Dll4 Blockade Potentiates the Anti-Tumor Effects of VEGF Inhibition in Renal Cell Carcinoma Patient-Derived Xenografts

Background

The Notch ligand Delta-like 4 (Dll4) is highly expressed in vascular endothelium and has been shown to play a pivotal role in regulating tumor angiogenesis. Blockade of the Dll4-Notch pathway in preclinical cancer models has been associated with non-productive angiogenesis and reduced tumor growth. Given the cross-talk between the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and Delta-Notch pathways in tumor angiogenesis, we examined the activity of a function-blocking Dll4 antibody, REGN1035, alone and in combination with anti-VEGF therapy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

Methods and Results

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice bearing patient-derived clear cell RCC xenografts were treated with REGN1035 and in combination with the multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor sunitinib or the VEGF blocker ziv-aflibercept. Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent analyses were carried out, as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations pre and 24 hours and 2 weeks post treatment. Single agent treatment with REGN1035 resulted in significant tumor growth inhibition (36–62%) that was equivalent to or exceeded the single agent anti-tumor activity of the VEGF pathway inhibitors sunitinib (38–54%) and ziv-aflibercept (46%). Importantly, combination treatments with REGN1035 plus VEGF inhibitors resulted in enhanced anti-tumor effects (72–80% growth inhibition), including some tumor regression. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a marked decrease in tumor perfusion in all treatment groups. Interestingly, anti-tumor efficacy of the combination of REGN1035 and ziv-aflibercept was also observed in a sunitinib resistant ccRCC model.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings demonstrate the potent anti-tumor activity of Dll4 blockade in RCC patient-derived tumors and a combination benefit for the simultaneous targeting of the Dll4 and VEGF signaling pathways, highlighting the therapeutic potential of this treatment modality in RCC.     

7-二氟甲氧基-5,4'-二正辛烷氧基金雀异黄素对人卵巢癌裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响

目的:研究7-二氟甲氧基-5,4'-二正辛烷氧基金雀异黄素(7-difluoromethoxyl-5,4'-di-n-octylygenistein,DFOG)对人卵巢癌裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响。方法:建立人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞裸鼠皮下移植瘤,随机分为5组,每组5只,即生理盐水组(Saline),紫杉醇组(TAX),DFOG此处为3组(5、10、20 mg/kg)组,观察各组移植瘤的体积和重量变化,观察各组荷瘤裸鼠重量及其血清乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)、谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、肌酐值(Cr)、外周血白细胞计数(WBC)的变化。FCM检测移植瘤组织细胞的凋亡率,Western blot检测移植瘤组织细胞cortactin蛋白的表达变化。结果:DFOG各组显著抑制人卵巢癌HO-8910细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长,与Saline组比较,移植瘤体积明显减小(P均0.05),其中DFOG10mg/kg组对移植瘤抑制率与TAX组相当(P0.05);与Saline组比较,DFOG各组移植瘤重量明显减轻(P均0.05),其中DFOG10mg/kg组对移植瘤重量减少率与TAX组相当(P0.05)。与Saline组及DFOG各组比较,TAX组荷瘤裸鼠重量显著降低(P均0.05),而Saline组和DFOG各组之间荷瘤裸鼠重量比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);与Saline组及DFOG各组比较,TAX组荷瘤裸鼠血清LDH、ALT、Cr值和外周血WBC计数显著降低(P均0.05),而Saline组与DFOG各组比较,荷瘤裸鼠血清LDH、ALT、Cr值和外周血WBC计数无明显差异(P0.05)。DFOG各组作用HO-8910细胞移植瘤16 d后,HO-8910细胞发生凋亡,与Saline组比较(P均0.05),其中DFOG10 mg/kg组凋亡率与TAX组相当(P0.05);同时cortactin蛋白表达降低,与Saline组比较(P均0.05),其中DFOG10 mg/kg组凋亡率与TAX组相当(P0.05)。结论:DFOG能抑制卵巢癌HO-8910细胞裸鼠移植瘤生长,下调cortactin蛋白表达和诱导HO-8910细胞凋亡。     

