scholarly journals GLRX3, a novel cancer stem cell-related secretory biomarker of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung Hyun Jo ◽  
Sun A Kim ◽  
Jeong Hoon Lee ◽  
Yu Rang Park ◽  
Chanyang Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Biomarker Discovery ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Curative Surgery ◽  
In Vitro Proliferation

Abstract Background Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in carcinogenesis, cancer progression, and recurrence. Several biomarkers have been described for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) CSCs; however, their function and mechanism remain unclear. Method In this study, secretome analysis was performed in pancreatic CSC-enriched spheres and control adherent cells for biomarker discovery. Glutaredoxin3 (GLRX3), a novel candidate upregulated in spheres, was evaluated for its function and clinical implication. Results PDAC CSC populations, cell lines, patient tissues, and blood samples demonstrated GLRX3 overexpression. In contrast, GLRX3 silencing decreased the in vitro proliferation, migration, clonogenicity, and sphere formation of cells. GLRX3 knockdown also reduced tumor formation and growth in vivo. GLRX3 was found to regulate Met/PI3K/AKT signaling and stemness-related molecules. ELISA results indicated GLRX3 overexpression in the serum of patients with PDAC compared to that in healthy controls. The sensitivity and specificity of GLRX3 for PDAC diagnosis were 80.0 and 100%, respectively. When GLRX3 and CA19–9 were combined, sensitivity was significantly increased to 98.3% compared to that with GLRX3 or CA19–9 alone. High GLRX3 expression was also associated with poor disease-free survival in patients receiving curative surgery. Conclusion Overall, these results indicate GLRX3 as a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for PDAC targeting CSCs.

scholarly journals KIF4A Regulates the Progression of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma through Proliferation and Invasion

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Jing Chen ◽  
Cui-Cui Zhao ◽  
Fei-Ran Chen ◽  
Guo-Wei Feng ◽  
Fei Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
High Expression ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Migration And Invasion

Background. Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor of the digestive tract, which is difficult to diagnose and treat due to bad early diagnosis. We aimed to explore the role of kinesin superfamily 4A (KIF4A) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods. We first used the bioinformatic website to screen the data of pancreatic cancer in TCGA, and KIF4A protein was detected among the 86 specimens of patients in our hospital combined with clinic-pathological characteristics and survival analysis. KIF4A loss-expression cell lines were established by RNA interference (RNAi). In addition, we performed in vitro cell assays to detect the changes in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The proteins involved in the proliferation and metastasis of cancer cells were also detected by western blot. The above results could be proved in vivo. Further, the correlation between KIF4A and CDC5L was analyzed by TCGA and IHC data. Results. We first found a high expression of KIF4A in pancreatic cancer, suggesting a role of KIF4A in the development of pancreatic cancer. KIF4A was found to be differentially expressed ( P < 0.05 ) among the 86 specimens of patients in our hospital and was significantly associated with PDAC TNM stages and tumor size. High KIF4A expression also significantly worsened overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival rate (DFS) ( P < 0.05 , respectively). In addition, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were inhibited by the KIF4A-shRNA group compared with the control ( P < 0.05 , respectively). In the end, knockdown of KIF4A could inhibit tumor development and metastasis in vivo. Further, the positive correlation between KIF4A and CDC5L existed, and KIF4A might promote pancreatic cancer proliferation by affecting CDC5L expression. Conclusion. In conclusion, the high expression level of KIF4A in PDAC was closely related to poor clinical and pathological status, lymphatic metastasis, and vascular invasion. KIF4A might be involved in promoting the development of PDAC in vitro and in vivo, which might be a new therapeutic target of PDAC.

scholarly journals Biological Effect and Mechanism of the miR-23b-3p/ANXA2 Axis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

