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Non-melanoma skin cancer is the most common form of cancer worldwide. We previously documented an anti-apoptotic role for CDC25A in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), an activity dependent on its association with 14-3-3 proteins. We hypothesized that targeting CDC25A-14-3-3e interactions may be an effective strategy for inducing skin cancer cell apoptosis. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed that CDC25A associated with 14-3-3e, 14-3-3γ and 14-3-3ζ in SCC cells but not normal keratinocytes. 14-3-3e and CDC25A activated Akt/BAD/Survivin pro-survival signaling. To target the interaction of 14-3-3e with CDC25A for cancer therapy, we developed two novel phospho-peptides, pS and pT, corresponding to each of the 14-3-3 binding sites of CDC25A, to specifically interfere with 14-3-3e binding to CDC25A. Peptides pT (IC50 = 22.1 μM), and pS (IC50 = 29 μM) induced SCC cell death and blocked 14-3-3e binding to CDC25A. pS or pT treatment of SCC xenografts increased apoptotic cell death and decreased pro-survival P-Akt (S473) and Survivin, demonstrating the effectiveness of the peptides in vivo. These findings lay a framework for the further development of peptides to target 14-3-3e-CDC25A interactions for skin cancer treatment.

Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a heterogenous group of tumors. While most NETs have excellent prognosis, certain subsets have aggressive biology and have limited treatment options. We explored the role of survivin in NET as a prognostic and potentially therapeutic marker. Tissue microarrays of 132 patients were stained for survivin using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and correlated with outcomes. Using genomic database, we then correlated survivin (BIRC5) mRNA expression with radiosensitivity index (RSI) in 52 samples of NET. Finally, we studied the effect of radiation on survivin expression in human cell lines and the impact of knock-down of BIRC5 on cell proliferation and radiation sensitivity. We found that survivin positivity by IHC correlated with a shorter survival (overall survival 8.5 years vs. 18.3 years, p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between BIRC5 expression and RSI (r = 0.234, p < 0.0001). Radiation exposure increased BIRC5 gene expression in a human carcinoid cell line. Knockout of BIRC5 using siRNA reduced proliferation of neuroendocrine cells but did not increase radiation sensitivity. We conclude that survivin expression in NET correlates with an inferior survival and survivin expression in human carcinoid cell lines increases after exposure to ionizing radiation.

From the perspective of psycho-oncology, antipsychotics are widely used for patients with cancer. Although some antipsychotic drugs have anti-tumor effects, these antipsychotic drugs are not applicable for cancer patients because of their severe side effects. Brexpiprazole, a novel serotonin-dopamine modulator with an improved side effect profile, was developed as a drug that is structurally and pharmacologically related to aripiprazole, which was reported to have anti-cancer effects. However, it remains unknown whether brexpiprazole has anti-cancer effects. In this study, we examined whether brexpiprazole has anti-tumor effects in cancer cells and cancer stem cells (CSCs) of glioblastoma, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer. Brexpiprazole suppressed cell growth and induced cell death in the cancer cells and the CSCs, and decreased the CSC properties of the CSCs. Brexpiprazole did not exert any cytotoxic effects on non-cancer cells at the anti-cancer effect-inducing concentration. In the cancer cells and the CSCs, brexpiprazole reduced the expression of survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein, whose reduction sensitizes tumor cells to chemotherapeutic reagents. In the preclinical model in which pancreatic CSCs were subcutaneously implanted into nude mice, brexpiprazole suppressed tumor growth, in addition to reducing the expression of Sox2, a marker for CSCs, and survivin. This suggests that brexpiprazole is a promising antipsychotic drug with anti-tumor effects and an improved safety profile.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) binds to death receptors and induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines while sparing normal cells. Recombinant TRAIL has shown good safety and efficacy profiles in preclinical cancer models. However, clinical success has been limited due to poor PK and development of resistance to death receptor-induced apoptosis. We have addressed these issues by creating a fusion protein of TRAIL and arginine deiminase (ADI). The fusion protein benefits from structural and functional synergies between its two components and has an extended half-life in vivo. ADI downregulates survivin, upregulates DR5 receptor and sensitizes cancer cells to TRAIL induced apoptosis. ADI-TRAIL fusion protein was efficacious in a number of cell lines and synergized with some standard of care drugs. In an HCT116 xenograft model ADI-TRAIL localized to the tumor and induced dose-dependent tumor regression, the fusion protein was superior to rhTRAIL administered at the same molar amounts.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with limited treatment options. It is urgent to develop new therapeutics against this disease. Salvinolic acid B (Sal-B) is a leading bioactive component of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, a well-known Chinese medicine for treating various diseases without appreciable adverse effects. To understand the antitumor properties of Sal-B against TNBC, we analyzed its effects on the cell viability, cell cycle and apoptosis of triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells with the hormone receptor-positive MCF-7 cells as the control. The in vitro analysis showed that Sal-B could significantly reduce the cell viability and suppress the proliferation of both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells with decreased cyclin B1 expression, but with no noticeable cell cycle phase change. In mouse models, Sal-B markedly inhibited the growth, decreased the PCNA expression, and increased the cell apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 tumor xenografts. To understand the antitumor mechanisms, we analyzed the expression levels of ceramides, and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-xL and survivin) and pro-apoptotic (caspase-3 and caspase-8) proteins. We found that Sal-B enhanced the ceramide accumulation and inhibited the anti-apoptotic protein expression. Interestingly, the ceramide accumulation was accompanied by decreased expression of glucosylceramide and GM3 synthases, two key enzymes regulating ceramide metabolism. These findings indicate that Sal-B exerts its antitumor effects at least partially by inducing the ceramide accumulation and ceramide-mediated apoptosis via inhibiting the expression of glucosylceramide and GM3 synthases, which was independent of estrogen receptor α. Sal-B appears to be a promising therapeutic agent against TNBC.

Survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) protein family plays a significant role in cell fate and function. It is significantly overexpressed in tumor cells and has been identified in most cancer cell types. A novel extracellular population has recently been identified and its function is still unknown. Emerging evidence continues to shed light on the important role the tumor microenvironment (TME) has on tumor survival and progression. This new population of survivin has been seen to enhance the tumor phenotype when internalized by recipient cells. In this paper, we sought to better understand the mechanism by which survivin is taken up by cancer cells and the possible role it plays in this phenomenon. We isolated the exosomal carriers of extracellular survivin and using a lipophilic stain, PKH67, we tracked their uptake with immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. We found that by blocking exosomal survivin, exosome internalization is reduced, signifying a novel function for this protein. We also discovered that the common membrane receptors, transferrin receptor, endothelin B receptor, insulin receptor alpha, and membrane glucocorticoid receptor all facilitate exosomal internalization. This understanding further clarifies the protein-protein interactions in the TME that may influence tumor progression and identifies additional potential chemotherapeutic targets.

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive cancer with a poor long term prognosis. Neo-adjuvant poly-chemotherapy followed by surgical resection remains the standard treatment, which is restricted by multi-drug resistance. If first-line therapy fails, disease control and patient survival rate drop dramatically. We aimed to identify alternative apoptotic mechanisms induced by the histone deacetylase inhibitor panobinostat in osteosarcoma cells. Saos-2, MG63 and U2-OS osteosarcoma cell lines, the immortalized human osteoblast line hFOB and the mouse embryo osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) were treated with panobinostat. Real time viability and FACS confirmed the cytotoxicity of panobinostat. Cell stress/death related factors were analysed by RT-qPCR and western blot. Cell morphology was assessed by electron microscopy. 10 nM panobinostat caused cell viability arrest and death in all osteosarcoma and osteoblast cells. P21 up-regulation was observed in osteosarcoma cells, while over-expression of p73 was restricted to Saos-2 (TP53-/-). Survivin and Bcl-2 were suppressed by panobinostat. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress markers BiP, CHOP, ATF4 and ATF6 were induced in osteosarcoma cells. The un-spliced Xbp was no further detectable after treatment. Autophagy players Beclin1, Map1LC3B and UVRAG transcripts over-expressed after 6 hours. Protein levels of Beclin1, Map1LC3B and p62 were up-regulated at 72 hours. DRAM1 was stable. Electron micrographs revealed the fragmentation and the disappearance of the ER and the statistically significant increase of autophagosome vesiculation after treatment. Panobinostat showed a synergistic suppression of survival and promotion of cell death in osteosarcoma cells. Panobinostat offers new perspectives for the treatment of osteosarcoma and other malignant bone tumours.

The DNA damage repair enzyme, O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) is overexpressed in breast cancer, correlating directly with estrogen receptor (ER) expression and function. In ER negative breast cancer the MGMT promoter is frequently methylated. In ER positive breast cancer MGMT is upregulated and modulates ER function. Here, we evaluate MGMT's role in control of other clinically relevant targets involved in cell cycle regulation during breast cancer oncogenesis. We show that O6-benzylguanine (BG), an MGMT inhibitor decreases CDC2, CDC20, TOP2A, AURKB, KIF20A, cyclin B2, A2, D1, ERα and survivin and induces c-PARP and p21 and sensitizes ER positive breast cancer to temozolomide (TMZ). Further, siRNA inhibition of MGMT inhibits CDC2, TOP2A, AURKB, KIF20A, Cyclin B2, A2 and survivin and induces p21. Combination of BG+TMZ decreases CDC2, CDC20, TOP2A, AURKB, KIF20A, Cyclin A2, B2, D1, ERα and survivin. Temozolomide alone inhibits MGMT expression in a dose and time dependent manner and increases p21 and cytochrome c. Temozolomide inhibits transcription of TOP2A, AURKB, KIF20A and does not have any effect on CDC2 and CDC20 and induces p21. BG+/-TMZ inhibits breast cancer growth. In our orthotopic ER positive breast cancer xenografts, BG+/-TMZ decreases ki-67, CDC2, CDC20, TOP2A, AURKB and induces p21 expression. In the same model, BG+TMZ combination inhibits breast tumor growth in vivo compared to single agent (TMZ or BG) or control. Our results show that MGMT inhibition is relevant for inhibition of multiple downstream targets involved in tumorigenesis. We also show that MGMT inhibition increases ER positive breast cancer sensitivity to alkylator based chemotherapy.

