Quantification of collagen content and stromal cellularity within reactive stroma is predictive of prostate cancer biochemical recurrence and specific death.

Semiquantitative reactive stromal grading has been shown to be a predictor of biochemical recurrence and prostate cancer (PCa) specific death. It has been extensively validated. In this study we tested novel technologies to introduce quantitative measures of host response, in particular collagen content and stromal cellularity. We use 3 large retrospective cohorts, the Baylor College of Medicine cohort, the Brady cohort and the Pound cohort. Slides were stained and digitized using image deconvolution and analyzed using image segmentation and image analyses. PicroSirius red stain histochemical stains were used for collagen quantification. Area of cancer and stroma were measured independently, without regard to quality of stroma. Cellularity, in each compartment, was measured using image deconvolution, image segmentation and image analysis. Two biomarkers were tested in 3 independent cohorts with two endpoints, biochemical recurrence and prostate cancer specific death. Stromal cellularity (qCollCell) and stromal collagen area (qCollArea) are independently predictive biochemical recurrence in the Hopkins Brady cohort, particularly in Gleason 6-7 patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that increased stroma cellularity (qCollCell) was a significant predictor of PCa specific death, when compared to an established model of PCa, in the Baylor cohort. Stromal collagen (qCollArea) independently predicts PCa-specific death in the Hopkins Pound cohort. The introduction of a computerized quantitative test of the host response increases the probability that this test will be reproducible in other cohorts. The ability to improve prediction of prostate cancer specific death might lie in the study of the host and its response.

Neuroepithelial Interactions in Cancer.

Nerves not only regulate the homeostasis and energetic metabolism of normal epithelial cells but also are critical for cancer, as cancer recapitulates the biology of neural regulation of epithelial tissues. Cancer cells rarely develop in denervated organs, and denervation affects tumorigenesis, in vivo and in humans. Axonogenesis occurs to supply the new malignant epithelial growth with nerves. Neurogenesis happens later, first in ganglia around organs or the spinal column and subsequently through recruitment of neuroblasts from the central nervous system. The hallmark of this stage is regulation of homeostasis and energetic metabolism. Perineural invasion is the most efficient interaction between cancer cells and nerves. The hallmark of this stage is increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis. Finally, carcinoma cells transdifferentiate into a neuronal profile in search of neural independence. The latter is the last stage in neuroepithelial interactions. Treatments for cancer must address the biology of neural regulation of cancer.

Development and validation of a quantitative reactive stroma biomarker (qRS) for prostate cancer prognosis.

To develop and validate a new tissue-based biomarker that improves prediction of outcomes in localized prostate cancer by quantifying the host response to tumor. We use digital image analysis and machine learning to develop a biomarker of the prostate stroma called quantitative reactive stroma (qRS). qRS is a measure of percentage tumor area with a distinct, reactive stromal architecture. Kaplan Meier analysis was used to determine survival in a large retrospective cohort of radical prostatectomy samples. qRS was validated in two additional, distinct cohorts that include international cases and tissue from both radical prostatectomy and biopsy specimens. In the developmental cohort (Baylor College of Medicine, n = 482), patients whose tumor had qRS > 34% had increased risk of prostate cancer-specific death (HR 2.94; p = 0.039). This result was replicated in two validation cohorts, where patients with qRS > 34% had increased risk of prostate cancer-specific death (MEDVAMC; n = 332; HR 2.64; p = 0.02) and also biochemical recurrence (Canary; n = 988; HR 1.51; p = 0.001). By multivariate analysis, these associations were shown to hold independent predictive value when compared to currently used clinicopathologic factors including Gleason score and PSA. qRS is a new, validated biomarker that predicts prostate cancer death and biochemical recurrence across three distinct cohorts. It measures host-response rather than tumor-based characteristics, and provides information not represented by standard prognostic measurements.

Multiphoton Microscopy for Identifying Collagen Signatures Associated with Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer Patients.