茶多酚抑制肺鳞癌细胞裸鼠移植瘤的实验研究

目的:探索茶多酚对肺鳞癌细胞的抑制效应及相关机制.方法:以肺鳞癌PC10为研究对象,进行裸鼠成瘤实验.观察茶多酚对裸鼠成瘤的影响.应用免疫组织化学方法检测细胞凋亡相关Bc12和Caspas3和增殖相关蛋白PCNA的表达,应用TUNNEL法检测细胞凋亡.结果:茶多酚可抑制裸鼠移植瘤的生长.茶多酚可促进促凋亡蛋白caspase3表达并抑制抑凋亡蛋白Bc12表达,并抑制增殖细胞核抗原的表达.TUNNEL实验结果提示茶多酚可促进PC10细胞凋亡.结论:茶多酚可抑制肺鳞癌移植瘤生长,与促进癌细胞凋亡和抑制细胞增殖有关.     

Bevacizumab 联合吉西他滨对荷肝癌裸鼠移植瘤生长的抑制作用

目的:探讨抗血管生成药物Bevacizumab联合吉西他滨对人肝癌裸鼠皮下移植瘤生长的抑制作用。方法:构建人肝癌细胞HepG2裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型,随机分为空白对照组、Bevacizumab组、吉西他滨组和联合用药组。观察用药前后肿瘤体积,绘制肿瘤生长曲线;应用免疫组化检测肿瘤微血管密度(MVD);Western Blot检测Bcl-2蛋白的表达。结果:Bevacizumab和吉西他滨单药均能抑制肿瘤生长,两药联合疗效明显增强(P=0.000)。与对照组和吉西他滨组相比,Bevacizumab组和联合用药组能明显抑制肿瘤血管生成,MVD值均明显降低,以联合用药组最为明显(P均0.000)。Bevacizumab和吉西他滨单药均能下调Bcl-2的表达,两药联合下调作用明显增强。结论:Bevacizumab联合吉西他滨能增强对人肝癌裸鼠移植瘤的生长及微血管生成的抑制作用,其机制可能与调控Bcl-2的表达有关。     

Challenges in EGFRvIII Detection in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

ObjectiveHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) accounts for more than 5% of all cancers worldwide. The mortality rate of HNSCC has remained unchanged (approximately 50%) over the last few decades. Ubiquitous overexpression of wild type EGFR in many solid tumors has led to the development of EGFR targeted therapies. EGFR can be constitutively activated via several mechanisms including the truncated, EGFR variant III isoform (EGFRvIII). EGFRvIII lacks exons 2–7 and has been reported to be present in up to 20–40% of HNSCC. EGFRvIII has been shown to contribute to cetuximab resistance. The mechanisms leading to EGFRvIII expression in HNSCC are unknown. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the etiology of EGFRvIII in HNSCC.ResultsUnlike glioma, EGFRvIII expression in HNSCC did not correlate with EGFR amplification. We found evidence of genomic deletion of the exon 2–7 in 6 of 7 HNSCC cases examined, however, the presence of genomic deletion did not always result in mRNA expression of EGFRvIII. RNA sequencing with automated alignment did not identify EGFRvIII due to microhomology between intron 1 and exon 8. RNA sequencing analyzed by manual alignment methods did not correlate well with RT-PCR and PCR findings.ConclusionThese findings suggest that genomic deletion as well as additional regulatory mechanisms may contribute to EGFRvIII expression in HNSCC. Further, large scale automated alignment of sequencing are unlikely to identify EGFRvIII and an assay specifically designed to detect EGFRvIII may be necessary to detect this altered form of EGFR in HNSCC tumors.     

