ABSTRACT
Calcium channel blockers are emerging as a new generation of attractive anticancer drugs. SKF96365, originally thought to be a store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) inhibitor, is now often used as a TRPC channel blocker and is widely used in medical diagnostics. SKF96365 has shown antitumor effects on a variety of cancer cell lines. The objective of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of SKF96365 on esophageal cancer in vivo and in vitro. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation were used to test the proliferation inhibition of SKF96365 on cell lines. Western blot and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining were used to detect cell apoptosis rates. In addition, we demonstrated the antitumor effect of SKF96365 in vivo in xenografted mice. As a result, SKF96365 significantly inhibited the proliferation of K510, K30, and EC9706 in vitro. SKF96365 induces apoptosis in three cell lines through the poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP), caspase-9, and BCL-2 pathways in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. Moreover, SKF96365 treatment also induced apoptosis and inhibited tumor growth in nude mice. The calcium channel TRPC1 was significantly downregulated by SKF96365. Autophagy was also induced during the treatment of SKF96365. In summary, SKF96365 induces apoptosis (PARP, caspase-9, and BCL-2) and autophagy (LC3-A/B) by inhibiting TRPC1 in esophageal cancer cells, thereby inhibiting tumor growth.
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BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is a common malignancy of the digestive tract. Despite remarkable advancements in its treatment, the overall prognosis for patients remains poor. Cuproptosis is a form of programmed cell death that affects the malignant progression of tumors. This study aimed to examine the impact of the cuproptosis-associated gene DKC1 on the malignant progression of esophageal cancer. METHODS: Clinical and RNA sequencing data of patients with esophageal cancer were extracted from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to identify the differentially expressed genes related to cuproptosis that are associated with prognosis. We then validated the difference in the expression of DKC1 between tumor and normal tissues via three-dimensional multiomics difference analysis. Subsequently, we investigated the association between DKC1 expression and the tumor microenvironment by employing the TIMER2.0 algorithm, which was further validated in 96 single-cell datasets obtained from the TISCH database. Additionally, the functional role of DKC1 in pancarcinoma was assessed through GSEA. Furthermore, a comprehensive pancancer survival map was constructed, and the expression of DKC1 was verified in various molecular subtypes. By utilizing the CellMiner, GDSC, and CTRP databases, we successfully established a connection between DKC1 and drug sensitivity. Finally, the involvement of DKC1 in the progression of esophageal cancer was investigated through in vivo and in vitro experiments. RESULTS: In this study, we identified a copper death-related gene, DKC1, in esophageal cancer. Furthermore, we observed varying levels of DKC1 expression across different tumor types. Additionally, we conducted an analysis to determine the correlation between DKC1 expression and clinical features, revealing its association with common cell cycle pathways and multiple metabolic pathways. Notably, high DKC1 expression was found to indicate poor prognosis in patients with various tumors and to influence drug sensitivity. Moreover, our investigation revealed significant associations between DKC1 expression and the expression of molecules involved in immune regulation and infiltration of lymphocyte subtypes. Ultimately, the increased expression of DKC1 in esophageal cancer tissues was verified using clinical tissue samples. Furthermore, DKC1-mediated promotion of esophageal cancer cell proliferation and migration was confirmed through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Additionally, it is plausible that DKC1 may play a role in the regulation of cuproptosis. CONCLUSION: In this study, we conducted a systematic analysis of DKC1 and its regulatory factors and experimentally validated its excellent diagnostic and prognostic abilities in various cancers. Further research indicated that DKC1 may reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME), highlighting the potential of DKC1-based cancer treatment and its usefulness in predicting the response to chemotherapy.
