Re-expression of Cell Adhesion Molecule Inhibits Growth and Induces Apoptosis of Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line PANC-1

This study examined the expression of cell adhesion molecule 1 （CADM1） in pancreatic cancer and the possible mechanism. The expression of CADM 1 was detected by immunohistochemistry in tissues of pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, and normal pancreas. The plasmid pcDNA3.1-Hy- gro（＋）/CADM1 was transfected into PANC-1 cells （a pancreatic cancer cell line）. The expression of CADM1 in the transfected cells was determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell growth was measured by the MTT method and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry. The results showed that CADM1 was weakly expressed in tissues of pancreatic cancer in contrast to its high expression in normal pancreatic and pancreatitis tissues. The expression level of CADM in pancreatic caner was intensely correlated with the differentiation degree, lymph node metastasis and TNM stages. The growth of CADMl-transfected PANC-1 cells was significantly suppressed in vitro by a G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis occurrence. It was concluded that re-expression of CADM1 inhibits the growth of pancreatic cancer cells and induces their apoptosis in vitro. As a tumor suppressor gene, CADM1 plays an important role in the occurrence, progression and metastasis of pancreatic cancer.

Metastatic pancreatic and lung cancer patient in complete remission following immunotherapy: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is a lethal malignancy with dispiriting survival data.Immunotherapy is a promising approach to many cancer types,but achieves poor outcomes in advanced PDAC due to its immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.We describe a case of metastatic PDAC effectively treated with pembrolizumab.CASE SUMMARY We report the case of a 67-year-old woman with unresectable locally advanced PDAC,treated with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel followed by radiotherapy plus capecitabine.At nine months,pancreatic tumor progression was observed at the level of the hepatic hilum with the appearance of a new pulmonary nodule suggestive of a second primary,confirmed by left lung biopsy.Systemic immunotherapy was then initiated with pembrolizumab,an immune checkpoint inhibitor targeting programmed cell death protein-1 that covers the two tumor types.The patient showed a complete metabolic response that was maintained throughout the treatment.The patient continues to be disease-free at 5.6 years since the start of immunotherapy.CONCLUSION These results suggest that the administration of pembrolizumab after chemoradiotherapy has a beneficial effect in patients with metastatic PDAC.To our knowledge,this is the first reported case of a patient with metastatic PDAC and metastatic lung cancer showing such a long-lasting complete response after pembrolizumab treatment without curative surgery.Further studies are required to determine biomarkers that identify PDAC patients most likely to benefit from this immunotherapy.

Insulin Promotes Proliferative Vitality and Invasive Capability of Pancreatic Cancer Cells via Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α Pathway

This study examined whether insulin-stimulated hypoxia-inducible factor 1α(HIF-1α) expression plays a crucial role in promoting the proliferative vitality and invasive capability in human pancreatic cancer cells.PANC-1 cells were divided into three groups:Control group,insulin group and insulin+YC-1(a pharmacological inhibitor of HIF-1α) group in terms of different treatments.Cells in the insulin group or insulin+YC-1 group were treated with insulin(0.1,1,10 and 100 nmol/L) alone or combined with 3-(5’-hydroxymethyl-2’-furyl)-1-benzyl indazole(YC-1,0.1,1,10 and 100 μmol/L).HIF-1α mRNA and protein expression in PANC-1 cells was determined by real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively.Cell proliferation and invasion were measured by using growth curve and invasion assay,respectively.Western blot analysis demonstrated that insulin dose-dependently increased the HIF-1α protein expression,and YC-1 could dose-dependently block this effect.However,neither insulin nor YC-1 altered HIF-1α mRNA levels in PANC-1 cells.Moreover,insulin could enhance the proliferation and invasion of PANC-1 cells,while YC-1 could weaken this effect.It was concluded that the malignant proliferation and local invasion of pancreatic cancer cells may be related to high-insulin microenvironment.The tumor biological behavior change resulting from high-insulin microenvironment may be associated with the increased expression of HIF-1α protein.

