Significance of Multi-Cancer Genome Profiling Testing for Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Analysis of 3326 Cases from Japan's National Database.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) has the highest morbidity rate and the second-highest mortality rate of all cancers among women. Recently, multi-cancer genome profiling (multi-CGP) tests have become clinically available. In this study, we aimed to clarify the significance of multi-CGP testing of BC by using the large clinical dataset from The Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT) profiling database in Japan. Materials and Methods: A total of 3744 BC cases were extracted from the C-CAT database, which enrolled 60,250 patients between June 2019 and October 2023. Of the 3744 BC cases, a total of 3326 cases for which the C-CAT included information on ER, PR, and HER2 status were classified into four subtypes, including TNBC, HR+/HER2-, HR+/HER2+, and HR-/HER2+. Comparisons between groups were performed by the χ2 test or Fisher's exact test using EZR. Kaplan-Meier curves were created using the log-rank test. Results: Of all 3326 cases analyzed, 1114 (33.5%) were TNBC cases, HR+/HER2- accounted for 1787 cases (53.7%), HR+/HER2+ for 260 cases (7.8%), and HR-/HER2+ for 165 cases (5.0%). Genetic abnormalities were most frequently detected in TP53 (58.0%), PIK3CA (35.5%), MYC (18.7%), FGF19 (15.5%), and GATA3 (15.1%) across all BCs. The rate of TMB-High was 12.3%, and the rate of MSI-High was 0.3%, in all BC cases. Therapeutic drugs were proposed for patients with mutations in six genes: PIK3CA, ERBB2, PTEN, FGFR1, ESR1, and AKT1. The prognoses of HR+/HER2- cases were significantly (p = 0.044) better in the treated group than in the untreated group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that cancer gene panel testing is useful for HR+/HER2- cases.

Clinical Significance of Multi-Cancer Genome Profiling: Data from a Single Hospital in Japan.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Multi-cancer genome profiling (multi-CGP) testing intends to predict the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer medication treatments for eligible patients as part of "precision cancer care." The number of cases in which a new treatment was applied based on multi-CGP testing has been reported to be between 10% and 20% for all patients in Japan. This study aimed to determine the significance of multi-CGP testing in Japan by analyzing clinical data from multi-CGP testing in various solid cancers at our Hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 230 patients examined by one of three tests for multi-CGP including NCC Oncopanel, FoundationOne CDx, and FoundationOne Liquid were retrospectively enrolled. Adequate treatment for each patient was discussed at the expert panel meeting according to the results from the genome profiling tests. RESULTS: The most frequent cancer types enrolled in this study were pancreas cancer, bowel cancer, and biliary cancer. Of the 230 cases, 106 (46%) were druggable cases, and 21 (9.1%) were administered medication. Partial response (PR) effect was found in 7 (33.3%) of the 21 cases, of which 3 were biliary cancer and 3 had a BRCA2 mutation. Of all the 21 cases, 7 (33.3%) had the maximum treatment benefit of PR. Three cases of biliary tumors were found in the 7 PR cases within the 21 cases. CONCLUSION: Of 230 patients, 21 were administered medication following multi-CGP testing data, especially frequent in biliary tumor patients. Multi-CGP testing might be particularly beneficial to patients with biliary tumors in Japan.

Impact of SMAD2 and MET Expression on Lymph Node Metastasis of HER2-positive Gastric Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Intra-tumoral heterogeneity, which is frequently found in various types of cancers, has been suggested to play an important role in cancer progression and metastasis. The findings of our previous study suggested that p-SMAD2 and c-MET signaling might play important roles in the progression to lymph node metastasis of HER2-positive gastric cancer. In this study, we confirmed the effect of SMAD2/MET signaling in the progression of HER2-positive gastric cancer in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NCI-N87 cells over-expressing ERBB2, SMAD2, MET were used. To confirm the role of SMAD2 and MET expression on lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer, we orthotopically injected NCI-N87 cells with or without the knockdown of both SMAD2 and MET into the gastric walls of BALBc nude mice. RESULTS: The number of metastatic lymph nodes was significantly smaller in the knockdown group compared to that in the control group. However, there was no significant difference in gastric tumor size between the two groups. CONCLUSION: SMAD2 and MET signaling might play important roles specifically in the progression to lymph node metastasis of HER2-positive gastric cancer. c-MET and SMAD2 may be useful targets for preventing lymph node metastasis in patients with HER2-positive gastric cancer.

