Growth hormone in the tumor microenvironment

ABSTRACT Tumor development is a multistep process whereby local mechanisms enable somatic mutations during preneoplastic stages. Once a tumor develops, it becomes a complex organ composed of multiple cell types. Interactions between malignant and non-transformed cells and tissues create a tumor microenvironment (TME) comprising epithelial cancer cells, cancer stem cells, non-tumorous cells, stromal cells, immune-inflammatory cells, blood and lymphatic vascular network, and extracellular matrix. We review reports and present a hypothesis that postulates the involvement of growth hormone (GH) in field cancerization. We discuss GH contribution to TME, promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, accumulation of unrepaired DNA damage, tumor vascularity, and resistance to therapy. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2019;63(6):568-75

A Case of Concurrent Non-Intestinal Type Adenocarcinoma and Inverted Papilloma in a Maxillary Sinus / 대한이비인후과학회지

Inverted papilloma is a benign epithelial tumor that arises from the sinonasal epithelium and occurs in 0.5–4% of all sinonasal tumors. Although benign, it is associated with malignant transformation in 2–27% of the cases, with the most commonly accompanying malignant tumor being squamous cell carcinoma. The malignant transformation of inverted papilloma into adenocarcinoma is extremely rare, with two cases reported worldwide to date. Here, along with a literature review, we report a recent case of a 53-year-old man with non-intestinal type adenocarcinoma associated with a sinonasal inverted papilloma. This case shows the possibility of a malignant transformation of inverted papilloma into non-intestinal type adenocarcinoma, which may be associated with human papilloma virus and thus requires further investigation.

Clinicopathologic characteristics of ovarian clear cell carcinoma in the background of endometrioma: a surveillance strategy for an early detection of malignant transformation in patients with asymptomatic endometrioma

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the clinical features of clear cell carcinoma in relation to endometriosis and to determine an appropriate surveillance strategy for the early detection of malignant transformation of endometrioma in asymptomatic patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic data of 50 patients with ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment outcomes, and the association between endometriosis and the risk of malignant transformation were analyzed. RESULTS: Ten (20%) patients had been diagnosed with endometrioma before the diagnosis of clear cell carcinoma. The median period from the diagnosis of endometrioma to clear cell carcinoma diagnosis was 50 months (range, 12–213 months). After complete staging surgery, histological confirmation of endometriosis was possible in 35 (70%) patients. Of the 50 patients, 39 (78%) had not undergone any gynecologic surveillance until the onset of symptoms, at which time many of them presented with a rapidly growing pelvic mass (median 10 cm, range 4.6–25 cm). With the exception of 2 patients, all cancer diagnoses were made when the patients were in their late thirties, and median tumor size was found to increase along with age. Asymptomatic patients (n=11) who had regular gynecologic examinations were found to have a relatively smaller tumor size, lesser extent of tumor spread, and lower recurrence rate (P=0.011, 0.283, and 0.064, respectively). The presence of endometriosis was not related to the prognosis. CONCLUSION: Considering the duration of malignant transformation and the timing of cancer diagnosis, active surveillance might be considered from the age of the mid-thirties, with at least a 1-year interval, in patients with asymptomatic endometrioma.

Expresiones clínicas de los desórdenes potencialmente malignos en cavidad oral. Revisión integrativa de la literatura / Clinical expressions of potentially malignant disorders in oral cavity. integrative review of literature

