medicine (1G12RR026250-03; NIH RR03034 and 1C06 RR18386). Citation Format: Adriana Harbuzariu, Danielle S. Daley-Brown, Tia L. Harmon, Robin C. Garrison, Derrick J. Beech, Frederick D. Cason, Christopher Klug, Ruben R. Gonzalez-Perez. Leptin affects proliferation, stem cells and chemotherapeutic treatment outcome of pancreatic cancer: A link to health disparity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr B26.

Proanthocyanidin and fish oil potent activity against cisplatin-induced renal cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in rats

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent that displays dose-limiting nephrotoxicity. In the present study, the efficacy of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE: 100 mg/kg/day) and fish oil (FO: 5 mL/kg/day) against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was evaluated in terms of DNA damage, histopathological changes and expression levels of molecular markers of apoptosis. The administration of cisplatin (CP) (7 mg/kg) results in an increasing percentage of S-phase, G2/M and apoptosis. Furthermore, CP induces apoptosis as indicated by an elevation of renal caspase-3 and reduction in the expression of BCL-2. In addition to occurred renal histopathological changes as manifested by tubular degeneration, degenerative glomerulus, necrotic tubular cells, and cell debris. On the other hand, the administration of GSPE or FO pre-cisplatin treatment can be ameliorated the current DNA cell cycle alterations by the restoration of expression of proteins related to apoptosis and reduced the undesirable renal histopathological changes. So, it can be concluded that the consumption of GSPE or FO might be useful for minimizing nephrotoxicity caused by cisplatin chemotherapy through their anti-apoptotic and antioxidant properties.

Abstract 1205: Identification of a novel adjuvant therapeutic agent for obesity related pancreatic cancer

Abstract PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive disease that develops in a symptom-free manner and is usually advanced at the time of diagnosis; the overall 5 year survival rate is less than 5%. Obesity is pandemic in the US and strongly linked to higher incidence of many cancer types. Obese people are 20% more likely to develop PC. We hypothesize that high level of leptin shown by obese PC patients could increase tumor progression and drug resistance. METHODS: A panel of PC cell lines (Panc-1, BxPC-3 and MiaPaCa-2) was challenged with leptin, a specific leptin inhibitor coupled with nanoparticles (IONP-LPrA2) and various chemotherapeutic agents (Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, Paclitaxel and Sunitinib). Cell viability, proliferation and the expression levels of molecular markers were analyzed. Further, we investigated the ability of PC cells to form tumorspheres when treated with leptin and IONP-LPrA2. The number of colonies was counted and pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSC) markers (ALDH1, CD44, CD24, ESA) and OB-R expression was assessed. PCSC markers were determined in PC tissue arrays. RESULTS: PCSC markers were expressed in obese PC patients. Leptin induced S phase progression, overexpression of Notch and PCSC markers and increased stemness and tumorigenesis of PC cells. In addition, leptin impaired the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents on PC cells and derived tumorspheres. The inhibition of leptin signaling via IONP-LPrA2 abrogated PC growth, reduced PCSC markers expression and enhanced chemotherapeutic action by inducing apoptosis. Our data suggests that leptin signaling is essential for PC cells proliferation and survival and reduces chemotherapeutic effects. These findings are of great importance for obese PC patients which show the highest level of leptin, poor prognosis and chemotherapy outcome. LPrA2 has no toxicity and it has been shown that it does not affect health status, appetite, body weight or energy balance in mice. IONP-LPrA2 could be a novel adjuvant for PC treatment, especially for obese PC patients. Acknowledgements: this work was supported by NIH/NCI 5SC1CA138658-05 and the DOD Breast Cancer Idea Award (W81XWH13-1-0382) to RRGP; NIH/2G12RR003034-26 and U54 MSM/UAB Cancer Center Partnership. This research was also supported by facilities and support services at Morehouse School of Medicine (NIH 1C06 RR18386). Citation Format: Adriana Harbuzariu, Robin C. Garrison, Danielle S. Daley-Brown, Derrick J. Beech, Frederick D. Cason, Tia L. Harmon, Lily Yang, Ruben R. Gonzalez-Perez. Identification of a novel adjuvant therapeutic agent for obesity related pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 1205. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-1205