Prostate cancer is a heterogeneous disease that remains dormant for long periods or acts aggressively with poor clinical outcomes. Identifying aggressive prostate tumor behavior using current glandular-focused histopathological criteria is challenging. Recent evidence has implicated the stroma in modulating prostate tumor behavior and in predicting post-surgical outcomes. However, the emergence of stromal signatures has been limited, due in part to the lack of adoption of imaging modalities for stromal-specific profiling. Herein, label-free multiphoton microscopy (MPM), with its ability to image tissue with stromal-specific contrast, is used to identify prostate stromal features associated with aggressive tumor behavior and clinical outcome. MPM was performed on unstained prostatectomy specimens from 59 patients and on biopsy specimens from 17 patients with known post-surgery recurrence status. MPM-identified collagen content, organization, and morphological tumor signatures were extracted for each patient and screened for association with recurrent disease. Compared to tumors from patients whose disease did not recur, tumors from patients with recurrent disease exhibited higher MPM-identified collagen amount and collagen fiber intensity signal and width. Our study shows an association between MPM-identified stromal collagen features of prostate tumors and post-surgical disease recurrence, suggesting their potential for prostate cancer risk assessment.

Neuropeptide Y nerve paracrine regulation of prostate cancer oncogenesis and therapy resistance.

BACKGROUND: Nerves are key factors in prostate cancer (PCa) progression. Here, we propose that neuropeptide Y (NPY) nerves are key regulators of cancer-nerve interaction. METHODS: We used in vitro models for NPY inhibition studies and subsequent metabolomics, apoptotic and migration assays, and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) translocation studies. Human naïve and radiated PCa tissues were used for NPY nerve density biomarker studies. Tissues derived from a Botox denervation clinical trial were used to corroborate metabolomic changes in humans. RESULTS: Cancer cells increase NPY positive nerves in vitro and in preneoplastic human tissues. NPY-specific inhibition resulted in increased cancer apoptosis, decreased motility, and energetic metabolic pathway changes. A comparison of metabolomic response in NPY-inhibited cells with the transcriptome response in human PCa patients treated with Botox showed shared 13 pathways, including the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We identified that NF-κB is a potential NPY downstream mediator. Using in vitro models and tissues derived from a previous human chemical denervation study, we show that Botox specifically, but not exclusively, inhibits NPY in cancer. Quantification of NPY nerves is independently predictive of PCa-specific death. Finally, NPY nerves might be involved in radiation therapy (RT) resistance, as radiation-induced apoptosis is reduced when PCa cells are cocultured with dorsal root ganglia/nerves and NPY positive nerves are increased in prostates of patients that failed RT. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that targeting the NPY neural microenvironment may represent a therapeutic approach for the treatment of PCa and resistance through the regulation of multiple oncogenic mechanisms.

Stromal reactivity differentially drives tumour cell evolution and prostate cancer progression.

Prostate cancer (PCa) progression is a complex eco-evolutionary process driven by the feedback between evolving tumour cell phenotypes and microenvironmentally driven selection. To better understand this relationship, we used a multiscale mathematical model that integrates data from biology and pathology on the microenvironmental regulation of PCa cell behaviour. Our data indicate that the interactions between tumour cells and their environment shape the evolutionary dynamics of PCa cells and explain overall tumour aggressiveness. A key environmental determinant of this aggressiveness is the stromal ecology, which can be either inhibitory, highly reactive (supportive) or non-reactive (neutral). Our results show that stromal ecology correlates directly with tumour growth but inversely modulates tumour evolution. This suggests that aggressive, environmentally independent PCa may be a result of poor stromal ecology, supporting the concept that purely tumour epithelium-centric metrics of aggressiveness may be incomplete and that incorporating markers of stromal ecology would improve prognosis.

