Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ziqiang Liu, Jiacheng Lai, Heng Jiang, Chengyuan Ma, Haiyan Huang
Summary: COL11A1 is upregulated in various cancers and is associated with tumor progression, poor prognosis, angiogenesis, invasion, and drug resistance. While the specific mechanism by which COL11A1 regulates tumor progression remains unclear, it shows potential as a target for cancer treatment.
Article
Cell Biology
Hao Wang, Xiaowei Zhang, Chunfeng Liu, Shengfu Chen, Xinyang Liu, Shangrong Fan
Summary: This study found that TAGLN2 expression was downregulated in the placenta of patients with preeclampsia (PE), and lack of TAGLN2 resulted in reduced migration, invasion, and fusion ability of trophoblasts. It was demonstrated that TAGLN2 directly binds to E-cadherin and regulates trophoblast function by affecting E-cadherin cleavage. The study also showed that a decrease in soluble E-cadherin may affect blood vessel formation and normal placental development. Furthermore, a mouse model provided additional evidence of TAGLN2 involvement in PE development.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Rafaela-Maria Kavasi, Monica Neagu, Carolina Constantin, Adriana Munteanu, Mihaela Surcel, Aristidis Tsatsakis, George N. Tzanakakis, Dragana Nikitovic
Summary: This article discusses the structural and functional modulations of the keratinocyte carcinoma microenvironment, focusing on the extracellular matrix (ECM) and its role in the pathogenesis of skin cancer.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Natasha S. Clayton, Millie Fox, Jose J. Vicente-Garcia, Courtney M. Schroeder, Trevor D. Littlewood, Jonathon Wilde, Kadalmani Krishnan, Murray J. B. Brown, Claire Crafter, Helen R. Mott, Darerca Owen
Summary: Activated Cdc42-associated kinase (ACK) phosphorylates PI3K regulatory subunits, promoting cell proliferation. ACK interacts with p85 alpha in nuclear-enriched cell fractions, facilitating dimerization of the regulatory subunits.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Cian Gavin, Nele Geerts, Brenton Cavanagh, Meagan Haynes, C. Patrick Reynolds, Daniela Loessner, Andrew J. Ewald, Olga Piskareva
Summary: Paediatric cancer research, especially in neuroblastoma, lacks preclinical models of metastasis. This study developed a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) and cell line-based organoid model to understand the molecular mechanisms of neuroblastoma metastasis. The ECM composition influenced the growth, viability, and invasion of organoids, with PDX-derived organoids showing various invasion phenotypes dependent on the microenvironment. Real-time imaging and 3D culture assays will help elucidate the molecular mechanisms controlling neuroblastoma invasion.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chang Liu, Michael Mak
Summary: Research shows that fibroblasts can increase the motility of tumor cells and facilitate the transition of tumor cells from confined to diffusive motion. When coexisting with fibroblasts, the ECM undergoes substantial global and local remodeling. These phenomena are partly dependent on matrix metalloproteinases.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Andrew Y. Wang, Nuno M. Coelho, Pamma D. Arora, Yongqiang Wang, Denise Eymael, Chenfan Ji, Qin Wang, Wilson Lee, Jessica Xu, Andras Kapus, Karina M. M. Carneiro, Christopher A. McCulloch
Summary: Fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of densely packed collagen fibrils, which hampers organ structure and function. A key player in collagen-rich lesions is the discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1), which is associated with increased collagen compaction through Ca2+-dependent nonmuscle myosin IIA (NMIIA). This study reveals a functional relationship between DDR1 and the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) channel, showing that DDR1 regulates Ca2+ influx through TRPV4 to promote critical processes involved in collagen compaction and alignment in fibrotic lesions.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Elina A. Pietilae, Jordi Gonzalez-Molina, Lidia Moyano-Galceran, Sanaz Jamalzadeh, Kaiyang Zhang, Laura Lehtinen, S. Pauliina Turunen, Tomas A. Martins, Okan Gultekin, Tarja Lamminen, Katja Kaipio, Ulrika Joneborg, Johanna Hynninen, Sakari Hietanen, Seija Grenman, Rainer Lehtonen, Sampsa Hautaniemi, Olli Carpen, Joseph W. Carlson, Kaisa Lehti
Summary: The study reveals that platinum chemotherapy enhances resistance by changing cancer cell adhesion signaling and ECM. The heterogeneity of fibrotic ECM in primary tumors and metastatic sites of HGSC before and after chemotherapy provides insights into cancer aggressiveness and potential treatment strategies. The upregulation of COL6 in metastatic HGSCs post-chemotherapy contributes to resistance and relapse, highlighting the importance of targeting the ECM pathway for therapeutic intervention.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Szuszkiewicz, Kamil Myszczynski, Zaneta P. Reliszko, Yael Heifetz, Monika M. Kaczmarek
Summary: Research has shown that during early pregnancy, communication between the embryo and uterus occurs through the exchange of extracellular vesicles carrying miRNAs. These vesicles impact embryonic development and trophoblast cell function and interactions, playing a crucial role in successful embryo implantation and pregnancy.
