MiRNA in melanoma-derived exosomes

Proteins, RNAs and viruses can be spread through exosomes, therefore transport utilizing these nanovesicles is of the great interest. MiRNAs are common exosomal constituents capable of influencing expression of a variety of target genes. MiRNA signatures of exosomes are unique in cancer patients and differ from those in normal controls. The knowledge about miRNA profiles of tumor-derived exosomes may contribute to better diagnosis, determination of tumor progression and response to treatment, as well as to the development of targeted therapies. We summarize the current knowledge with regard to miRNAs that are found in exosomes derived from tumors, particularly from melanoma.     

Inflammation and melanoma growth and metastasis: The role of platelet-activating factor (PAF) and its receptor

An inflammatory tumor microenvironment fosters tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastatic progression. Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is an inflammatory biolipid produced from membrane glycerophospholipids. Through the activity of its G-protein coupled receptor, PAF triggers a variety of pathological reactions including tumor neo-angiogenesis. Several groups have demonstrated that inhibiting PAF-PAF receptor pathway at the level of a ligand or receptor results in an effective inhibition of experimental tumor growth and metastasis. In particular, our group has recently demonstrated that PAF receptor antagonists can effectively inhibit the metastatic potential of human melanoma cells in nude mice. Furthermore, we showed that PAF stimulated the phosphorylation of CREB and ATF-1 in metastatic melanoma cells, which resulted in overexpression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP. Our data indicate that PAF acts as a promoter of melanoma metastasis in vivo. Since only metastatic melanoma cells overexpress CREB/ATF-1, we propose that these cells are better equipped to respond to PAF within the tumor microenvironment when compared to their non-metastatic counterparts.     

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) expression decreases during melanoma progression and inhibits melanoma cell migration

AimsMalignant melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, and metastatic dissemination to regional and visceral sites is responsible for the majority of melanoma-related mortalities. In a recent study by our group, we observed reduced expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) in the majority of stage III melanoma samples studied. TIMP3 has been reported as a tumour suppressor in several human malignancies, with reduced expression correlating with poor clinical outcome. In this study, we investigated the changes in TIMP3 expression during melanoma progression.Patients and methodsTIMP3 expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry in sequential archived tumour material from stage I/II, stage III and stage IV samples from melanoma patients (n = 33). Protein expression was investigated for associations with disease-free survival and overall survival. Methylation status of the gene promoter was determined using methylation-specific PCR. In vitro assays were used to investigate the functional consequences of TIMP3 expression on behavioural aspects of melanoma cells.ResultsWe show that TIMP3 expression decreases with melanoma progression although no significant clinical associations were obtained. Analysis of the status of promoter methylation using methylation-specific PCR revealed it to be a low-frequency event in melanoma. Additionally, through gene modulation experiments in melanoma cell lines, we show that TIMP3 negatively regulates cell migration, invasion and anoikis resistance.ConclusionsCollectively, our data suggests that TIMP3 functions as a tumour suppressor in melanoma and negatively regulates several aspects of the metastatic cascade.     

NRAGE suppresses metastasis of melanoma and pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo

We previously reported that human NRAGE could significantly alter the cellular skeleton and inhibit cell–cell adhesion, suggesting that human NRGAE play a potential role in cellular motility. Here, we report overexpression of human NRAGE in PANC-1 and B16-Bl6 cells could significantly suppress the metastasis of these cells in vitro and in vivo. Consistently, PANC-1 with stable silencing of NRAGE by RNA interference, exhibits a more metastatic phenotype than the native cell. Expression of epithelial proteins, including E-cadherin and β-catenin is down regulated in siRNA-NRAGE PANC-1 cells. Further studies find that overexpression of human NRAGE suppresses the mRNA expression and activity of MMP2 significantly. Summary, our studies indicate for the first time that NRAGE could suppress metastasis of melanoma and pancreatic cancer probably through downregulation of MMP-2.     