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is known as a cancer preventing agent, but there is no data available regarding the effect of ASA on pituitary cells. We investigated 66 nonfunctioning (NFPA) and growth hormone (GH)-producing adenomas and 15 normal pituitary samples. Functional assays (cell viability, proliferation, flow cytometry cell cycle analysis, caspase-3 activation and DNA degradation) were applied to explore the effect of ASA, YM155 (survivin inhibitor), survivin-targeting siRNA and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in RC-4B/C and GH3 cells. Pituitary adenoma xenografts were generated in immunocompromised mice. We found that survivin was overexpressed and TRAIL was downregulated in NFPAs compared to normal pituitary tissue. ASA decreased proliferation but did not induce apoptosis in pituitary cells. Additionally, ASA treatment decreased cells in S phase and increased cells in G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Inhibition of survivin using an inhibitor or siRNA-mediated silencing reversed the ASA-induced growth inhibition partially. In addition, we also found survivin-independent effects of ASA on the cell cycle that were mediated through inhibition of cyclin A, cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and phospho-CDK2. We also aimed to test the effect of acetylsalicylic acid in an animal model using RC-4 B/C cells, but in contrast to GH3 cells, RC-4 B/C cells failed to adhere and grow a xenograft. We concluded that ASA inhibited the growth of pituitary adenoma cells. Survivin inhibition is a key mechanism explaining its antineoplastic effects. Our results suggest that inhibition of survivin with small molecules or ASA could serve as potential therapeutic agents in NFPA.

Irinotecan (CPT-11) and oxaliplatin (L-OHP) are among the most frequently used drugs against colorectal tumors. Therefore, it is important to define the molecular mechanisms that these agents modulate in colon cancer cells. Here we demonstrate that CPT-11 stalls such cells in the G₂/M phase of the cell cycle, induces an accumulation of the tumor suppressor p53, the replicative stress/DNA damage marker γH2AX, phosphorylation of the checkpoint kinases ATM and ATR, and an ATR-dependent accumulation of the pro-survival molecule survivin. L-OHP reduces the number of cells in S-phase, stalls cell cycle progression, transiently triggers an accumulation of low levels of γH2AX and phosphorylated checkpoint kinases, and L-OHP suppresses survivin expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Compared to CPT-11, L-OHP is a stronger inducer of caspases and p53-dependent apoptosis. Overexpression and RNAi against survivin reveal that this factor critically antagonizes caspase-dependent apoptosis in cells treated with CPT-11 and L-OHP. We additionally show that L-OHP suppresses survivin through p53 and its downstream target p21, which stalls cell cycle progression as a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKi). These data shed new light on the regulation of survivin by two clinically significant drugs and its biological and predictive relevance in drug-exposed cancer cells. CA extern

CRM1/XPO1 (CRM1) is a nuclear export chaperone that mediates the export of proteins essential to growth regulation and tumor suppression. Its overexpression in tumors was found to be associated with poor prognosis. Selective inhibitors of nuclear export are in phase I and II clinical trials for several tumor types. Our aim was to investigate CRM1 expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) and its relationship to survivin expression and the proliferative activity. Sections of tissue microarray containing 76 formalin fixed and paraffin embedded PAC were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for CRM1, survivin, and Cyclin A. Expression levels of CRM1 and survivin and the proliferative activity, the S-phase fraction (SPF) in tumor cells, were determined using a quantitative digital image analysis solution (OTMIAS). Sixty-six of the 76 (86%) PAC showed positive staining for CRM1, and 10 (14%) were completely negative. The mean CRM1 expression levels ranged from 0.3 to 53 units and the median from 0.3 to 45 units. There was significant positive correlation between the mean and median expression levels of CRM1 in tumor cells and the mean and median levels of survivin (p

// Chitra Subramanian 1 , Patrick T. Grogan 2 , Valerie P. Opipari 3 , Barbara N. Timmermann 4 and Mark S. Cohen 1, 5 1 Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 2 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA 3 Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA 4 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA 5 Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Correspondence to: Mark S. Cohen, email: cohenmar@med.umich.edu Keywords: neuroblastoma; withanolides; N-myc; Akt/mToR/NFKB; apoptosis Received: December 15, 2016 Accepted: September 04, 2017 Epub: February 07, 2018 Published: March 06, 2018 ABSTRACT Despite recent advances in intensive chemotherapy treatments, long-term success is achieved in less than 30% of children with high-risk neuroblastoma (NB). Key regulatory pathways including the PI3K/Akt, mTOR and NF-κB are implicated in the pathogenesis of NB. Although drugs targeting these individual pathways are in clinical trials, they are not effective due to the activation of compensatory mechanisms. We have previously reported that natural novel withanolides from Physalis longifolia can potently inhibit these key regulatory pathways simultaneously. In the present study, we examined the efficacy and mechanisms through which novel withanolides and their acetate derivatives (WGA-TA and WGB-DA) from P.longifolia kill NB cells. The results from the study demonstrated that our novel acetate derivatives are highly effective in inhibiting the proliferation, shifting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis in a dose dependent manner. Analysis of oncogenic pathway proteins targeted by withanolides indicated induction of heat shock response due to oxidative stress. Dose dependent decrease in clients of HSP90 chaperone function due to suppression of Akt, mTOR, and NF-κB pathways led to decrease in the expressions of target genes such as cyclin D1, N-myc and Survivin. Additionally, there was a dose dependent attenuation of the migration and invasion of NB cells. Furthermore, the lead compound WGA-TA showed significant reduction in tumor growth of NB xenografts. Taken together, these results suggest that withanolides are an effective therapeutic option against NBs.

Recently the Aurora-Kinases (Aurk) moved into the focus as novel disease related biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Elevated Aurora-Kinase expression has been found in a number of malignancies, amongst them HNSCC. For esophageal cancer, the AurkA Phe31-Ile polymorphism has previously been associated with tumor progression. Here we evaluated the treatment efficiency of HNSCC cell radiation as a function of Aurora-Kinases in HNSCC cell lines. Moreover, we investigated a potential sensitization to radiation by a cell treatment with the inhibitors Alisertib, Barasertib, Docetaxel and VX-680. In parallel the radiation dependent expression and regulation of AurkA/B, p-Akt Ser 473 and Survivin and the AurkA polymorphism were investigated in primary tumor samples. We identified a high-risk collective with elevated AurkA and Survivin or AurkA and p-Akt Ser 473 expression. High AurkA, AurkB, and p-Akt Ser 473 expression was exclusively found in the heterozygous cell line. We found a polymorphism dependent sensitivity to treatments with different Aurk inhibitors: The homozygous cell line UD-SCC-5 could be sensitized to radiation with Docetaxel in combination with any of the Aurora-Kinase inhibitors. In contrast, treatment with Docetaxel or radiation did not enhance the inhibitory effect of Barasertib or VX-680 in the heterozygous SAS cell line. These findings indicate that the Aurora-Kinase A Phe31-Ile-polymorphism is a possibly predictive factor for response to radiation in combination with Docetaxel and Aurora-Kinase inhibitor treatments.

YM155, a novel small molecule inhibitor of survivin, shows broad anticancer activity. Here, we have focused on the cytotoxic activity of YM155 against multiple myeloma (MM) including cytokinetically quiescent (G0/G1) cells and bortezomib resistant cells. YM155 strongly inhibited the growth of MM cell lines with the IC50 value of below 10 nM. YM155 also showed potent anti-myeloma activity in mouse xenograft model. YM155 suppressed the expression of survivin and rapidly directed Mcl-1 protein for proteasome degradation. YM155 abrogated the interleukin-6-induced STAT3 phosphorylation, subsequently blocked Mcl-1 expression and induced apoptosis in MM cells. Triple-color flow cytometric analysis revealed that YM155 potently induced cell death of MM cells in G0 phase. Quiescent primary MM cells were also sensitive to YM155. We established bortezomib-resistant MM cell line, U266/BTZR1, which possess a point mutation G322A. YM155 exhibited similar cytotoxic potency against U266/BTZR1 compared with parental cells. Interestingly, survivin expression was markedly elevated in U266/BTZR1 cells. Treatment with YM155 significantly down-regulated this increased survivin and Mcl-1 expression in U266/BTZR1 cells. In conclusion, our data indicate that YM155 exhibits potent cytotoxicity against quiescent (G0/G1) MM cells and bortezomib-resistant cells. These unique features of YM155 may be beneficial for the development of new therapeutic strategies to eliminate quiescent MM cells and overcome bortezomib resistance.

Objective Epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk (EMC) contributes to tumor progression, chemoresistance and acquisition of a mesenchymal phenotype (EMT) of cancer cells. This study aims to investigate the effects of EMC on radioresistance in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. Methods In tumor cell lines, the response of HNSCC cells, stimulated with EMC conditioned medium (CM), to irradiation was evaluated with viability and clonogenic assays. Dose modifying factors (DMF) were calculated from the results of clonogenic assays. Potential pathways involved in radioresistance were analyzed with quantitative Real-Time PCR and western blot. Results CM significantly reduced the doubling time of SCC-25 cells (from 32.8 hours to 16.8 hours, p=0.0001) and Detroit 562 cells (from 88.5 hours to 29.6 hours, p=0.014). Further it increased clonogenic survival after irradiation. The DMF of CM was 2.04 ± 0.43 (mean ± standard deviation) for SCC-25 cells (p=0.015) and 2.14 ± 0.34 for Detroit 562 cells (p=0.008). Treatment with CM more than tripled the ERCC1 and survivin gene expression in SCC-25 cells. Conclusion EMC induced pathways involved in cell survival and DNA repair and led to increased radioresistance in HNSCC cells.