Subject(s)
Cell Cycle Proteins , Esophageal Neoplasms , Humans , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Cell Cycle Proteins/genetics , Mice , Animals , Male , Female , Tumor Microenvironment/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Cell Proliferation/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Nuclear ProteinsABSTRACT
Background: MET overexpression represents the most MET aberration in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, except MET exon 14 (METex14) skipping mutation was recognized as a clinical biomarker, the role of MET overexpression as a predictive factor to MET inhibitor is not clear. Objectives: The purpose of the pooled analysis is to explore the safety and efficiency of gumarontinib, a highly selective oral MET inhibitor, in drive-gene negative NSCLC patients with MET overexpression. Design and methods: NSCLC patients with MET overexpression [immunohistochemistry (IHC) ⩾3+ as determined by central laboratory] not carrying epidermal growth factor receptor mutation, METex14 skipping mutation or other known drive gene alternations who received Gumarontinib 300 mg QD from two single arm studies were selected and pooled for the analysis. The efficacy [objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), duration of response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS)] and safety [treatment emergent adverse event (TEAE), treatment related AE (TRAE) and serious AE (SAE) were assessed. Results: A total of 32 patients with MET overexpression were included in the analysis, including 12 treatment naïve patients who refused or were unsuitable for chemotherapy, and 20 pre-treated patients who received ⩾1 lines of prior systemic anti-tumour therapies. Overall, the ORR was 37.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 21.1-56.3%], the DCR was 81.3% (95% CI: 63.6-92.8%), median PFS (mPFS) and median OS (mOS) were 6.9 month (95% CI: 3.6-9.7) and 17.0 month (95% CI: 10.3-not evaluable), respectively. The most common AEs were oedema (59.4%), hypoalbuminaemia (40.6%), alanine aminotransferase increased (31.3%). Conclusion: Gumarontinib showed promising antitumour activity in driver-gene negative locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC patients with MET overexpression, which warranted a further clinical trial. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03457532; NCT04270591.
ABSTRACT
The immune system has a strong connection to tumors. When a tumor cell is recognized as an abnormal cell by the immune system, the immune system may initiate an immune response to kill the tumor cell. In this study, RNA sequencing was performed on multiple myeloma (MM) cells treated with the proteasome inhibitor FHND6091. The transcriptional changes induced by FHND6091 in RPMI8226 cells aligned notably with immune response activation and results indicated upregulation of cGAS-STING pathway-related genes in the FHND6091-treated group. In vivo and in vitro experiments had demonstrated that FHND6091 stimulated the immunoreaction of MM cells via activation of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine synthase/stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway. This activation resulted in the generation of type-I interferons and the mobilization of natural killer (NK) cells. Notably, FHND6091 upregulated the levels of calreticulin and the protein ligands UL16-binding protein 2/5/6, MHC class I chain-related A (MICA), and MICB on the surface of MM cells. Subsequently, upon engaging with the surface activation receptors of NK cells, these ligands triggered NK cell activation, leading to the subsequent elimination of tumor cells. Thus, our findings elucidated the mechanism whereby FHND6091 exerted its immunotherapeutic activity as a STING agonist, enhancing the killing ability of NK cells against tumor cells.
Subject(s)
Killer Cells, Natural , Membrane Proteins , Multiple Myeloma , Proteasome Inhibitors , Humans , Killer Cells, Natural/drug effects , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Killer Cells, Natural/metabolism , Proteasome Inhibitors/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Membrane Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy , Multiple Myeloma/immunology , Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism , Nucleotidyltransferases/genetics , Mice , Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism , Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/genetics , Calreticulin/metabolism , Calreticulin/genetics , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Cytotoxicity, Immunologic/drug effects , Interferon Type I/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a significant role in the recurrence and drug resistance of esophageal carcinoma (ESCA). Ferroptosis is a promising anticancer therapeutic strategy that effectively targets CSCs exhibiting high tumorigenicity and treatment resistance. However, there is a lack of research on the combined role of ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and stemness signature in the prognosis of ESCA. METHODS: The cellular compositions were characterized using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from 18 untreated ESCA samples. 