乌苏酸对人胰腺癌细胞PANC-1增殖和凋亡的影响

目的探讨乌苏酸对人胰腺癌细胞PANC-1增殖、凋亡的影响。方法以1.25,2.5,5,10,25,50μmol/L乌苏酸培养PANC-1细胞24,48,72 h,采用四氮唑盐(MTT)法测定细胞活性。实验分为对照1组(等体积二甲基亚砜)及乌苏酸低、中、高剂量组(5,10,20μmol/L乌苏酸),显微镜下观察细胞形态,采用Western blot法检测磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K),磷酸化的蛋白激酶B(p-Akt),磷酸化哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白(p-m TOR),活化半胱氨酸蛋白酶3(Cleaved Caspase-3),B淋巴细胞瘤-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2关联X蛋白(Bax)的蛋白表达水平,采用细胞集落形成实验观察细胞增殖情况。实验分为对照2组(等体积二甲基亚砜)和乌苏酸组(10μmol/L乌苏酸),采用细胞划痕实验观察细胞培养48,72 h的迁移情况。利用分子对接实验模拟乌苏酸与PI3K和Akt2的相互作用。结果随着乌苏酸浓度的升高,PANC-1细胞活性逐渐减弱,24,48,72 h时的半数抑制浓度(IC50)分别为7.89,6.26,5.06μmol/L。与对照1组比较,乌苏酸各剂量组细胞逐渐失去原有形态,且随着浓度的增加,变形细胞数目随之增加,且细胞边界模糊不清;细胞数量显著减少(P<0.05);乌苏酸各剂量组细胞Cleaved Caspase-3、Bax蛋白的表达水平均显著升高,乌苏酸中、高剂量组细胞Bcl-2蛋白表达水平显著降低,乌苏酸各剂量组细胞p-m TOR,中、高剂量组细胞p-Akt,高剂量组细胞PI3K蛋白表达水平均显著降低(P<0.05)。与对照2组比较,乌苏酸组细胞48 h,72 h的迁移距离缩短。乌苏酸的乌苏烷型三萜类结构可进入PI3K与Akt2中的三磷酸腺苷(ATP)结合位点竞争性结合疏水口袋,从而影响PI3K和Akt2与ATP的结合,抑制其激活。结论乌苏酸可通过抑制PI3K/Akt/m TOR信号通路的激活而抑制PANC-1细胞的增殖,促进其凋亡。

Effects of ginsenoside Rh2 on growth and migration of pancreatic cancer cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rh2 on the human pancreatic cancer cell line Bxpc-3.METHODS:The human pancreatic cancer cell line Bxpc-3 was cultured in vitro and treated with or without ginsenoside Rh2.Growth rates for Bxpc-3 cells were assessed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) and colony formation assays.Cell cycle changes were analyzed by flow cytometry.Apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining.A scratch assay and a Matrigel invasion assay were used to detect cell migration and invasion.Expression of Bax,Bcl-2,survivin,cyclin D1,matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2,MMP-9,cleaved caspase-3,caspase-8,and caspase-9 mRNA were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Bax,Bcl-2,survivin,cyclin D1,cleaved caspase-3,caspase-8 and caspase-9 protein levels were examined by western blotting.Expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins in culture supernatants were determined by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).RESULTS:Rh2 significantly inhibited Bxpc-3 cell proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner,as evaluated by the MTT(P < 0.05) and colony formation assays(P < 0.05).Compared to the control group,Rh2 significantly increased the percentage of Bxpc-3 cells in the G 0 /G 1 phase from 43.32% ± 2.17% to 71.32% ± 1.16%,which was accompanied by a decrease in S phase(from 50.86% ± 1.29% to 28.48% ± 1.18%) and G 2 /M phase(from 5.81% ± 1.19% to 0.20% ± 0.05%) in a dose-dependent manner(P < 0.05),suggesting that Rh2 arrested cell cycle progression at the G 0 /G 1 phase,as measured by flow cytometry.Compared to the control group,cells treated with Rh2 showed significantly higher apoptosis ratios in a dosedependent manner(percentage of early apoptotic cells:from 5.29% ± 2.28% to 38.90% ± 3.42%(F = 56.20,P < 0.05);percentage of late apoptotic cells:from 4.58% ± 1.42% to 36.32% ± 2.73%(F = 86.70,P < 0.05).Rh2 inhibited Bxpc-3 cell migration and invasion,as detected by scratch wound healing assay and Matrigel invasion assay [percentages of scratch wound healing for 12 h,24 h and 48 h(control vs experimental group):37.3% ± 4.8%vs 18.30% ± 1.65%,58.7% ± 3.5% vs 38.00% ± 4.09% and 93.83% ± 4.65% vs 65.50% ± 4.09%,respectively;t = 6.489,t = 6.656 and t = 7.926,respectively,P < 0.05;the number of cells invading at various concentrations(0 μmol/L,35 μmol/L,45 μmol/L and 55 μmol/L):81.10 ± 9.55,46.40 ± 6.95,24.70 ± 6.88 and 8.70 ± 3.34,respectively(F = 502.713,P < 0.05)].RT-PCR,western blotting or ELISA showed that mRNA and protein expression of Bax,cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9 were upregulated(P < 0.05),while mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2,survivin,cyclin D1,MMP-2 and MMP-9 were downregulated(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION:Ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits proliferation,migration and invasion and induces apoptosis of the human pancreatic cancer cell line Bxpc-3.