Article
Oncology
Joana Figueiredo, Rui M. Ferreira, Han Xu, Margarida Goncalves, Andre Barros-Carvalho, Janine Cravo, Andre F. Maia, Patricia Carneiro, Ceu Figueiredo, Michael L. Smith, Dimitrije Stamenovic, Eurico Morais-de-Sa, Raquel Seruca
Summary: Research has shown that mutations in E-cadherin lead to abnormal interactions of cells with specific ECM components, resulting in increased traction forces and activation of Integrin beta 1, which promotes cell scattering and invasion. This crosstalk between E-cadherin and Integrin beta 1 is validated in Drosophila models and human gastric carcinomas, where low E-cadherin and high Integrin beta 1 levels are associated with increased tumour grade and poor survival. Integrin beta 1 is identified as a key mediator of invasion in carcinomas with E-cadherin impairment and a biomarker of poor prognosis in gastric cancer.
Article
Cell Biology
Yuanyuan Qu, Zhenmei Yao, Ning Xu, Guohai Shi, Jiaqi Su, Shiqi Ye, Kun Chang, Kai Li, Yunzhi Wang, Subei Tan, Xiaoru Pei, Yijiao Chen, Zhaoyu Qin, Jinwen Feng, Jiacheng Lv, Jiajun Zhu, Fahan Ma, Shaoshuai Tang, Wenhao Xu, Xi Tian, Aihetaimujiang Anwaier, Sha Tian, Wenbo Xu, Xinqiang Wu, Shuxuan Zhu, Yu Zhu, Dalong Cao, Menghong Sun, Hualei Gan, Jianyuan Zhao, Hailiang Zhang, Dingwei Ye, Chen Ding
Summary: This study investigates the plasma proteomic profile of UTUC patients and identifies potential biomarkers for disease monitoring. A protein panel reflecting lymph node metastasis and a classifier predicting progression-free survival of UTUC patients are discovered. The signature proteins are further validated in an independent cohort. The study provides a valuable resource for further research in UTUC.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Apoorva Uboveja, Yatendra Kumar Satija, Fouzia Siraj, Daman Saluja
Summary: p73 induces the expression of lncRNA FER1L4 in response to genotoxic stress, which plays a crucial role in metastasis suppression and cell-cycle arrest. FER1L4 regulates cell cycle by modulating miR-1273g-3p and PTEN, and both p73 and FER1L4 are down-regulated in metastatic colon cancer.
Article
Oncology
Yong-Yu Yang, Rong-Rong Deng, Zhuo Chen, Liang-Yuan Yao, Xi-Ding Yang, Da-Xiong Xiang
Summary: The study showed that PF can inhibit high glucose-induced mesangial cell injury, reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines and the activation of NF-kappa B, decrease the expression levels of fibronectin and collagen 4A1, and exert its effects by inhibiting p66(Shc).
MOLECULAR MEDICINE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Chia-Yi Su, Alice Burchett, Matthew Dunworth, Jong Seob Choi, Andrew J. Ewald, Eun Hyun Ahn, Deok-Ho Kim
Summary: A new 3D tumor model has been developed to recapitulate the response of tumors to different ECM structures and simulate tumor invasion through guided fiber alignment. This model provides a new tool for studying collective tumor invasion and holds potential for discovering therapeutic agents targeted against cancer invasion.