// Dongjoon Ko 1, 2 and Semi Kim 1, 2, 3 1 Immunotherapy Convergence Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejon, Korea 2 Department of Functional Genomics, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejon, Korea 3 Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejon, Korea Correspondence to: Semi Kim, email: semikim@kribb.re.kr Keywords: ZEB2; cell survival; angiogenesis; Sp1; VEGF Received: June 07, 2017 Accepted: November 14, 2017 Published: December 11, 2017 ABSTRACT Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process implicated in tumor invasion and metastasis. During EMT, epithelial cells undergo molecular changes to acquire mesenchymal phenotypes, which are mediated by EMT-inducing transcription factors. Previously, we showed that ZEB2 cooperates with the transcription factor Sp1 to function as a transcriptional activator of vimentin, integrin α5, and cadherin-11, which promotes cancer cell invasion. We hypothesized that ZEB2, through cooperation with Sp1, would mediate diverse cellular functions beyond EMT and invasion during metastasis. ZEB2 upregulated the expression of Sp1-regulated genes such as survivin, bcl-2, cyclin D1, and vascular endothelial growth factor in an Sp1-dependent manner, resulting in increased cancer cell survival and proliferation and endothelial cell activation in vitro , and increased circulating tumor cell survival and tumor angiogenesis in vivo. In addition, Sp1 enhanced ZEB2 stability, suggesting the presence of a positive feedback loop between ZEB2 and Sp1. Clinical data showed that ZEB2 expression was positively associated with Sp1 expression, and that the expression of both of these factors had prognostic significance for predicting survival in cancer patients. This study suggests that invasion is linked to cancer cell survival and angiogenesis by ZEB2 during cancer progression, and increases our understanding of the pathways via which EMT-inducing transcription factors regulate the complex process of metastasis.

A key feature of prostate cancer progression is the induction and activation of survival proteins, including the Inhibitor of Apoptosis (IAP) family member survivin. Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1/redox effector factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1) is a multifunctional protein that is essential in activating oncogenic transcription factors. Because APE1/Ref-1 is expressed and elevated in prostate cancer, we sought to characterize APE1/Ref-1 expression and activity in human prostate cancer cell lines and determine the effect of selective reduction-oxidation (redox) function inhibition on prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Due to the role of oncogenic transcriptional activators NFĸB and STAT3 in survivin protein expression, and APE1/Ref-1 redox activity regulating their transcriptional activity, we assessed selective inhibition of APE1/Ref-1's redox function as a novel method to halt prostate cancer cell growth and survival. Our study demonstrates that survivin and APE1/Ref-1 are significantly higher in human prostate cancer specimens compared to noncancerous controls and that APE1/Ref-1 redox-specific inhibition with small molecule inhibitor, APX3330 and a second-generation inhibitor, APX2009, decreases prostate cancer cell proliferation and induces cell cycle arrest. Inhibition of APE1/Ref-1 redox function significantly reduced NFĸB transcriptional activity, survivin mRNA and survivin protein levels. These data indicate that APE1/Ref-1 is a key regulator of survivin and a potentially viable target in prostate cancer.

Multidrug resistance is a great obstacle in successful chemotherapy of colorectal cancer. However, the molecular mechanism underlying multidrug resistance is not fully understood. Dishevelled, a pivot in Wnt signaling, has been linked to cancer progression, while its role in chemoresistance remains unclear. Here, we found that Dishevelled1-3 was over-expressed in multidrug-resistant colorectal cancer cells (HCT-8/VCR) compared to their parental cells. Silencing Dishevelled1-3 resensitized HCT-8/VCR cells to multiple drugs including vincristine, 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin. Moreover, Dishevelled1-3 increased the protein levels of multidrug resistance protein 1 (P-gp/MDR1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (MRP2), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), Survivin and Bcl-2 which are correlated with multidrug resistance. shβ-catenin abolished Dishevelled-mediated these protein expressions. Unexpectedly, none of Dishevelled1-3 controlled β-catenin accumulation and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, the nuclear translocations of Dishevelled1-3 were promoted in HCT-8/VCR cells compared to HCT-8. Dishevelled1-3 bound to β-catenin in nucleus, and promoted nuclear complex formation and transcription activity of β-catenin/TCF. Taken together, Dishevelled1-3 contributed to multidrug resistance in colorectal cancer via activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and inducing the expressions of P-gp, MRP2, BCRP, Survivin and Bcl-2, independently of β-catenin accumulation and nuclear translocation. Silencing Dishevelled1-3 resensitized multidrug-resistant colorectal cancer cells, providing a novel therapeutic target for successful chemotherapy of colorectal cancer.

B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a rare heterogeneous disease characterized by a block in lymphoid differentiation and a rapid clonal expansion of immature, non-functioning B cells. Adult B-ALL patients have a poor prognosis with less than 50% chance of survival after five years and a high relapse rate after allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Novel treatment approaches are required to improve the outcome for patients and the identification of B-ALL specific antigens are essential for the development of targeted immunotherapeutic treatments.We examined twelve potential target antigens for the immunotherapy of adult B-ALL. RT-PCR indicated that only survivin and WT1 were expressed in B-ALL patient samples (7/11 and 6/11, respectively) but not normal donor control samples (0/8). Real-time quantitative (RQ)-PCR showed that survivin was the only antigen whose transcript exhibited significantly higher expression in the B-ALL samples (n = 10) compared with healthy controls (n = 4)(p = 0.015). Immunolabelling detected SSX2, SSX2IP, survivin and WT1 protein expression in all ten B-ALL samples examined, but survivin was not detectable in healthy volunteer samples. To determine whether these findings were supported by the analyses of a larger cohort of patient samples, we performed metadata analysis on an already published microarray dataset. We found that only survivin was significantly over-expressed in B-ALL patients (n = 215) compared to healthy B-cell controls (n = 12)(p = 0.013).We have shown that survivin is frequently transcribed and translated in adult B-ALL, but not healthy donor samples, suggesting this may be a promising target patient group for survivin-mediated immunotherapy.

// Seon Min Woo 1, * , Kyoung-Jin Min 1, * , Seung Un Seo 1 , Shin Kim 1 , Jong-Wook Park 1 , Dae Kyu Song 2 , Hyun-Shik Lee 3 , Sang Hyun Kim 4 and Taeg Kyu Kwon 1 1 Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu 704-701, South Korea 2 Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keimyung University, Dalseo-Gu, Daegu 704-701, South Korea 3 KNU-Center for Nonlinear Dynamics, School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, College of Natural Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, South Korea 4 Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Taeg Kyu Kwon, email: kwontk@dsmc.or.kr Keywords: cathepsin G; TRAIL; survivin; ROS; 5-LOX Received: October 17, 2017 Accepted: November 01, 2017 Published: November 20, 2017 ABSTRACT Cathepsin G is a serine protease secreted from activated neutrophils, it has important roles in inflammation and immune response. Moreover, cathepsin G promotes tumor cell-cell adhesion and migration in cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether inhibition of cathepsin G could sensitize TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in cancer cells. An inhibitor of cathepsin G [Cathepsin G inhibitor I (Cat GI); CAS 429676-93-7] markedly induced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in human renal carcinoma (Caki, ACHN, and A498), lung cancer (A549) and cervical cancer (Hela) cells. In contrast, combined treatment with Cat GI and TRAIL had no effect on apoptosis in normal cells [mesangial cell (MC) and human skin fibroblast (HSF)]. Cat GI induced down-regulation of survivin expression at the post-translational level, and overexpression of survivin markedly blocked apoptosis induced by combined treatment with Cat GI plus TRAIL. Interestingly, Cat GI induced down-regulation of survivin via 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX)-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Inhibition of 5-LOX by gene silencing (siRNA) or a pharmacological inhibitor of 5-LOX (zileuton) markedly attenuated combined treatment-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our results indicate that inhibition of cathepsin G sensitizes TRAIL-induced apoptosis through 5-LOX-mediated down-regulation of survivin expression.

// Chen Luo 1, 2, * , Rongfa Yuan 1, 2, * , Leifeng Chen 1, 2 , Wei Zhou 3 , Wei Shen 1 , Yumin Qiu 1, 2 , Jun Shao 1, 2 , Jinlong Yan 1, 2 and Jianghua Shao 1, 2 1 Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China 2 Jiangxi Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanchang 330006, China 3 Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Jiangxi Provincial Cancer Hospital, Nanchang 330029, China * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Jianghua Shao, email: shao5022@163.com Keywords: TAB3; Survivin; NF-κB pathway; colorectal cancer; metastasis Received: August 02, 2017 Accepted: October 28, 2017 Published: November 18, 2017 ABSTRACT Transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)-binding protein 3 (TAB3) is involved in cancer proliferation and metastasis, but its role in colorectal cancer remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that TAB3 is upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues and that high TAB3 levels correlated with tumor metastasis and a poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. In addition, TAB3 knockdown decreased Survivin expression and suppressed colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro , and reduced liver metastasis in vivo . Importantly, we found that TAB3 regulated Survivin expression by activating the NF-κB pathway through the formation of the TAK1-TAB3-TRAF6 complex. These findings suggest TAB3 may be a useful prognostic biomarker in colorectal cancer and a target for treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

// Xiangyi Kong 1, 2, * , Shun Gong 3, 4, * , Lijuan Su 5, * , Xinqi Cheng 6 , Honglei Li 6 , Tingting You 6 and Yanguo Kong 1 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, P.R. China 2 Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, China National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Chaoyang District, Panjiayuan, Beijing 100021, P.R. China 3 Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Institute of Neurosurgery, PLA Institute of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, P.R. China 4 Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States of America 5 College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, P.R. China 6 Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, P.R. China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Yanguo Kong, email: kong0126@126.com Keywords: survivin; pituitary adenoma; invasiveness Received: February 21, 2017 Accepted: June 30, 2017 Published: November 10, 2017 ABSTRACT Background and objective: Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis. Its role in guiding the treatment of neoplasms, making diagnosis and predicting prognosis has been reported. However, there is little information on the implications and uses of survivin in predicting pituitary adenoma (PA) invasiveness. Existing information is unclear and controversial. We thus conducted this meta-analysis to explore whether the surviving expression levels in invasive PAs (IPA) and regular PAs are different or not. We considered both non-secreting and secreting tumors together. Methods: A global search strategy was systematically applied among five databases including Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) up to June 18th, 2017. With a specially designed form including PAs’ invasive features, etc., data was collected. The included studies should present the data representing the surviving levels in IPA groups and regular PA groups, respectively. Differences were expressed as standard mean differences (SMDs) or odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI). To estimate the heterogeneities, I 2 test, Cochran’s Q-test and Galbr figure were all conducted. A sensitivity-analysis and potential-publication bias were also performed. Results: In the present meta-analysis, 9 studies containing 489 patients were included. Seven studies with dichotomous-data showed that survivin over-expression in PA tissue was closely associated with a high invasive tendency (OR 6.226, 95% CI 3.970, 9.765; P

