Molecular mechanism of formation and destruction of a pseudo­capsule in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

The process and molecular mechanisms underlying the formation and destruction of a pseudo-capsule (PC) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are poorly understood. In the present study, the PCs of surgical specimens from primary tumors and metastatic lesions in 169 patients with ccRCC, and carcinogen-induced ccRCC rat models were semi-quantified using the invasion of PC (i-Cap) score system. This was based on the relationship among the tumor, PC and adjacent normal tissue (NT) as follows: i-Cap 0, tumor has no PC and does not invade NT; i-Cap 1, tumor has a complete PC and does not invade into the PC; i-Cap 2, tumor with focal absences in the PC, which partially invades the PC but not completely through the PC; i-Cap 3, tumor crosses the PC and invades the NT; i-Cap 4, tumor directly invades the NT without a PC. The study suggested that PC formation was not observed without physical compression, and also revealed that tumor invasion into the PC was a prognostic factor for postoperative oncological outcomes. Higher i-Cap, Fuhrman grade and tumor size were independent poor prognostic factors for postoperative disease-free survival. mRNA expression arrays generated from carcinogen-induced ccRCC rat models were used to explore genes potentially associated with the formation and destruction of a PC. Subsequently, human ccRCC specimens were validated for four genes identified via expression array; the results revealed that collagen type 4A2, matrix metalloproteinase-7 and l-selectin were upregulated alongside the progression of i-Cap score. Conversely, endoglin was downregulated. In conclusion, the present study provides insights into the formation and destruction of a PC, and the results may aid the treatment and management of patients with ccRCC.

5­Aminolevurinic acid inhibits the proliferation of bladder cancer cells by activating heme synthesis.

Iron is an essential nutrient that facilitates cell proliferation and growth, and it can contribute to tumor growth. Although iron chelators have shown great potential in preclinical cancer models, they can cause adverse side­effects. The aim of the present study was to determine whether treatment with 5­aminolevurinic acid (5­ALA) has antitumor effects in bladder cancer, by reduction of mitochondrial iron without using an iron chelator, through activation of heme synthesis. T24 and MGH­U3 cells were treated with 5­ALA. Ferrochelatase uses iron to convert protoporphyrin IX into heme, thus additional groups of T24 and MGH­U3 cells were transfected with synthesized ferrochelatase small interfering RNA (siRNA) either to silence ferrochelatase or to provide a negative siRNA control group, and then cell viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial Fe2+, the cell cycle, and ferritin expression were analyzed in all groups and compared. As an in vivo assessment, mice with orthotopic bladder cancer induced using N­butyl­N­(4­hydro­oxybutyl) were treated with 5­ALA. Bladder weight and pathological findings were evaluated, and immunohistochemical analysis was performed for ferritin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In the cells treated with 5­ALA, proliferation was decreased compared with the controls, and apoptosis was not detected. In addition, the expression of Fe2+ in mitochondria was decreased by 5­ALA, expression of ferritin was also reduced by 5­ALA, and the percentage of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle was significantly increased by 5­ALA. In T24 and MGH­U3 cells with silenced ferrochelatase, the inhibition of cell proliferation, decreased expression of Fe2+ in mitochondria, reduced expression of ferritin, and increased percentage of cells in the S phase by treatment with 5­ALA were weakened. In vivo, no mouse treated with 5­ALA developed muscle­invasive bladder cancer. The expression of ferritin was weaker in mice treated with 5­ALA and that of PCNA was higher than that in mice treated without 5­ALA. It was concluded that 5­ALA inhibited proliferation of bladder cancer cells by activating heme synthesis.