Decitabine Rescues Cisplatin Resistance in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cisplatin resistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) reduces survival. In this study we hypothesized that methylation of key genes mediates cisplatin resistance. We determined whether a demethylating drug, decitabine, could augment the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of cisplatin on SCC-25/CP, a cisplatin-resistant tongue SCC cell line. We showed that decitabine treatment restored cisplatin sensitivity in SCC-25/CP and significantly reduced the cisplatin dose required to induce apoptosis. We then created a xenograft model with SCC-25/CP and determined that decitabine and cisplatin combination treatment resulted in significantly reduced tumor growth and mechanical allodynia compared to control. To establish a gene classifier we quantified methylation in cancer tissue of cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant HNSCC patients. Cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant patient tumors had distinct methylation profiles. When we quantified methylation and expression of genes in the classifier in HNSCC cells in vitro, we showed that decitabine treatment of cisplatin-resistant HNSCC cells reversed methylation and gene expression toward a cisplatin-sensitive profile. The study provides direct evidence that decitabine restores cisplatin sensitivity in in vitro and in vivo models of HNSCC. Combination treatment of cisplatin and decitabine significantly reduces HNSCC growth and HNSCC pain. Furthermore, gene methylation could be used as a biomarker of cisplatin-resistance.     

咖啡酸对食管鳞状细胞癌KYSE450裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响及分子机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨与研究咖啡酸对食管鳞状细胞癌KYSE450裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响及分子机制。方法：将食管鳞状细胞癌移植瘤裸鼠（n=48）随机平分为三组-模型组、5-氟尿嘧啶组与咖啡酸组。三组分别经腹腔注射0.2 mL生理盐水、5-氟尿嘧啶25 g/kg、5-氟尿嘧啶25 g/kg与咖啡酸50 mg/kg,2次/周,持续4周。结果：5-氟尿嘧啶组与咖啡酸组治疗第2周与第4周的体重高于模型组（P<0.05）,咖啡酸组高于5-氟尿嘧啶组（P<0.05）。5-氟尿嘧啶组与咖啡酸组治疗第2周与第4周的肿瘤体积少于模型组（P<0.05）,咖啡酸组高于5-氟尿嘧啶组（P<0.05）。5-氟尿嘧啶组与咖啡酸组治疗第4周的血清TNF-α与IL-6含量低于模型组（P<0.05）,咖啡酸组低于5-氟尿嘧啶组（P<0.05）。5-氟尿嘧啶组与咖啡酸组治疗第4周的移植瘤Bax、Caspase-3蛋白相对表达水平与凋亡指数高于模型组（P<0.05）,咖啡酸组高于5-氟尿嘧啶组（P<0.05）。结论：咖啡酸在食管鳞状细胞癌裸鼠的应用能与5-氟尿嘧啶发挥协同作用,能通过上调Bax、Caspase-3蛋白的表达,促进移植瘤细胞凋亡,抑制炎症因子的表达,减少血管总数,从而抑制移植瘤生长,促进恢复裸鼠体重。     

Dose Dependent Activation of Retinoic Acid-Inducible Gene-I Promotes Both Proliferation and Apoptosis Signals in Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The retinoic-acid-inducible gene (RIG)-like receptor (RLR) family proteins are major pathogen reorganization receptors (PRR) responsible for detection of viral RNA, which initiates antiviral response. Here, we evaluated the functional role of one RLR family member, RIG-I, in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). RIG-I is abundantly expressed both in poorly-differentiated primary cancer and lymph node metastasis, but not in normal adjacent tissues. Activation of RIG-I by transfection with low dose of 5′-triphosphate RNA (3p-RNA) induces low levels of interferon and proinflammatory cytokines and promotes NF-κB- and Akt-dependent cell proliferation, migration and invasion. In contrast, activation of RIG-I by a high dose of 3p-RNA induces robust mitochondria-derived apoptosis accompanied by decreased activation of Akt, which is independent of the interferon and TNFα receptor, but can be rescued by over-expression of constitutively active Akt. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that the CARD domain of RIG-I is essential for inducing apoptosis by interacting with caspase-9. Together, our results reveal a dual role of RIG-I in HNSCC through regulating activation of Akt, in which RIG-I activation by low-dose viral dsRNA increases host cell surviral, whereas higher level of RIG-I activation leads to apopotosis. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of dsRNA mediated RIG-I activation in the treatment of HNSCC.     