Trends in the effect of COVID-19 on consultations for persons with clinical and subclinical eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has increased the risk of individuals developing eating disorders and has exacerbated existing eating disorders. This observational study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with clinical and subclinical eating disorders. METHODS: This study was conducted over a period of four years: two years before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. We recorded the number and types of consultations provided by the Eating Disorder Treatment and Support Center coordinator. For subgroup analysis, data were classified by age, body mass index, and source of consultation, including patients, families, and personnel. The Seasonal Decomposition of Time Series by Loess was used for time series analysis. RESULTS: The total number of consultations increased after the start of the pandemic and peaked around the beginning of 2022, before subsequently falling despite the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections. A similar trend was observed in patients aged 10-29 years. The study period coincided with social isolation and school/college/university closures. CONCLUSIONS: The number of eating disorder consultations increased after the start of the pandemic. Although COVID-19 infections persisted, the pandemic's impact was transient.

Possible regulation of ganglioside GD3 synthase gene expression with DNA methylation in human glioma cells.

Gangliosides are expressed in nervous systems and some neuroectoderm-derived tumors at high levels and play pivotal roles. However, mechanisms for the regulation of glycosyltransferase genes responsible for the ganglioside synthesis are not well understood. In this study, we analyzed DNA methylation patterns of promoter regions of GD3 synthase (ST8SIA1) as well as mRNA levels and ganglioside expression using human glioma cell lines. Among 5 cell lines examined, 4 lines showed changes in the expression levels of related genes after treatment with 5-aza-dC. LN319 showed up-regulation of St8sia1 and increased b-series gangliosides after 5-aza-dC treatment, and an astrocytoma cell line, AS showed high expression of ST8SIA1 and b-series gangliosides persistently before and after 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment. Using these 2 cell lines, DNA methylation patterns of the promoter regions of the gene were analyzed by bisulfite-sequencing. Consequently, 2 regions that were methylated before 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment were demethylated in LN319 after the treatment, while those regions were persistently demethylated in AS. These 2 regions corresponded with sites defined as promoter regions by Luciferase assay. Taken together, it was suggested that ST8SIA1 gene is regulated by DNA methylation at the promoter regions, leading to the regulation of tumor phenotypes.

GLUT1 and PKM2 may be useful prognostic predictors in patients with non­small cell lung cancer following curative R0 resection.

Lung cancer has a poor prognosis despite recent progresses being made regarding its treatment. In addition, there is a paucity of reliable and independent prognostic predictors for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following curative resection. Glycolysis is associated with the malignancy and proliferation of cancer cells. Glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) promotes glucose uptake, whereas pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) promotes anaerobic glycolysis. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the expression of GLUT1 and PKM2 and the clinicopathological features of patients with NSCLC, and to identify a reliable prognostic factor for NSCLC following curative resection. Patients with NSCLC who underwent curative surgery were retrospectively enrolled to the present study. GLUT1 and PKM2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, the association between the clinicopathological features of patients with NSCLC and the expression of GLUT1 and PKM2 was assessed. Of the 445 patients with NSCLC included in the present study, 65 (15%) were positive for both GLUT1 and PKM2 expression (G+/P+ group). GLUT1 and PKM2 positivity was significantly associated with sex, absence of adenocarcinoma, lymphatic invasion and pleural invasion. Furthermore, patients with NSCLC in the G+/P+ group presented significantly poorer survival rates than those expressing other markers. G+/P+ expression was significantly associated with poor disease-free survival. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that the combination of GLUT1 and PKM2 may be considered a reliable prognostic factor for patients with NSCLC following curative resection, especially in patients with stage I NSCLC.

Establishment of a gastric cancer cell line with high microsatellite instability, OCUM-13, derived from Borrmann type-2 primary tumor.

Gastric cancer (GC) with microsatellite instability (MSI) has been reported to be sensitive to immunotherapy, however some of GC cases with MSI remain resistant to immunotherapy. Cancer cell lines showing MSI might be useful for the analysis of mechanisms of immunotherapy, while only a few GC cell lines with MSI are available so far. In this study, we established a unique GC cell line with MSI, OCUM-13, from a primary GC with abundant tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. MSI assay indicated that OCUM-13 cells as well as the primary tumor showed a band shift in more than 3 of 5 microsatellite loci, suggesting that OCUM-13 did have high MSI. The subcutaneous inoculation of OCUM-13 cells into mice performed tumor formation. Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor inhibitor decreased the growth of OCUM-13 cells. The newly established cell line with MSI, OCUM-13, might be useful for the analysis of cancer therapy for GC with MSI.

The heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblast subpopulations: Their origins, biomarkers, and roles in the tumor microenvironment.

The prognosis for patients with cancers known for a highly activated stromal reaction, including diffuse-type (scirrhous) gastric cancer, consensus molecular subtype 4 (CMS4) colorectal cancer, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, is extremely poor. To explore the resistance of conventional therapy for those refractory cancers, detailed classification and investigation of the different subsets of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) involved are needed. Recent studies with a single-cell transcriptomics strategy (single-cell RNA-seq) have demonstrated that CAF subpopulations contain different origins and marker proteins with the capacity to either promote or suppress cancer progression. Through multiple signaling pathways, CAFs can promote tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis with extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling; they can also interact with tumor-infiltrating immune cells and modulate the antitumor immunological state in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we review the recent literature on the various subpopulations of CAFs to improve our understanding of the cell-cell interactions in the TME and highlight future avenues for CAF-targeted therapy.

Candidate Oncogenes, ARHGAP4, NOS3, and OR51B5, for the Development of Scirrhous-type Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Scirrhous-type gastric cancer (SGC), one of the most intractable cancer subtypes, is characterized by rapid cancer cell proliferation and infiltration accompanied by extensive stromal fibrosis. One of the reasons for its poor prognosis may be the lack of molecular target drugs for SGC, because of the unknown driver genes. Exploration of somatic mutations in the human samples of SGC using next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been hampered by abundant fibrous tissues in these samples. Therefore, this study aimed to determine a novel oncogene by RNA-sequencing using SGC cell lines, avoiding contamination with fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In silico analysis of RNA-sequencing public data of the gastric cancer cell line, and RNA- sequencing using five of our unique SGC cell lines, OCUM1, OCUM2MLN, OCUM8, OCUM12, and OCUM14 were performed. RESULTS: We found three differentially expressed genes, ARHGAP4, NOS3, and OR51B5 that are significantly over-expressed in SGC cells. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that the protein expression levels of these three genes were significantly higher in SGC than in other types of gastric cancer. The prognosis of patients with positive expression of these three genes was significantly poorer than those with negative expression. In particular, ARHGAP4 expression was an independent predictor of poor prognosis and recurrence. CONCLUSION: ARHGAP4, NOS3, and OR51B5 may be candidate driver genes for SGC. ARHGAP4 may be a promising molecular target for SGC.

MET-Induced CD73 Restrains STING-Mediated Immunogenicity of EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer.

Immunotherapy has shown limited efficacy in patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer. Efforts to enhance the immunogenicity of EGFR-mutated lung cancer have been unsuccessful to date. Here, we discover that MET amplification, the most common mechanism of resistance to third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), activates tumor cell STING, an emerging determinant of cancer immunogenicity (1). However, STING activation was restrained by ectonucleosidase CD73, which is induced in MET-amplified, EGFR-TKI-resistant cells. Systematic genomic analyses and cell line studies confirmed upregulation of CD73 in MET-amplified and MET-activated lung cancer contexts, which depends on coinduction of FOSL1. Pemetrexed (PEM), which is commonly used following EGFR-TKI treatment failure, was identified as an effective potentiator of STING-dependent TBK1-IRF3-STAT1 signaling in MET-amplified, EGFR-TKI-resistant cells. However, PEM treatment also induced adenosine production, which inhibited T-cell responsiveness. In an allogenic humanized mouse model, CD73 deletion enhanced immunogenicity of MET-amplified, EGFR-TKI-resistant cells, and PEM treatment promoted robust responses regardless of CD73 status. Using a physiologic antigen recognition model, inactivation of CD73 significantly increased antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell immunogenicity following PEM treatment. These data reveal that combined PEM and CD73 inhibition can co-opt tumor cell STING induction in TKI-resistant EGFR-mutated lung cancers and promote immunogenicity. SIGNIFICANCE: MET amplification upregulates CD73 to suppress tumor cell STING induction and T-cell responsiveness in TKI-resistant, EGFR-mutated lung cancer, identifying a strategy to enhance immunogenicity and improve treatment.

The importance of an eating disorder treatment support center in Japan: A survey from 2017 to 2020.