Reduced salt intake partially restores the circadian rhythm of bladder clock genes in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

AIMS: To examine the circadian expression changes in bladder clock genes in Dahl salt-sensitive rats following high salt intake. MAIN METHODS: Eighteen rats were divided into three groups: the high-salt diet group (HS group), the normal-salt diet group (NS group), and the salt-load interruption group (from a 4 % salt diet to a normal diet; salt-load interruption group [SI group]). Each rat was placed in an individual metabolic cage for 24 h twice weekly. Water intake, urine production, voiding frequency, and voided volume per micturition were recorded. Furthermore, 108 control rats were prepared. Bladders were harvested every 4 h at six time points. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of clock genes and mechanosensors was analyzed. KEY FINDINGS: In the HS group, the bladder clock genes showed lower mRNA levels than in the NS group. The amplitude of circadian expression changes in bladder clock genes in the HS group was lower than that in the NS group. However, after changing from a 4 % salt diet to a normal diet, the waveforms of the clock gene expression in the SI group were closer to those of the NS group. The 24-h water intake and urinary volume of the SI group decreased to levels comparable to those of the NS group. SIGNIFICANCE: Reduced salt intake partially restored the circadian rhythms of bladder clock genes.

Inhibitory Effect of Orally Administered 5-Aminolevulinic Acid on Prostate Carcinogenesis in the FVB-Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of a Mouse Prostate (FVB-TRAMP) Model.

BACKGROUND: 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a constituent of mitochondrial electron carriers, heme and cytochrome c, which are crucial for aerobic energy metabolism and cell apoptosis. We investigated the chemopreventive efficacy of 5-ALA against prostate cancer using the FVB-transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (FVB-TRAMP) model. METHODS: Samples were collected from 24 FVB-TRAMP mice at 12 and 20 weeks of age (named the first and second sets, respectively). Sixteen mice (from the first set) were randomly allocated into 3 treatment groups: 1) control (no treatment), 2) low dose of 5-ALA (30 mg/kg/day), and 3) high dose of 5-ALA (300 mg/kg/day). Similarly, 8 mice were divided into 2 treatment groups: 1) control and 2) high dose of 5-ALA (300 mg/kg/day). 5-ALA was orally administered to mice before cancer onset, from 6 weeks of age. RESULTS: In the control group, prostate cancer was pathologically detected in 33 and 50 % of mice at 12 and 20 weeks, respectively, while 25% of 12-week old mice in the low-dose group were affected and none of the high-dose group mice developed prostate cancer. Immunohistochemical analysis showed higher expression of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 (COX4) in the prostate gland of the high-dose group compared to the control (P = 0.018). Similarly, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using lysed prostate tissue revealed higher amounts of cytochrome c in the prostate of the high-dose group compared to the control (P = 0.021). Furthermore, western blot analysis showed higher level of cleaved caspase-3 in mice in the high-dose group diagnosed with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that oral 5-ALA may support the functional expression of mitochondrial cytochrome c and COX4, leading to caspase 3-dependent apoptosis in carcinogenesis in FVB-TRAMP mice. Future clinical studies are warranted to confirm the chemopreventive value of 5-ALA in prostate carcinogenesis. 
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γ-Klotho is correlated with resistance to docetaxel in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

The Klotho (KL) gene was first identified as a potent aging suppressor. The KL family currently comprises of three proteins: α-Klotho (KLA), ß-Klotho (KLB), and γ-Klotho (KLG). Many studies have shown that KLA and KLB participate in tumor progression or suppression, depending on the type of cancer; however, the relationship between KLG and prostate cancer has not yet been studied. Some studies have claimed that KL is correlated to sensitivity to chemotherapy. Here, we investigated the oncogenic potential of KLG in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Immunohistochemical analysis using prostate biopsy specimens revealed that patients with high KLG expression in primary prostate cancer tissue had a significantly poor prognosis for overall survival. In addition, the prostate-specific antigen response rate after docetaxel (DTX) therapy in patients with high KLG expression was lower than that in patients with low KLG expression. To evaluate the potential of KLG as a therapeutic target in human prostate cancer, we generated a xenograft model of human CRPC cell line (PC-3) in male athymic mice. The animals were randomly divided into four groups as follows: i) control group (vehicle only); ii) DTX group (intraperitoneal administration); iii) small interfering RNA targeting KLG (KLG siRNA) group (intratumoral administration); and iv) a combination group (DTX plus KLG siRNA). After 3 weeks of treatment, the tumor weight and tumor Ki-67 labeling index were significantly lower in the KLG siRNA group and the combination group than in the control group. Sensitivity to DTX was increased upon treatment with KLG siRNA. These findings suggest that KLG expression in primary prostate cancer lesions is associated with resistance to DTX in CRPC and has potential as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for patients with CRPC.