CD9在口腔鳞状细胞癌中的表达水平及其临床意义

目的:口腔鳞状细胞癌是一类极易发生局部侵袭和淋巴结转移的恶性肿瘤,CD9蛋白在多种肿瘤的发生发展及侵袭转移过程中起到重要作用,本研究旨在分析CD9蛋白在口腔鳞状细胞癌中的表达水平及其临床意义。方法:收集我院诊断明确的口腔鳞癌肿瘤患者石蜡标本合计80例,通过免疫组化手段对CD9蛋白表达水平进行评价,并根据CD9蛋白的表达水平分组,分析患者的临床病理学特征与CD9蛋白的关系。结果:CD9在正常组织和癌旁组织正常表达,在肿瘤组织中表达率低,其表达水平和口腔鳞癌的分化程度,淋巴结转移及最终分期有相关性(P0.05)。结论:本研究结果揭示,CD9在口腔鳞状细胞癌的发生发展中起到重要作用,CD9蛋白水平的低表达或不表达可能预测着肿瘤具有更明显的恶性生物学行为,并可能成为口腔鳞状细胞癌预后的生物学指标及基因治疗的新靶点。     

WISP-1 Contributes to Fractionated Irradiation-Induced Radioresistance in Esophageal Carcinoma Cell Lines and Mice

Cancer cells that survive fractionated irradiation can be radioresistant and cause tumor recurrence. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of radioresistance in cancer cells remain elusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of WISP-1 in the development of radioresistance in esophageal carcinoma during fractionated irradiation. Radioresistant esophageal cancer cells were generated from normal esophageal cancer cells via fractionated irradiation, and expression levels of related proteins were determined by Western blot. Radiosensitivity of cells was established by clonogenic cell survival assays, and cell cycle distribution was evaluated by flow cytometry. Protein distributions were determined by immunofluorescence, and cell toxicity was evaluated by cell counting kit-8 assays. In vivo validations were performed in a xenograft transplantation mouse model. Our data indicate that WISP-1 plays an important role in the development of radioresistance in esophageal cancer cells during fractionated irradiation. The overexression of WISP-1 in esophageal cancer cells was associated with radioresistance. Depletion of extracellular WISP-1 by antibody neutralizing reversed radioresistance and directly induced mitotic catastrophe resulting in cell death. WISP-1 may be a candidate therapeutic target in the treatment of recurrent esophageal carcinoma after radiotherapy.     

Therapeutic strategies of different HPV status in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the 9^th most common malignant tumor in the world. Based on the etiology, HNSCC has two main subtypes: human papillomavirus (HPV) -related and HPV-unrelated. HPV-positive HNSCC is more sensitive to treatment with favorable survival. Due to the different biological behaviors, individual therapy is necessary and urgently required to deduce the therapeutic intensity of HPV-positive disease and look for a more effective and toxicity-acceptable regimen for HPV-negative disease. EGFR amplification and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway aberrant activation are quite common in HPV-positive HNSCC. Besides, HPV infection alters immune cell infiltrating in HNSCC and encompasses a diverse and heterogeneous landscape with more immune infiltration. On the other hand, the chance of HPV-negative cancers harboring mutation on the P53 gene is significantly higher than that of HPV-positive disease. This review focuses on the updated preclinical and clinical data of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC and discusses the therapeutic strategies of different HPV status in HNSCC.     

