Therapeutic Target For Lung Cancer Research Articles

RACGAP1 promotes lung cancer cell proliferation through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

We aimed to investigate the expression and clinic significance of Rac GTPase Activating Protein 1 (RACGAP1) in human lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Online database analysis revealed a significant increase in RACGAP1 mRNA expression among 26 types of tumor tissues, including LUAD tissues. Online database and tissue microarray analyses indicated that RACGAP1 expression was significantly upregulated in LUAD tissues. Genetic variation analysis identified four different genetic variations of RACGAPs in LUAD. Moreover, online database analysis showed that RACGAP1 upregulation was correlated with shorter survival in patients with LUAD. After silencing RACGAP1 expression in A549 cells using siRNA and assessing its protein levels via Western blotting, we found that RACGAP1 knockdown inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis determined using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. Mechanistically, western blot analysis indicated that Bax expression increased, whereas Bcl-2 expression decreased. Moreover, RACGAP1 knockdown attenuated PI3K/AKT pathway activation in lung cancer cells. Taken together, our findings showed that RACGAP1 was overexpressed in LUAD tissues and played an important role in lung cancer by increasing cell growth through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study suggests recommends evaluating RACGAP1 in clinical settings as a novel biomarker and potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.

Pathogenic role of super-enhancers as potential therapeutic targets in lung cancer.

Lung cancer is still one of the deadliest malignancies today, and most patients with advanced lung cancer pass away from disease progression that is uncontrollable by medications. Super-enhancers (SEs) are large clusters of enhancers in the genome's non-coding sequences that actively trigger transcription. Although SEs have just been identified over the past 10years, their intricate structure and crucial role in determining cell identity and promoting tumorigenesis and progression are increasingly coming to light. Here, we review the structural composition of SEs, the auto-regulatory circuits, the control mechanisms of downstream genes and pathways, and the characterization of subgroups classified according to SEs in lung cancer. Additionally, we discuss the therapeutic targets, several small-molecule inhibitors, and available treatment options for SEs in lung cancer. Combination therapies have demonstrated considerable advantages in preclinical models, and we anticipate that these drugs will soon enter clinical studies and benefit patients.

Abstract LB299: Dihydrouridine synthase 2 sustains levels of tRNACys and prevents ferroptosis in lung cancer

Abstract Dihydrouridine is a universally conserved tRNA modification installed by enzymes that are important for human health. High expression of dihydrouridine synthase 2 (DUS2) predicts poor patient outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) for reasons that are not yet clear. Here, we show in human cells and mouse xenografts that DUS2 suppresses ferroptosis, a metal-dependent non-apoptotic form of cell death that is emerging as a therapeutic target in lung cancer. Elevated DUS2 correlates with resistance to ferroptosis inducers and loss of DUS2 causes increased sensitivity with concomitant accumulation of toxic lipid peroxides. Mechanistically, DUS2 is required to maintain tRNA CysGCA levels, supporting translation of cysteine-rich proteins including metallothioneins, key regulators of metal and redox homeostasis Notably, DUS2 KO cells cannot sustain normal levels of metallothioneins, a class of very cysteine rich proteins that serve as key regulators of both metal and redox homeostasis. Accordingly, DUS2 knockout cells are more susceptible to zinc intoxication and have lower levels of reduced glutathione, which partially explains their sensitivity to ferroptosis. Our findings demonstrate that DUS2 is required to support tRNACys levels and fend off ferroptosis in lung cancer cells. This highlights that individual tRNA substrates can play an outsized role in the biological functions of tRNA modifying enzymes, and demonstrates the therapeutic potential of targeting DUS2 in cancer. Citation Format: Austin Draycott, Matthew C. Wang, Diana Martínez Saucedo, Luisa Escobar-Hoyos, Wendy Gilbert. Dihydrouridine synthase 2 sustains levels of tRNACys and prevents ferroptosis in lung cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr LB299.