// Guannan Zhao 1, 2, * , Qinghui Wang 3, * , Qingqing Gu 1, 2 , Wenan Qiang 4, 5 , Jian-Jun Wei 4 , Peixin Dong 6, 7 , Hidemichi Watari 6, 7 , Wei Li 3 and Junming Yue 1, 2 1 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA 2 Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA 3 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, USA 4 Department of Pathology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, USA 5 Center for Developmental Therapeutics, Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, USA 6 Department of Women’s Health Educational System, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan 7 Department of Gynecology, Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Junming Yue, email: jyue@uthsc.edu Wei Li, email: wli@uthsc.edu Keywords: BIRC5 (survivin), CRISPR/Cas9 nickase, lentiviral vector, ovarian cancer, epithelial to mesenchymal transition Received: March 29, 2017 Accepted: September 18, 2017 Published: October 17, 2017 ABSTRACT BIRC5 encodes the protein survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis family. Survivin is highly expressed in a variety of cancers but has very low expression in the corresponding normal tissues, and its expression is often associated with tumor metastasis and chemoresistance. We report that survivin was highly expressed in ovarian cancer and strongly correlated with patient overall poor survival. For the first time, we provide experimental evidence that survivin is involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian cancer cells. Lentiviral CRISPR/Cas9 nickase vector mediated BIRC5 gene editing led to the inhibition of EMT by upregulating epithelial cell marker, cytokeratin 7 and downregulating mesenchymal markers: snail2, β-catenin, and vimentin in both ovarian cancer SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Consistent with this molecular approach, pharmacological treatment of ovarian cancer cells using a small molecule survivin inhibitor, YM155 also inhibited EMT in these ovarian cancer cell lines. Overexpression of BIRC5 promoted EMT in SKOV3 cells. Using molecular or pharmacological approaches, we found that cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were significantly inhibited following BIRC5 disruption in both cell lines. Inhibition of BIRC5 expression also sensitized cell responses to paclitaxel treatment. Moreover, loss of BIRC5 expression attenuated TGFβ signaling in both SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells. Collectively, our studies demonstrated that disruption of BIRC5 expression inhibited EMT by attenuating the TGFβ pathway in ovarian cancer cells.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iPS-MSCs) are emerging as attractive options for use in cell replacement therapy, but their effect in kidney diseases remains unknown. Here, we showed that intravenous injection of iPS-MSCs protect against renal function loss in both short-term and long-term models of adriamycin nephropathy (AN). In the short-term AN model, iPS-MSCs conferred a substantial anti-apoptotic effect on tubular cells, associated with a downregulation of Bax and Bax/Bcl2 ratio and an upregulation of survivin expression. In vitro, conditioned medium from iPS-MSCs (iPSMSC-CM) significantly limited albumin-induced tubular apoptosis and enhanced tubular proliferation, accompanied by a reduced expression of tubular Bax and an elevated expression of Bcl2 and survivin. Oxidative stress was markedly attenuated by iPS-MSCs both in AN mice and in protein-overloaded tubular cells. In the long-term AN model, repeated injections of iPS-MSCs significantly inhibited tubulointerstitial fibrosis and reduced intrarenal deposition of collagen I, collagen IV and αSMA. Modulation of the hedgehog signaling pathway contributed to the anti-fibrotic effect of iPS-MSCs in chronic AN. Finally, we detected that most of the infused iPS-MSCs were entrapped in the lungs. In conclusion, our data support a beneficial role of iPS-MSCs in both acute and chronic AN.

// Jingkai Zhou 1 , Tiangang Zhao 2 , Linfeng Ma 2 , Min Liang 2 , Ying-Jie Guo 2 and Li-Mei Zhao 1 1 Department of Pharmacy, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China 2 School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China Correspondence to: Ying-Jie Guo, email: guoyingjie@jlu.edu.cn Li-Mei Zhao, email: zhaolm@sj-hospital.org Keywords: cucurbitacin B, SCH772984, pancreatic cancer, EGFR, ERK Received: June 29, 2017 Accepted: September 21, 2017 Published: October 09, 2017 ABSTRACT Cucurbitacin B (CuB) is a natural tetracyclic triterpene product and displays antitumor activity across a wide array of cancers. In this study, we explored the anti-pancreatic cancer activity of CuB alone and in combination with SCH772984, an ERK inhibitor, in vitro and in vivo . CuB inhibited proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells by arresting them in the G2/M cell cycle phase. This was associated with inhibition of EGFR expression and activity and downstream signaling, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR and STAT3. Interestingly, ERK activity was markedly enhanced by activating AMPK signaling after 12 h of CuB treatment. SCH772984 potentiates the cytotoxic effect of CuB on pancreatic cancer cells through complementary inhibition of EGFR, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, STAT3 and ERK signaling, followed by an increase in the pro-apoptotic protein Bim and a decrease in the anti-apoptotic proteins Mcl-1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and survivin. Furthermore, combined therapy with CuB and SCH772984 resulted in highly significant growth inhibition of pancreatic cancer xenografts. These results may provide a basis for further development of combining CuB and ERK inhibitors to treat pancreatic cancer.

// Yana Shafran 1, * , Naomi Zurgil 1, * , Orit Ravid-Hermesh 1 , Maria Sobolev 1 , Elena Afrimzon 1 , Yaron Hakuk 1 , Asher Shainberg 2 and Mordechai Deutsch 1 1 The Biophysical Interdisciplinary Jerome Schottenstein Center for the Research and Technology of the Cellome, Physics Department, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel 2 The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Mordechai Deutsch, email: motti.jsc@gmail.com Keywords: nitric oxide; breast cancer spheroids; estrogen-induced apoptosis; estrogen receptor-positive; live-cell imaging Received: February 15, 2017 Accepted: August 17, 2017 Published: October 07, 2017 ABSTRACT Estrogen-induced apoptosis has become a successful treatment for postmenopausal metastatic, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Nitric oxide involvement in the response to this endocrine treatment and its influence upon estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer progression is still unclear. Nitric oxide impact on the MCF7 breast cancer line, before and after estrogen-induced apoptosis, was investigated in 3D culture systems using unique live-cell imaging methodologies. Spheroids were established from MCF7 cells vulnerable to estrogen-induced apoptosis, before and after exposure to estrogen. Spheroids derived from estrogen-treated cells exhibited extensive apoptosis levels with downregulation of estrogen receptor expression, low proliferation rate and reduced metabolic activity, unlike spheroids derived from non-treated cells. In addition to basic phenotypic differences, these two cell cluster types are diverse in their reactions to exogenous nitric oxide. A dual effect of nitric oxide was observed in the breast cancer phenotype sensitive to estrogen-induced apoptosis. Nitric oxide, at the nanomolar level, induced cell proliferation, high metabolic activity, downregulation of estrogen receptor and enhanced collective invasion, contributing to a more aggressive phenotype. Following hormone supplementation, breast cancer 3D clusters were rescued from estrogen-induced apoptosis by these low nitric oxide-donor concentrations, since nitric oxide attenuates cell death levels, upregulates survivin expression and increases metabolic activity. Higher nitric oxide concentrations (100nM) inhibited cell growth, metabolism and promoted apoptosis. These results suggest that nitric oxide, in nanomolar concentrations, may inhibit estrogen-induced apoptosis, playing a major role in hormonal therapy. Inhibiting nitric oxide activity may benefit breast cancer patients and ultimately reduce tumor recurrence.

// Fei Song 1 , Hong Wang 1 and Yingying Wang 2 1 Department of General Surgery, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China 2 Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China Correspondence to: Yingying Wang, email: wangyingyingsdszz@163.com Keywords: MEIS1, gastric cancer, proliferation, invasion, migration Received: June 27, 2017 Accepted: September 05, 2017 Published: September 28, 2017 ABSTRACT Myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1 (MEIS1) has been identified to be a potential tumor suppressor in some cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying MEIS1-induced cancer development and progression were not clear. Here, we investigated the expression and role of MEIS1 in gastric cancer. In vivo , we analyzed tumor growth using nude mice model. In the present study, MEIS1 expression was obviously decreased in GC cell lines compared with that in normal gastric cell lines (all p

// Zi-Feng Zhang 1, * , Yong-Jian Wang 1, * , Shao-Hua Fan 1 , Shi-Xin Du 2 , Xue-Dong Li 2 , Dong-Mei Wu 1 , Jun Lu 1 and Yuan-Lin Zheng 1 1 Key Laboratory for Biotechnology on Medicinal Plants of Jiangsu Province, School of Life Science, Jiangsu Normal University, Xuzhou 221116, P.R. China 2 Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518002, P.R. China * Co-first authors Correspondence to: Dong-Mei Wu, email: wdm8610@jsnu.edu.cn Jun Lu, email: lu-jun75@163.com Yuan-Lin Zheng, email: ylzheng@jsnu.edu.cn Keywords: microRNA-182, homeobox A9, wingless-type/β-catenin signaling pathway, osteosarcoma Received: April 14, 2017 Accepted: September 04, 2017 Published: September 22, 2017 ABSTRACT We investigated the mechanisms by which microRNA (miR)-182 promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in human osteosarcoma (OS) cells. Levels of miR-182 and Homeobox A9 (HOXA9) expression were compared between human OS and normal cells. Subjects were divided into OS and normal groups. We analyzed the target relationship of miR-182 and Homeobox A9 (HOXA9). Cells were then assigned into blank, negative control, miR-182 mimics, miR-182 inhibitors, siRNA-HOXA9, or and miR-182 inhibitors + siRNA-HOXA9 groups. Cell function was assayed by CCK-8, flow cytometry and wound healing assay. Additionally, we analyzed OS tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model. Dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated miR-182 directly targets HOXA9. Reverse transcription quantitative PCR and western blotting revealed elevated expression of miR-182, WIF-1, BIM, and Bax, and reduced expression of HOXA9, Wnt, β-catenin, Survivin, Cyclin D1, c-Myc, Mcl-1, Bcl-xL, and Snail in osteosarcoma cells treated with miR-182 mimic or siRNA-HOXA9 as compared to controls. Osteosarcoma cells also exhibited decreased cell proliferation, migration, and tumor growth, and increased apoptosis when treated with miR-182 mimic or siRNA-HOXA9. Correspondingly, in a xenograft mouse model, osteosarcoma tumor volume and growth were increased when cells were treated with miR-182 inhibitor and decreased by miR-182 mimic or siRNA-HOXA9. These results indicate that miR-182 downregulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling, inhibits cell proliferation, and promotes apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells by suppressing HOXA9 expression.