2018 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 823-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan-ming Wei ◽  
Yi-wu Dang ◽  
Zhen-bo Feng ◽  
Lu Liang ◽  
Lu Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Chorioallantoic Membrane ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Background/Aims: Accumulating evidence strongly suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) modulate the expression of known tumor suppressor genes and oncogenes. In the present study, we found that the proliferation and invasion ability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells were significantly suppressed by the overexpression of miR-23b-3p. In addition, there are miR-23b-3p binding sites in annexin A2 (ANXA2). Here, we investigated whether miR-23b-3p had an impact on the progression and metastasis of PDAC by targeting ANXA2. Methods: Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and cell cycle assays were performed to explore the effect of miR-23b-3p on various malignant phenotypes of pancreatic cancer cells. The size of tumors was observed following miR-23b-3p overexpression in an in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Dual-luciferase reporter, quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemical analyses were used to validate the relationship between miR-23b-3p and ANXA2 in vitro. Results: We observed that miR-23b-3p could bind specifically to the 3′ untranslated region of ANXA2 and inhibit its expression. MiR-23b-3p overexpression downregulated the expression of ANXA2 mRNA in PDAC cells and limited the size of tumors or even prevented tumor formation. In addition, there was a negative correlation between miR-23b-3p expression and ANXA2 protein expression in clinical specimens. Conclusion: MiR-23b-3p inhibits the development and progression of PDAC by regulating ANXA2 directly.

scholarly journals N2E4, a Monoclonal Antibody Targeting Neuropilin-2, Inhibits Tumor Growth and Metastasis in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma via Suppressing FAK/Erk/HIF-1α Signaling

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Wang ◽  
Lanlan Wang ◽  
Shengyu Wang ◽  
Zonglang Zhou ◽  
Zongjunlin Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibody ◽  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Pancreas Carcinoma ◽  
Antibody Targeting

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with extremely limited treatment; the effective targeting strategy stays an urgent unmet need. Neuropilin-2 (NRP2), a multifunctional transmembrane non-tyrosine-kinase glycoprotein, enhances various signal transduction pathways to modulate cancer progression. However, the application value of NRP2 as a therapeutic target in pancreatic cancer is still unclear. Here, we detected the elevated NRP2 was associated with the poor prognosis of pancreas carcinoma. The mouse monoclonal antibody targeting NRP2 (N2E4) that could specifically bind to PDAC cells was developed. Moreover, N2E4 inhibits PDAC proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and repressed growth and metastasis in vivo. Mechanistically, the effect of N2E4 was mainly related to the blocking of interaction between NRP2 with integrinβ1 to inhibit FAK/Erk/HIF-1a/VEGF signaling. Therefore, N2E4 has the potential for targeting therapy of PDAC. This study lays a foundation for the future development of NRP2-based targeted therapy for PDAC.

scholarly journals NR5A2 transcriptional activation by BRD4 promotes pancreatic cancer progression by upregulating GDF15

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feng Guo ◽  
Yingke Zhou ◽  
Hui Guo ◽  
Dianyun Ren ◽  
Xin Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Cancer ◽  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Cells ◽  
Gene Sets ◽  
And Migration

AbstractNR5A2 is a transcription factor regulating the expression of various oncogenes. However, the role of NR5A2 and the specific regulatory mechanism of NR5A2 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are not thoroughly studied. In our study, Western blotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry were conducted to assess the expression levels of different molecules. Wound-healing, MTS, colony formation, and transwell assays were employed to evaluate the malignant potential of pancreatic cancer cells. We demonstrated that NR5A2 acted as a negative prognostic biomarker in PDAC. NR5A2 silencing inhibited the proliferation and migration abilities of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. While NR5A2 overexpression markedly promoted both events in vitro. We further identified that NR5A2 was transcriptionally upregulated by BRD4 in pancreatic cancer cells and this was confirmed by Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and ChIP-qPCR. Besides, transcriptome RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed to explore the cancer-promoting effects of NR5A2, we found that GDF15 is a component of multiple down-regulated tumor-promoting gene sets after NR5A2 was silenced. Next, we showed that NR5A2 enhanced the malignancy of pancreatic cancer cells by inducing the transcription of GDF15. Collectively, our findings suggest that NR5A2 expression is induced by BRD4. In turn, NR5A2 activates the transcription of GDF15, promoting pancreatic cancer progression. Therefore, NR5A2 and GDF15 could be promising therapeutic targets in pancreatic cancer.