New insights into pancreatic cancer stem cells

Pancreatic cancer(PC) has been one of the deadliest of all cancers, with almost uniform lethality despite aggressive treatment. Recently, there have been important advances in the molecular, pathological and biological understandingof pancreatic cancer. Even after the emergence of recent new targeted agents and the use of multiple therapeutic combinations, no treatment option is viable in patients with advanced cancer. Developing novel strategies to target progression of PC is of intense interest. A small population of pancreatic cancer stem cells(CSCs) has been found to be resistant to chemotherapy and radiation therapy. CSCs are believed to be responsible for tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. The CSC research has recently achieved much progress in a variety of solid tumors, including pancreatic cancer to some extent. This leads to focus on understanding the role of pancreatic CSCs. The focus on CSCs may offer new targets for prevention and treatment of this deadly cancer. We review the most salient developments in important areas of pancreatic CSCs. Here, we provide a review of current updates and new insights on the role of CSCs in pancreatic tumor progression with special emphasis on Dcl K1 and Lgr5, signaling pathways altered by CSCs, and the role of CSCs in prevention and treatment of PC.

Tetracycline-inducible protein expression in pancreatic cancer cells: Effects of CapG overexpression

AIM: To establish stable tetracycline-inducible pancreatic cancer cell lines. METHODS: Suit-2, MiaPaca-2, and Panc-1 cells were transfected with a second generation reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator protein (rtTA2S-M2), under the control of either a cytomegalovirus (CMV) or a chicken β-actin promoter, and the resulting clones were characterised.RESULTS: Use of the chicken (β-actin) promoter proved superior for both the production and maintenance of doxycycline-inducible cell lines. The system proved versatile, enabling transient inducible expression of a variety of genes, including GST-P, CYP2E1, S100A6, and the actin capping protein, CapG. To determine the physiological utility of this system in pancreatic cancer cells, stable inducible CapG expressors were established. Overexpressed CapG was localised to the cytoplasm and the nuclear membrane, but was not observed in the nucleus. High CapG levels were associated with enhanced motility, but not with changes to the cell cycle, or cellular proliferation. In CapG-overexpressing cells, the levels and phosphorylation status of other actin-moduating proteins (Cofilin and Ezrin/Radixin) were not altered. However, preliminary analyses suggest that the levels of other cellular proteins, such as ornithine aminotransferase and enolase, are altered upon CapG induction. CONCLUSION: We have generated pancreatic-cancer derived cell lines in which gene expression is fully controllable.

Effects of adenoviral vector-mediated transduction of human p53,B7-1 and GM-CSF genes on liver cancer cells