// Guo Dai 1, * , Di Zheng 1, * , Qianliang Wang 2 , Jian Yang 1 , Gaiwei Liu 1 , Qi Song 1 , Xiangran Sun 1 , Chunjie Tao 1 , Qingzhu Hu 1 , Tian Gao 3 , Ling Yu 1 and Weichun Guo 1 1 Department of Orthopedics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, P. R. China 2 Department of Urology Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430060, Hubei Province, P. R. China 3 Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research, Ministry of Education, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing 100000, P. R. China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Weichun Guo, email: guoweichun@aliyun.com Ling Yu, email: scaling@whu.edu.cn Keywords: baicalein, osteosarcoma, proliferation, apoptosis, Wnt signaling pathway Received: July 17, 2017 Accepted: August 29, 2017 Published: September 18, 2017 ABSTRACT Osteosarcoma is a very common type of malignant bone tumor in children and young adults and aberrant activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been discovered in osteosarcoma. The traditional Chinese medicine baicalein was proved to have anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic properties in osteosarcoma, but the mechanism remained poorly understood. In the present study, we assessed the effects of baicalein on osteosarcoma and detected the potential molecular mechanism. We found that baicalein significantly suppressed the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In additional, baicalein could induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest and reduce cell motility. Moreover, the level of β-catenin and its target genes, including c-myc, cyclinD1, and survivin significantly decreased in baicalein-treated osteosarcoma cells, whereas exogenous expression of β-catenin could reverse the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic effects of baicalein. Subsequently, we established a 143B xenograft tumor model and found that baicalein treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth accompanied with inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Thus, these findings suggest that baicalein may be a potentially effective Chinese herbal medicine for therapeutics of osteosarcoma and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may serve as an efficient molecular marker or predictive target for osteosarcoma.

// Daniel Walden 1 , Selvi Kunnimalaiyaan 1 , Kevin Sokolowski 1 , T. Clark Gamblin 1 and Muthusamy Kunnimalaiyaan 1 1 Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, MCW Cancer Center, Translational and Biomedical Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA Correspondence to: Muthusamy Kunnimalaiyaan, email: mkunnima@mcw.edu Keywords: cholangiocarcinoma, xanthohumol, Notch1, apoptosis, cell cycle Received: July 06, 2017 Accepted: August 31, 2017 Published: September 30, 2017 ABSTRACT Cholangiocarcinoma remains the second most prevalent hepatic neoplasm in the United States with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%. Currently, no systemic therapy has demonstrated efficacy. Therefore, an urgent need for the identification of molecularly targeted compound(s) remains. The Notch signaling pathway has been shown to be dysregulated in cholangiocarcinoma, exhibiting hyperactivity while also possibly mediating chemotherapeutic resistance. We analyzed the effects of xanthohumol, a prenylated chalcone, on cholangiocarcinoma proliferation utilizing human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines CCLP1, SG-231 and CC-SW-1 while gaining insight into the associated mechanism. Xanthohumol potently reduced cellular proliferation, colony formation, and cell confluency in all three cell lines. Xanthohumol induced cell cycle arrest as well as apoptosis through the reduction of cell cycle regulatory proteins as well as an increase in pro-apoptotic markers (cleaved poly ADP ribose polymerase, cleaved caspase-3) and a decrease in anti-apoptotic markers (X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis and survivin). At the molecular level, xanthohumol reduced Notch1 and AKT expression in a step-wise and time-dependent fashion, with Notch1 reductions preceding AKT. Additionally, xanthohumol reduced cholangiocarcinoma growth in both CCLP-1 and SG-231 derived mice xenografts. In summary, we show that xanthohumol significantly reduced cholangiocarcinoma growth through the Notch1/AKT signaling axis. Furthermore, known pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of XN supports continued development of treatment for cholangiocarcinoma.

// Bing Zhu 1 , Ashley Lindsey 1 , Nan Li 2 , Kevin Lee 1 , Veronica Ramirez-Alcantara 1 , Joshua C. Canzoneri 1 , Alexandra Fajardo 1 , Luciana Madeira da Silva 1 , Meagan Thomas 1 , John T. Piazza 1 , Larry Yet 3 , Brian T. Eberhardt 3 , Evrim Gurpinar 4 , Dennis Otali 5 , William Grizzle 5 , Jacob Valiyaveettil 1 , Xi Chen 1 , Adam B. Keeton 1 and Gary A. Piazza 1 1 Drug Discovery Research Center, Mitchell Cancer Institute, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA 2 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA 3 Department of Chemistry, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA 4 Department of Pharmacology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA 5 Department of Pathology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA Correspondence to: Gary A. Piazza, email: // Bing Zhu, email: // Keywords : lung cancer, PDE10, PKG, cGMP, PQ10 Received : June 30, 2017 Accepted : August 04, 2017 Published : August 27, 2017 Abstract Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10) is a cyclic nucleotide (e.g. cGMP) degrading enzyme highly expressed in the brain striatum where it plays an important role in dopaminergic neurotransmission, but has limited expression and no known physiological function outside the central nervous system. Here we report that PDE10 mRNA and protein levels are strongly elevated in human non-small cell lung cancer cells and lung tumors compared with normal human airway epithelial cells and lung tissue, respectively. Genetic silencing of PDE10 or inhibition by small molecules such as PQ10 was found to selectively inhibit the growth and colony formation of lung tumor cells. PQ10 treatment of lung tumor cells rapidly increased intracellular cGMP levels and activated cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) at concentrations that inhibit lung tumor cell growth. PQ10 also increased the phosphorylation of β-catenin and reduced its levels, which paralleled the suppression of cyclin D1 and survivin but preceded the activation of PARP and caspase cleavage. PQ10 also suppressed RAS-activated RAF/MAPK signaling within the same concentration range and treatment period as required for cGMP elevation and PKG activation. These results show that PDE10 is overexpressed during lung cancer development and essential for lung tumor cell growth in which inhibitors can selectively induce apoptosis by increasing intracellular cGMP levels and activating PKG to suppress oncogenic β-catenin and MAPK signaling.

// Xiaofeng Zhao 1, 2, * , Lu Huang 1, * , Wanwan Xu 1, 3 , Xiaoyan Chen 1 , Yan Shen 1 , Wenjie Zeng 1 and Xiao Chen 4 1 Department of Gynecology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China 2 Key Laboratory of Tumor Molecular Diagnosis and Individualized Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China 3 Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu, Anhui Province, China 4 State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Xiao Chen, email: zsfchx80@163.com Keywords: Physapubescin B, STAT3, taxol resistance, ovarian cancer Received: February 10, 2017 Accepted: June 28, 2017 Published: July 26, 2017 ABSTRACT Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological malignancy. Recurrence and subsequent resistance to chemotherapy have become major obstacles to treating these diseases. In the present study, we showed that a natural withanolide isolated from the plant Physalis pubescens L. (Solanaceae), Physapubescin B, exhibited potent anti-tumor activity against ovarian cancer cells. Physapubescin B promoted apoptosis, induced cell-cycle arrest and inhibited invasion of ES-2 and A2780 cells. Physapubescin B treatment also resulted in suppression of the transcriptional activity of STAT3, an oncogenic transcription factor activated in many human malignancies including ovarian cancer, through disturbing the dimerization of STAT3, and thereby inhibited the nuclear translocation of Tyr705/Ser727-phosphorylated STAT3. The IL-6-stimulated activation of STAT3 and its downstream genes Cyclin D1, survivin, and Bcl-xL was also repressed by Physapubescin B. Furthermore, Physapubescin B sensitizes A2780 cells to taxol-induced cell growth inhibition in vitro . These findings strongly suggest that Physapubescin B has potential antitumor activity and may circumvent taxol resistance in human ovarian cancer cells through inhibition of aberrant activation of STAT3.

// Hua-Chuan Zheng 1 1 Department of Experimental Oncology and Animal Center, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China Correspondence to: Hua-Chuan Zheng, email: zheng_huachuan@hotmail.com Keywords: cancer, chemoresistance, molecular mechanisms, chemotherapy Received: March 31, 2017 Accepted: June 24, 2017 Published: July 06, 2017 ABSTRACT Overcoming intrinsic and acquired drug resistance is a major challenge in treating cancer patients because chemoresistance causes recurrence, cancer dissemination and death. This review summarizes numerous molecular aspects of multi-resistance, including transporter pumps, oncogenes (EGFR, PI3K/Akt, Erk and NF-κB), tumor suppressor gene (p53), mitochondrial alteration, DNA repair, autophagy, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stemness, and exosome. The chemoresistance-related proteins are localized to extracellular ligand, membrane receptor, cytosolic signal messenger, and nuclear transcription factors for various events, including proliferation, apoptosis, EMT, autophagy and exosome. Their cross-talk frequently appears, such as the regulatory effects of EGFR-Akt-NF-κB signal pathway on the transcription of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and survivin or EMT-related stemness. It is essential for the realization of the target, individualized and combine therapy to clarify these molecular mechanisms, explore the therapy target, screen chemosensitive population, and determine the efficacy of chemoreagents by cell culture and orthotopic model.