El papel de la videocápsula endoscópica en la hemorragia digestiva / The role of the endoscopic videocapsule in digestive hemorrhage

Introducción: desde el advenimiento de la cápsula endoscópica, la hemorragia digestiva del intestino delgado ha cambiado su epidemiología y se ha podido identificar diversas causas que antes no se las entendía. Este estudio enmarca nuestra experiencia en esta nueva técnica de gran utilidad en el Hospital Metropolitano para estudiar el sangrado del intestino delgado. Objetivo: determinar los hallazgos identificados por cápsula endoscópica y su utilidad en los 3 grupos de hemorragia digestiva del intestino delgado que son: 1) sangrado evidente, 2) sangrado oculto y 3) anemia ferropénica. Metodología: se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo transversal. Se revisaron 201 historias clínicas de las cuales se seleccionaron aquellas cuyos pacientes acudían a realizarse un estudio de cápsula endoscópica debido a sospecha de sangrado digestivo del intestino delgado. Variables que se analizaron: edad, sexo, hallazgos y una variable de utilidad del estudio en el sangrado digestivo. El sistema de la cápsula endoscópica que se utilizó fue Pill Cam 2 de la GIVEN de intestino delgado. Resultados: distribución etaria promedio de 58±17 años (56% menores de 65 años y 44% mayores de 65 años). Las causas de sangrado del intestino delgado de los 3 grupos estudiados fue angiodisplasia (9%), múltiples erosiones (8%), tumores del intestino delgado erosionados (5%). La cápsula endoscópica para detectar la etiología de sangrado digestivo fue útil en 84% de los casos: sangrado evidente (85%), en el grupo de anemia (84%) y en el grupo de sangrado oculto (85%). Conclusión: la hemorragia digestiva del intestino delgado se puede presentar en cualquier edad y sexo. Los hallazgos más frecuente de hemorragia del intestino delgado son las angiodisplasias, las cuales se relacionan con la edad y múltiples erosiones de la mucosa intestinal. La cápsula endoscópica es un método de gran utilidad para detectar la detección etiología de la hemorragia de intestino delgado. (AU)

Introduction: Since the advent of the endoscopic capsule, digestive hemorrhage of the small intestine has changed in its epidemiology and it has been possible to identify several causes not previously understood. This study frames our experience in this new technology at the Metropolitan Hospital in the study of small bowel bleeding and its great utility. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the findings identified by endoscopic capsule and its usefulness in the three groups of digestive hemorrhage of the small intestine, that are evident bleeding, occult bleeding and iron deficiency anemia. Methodology: A transversal retrospective descriptive study was carried out. In the study, 201 clinical records of patients were reviewed and those who attended an endoscopic capsule study with suspicion of digestive bleeding of small bowel origin were selected. The variables analyzed were age, sex, findings and a useful variable of the study in digestive bleeding. The system of the endoscopic capsule that was used was the Pill Cam 2 of the GIVEN of small intestine. Results: Among the results, an average age distribution of 58±17 years of age was found, of which 56% were patients under 65 years of age and 44% were older than 65 years. The most frequent cause of bleeding in the small intestine of the three groups studied was angiodysplasias in 9%. Multiple erosions were found in 8% of the patients. The presence of erosionaded small bowel tumors was observed in 5%. The endoscopic capsule in the detection of causes of digestive bleeding was useful in determining the etiology in 84% of cases. In the evident bleeding it was useful in 85%, in the anemia group 84% and in the group of occult bleeding in 85%. Conclusion: Small intestine digestive hemorrhage can occur at any age and in any gender. The most common findings of small bowel hemorrhage are angiodysplasias that are related to age, as well as multiple erosions of the intestinal mucosa. The endoscopic capsule is a very useful method in the etiological detection of small bowel hemorrhage. (AU)

M2 Macrophages in Crystal Storing Histiocytosis Associated with Plasma Cell Myeloma.