Evaluation of pro­ and anti­tumor effects induced by three colony­stimulating factors, G­CSF, GM­CSF and M­CSF, in bladder cancer cells: Is G­CSF a friend of bladder cancer cells?

Cytotoxic chemotherapy is the standard treatment for patients with advanced bladder cancer. However, this treatment can cause transient and prolonged neutropenia, which can result in fatal infection. Three recombinant human colony­stimulating factors (CSFs), granulocyte CSF (G­CSF), granulocyte­macrophage CSF (GM­CSF), and macrophage CSF (M­CSF), are currently available to reduce the duration and degree of neutropenia. The present study investigated the pro­ and anti­tumor effects of these three CSFs and the changes in molecular profiles. Xenograft tumors in athymic mice were generated by subcutaneously inoculating the human bladder cancer cell lines MGH­U3 and UM­UC­3. A total of 2 weeks after cell inoculation, mice were randomly divided into four groups (control, G­CSF, GM­CSF and M­CSF) and treated thrice a week for 2 weeks. Tumor growth during monitoring and tumor weight at the time of euthanization were significantly higher in mice treated with G­CSF and lower in mice treated with GM­CSF compared with the control mice. Tumors were examined by immunostaining with antibodies against proteins associated tumor proliferation (Ki­67), angiogenesis [CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], anti­immunity (CD204) and epithelial­mesenchymal transition (EMT; E­cadherin). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, recruitment of M2 macrophages and EMT were promoted by G­CSF, whereas lymphangiogenesis and recruitment of M2 macrophages were inhibited by GM­CSF. Treatment­associated changes in serum pro­ and anti­tumoral cytokines and chemokines were evaluated by enzyme­linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)­based arrays. In the ELISA for serum, the levels of cytokines associated with angiogenesis (interleukin­6 and VEGF), and EMT (transforming growth factor­ß1 and ­ß2) were elevated in mice treated with G­CSF. Treatment with GM­CSF and M­CSF also affected the level of these cytokines characteristically. The current results indicate that administration of exogenous G­CSF to patients with bladder cancer promotes tumor growth through promotion of cell proliferation, angiogenesis, recruitment of M2 macrophages and enhancement of EMT through the modulation of the tumor microenvironment.

Prognostic impact of tumor-infiltrating CD276/Foxp3-positive lymphocytes and associated circulating cytokines in patients undergoing radical nephrectomy for localized renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is an immunogenic tumor and pathological specimen generally contain large quantities of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). Numerous cell types and cytokines could affect the immune escape mechanism of tumor cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic impact of TILs and the associated circulating cytokines on localized clear cell RCC following radical nephrectomy. A total of 87 patients who had undergone radical nephrectomy and were pathologically diagnosed with localized clear cell RCC were included. The present study evaluated the profile of TILs with immunohistochemical analysis of tumor specimens using a panel of antibodies [cluster of differentiation (CD)-4, CD8, CD80, CD86, CD276, and Forkhead box p3 (Foxp3)]. Counts of each TIL were compared with clinicopathological variables. Based on the results of immunohistochemical analyses, putative cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, IL-17, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß, were selected, and their levels in preoperative serum were measured by ELISA. The levels were compared with TIL counts in tumor specimens. High counts of the CD276+ and Foxp3+ TILs were identified as independent factors for poor prognosis for metastasis and local recurrence following radical nephrectomy (P=0.033 and 0.006, respectively). A high CD276+ TIL count was associated with preoperative serum levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ (P=0.027 and P=0.035, respectively), whereas a high count of Foxp3+ TILs was associated with preoperative serum levels of TGF-ß (P=0.021). High levels of TNF-α and TGF-ß were associated with recurrence-free survival (P=0.035 and P=0.031, respectively). Topical intra-tumoral immunoreaction and systemic immune status may be associated with patients with localized RCC. The topical induction of the CD276+ and Foxp3+ TILs was suggested to be associated with high levels of serum TNF-α and IFN-γ. Preoperative serum levels of TNF-α and TGF-ß could be simple and non-invasive biomarkers for risk stratification before radical surgery.