We investigated the impact of medical collaboration between the Chiba Eating Disorder (ED) Treatment Support Center (CSC) in Chiba Prefecture and the ED treatment center at Kohnodai Hospital. We calculated the number of consultations performed by the CSC and referral rate to other medical facilities from October 2017 to March 2020, as well as the clinical characteristics of the patients treated at our hospital from April 2016 to March 2020. Data on duration of hospitalization and increase in body mass index (BMI) during hospitalization were recorded. Patients were divided into all of the Japan and Chiba Prefecture groups. Data were evaluated by Poisson's regression analysis or one-way analysis of variance. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant. The 2019 data served as reference values. Our data demonstrated that while the number of CSC consultations increased (2017:201, 2018:547, 2019:552) annually, the number of hospitalizations for EDs decreased (197, 194, 134, respectively). In comparison, the number of outpatient consultations for EDs across all of Japan peaked in 2018 and decreased significantly thereafter (2016:110, 2017:139, 2018:193, 2019:142). After the CSC was established, the number of patients treated in our department decreased as expected. Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) who were treated on an outpatient basis across all of Japan were younger in 2019 (27.0 ± 1.2) than in 2018 (31.9 ± 1.2). Severe cases had better outcomes, and there was a significant increase in BMI of inpatients with AN in both groups. Overall, the activities of such ED treatment support center promoted successful treatment of severe ED cases.

Significance of tumor heterogeneity of p-Smad2 and c-Met in HER2-positive gastric carcinoma with lymph node metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Tumor heterogeneity has frequently been observed in gastric cancer (GC), but the correlation between patients' clinico-pathologic features and the tumoral heterogeneity of GC-associated molecules is unclear. We investigated the correlation between lymph node metastasis and the intra-tumoral heterogeneity of driver molecules in GC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the cases of 504 patients who underwent a gastrectomy at the Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka Metropolitan University and 389 cases drawn from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data. We performed a clustering analysis based on eight cancer-associated molecules including HER2, c-Met, and p-Smad2 using the protein expression revealed by our immunohistochemical study of the patients' and TCGA cases. We determined the correlations between HER2 expression and the other molecules based on the degree of lymph node metastasis. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining data showed that a 43 of the 504 patients with GC (8.5%) were HER2-positive. In the HER2-positive cases, the expressions of c-Met and p-Smad2 were increased in accord with the lymph-node metastatic level. The overall survival of the HER2-positive GC patients with both p-Smad2 and c-Met expression was significantly (p = 0.030) poorer than that of the patients with p-Smad2-negative and/or c-Met-negative expression. The results of the TCGA data analysis revealed that 58 of the 389 GC cases (14.9%) were ERBB2-positive. MET expression was more frequent in the N1 metastasis group than the N0 group. In the high lymph-node metastasis (N2 and N3) group, SMAD2 expression was more frequent, as was ERBB2 and MET expression. CONCLUSION: p-Smad2 and c-Met signaling might play important roles in lymph node metastasis in HER2-positive GC.

Lipocalin-2 negatively regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition through matrix metalloprotease-2 downregulation in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although the role of Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) in cancer development has been focused on recent studies, the molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance of LCN2 in gastric cancer (GC) still remain unclear. METHODS: Transcriptome analysis of GC samples from public human data was performed according to Lauren's classification and molecular classification. In vitro, Western blotting, RT-PCR, wound healing assay and invasion assay were performed to reveal the function and mechanisms of LCN2 in cell proliferation, migration and invasion using LCN2 knockdown cells. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of GC samples from public human data was analyzed according to LCN2 expression. The clinical significance of LCN2 expression was investigated in GC patients from public data and our hospital. RESULTS: LCN2 was downregulated in diffuse-type GC, as well as in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) type GC. LCN2 downregulation significantly promoted proliferation, invasion and migration of GC cells. The molecular mechanisms of LCN2 downregulation contribute to Matrix Metalloproteinases-2 (MMP2) stimulation which enhances EMT signaling in GC cells. GSEA revealed that LCN2 downregulation in human samples was involved in EMT signaling. Low LCN2 protein and mRNA levels were significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with GC. LCN2 mRNA level was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in GC patients. CONCLUSIONS: LCN2 has a critical role in EMT signaling via MMP2 activity during GC progression. Thus, LCN2 might be a promising therapeutic target to revert EMT signaling in GC patients with poor outcomes.

Evaluation of the context of downstream N- and free N-glycomic alterations induced by swainsonine in HepG2 cells.