The potential efficacy and clinical feasibility of gene therapy for liver cancer were tested through therecombinant adenovirus-mediated (Ad-multigenes ) co-transfer of human wild-type p53, B7-l co-stimulation(CD8o) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) genes into human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. The treated cells underwent apoptosis with specific DNA fragmentation and became more sensitiveto cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic drug. Their growth was partly inhibited. Efficient proliferation and generation ofCTLs and cytokine production were induced in mixed lymphocytes through tumor cell reaction (MLTR) using peripheral blood T lymphocytes from donors as effector cells and Ad-multigenes or Ad-p53-transfected human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2 or BEL7402) as stimulator cells. Ad-multigenes-transfected rat carcinosarcomaWalker 256 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into normal rats. Fourteen days later, the activity of spleen cellsin rats inoculated with Ad-multigenes-transduced Walker 256 cells was higher than that in Ad-p53-transducedones. These findings suggest that adenovirus-mediated multigenes p53, B7-1 and GM-CSF can induce apoptosis ofliver cancer cells and initiate a potent antitumor immune response against them.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression level and combined positive score can evaluate efficacy of advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Although treatment options for gastric cancer(GC)continue to advance,the overall prognosis for patients with GC remains poor.At present,the predictors of treatment efficacy remain controversial except for high microsatellite instability.AIM To develop methods to identify groups of patients with GC who would benefit the most from receiving the combination of a programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)inhibitor and chemotherapy.METHODS We acquired data from 63 patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)-negative GC with a histological diagnosis of GC at the Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between November 2020 and October 2022.All of the patients screened received a PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy as the first-line treatment.RESULTS As of July 1,2023,the objective response rate was 61.9%,and the disease control rate was 96.8%.The median progression-free survival(mPFS)for all patients was 6.3 months.The median overall survival was not achieved.Survival analysis showed that patients with a combined positive score(CPS)≥1 exhibited an extended trend in progression-free survival(PFS)when compared to patients with a CPS of 0 after receiving a PD-1 inhibitor combined with oxaliplatin and tegafur as the first-line treatment.PFS exhibited a trend for prolongation as the expression level of HER2 increased.Based on PFS,we divided patients into two groups:A treatment group with excellent efficacy and a treatment group with poor efficacy.The mPFS of the excellent efficacy group was 8 months,with a mPFS of 9.1 months after excluding a cohort of patients who received interrupted therapy due to surgery.The mPFS was 4.5 months in patients in the group with poor efficacy who did not receive surgery.Using good/poor efficacy as the endpoint of our study,univariate analysis revealed that both CPS score(P=0.004)and HER2 expression level(P=0.015)were both factors that exerted significant influence on the efficacy of treatment the combination of a PD-1 inhibitor and chemotherapy in patients with advanced GC(AGC).Finally,multivariate analysis confirmed that CPS score was a significant influencing factor.CONCLUSION CPS score and HER2 expression both impacted the efficacy of immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy in AGC patients who were non-positive for HER2.

KAI1 inhibits HGF-induced invasion of pancreatic cancer by sphingosine kinase activity

BACKGROUND:KAI1/CD82 has been reported to attenuate the process of metastases in a variety of tumors;however,its mechanism of action in invasion has not been fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the importance of KAI1 in invasion and its correlation with activation of sphingosine kinase(SPK)in human pancreatic cancer PANC1 and Miapaca-2 cell lines. METHODS:The expression of KAI1 in PANC1 and Miapaca-2 cells,which was mediated by recombinant adenovirus(Ad-KAI1), was assessed by a flow cytometer and Western blotting.After successful infection was established,in vitro growth curve and invasive ability in Boyden Chamber assay were studied.The presence of KAI1 correlating with c-Met and SPK was detected by co-immunoprecipitation and[γ-32P]ATP incorporation. RESULTS:KAI1 genes had no significant effects on the curve representing cell growth.After infection with the KAI1 gene,decreased invasive ability in the Boyden Chamber assay was observed in PANC1 and Miapaca-2 cells that were induced by hepatocyte growth factor.Over-expression of KAI1 in the cells led to the deactivation of SPK and a decreased level of intracellular sphingosine-1-phosphate.No correlation was observed between c-Met and KAI1 during co-immunoprecipitation. CONCLUSION:The results of this study for the first time demonstrated a regulatory role for KAI1 in SPK activation, which leads to decreased invasive ability in disease progression of human pancreatic cancer.

Targeting tight junctions during epithelial to mesenchymal transition in human pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer continues to be a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and there is an urgent need to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to reduce the mortality of patients with this disease. In pancreatic cancer, some tight junction proteins, including claudins, are abnormally regulated and therefore are promising molecular targets for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy. Claudin-4 and-18 are overexpressed in human pancreatic cancer and its precursor lesions. Claudin-4 is a high affinity receptor of Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin(CPE). The cytotoxic effects of CPE and monoclonal antibodies against claudin-4 are useful as novel therapeutic tools for pancreatic cancer. Claudin-18 could be a putative marker and therapeutic target with prognostic implications for patients with pancreatic cancer. Claudin-1,-7, tricellulin and marvelD3 are involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT) of pancreatic cancer cells and thus might be useful as biomarkers during disease. Protein kinase C is closely related to EMT of pancreatic cancer and regulates tight junctions of normal human pancreatic duct epithelial cells and the cancer cells. This review focuses on the regulation of tight junctions via protein kinase C during EMT in human pancreatic cancer for the purpose of developing new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for pancreatic cancer.