外泌体miRNA在黑色素瘤转移和耐药中的作用

转移和耐药的发生是黑色素瘤逃脱靶向化疗药物毒性伤害的主要方式,也是导致临床靶向治疗失败和病情复发的最重要因素。外泌体是由细胞分泌的外囊泡,内含微小RNA（miRNA）、mRNA、小分子蛋白等多种生物活性物质,在肿瘤进展、诊断等方面发挥重要作用。外泌体miRNA通过协助黑色素瘤细胞穿过基底膜,诱导上皮间质转化（epithelial-mesenchymal transition,EMT）,促进转移前微环境建立,参与黑色素瘤转移。同时在化疗药物治疗过程中,外泌体miRNA通过进入黑色素瘤细胞中重新激活MAPK/PI3K信号通路,进而导致耐药产生。因此,探究外泌体miRNA在黑色素瘤转移和耐药过程中的功能和机制作用对于提高和改善癌症患者的治愈率和预后状态具有重要意义。     

The role of antiangiogenesis therapy: Bevacizumab and beyond

The importance of angiogenesis in tumour growth and development is well known. Overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the key mediator of angiogenesis, is associated with poor prognosis in cancer. As a result, several therapeutic agents that inhibit the actions of VEGF or its receptors are currently in development for use in advanced solid tumours, such breast, colorectal, lung and renal cancer. Clinical data from trials of anti-VEGF agents in this group of tumours are discussed, with a particular focus on the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab, the anti-VEGF agent at the most advanced stage of development in those tumour types. Future potential uses of bevacizumab in cancer therapy will be discussed. Presented in part as a Plenary Lecture at the XXV Anniversary of the Spanish Society for Cancer Research (ASEICA), Santiago de Compostela, 10 July 2008     

Ajoene inhibits both primary tumor growth and metastasis of B16/BL6 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice

Ajoene is an organosulphur compound derived from garlic with important effects on several membrane-associated processes such as platelet aggregation, as well as being cytotoxic for tumor cell lines in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ajoene on different cell types in vitro, as well as its inhibitory effects on both primary tumors and metastasis in a mouse model. We found ajoene to inhibit tumor cell growth in vitro, but also to inhibit strongly metastasis to lung in the B16/BL6 melanoma tumor model in C57BL/6 mice. As far as we are aware, this is the first report of the anti-metastatic effect of ajoene. Ajoene also inhibited tumor-endothelial cell adhesion, as well as the in vivo TNF-α response to lipopolysaccharide. Possible mechanisms of its antitumoral activity are discussed in the light of these results.     

Comparison of the in vitro and in vivo effects of retinoids either alone or in combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil on tumor development and metastasis of melanoma

Purpose  Retinoids have previously been reported to inhibit proliferation of melanoma cell lines in vitro. However, the relative antimetastatic efficacy of various retinoids on melanoma in vivo is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of different retinoids on the invasion and metastasis of murine melanoma B16-F10 cells in vitro and in vivo. Based on the findings, the antitumor effects of a selected retinoid either alone or in combination with cisplatin were also investigated in a preclinical mouse melanoma model. Methods  Cell proliferation and invasion analyses of murine melanoma B16-F10 cells were assessed in the presence of different retinoids, either alone or in combination with cisplatin (CDDP) or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Experimental lung metastasis assay was performed in this study to investigate the antimetastatic efficacy of retinoids. Additionally, a mouse melanoma model was used to assess the antitumor efficacy of a selected retinoid in combination with cisplatin. Results  Retinoids showed significant antiproliferation and anti-invasion effects on murine melanoma B16-F10 cells. Pretreatment with retinoids increased the sensitivity to CDDP but not to 5-FU in in-vitro. Moreover, the number of metastatic colonies formed in the lungs of mice injected intravenously with B16-F10 cells was significantly reduced by injecting the respective retinoid once a day for 10 days. Treatment with a combination of cisplatin and 13-cis-retinoic acid resulted in a significant reduction in primary tumor size and the number of lung metastatic nodules in melanoma-bearing mice. Conclusion  These results suggest that retinoids not only exhibit antimetastatic effect, but also enhance the antitumor activity of cisplatin in vivo.     