Swainsonine (SWA), a potent inhibitor of class II α-mannosidases, is present in a number of plant species worldwide and causes severe toxicosis in livestock grazing these plants. The mechanisms underlying SWA-induced animal poisoning are not fully understood. In this study, we analyzed the alterations that occur in N- and free N-glycomic upon addition of SWA to HepG2 cells to understand better SWA-induced glycomic alterations. After SWA addition, we observed the appearance of SWA-specific glycomic alterations, such as unique fucosylated hybrid-type and fucosylated M5 (M5F) N-glycans, and a remarkable increase in all classes of Gn1 FNGs. Further analysis of the context of these glycomic alterations showed that (fucosylated) hybrid type N-glycans were not the precursors of these Gn1 FNGs and vice versa. Time course analysis revealed the dynamic nature of glycomic alterations upon exposure of SWA and suggested that accumulation of free N-glycans occurred earlier than that of hybrid-type N-glycans. Hybrid-type N-glycans, of which most were uniquely core fucosylated, tended to increase slowly over time, as was observed for M5F N-glycans. Inhibition of swainsonine-induced unique fucosylation of hybrid N-glycans and M5 by coaddition of 2-fluorofucose caused significant increases in paucimannose- and fucosylated paucimannose-type N-glycans, as well as paucimannose-type free N-glycans. The results not only revealed the gross glycomic alterations in HepG2 cells induced by swainsonine, but also provide information on the global interrelationships between glycomic alterations.

CXCR2 signaling might have a tumor-suppressive role in patients with cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We reported that chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 2 (CXCR2) signaling appears to play an important role in the pathogenic signaling of gastric cancer (GC), and although CXCR2 may have a role in other solid cancers, the significance of CXCR2 in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has not been evaluated. Herein, we determined the clinicopathologic significance of CXCL1-CXCR2 signaling in CCA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two human CCA cell lines, OCUG-1 and HuCCT1, were used. CXCR2 expression was examined by western blotting. We investigated the effects of CXCL1 on the proliferation (by MTT assay) and migration activity (by a wound-healing assay) of each cell line. Our immunohistochemical study of the cases of 178 CCA patients examined the expression levels of CXCR2 and CXCL1, and we analyzed the relationship between these expression levels and the patients' clinicopathologic features. RESULTS: CXCR2 was expressed on both CCA cell lines. CXCL1 significantly inhibited both the proliferative activity and migratory activity of both cell lines. CXCL1 and CXCR2 were immunohistochemically expressed in 73% and 18% of the CCA cases, respectively. The CXCL1-positive group was significantly associated with negative lymph node metastasis (p = 0.043). The CXCR2-positive group showed significantly better survival (p = 0.042, Kaplan-Meier). A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that CXCR2 expression (p = 0.031) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.004) were significantly correlated with the CCA patients' overall survival. CONCLUSION: CXCR2 signaling might exert a tumor-suppressive effect on CCA cells. CXCR2 might be a useful independent prognostic marker for CCA patients after surgical resection.

Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 from Cancer-associated Fibroblasts Stimulates the Proliferation of Scirrhous-type Gastric Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) may promote the malignancy of human scirrhous gastric cancer (SGC) cells. We conducted the present study to identify novel growth factors from CAFs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: OCUM-12 and 2 CAF cell lines were used. The proliferation of cancer cells was determined by the number of cancer cells or the MTT assay. The growth factor(s) were purified and characterized by the gel filtration chromatography and protein array. RESULTS: The molecular weight of the growth-stimulating factor was estimated to be approximately 66-669 kDa. Protein array of conditioned medium (CM) from CAFs indicated that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) was one of the growth factors. The addition of CM increased the phosphorylation of C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). The DPP-4 inhibitor significantly inhibited the growth-stimulating activity of CM. CONCLUSION: DPP-4 from CAFs might be one of the growth-stimulating factors for SGC through CXCR4.

Telmisartan Exerts Cytotoxicity in Scirrhous Gastric Cancer Cells by Inducing G0/G1 Cell Cycle Arrest.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to assess the effects of telmisartan (TEL), a potential antitumor agent, and its mechanism of action in the regulation of apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle in scirrhous gastric cancer (SGC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effect of TEL on the viability and chromatin condensation of OCUM-2M and OCUM-12 cells was assessed. Protein expression and the cell cycle were analysed using western blotting and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: TEL inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and increased chromatin condensation and autophagy marker LC3-II levels in OCUM-12 cells. TEL also increased the proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase transition. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis and autophagy are partially involved in the inhibitory effect of TEL on cell proliferation. Additionally, TEL caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. Therefore, TEL could be a promising treatment for SGC.