SOX7靶向ERK1/2/PD-L1通路抑制结直肠癌血管生成

目的探讨性别决定区Y框蛋白7(SOX7)对结直肠癌血管生成的影响及潜在作用机制。方法应用免疫荧光检测结直肠癌患者组织样本中SOX7表达水平,之后通过裸鼠、转染SOX7 mimic的人结直肠癌细胞系SW480细胞和人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)共培养进一步研究。用Western-blot验证SOX7与ERK1/2/PD-L1对结直肠癌细胞的相关蛋白表达的影响。用CCK8检测SOX7与ERK1/2/PD-L1对HUVEC增殖的影响。通过体外内皮细胞成管实验测定SOX7与ERK1/2/PD-L1对肿瘤血管生成的影响。结果SOX7在人结直肠癌组织中表达被抑制(P<0.01),同时SOX7的过表达抑制了小鼠体内肿瘤生长(P<0.01)。SW480细胞中SOX7的过表达抑制了ERK1/2、c-Jun的表达,并在ERK1/2的激动剂Senkyunolide I的作用下上调了SW480细胞的ERK1/2、c-Jun蛋白表达(P<0.01),逆转了SOX7对SW480细胞中ERK1/2、c-Jun蛋白表达的影响(P<0.01)。HUVEC中SOX7抑制了PD-L1、V-EGFR2、p-PI3K、HIF-1α的蛋白表达,Senkyunolide I上调了HUVEC的PD-L1、V-EGFR2、p-PI3K、HIF-1α的蛋白表达,并逆转了SOX7对HUVEC中上述相关蛋白表达的影响(P<0.01)。PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor 3抑制了PD-L1、V-EGFR2、p-PI3K、HIF-1α的蛋白表达,SOX7过表达在PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor 3的影响下并没有表现出抑制作用。CCK8实验结果显示SOX7过表达显著抑制了HUVEC的增殖能力,Senkyunolide I作用下的两组HUVEC增殖能力较SOX7 NC组与SOX7 mimic组明显上升,PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor 3作用下的两组HUVEC增殖能力较SOX7 NC组与SOX7 mimic组明显下降,以上均有明显统计学差异(P<0.01)。成管实验结果显示SOX7过表达抑制了HUVEC的血管生成,Senkyunolide I强烈加速了血管生成,而PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor 3血管生成则被显著抑制,以上均有明显统计学差异(P<0.01)。结论SOX7通过ERK1/2/PD-L1通路抑制结直肠肿瘤的增殖和血管生成,SOX7可能是晚期CRC患者临床治疗中潜在的抗血管生成靶点。

Immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer:Unleash its potential through novel combinations

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer mortality in both men and women in the United States,with poor response to current standard of care,short progression-free and overall survival.Immunotherapies that target cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4,programmed cell death protein-1,and programmed death-ligand 1 checkpoints have shown remarkable activities in several cancers such as melanoma,renal cell carcinoma,and nonsmall cell lung cancer due to high numbers of somatic mutations,combined with cytotoxic T-cell responses.However,single checkpoint blockade was ineffective in pancreatic cancer,highlighting the challenges including the poor antigenicity,a dense desmoplastic stroma,and a largely immunosuppressive microenvironment.In this review,we will summarize available clinical results and ongoing efforts of combining immune checkpoint therapies with other treatment modalities such as chemotherapy,radiotherapy,and targeted therapy.These combination therapies hold promise in unleashing the potential of immunotherapy in pancreatic cancer to achieve better and more durable clinical responses by enhancing cytotoxic T-cell responses.

CXXC4调控胰腺癌PANC-1细胞迁移和侵袭的实验研究

目的探究CXXC指蛋白4(CXXC4)对胰腺癌PANC-1细胞迁移、侵袭及上皮-间充质转化(EMT)进程的影响。方法组织芯片免疫组织化学染色实验检测14份癌旁胰腺组织和87份胰腺癌组织中CXXC4表达情况。采用免疫荧光实验检测人正常胰腺导管上皮细胞HPNE及人胰腺癌细胞PANC-1、AsPC-1和BxPC-3中CXXC4蛋白的表达水平。采用Western blot实验检测CXXC4敲降和过表达的转染有效性,划痕和Transwell实验分析敲降或过表达CXXC4对PANC-1细胞迁移、侵袭的影响。采用Western blot和免疫荧光实验检测细胞EMT标志物E-cadherin、Vimentin和ZEB2的表达水平。通过STRING网站预测与CXCC4有相互作用的蛋白,筛选出的蛋白进行GO和KEGG富集分析。结果免疫组化分析结果表明,CXXC4在胰腺癌组织中的表达水平低于癌旁胰腺组织(P<0.05)。免疫荧光实验结果显示,与HPNE细胞相比,CXXC4在PANC-1、AsPC-1和BxPC-3中的荧光强度均显著降低(均P<0.05)。划痕和Transwell实验结果显示,与si-NC组相比,si-CXXC4组PANC-1细胞迁移和侵袭能力增强(P<0.05);与pcDNA3.1组相比,pcDNA3.1-CXXC4组PANC-1细胞迁移和侵袭能力减弱(P<0.05)。Western blot和免疫荧光实验结果显示,与si-NC组(结果标准化为1)相比,si-CXXC4组PANC-1细胞上皮样细胞标志物E-cadherin蛋白表达(0.48±0.10)降低(P<0.05),而间充质样标志物Vimentin(1.42±0.06)和ZEB2(1.86±0.06)的表达升高(P<0.05);与pcDNA3.1组(结果标准化为1)相比,pcDNA3.1-CXXC4组PANC-1细胞上皮样细胞标志物E-cadherin蛋白表达(2.21±0.42)升高(P<0.05),而间充质样标志物Vimentin(0.54±0.05)和ZEB2(0.39±0.02)蛋白表达降低(P<0.05)。STRING网站预测出9个蛋白与CXXC4有密切的作用。结论CXXC4抑制胰腺癌PANC-1细胞迁移、侵袭及EMT进程。