50 ferroptosis-related stemness genes (FRSGs) were identified by integrating FRGs with stemness-related genes (SRGs), and then the cells were grouped by AUCell analysis. Next, functional enrichment, intercellular communication, and trajectory analyses were performed to characterize the different groups of cells. Subsequently, the stem-ferr-index was calculated using machine learning algorithms based on the expression profiles of the identified risk genes. Additionally, therapeutic drugs were predicted by analyzing the GDSC2 database. Finally, the expression and functional roles of the identified marker genes were validated through in vitro experiments. RESULTS: The analysis of scRNA-seq data demonstrates the diversity and cellular heterogeneity of ESCA. Then, we identified 50 FRSGs and classified cells into high or low ferroptosis score stemness cells accordingly. Functional enrichment analysis conducted on the differentially up-regulated genes between these groups revealed predominant enrichment in pathways associated with intercellular communication and cell differentiation. Subsequently, we identified 9 risk genes and developed a prognostic signature, termed stem_ferr_index, based on these identified risk genes. We found that the stem-ferr-index was correlated with the clinical characteristics of patients, and patients with high stem-ferr-index had poor prognosis. Furthermore, we identified four drugs (Navitoclax, Foretinib, Axitinib, and Talazoparib) with potential efficacy targeting patients with a high stem_ferr_index. Additionally, we delineated two marker genes (STMN1 and SLC2A1). Particularly noteworthy, SLC2A1 exhibited elevated expression levels in ESCA tissues and cells. We provided evidence suggesting that SLC2A1 could influence the migration, invasion, and stemness of ESCA cells, and it was associated with sensitivity to Foretinib. CONCLUSION: This study constructed a novel ferroptosis-related stemness signature, identified two marker genes for ESCA, and provided valuable insights for developing more effective therapeutic targets targeting ESCA CSCs in the future.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms , Ferroptosis , Neoplastic Stem Cells , Single-Cell Analysis , Ferroptosis/genetics , Humans , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism , Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology , Single-Cell Analysis/methods , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Sequence Analysis, RNA/methods , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Cell Line, Tumor , Male , FemaleABSTRACT
Metastasis is the biggest obstacle to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treatment. Single-cell RNA sequencing analyses are applied to investigate lung metastatic ESCC cells isolated from pulmonary metastasis mouse model at multiple timepoints to characterize early metastatic microenvironment. A small population of parental KYSE30 cell line (Cluster S) resembling metastasis-initiating cells (MICs) is identified because they survive and colonize at lung metastatic sites. Differential expression profile comparisons between Cluster S and other subpopulations identified a panel of 7 metastasis-initiating signature genes (MIS), including CD44 and TACSTD2, to represent MICs in ESCC. Functional studies demonstrated MICs (CD44high) exhibited significantly enhanced cell survival (resistances to oxidative stress and apoptosis), migration, invasion, stemness, and in vivo lung metastasis capabilities, while bioinformatics analyses revealed enhanced organ development, stress responses, and neuron development, potentially remodel early metastasis microenvironment. Meanwhile, early metastasizing cells demonstrate quasi-epithelial-mesenchymal phenotype to support both invasion and anchorage. Multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) staining of 4 MISs (CD44, S100A14, RHOD, and TACSTD2) in ESCC clinical samples demonstrated differential MIS expression scores (dMISs) predict lymph node metastasis, overall survival, and risk of carcinothrombosis.
Subject(s)
Disease Models, Animal , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma , Lung Neoplasms , Animals , Mice , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Lung Neoplasms/metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/genetics , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/pathology , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/metabolism , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism , Neoplasm Metastasis , Neoplastic Stem Cells/metabolism , Neoplastic Stem Cells/pathology , Tumor Microenvironment/genetics , Immunohistochemistry/methods , Humans , Hyaluronan Receptors/metabolism , Hyaluronan Receptors/geneticsABSTRACT
The vascular endothelial growth factor pathway plays a key role in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. In the multicenter, double-blind phase 3 FRUTIGA trial, 703 patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma who progressed on fluorouracil- and platinum-containing chemotherapy were randomized (1:1) to receive fruquintinib (an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1/2/3; 4 mg orally, once daily) or placebo for 3 weeks, followed by 1 week off, plus paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 intravenously on days 1/8/15 per cycle). The study results were positive as one of the dual primary endpoints, progression-free survival (PFS), was met (median PFS, 5.6 months in the fruquintinib arm versus 2.7 months in the placebo arm; hazard ratio 0.57; 95% confidence interval 0.48-0.68; P < 0.0001). The other dual primary endpoint, overall survival (OS), was not met (median OS, 9.6 months versus 8.4 months; hazard ratio 0.96, 95% confidence interval 0.81-1.13; P = 0.6064). The most common grade ≥3 adverse events were neutropenia, leukopenia and anemia. Fruquintinib plus paclitaxel as a second-line treatment significantly improved PFS, but not OS, in Chinese patients with advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and could potentially be another treatment option for these patients. ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03223376 .