Enhancement role of host 12/15-lipoxygenase in melanoma progression

12/15-Lipoxygenase (12/15-LOX) is a non-haeme iron-containing dioxygenase that forms 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) or 15(S)-HETE. Several biological mediators including cytokines, growth factors and lipid metabolites released during tumour cell-endothelial cell adhesion are associated with malignant tumour progression. Here we found that HETEs released from the host organ played a critical role in tumour metastasis. Intravenous injection of B16F10 melanoma cells caused lung nodule formation, which was markedly attenuated in 12/15-LOX null mice. Co-injection of melanoma cells with 12(S)-HETE increased the lung homing activity of B16F10 melanoma cells. In vitro studies showed that 12(S)-HETE and 15(S)-HETE treatment resulted in a concentration-dependent increase of adhesion of B16F10 cells on collagen or fibronectin. The melanoma cell adhesion was then evaluated in pulmonary primary cell culture isolated from wild-type (WT) and 12/15-LOX knockout (KO) mice. It was found that the adhesion of melanoma cells on the epithelial cells isolated from 12/15-LOX null mice was reduced in comparison with those isolated from WT mice. Treatment of 12(S)-HETE increased the pFAK in melanoma cells adhering on collagen-coated slide. The enhancement of adherence elicited by 12(S)-HETE in B16F10 cells could be antagonised by focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitor 14 (FAK inhibitor) or PD98059 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor). 12(S)-HETE increased the phosphorylation of FAK and ERK in adhering melanoma cells. The FAK phosphorylation induced by 12(S)-HETE was further inhibited by PD98059, indicating that FAK is the downstream target of ERK. The adhesion and lung metastasis of human melanoma cells of C32 in NOD/SCID mice were also potentiated by co-treatment with 12(S)-HETE. These results demonstrate that 12(S)-HETE/15(S)-HETE activates ERK and FAK signalling pathways, thereby upregulates the adhesion and metastatic potential of melanoma cells. The endogenous release of 12(S)-HETE/15(S)-HETE in the host organ may affect the metastatic potential of melanoma.     

组胺对C57BL/6小鼠B16黑色素瘤转移行为的影响

背景与目的:肿瘤生物治疗中微血管壁通透性是大分子抗体偶联药物进入瘤体的主要屏障.组胺可通过增加微血管壁通透性和组织液的生成促进抗体偶联物在肿瘤局部的富集.本研究观察组胺所致微血管壁通透性的增加和组织液的生成增多是否会增加肿瘤血行及/或淋巴的转移.方法:采用瘤细胞悬液接种法将小鼠黑色素瘤细胞B16注入小鼠左上肢腋部皮下,建立C57BL/6小鼠荷瘤模型.实验组接种第6天起,背部皮下注射300 mg/kg组胺,隔日一次,共5次,对照组注射等体积生理盐水.组织化学方法检测肿瘤细胞在各脏器的转移情况.分别用Student t-test和四格表资料确切概率法分析组胺对肿瘤细胞增殖和转移的作用.结果:接种成瘤率100%.300 mg/kg组胺隔日一次皮下注射能明显抑制肿瘤的生长,实验组与对照组瘤重分别为(5.26 1.55)g和(6.96±1.31)g,二者间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).实验组与对照组淋巴结转移率分别为33.3%和75.0%,血行转移率分别为25.0%和75.0%,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论:组胺能够抑制C57BL/6小鼠B16黑色素瘤的血行和淋巴转移,该抑制作用部分与其抑制瘤细胞的增殖有关.     