Doublecortin and CaM kinase-like-1 as an independent prognostic factor in patients with resected pancreatic carcinoma

AIM To elucidate the effect of expression of doublecortin and Ca M kinase-like-1(DCLK1) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC). METHODS Tumor specimens were obtained from 136 patients with pancreatic cancer who had undergone resection without preoperative therapy between January 2000 and December 2013 at the Department of Surgical Oncology, Osaka City University. The resected specimens were analyzed for associations with clinicopathological data, including DCLK1 expression, epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT) marker expression, and cancer stem cell(CSC) marker expression. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed and we assessed the association between DCLK1 expression and clinicopathological factors, including the EMT marker and CSC marker.RESULTS In total, 48.5%(66/136) of the pancreatic cancer samples were positive for DCLK1. Patients with DCLK1-positive tumors had significantly shorter survival times than those with DCLK1-negative tumors(median, 18.7 mo vs 49.5 mo, respectively; P < 0.0001). Positive DCLK1 expression correlated with histological grade(P = 0.0290), preoperative CA19-9 level(P = 0.0060), epithelial cell adhesion molecule(Ep CAM) expression(P = 0.0235), and the triple-positive expression of CD44/CD24/Ep CAM(P = 0.0139). On univariate survival analysis, five factors were significantly associated with worse overall survival: histological grade of G2 to G4(P = 0.0091), high preoperative serum SPan-1 level(P = 0.0034), R1/2(P < 0.0001), positive expression of DCLK1(P < 0.0001) or CD44(P = 0.0245). On multivariate survival analysis, R1/2 [odds ratio(OR) = 2.019, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.380-2.933; P = 0.0004] and positive DCLK1 expression(OR = 1.848, 95%CI: 1.2854-2.661; P = 0.0009) were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION DCLK1 expression was found to be an independent prognostic factor and it may play a crucial prognostic role by promoting acquisition of stemness.