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols , Benzofurans , Esophagogastric Junction , Paclitaxel , Stomach Neoplasms , Humans , Paclitaxel/therapeutic use , Paclitaxel/administration & dosage , Paclitaxel/adverse effects , Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Adenocarcinoma/drug therapy , Adenocarcinoma/pathology , Esophagogastric Junction/pathology , Esophagogastric Junction/drug effects , Male , Female , Middle Aged , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/adverse effects , Aged , Benzofurans/therapeutic use , Benzofurans/administration & dosage , Benzofurans/adverse effects , Adult , Double-Blind Method , Esophageal Neoplasms/drug therapy , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Quinazolines/therapeutic use , Quinazolines/administration & dosage , Quinazolines/adverse effects , Quinolines/therapeutic use , Quinolines/administration & dosage , Quinolines/adverse effects , Progression-Free Survival , Aged, 80 and overABSTRACT
Claudin18.2 (CLDN18.2) is highly expressed with the development of various malignant tumors, especially gastrointestinal cancers, and is emerging as a new target for cancer treatment. Satricabtagene autoleucel (satri-cel)/CT041 is an autologous chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell targeting CLDN18.2, and the interim results of the CT041-CG4006 trial were reported in June 2022. Here we present the final results of this single-arm, open-label, phase 1 trial, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of satri-cel in patients with CLDN18.2-positive advanced gastrointestinal cancers. This trial included a dose-escalation stage (n = 15) and a dose-expansion stage in four different cohorts (total n = 83): cohort 1, satri-cel monotherapy in 61 patients with standard chemotherapy-refractory gastrointestinal cancers; cohort 2, satri-cel plus anti-PD-1 therapy in 15 patients with standard chemotherapy-refractory gastrointestinal cancers; cohort 3, satri-cel as sequential treatment after first-line therapy in five patients with gastrointestinal cancers; and cohort 4, satri-cel monotherapy in two patients with anti-CLDN18.2 monoclonal antibody-refractory gastric cancer. The primary endpoint was safety; secondary endpoints included efficacy, pharmacokinetics and immunogenicity. A total of 98 patients received satri-cel infusion, among whom 89 were dosed with 2.5 × 108, six with 3.75 × 108 and three with 5.0 × 108 CAR T cells. Median follow-up was 32.4 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 27.3, 36.5) since apheresis. No dose-limiting toxicities, treatment-related deaths or immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome were reported. Cytokine release syndrome occurred in 96.9% of patients, all classified as grade 1-2. Gastric mucosal injuries were identified in eight (8.2%) patients. The overall response rate and disease control rate in all 98 patients were 38.8% and 91.8%, respectively, and the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 4.4 months (95% CI: 3.7, 6.6) and 8.8 months (95% CI: 7.1, 10.2), respectively. Satri-cel demonstrates therapeutic potential with a manageable safety profile in patients with CLDN18.2-positive advanced gastrointestinal cancer. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03874897 .
Subject(s)
Claudins , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms , Immunotherapy, Adoptive , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , Humans , Male , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/immunology , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/therapy , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/pathology , Female , Middle Aged , Aged , Adult , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/adverse effects , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology , Claudins/immunology , Treatment Outcome , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/transplantationABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare malignancy and the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a novel tumor microcirculation model different from traditional tumor angiogenesis, which does not rely on endothelial cells to provide sufficient blood supply for tumor growth. In recent years, VM has been confirmed to be closely associated with tumor progression. However, the ability of RMS to form VM has not yet been reported. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, RT-qPCR and western blot were used to test the expression level of SNAI2 and its clinical significance. The biological function in regulating vasculogenic mimicry and malignant progression of SNAI2 was examined both in vitro and in vivo. Mass spectrometry, co-immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, and ubiquitin assays were performed to explore the regulatory mechanism of SNAI2. RESULTS: Our study indicated that SNAI2 was abnormally expressed in patients with RMS and RMS cell lines and promoted the proliferation and metastasis of RMS. Through cell tubule formation experiments, nude mice Matrigel plug experiments, and immunohistochemistry (IHC), we confirmed that RMS can form VM and that SNAI2 promotes the formation of VM. Due to SNAI2 is a transcription factor that is not easily drugged, we used Co-IP combined with mass spectrometry to screen for the SNAI2-binding protein USP7 and TRIM21. USP7 depletion inhibited RMS VM formation, proliferation and metastasis by promoting SNAI2 degradation. We further demonstrated that TRIM21 is expressed at low levels in human RMS tissues and inhibits VM in RMS cells. TRIM21 promotes SNAI2 protein degradation through ubiquitination in the RMS. The deubiquitinase USP7 and E3 ligase TRIM21 function in an antagonistic rather than competitive mode and play a key role in controlling the stability of SNAI2 to determine the VM formation and progression of RMS. CONCLUSION: Our findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism by which USP7 and TRIM21 balance the level of SNAI2 ubiquitination, determining RMS vasculogenic mimicry, proliferation, and migration. This new mechanism may provide new targeted therapies to inhibit the development of RMS by restoring TRIM21 expression or inhibiting USP7 expression in RMS patients with high SNAI2 protein levels.