// Mei-Ling Chan 1 , Chia-Chun Yu 1 , Jui-Ling Hsu 1 , Wohn-Jenn Leu 1 , She-Hung Chan 1 , Lih-Ching Hsu 1 , Shih-Ping Liu 2, 3 , Polina M. Ivantcova 4 , Ozdemir Dogan 5 , Stefan Brase 6, 7 , Konstantin V. Kudryavtsev 4, 8 and Jih-Hwa Guh 1 1 School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 2 Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 3 Department of Urology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan 4 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russian Federation 5 Department of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey 6 Institute of Organic Chemistry, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany 7 Institute of Toxicology and Genetics, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany 8 Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, Chernogolovka, Moscow region, Russian Federation Correspondence to: Konstantin V. Kudryavtsev, email: kudr@med.chem.msu.ru Jih-Hwa Guh, email: jhguh@ntu.edu.tw Keywords: β-dipeptide, c-Myc, PI3K/Akt, mTOR, hormone-refractory prostate cancer Received: October 21, 2016 Accepted: May 08, 2017 Published: May 20, 2017 ABSTRACT The use of peptides that target cancer cells and induce anticancer activities through various mechanisms is developing as a potential anticancer strategy. KUD983, an enantiomerically pure β-dipeptide derivative, displays potent activity against hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) PC-3 and DU145 cells with submicromolar IC 50 . KUD983 induced G1 arrest of the cell cycle and subsequent apoptosis associated with down-regulation of several related proteins including cyclin D1, cyclin E and Cdk4, and the de-phosphorylation of RB. The levels of nuclear and total c-Myc protein, which could increase the expression of both cyclin D1 and cyclin E, were profoundly inhibited by KUD983. Furthermore, it inhibited PI3K/Akt and mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 pathways, the key signaling in multiple cellular functions. The transient transfection of constitutively active myristylated Akt (myr-Akt) cDNA significantly rescued KUD983-induced caspase activation but did not blunt the inhibition of mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 signaling cascade suggesting the presence of both Akt-dependent and -independent pathways. Moreover, KUD983-induced effect was enhanced with the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 members (e.g., Bcl-2, and Mcl-1) and IAP family members (e.g., survivin). Notably, KUD983 induced autophagic cell death using confocal microscopic examination, tracking the level of conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II and flow cytometric detection of acidic vesicular organelles-positive cells. In conclusion, the data suggest that KUD983 is an anticancer β-dipeptide against HRPCs through the inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptotic and autophagic cell death. The suppression of signaling pathways regulated by c-Myc, PI3K/Akt and mTOR/p70S6K/4E-BP1 and the collaboration with down-regulation of Mcl-1 and survivin may explain KUD983-induced anti-HRPC mechanism.

// Loredana Urso 1 , Ilaria Cavallari 2, * , Micol Silic-Benussi 2, * , Lorena Biasini 2 , Giulia Zago 3 , Fiorella Calabrese 4 , Pier Franco Conte 1, 3 , Vincenzo Ciminale 1, 2 and Giulia Pasello 3 1 Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, University of Padova, 35128, Padova, Italy 2 Immunology and Molecular Oncology Unit, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 35128, Padova, Italy 3 Medical Oncology Unit 2, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 35128, Padova, Italy 4 Department of Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padova, 35128, Padova, Italy * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Vincenzo Ciminale, email: v.ciminale@unipd.it Keywords: mesothelioma, MDM2, p53, RG7112, TRAIL Received: March 10, 2017 Accepted: April 24, 2017 Published: May 11, 2017 ABSTRACT Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is a chemoresistant tumor characterized by low rate of p53 mutation and upregulation of Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2), suggesting that it may be effectively targeted using MDM2 inhibitors. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer activity of the MDM2 inhibitors Nutlin 3a ( in vitro ) and RG7112 ( in vivo ), as single agents or in combination with rhTRAIL. In vitro studies were performed using MPM cell lines derived from epithelioid (ZL55, M14K), biphasic (MSTO211H) and sarcomatoid (ZL34) MPMs. In vivo studies were conducted on a sarcomatoid MPM mouse model. In all the cell lines tested (with the exception of ZL55, which carries a biallelic loss-of-function mutation of p53), Nutlin 3a enhanced p21, MDM2 and DR5 expression, and decreased survivin expression. These changes were associated to cell cycle arrest but not to a significant induction of apoptosis. A synergistic pro-apoptotic effect was obtained through the association of rhTRAIL in all the cell lines harboring functional p53. This synergistic interaction of MDM2 inhibitor and TRAIL agonist was confirmed using a mouse preclinical model. Our results suggest that the combined targeting of MDM2 and TRAIL might provide a novel therapeutic option for treatment of MPM patients, particularly in the case of sarcomatoid MPM with MDM2 overexpression and functional inactivation of wild-type p53.

// Jin-Lai Wei 1 , Min Fang 2 , Zhong-Xue Fu 1 , Shou–Ru Zhang 1 , Jin-Bao Guo 3 , Rong Wang 1 , Zhen-Bing Lv 1 and Yong-Fu Xiong 1 1 Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China 2 Department of Emergency and Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China 3 Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China Correspondence to: Zhong-Xue Fu, email: fzx033@163.com Keywords: colorectal cancer, sestrin 2, AMPK, mTORC1, proliferation Received: February 09, 2017 Accepted: April 17, 2017 Published: May 03, 2017 ABSTRACT Sestrin 2 is a conserved antioxidant protein that reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). We previously showed that sestrin 2 is abnormally decreased in colorectal cancer (CRC). To elucidate the molecular mechanism behind the potential contribution of sestrin 2 to CRC, we used a lentiviral expression vector system to determine the effects of sestrin 2 overexpression on human CRC cells. We found that sestrin 2 overexpression decreased ROS production, inhibited cell growth, and stimulated apoptosis in two CRC cell lines. In parallel, expression of the proliferation marker PCNA was decreased, proapoptotic caspase 3, 7, and 9 levels were increased, and expression of the anti-apoptotic protein survivin was reduced. Sestrin 2 overexpression also activated the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway, and suppressed mTORC1 signaling. Treating CRC cells with compound C, an AMPK inhibitor, reversed or attenuated changes in proliferation, apoptosis, and signaling proteins of the AMPK/mTORC1 axis. In a xenograft mouse model, CRC growth was attenuated by sestrin 2 overexpression. These results suggest that sestrin 2 suppresses CRC cell growth through activation of the AMPK/mTORC1 pathway and induction of apoptosis, and could be a novel pharmacological target for the treatment of CRC.

// Hyun-Jung Sohn 1, 6, * , Ji Yoon Lee 2, 5, * , Hyun-Joo Lee 1, 6 , Dae-Hee Sohn 4, 6 , Hyun-Il Cho 1, 2 , Hee-Je Kim 2, 3 and Tai-Gyu Kim 1, 4 1 Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea 2 Leukemia Research Institute, Seoul St. Mary`s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea 3 Department of Hematology, Catholic Blood and Marrow Transplantation Center, Seoul St. Mary`s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea 4 Departments of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea 5 Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Sangji University, Wonju, Korea 6 ViGenCell Inc., Seoul, Korea * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Hee-Je Kim, email: cumckim@catholic.ac.kr Tai-Gyu Kim, email: kimtg@catholic.ac.kr Keywords: Wilms’ tumor protein 1, survivin, telomerase reverse transcriptase, dendritic cells, adoptive T cell therapy Received: December 21, 2016 Accepted: March 03, 2017 Published: April 19, 2017 ABSTRACT Previously, we found that most patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) expressed at least one of the leukemic associated antigens (LAAs) WT1, survivin and TERT , and different combinations of the three LAAs predicted negative clinical outcomes. Multi-tumor antigen-specific T cells were generated to overcome antigenic variation and may be sufficient to maximize antitumoral effects. To generate triple antigen-specific (Tri)-T cells that recognize three LAAs, dendritic cells (DCs) were transfected with three tumor antigen-encoding RNAs. These DCs were used to stimulate both CD8 and CD4 T cells and to overcome the limitation of known human leukocyte antigen-restricted epitopes. The sum of the antigen-specific T cell frequencies was higher in the Tri-T cells than in the T cells that recognized a single antigen. Furthermore, the Tri-T cells were more effective against leukemic blasts that expressed all three LAAs compared with blasts that expressed one or two LAAs, suggesting a proportional correlation between IFN-γ secretion and LAA expression. Engrafted leukemic blasts in the bone marrow of mice significantly decreased in the presence of Tri-T cells. This technique represents an effective immunotherapeutic strategy in AML.

Cancer cells develop resistance to therapy by adapting to hypoxic microenvironments, and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) play crucial roles in this process. We investigated the roles of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in cancer cell death induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) using human pancreatic cancer cell lines. siRNA-mediated knockdown of HIF-2α, but not HIF-1α, increased susceptibility of two pancreatic cancer cell lines, Panc-1 and AsPC-1, to TRAIL in vitro under normoxic and hypoxic conditions. The enhanced sensitivity to TRAIL was also observed in vivo. This in vitro increased TRAIL sensitivity was observed in other three pancreatic cancer cell lines. An array assay of apoptosis-related proteins showed that knockdown of HIF-2α decreased survivin expression. Additionally, survivin promoter activity was decreased in HIF-2α knockdown Panc-1 cells and HIF-2α bound to the hypoxia-responsive element in the survivin promoter region. Conversely, forced expression of the survivin gene in HIF-2α shRNA-expressing Panc-1 cells increased resistance to TRAIL. In a xenograft mouse model, the survivin suppressant YM155 sensitized Panc-1 cells to TRAIL. Collectively, our results indicate that HIF-2α dictates the susceptibility of human pancreatic cancer cell lines, Panc-1 and AsPC-1, to TRAIL by regulating survivin expression transcriptionally, and that survivin could be a promising target to augment the therapeutic efficacy of death receptor-targeting anti-cancer therapy.