Crystal Storing Histiocytosis (CSH) is a rare entity occurring in association with underlying lymphoproliferative disorders and plasma cell neoplasms. It denotes accumulation of immunoglobulin crystals in the histiocyte cytoplasm. In this study, we report a patient with plasma cell myeloma who presented with bilateral comminuted femur fractures. Histological examination of fracture tissue revealed hypercellular (~100%) marrow with extensive involvement by sheets of histiocytes with abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm admixed with scattered plasma cells. Intracytoplasmic diamond and rhomboid crystals within histiocytes were demonstrated by electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry highlighted monotypic plasma cells with kappa restriction, representing 20-30% of marrow cellularity; however, non-polarizable cytoplasmic striations in histiocytes were negative for light chain expression. A diagnosis of crystal-storing histiocytosis associated with plasma cell myeloma was rendered. Further evaluation of these macrophages is positive for CD163 and COX2 and shows pSTAT3 with variable nuclear staining in some histiocytes. This case demonstrates that numerous M2 macrophages are present as crystal storing histiocytosis; and this knowledge might convey prognostic and therapeutic significance for the patients with crystal storing histiocytosis.

Intraosseous malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the sacrum in a patient with neurofibromatosis type I.

Malignant intraosseous peripheral nerve sheath tumor is a very rare malignancy most commonly seen in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1. This tumor almost exclusively occurs in the maxillofacial region, with manifestation of this tumor in other regions of the skeleton infrequently reported. We describe a 23-year-old female with previously undiagnosed neurofibromatosis type 1 presenting with lower extremity weakness, paresthesias, and bowel/bladder symptoms. The patient had an aneurysmal lytic bone lesion centered in the upper sacrum with invasion of the L5 vertebral body. On MRI, the lesion was homogeneously isointense to muscle on T1, heterogeneously hyperintense to muscle on T2, and demonstrated homogeneously avid contrast enhancement. Multiple additional small lesions with similar imaging characteristics were identified in the paraspinal soft tissues. Low grade malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the sacrum was diagnosed on biopsy. The patient was treated with sacral resection and radiation therapy for local disease control.

Moving Beyond Gleason Scoring.

CONTEXT.­: The combination of grading and staging is the basis of current standard of care for prediction for most cancers. D. F. Gleason created the current prostate cancer (PCa) grading system. This system has been modified several times. Molecular data have been added. Currently, all grading systems are cancer-cell based. OBJECTIVE.­: To review the literature available on host response measures as reactive stroma grading and stromogenic carcinoma, and their predictive ability for PCa biochemical recurrence and PCa-specific death. DATA SOURCES.­: Our own experience has shown that reactive stroma grading and the subsequently binarized system (stromogenic carcinoma) can independently predict biochemical recurrence and/or PCa-specific death, particularly in patients with a Gleason score of 6 or 7. Stromogenic carcinoma has been validated by 4 other independent groups in at least 3 continents. CONCLUSIONS.­: Broders grading and Dukes staging have been combined to form the most powerful prognostic tools in standard of care. The time has come for us to incorporate measures of host response (stromogenic carcinoma) into the arsenal of elements we use to predict cancer survival, without abandoning what we know works. These data also suggest that our current definition of PCa might need some revision.

Continuous Spatial Sequences of Lichen Sclerosus, Penile Intraepithelial Neoplasia, and Invasive Carcinomas: A Study of 109 Cases.