Monoclonal Antibody against CXCL1 (HL2401) as a Novel Agent in Suppressing IL6 Expression and Tumoral Growth.

Rationale: The expression of the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), an inflammatory protein, has been reported to be up-regulated in many human cancers. The mechanisms through which aberrant cellular CXCL1 levels promote specific steps in tumor growth and progression are unknown. Methods: We described the anticancer effects and mechanism of action of HL2401, a monoclonal antibody directed at CXCL1 with in vitro and in vivo data on bladder and prostate cancers. Results: HL2401 inhibited proliferation and invasion of bladder and prostate cells along with disrupting endothelial sprouting in vitro. Furthermore, novel mechanistic investigations revealed that CXCL1 expression stimulated interleukin 6 (IL6) expression and repressed tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP4). Systemic administration of HL2401 in mice bearing bladder and prostate xenograft tumors retarded tumor growth through the inhibition of cellular proliferation and angiogenesis along with an induction of apoptosis. Our findings reveal a previously undocumented relationship between CXCL1, IL6 and TIMP4 in solid tumor biology. Principal conclusions: Taken together, our results argue that CXCL1 plays an important role in sustaining the growth of bladder and prostate tumors via up-regulation of IL6 and down-regulation of TIMP4. Targeting these critical interactions with a CXCL1 monoclonal antibody offers a novel strategy to therapeutically manage bladder and prostate cancers.

Intravesical treatment of chemotherapeutic agents sensitizes bacillus Calmette­Guerin by the modulation of the tumor immune environment.

Intravesical treatment with bacillus Calmette­Guerin (BCG) is the most common treatment for preventing progression and recurrence of non­muscle invasive bladder cancer. Our previous study using the N­butyl­N­(4­hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN)­induced orthotopic bladder cancer model demonstrated that intravesical treatment with mitomycin C (MMC) and adriamycin (ADM) suppressed pro­tumoral immunity, including the aggregation of tumor­associated macrophages (TAMs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment. Previous evidence supports the association of resistance to intravesical treatment of BCG with TAMs and Tregs. In the present study, we investigated the antitumoral efficacy of sequential intravesical treatments with chemotherapeutic agents and BCG in a BBN­induced orthotopic bladder cancer model. Thirty­six C57BL/6J mice bearing bladder cancer were randomly divided into six treatment groups as follows: control, BCG, MMC, ADM, MMC­BCG and ADM­BCG. Intravesical treatment was performed once a week for six weeks. One week after the completion of intravesical treatment, bladder and blood were harvested. MMC­BCG and ADM­BCG were more effective antitumor activities than BCG monotherapy. Bladders were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis and revealed that intravesical BCG treatment combined with MMC/ADM promoted the local recruitment of NK cells to the bladder as effectively as BCG monotherapy and reduced TAMs and Tregs in the bladder. Interleukin (IL)­17 and granulocyte­colony stimulating factor (G­CSF) in serum were analyzed by enzyme­linked immunosorbent assay and these levels were revealed to be elevated in mice treated with sequential treatments similar to levels following monotherapy with MMC and ADM. Our findings indicated that intravesical sequential treatment could suppress the resistance to BCG through the enhancement of antitumor immunity (induction of NK cells) and inhibition of pro­tumoral immunity (reduction of TAMs and Tregs). Systemic changes in IL­17 and G­CSF may be involved in topical immunomodulation. Further studies including clinical trials may be required to establish an appropriate strategy based on the immunomodulation of the tumor microenvironment.

Correlation of Immune Cells and Cytokines in the Tumor Microenvironment with Elevated Neutrophil-To-Lymphocyte Ratio in Blood: An Analysis of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

We investigated the relationship between Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the quantities of neutrophil elastase, CD3, Foxp3, and CD204 in tumor-infiltrating cells and circulating cytokines (IL-2, -6, -8, 17a, and TGF-ß) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. IL-6 and IL-8 levels showed a significant correlation with NLR in blood and Foxp3+ cells around the tumor. After co-culture of peripheral blood cells with bladder cancer cell lines, the induction of regulatory T cell (Treg) was higher in T24 whose IL-6 and IL-8 levels were higher. High NLR correlates with increased IL-6 and IL-8 and Treg expression.