外泌体在肿瘤发展中的研究进展

外泌体是细胞经过"内吞-融合-外排"等一系列调控过程而形成的细胞外纳米级小囊泡。外泌体可以携带蛋白,运送RNA,在细胞间物质和信息转导中起重要作用。外泌体可能通过调控免疫功能,促进肿瘤血管新生和肿瘤转移,以及直接作用于肿瘤细胞等途径,影响肿瘤的进展。外泌体可应用于肿瘤的诊断。本文总结了近年来有关外泌体在肿瘤发展中作用的研究进展。     

The radioresponsiveness of melanoma

The variability of malignant melanoma in its response to irradiation is well documented. Recent radiobiological studies suggest that high individual dose and low total fraction regimens will enhance the responsiveness of this tumor to irradiation. The experience of the Ellis Fischel State Cancer Hospital and the Cancer Research Center, Columbia, Missouri was reviewed with particular attention to such radiotherapeutic regimens. Of 41 lesions in 27 patients, the overall response rate to irradiation was 37%. When regimens using more than 400 cGy per fraction were analyzed, a 67% response rate was noted. Complete response and small volume of tumor correlated significantly (p = 0.008) with long-term survival.     

The neuropilins and their role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression

The neuropilins were originally described as receptors for the six axon guidance factors belonging to the class-3 semaphorins. They were subsequently found to function in addition as receptors for specific splice forms of angiogenic factors belonging to the VEGF family. The neuropilins are expressed in many types of cancer cells, in endothelial cells and in additional many types of normal diploid cell types. Recent findings indicate that the neuropilins and their associated plexin and tyrosine-kinase VEGF receptors play a regulatory role in developmental angiogenesis as well as in tumor angiogenesis. The neuropilin ligands belonging to the semaphorin family as well as the various VEGF's function as modulators of angiogenesis and tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, since many types of cancer cells express neuropilins and neuropilin associated receptors, it is not surprising that various neuropilin ligands can modulate the behavior of cancer cells directly leading to the potentiation or inhibition of tumor progression.     

The role of LIN28B in tumor progression and metastasis in solid tumor entities

LIN28B is an RNA-binding protein that targets a broad range of microRNAs and modulates their maturation and activity. Under normal conditions, LIN28B is exclusively expressed in embryogenic stem cells, blocking differentiation and promoting proliferation. In addition, it can play a role in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition by repressing the biogenesis of let-7 microRNAs. In malignancies, LIN28B is frequently overexpressed, which is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and metastatic properties. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of LIN28B in promoting tumor progression and metastasis in solid tumor entities and its potential use as a clinical therapeutic target and biomarker.     

Cell cycle control and adhesion signaling pathways in the development of metastatic melanoma

Metastatic melanoma is a fatal malignancy which is remarkably resistant to treatment. It is not entirely clear what determines transition from primary local to metastatic melanoma. Recent gene profiling studies shed light onto the complexity of pathogenesis of melanoma progression. An interaction between cell cycle signaling, adhesion pathways and epithelial-mesenchimal transition program appears to be critical in the development of metastatic disease. An isolated deregulation of either of those pathways may not be sufficient to initiate tumor evolution towards an aggressive phenotype. Here we review how they act in concert to make such a transition possible.     

肛管直肠恶性黑色素瘤临床研究进展

肛管直肠恶性黑色素瘤临床罕见,临床症状不典型,误诊率高,结合指诊、内镜、超声、CT、MRI、PET-CT、电镜及免疫组织化学结果有助于提高诊断率.本病易复发转移,预后极差,尚无有效的治疗手段,应提高对肛管直肠恶性黑色素瘤的警惕,重点在于早期发现、正确诊断、多学科合理综合治疗,以提高患者生存率.     

Chemokines in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis

Chemokines are a large group of low molecular weight cytokines that are known to selectively attract and activate different cell types. Although the primary function of chemokines is well recognized as leukocyte attractants, recent evidences indicate that they also play a role in number of tumor-related processes, such as growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Chemokines activate cells through cell surface seven trans-membranes, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR). The role played by chemokines and their receptors in tumor pathophysiology is complex as some chemokines favor tumor growth and metastasis, while others may enhance anti-tumor immunity. These diverse functions of chemokines establish them as key mediators between the tumor cells and their microenvironment and play critical role in tumor progression and metastasis. In this review, we present some of the recent advances in chemokine research with special emphasis on its role in tumor angiogenesis and metastasis.