Lichen sclerosus (LSc) with penile cancer is found in about two thirds of specimens. It has been hypothesized that LSc represents a precancerous condition. To qualify as such, in addition to cytological atypia and similarity with the invasive tumor, a spatial correlation between LSc and neoplastic lesions needs to be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate such a spatial relationship. Circumcision (28 cases) and penectomy (81 cases) specimens were evaluated. All cases had LSc, penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN), and/or invasive squamous cell carcinomas. We examined LSc in relation to invasive carcinoma, PeIN, and normal epithelia. Invasive squamous cell carcinomas, classified according to the World Health Organization criteria as non-human papillomavirus (HPV)-related and HPV-related PeIN, were present in 100 cases. Non-HPV-related (differentiated) PeIN was the most common subtype associated with LSc (89%). There were 5 spatial patterns identified: (1) LSc adjacent to PeIN (23%), (2) LSc adjacent and comprising PeIN (42%), (3) LSc next to and within invasive carcinomas (8%), (4) LSc throughout the sequence PeIN-invasive carcinoma (24%), and (5) LSc was separate (with normal tissue between the lesions) from PeIN and/or invasive carcinomas in a minority of cases (3%). LSc within the cancer was not previously described. In this series, we found 35 cases with LSc within invasive carcinomas. The striking continuous spatial relationship among LSc, PeIN, and/or invasive carcinoma as shown in this study may be a necessary (but not sufficient) condition for the hypothesis postulating LSc as a penile precancerous lesion.

Influence of the neural microenvironment on prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nerves are key factors in prostate cancer (PCa), but the functional role of innervation in prostate cancer is poorly understood. PCa induced neurogenesis and perineural invasion (PNI), are associated with aggressive disease. METHOD: We denervated rodent prostates chemically and physically, before orthotopically implanting cancer cells. We also performed a human neoadjuvant clinical trial using botulinum toxin type A (Botox) and saline in the same patient, before prostatectomy. RESULT: Bilateral denervation resulted in reduced tumor incidence and size in mice. Botox treatment in humans resulted in increased apoptosis of cancer cells in the Botox treated side. A similar denervation gene array profile was identified in tumors arising in denervated rodent prostates, in spinal cord injury patients and in the Botox treated side of patients. Denervation induced exhibited a signature gene profile, indicating translation and bioenergetic shutdown. Nerves also regulate basic cellular functions of non-neoplastic epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Nerves play a role in the homeostasis of normal epithelial tissues and are involved in prostate cancer tumor survival. This study confirms that interactions between human cancer and nerves are essential to disease progression. This work may make a major impact in general cancer treatment strategies, as nerve/cancer interactions are likely important in other cancers as well. Targeting the neural microenvironment may represent a therapeutic approach for the treatment of human prostate cancer.

Medullary Carcinoma of the Penis: A Distinctive HPV-related Neoplasm: A Report of 12 Cases.

A third to half of penile invasive squamous cell carcinomas are human papillomavirus (HPV) related. Warty (condylomatous), warty-basaloid, and basaloid carcinomas are the most common subtypes associated with HPV. Less frequent are clear cell and lymphoepithelioma-like carcinomas. Here we report a novel penile tumor associated with HPV. Twelve cases were selected from 1010 penile carcinomas, part of an international HPV detection study conducted at the Institut Català d'Oncologia, Barcelona, Spain. Immunostaining with p16 was performed on all cases, and HPV-mRNA detection was also performed. En bloc full tumor staining was the utilized criteria for positivity of p16. For HPV-DNA detection, whole-tissue section polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed by SPF10-DEIA-LiPA25 (version 1). The patients' ages ranged from 42 to 92 years (average, 71 y). The tumor was most commonly located in the glans. A characteristic microscopic finding was the presence of a moderate to dense tumor-associated inflammatory cell infiltrate composed of neutrophils, lymphocytes, plasma cells, or eosinophils. Tumors grew in large solid sheets, nests, or had a trabecular pattern. Cells were large and poorly differentiated or anaplastic. Keratinization was minimal or absent. Nuclei were large with prominent nucleoli. Mitoses were numerous. Tumor necrosis was common. Deep invasion of the corpora cavernosa was frequent. p16 and HPV-DNA were positive in all cases, whereas mRNA detection was positive in 9 cases only. The prevalent genotype was HPV16 (9 cases, 75%). Other genotypes were HPVs 58, 33, and 66. Medullary carcinomas of the penis are morphologically distinctive HPV-related high-grade neoplasms affecting older individuals. More studies are necessary to delineate the epidemiological, clinical, and molecular features of this unusual penile neoplasm.