High CASC expression predicts poor prognosis of lung cancer: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

The long non-coding RNA cancer susceptibility candidate (CASC) has abnormal expression in lung cancer tissues and may correlate with lung cancer prognosis. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the association between CASC expression and the cancer prognosis. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched until April 1, 2023, to obtain the relevant literature. Studies that met the predefined eligibility criteria were included, and their quality was independently assessed by 2 investigators according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score. Detailed information was obtained, such as first author, year of publication, and number of patients. Hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was extracted and grouped to assess the relationship between CASC expression and cancer prognosis. The dichotomous data was merged and shown as the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% CI was extracted to assess the relationship between CASC expression and clinicopathological parameters. A total of 12 studies with 746 patients with lung cancer were included in the meta-analysis. The expression levels of lncRNA CASC2 and CASC7 were decreased, while those of CASC9, 11, 15, and 19 were induced in lung cancer tissues compared with paracancerous tissues. In the population with low CASC expression (CASC2 and CASC7), high CASC expression indicated a good lung cancer prognosis (HR = 0.469; 95% CI, 0.271-0.668). Conversely, in the population with high CASC expression (CASC9, 11, 15, and 19), high CASC expression predicted a poor lung cancer outcome (HR = 1.910; 95% CI, 1.628-2.192). High CASC expression also predicted worse disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 2.803; 95% CI, 1.804-6.319). Combined OR with 95% CI revealed an insignificant positive association between high CASC expression and advanced TNM stage (OR = 1.061; 95% CI, 0.775-1.454), LNM (OR = 0.962; 95% CI, 0.724-1.277), tumor size (OR = 0.942; 95% CI, 0.667-1.330), and histological grade (OR = 1.022; 95% CI, 0.689-1.517). The CASC expression levels negatively correlate with lung cancer prognosis. Therefore, CASC expression may serve as a prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.

Fat-soluble Vitamins and Lung Cancer: Where We Are?

Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) are vital substances for maintaining normal physiological functions in the body. In recent years, scholars have explored the relationship between fat-soluble vitamins and the wasting disease - lung cancer. In this paper, we review recent studies on fat-soluble vitamins and lung cancer to clarify the relevance and molecular mechanisms of various vitamins in lung cancer, and whether the levels of fat-soluble vitamins in the body and vitamin supplementation affect the development of lung cancer. Our review could facilitate the discovery of biomarkers, potential therapeutic targets in lung cancer, and anti-tumor adjuvant drugs, in addition to highlighting other new ideas in the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.

Rolapitant treats lung cancer by targeting deubiquitinase OTUD3

BackgroundLung cancer is cancer with the highest morbidity and mortality in the world and poses a serious threat to human health. Therefore, discovering new treatments is urgently needed to improve lung cancer prognosis. Small molecule inhibitors targeting the ubiquitin-proteasome system have achieved great success, in which deubiquitinase inhibitors have broad clinical applications. The deubiquitylase OTUD3 was reported to promote lung tumorigenesis by stabilizing oncoprotein GRP78, implying that inhibition of OTUD3 may be a therapeutic strategy for lung cancer.ResultsIn this study, we identified a small molecule inhibitor of OTUD3, Rolapitant, by computer-aided virtual screening and biological experimental verification from FDA-approved drugs library. Rolapitant inhibited the proliferation of lung cancer cells by inhibiting deubiquitinating activity of OTUD3. Quantitative proteomic profiling indicated that Rolapitant significantly upregulated the expression of death receptor 5 (DR5). Rolapitant also promoted lung cancer cell apoptosis through upregulating cell surface expression of DR5 and enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Mechanistically, Rolapitant directly targeted the OTUD3-GRP78 axis to trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP)-DR5 signaling, sensitizing lung cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. In the vivo assays, Rolapitant suppressed the growth of lung cancer xenografts in immunocompromised mice at suitable dosages without apparent toxicity.ConclusionIn summary, the present study identifies Rolapitant as a novel inhibitor of deubiquitinase OTUD3 and establishes that the OTUD3-GRP78 axis is a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.