Subject(s)
Neovascularization, Pathologic , Rhabdomyosarcoma , Ribonucleoproteins , Snail Family Transcription Factors , Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 7 , Humans , Snail Family Transcription Factors/metabolism , Snail Family Transcription Factors/genetics , Animals , Mice , Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 7/metabolism , Ubiquitin-Specific Peptidase 7/genetics , Rhabdomyosarcoma/metabolism , Rhabdomyosarcoma/pathology , Rhabdomyosarcoma/genetics , Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism , Neovascularization, Pathologic/pathology , Female , Disease Progression , Cell Proliferation , Male , Homeostasis , Cell Line, Tumor , Mice, Nude , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/metabolism , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics , UbiquitinationABSTRACT
Recent advancements in understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) have highlighted the critical role of the nervous system in cancer progression. This review comprehensively examines how the nervous system influences various aspects of tumorigenesis, including growth, motility, immune response, angiogenesis, and the behavior of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). We delineate the neurodevelopmental mechanisms associated with cancer, such as the secretion of neurotrophins and exosomes by cancer cells. Furthermore, we explore the emerging therapeutic strategy of targeting nerves associated with tumors. Evidence supporting this approach includes studies demonstrating direct tumor growth inhibition, enhanced efficacy of immunotherapy when combined with nervous system-modulating drugs, and the suppression of tumor blood vessel formation through nerve targeting. Finally, we discuss the current challenges in this field and emphasize the need for further exploration within cancer neuroscience.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms , Tumor Microenvironment , Humans , Neoplasms/pathology , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/metabolism , Animals , Nervous System/metabolism , Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/metabolism , Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology , Neovascularization, Pathologic , Immunotherapy/methodsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the main subtype of esophageal cancer. Current therapeutic effect is far from satisfaction. Hence, identifying susceptible genes and potential targets is necessary for therapy of ESCC patients. METHODS: Plant homeodomain (PHD)-finger domain protein 5 A (PHF5A) expression in ESCC tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry. RNA interference was used for in vitro loss-of-function experiments. In vivo assay was performed using xenograft mice model by subcutaneous injection. Besides, microarray assay and co-immunoprecipitation experiments were used to study the potential downstream molecules of PHF5A in ESCC. The molecular mechanism between PHF5A and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) was explored by a series of ubiquitination related assays. RESULTS: We found that PHF5A was highly expressed in ESCC tissues compared to normal tissues and that was correlated with poor prognosis of ESCC. Loss-of-function experiments revealed that PHF5A silence remarkably inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and induced apoptosis as well as cell cycle arrest. Consistently, in vivo assay demonstrated that PHF5A deficiency was able to attenuate tumor growth. Furthermore, molecular studies showed that PHF5A silencing promoted VEGFA ubiquitination by interacting with MDM2, thereby regulating VEGFA protein expression. Subsequently, in rescue experiments, our data suggested that ESCC cell viability and migration promoted by PHF5A were dependent on intact VEGFA. Finally, PI3K/AKT signaling rescue was able to alleviate shPHF5A-mediated cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. CONCLUSION: PHF5A is a tumor promoter in ESCC, which is dependent on VEGFA and PI3K/AKT signaling. PHF5A might serve as a potential therapeutic target for ESCC treatment.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , Animals , Humans , Mice , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement/genetics , Cell Proliferation/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/metabolism , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/genetics , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/metabolism , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/pathology , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , Trans-Activators/genetics , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) ranks fifth for morbidity and third for mortality worldwide. The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA methylation is crucial in cancer biology and progression. However, the relationship between m6A methylation and gastric