Cellular interactions of the phosphorylated form of AKT in prostate cancer.

Phospho-Akt (P-Akt1) promotes proliferation and increased survival in vitro and plays an important role in prostate cancer (PCa) progression as well as the prediction of the probability of recurrence. In this study, the goal was to demonstrate the involvement and impact of P-Akt1 on cellular interactions, biomechanisms, and pathways in PCa. Tissue microarrays from 640 PCa patients were immunostained with various antibodies. Ki-67 was used to measure proliferation index, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling was used for apoptotic index. Increased expression of P-Akt1 was associated with an increased proliferation but inversely correlated with apoptotic index. Higher levels of P-Akt1 are associated with both higher levels of cytoplasmic p27 and higher levels of nuclear p27, suggesting an involvement in both cytoplasmic entrapment and phosphorylation of p27. P-Akt1 expression significantly correlated with nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of FHKR and GSK. The strongest correlations were found with the P- forms of both, suggesting enzyme kinetics in the latter. Here, phosphorylation is the principal method of FHKR and GSK inactivation. P-Akt1 correlated with nuclear transcription factor kappa B, suggesting a role in the inhibition through phosphorylation of nuclear transcription factor kappa B. The results of the current study are unique because of the scope of the markers and the size of the population used. In vitro- and in vivo-derived information of P-Akt1 and its downstream effectors demonstrates significant involvement in PCa. Our data suggest that PCa uses multiple mechanisms to regulate this pathway and substantiate the concept of redundancy in cancer pathway regulation. Consequently, new hypothesis-driven studies can be derived from this information.

Histologic features of stromogenic carcinoma of the prostate (carcinomas with reactive stroma grade 3).

Prostatic carcinoma, like many other carcinomas, generates a stromal reaction. This phenomenon is well established in the scientific literature. The normal parenchymal smooth muscle phenotype switches to a myofibroblastic phenotype in response to the presence of cancer cells, with an expansion of the extracellular matrix compartment. The amount of reactive stroma is a predictor of biochemical recurrence in both radical prostatectomies and biopsies. It is a predictor of prostate cancer-specific death in prostatectomies. The aim of this study is to improve our histologic understanding of reactive stroma in prostate cancer and to determine the histologic features of the malignant epithelium found in stromogenic carcinomas or carcinomas with reactive stromal grade 3. Tissue microarrays of 800 patients and hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of 120 radical prostatectomies, previously determined to contain a high proportion of areas with stromogenic carcinoma, were evaluated and findings systematically recorded. We identified 3 histologic patterns of reactive stroma: extracellular matrix-rich, cellular variant and edematous/myxoid variant. The most common pattern of carcinoma in stromogenic areas is of the acinar type with angulated glands and periglandular halos. The nuclei are enlarged, opened, with prominent nucleoli. Luminal borders are undulated, and amorphous pink secretion is often seen. Perineural invasion is frequently identified. Because of the clinical relevance, identification and quantification of areas with high reactive stromal grade by pathologists and reproducibility of our findings by others become essential. We believe that with the previously proposed grading system and the present morphologic description, both can be achieved.

Reporte de cáncer colorrectal atendido en el Hospital Metropolitano de Quito, 2013-2016 / Colorectal cancer report treated in the Metropolitan Hospital of Quito, 2013-2016

Resumen: En la revisión retrospectiva se contabilizó un total de 57 casos de cáncer colorrectal (CCR) atendidos en esta casa de salud: 32 (56%) hombres y 25 (44 %) mujeres; el grupo etario con mayor frecuencia es de >40 años; el sitio predominante es el recto (15 casos = 26%). Según el tipo histológico son: adenocarcinomas 47 casos (82%); de acuerdo a la diferenciación histológica la mayoría son moderadamente diferenciados: 24 casos (42%) y, finalmente, según el estadiaje de piezas quirúrgicas, la mayoría son CCR avanzados en estadio T4 (48%).