头颈部鳞状细胞癌相关肿瘤标志物的研究进展

头颈部鳞状细胞癌(head and neck squamous cell carcinoma,HNSCC)是头颈部恶性肿瘤的主要病理类型,约占所有头颈部肿瘤的90%。而据我们临床所见,大约有70%~80%的患者就诊时已为局部晚期,其治疗效果欠佳,预后差。肿瘤标志物又叫做肿瘤标记物,是指特征性存在于恶性肿瘤细胞,或是由恶性肿瘤细胞异常而产生的物质,或是宿主对于肿瘤的刺激反应而产生的物质,并且能够反映肿瘤发生、发展,以及监测肿瘤对治疗反应的一类物质。作为近年来研究热点的肿瘤标志物,具有简便、经济、快速、无创的特点,更重要的是一些标志物在组织器官发生形态学变化之前就有表达。因此,肿瘤标志物的研究对头颈部鳞状细胞癌的早期诊断以及判断预后都具有十分重要的意义。本文综述近几年来发现的可能与头颈部鳞状细胞癌的发生发展或者预后相关的肿瘤标志物。     

癌基因及癌发育基因在裸小鼠人肝癌移植瘤中表达

本文采用Northern blot,斑点杂交,western Immunoblot,凝集素亲和电泳及聚丙烯酰胺梯度电泳方法分别检测裸小鼠肝癌移植瘤中C-ras基因簇(N-ras,H-ras及K-ras),甲种胎儿蛋白以及γ谷氨酰转肽酶(GGT)基因及其产物的表达。结果提示C-ras基因簇均有不同程度的表达,其中N-ras基因表达水平要比H-ras高8倍,比K-ras高20倍左右,同样AFP及GGT基因均有较高水平的表达。经ras-p21单克隆抗体检测,发现肝癌组织抽提液中p21呈现阳性反应;AFP亚型分析提示AFP分子变异体属肝癌特异性分子亚型;GGT同Ⅰ酶酶谱分析表明组织中仅合成肝癌特异性GGT同Ⅰ酶酶谱(Ⅰ’,Ⅱ’)。上述结果充分表明癌基因及癌发育基因的高表达可能与癌细胞去分化性,分裂旺盛程度及细胞恶性度相关。最后文内还对裸小鼠人肝癌移植瘤中二类基因的相关性作一定的讨论。     

Nicotine Promotes Acquisition of Stem Cell and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Properties in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The ability of nicotine to enhance the malignancy of cancer cells is known; however, the possibility that nicotine could regulate a cancer stem cell phenotype remains to be well-established. In this study we sought to determine whether long-term exposure to nicotine could promote cancer stem cell-like properties in two head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, UMSCC-10B and HN-1. Nicotine treatment induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in both cell lines by repressing E-cadherin expression, and led to the induction of stem cell markers Oct-4, Nanog, CD44 and BMI-1, which was reversed upon ectopic re-expression of E-cadherin. Nicotine-treated cells formed spheres at a higher efficiency than non-treated cells, formed larger tumors when injected into mice, and formed tumors with 4-fold greater efficiency compared to control cells when injected at limiting doses. Consistent with previous literature, nicotine-treated cells demonstrated a greater capacity for survival and also a higher tendency to invade. Comparison of microRNA profiles between nicotine and control cells revealed the upregulation of miR-9, a repressor of E-cadherin, and the downregulation of miR-101, a repressor of EZH2. Taken together, these results suggest that nicotine may play a critical role in the development of tobacco-induced cancers by regulating cancer stem cell characteristics, and that these effects are likely mediated through EMT-promoting, microRNA-mediated pathways. Further characterization of such pathways remains a promising avenue for the understanding and treatment of tobacco-related cancers.     