tumor microenvironment (TME) remains to be elucidated. METHODS: We combined single-cell and bulk transcriptome analyses to explore the roles of m6A-related genes (MRG) in gastric TME. RESULTS: Nine TME cell subtypes were identified from 23 samples. Fibroblasts were further grouped into four subclusters according to different cell markers. M6A-mediated fibroblasts may guide extensive intracellular communications in the gastric TME. The m6A-related genes score (MRGs) was output based on six differentially expressed single-cell m6A-related genes (SCMRDEGs), including GHRL, COL4A1, CAV1, GJA1, TIMP1, and IGFBP3. The protein expression level was assessed by immunohistochemistry. We identified the prognostic value of MRGs and constructed a nomogram model to predict GC patients' overall survival. MRGs may affect treatment sensitivity in GC patients. CONCLUSION: Our study visualized the cellular heterogeneity of TME at the single-cell level, revealed the association between m6A mRNA modification and intracellular communication, clarified MRGs as an independent risk factor of prognosis, and provided a reference for follow-up treatment.
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@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the expression of one cut homeobox 2, OC-2 (ONECUT2) gene in human gastric cancer and its clinical significance. Methods: Based on bioinformatics technology, Oncomine, GEPIA, CCLE and EBI databases were searched to analyze the expression level of OC-2 in gastric cancer (GC) and other tumors. Kmplot database was used to verify the correlation between OC-2 expression and the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. STRING database was used to construct proteinprotein interaction network (PPI network), and the co-expressed genes of OC-2 related with gastric cancer were also analyzed. Results: The expression of OC-2 was generally up-regulated in different kinds of tumors with differential OC-2 expression. The expression level of OC-2 increased significantly in gastric cancer tissues and cells (all P<0.05) and might be irrelevant with tissue type and tumor stage (all P>0.05). The expression level of OC-2 was correlated with prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The median overall survival (40.0 vs 26.5 months) and median disease-free survival (26.2 vs 16.1 months) of gastric cancer patients with low OC-2 expression was significantly longer than those patients with high expression (both P<0.01). Fifteen co-expressed genes of OC-2 were obtained; the PPI network predicted 30 functional proteins interacting with OC-2, among which 11 proteins were also related to the occurrence and development of gastric cancer. After Pearson correlation analysis, 4 proteins that closely and positively related to OC-2 were identified: PDX1 (R=0.49), CREB1 (R=0.31), MAPK1 (R=0.26) and CTSS (R=0.25). Conclusion: OC-2 may play an important role in the occurrence and development, as well as invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer, which is expected to become a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer, and also an important indicator for the prognosis prediction of gastric cancer patients.
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@#Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of apatinib combined with chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer as secondline and above treatment, and to analyze the survival of patients. Methods: Seventy-two patients with advanced gastric cancer that treated at Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2016 to April 2017 were included in this study according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria; patients were randomly divided into chemotherapy group, apatinib group, apatinib combined with chemotherapy group. And the clinical efficacy and the survival of patients were investigated. Results: For chemotherapy group, apatinib group, apatinib combined with chemotherapy group, the disease control rate (DCR) and objective response rate (ORR) were 48.3%, 61.1%,72.0% (P>0.05) and 13.8%, 16.7%, 28.0%(P>0.05), respectively; and the incidence rate of adverse reaction at grade three-four was 17.1%, 16.8% and 24.0% (P>0.05), respectively. Compared with the chemotherapy group (93 d), the median progress-free survival (mPFS) time in the apatinib group and apatinib combined with chemotherapy group was 117 d (P=0.128) and 160 d (P=0.001). Furthermore, univariate and multivariate analyses showed that TNM staging (P=0.036), ascites (P=0.041) and treatment regimen (P=0.001) were the independent factors affecting PFS. Conclusion: As the second-line or above treatment in advanced gastric cancer, compared with single chemotherapy and single apatinib group, apatinib combined with chemotherapy displays more satisfactory achievement in remission rate, accompanied by controllable adverse reactions and considerable survival benefit.