Abstract 4379: RING1, a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase for CIP2A, negatively regulates smoking-induced lung tumorigenesis

Abstract Lung cancer is the second incidence rate of all new cancer diagnoses and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. To develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for lung cancer, there are emerging needs for molecular biological research on the occurrence and progression. Among the targets, CIP2A has been studied for promoting various cancer types, but detailed underlying mechanisms are needed to be further investigated. In this study, it was verified that CIP2A is overexpressed in lung cancer tissues, particularly amongst those with a smoking history, compared to adjacent normal tissues. CIP2A knockdown in lung cancer cells efficiently reduced cell proliferation and migration capacity. Through the mass spectrometry analysis on A549 cells overexpressing CIP2A, RING1 was identified as a candidate for E3 ligase of CIP2A. The interaction of the two proteins and ubiquitin chain regulation by RING1 was verified by immunoprecipitation. RING1 knockdown enhanced proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells, and these effects result from the upregulation of CIP2A and its downstream molecules, c-Myc and cyclin B1. To further study a trigger for RING1 expression changes in lung tumorigenesis, cigarette smoke extract (CSE) was applied for the following experiments. CSE treatment depleted RING1 mRNA, including protein expression. Decreased RING1 level led to upregulation of CIP2A and c-MYC. Collectively, these results reveal novel roles of the RING1 and CIP2A in lung cancer progression caused by smoking and propose a potential biomarker candidate for the therapeutic and diagnostic targets. Citation Format: In-ho Jeong, Chang-Whan Peter Lee, Hwan Jung Lim, Seong Jun Park, Ji Young Hyun. RING1, a novel E3 ubiquitin ligase for CIP2A, negatively regulates smoking-induced lung tumorigenesis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4379.

CircSCUBE3 promoted ferroptosis to inhibit lung adenocarcinoma progression.

CircRNAs can regulate ferroptosis and affect cancer development and are promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets in lung cancer. circSCUBE3 is expressed in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) tissues. In this study, our purpose was to study the role and regulatory mechanism of circSCUBE3 in LUAD ferroptosis. circSCUBE3 was identified to be significantly downregulated in LUAD samples and cell lines. The expression of biomarkers related to lipid oxidation (4-HNE) and ferroptosis (Ptgs2) was both downregulated in LUAD tissues, suggesting the ferroptosis resistance in LUAD. Erastin, a ferroptosis inducer, was used to stimulate the LUAD cells for 48 h. The cell viability, 4-HNE and Ptgs2 level of LUAD cells were decreased by exposure to erastin while the expression of circSCUBE3 was not significantly altered. We then overexpressed circSCUBE3 in LUAD cells and found it decreased the GSH level and GSH/GSSG ratio in LUAD cells. CircSCUBE3 might serve as an independent factor of ferroptosis and may induce ferroptosis in LUAD by inhibiting GSH synthesis. The loss-of-function experiments were conducted, and circSCUBE3 deficiency reversed the erastin-induced reduction in cell viability, GSH level, GSH/GSSG ratio, mitochondrial membrane potential and elevation in MDA content, Ptgs2, 4-HNE expression as well as lipid ROS production. CircSCUBE3 negatively regulated GPX4 expression in LUAD cells, and the silencing of GPX4 counteracted the impact of circSCUBE3 deficiency on LUAD cell viability as well as ferroptosis, suggesting that circSCUBE3 regulated the GPX4-mediated GSH synthesis in LUAD. CircSCUBE3 was to bind to CREB, which activated the transcription of GPX4. CircSCUBE3 negatively regulated GPX4 expression by competitively interacting with CREB. In the tumor-bearing mouse models, circSCUBE3 silencing promoted tumor growth and reversed the erastin treatment-induced inhibition on tumorigenesis in vivo. In conclusion, circSCUBE3 inhibited LUAD development by promoting ferroptosis via the CREB/GPX4/GSH axis, which might provide a novel option for the LUAD targeted therapy.

Silencing lncRNA-DARS-AS1 suppresses nonsmall cell lung cancer progression by stimulating miR-302a-3p to inhibit ACAT1 expression.

Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been gaining attention as potential therapeutic targets for lung cancer. In this study, we investigated the expression and biological behavior of lncRNA DARS-AS1, its predicted interacting partner miR-302a-3p, and ACAT1 in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The transcript level of DARS-AS1, miR-302a-3p, and ACAT1 was analyzed using qRT-PCR. Endogenous expression of ACAT1 and the expression of-and changes in-AKT/ERK pathway-related proteins were determined using western blotting. MTS, Transwell, and apoptosis experiments were used to investigate the behavior of cells. The subcellular localization of DARS-AS1 was verified using FISH, and its binding site was verified using dual-luciferase reporter experiments. The binding of DARS-AS1 to miR-302a-3p was verified using RNA co-immunoprecipitation. In vivo experiments were performed using a xenograft model to determine the effect of DARS-AS1 knockout on ACAT1 and NSCLC. lncRNA DARS-AS1 was upregulated in NSCLC cell lines and tissues and the expression of lncRNA DARS-AS1 was negatively correlated with survival of patients with NSCLC. Knockdown of DARS-AS1 inhibited the malignant behaviors of NSCLC via upregulating miR-302a-3p. miR-302a-3p induced suppression of malignancy through regulating oncogene ACAT1. This study demonstrates that the DARS-AS1-miR-302a-3p-ACAT1 pathway plays a key role in NSCLC.

Identification of potential regulatory mechanisms and therapeutic targets for lung cancer

Lung cancer poses a significant health threat globally, especially in regions like India, with 5-year survival rates remain alarmingly low. Our study aimed to uncover key markers for effective treatment and early detection. We identified specific genes related to lung cancer using the BioXpress database and delved into their roles through DAVID enrichment analysis. By employing network theory, we explored the intricate interactions within lung cancer networks, identifying ASPM and MKI67 as crucial regulator genes. Predictions of microRNA and transcription factor interactions provided additional insights. Examining gene expression patterns using GEPIA and KM Plotter revealed the clinical relevance of these key genes. In our pursuit of targeted therapies, Drug Bank pointed to methotrexate as a potential drug for the identified key regulator genes. Confirming this, molecular docking studies through Swiss Dock showed promising binding interactions. To ensure stability, we conducted molecular dynamics simulations using the AMBER 16 suite. In summary, our study pinpoints ASPM and MKI67 as vital regulators in lung cancer networks. The identification of hub genes and functional pathways enhances our understanding of molecular processes, offering potential therapeutic targets. Importantly, methotrexate emerged as a promising drug candidate, supported by robust docking and simulation studies. These findings lay a solid foundation for further experimental validations and hold promise for advancing personalized therapeutic strategies in lung cancer. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

An integrative pan-cancer analysis of WWC family genes and functional validation in lung cancer

The WW and C2 domain containing (WWC) protein family functions as scaffolds regulating cell proliferation and organ growth control through the Hippo signaling pathway. However, their pan-cancer dysregulation and mechanistic roles in signaling transduction have remained unclear. We performed integrated pan-cancer analyses of WWC family gene expression using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) across 33 different cancer types. Prognostic relevance was evaluated by survival analyses. WWC genetic alterations, DNA methylation, pathway activities, drug response, and tumor immunology were analyzed using online databases. Furthermore, we examined the functional roles of WWCs in lung cancer cells. We observed aberrant WWC expression in various cancers, which associated with patient prognosis. WWC hypermethylation occurred in many cancers and exhibited negative correlation with expression, alongside mutations linked to poor outcomes. Pathway analysis implicated WWCs as Hippo pathway scaffolds, while drug sensitivity analysis suggested associations with diverse chemotherapies. Additionally, pan-cancer analyses elucidated vital immunomodulatory roles for WWC through heterogeneous correlations with immune cell infiltrates, checkpoint molecules, tumor mutation burden, microsatellite instability, and chemokine pathways across cancers. Experimentally, WWCs suppressed lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while enhancing apoptosis and paclitaxel chemosensitivity. Mechanistically, WWCs bound large tumor suppressor 1 and 2 (LATS1/2) kinases to stimulate phosphorylation cascades, thereby inhibiting nuclear translocation of the Yes-associated protein (YAP) oncoprotein. Taken together, our multi-omics characterization provides comprehensive evidence for WWCs as putative tumor suppressors across cancers via Hippo pathway modulation. WWCs may serve as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets in lung cancer.