High SEPT9_v1 Expression Is Associated with Poor Clinical Outcomes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The purpose of this work was to determine SEPT9_v1 expression levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to analyze whether SEPT9_v1 expression is relevant to clinical outcomes. Recently, the SEPT9 isoform SEPT9_v1 has been implicated in oncogenesis, and methylation of the SEPT9 promoter region was reported in HNSCC. These findings led us to hypothesize that SEPT9_v1 could be differently expressed in HNSCC. To determine whether SEPT9_v1 is expressed in HNSCC, tissue microarray immunohistochemical analysis was performed using a SEPT9_v1-specific antibody. Tissue microarrays stained with a polyclonal SEPT9_v1-specific antibody was used to determine protein expression levels in HNSCC tissue samples, some with known clinical outcomes. This analysis showed that SEPT9_v1 is in fact highly expressed in HNSCC compared with normal epithelium, and high expression levels directly correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Specifically, a high SEPT9_v1 expression was associated with decreased disease-specific survival (P = .012), time to indication of surgery at primary site (P = .008), response to induction chemotherapy (P = .0002), and response to chemotherapy (P = .02), as well as advanced tumor stage (P = .012) and N stage (P = .0014). The expression of SEPT9_v1 was also strongly correlated with smoking status (P = .00094). SEPT9_v1 is highly expressed in HNSCC, and a high expression of SEPT9_v1 is associated with poor clinical outcomes. These data indicate that SEPT9_v1 warrants additional investigation as a potential biomarker for HNSCC.     

In vitro Anti-Tumor Effects of Statins on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review

Background

Statins are commonly used against arteriosclerotic disease, but recent retrospective analyses have suggested that statins also prevent cancer. The aim of this systematic review is to verify the vitro anti-tumor effects of statins on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods

Studies were gathered by searching Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, and PubMed, up until May 9, 2015, with no time or language restrictions. Only in vitro studies that discuss the effect of statins on head and neck carcinoma were selected.

Results

Of 153 identified papers, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies demonstrated that statins had a significant effect on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and influenced cell viability, cell cycle, cell death, and protein expression levels involved in pathways of carcinogenesis, which corroborates with the potential in vitro anti-tumor effects. It provides highlights about the biological mechanisms of statins used alone or associated with traditional therapy for cancer.

Conclusions

Though there are few studies on the topic, currently available evidence suggests that statins shows that preclinical experiments supports the potentiality of statin as an adjuvant agent in chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy approaches routinely used in the management of HNSCC and should undergo further clinical assessment.     

Epigenetic and Genetic Alterations Affect the WWOX Gene in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Different types of genetic and epigenetic changes are associated with HNSCC. The molecular mechanisms of HNSCC carcinogenesis are still undergoing intensive investigation. WWOX gene expression is altered in many cancers and in a recent work reduced WWOX expression has been associated with miR-134 expression in HNSCC. In this study we investigated the WWOX messenger RNA expression levels in association with the promoter methylation of the WWOX gene and miR-134 expression levels in 80 HNSCC tumor and non-cancerous tissue samples. Our results show that WWOX expression is down-regulated especially in advanced-stage tumor samples or in tumors with SCC. This down-regulation was associated with methylation of the WWOX promoter region but not with miR-134 expression. There was an inverse correlation between the expression level and promoter methylation. We also analyzed whole exons and exon/intron boundries of the WWOX gene by direct sequencing. In our study group we observed 10 different alterations in the coding sequences and 18 different alterations in the non-coding sequences of the WWOX gene in HNSCC tumor samples. These results indicate that the WWOX gene can be functionally inactivated by promoter methylation, epigenetically or by mutations affecting the sequences coding for the enzymatic domain of the gene, functionally. We conclude that inactivation of WWOX gene contributes to the progression of HNSCC.     