scholarly journals Combining in Vitro Diagnostics with in Vivo Imaging for Earlier Detection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Challenges and Solutions

Radiology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 277 (3) ◽  
pp. 644-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul F. Laeseke ◽  
Ru Chen ◽  
R. Brooke Jeffrey ◽  
Teresa A. Brentnall ◽  
Jürgen K. Willmann
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
In Vivo Imaging ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
In Vitro Diagnostics

scholarly journals Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Preclinical in vitro and ex vivo Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beate Gündel ◽  
Xinyuan Liu ◽  
Matthias Löhr ◽  
Rainer Heuchel
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
3D Cell Culture ◽  
Therapy Resistance ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
The Past ◽  
Slow Progress

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most overlooked cancers despite its dismal median survival time of 6 months. The biggest challenges in improving patient survival are late diagnosis due to lack of diagnostic markers, and limited treatment options due to almost complete therapy resistance. The past decades of research identified the dense stroma and the complex interplay/crosstalk between the cancer- and the different stromal cells as the main culprits for the slow progress in improving patient outcome. For better ex vivo simulation of this complex tumor microenvironment the models used in PDAC research likewise need to become more diverse. Depending on the focus of the investigation, several in vitro and in vivo models for PDAC have been established in the past years. Particularly, 3D cell culture such as spheroids and organoids have become more frequently used. This review aims to examine current PDAC in vitro models, their inherent limitations, and their successful implementations in research.

scholarly journals Positive Crosstalk Between Hedgehog and NF-κB Pathways Is Dependent on KRAS Mutation in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqiong Wang ◽  
Dan Wang ◽  
Yanmiao Dai ◽  
Xiangyu Kong ◽  
Xian Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Kras Mutation ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Hh Signaling

It has been shown that aberrant activation of the Hedgehog (Hh) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways plays an important role in the pancreatic carcinogenesis, and KRAS mutation is a hallmark of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Until now, the role of KRAS mutation in the context of crosstalk between Hh and NF-κB signaling pathways in PDAC has not been investigated. This study was to determine whether the crosstalk between the Hh and NF-κB pathways is dependent on KRAS mutation in PDAC. The correlation between Gli1, Shh, NF-κB p65 expression and KRAS mutation in PDAC tissues was firstly examined by immunohistochemistry. Next, Western blotting, qPCR, and immunofluorescence were conducted to examine the biological effects of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) as NF-κB signaling agonists, Shh as an Hh ligand alone or in combination with KRAS small interfering RNA (si-KRAS) in KRAS-mutant PDAC cells (MT-KRAS; SW1990 and Panc-1), wild-type KRAS PDAC cells (WT-KRAS; BxPC-3) and mutant KRAS knock-in BxPC-3 cells in vitro as well as tumor growth in vivo. KRAS mutation-dependent crosstalk between Hh and NF-κB in PDAC cells was further assessed by Ras activity and luciferase reporter assays. The aberrant Hh and NF-κB pathway activation was found in PDAC tissues with KRAS mutation. The same findings were confirmed in MT-KRAS PDAC cells and MT-KRAS knock-in BxPC-3 cells, whereas this activation was not observed in WT-KRAS PDAC cells. However, the activation was significantly down-regulated by KRAS silencing in MT-KRAS PDAC cells. Furthermore, MT-KRAS cancer cell proliferation and survival in vitro and tumor growth after inoculation with MT-KRAS cells in vivo were promoted by NF-κB and Hh signaling activation. The pivotal factor for co-activation of NF-κB and Hh signaling is MT-KRAS protein upregulation, showing that positive crosstalk between Hh and NF-κB pathways is dependent upon KRAS mutation in PDAC.