CAMSAP2 enhances lung cancer cell metastasis by mediating RASAL2 degradation

AimsCancer metastasis significantly contributes to mortality in lung cancer patients. Calmodulin-regulated spectrin-associated protein family member 2 (CAMSAP2) plays a significant role in cancer cell migration; however, its role in lung cancer metastasis and the underlying mechanism remain largely unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of CAMSAP2 on lung cancer. Main methodsThe clinical relevance of CAMSAP2 in lung cancer patients was assessed using public database. RNA interference experiments were conducted to investigate role of CAMSAP2 in cell migration through transwell and wound healing assays. Molecular mechanisms were explored by identifying the possible interacting partners and pathways using the BioGRID and KEGG pathway analyses. The impact of CAMSAP2 on Ras protein activator-like 2 (RASAL2)-mediated lung cancer metastasis was investigated through biochemical assays. Additionally, in vivo experimentation using a murine tail vein metastasis model was performed to comprehend CAMSAP2's influence on metastasis. Key findingsA high expression level of CAMSAP2 was associated with poor overall survival in lung cancer patients and it positively correlated with cell migration in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. Knockdown of CAMSAP2 inhibited lung cancer cell motility in vitro and metastasis in vivo. Proteomic and biochemical analyses revealed the interaction between CAMSAP2 and RASAL2, which facilitates the degradation of RASAL2 through the ubiquitin–proteasome system. These degradation processes resulted in the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, thereby promoting lung cancer metastasis. Collectively, the results of this study suggest that CAMSAP2 is a crucial regulator of cancer cell migration and metastasis and a promising therapeutic target for lung cancer.

NSUN6 Regulates NM23-H1 Expression in an m5C Manner to Affect Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer

Purpose: The expression and regulatory mechanism of NSUN6 in lung cancer are still unclear. Our study explored whether NSUN6 mediates progression of lung cancer by affecting NM23-H1 expression in an m5C-dependent manner. Methods: qRT-PCR, CCK-8, colony formation, transwell, and Western blot analysis were employed to probe the impact of NSUN6 on lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RMVar database was utilized to forecast the downstream genes of NSUN6. The mode of interaction between NSUN6 and NM23-H1 was determined by dot blot, luciferase assay, m5C RIP, and cell function assays. The effect of NSUN6 expression on tumor growth was verified in vivo. Results: Expression of NSUN6 was reduced in lung cancer cells, and over-expression of NSUN6 restricted the proliferation of lung cancer cells, migration, and EMT. NSUN6 regulated NM23-H1 expression by modifying the 3′-UTR of NM23-H1 mRNA through m5C and inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and EMT. In vivo experiments also showed that over-expression of NSUN6 inhibited the occurrence of lung cancer. Conclusion: NSUN6 regulates NM23-H1 expression in an m5C-dependent manner to affect EMT in lung cancer. Thus, NSUN6 may be considered as a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.

MicroRNA-508-3p regulates the proliferation of human lung cancer cells by targeting G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) protein.

Due to its crucial cancer regulatory role, microRNA-508-3p has been reported as a potential therapeutic anticancer molecular target. The present work encompassed the molecular characterization of microRNA-508-3p in lung cancer emphasizing on understanding the possible mechanism of its regulatory action. qRT-PCR was performed to estimate the relative gene expression of microRNA-508-p in the tissue samples. The proliferation of cancer cells was determined by cell counting kit-8. The colony formation from cancer cells was analyzed by clonogenic assay. Mitotic phase distribution was understood by employing the flow cytometric technique. Edu-Hoechst staining was used for the assessment of cell viability. In silico analysis and dual-luciferase assay were used for target identification of microRNA-508-3p in lung cancer. Immunofluorescence and western blotting studies were carried out for relative protein expression. The rat models were used for performing the in vivo experimental procedures. The study showed the significant down-regulation of microRNA-508-3p in lung cancer. The lower expression levels of microRNA-508-3p were shown to be associated with poor survival of lung cancer patients. The over-expression of microRNA-508-3p was found to decline the proliferation and viability of cancer cells together with the induction of mitotic cell cycle arrest at G1 by targeting G1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) protein. MicroRNA-508-3p up-regulation inhibited the in vivo tumor growth in rat models. Our study identifies miR-508-3p as a pivotal regulator of lung cancer cell proliferation by targeting the GSPT1 protein. This highlights its potential as a tumor suppressor and a therapeutic target for lung cancer. Our findings offer mechanistic insights into miRNA-mediated cancer progression, prompting further research in this intricate regulatory network.