Upregulation of SQLE Contributes to Poor Survival in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Recently, increasing attention has been paid to the role of Squalene epoxidase (SQLE) in several types of cancers. However, its functional role in tumor progression of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is still unclear. We performed bioinformatic analyses and relative experiments to assess the potential mechanism of SQLE-mediated HNSCC malignancy. And the results showed that SQLE was significantly upregulated in tumor samples compared with peritumor samples. Mechanistically, miR-584-5p downregulation may lead to the upregulation of SQLE in HNSCC. Moreover, high SQLE expression in HNSCC was associated with TNM stage, distant metastasis, and poor survival, indicating that SQLE be involved in the progression of HNSCC. Furtherly, SQLE boosted proliferation, migration, invasion of HNSCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Bioinformatic studies showed that PI3K/Akt signaling participated in HNSCC progression mediated by SQLE overexpression, which is confirmed by in vitro and in vivo analysis. Particularly, treatment with terbinafine, an inhibitor of SQLE widely used in the treatment of fungal infections, showed a therapeutic influence on HNSCC. Our findings demonstrate that SQLE plays a vital role in HNSCC progression, providing research evidence for SQLE as a prospective HNSCC therapeutic target and for terbinafine as a candidate drug of HNSCC treatment in the future     

Correlations Between DCE MRI and Histopathological Parameters in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) can characterize perfusion and vascularization of tissues. DCE MRI parameters can differentiate between malignant and benign lesions and predict tumor grading. The purpose of this study was to correlate DCE MRI findings and various histopathological parameters in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with histologically proven HNSCC (11 cases primary tumors and in 5 patients with local tumor recurrence) were included in the study. DCE imaging was performed in all cases and the following parameters were estimated: K^trans, V_e, K_ep, and iAUC. The tumor proliferation index was estimated on Ki 67 antigen stained specimens. Microvessel density parameters (stained vessel area, total vessel area, number of vessels, and mean vessel diameter) were estimated on CD31 antigen stained specimens. Spearman''s non-parametric rank sum correlation coefficients were calculated between DCE and different histopathological parameters. RESULTS: The mean values of DCE perfusion parameters were as follows: K^trans 0.189 ± 0.056 min⁻¹, K_ep 0.390 ± 0.160 min⁻¹, V_e 0.548 ± 0.119%, and iAUC 22.40 ± 12.57. Significant correlations were observed between K_ep and stained vessel areas (r = 0.51, P = .041) and total vessel areas (r = 0.5118, P = .043); between V_e and mean vessel diameter (r = −0.59, P = .017). Cell count had a tendency to correlate with V_e (r = −0.48, P = .058). In an analysis of the primary HNSCC only, a significant inverse correlation between K^trans and KI 67 was identified (r = −0.62, P = .041). Our analysis showed significant correlations between DCE parameters and histopathological findings in HNSCC.Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE MRI) has been reported as a technique which is able to characterize perfusion and vascularization of tissues [1], [2]. It has been shown that DCE MRI can be helpful to differentiate between malignant and benign lesions [1]. For example, Yuan et al. reported that lung cancer had a larger volume transfer constant (K^trans) and a lower volume of the extravascular extracellular leakage space (V_e) in comparison to benign lesions [3]. Similar results were reported by Li et al. for breast lesions [4]. Furthermore, according to Cho et al., DCE MRI parameters can be used to distinguish prostatic cancer from benign changes [5]. Moreover, DCE MRI parameters can also predict tumor grading. As reported previously, K^trans correlated well with Gleason score in prostatic cancer [5], [6]. According to other reports, K^trans and V_e correlated with glioma grade [7], [8].DCE MRI parameters were also associated with prognosis in several malignancies [9], [10]. Koo et al. showed that breast cancers with higher K^trans or lower V_e had poor prognostic factors and were often of the triple-negative subtype [10].According to the literature, DCE MRI parameters can predict response to therapy in different tumors. For instance, some authors mentioned that low pretreatment K^trans in regional lymph node metastases in head and neck cancer was associated with a poor response to concurrent chemoradiation therapy [11].Furthermore, Andersen et al. showed that DCE MR parameters obtained prior to chemoradiotherapy predicted survival of patients with cervical cancer [12].Presumably, DCE MRI parameters may be based on tissue composition, such as cellularity and vascular density. However, in this regard there are contradictory data in the literature. While some studies identified significant correlations between DCE MRI and histopathological parameters, others did not [13], [14], [15], [16].The purpose of this study was to correlate DCE MRI findings and various histopathological parameters in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).