Antecedentes: Los desórdenes potencialmente malignos (DPM) son aquellas situaciones clínicas en la cavidad bucal que presentan un riesgo aumentado de malignización neoplásica, debido a la exposición a factores de riesgo o alteraciones genéticas. Es necesario realizar revisiones de la evidencia de este tipo de desórdenes para desarrollar o actualizar guías de práctica clínica idóneas. Objetivo: Identificar, a través de una revisión integrativa de la literatura, la evidencia reciente sobre DPM de la cavidad bucal y su transformación maligna, con el fin de proporcionar recomendaciones de manejo diagnóstico y terapéutico. Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda de literatura en las bases de datos PubMed, Elsevier, SciELO y EMBASE, utilizando la combinación de seis descriptores. Resultados: La búsqueda inicial arrojó 1743 títulos y la muestra consistió en 67 artículos después de aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Las DPM identificadas fueron liquen plano oral, palatitis nicotínica, hábito de fumar invertido, queilitis actínica, eritroplasia y leucoplasia oral y úlcera traumática crónica. Conclusión: Cada tipo de lesión tiene distinto potencial de malignización, entre los cuales la eritroplasia, el liquen plano oral variante erosivo y la queilitis actínica poseen el mayor riesgo.

Background: Potentially malignant disorders (PMD) are clinical oral cavity conditions that pose an increased risk of neoplastic malignization due to exposure to risk factors or genetic alterations. It is necessary to conduct evidence-based reviews of this type of disorders to develop or update adequate clinical practice guidelines. Purpose: Identify, through an integrative review of literature, recent evidence on PMDs in the oral cavity and their malignant transformation, in order to provide diagnostic and treatment recommendations. Methods: A literature search was carried out in the PubMed, Elsevier, SciELO, and EMBASE, using a combination of six descriptors. Results: The initial search showed 1743 titles and the sample, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, consisted of 67 articles. The PMDs identified were oral lichen planus, nicotinic palatitis, inverted smoking habit, actinic cheilitis, oral erythroplakia and leukoplakia, and chronic traumatic ulcer.

Cutaneous annular lesions as the first sign of transformation of follicular lymphoma into diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma.

Diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common subtype of non‑Hodgkin lymphoma with diverse clinical, pathological and genetic features. An 80‑year‑old woman was diagnosed with a stage IV‑X‑A (Ann Arbor staging system) low grade systemic follicular lymphoma (FL). Four months after the diagnosis, she developed asymptomatic, indurated, annular erythematous plaques with centrifugal growth on the abdomen, arms and neck. The skin biopsy revealed a dermal infiltration compatible with diffuse large B‑cell lymphoma. Light chain restriction by flow cytometry was demonstrated. The variable, diverse and joining genes of immunoglobulin G heavy chains were sequenced and cloned, and showed the same pattern for both the initial follicular lymphoma and the skin infiltration. Translocation t (14;18) was present in both samples. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of transformation of follicular lymphoma into diffuse large B cell lymphoma was made. Although other hematological disorders such as primary cutaneous diffuse large B cell lymphoma, mycosis fungoides and the cutaneous infiltration of chronic juvenile myeloid leukemia can present as annular lesions, we were unable to find any previous reports of these as a manifestation of cutaneous infiltration by systemic non‑Hodgkin lymphoma.

In situ carcinoma developed over oral lichen planus: a case report with analysis of BUB3, p16, p53, Ki67 and SOX4 expression

AbstractOral lichen planus (OLP) represents a common mucocutaneous disease. Various authors have suggested that OLP has malignant potential; however, the mechanisms involved in malignant transformation have not yet been elucidated. A 79-year-old man presented a white lesion for five months in the buccal mucosa diagnosed as OLP. After two months using 0.05% clobetasol ointment for treatment, the lesion became ulcerated. A new biopsy of the same lesion was performed, and histological analysis showed an in situ oral carcinoma (ISOC). An immunohistochemistry panel was performed, and p16 expression was negative in OLP, however, it showed weak cytoplasmic staining in ISOC. There was strong nuclear BUB3 staining in both OLP and ISOC areas. p53 showed less intense nuclear staining in both regions. Ki67 was negative in OLP area, but showed nuclear staining in the ISOC. SOX4 was negative in both studied areas. BUB3 expression, first reported in this case, and the p16 expression may suggest some influence of these genes on pathogenesis or malignant potential of OLP.