Deciphering the Role of Fatty Acid-Metabolizing CYP4F11 in Lung Cancer and Its Potential As a Drug Target.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. We found that the cytochrome P450 isoform CYP4F11 is significantly overexpressed in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. CYP4F11 is a fatty acid ω-hydroxylase and catalyzes the production of the lipid mediator 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) from arachidonic acid. 20-HETE promotes cell proliferation and migration in cancer. Inhibition of 20-HETE-generating cytochrome P450 enzymes has been implicated as novel cancer therapy for more than a decade. However, the exact role of CYP4F11 and its potential as drug target for lung cancer therapy has not been established yet. Thus, we performed a transient knockdown of CYP4F11 in the lung cancer cell line NCI-H460. Knockdown of CYP4F11 significantly inhibits lung cancer cell proliferation and migration while the 20-HETE production is significantly reduced. For biochemical characterization of CYP4F11-inhibitor interactions, we generated recombinant human CYP4F11. Spectroscopic ligand binding assays were conducted to evaluate CYP4F11 binding to the unselective CYP4A/F inhibitor HET0016. HET0016 shows high affinity to recombinant CYP4F11 and inhibits CYP4F11-mediated 20-HETE production in vitro with a nanomolar IC 50 Cross evaluation of HET0016 in NCI-H460 cells shows that lung cancer cell proliferation is significantly reduced together with 20-HETE production. However, HET0016 also displays antiproliferative effects that are not 20-HETE mediated. Future studies aim to establish the role of CYP4F11 in lung cancer and the underlying mechanism and investigate the potential of CYP4F11 as a therapeutic target for lung cancer. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Lung cancer is a deadly cancer with limited treatment options. Cytochrome P450 4F11 (CYP4F11) is significantly upregulated in lung squamous cell carcinoma. Knockdown of CYP4F11 in a lung cancer cell line significantly attenuates cell proliferation and migration with reduced production of the lipid mediator 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE). Studies with the unselective inhibitor HET0016 show a high inhibitory potency of CYP4F11-mediated 20-HETE production using recombinant enzyme. Overall, our studies demonstrate the potential of targeting CYP4F11 for new transformative lung cancer treatment.

MO13-5 Identification of URST1 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for lung cancer

MO13-5 Identification of URST1 as a biomarker and therapeutic target for lung cancer

UBE2V2 promotes metastasis by regulating EMT and predicts a poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinoma.

As a member of the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (E2) family, UBE2V2 demonstrates significant tumorigenicity in many cancers. However, the relationship between UBE2V2 expression and the morbidity of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is still unknown. We detected the mRNA and protein expression of UBE2V2 and analyzed its relationship with clinical parameters as well as survival prognosis based on bioinformatic and immunohistochemistry (IHC) in LUAD. The signaling pathway of UBE2V2 in the development of LUAD was obtained by GSEA. The TIMER database was used to investigate the association between UBE2V2 expression and the level of infiltration of different immune cells. Finally, we explored the effects of UBE2V2 knockdown on the proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of LUAD cells. The results showed that UBE2V2 was a potential oncogene and might be considered an independent prognostic molecule for LUAD patients based on TCGA prediction (HR: 1.497 p = 0.012) and IHC (HR:1.864 p = 0.044). IHC showed that UBE2V2 was related to the following clinicopathological factors: gender (p = 0.043), stage (p = 0.042), and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.002). Finally, knockdown of UBE2V2 reduced the migration of LUAD cells by regulating EMT-related proteins. Knockdown of UBE2V2 induced LUAD cells to arrest in the G1 phase. Knockdown of UBE2V2 increased LUAD cell apoptosis and decreased proliferation, which might be related to the downregulation of PCNA and upregulation of P53 and ƳH2AX expression. Interestingly, UBE2V2 is negatively correlated with B cells, CD4+ T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. UBE2V2 may be a valuable therapeutic target for lung cancer.

