Raf kinase inhibitor protein expression in smooth muscle tumours of the uterus: a diagnostic marker for leiomyosarcoma?

RESEARCH QUESTION: What is the expression pattern of Raf kinase inhibitory protein (RKIP) in different subtypes of leiomyoma (usual type, cellular, apoplectic or haemorrhagic leiomyoma, leiomyoma with bizarre nuclei and lipoleiomyoma) and leiomyosarcoma specimens, and what is its biological role in leiomyosarcoma cells? DESIGN: Leiomyoma and leiomyosarcoma specimens underwent immunohistochemistry staining. Leiomyosarcoma SK-LMS-1 cell line was RKIP knocked down and RKIP overexpressed, and cell viability, wound healing migration and clonogenicity assays were carried out. RESULTS: A higher immunohistochemical expression of RKIP was observed in bizarre leiomyomas, than in usual-type leiomyomas. Decreased expression was also found in cellular leiomyoma, with generally absent staining in leiomyosarcomas. Upon RKIP expression manipulation in SK-LMS-1 cell line, no major differences were observed in cell viability and migration capacity over time. RKIP knockout, however, resulted in a significant increase in the cell's ability to form colonies (P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: RKIP distinct expression pattern among leiomyoma histotype and leiomyosarcoma, and its effect on leiomyosarcoma cells on colony formation, encourages further studies of RKIP in uterine smooth muscle disorders.

FOXO3a deregulation in uterine smooth muscle tumors.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate FOXO3a deregulation in Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors (USMT) and its potential association with cancer development and prognosis. METHODS: The authors analyzed gene and protein expression profiles of FOXO3a in 56 uterine Leiomyosarcomas (LMS), 119 leiomyomas (comprising conventional and unusual leiomyomas), and 20 Myometrium (MM) samples. The authors used techniques such as Immunohistochemistry (IHC), FISH/CISH, and qRT-PCR for the present analyses. Additionally, the authors conducted an in-silico analysis to understand the interaction network involving FOXO3a and its correlated genes. RESULTS: This investigation revealed distinct expression patterns of the FOXO3a gene and protein, including both normal and phosphorylated forms. Expression levels were notably elevated in LMS, and Unusual Leiomyomas (ULM) compared to conventional Leiomyomas (LM) and Myometrium (MM) samples. This upregulation was significantly associated with metastasis and Overall Survival (OS) in LMS patients. Intriguingly, FOXO3a deregulation did not seem to be influenced by EGF/HER-2 signaling, as there were minimal levels of EGF and VEGF expression detected, and HER-2 and EGFR were negative in the analyzed samples. In the examination of miRNAs, the authors observed upregulation of miR-96-5p and miR-155-5p, which are known negative regulators of FOXO3a, in LMS samples. Conversely, the tumor suppressor miR-let7c-5p was downregulated. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the outcomes of the present study suggest that the imbalance in FOXO3a within Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors might arise from both protein phosphorylation and miRNA activity. FOXO3a could emerge as a promising therapeutic target for individuals with Unusual Leiomyomas and Leiomyosarcomas (ULM and LMS), offering novel directions for treatment strategies.

Differential expression, diagnostic and prognostic significance of stathmin-1 and CD147 in various uterine smooth muscle tumors / Expresión diferencial, diagnóstico y significado de pronóstico de stathmin-1 y CD147 en diferentes tumores del músculo liso uterino