Article
Oncology
Jamie L. Null, Dae Joong Kim, V. James McCann, Patcharin Pramoonjago, Jay W. Fox, Jianhao Zeng, Pankaj Kumar, Lincy Edatt, Chad Pecot, Andrew C. Dudley
Summary: Cancer cell dissemination to sentinel lymph nodes is associated with poor patient outcomes, particularly in breast cancer. The process by which cancer cells egress from the primary tumor upon interfacing with the lymphatic vasculature is complex and driven by dynamic interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells, includ-ing cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF).
Letter
Urology & Nephrology
Soichiro Yoshida, Hisashi Matsushima, Yasuhisa Fujii
WORLD JOURNAL OF UROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Shumpei Yamamoto, Hiroshi Fukushima, Shohei Fukuda, Sho Uehara, Yosuke Yasuda, Hajime Tanaka, Soichiro Yoshida, Minato Yokoyama, Yoh Matsuoka, Yasuhisa Fujii
Summary: This study found that early cancer cachexia phenotypes were significantly associated with the survival of aUC patients receiving pembrolizumab, with the MFW group showing the worst prognosis and the NW and FW groups having a higher likelihood of long-term survival.
ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Ryuhei Okada, Takuya Kato, Aki Furusawa, Fuyuki Inagaki, Hiroaki Wakiyama, Daiki Fujimura, Shuhei Okuyama, Hideyuki Furumoto, Hiroshi Fukushima, Peter L. Choyke, Hisataka Kobayashi
Summary: This study compared the effects of Panitumumab and Cetuximab in APCs for NIR-PIT and the impact of different light exposure regimens on tumor growth in an immunocompetent mouse model. The results showed that APCs with longer half-life and double light exposure had superior outcomes in cancer cell-targeted NIR-PIT.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY IMMUNOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Soichiro Yoshida, Taro Takahara, Yuki Arita, Kazuma Toda, Koichiro Kimura, Hajime Tanaka, Minato Yokoyama, Yoh Matsuoka, Ryoichi Yoshimura, Yasuhisa Fujii
Summary: Progressive site-directed therapy (PSDT) may improve the efficacy of subsequent treatment for oligometastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and prolong overall survival.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yusuke Uchida, Soichiro Yoshida, Yuki Arita, Hiroki Shimoda, Koichiro Kimura, Ichiro Yamada, Hajime Tanaka, Minato Yokoyama, Yoh Matsuoka, Masahiro Jinzaki, Yasuhisa Fujii
Summary: Preoperative imaging differentiation between ChRCC and RO is challenging. This study explored the use of ADC values and texture features for quantitative analysis. The results showed that the mean ADC value can effectively distinguish ChRCC from RO, and it has comparable predictive ability to a combination of texture features.
Article
Oncology
Takuya Kato, Aki Furusawa, Ryuhei Okada, Fuyuki Inagaki, Hiroaki Wakiyama, Hideyuki Furumoto, Hiroshi Fukushima, Shuhei Okuyama, Peter L. Choyke, Hisataka Kobayashi
Summary: Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a new cancer treatment that utilizes an antibody-IRDye700DX (IR700) conjugate and NIR light to induce cell membrane damage and cell death. PDPN-targeted NIR-PIT showed efficacy in destroying cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), suppressing tumor progression, and enhancing host antitumor immunity.
MOLECULAR CANCER THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Hiroaki Wakiyama, Takuya Kato, Aki Furusawa, Ryuhei Okada, Fuyuki Inagaki, Hideyuki Furumoto, Hiroshi Fukushima, Shuhei Okuyama, Peter L. Choyke, Hisataka Kobayashi
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of NIR-PIT to deplete CD8(+) T cells and temporarily change the balance of T-cell subsets in the tumor microenvironment, leading to rapid tumor progression after PD-1 blockade therapy. The results suggest that imbalances between effector T cells and regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment may contribute to hyperprogressive disease following PD-1 blockade therapy.