Molecular Targeting of ERKs/RSK2 Signaling Axis in Cancer Prevention

RSK2 is a downstream signaling protein of ERK1 and ERK2 and plays a key role in physiological homeostasis. For this reason, RSK2 is a highly conserved protein among the p90RSK family members. In its location in the signaling pathway, RSK2 is a kinase just upstream of transcription and epigenetic factors, and a few kinases involved in cell cycle regulation and protein synthesis. Moreover, activation of RSK2 by growth factors is directly involved in cell proliferation, anchorage-independent cell transformation and cancer development. Direct evidences regarding the etiological roles of RSK2 in cancer development in humans have been published by our research group illustrating that elevated total- and phospho-RSK2 protein levels mediated by ERK1 and ERK2 are higher in skin cancer tissues compared to normal skin tissues. Notably, it has been shown that RSK2 ectopic expression in JB6 Cl41 cells induces cell proliferation and anchorage-independent cell transformation. Importantly, knockdown of RSK2 suppresses Ras-mediated foci formation and anchorage-independent colony growth of cancer cells. Kaempferol is a one of the natural compounds showing selectivity in inhibiting RSK2 activity in epidermal growth factor-induced G1/S cell cycle transition and cell transformation. Thus, ERKs/RSK2 signaling axis is an important target signaling molecule in chemoprevention.

Alternative Splicing and Its Impact as a Cancer Diagnostic Marker

Most genes are processed by alternative splicing for gene expression, resulting in the complexity of the transcriptome in eukaryotes. It allows a limited number of genes to encode various proteins with intricate functions. Alternative splicing is regulated by genetic mutations in cis-regulatory factors and epigenetic events. Furthermore, splicing events occur differently according to cell type, developmental stage, and various diseases, including cancer. Genome instability and flexible proteomes by alternative splicing could affect cancer cells to grow and survive, leading to metastasis. Cancer cells that are transformed by aberrant and uncontrolled mechanisms could produce alternative splicing to maintain and spread them continuously. Splicing variants in various cancers represent crucial roles for tumorigenesis. Taken together, the identification of alternative spliced variants as biomarkers to distinguish between normal and cancer cells could cast light on tumorigenesis.

Alternative Splicing and Its Impact as a Cancer Diagnostic Marker

Most genes are processed by alternative splicing for gene expression, resulting in the complexity of the transcriptome in eukaryotes. It allows a limited number of genes to encode various proteins with intricate functions. Alternative splicing is regulated by genetic mutations in cis-regulatory factors and epigenetic events. Furthermore, splicing events occur differently according to cell type, developmental stage, and various diseases, including cancer. Genome instability and flexible proteomes by alternative splicing could affect cancer cells to grow and survive, leading to metastasis. Cancer cells that are transformed by aberrant and uncontrolled mechanisms could produce alternative splicing to maintain and spread them continuously. Splicing variants in various cancers represent crucial roles for tumorigenesis. Taken together, the identification of alternative spliced variants as biomarkers to distinguish between normal and cancer cells could cast light on tumorigenesis.

Xenografted Tumorigenesis in the oral vestibule of nude mice by Snail transfection: Histological and immunohistochemical study

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by Snail transcription factor and Snailtransfected in vivo tumors with histopathological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We induced in vivo xenografted tumorigenesis in the oral vestibules of nude mice by a Snail transfected HaCaT cell line and investigated morphological and immunohistochemical features in Snail expressive tumors. RESULTS: We identified tumor masses in 14 out of 15 nude mice in the HaCaT-Snail cell inoculation group, but no tumors were present in any of the HaCaT cell inoculation group. Induced tumors showed features of poorly differentiated carcinoma with invasion to neighboring muscles and bones. The HaCaT-Snail tumors showed decreased expressions of E-cadherin and cytokeratin, but showed increased expressions of vimentin and N-cadherin. DISCUSSION: The Snail transfected xenograft can improve productivity of malignant tumors, show various histopathological features including invasive growth, and aid in the investigation of tumor progression and the interaction with surrounding tissues.