scholarly journals The ATR Inhibitor AZD6738 Synergizes with Gemcitabine In Vitro and In Vivo to Induce Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Regression

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 1670-1682 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yann Wallez ◽  
Charles R. Dunlop ◽  
Timothy Isaac Johnson ◽  
Siang-Boon Koh ◽  
Chiara Fornari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Combined SHP2 and ERK inhibition for the treatment of KRAS-driven Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katrin J Ciecielski ◽  
Antonio Mulero-Sanchez ◽  
Alexandra Berninger ◽  
Laura Ruiz Canas ◽  
Astrid Bosma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Tumor Regression ◽  
Mapk Pathway ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Ductal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Good Tolerability ◽  
Recent Emergence ◽  
Erk Inhibition

Mutant KRAS is present in over 90% of pancreatic as well as 30-40% of lung and colorectal cancers and is one of the most common oncogenic drivers. Despite decades of research and the recent emergence of isoform-specific KRASG12C-inhibitors, most mutant KRAS isoforms, including the ones frequently associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), cannot be targeted directly. Moreover, targeting single RAS downstream effectors induces adaptive mechanisms leading to tumor recurrence or resistance. We report here on the combined inhibition of SHP2, a non-receptor tyrosine phosphatase upstream of KRAS, and ERK, a serine/threonine kinase and a key molecule downstream of KRAS in PDAC. This combination shows synergistic anticancer activity in vitro, superior disruption of the MAPK pathway, and significantly increased apoptosis induction compared to single-agent treatments. In vivo, we demonstrate good tolerability and efficacy of the combination. Concurrent inhibition of SHP2 and ERK induces significant tumor regression in multiple PDAC mouse models. Finally, we show evidence that 18F-FDG PET scans can be used to detect and predict early drug responses in animal models. Based on these compelling results, we will investigate this drug combination in a clinical trial (SHERPA, SHP2 and ERK inhibition in pancreatic cancer, NCT04916236), enrolling patients with KRAS-mutant PDAC.

scholarly journals The polypeptide GALNT6 Displays Redundant Functions upon Suppression of its Closest Homolog GALNT3 in Mediating Aberrant O-Glycosylation, Associated with Ovarian Cancer Progression

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 2264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Razan Sheta ◽  
Magdalena Bachvarova ◽  
Elizabeth Macdonald ◽  
Stephane Gobeil ◽  
Barbara Vanderhyden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Functional Redundancy ◽  
Tumor Formation ◽  
Migration And Invasion ◽  
Gene Ablation

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) represents the most lethal gynecologic malignancy; a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with EOC etiology could substantially improve EOC management. Aberrant O-glycosylation in cancer is attributed to alteration of N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferases (GalNAc-Ts). Reports suggest a genetic and functional redundancy between GalNAc-Ts, and our previous data are indicative of an induction of GALNT6 expression upon GALNT3 suppression in EOC cells. We performed single GALNT3 and double GALNT3/T6 suppression in EOC cells, using a combination of the CRISPR-Cas9 system and shRNA-mediated gene silencing. The effect of single GALNT3 and double GALNT3/T6 inhibition was monitored both in vitro (on EOC cells roliferation, migration, and invasion) and in vivo (on tumor formation and survival of experimental animals). We confirmed that GALNT3 gene ablation leads to strong and rather compensatory GALNT6 upregulation in EOC cells. Moreover, double GALNT3/T6 suppression was significantly associated with stronger inhibitory effects on EOC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and accordingly displayed a significant increase in animal survival rates compared with GALNT3-ablated and control (Ctrl) EOC cells. Our data suggest a possible functional redundancy of GalNAc-Ts (GALNT3 and T6) in EOC, with the perspective of using both these enzymes as novel EOC biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets.

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