Gamma-Klotho exhibits multiple roles in tumor growth of human bladder cancer.

Alpha-Klotho (KLα) and beta-Klotho (KLß) have recently been reported to correlate with cancer prognosis in some malignancies and we previously reported the association between KLα, KLß, and urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB), indicating that KLß acts as a tumor promoter. However, the association between gamma-Klotho (KLγ) and cancer prognosis remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the association between KLγ and UCB. To evaluate the effect of KLγ on human bladder cancer cell lines in vitro assays were performed. Exogenous KLγ increased the ability of human bladder cancer cells to proliferate, migrate, invade, form colonies, and provide anchorage-independent growth potential. In in vivo assays, eighteen mice bearing xenografts inoculated using UM-UC-3, were randomly divided into three groups and treated with a small interfering RNA (siRNA) by intratumoral administration once a week for four weeks. Knockdown of KLγ with siRNA led to a dramatic change in tumor growth and suggested that KLγ had effects on tumor growth, including promotion of cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, and enhancement of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. To confirm the study, human tissue samples were used and patients were divided into two groups according to KLγ expression level. High expression of KLγ was significantly associated with higher stage and grade cancer and the presence of lymphovascular invasion compared to patients with lower expression of KLγ. Our results suggest that KLγ plays an important role in tumor invasion and progression and these results may lead to the development of new therapies and diagnostic methods for UCB.

Diagnostic and prognostic role of urinary collagens in primary human bladder cancer.

Collagen type 4 alpha 1 (COL4A1) and collagen type 13 alpha 1 (COL13A1) produced by urothelial cancer cells support the vital oncogenic property of tumor invasion. We investigated the diagnostic and prognostic capability of COL4A1 and COL13A1 in voided urine and compared the observed values with those of fragments of cytokeratin-19 (CYFRA21-1), nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP-22), and voided urine cytology in bladder cancer (BCa). We collected voided urine samples from 154 patients newly diagnosed with BCa, before surgery and from 61 control subjects. Protein levels of COL4A1, COL13A1, CYFRA21-1, and NMP-22 in urine supernatants were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Diagnostic performance and optimal cut-off values were determined by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Urine levels of COL4A1, COL13A1, the combined values of COL4A1 and COL13A1 (COL4A1 + COL13A1), and CYFRA21-1 were significantly elevated in urine from patients with BCa compared to the controls. Among these biomarkers, the optimal cut-off value of COL4A1 + COL13A1 at 1.33 ng/mL resulted in 57.4%, 83.7%, 56.1%, 80.7%, and 91.7% sensitivity for low-grade tumors, high-grade tumors, Ta, T1, and muscle invasive disease, respectively. We evaluated the prognostic value of preoperative urine levels in 130 non-muscle invasive BCa samples after the initial transurethral surgery. A high urinary COL4A1 + COL13A1 was found to be an independent risk factor for intravesical recurrence. Although these data need to be externally validated, urinary COL4A1 and COL13A1 could be a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for BCa. This easy-to-use urinary signature identifies a subgroup of patients with a high probability of recurrence and progression in non-muscle invasive and muscle invasive BCa.