SUMMARY: Uterine smooth muscle tumors (USMT) are common, behavior-distinct gynecological tumors; including: leiomyoma (ULM), leiomyosarcoma (ULMS), and smooth muscle tumors of undetermined malignant potential (STUMP). Pre-operative distinction is difficult, thus diagnosis relies on histopathology. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) had been used to help in distinction. We studied two markers (stathmin-1 and CD147) to demonstrate whether they have diagnostic/ prognostic assist. Sixty seven USMT are studied. Age, follow up, and recurrence/metastasis data were collected. Representative slides were stained and Histologic score (HS) calculated as stain intensity (SI) X percentage of positive tumor cells (PP). Results were grouped as low expression (LE) and high expression (HE); then correlated to tumor types, and risk of recurrence/ metastasis. Statistical analysis (P < 0.05); Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and confidence intervals in diagnosing ULMS were calculated. Stathmin-1 HS (p= 0.000) and HE (p=0.002) were different among groups. Same as for CD147 HS and HE (both p=0.000), with a gradient increase from LM to STUMP to ULMS. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values and confidence intervals in diagnosing ULMS were as following: For stathmin-1 HS: 92 %; 20 %; 42 %; and 80 % (CI= 44-96 %). For Stathmin-1 HE: 80 %; 66 %; 60 %; and 84 % (CI=66-94 %). For CD147 HS: 85 %; 22 %; 41 %; and 69 %. For CD147 HE: 58 %; 49 %; 42 %; and 65 % (CI= 45-80 %), respectively. Recurrence / metastasis were documented in 6 cases (4 ULMS; 2 STUMP) with follow up ranging from 6 months to 102 months. 5 tumors had stathmin-1 HE (p=0.099); 2 had CD147 HE (p=0.393) in the primary tumors. STMN1 and CD147 are helpful diagnostic tests for USMT sub-typing, especially for ULMS. Gradient increase of expression from LM, to STUMP, to ULMS may indicate a role in malignant transformation in USMT, and in increased risk of recurrences/metastasis.

RESUMEN: Los tumores del músculo liso uterino (USMT, por sus siglas en inglés) son tumores ginecológicos comunes y de comportamiento distinto; incluyendo: leiomioma (ULM), leiomiosarcoma (ULMS) y tumores de músculo liso de potencial maligno indeterminado (STUMP). La distinción preoperatoria es difícil, por lo que el diagnóstico se basa en la histopatología. La inmunohistoquímica (IHQ) se había utilizado para ayudar en la distinción. Estudiamos dos marcadores (stathmin-1 y CD147) para demostrar si había efecto diagnóstico / pronóstico. Se estudiaron 67 USMT. Se recopilaron los datos de edad, seguimiento y recurrencia / metástasis. Las muestras representativas se tiñeron y la puntuación histológica (HS) se calculó como la intensidad de la tinción (IS) x porcentaje de células tumorales positivas (PP). Los resultados se agruparon como expresión baja (EB) y expresión alta (EA); luego se correlacionaeon con los tipos de tumores y el riesgo de recurrencia / metástasis. Análisis estadístico (P <0,05); se calcularon la sensibilidad, la especificidad, los valores predictivos positivos y negativos y los intervalos de confianza en el diagnóstico de ULMS. Stathmin-1 HS (p = 0,000) y HE (p = 0,002) fueron diferentes entre los grupos. Igual que para CD147 HS y HE (ambos p = 0,000), con un aumento de gradiente de LM a STUMP a ULMS. La sensibilidad, la especificidad, los valores predictivos positivos y negativos y los intervalos de confianza en el diagnóstico de ULMS fueron los siguientes: Para stathmin-1 HS: 92 %; 20 %; 42 %; y 80 % (IC = 44-96 %). Para Stathmin-1 HE: 80 %; 66 %; 60 %; y 84 % (IC = 66-94 %). Para CD147 HS: 85 %; 22 %; 41 %; y el 69 %. Para CD147 HE: 58 %; 49 %; 42 %; y 65 % (IC = 45-80 %), respectivamente. La recurrencia / metástasis se documentaron en 6 casos (4 ULMS; 2 STUMP) con un seguimiento que osciló entre 6 meses y 102 meses. Cinco tumores tenían stathmin-1 HE (p = 0,099); dos tenían CD147 HE (p = 0,393) en los tumores primarios. STMN1 y CD147 son pruebas de diagnóstico útiles para la subclasificación de USMT, especialmente para ULMS. El aumento en el gradiente de la expresión de LM, a STUMP, a ULMS puede indicar un papel en la transformación maligna en USMT y en un mayor riesgo de recurrencias / metástasis.