// Weiqi Huang 1, 2 , Ling Bei 1, 2 , Elizabeth E. Hjort 1, 2 and Elizabeth A. Eklund 1, 2 1 The Feinberg School at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA 2 Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA Correspondence to: Elizabeth A. Eklund, email: e-eklund@northwestern.edu Keywords: leukemia, Calpain, apoptosis, myeloid, survivin Received: November 10, 2016 Accepted: March 27, 2017 Published: April 06, 2017 ABSTRACT Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is characterized by translocations between chromosomes 9 and 22, resulting in expression of Bcr-abl oncogenes. Although the clinical course of CML was revolutionized by development of Bcr-abl-directed tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), CML is not cured by these agents. Specifically, the majority of subjects relapsed in clinical trials attempting TKI discontinuation, suggesting persistence of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) even in molecular remission. Identifying mechanisms of CML-LSC persistence may suggest rationale therapeutic targets to augment TKI efficacy and lead to cure. Apoptosis resistance is one proposed mechanism. In prior studies, we identified increased expression of Growth Arrest Specific 2 (Gas2; a Calpain inhibitor) in Bcr-abl + bone marrow progenitor cells. A number of previously described Calpain substrates might influence apoptosis in CML, including βcatenin and the X-linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein 1 (Xiap1). We previously found Gas2/Calpain dependent stabilization of βcatenin in CML, and increased expression of βcatenin target genes, including Survivin (also an IAP). In the current work, we investigate contributions of Survivin and Xiap1 to Fas-resistance in Bcr-abl + bone marrow cells. Inhibitors of these proteins are currently in clinical trials for other malignancies, but a role for either IAP in CML-LSC persistence is unknown.

// Yina Wang 1, * , Haiyan Ma 1, * , Chongqiang Zhao 1 , Tianshu Liu 1 , Dan Yan 1 , David Jou 2 , Huameng Li 3 , Cuntai Zhang 4 , Jiagao Lu 1 , Chenglong Li 3 , Jiayuh Lin 2 , Sheng Li 1 , Li Lin 1 1 Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China 2 Center for Childhood Cancer, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA 3 Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA 4 Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Li Lin, email: linlee271227@163.com , linli@tjh.tjmu.edu.cn Sheng Li, email: shengli410@126.com Keywords: raloxifene, GP130, STAT3, liver cancer Received: September 28, 2016 Accepted: March 28, 2017 Published: April 06, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine, which is involved in the regulation of differentiation and growth of certain types of tumor cells. Constitutive activation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) induced by IL-6 is frequently detected in liver cancer and has emerged as a viable molecular target for liver cancer treatment. However, few inhibitors targeting up-streams of STAT3 are available for the therapy of liver cancer. We reported the discovery of EVISTA (Raloxifene HCl) as novel inhibitor of IL-6/GP130 protein-protein interactions (PPIs) using multiple ligand simultaneous docking (MLSD) and drug repositioning. The possible effect of Raloxifene in STAT3 signaling or liver cancer cells is still unclear. Results: Raloxifene inhibited the P-STAT3 stimulated by IL-6, but not the induction of STAT1 and STAT6 phosphorylation by IFN-γ, IFN-α, and IL-4. Raloxifene inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and resulted in the induction apoptosis on human liver cancer cell-lines. Raloxifene inhibited the targets of STAT3, such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and survivin and cell viability, cell migration, and colony formation in liver cancer cells. Further, daily administration of Raloxifene suppressed the Hep-G2 tumor growth in mice in vivo . Materials and Methods: The inhibitory effect on STAT3 phosphorylation and activity as well as cell viability, migration, and colony forming ability by Raloxifene was examined in human liver cancer cells. Tumor growth was detected via mouse xenograft tumor mode. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Raloxifene is a potent IL-6/GP130 inhibitor and may be a chemoprevention agent for liver cancer by targeting persistent STAT3 signaling.

// KeeSoo Nam 1 , Seog-ho Son 1 , Sunhwa Oh 1 , Donghwan Jeon 1 , Hyungjoo Kim 1 , Dong-Young Noh 2 , Sangmin Kim 3 , Incheol Shin 1, 4 1 Department of Life Science, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Korea 2 Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-744, Korea 3 Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, 135-710, Korea 4 Natural Science Institute, Hanyang University, Seoul, 133-791, Korea Correspondence to: Incheol Shin, email: incheol@hanyang.ac.kr Keywords: galectin-1, integrin β1, STAT3, survivin, drug resistance Received: November 25, 2016 Accepted: February 28, 2017 Published: March 15, 2017 ABSTRACT Galectin-1 is a β-galactoside binding protein secreted by many types of aggressive cancer cells. Although many studies have focused on the role of galectin-1 in cancer progression, relatively little attention has been paid to galectin-1 as an extracellular therapeutic target. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying galectin-1-mediated cancer progression, we established galectin-1 knock-down cells via retroviral delivery of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against galectin-1 in two triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and Hs578T. Ablation of galectin-1 expression decreased cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and doxorubicin resistance. We found that these effects were caused by decreased galectin-1-integrin β1 interactions and suppression of the downstream focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/c-Src pathway. We also found that silencing of galectin-1 inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling, thereby down-regulating survivin expression. This finding implicates STAT3 as a transcription factor for survivin. Finally, rescue of endogenous galectin-1 knock-down and recombinant galectin-1 treatment both recovered signaling through the FAK/c-Src/ERK/STAT3/survivin pathway. Taken together, these results suggest that extracellular galectin-1 contributes to cancer progression and doxorubicin resistance in TNBC cells. These effects appear to be mediated by galectin-1-induced up-regulation of the integrin β1/FAK/c-Src/ERK/STAT3/survivin pathway. Our results imply that extracellular galectin-1 has potential as a therapeutic target for triple-negative breast cancer.

// Limei Fan 1, 2, * , Muyou Tian 3, * , Yunyi Liu 1, 2, * , Ying Deng 1, 2 , Zhengkai Liao 3, 4 , Jinhua Xu 1, 2 1 School of Medicine, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430056, China 2 Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Chemical Materials and Devices, Ministry of Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430056, China 3 Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China 4 Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behavior, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Yunyi Liu, email: liuyy1987@jhun.edu.cn Zhengkai Liao, email: zliao@whu.edu.cn Jinhua Xu, email: xu5520@gmail.com Keywords: TNBC, Cu(sal)(phen), cell growth, apoptosis, anti-apoptotic protein Received: December 20, 2016 Accepted: March 03, 2017 Published: March 13, 2017 ABSTRACT In this study, we investigated anti-tumor activity and associated molecular mechanism of action of Salicylate ●Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex in triple-negative breast cancer. Salicylate ●Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex inhibited the growth of four breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231 and BT-20) and induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. The effect was more profound in MDA-MB-231 and BT-20 triple-negative breast cancer cell lines. Western blot showed that the expression of the apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2, Bcl-xl and survivin was significantly reduced in MDA-MB-231 after treatment with Salicylate ●Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex. In vivo , Salicylate ●Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex administration significantly attenuated tumor growth of MDA-MB-231 xenografts, and the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and survivin were reduced as measured by immunohistochemical staining. These data suggest that Salicylate ●Phenanthroline Copper (II) Complex is a promising novel therapeutic drug for triple-negative breast cancer and warrants further study.

Multicellular spheroids are very attractive models in oncology because they mimic the 3D organization of the tumour cells with their microenvironment. We show here using 3 different cell types (mammary TSA/pc, embryonic kidney Hek293 and cervical cancer HeLa), that when the cells are growing as spheroids the frequency of binucleated cells is augmented as occurs in some human tumours. We therefore describe mitosis in multicellular spheroids by following mitotic markers and by time-lapse experiments. Chromosomes alignment appears to be correct on the metaphasic plate and the passenger complex is well localized on centromere. Moreover aurora kinases are fully active and histone H3 is phosphorylated on Ser 10. Consequently, the mitotic spindle checkpoint is satisfied and, anaphase proceeds as illustrated by the transfer of survivin on the spindle and by the segregation of the two lots of chromosomes. However, the segregation plane is not well defined and oscillations of the dividing cells are observed. Finally, cytokinesis fails and the absence of separation of the two daughter cells gives rise to binucleated cells. Division orientation is specified during interphase and persists throughout mitosis. Our data indicate that the cancer cells, in multicellular spheroids, lose their ability to regulate their orientation, a feature commonly encountered in tumours. Moreover, multicellular spheroid expansion is still sensitive to mitotic drugs as pactlitaxel and aurora kinase inhibitors. The spheroids thus represent a highly relevant model for studying drug efficiency in tumours.

// Zhichen Pu 1, 2, * , Guang-Zhen Wu 1, * , QiFei Wang 1 1 Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116011, China 2 State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Key Lab of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: QiFei Wang, email: frog080619@163.com Keywords: survivin, renal cell carcinoma, meta-analysis, prognosis Received: August 19, 2016 Accepted: November 07, 2016 Published: February 04, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: In recent years, survivin expression had been investigated as a prognostic biomarker for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), however, the results were conflicting. This study was aimed to explore the association between survivin expression and clinicalpathological features and the prognostic value for cancer-specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) in RCC. Results: Eleven studies with 1,697 subjects were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that survivin expression was associated with higher tumor grade (OR=4.25, 95%CI: 3.04-5.95, p

Anaplastic thyroid cancers and radioiodine resistant thyroid cancer are posing a major treat since surgery combined with Iodine131 therapy is ineffective on them. Small-molecule inhibitors are presenting a new hope for patients, but often lead to drug resistance in many cancers. Based on the major mutations found in thyroid cancer, we propose the combination of a MEK inhibitor and a Pi3′-kinase inhibitor in pre-clinical models. We used human thyroid cancer cell lines and genetically engineered double mutant BRAFV600E PIK3CAH1047R mice to evaluate the effect of both inhibitors separately or in combination in terms of proliferation and signaling in vitro; tumor burden, histology, cell death induction and tumor markers expression in vivo. The combination of MEK and Pi’3-kinase inhibition shows a synergistic effect in term of proliferation and apoptosis induction through Survivin down-regulation in vitro. We show for the first time the effects of the combination of a MEK inhibitor and Pi3′-kinase inhibitor in a genetically engineered mouse model of aggressively lethal thyroid cancer. In fine, the two drugs cooperate to promote tumor shrinkage by inducing a proliferation arrest and an elevation of apoptosis in vivo. Moreover, a phenotypic reversion is also observed with a partial restoration of normal thyroid marker transcription, and thyroid cancer marker expression reduction. In conclusion, combination therapy of MEK and Pi3′-kinase inhibition synergizes to target double mutant thyroid cancer in vitro and in vivo. This multidrug approach could readily be translated into clinical practice and bring new perspectives for the treatment of incurable thyroid carcinoma.