Spectrophotometric photodynamic detection involving extracorporeal treatment with hexaminolevulinate for bladder cancer cells in voided urine.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of hexaminolevulinate (HAL) for the photodynamic detection of cancer cells in voided urine. METHODS: This study included 50 patients with bladder cancer that was confirmed histologically after transurethral resection (bladder cancer group) and 50 outpatients without a history of urothelial carcinoma or cancer-related findings (no malignancy group). One third of the voided urine samples were incubated with aminolevulinic acid (ALA-treated samples), one third were incubated with HAL (HAL-treated samples), and the remaining samples were incubated without treatment (untreated samples). For detecting cellular protoporphyrin IX levels, the intensity of the samples at the excitation wavelength of 405 nm was measured using a spectrophotometer. The difference between the intensity of the ALA-treated or HAL-treated samples and the untreated samples at 635 nm was calculated. RESULTS: HAL-induced fluorescence cytology (HFC) showed that the difference was significantly higher in patients with high-grade tumors than in those with low-grade tumors (p = 0.0003) and the difference was significantly higher in patients with low-grade tumors than in those without a history of urothelial carcinoma or cancer-related findings (p = 0.021). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of ALA-induced fluorescence cytology (AFC) and HFC were 0.77 and 0.81, respectively. The AUC of HFC was significantly higher than that of AFC (p < 0.0001). The overall sensitivity values for conventional cytology, AFC, and HFC were 49, 74, and 74%, respectively. The overall specificity values for AFC and HFC were 70 and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Spectrophotometric photodynamic detection involving extracorporeal treatment with HAL for bladder cancer cells in voided urine showed high accuracy. This bladder cancer detection method is easy and cost-effective, and has the potential for clinical use.

Topical and systemic immunoreaction triggered by intravesical chemotherapy in an N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitorosamine induced bladder cancer mouse model.

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) treatment is the most common therapy to prevent progression and recurrence of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Although the immunoreaction elicited by BCG treatment is well documented, those induced by intravesical treatment with chemotherapeutic agents are much less known. We investigated the immunological profiles caused by mitomycin C, gemcitabine, adriamycin and docetaxel in the N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN)-induced orthotopic bladder cancer mouse model. Ninety mice bearing orthotopic bladder cancer induced by BBN were randomly divided into six groups and treated with chemotherapeutic agents once a week for four weeks. After last treatment, bladder and serum samples were analyzed for cell surface and immunological markers (CD4, CD8, CD56, CD204, Foxp3, and PD-L1) using immunohistochemistry staining. Serum and urine cytokine levels were evaluated by ELISA. All chemotherapeutic agents presented anti-tumor properties similar to those of BCG. These included changes in immune cells that resulted in fewer M2 macrophages and regulatory T cells around tumors. This result was compatible with those in human samples. Intravesical chemotherapy also induced systemic changes in cytokines, especially urinary interleukin (IL)-17A and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), as well as in the distribution of blood neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes. Our findings suggest that intravesical treatment with mitomycin C and adriamycin suppresses protumoral immunity while enhancing anti-tumor immunity, possibly through the action of specific cytokines. A better understanding of the immunoreaction induced by chemotherapeutic agents can lead to improved outcomes and fewer side effects in intravesical chemotherapy against NMIBC.

Potential biomarkers for the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib, sunitinib and everolimus.

We examined extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK), 4E­binding protein 1 (4EBP1) and p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70) as potential biomarkers for pretreatment prediction of the prognosis of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with sorafenib, sunitinib or everolimus. 786­O and 769­P cells were treated with sorafenib, sunitinib and everolimus. The expression of phosphorylated/total ERK, phosphorylated/total 4EBP1 and phosphorylated/total p70 was evaluated using western blotting. ERK, 4EBP1 and p70 were knocked down by siRNA in 786­O and 769­P cells. Then, the viability after treatment with each drug was assessed. Expression of phosphorylated (phospho)­ERK, -4EBP1 and -p70 was immunohistochemically evaluated in radical nephrectomy specimens and correlated with progression­free survival during treatment with each molecular targeting agent. Sorafenib inhibited the expression of phospho-ERK and -4EBP1 in 769­P cells; sunitinib, phospho-ERK and -4EBP1 in 786­O and 769­P cells; and everolimus, phospho-p70 in 786­O and 769­P cells. Knockdown of ERK reduced sensitivity to sorafenib in both cell lines, knockdown of ERK and 4EBP1 reduced sensitivity to sunitinib in 769­P cells, and knockdown of 4EBP1 and p70 reduced sensitivity to everolimus in 786­O cells. High expression of phospho-ERK, -4EBP1 and -p70 correlated with better progression­free survival in patients treated with sorafenib, sunitinib and everolimus, respectively. Our results indicate that phospho-ERK, -4EBP1 and/or -ERK, and phospho-p70 can be used as biomarkers for the therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib, sunitinib and everolimus, respectively.