miR-106a通过调控PI3K/PDK1/AKT蛋白通路调节胃癌细胞生物学行为的研究

目的探讨miR-106a对胃癌细胞生物学行为的影响及其作用机制。方法选取AGS人胃癌细胞系,经培养后分为27个样本。所有样本随机分为miR-106a inhibitor、miR-mimic、miR-NC共计3组,分别给予miR-106a抑制剂、miR-106a模拟物及安慰剂干预。观察各组细胞存活率、细胞周期、细胞侵袭、迁移及caspase活性、Bax、Bcl-2、Casepase-3蛋白相对表达量、p85β、p-PDK1、p-AKT蛋白相对表达量。结果与miR-NC组比较,miR-106a inhibitor组AGS细胞活性降低[(分别为15.01±0.97)、(69.82±2.31)%](P<0.01);miR-106a mimics组AGS细胞G0/G1期细胞比例降低(P<0.05)(分别为17.33±1.04、58.24±0.82),G2/M和S期细胞比例升高(分别为50.11±1.12、35.64±1.07和31.56±0.92、9.24±0.25);miR-106a inhibitor组AGS细胞G0/G1期细胞比例升高(分别为78.43±1.12、58.24±0.82)(P<0.05),G2/M和S期细胞比例降低(分别为33.65±0.99、35.64±1.07和19.78±0.84、9.24±0.25)(P<0.01)。与miR-NC相比,miR-106a mimics组AGS细胞的迁移、侵袭能力增强,miR-106a inhibitor组AGS细胞的迁移、侵袭能力减弱(P<0.01);与miR-NC相比,miR-106a mimics组AGS细胞caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9活性降低,miR-106a inhibitor组AGS细胞caspase-3、caspase-8、caspase-9活性升高(P<0.05);miR-NC相比,miR-106a mimics组AGS细胞Bax(分别为0.69±0.07、1.48±0.15)、Casepase-3蛋白(分别为0.37±0.04、0.91±0.09)相对表达量降低,Bcl-2蛋白相对表达量升高(分别为1.53±0.12、0.94±0.09),miR-106a inhibitor组AGS细胞Bax(分别为2.07±0.21、1.48±0.15)、Casepase-3蛋白(分别为1.23±0.12、0.91±0.09)相对表达量升高,Bcl-2蛋白相对表达量降低(P<0.05)(分别为0.65±0.07、0.94±0.09);与miR-NC相比,miR-106a mimics组AGS细胞p85β(分别为1.24±0.12、0.94±0.09)、p-PDK1(分别为2.13±0.23、1.01±0.10)、p-AKT蛋白(分别为1.14±0.11、0.72±0.06)相对表达量升高,miR-106a inhibitor组AGS细胞p85β(分别为0.69±0.07、0.94±0.09)、p-PDK1(分别为0.75±0.07、1.01±0.10)、p-AKT(分别为0.53±0.05、0.72±0.06)相对表达量降低(P<0.05)。结论miRNA-106a表达能通过调控宫颈癌细胞PI3K/PDK1/AKT蛋白通路调控其细胞生物学行为,包括降低癌细胞活力、迁移和侵袭,诱导癌细胞细胞周期停滞,抑制miRNA-106a表达可能是胃癌患者治疗的新靶点之一。

Pathophysiological roles of Pim-3 kinase in pancreatic cancer development and progression

Pim-3 is a member of the provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus(Pim)family proteins that exhibit serine/threonine kinase activity.Similar to the other Pim kinases(Pim-1 and Pim-2),Pim-3 is involved in many cellular processes,including cell proliferation,survival,and protein synthesis.Although Pim-3is expressed in normal vital organs,it is overexpressed particularly in tumor tissues of endoderm-derived organs,including the liver,pancreas,and colon.Silencing of Pim-3 expression can retard in vitro cell proliferation of hepatocellular,pancreatic,and colon carcinoma cell lines by promoting cell apoptosis.Pim-3 lacks the regulatory domains similarly as Pim-1 and Pim-2 lack,and therefore,Pim-3 can exhibit its kinase activity once it is expressed.Pim-3 expression is regulated at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels by transcription factors(e.g.,Ets-1)and post-translational modifiers(e.g.,translationally-controlled tumor protein),respectively.Pim-3 could promote growth and angiogenesis of human pancreatic cancer cells in vivo in an orthotopic nude mouse model.Furthermore,a Pim-3 kinase inhibitor inhibited cell proliferation when human pancreatic cancer cells were injected into nude mice,without inducing any major adverse effects.Thus,Pim-3 kinase may serve as a novel molecular target for developing targeting drugs against pancreatic and other types of cancer.

重组人血管内皮抑制素联合程序性细胞死亡蛋白1抑制剂治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的效果及安全性分析

目的探讨持续静脉泵入重组人血管内皮抑制素联合程序性细胞死亡蛋白1(PD-1)抑制剂治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)的临床效果及安全性。方法回顾性选取2020年1月至2022年1月于中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九八〇医院接受治疗的晚期NSCLC患者90例,根据治疗方案不同分为A、B、C组,各30例。A组选用PD-1抑制剂+重组人血管内皮抑制素注射液+含铂两药的治疗方案;B组选用PD-1抑制剂+含铂两药的治疗方案;C组选用重组人血管内皮抑制素注射液+含铂两药的治疗方案。主要研究终点为客观缓解率(ORR)及无进展生存期(PFS),次要研究终点为疾病控制率(DCR)及安全性。结果3组ORR、DCR比较差异均有统计学意义(P=0.039、0.018),其中A组ORR、DCR[50.0%(15/30)、83.3%(25/30)]均最高。A、B、C组中位PFS分别为7.4、5.6、5.7个月,3组PFS比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。多因素Cox回归模型分析结果显示性别、表皮生长因子受体突变及转移器官数量是影响晚期NSCLC患者PFS的危险因素(均P<0.05)。A组发生不良反应总计55例次,其中严重不良反应(3~4级)4例。B组发生不良反应总计54例次,其中严重不良反应(3~4级)4例。C组发生不良反应总计51例次,其中严重不良反应(3~4级)2例。结论重组人血管内皮抑制素联合PD-1抑制剂治疗晚期NSCLC显现出了良好的临床效果,且不良反应相对可控。