Abstract: In the retrospective review, a total of 57 cases of RCC attended in this health home were counted, of which 32 (56%) men and 25 (44%) women; The age group is most often 40 years or older. The predominant site is the rectum with 15 cases corresponding to 26%. According to the histological type, adenocarcinomas with 47 cases (82%); according to the histological differentiation of the most moderately differentiated cases with 24 cases (42%); and finally in relation to the set of surgical pieces, most of their children CCR advanced stage T4 (48%).

Prostate Adenocarcinoma Metastasis to the Bilateral Ureters: a Rare but Potentially Important Finding.

The ureter is an extremely rare location for metastasis from prostate carcinoma. Here we present an autopsy case of an 82-year-old gentleman with history of prostate carcinoma who exhibited bilateral urinary tract obstruction secondary to metastatic prostate carcinoma. Our extensive literature search revealed only 44 cases of prostate carcinoma with ureteral metastasis worldwide that had been reported in the last century. Though it is an unusual pattern, ureteral metastasis should always be considered for a patient with urinary obstruction in the setting of prostate adenocarcinoma.

Neuronal Trans-Differentiation in Prostate Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in prostate cancer (PCa) is an aggressive phenotype associated with therapy resistance. The complete phenotype of these cells is poorly understood. Clinical classification is based predominantly on the expression of standard NE markers. METHODS: We analyzed the phenotype of NE carcinoma of the prostate utilizing in vitro methods, in silico, and immunohistochemical analyses of human disease. RESULTS: LNCaP cells, subjected to a variety of stressors (0.1% [v/v] fetal bovine serum, cyclic AMP) induced a reproducible phenotype consistent with neuronal trans-differentiation. Cells developed long cytoplasmic processes resembling neurons. As expected, serum deprived cells had decreased expression in androgen receptor and prostate specific antigen. A significant increase in neuronal markers also was observed. Gene array analysis demonstrated that LNCaP cells subjected to low serum or cAMP showed statistically significant manifestation of a human brain gene expression signature. In an in silico experiment using human data, we identified that only hormone resistant metastatic prostate cancer showed enrichment of the "brain profile." Gene ontology analysis demonstrated categories involved in neuronal differentiation. Three neuronal markers were validated in a large human tissue cohort. CONCLUSION: This study proposes that the later stages of PCa evolution involves neuronal trans-differentiation, which would enable PCa cells to acquire independence from the neural axis, critical in primary tumors. Prostate 76:1312-1325, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Biologic effect of neurogenesis in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PaCA) is a deadly disease with few systemic therapeutic options. The head of the pancreas is the most innervated part and most common location of cancer. However, little is known about the contribution of the nerve-cancer interaction to facilitate pancreatic progression. To quantify PaCA axonogenesis, we used a 3-dimensional in vitro neurogenesis model. In addition, neurogenesis in human PaCA was analyzed using PGP9.5 immunohistochemistry, deconvolution imaging, and image segmentation and analysis. There was a significant increase of the total area of neurites in the in vitro coculture with dorsal root ganglia group than control. The nerve density in PaCA tissue was significantly higher than normal pancreatic tissue. To study the functional role of nerves in PaCA, male athymic nude (Nu-Nu) mice were divided into 3 groups: (A) animals were coinjected with MIA PaCa-2 cells and 20U/kg weight units of Botulinum toxin (Botox) (n=10); (B) first injected with Botox and 6weeks later MIA PaCa-2 cancer cells (n=4); and (C) control animals were injected with equivalent amounts of saline fluid (n=9). Animals were sacrificed 6weeks later. Tumor size and apoptotic count (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling) were measured. Tumor size was decreased and apoptotic rate increased in Botox-treated PaCA. Our data indicate that neural microenvironment may play an important role in the progression of PaCA. It may lead to novel nerve-targeted coadjuvant therapies for PaCA.