Clinical significance of α­ and ß­Klotho in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) accounts for ~70% of all bladder cancers. One of the serious clinical issues related to the management of NMIBC is that it has significant potential to progress to muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after initial treatments. α­Klotho (KLα), originally identified as an anti­aging gene, has recently been reported to have antitumor effects in various malignancies. In contrast, ß­Klotho (KLß) has been reported to have protumoral functions. However, the associations between KLα/KLß and the biological behavior of urothelial carcinoma remain unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the association between clinicopathological background factors of NMIBC and the expression levels of KLα or KLß. A high expression level of KLß, but not KLα, was an independent predictive factor of short progression­free survival for NMIBC. An elevated level of KLß correlated with a higher incidence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI). We added in vitro assays using human bladder cancer cell lines to investigate the role of KLß. Treatment with exogenous KLß protein increased the proliferation, migration, transendothelial migration abilities and anchorage­independent growth of the cell lines. In addition, the KLß concentration in voided urine samples obtained before initial transurethral surgery was quantitated with enzyme­linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The urine KLß concentration was found to be higher in patients with bladder cancer than that in healthy volunteers. Our results suggest that KLß plays important roles in tumor invasion and progression, and its concentration may be a valuable urine­based marker for the detection of bladder cancer.

Expression of ferrochelatase has a strong correlation in protoporphyrin IX accumulation with photodynamic detection of bladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism underlying the increased levels of protoporphyrin IX in bladder cancer remains unclear. Here, we focus on proteins associated with protoporphyrin IX accumulation in bladder cancer cells and investigate the protein that plays a key role in increased protoporphyrin IX accumulation in bladder cancer cells. METHODS: Western blotting was used to determine the expression of peptide transporter 1, hydroxymethylbilane synthase, ferrochelatase, ATP-binding cassette 2, and heme oxygenase-1 in bladder cancer cell line cells. We evaluated the correlation between the expression of each protein and accumulated protoporphyrin IX in these cells using Pearson's correlation analysis. Immunohistochemistry was used to estimate the expression of the same five proteins in samples from 75 patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors. The correlation between the expression of each protein in cells from resected bladder specimens and accumulated protoporphyrin IX in bladder cancer cells in voided urine was evaluated using Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The expression of ferrochelatase showed a significant negative correlation with protoporphyrin IX accumulation in vitro (p=0.04). The expression of peptide transporter 1 (p<0.01, R=0.39), heme oxygenase-1 (p<0.01, R=0.33), and ferrochelatase (p<0.01, R=0.75) in resected bladder specimens by immunohistochemistry was correlated with protoporphyrin IX accumulation in bladder cancer cells in voided urine. On multivariate analysis, the expression of ferrochelatase (p=0.03) was significant factors to predict positive 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced fluorescent cytology. CONCLUSION: The expression of ferrochelatase has a strong correlation in protoporphyrin IX accumulation with photodynamic detection of bladder cancer.

Protoporphyrin IX induced by 5-aminolevulinic acid in bladder cancer cells in voided urine can be extracorporeally quantified using a spectrophotometer.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the feasibility of photodynamic diagnosis of bladder cancer by spectrophotometric analysis of voided urine samples after extracorporeal treatment with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). METHODS: Sixty-one patients with bladder cancer, confirmed histologically after the transurethral resection of a bladder tumor, were recruited as the bladder cancer group, and 50 outpatients without history of urothelial carcinoma or cancer-related findings were recruited as the control group. Half of the voided urine sample was incubated with ALA (ALA-treated sample), and the rest was incubated without treatment (ALA-untreated sample). For detecting cellular protoporphyrin IX levels, intensity of the samples at the excitation wavelength of 405 nm was measured using a spectrophotometer. The difference between the intensity of the ALA-treated and ALA-untreated samples at 635 nm was calculated. RESULTS: The differences in the bladder cancer group were significantly greater than those in the control group (p < 0.001). These differences were also significantly greater in patients with high-grade tumors than in those with low-grade tumors (p = 0.004), and also in patients with invasive bladder cancer than in those with noninvasive bladder cancer (p = 0.007). The area under the curve was 0.84. Sensitivity and specificity of the method were 82% and 80%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that protoporphyrin IX levels in urinary cells treated with ALA could be quantitatively detected by spectrophotometer in patients with bladder cancer. Therefore, this cancer detection system has a potential for clinical use.