The establishment of pancreatic islet isolation in India-an update on human pancreatic islet transplantation

Background:Diabetes is a widespread disease with increasing prevalence.Transplantation of islets of Langerhans is a viable treatment for a selected group of patients with repeated hypoglycemic episodes in type 1 diabetes.The countries where islet transplantation has not been explored suffer from insufficient knowledge concerning key elements of the isolation process.Donor and organ procurement parameters impact human islet yield,although for research purposes,islet yield may be secondary in importance to islet function.This paper will analyze the feasibility of research-only human islet isolation and signify parameters underlying a successful yield in the Indian population.This eventually can make islet transplantation a clinical reality in India.Method:After receiving the consent for procuring brain-dead pancreas from the first-degree of relatives,samples were collected and transported in a transportation buffer at 4℃.The procedure consists of a mechanically enhanced enzymatic digestion of the pancreas,after which it was taken for purification using Ficoll method,followed by islet quality testing.Results:Through 15 isolations done over a span of approximately 2 years during the COVID pandemic in India,we confirm that ischemic time and glycated hemoglobin,each have a negative impact on isolation purity and yield.Notably,extending cold ischemic tim beyond the typical clinical isolation cutoff of 12 hours(to≥18 h)had a huge impact on islet function and yield.Age had a negative correlation with islet yield;however other biological parameters(specifically body mass index)and isolation variables appear to make a significant contribution to the heterogeneity of human islet yield.Our current work demonstrates the feasibility of extending acceptable cold ischemic time for research-focused human islet isolation and highlights the biological variation in isolation of human islets from donors with and without diabetes.Conclusion:India requires establishment of an islet transplant program using the current standard methods of“islet isolation”and donor program and process.Research should focus on improving standards in the islet preparation process to increase the number of successful preparations,shorten the isolation time,and increase patient safety so that the theoretical risk involved can become a practical reality.

龙胆苦苷对人胰腺癌细胞PANC-1凋亡及IL-6/JAK2/STAT3信号通路的影响

目的:研究龙胆苦苷对人胰腺癌细胞PANC-1凋亡的影响,并从白细胞介素6(IL-6)/Janus激酶2(JAK2)/信号转导与转录激活因子3(STAT3)信号通路角度研究其作用机制。方法:以PANC-1细胞为研究模型,采用MTT法测定0(阴性对照)、2、4、8、16、32、64、128 mg/L龙胆苦苷作用于细胞72 h后的增殖抑制率,并计算其半数抑制浓度(IC50)。分别将细胞分为阴性对照组、吉西他滨组(阳性对照,4 mg/L)和龙胆苦苷低、中、高浓度组(15、30、60 mg/L)。分别于培养1、3、5、7 d后,采用台盼蓝拒染法进行活细胞计数,考察各组细胞的生长情况;培养72 h后,采用克隆形成试验考察细胞的克隆形成率,采用Hoechst 33258染色法检测细胞凋亡率,采用逆转录-聚合酶链式反应法和Western blotting法分别测定细胞中IL-6、JAK2、STAT3 mRNA及其蛋白表达水平。结果:4~28 mg/L龙胆苦苷均可显著抑制细胞的增殖(P<0.05或P<0.01),并具有一定的浓度依赖性趋势,IC50为9.54 mg/L。与阴性对照组比较,吉西他滨组和龙胆苦苷中、高浓度组活细胞计数(作用3、5、7 d)和细胞中IL-6、JAK2、STAT3 mRNA及其蛋白表达水平均显著降低(P<0.05或P<0.01),细胞凋亡率均显著升高(P<0.01);吉西他滨组和龙胆苦苷高浓度组细胞的克隆形成率均显著降低(P<0.01)。与吉西他滨组比较,龙胆苦苷高浓度组细胞中上述指标水平差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:30、60 mg/L龙胆苦苷可显著抑制PANC-1细胞的增殖、诱导其凋亡,60 mg/L龙胆苦苷的作用与吉西他滨相当;其作用机制可能与抑制细胞中IL-6/JAK2/STAT3信号通路的激活有关。