Pyruvate dehydrogenase E1α represents a reliable prognostic predictor for patients with non-small cell lung cancer resected via curative operation.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate worldwide; however, no reliable and independent prognostic predictor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after curative surgery is available. Glucose metabolism is correlated with cancer cell proliferation. Pyruvate dehydrogenase E1α (PDH-E1α) catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA and promotes aerobic glucose metabolism. In this study, we examined the relationship between PDH-E1α expression and clinicopathological factors associated with NSCLC to identify a reliable prognostic predictor of NSCLC after curative surgery. METHODS: A total of 445 patients with NSCLC who underwent curative resection were enrolled in this study. PDH-E1α expression was evaluated via immunohistochemistry. We analyzed the correlation between PDH-E1α expression and clinicopathological features of the patients. RESULTS: In total, 248 (56%) of the 445 patients with NSCLC were PDH-E1α-positive, and 197 patients were PDH-E1α-negative. PDH-E1α positivity was significantly correlated with the presence of adenocarcinoma (P<0.001) compared to the PDH-E1α-negative group. Patients with NSCLC showing PDH-E1α-negative expression had a significantly poorer overall survival rate (P=0.007) than those showing PDH-E1α-positive expression, especially at stage II. Patients with PDH-E1α negative expression also showed a poorer disease-free survival rate (P=0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed that PDH-E1α negativity (P=0.037) and male sex (P<0.001) were significantly correlated with a poor overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: PDH-E1α may represent a reliable prognostic predictor for NSCLC in patients that have recently undergone curative resection, especially at stage II.

Gastric cancer stem cells survive in stress environments via their autophagy system.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play an important role in the progression of carcinoma and have a high potential for survival in stress environments. However, the mechanisms of survival potential of CSCs have been unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the significance of autophagy systems of CSCs under stress environments. Four gastric cancer cell line were used. Side population (SP) cells were sorted from the parent cells, as CSC rich cells. The expression of stem cell markers was examined by RT-PCR. The viability of cancer cells under starvation and hypoxia was evaluated. The expression level of the autophagy molecule LC3B-II was examined by western blot. The numbers of autophagosomes and autolysosomes were counted by electron microscope. SP cells of OCUM-12 showed a higher expression of stem cell markers and higher viability in starvation and hypoxia. Western blot and electron microscope examinations indicated that the autophagy was more induced in SP cells than in parent cells. The autophagy inhibitor significantly decreased the viability under the stress environments. These findings suggested that Cancer stem cells of gastric cancer might maintain their viability via the autophagy system. Autophagy inhibitors might be a promising therapeutic agent for gastric cancer.

EMMPRIN in extracellular vesicles from peritoneal mesothelial cells stimulates the invasion activity of diffuse-type gastric cancer cells.

Peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer (GC) results in extremely poor prognoses. The peritoneal cavity is covered by a monolayer of peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs). Interactions between GC cells and PMCs might play a pivotal role in peritoneal metastasis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) correlate with intercellular communication. Although intercellular communication between cancer cells and PMCs might be associated with the peritoneal metastatic process, the role of EVs from PMCs remains unclear. We investigated the effects of EVs from PMCs on GC cells. Three GC cell lines (OCUM-12, NUGC-3, and MKN74) and four mesothelial cell lines were used. The effects of EVs derived from the PMCs on the invasion and migration of GC cells were evaluated by Matrigel invasion assay. Factors contained in the PMC EVs were analyzed; extra-cellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) was detected in the EVs. The effects of an EMMPRIN inhibitor on the invasion-stimulating activity of EVs were examined. The EMMPRIN expressions of 110 GCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. PMC EVs significantly promoted the invasion of diffuse-type GC cells, i.e., OCUM-12 and NUGC-3 cells. EMMPRIN in the EVs stimulated the invasion of OCUM-12 and NUGC-3 cells. The invasion-stimulating activity of PMC EVs was inhibited by the EMMPRIN inhibitor. A high EMMPRIN expression in PMCs was significantly associated with worse cancer-specific survival and peritoneal-recurrence-free survival. EMMPRIN in EVs from PMCs might stimulate the malignant progression of diffuse-type GC. EMMPRIN might be a useful prognostic marker of recurrence in GC patients.