Analysis of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9 expression rate by means of immunocytochemical diagnostic technique in patients with larynx cancer with regional metastases

In this study we investigated the expression levels of molecular markers of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in patients with larynx cancer with regional metastases. Cytological specimens were examined by means of immunocytochemical tecnique. The material was obtained by fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A relationship between the expression of the marker and the presence of metastases has been established. A link between the expression of molecular markers of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 with metastasis to lymph nodes in a direct correlation has been proved which allows us to recommend the study of these markers as factors in the metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx in the regional lymph nodes in the neck.

Alleviation of hepatic injury by chrysin in cisplatin administered rats: Probable role of oxidative and inflammatory markers

BackgroundCisplatin is an effective and extensively used chemotherapeutic agent to treat range of malignancies, but its therapeutic use is limited because of dose-dependent nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Several published reports advocate that supplementation with antioxidant can influence cisplatin induced hepatic damage. MethodIn the present study the Wistar rats were subjected to concurrent prophylactic oral treatment of chrysin (25 and 50mg/kgb.wt.) against the hepatotoxicity induced by intraperitoneal administration of cisplatin (7.5mg/kgb.wt.). Efficacy of chrysin against the hepatotoxicity was evaluated in terms of biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzyme activities, histopathological changes and expression levels of molecular markers of inflammation. ResultsChrysin ameliorated cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation, xanthine oxidase activity, glutathione depletion, decrease in antioxidant (catalase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase) and phase-II detoxifying (glutathione-S-transferase and quinone reductase) enzyme activities. Chrysin also attenuated expression of COX-2, iNOS and levels of NFκB and TNF-α, and hepatic tissue damage which were induced by cisplatin. Histological findings further supported the protective effects of chrysin against cisplatin-induced hepatic damage. ConclusionThe results of the present study demonstrate that oxidative stress and inflammation are closely associated with cisplatin-induced toxicity and chrysin shows the protective efficacy against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity possibly via attenuating the oxidative stress and inflammatory response.

Bufalin inhibits the differentiation and proliferation of human osteosarcoma cell line hMG63-derived cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in drug resistance of tumor and are responsible for high recurrence rates. Agents that can suppress the proliferation and differentiation of CSCs would provide new opportunity to fight against tumor recurrence. In this study, we developed a new strategy to enrich CSCs in human osteosarcoma cell line hMG63. Using these CSCs as model, we tested the effect of bufalin, a traditional Chinese medicine, on the proliferation and differentiation of CSCs. hMG63 cells were cultured in poly-HEMA-treated dish and cancer stem cell-specific medium. In this nonadhesive culture system, hMG63 formed spheres, which were then collected and injected into the immunodeficient mice. Cisplatin was administered every 3 days for five times. The enriched xenograft tumors were cultured in cancer stem cell-specific medium again to form tumor spheres. Expression of cancer stem cell markers of these cells was measured by flow cytometry. These cells were then treated with bufalin, and the proliferation and differentiation ability were indicated by the expression level of molecular markers and the formation of sphere again in vitro. We obtained a low CD133+/CD44 cell population with high-level stem cell marker. When treated with bufalin, the sphere could not get attached to the flask and failed to differentiate, which was indicated by the stable expression of stem cell marker CD133 and OCT-4 in the condition permissive to differentiation. Treatment of bufalin also suppressed the single cells isolated from the sphere to form sphere again in the nonadhesive culture system, and a decreased expression of proliferation marker Ki67 was also detected in these cells. Sphere-formed and chemoresistant colon xenograft tumors in immunodeficient mice could enrich cancer stem cell population. Bufalin could inhibit proliferation and differentiation of CSCs.