SIRT3 Regulates the ROS-FPR1/HIF-1α Axis under Hypoxic Conditions to Influence Lung Cancer Progression

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) is a therapeutic target in lung cancer, and the deacetylase sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is closely associated with tumorigenesis. Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) is involved in a wide range of physiopathological processes in various tumor cells. We explored whether SIRT3 affects the development of lung cancer by regulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-FPR1/HIF-1α axis under hypoxic conditions. The effects of SIRT3 overexpression on the levels of FPR1, HIF-1α, ROS, inflammatory factors, and cell proliferation and migration in A549 cells under hypoxic conditions were assessed in combination with the FPR1 inhibitor. BALB/c nude mice were subcutaneously injected with cancer cells transfected/untransfected with SIRT3 overexpressing lentiviral vectors. Immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to detect SIRT3 expression and the expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, respectively, in tumor tissues. Cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and ROS levels were significantly higher in the Hypoxia group than in the Control group. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression levels of SIRT3 were significantly down-regulated, whereas they were significantly up-regulated for FPR1 and HIF-1α. In contrast, SIRT3 overexpression in a hypoxic environment inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, decreased IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and ROS levels, up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of SIRT3, and down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of FPR1 and HIF-1α. In addition, we found the same results in tumorigenic experiments in nude mice. SIRT3 in hypoxic environments may affect tumor cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and inflammation levels via the ROS-FPR1/HIF-1α axis, thereby inhibiting tumor cell development.

MicroRNA biomarkers and their use in evaluating the prognosis of lung cancer.

We aim to use the microRNA (miRNA, micro-ribonucleic acid) data of lung cancer tissues to establish a miRNA biomarker database for lung cancer that can be used for marker screening and analysis of lung cancer prognosis. We obtained lung cancer-related data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and analyzed the miRNA expression profiles of lung cancer tissues and normal tissues using bioinformatics techniques to develop a new composite miRNA-based model for the prognostic assessment of lung cancer. The predictive power of this model was verified and evaluated based on grouping of data. We also performed RT-qPCR using lung cancer tissues from patients diagnosed with lung cancer. There was a significant difference between the miRNA expression profiles of lung cancer tissues and normal tissues adjacent to the cancerous lesions. The prognostic survival of patients with lung cancer was closely related to onset age and staging (p = 0.012) but was not related to gender (p = 0.39) and race (p = 0.51). Using three methods of survival model construction, we identified three miRNA composites, namely hsa-mir-21, hsa-mir-141, and has-mir-490, as markers for the prognosis of lung cancer. As confirmed by RT-qPCR, the expressions of hsa-miR-21-5p and hsa-miR-141-5p were upregulated, whereas hsa-miR-490-3p expression was downregulated in lung cancer lesion tissues. The three miRNA composites identified, namely hsa-mir-21, hsa-mir-141, and hsa-mir-490, have the potential to serve as novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for lung cancer.

3D cell subculturing pillar dish for pharmacogenetic analysis and high-throughput screening

A pillar dishe for subculture of 3D cultured cells on hydrogel spots (Matrigel and alginate) have been developed. Cells cultured in 3D in an extracellular matrix (ECM) can retain their intrinsic properties, but cells cultured in 2D lose their intrinsic properties as the cells stick to the bottom of the well. Previously, cells and ECM spots were dispensed on a conventional culture dish for 3D cultivation. However, as the spot shape and location depended on user handling, pillars were added to the dish to realize uniform spot shape and stable subculture, supporting 3D cell culture-based high-throughput screening (HTS). Matrigel and alginate were used as ECMs during 6-passage subculture. The growth rate of lung cancer cell (A549) was higher on Matrigel than on alginate. Cancer cell was subcultured in three dimensions in the proposed pillar dish and used for drug screening and differential gene expression analysis. Interestingly, stemness markers, which are unique characteristics of lung cancer cells inducing drug resistance, were upregulated in 3D-subcultured cells compared with those in 2D-subcultured cells. Additionally, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, VEGFR1/2, and Wnt pathways, which are promising therapeutic targets for lung cancer, were activated, showing high drug sensitivity under 3D-HTS using the 3D-subcultured cells.