// Elke Nolte 1 , Sven Wach 1 , Izabella Thais Silva 2, 6 , Sabine Lukat 1 , Arif B. Ekici 3 , Jennifer Munkert 4 , Frieder Muller-Uri 4 , Wolfgang Kreis 4 , Claudia Maria Oliveira Simoes 2 , Julio Vera 5 , Bernd Wullich 1 , Helge Taubert 1 , Xin Lai 5 1 Department of Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany 2 Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil 3 Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, Germany 4 Department of Biology, Chair of Pharmaceutical Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, Germany 5 Laboratory of Systems Tumor Immunology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nurnberg, Erlangen, Germany 6 Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Correspondence to: Xin Lai, email: xin.lai@uk-erlangen.de Keywords: 3β-[2-(1-amantadine)-1-on-ethylamine]-digitoxigenin, cardiac glycoside analog, human renal cell carcinoma cells, miRNA, cell cycle Received: June 21, 2016 Accepted: December 24, 2016 Published: January 14, 2017 ABSTRACT Cardiac glycosides are well known in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases; however, their application as treatment option for cancer patients is under discussion. We showed that the cardiac glycoside digitoxin and its analog AMANTADIG can inhibit the growth of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell lines and increase G2/M cell cycle arrest. To identify the signaling pathways and molecular basis of this G2/M arrest, microRNAs were profiled using microRNA arrays. Cardiac glycoside treatment significantly deregulated two microRNAs, miR-2278 and miR-670-5p. Pathway enrichment analysis showed that all cardiac glycoside treatments affected the MAPK and the axon guidance pathway. Within these pathways, three genes, MAPK1, NRAS and RAC2, were identified as in silico targets of the deregulated miRNAs. MAPK1 and NRAS are known regulators of G2/M cell cycle arrest. AMANTADIG treatment enhanced the expression of phosphorylated MAPK1 in 786-O cells. Secondly, we studied the expression of survivin known to be affected by cardiac glycosides and to regulate the G2/M cell phase. AMANTADIG treatment upregulated the expression of the pro-apoptotic survivin-2B variant in Caki-1 and 786-O cells. Moreover, treatment with AMANTADIG resulted in significantly lower survivin protein expression compared to 786-O control cells. Summarizing, treatment with all cardiac glycosides induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and downregulated the miR-2278 and miR-670-5p in microarray analysis. All cardiac glycosides affected the MAPK-pathway and survivin expression, both associated with the G2/M phase. Because cells in the G2/M phase are radio- and chemotherapy sensitive, cardiac glycosides like AMANTADIG could potentially improve the efficacy of radio- and/or chemotherapy in RCCs.

// Jung Yong Hong 1 , Kyung Ju Ryu 2 , Chaehwa Park 3 , Mineui Hong 4 , Young Hyeh Ko 5 , Won Seog Kim 6 , Seok Jin Kim 2, 6 1 Department of Oncology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea 2 Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, Korea 3 Samsung Biomedical Research Institute, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea 4 Department of Pathology, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea 5 Department of Pathology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea 6 Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea Correspondence to: Seok Jin Kim, email: kstwoh@skku.edu Keywords: survivin, epstein-barr virus, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma Received: May 14, 2016 Accepted: January 03, 2017 Published: January 13, 2017 ABSTRACT Survivin is an inhibitor of apoptosis and is upregulated by Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latent genes. Given the frequent association of EBV with lymphoid malignancies, survivin is expected to have prognostic value in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Thus, we measured the pretreatment serum level of survivin in DLBCL patients and analyzed its association with survival outcome and EBV status, as represented by EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) in DLBCL. Pretreatment serum survivin level was measured in patients registered in a prospective cohort study ( n = 210), and serum survivin-positivity was defined as any detectable level of survivin. EBV status was determined using EBER in situ hybridization, and EBER-positivity was defined as 20% of examined cells showing nuclear positivity. Mean serum survivin level was higher in patients with relapsed or refractory disease than with responsive disease (59.89 pg/mL versus 17.34 pg/mL, P = 0.041). Serum survivin-positive patients had worse overall and progression-free survival ( P = 0.023 and 0.022, respectively). Serum survivin positivity was associated with unfavorable characteristics including stage. In patients with non-germinal center B-cell type DLBCL, serum survivin-positive patients also had significantly worse survival than serum survivin-negative patients ( P < 0.001). EBER-positivity was found in 6.7% (14/210) of patients, and EBER-positive patients had worse survival ( P < 0.05). Patients having concomitant positivity for serum survivin and EBER expression (2.8%, 6/210) showed extremely poor prognosis. In the present era of rituximab in DLBCL, DLBCL with serum survivin positivity showed adverse clinical features and followed worse clinical course, especially in non-GCB subtype DLBCL. EBER-positivity was still associated with worse outcomes in DLBCL.

// Jayaraju Dheekollu 1 , Kimberly Malecka 1 , Andreas Wiedmer 1 , Henri-Jacques Delecluse 2 , Alan K.S. Chiang 3 , Dario C. Altieri 1 , Troy E. Messick 1 and Paul M. Lieberman 1 1 The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA USA 2 Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany 3 Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Correspondence to: Paul M. Lieberman, email: // Keywords : epstein-barr virus (EBV), EBNA1, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), survivin, latency Received : October 29, 2016 Accepted : December 26, 2016 Published : January 06, 2017 Abstract Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) latent infection is a causative co-factor for endemic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC). NPC-associated variants have been identified in EBV-encoded nuclear antigen EBNA1. Here, we solve the X-ray crystal structure of an NPC-derived EBNA1 DNA binding domain (DBD) and show that variant amino acids are found on the surface away from the DNA binding interface. We show that NPC-derived EBNA1 is compromised for DNA replication and episome maintenance functions. Recombinant virus containing the NPC EBNA1 DBD are impaired in their ability to immortalize primary B-lymphocytes and suppress lytic transcription during early stages of B-cell infection. We identify Survivin as a host protein deficiently bound by the NPC variant of EBNA1 and show that Survivin depletion compromises EBV episome maintenance in multiple cell types. We propose that endemic variants of EBNA1 play a significant role in EBV-driven carcinogenesis by altering key regulatory interactions that destabilize latent infection.

// Levent Dizdar 1 , Kira A. Oesterwind 1 , Jasmin C. Riemer 2 , Thomas A. Werner 1 , Sabrina Mersch 1 , Birte Mohlendick 1 , Sina C. Schutte 1 , Pablo E. Verde 3 , Katharina Raba 4 , Stefan A. Topp 1 , Nikolas H. Stoecklein 1 , Irene Esposito 2 , Wolfram T. Knoefel 1 , Andreas Krieg 1 1 Department of Surgery (A), Heinrich-Heine-University and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany 2 Institute of Pathology, Heinrich-Heine-University and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany 3 Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials, Heinrich-Heine-University and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225 Duesseldorf, Germany 4 Institute for Transplantation Diagnostics and Cell Therapeutics, Heinrich-Heine-University and University Hospital Duesseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Duesseldorf, Germany Correspondence to: Andreas Krieg, email: andreas.krieg@med.uni-duesseldorf.de Keywords: survivin, XIAP, GEP-NEN, neuroendocrine neoplasia, inhibitor of apoptosis protein Received: September 18, 2016 Accepted: November 22, 2016 Published: December 26, 2016 ABSTRACT Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NEN) represent a rare and heterogenous tumor entity. Importantly, the highly proliferative subgroup of neuroendocrine carcinoma (GEP-NEC) is characterized by high resistance to conventional chemotherapy. Consequently, there is an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets, especially for GEP-NEC. Thus, we focused on Inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family members survivin and XIAP that orchestrate inhibition of apoptosis, induce resistance against chemotherapeutics and facilitate tumor metastasis. Copy number gains (CNGs) could be detected by microarray comparative genomic hybridization for survivin and XIAP in 60 % and 26.7 % of all GEP-NENs, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining of tissue specimens from 77 consecutive patients with GEP-NEN demonstrated increased survivin protein expression levels in tissue specimens of highly proliferative GEP-NEC or GEP-NEN located in the stomach and colon. In contrast, XIAP overexpression was associated with advanced tumor stages. Knockdown of survivin and XIAP markedly reduced cell proliferation and tumor growth. In vitro, YM155 induced apoptotic cell death accompanied by a reduction in cell proliferation and inhibited GEP-NEC xenograft growth. Taken together, our data provide evidence for a biological relevance of these IAPs in GEP-NEN and support a potential role of survivin as therapeutic target especially in the subgroup of aggressive GEP-NEC.

// Mingli Liu 1 , Koichi Inoue 2 , Tiandong Leng 2 , An Zhou 2 , Shanchun Guo 3 , Zhi-gang Xiong 2 1 Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry & Immunology, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA 2 Neuroscience Institute, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA 3 Department of Chemistry, RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA 70125, USA Correspondence to: Mingli Liu, email: mliu@msm.edu Zhi-gang Xiong, email: zxiong@msm.edu Keywords: ASIC1a, Notch, NS20Y, neurite growth Received: October 05, 2016 Accepted: November 23, 2016 Published: December 24, 2016 ABSTRACT In neurons, up-regulation of Notch activity either inhibits neurite extension or causes retraction of neurites. Conversely, inhibition of Notch1 facilitates neurite extension. Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are a family of proton-gated cation channels, which play critical roles in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory and spine morphogenesis. Our pilot proteomics data from ASIC1a knock out mice implicated that ASIC1a may play a role in regulating Notch signaling, therefore, we explored whether or not ASIC1a regulates neurite growth during neuronal development through Notch signaling. In this study, we determined the effects of ASIC1a on neurite growth in a mouse neuroblastoma cell line, NS20Y cells, by modulating ASIC1a expression. We also determined the relationship between ASIC1a and Notch signaling on neuronal differentiation. Our results showed that down-regulation of ASIC1a in NS20Y cells inhibits CPT-cAMP induced neurite growth, while over expression of ASIC1a promotes its growth. In addition, down-regulation of ASIC1a increased the expression of Notch1 and its target gene Survivin while inhibitor of Notch significantly prevented the neurite extension induced by ASIC1a in NS20Y cells. These data indicate that Notch1 signaling may be required for ASIC1a-mediated neurite growth and neuronal differentiation.