Diagnostic approach for cancer cells in urine sediments by 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic detection in bladder cancer.

Bladder urothelial carcinoma is diagnosed and followed up after transurethral resection using a combination of cystoscopy, urine cytology and urine biomarkers at regular intervals. However, cystoscopy can overlook flat lesions like carcinoma in situ, and the sensitivity of urinary tests is poor in low-grade tumors. There is an emergent need for an objective and easy urinary diagnostic test for the management of bladder cancer. In this study, three different modalities for 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA)-based photodynamic diagnostic tests were used. We developed a compact-size, desktop-type device quantifying red fluorescence in cell suspensions, named "Cellular Fluorescence Analysis Unit" (CFAU). Urine samples from 58 patients with bladder cancer were centrifuged, and urine sediments were then treated with ALA. ALA-treated sediments were subjected to three fluorescence detection assays, including the CFAU assay. The overall sensitivities of conventional cytology, BTA, NMP22, fluorescence cytology, fluorescent spectrophotometric assay and CFAU assay were 48%, 33%, 40%, 86%, 86% and 87%, respectively. Three different ALA-based assays showed high sensitivity and specificity. The ALA-based assay detected low-grade and low-stage bladder urothelial cells at shigher rate (68-80% sensitivity) than conventional urine cytology, BTA and NMP22 (8-20% sensitivity). Our findings demonstrate that the ALA-based fluorescence detection assay is promising tool for the management of bladder cancer. Development of a rapid and automated device for ALA-based photodynamic assay is necessary to avoid the variability induced by troublesome steps and low stability of specimens.

Inhibition of COX-2 expression by topical diclofenac enhanced radiation sensitivity via enhancement of TRAIL in human prostate adenocarcinoma xenograft model.

BACKGROUND: COX-2 inhibitors have an antitumor potential and have been verified by many researchers. Treatment of cancer cells with external stressors such as irradiation can stimulate the over-expression of COX-2 and possibly confer radiation resistance. In this study, we tested if topical diclofenac, which inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2, administration rendered prostate tumor cells sensitize to the effects of radiation. METHODS: LNCaP-COX-2 and LNCaP-Neo cells were treated with 0 to 1000 µM diclofenac. Next, a clonogenic assay was performed in which cells were subjected to irradiation (0 to 4 Gy) with or without diclofenac. COX-2 expression and other relevant molecules were measured by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry after irradiation and diclofenac treatment. In addition, we assessed the tumor volumes of xenograft LNCaP-COX-2 cells treated with topical diclofenac with or without radiation therapy (RT). RESULTS: LNCaP-COX-2 and LNCaP-Neo cell lines experienced cytotoxic effects of diclofenac in a dose related manner. Clonogenic assays demonstrated that LNCaP-COX-2 cells were significantly more resistant to RT than LNCaP-Neo cells. Furthermore, the addition of diclofenac sensitized LNCaP-COX-2 not but LNCaP-Neo cells to the cytocidal effects of radiation. In LNCaP-COX-2 cells, diclofenac enhanced radiation-induced apoptosis compared with RT alone. This phenomenon might be attributed to enhancement of RT-induced TRAIL expression as demonstrated by real-time PCR analysis. Lastly, tumor volumes of LNCaP-COX-2 cells xenograft treated with diclofenac or RT alone was >4-fold higher than in mice treated with combined diclofenac and radiation (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These in vitro and in vivo findings suggest that conventional COX inhibitor, diclofenac enhances the effect of RT on prostate cancer cells that express COX-2. Thus, diclofenac may have potential as radiosensitizer for treatment of prostate cancer.