CANCER IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Minami Une, Masaya Ito, Hiroaki Suzuki, Masahiro Toide, Shuichiro Kobayashi, Hiroshi Fukushima, Fumitaka Koga
Summary: In this study, the mutual relationship between the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score and sarcopenia as prognostic factors in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) was comprehensively examined. The study found that the CONUT score and sarcopenia were significant and independent prognostic biomarkers and incorporating them into established prognostic models increased their predictive accuracy. These objective indices of a patient's general condition may assist in treatment decision-making for patients with aUC.
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Yuki Nakamura, Hiroshi Fukushima, Kasumi Yoshitomi, Takahiko Soma, Masaki Kobayashi, Bo Fan, Motohiro Fujiwara, Yudai Ishikawa, Shohei Fukuda, Yuma Waseda, Hajime Tanaka, Soichiro Yoshida, Minato Yokoyama, Yasuhisa Fujii
Summary: This study assessed the prognostic significance of the detailed bladder neck involvement (BNI) location in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients. Dorsal bladder neck involvement was found to be an independent risk factor for progression in primary NMIBC. A simple and practical prognostic model, including the BNI location, was developed to assist in selecting the optimal treatment and timing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Yoshitomo Yamaguchi, Hajime Tanaka, Koichiro Kimura, Shohei Fukuda, Hiroshi Fukushima, Yuma Waseda, Soichiro Yoshida, Minato Yokoyama, Akihiro Hirakawa, Ukihide Tateishi, Steven C. Campbell, Yasuhisa Fujii
Summary: This study investigated the prognostic impact of radiological infiltrative feature (r-IF) of primary renal tumors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The findings suggest that r-IF is strongly associated with poor cancer-specific survival (CSS) in mRCC patients. Combining r-IF with the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk model may improve prognostic accuracy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF UROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Shugo Yajima, Hiroshi Fukushima, Shioto Oda, Rikuto Yasujima, Kohei Hirose, Naoya Okubo, Yosuke Umino, Madoka Kataoka, Yasukazu Nakanishi, Fumitaka Koga, Hitoshi Masuda
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of the SARC-F questionnaire as a screening tool for elderly patients undergoing elective major surgery for urologic cancer and to evaluate its correlation with indicators of sarcopenia. The study found that SARC-F scores were associated with postoperative ambulation failure and overall survival, suggesting that it can be used to identify elderly patients at a higher risk of unfavorable outcomes after surgery.
CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Fumitaka Koga
Summary: This article reviews the use of selective bladder-sparing therapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer and compares its oncological outcomes with radical cystectomy. It also discusses predictive biomarkers for treatment decision-making and a novel strategy to boost the immune response in bladder-sparing therapy.
EXPERT REVIEW OF ANTICANCER THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Ichiro Yonese, Masaya Ito, Yuma Waseda, Shuichiro Kobayashi, Masahiro Toide, Ryoji Takazawa, Fumitaka Koga
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether even a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure like ureteral catheterization (UCath) could significantly increase the risk of intravesical recurrence (IVR) in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). A retrospective study enrolled 163 patients undergoing RNU for UTUC between 2010 and 2021. The results showed that UCath was significantly associated with IVR and shorter IVR-free survival (IVRFS) in UTUC patients.
WORLD JOURNAL OF UROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Shunya Matsumoto, Yuki Arita, Soichiro Yoshida, Hiroshi Fukushima, Koichiro Kimura, Ichiro Yamada, Hajime Tanaka, Fumiko Yagi, Minato Yokoyama, Yoh Matsuoka, Mototsugu Oya, Ukihide Tateishi, Masahiro Jinzaki, Yasuhisa Fujii
Summary: This study investigates the utility of radiomics features of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in differentiating fat-poor angiomyolipoma (fpAML) from clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The results suggest that radiomics features of ADC maps are useful for distinguishing fpAML from ccRCC. Certain radiomics features, including mean ADC value and higher-texture features, play an important role in the differentiation. This study provides valuable insights for the diagnosis of renal tumors.
ABDOMINAL RADIOLOGY
(2022)