Chemopreventive effects of aloin against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced preneoplastic lesions in the colon of Wistar rats

Chemoprevention opens new window in the prevention of all types of cancers including colon cancer. Aloin, an anthracycline in plant pigment, can be utilized as a protective agent in cancer induction. In the present study, we have evaluated the chemopreventive efficacy of aloin against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced preneoplastic lesions in the colon of Wistar rats. DMH-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and mucin-depleted foci (MDF) have been used as biomarkers of colon cancer. Efficacy of aloin against the colon toxicity was evaluated in terms of biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation, ACF, MDF, histopathological changes, and expression levels of molecular markers of inflammation and tumor promotion. Aloin pretreatment ameliorates the damaging effects induced by DMH through a protective mechanism that involved reduction in increased oxidative stress enzymes (p < 0.001), ACF, MDF, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression, and tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.001) release. From the results, it could be concluded that aloin clearly protects against chemically induced colon toxicity and acts reasonably by inducing antioxidant level, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative markers.

442 ROLE OF MOLECULAR MARKERS IN NEPHRECTOMY SPECIMEN AS PROGNOSTICATORS FOR PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA IN THE ERA OF TARGETED THERAPY

You have accessJournal of UrologyKidney Cancer: Basic Research III1 Apr 2012442 ROLE OF MOLECULAR MARKERS IN NEPHRECTOMY SPECIMEN AS PROGNOSTICATORS FOR PATIENTS WITH METASTATIC RENAL CELL CARCINOMA IN THE ERA OF TARGETED THERAPY Dalsan You, Yong Mee Cho, Jae-Lyun Lee, Cheryn Song, Jun Hyuk Hong, Choung-Soo Kim, and Hanjong Ahn Dalsan YouDalsan You Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author , Yong Mee ChoYong Mee Cho Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author , Jae-Lyun LeeJae-Lyun Lee Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author , Cheryn SongCheryn Song Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author , Jun Hyuk HongJun Hyuk Hong Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author , Choung-Soo KimChoung-Soo Kim Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author , and Hanjong AhnHanjong Ahn Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.509AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Recently, the molecular biological alterations associated with clear cell type renal cell carcinoma (RCC) development and progression have been identified and agents that target relevant biologic pathways, including VEGF and PDGF, have been developed for metastatic RCC. We investigated the expression levels of molecular markers in radical nephrectomy specimens from patients with metastatic RCC treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in order to identify factors predicting susceptibility to this agent. METHODS We reviewed the medical records of 84 patients presented with synchronous metastatic RCC and had not received any systemic therapy. Eligibility criteria for TKI therapy and analysis included the presence of clear cell type RCC, as determined by histologic assessment of nephrectomy or biopsy specimens; measurable disease. Thirty-two patients, who underwent nephrectomy with immunohistochemical staining, were included for analysis. Following staining for VEGF, VEGFR-2, PDGF-β, and PDGFR-β in nephrectomy specimens, results were interpreted by a genitourinary pathologist. The expression levels for each marker were classified into the four groups, and negative, (+) and (++), (+++) were integrated into weak and strong expressions for analysis. RESULTS Median age was 55.5 years (range 36 to 72). Twenty-eight patients (88%) were males and 23 (72%) were treated with sunitinib. Eight (25%) patients had a response, including 1 complete response, and 17, 7 showed stable, progressive diseases, respectively. Of clinicpathological factors examined, the expression level of PDGF-β was shown to have significant impacts on response to TKIs, along with Karnofsky performance status, hemoglobin, number of metastatic sites and bone metastasis. PFS was significantly associated with Karnofsky performance status, hemoglobin, sarcomatoid feature and number of metastatic sites on univariate analysis. Of these significant factors, hemoglobin and number of metastatic sites appeared to be independently related to PFS on multivariate analysis. There was no molecular marker having significant impact on the survival. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that it would be useful to consider expression levels of potential molecular markers, particularly PDGF-β, as well as conventional clinicopathological factors to select metastatic RCC patients likely to response to treatment with TKIs. However, these markers did not predict PFS in patients treated with TKIs for metastatic RCC. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e181 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Dalsan You Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author Yong Mee Cho Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author Jae-Lyun Lee Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author Cheryn Song Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author Jun Hyuk Hong Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author Choung-Soo Kim Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author Hanjong Ahn Seoul, Korea, Republic of More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...