Expression of DRD2 Is Increased in Human Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Inhibitors Slow Tumor Growth in Mice

Background & Aims Incidence of and mortality from pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common form of pancreatic cancer, are almost equivalent, so better treatments are needed. We studied gene expression profiles of PDACs and the functions of genes with altered expression to identify new therapeutic targets. Methods We performed microarray analysis to analyze gene expression profiles of 195 PDAC and 41 non-tumor pancreatic tissue samples. We undertook an extensive analysis of the PDAC transcriptome by superimposing interaction networks of proteins encoded by aberrantly expressed genes over signaling pathways associated with PDAC development to identify factors that might alter regulation of these pathways during tumor progression. We performed tissue microarray analysis to verify changes in expression of candidate protein using an independent set of 152 samples (40 nontumor pancreatic tissues, 63 PDAC sections, and 49 chronic pancreatitis samples). We validated the functional relevance of the candidate molecule using RNA interference or pharmacologic inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cell lines and analyses of xenograft tumors in mice. Results In an analysis of 38,276 human genes and loci, we identified 1676 genes that were significantly up-regulated and 1166 genes that were significantly down-regulated in PDAC compared with nontumor pancreatic tissues. One gene that was up-regulated and associated with multiple signaling pathways that are dysregulated in PDAC was G protein subunit αi2, which has not been previously associated with PDAC. G protein subunit αi2 mediates the effects of dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) on cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling; PDAC tissues had a slight but significant increase in DRD2 messenger RNA. Levels of DRD2 protein were substantially increased in PDACs, compared with non-tumor tissues, in tissue microarray analyses. RNA interference knockdown of DRD2 or inhibition with pharmacologic antagonists (pimozide and haloperidol) reduced proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells, induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis, and reduced cell migration. RNA interference knockdown of DRD2 in pancreatic tumor cells reduced growth of xenograft tumors in mice, and administration of the DRD2 inhibitor haloperidol to mice with orthotopic xenograft tumors reduced final tumor size and metastasis. Conclusions In gene expression profile analysis of PDAC samples, we found the DRD2 signaling pathway to be activated. Inhibition of DRD2 in pancreatic cancer cells reduced proliferation and migration, and slowed growth of xenograft tumors in mice. DRD2 antagonists routinely used for management of schizophrenia might be tested in patients with pancreatic cancer

No evidence of oncogenic KRAS mutations in squamous cell carcinomas of the anogenital tract and head and neck region independent of human papillomavirus and p16 (INK4a) status

Carcinogenesis of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) in the anogenital tract and head and neck region is heterogeneous. A substantial proportion of SCC in the vulva, anus, and head and neck follows a human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced carcinogenic pathway. However, the molecular pathways of carcinogenesis in the HPV-independent lesions are not completely understood. We hypothesized that oncogenic Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations might represent a carcinogenic mechanism in a proportion of those HPV-negative cancers. Considering the repeated observation of KRAS-associated p16(INK4a) overexpression in human tumors, it was assumed that KRAS mutations might be particularly present in the group of HPV-negative, p16(INK4a)-positive cancers. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed 66 anal, vulvar, and head and neck SCC with known immunohistochemical p16(INK4a) and HPV DNA status for KRAS mutations in exon 2 (codons 12, 13, and 15). We enriched the tumor collection with HPV DNA-negative, p16(INK4a)-positive cancers. A subset of 37 cancers was also analyzed for mutations in the B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) gene. None of the 66 tumors harbored mutations in KRAS exon 2, thus excluding KRAS mutations as a common event in SCC of the anogenital and head and neck region and as a cause of p16(INK4a) expression in these tumors. In addition, no BRAF mutations were detected in the 37 analyzed tumors. Further studies are required to determine the molecular events underlying HPV-negative anal, vulvar, and head and neck carcinogenesis. Considering HPV-independent p16(INK4a) overexpression in some of these tumors, particular focus should be placed on alternative upstream activators and potential downstream disruption of the p16(INK4a) pathway. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

The "unnatural" history of colorectal cancer in Lynch syndrome: Lessons from colonoscopy surveillance

Individuals with Lynch syndrome (LS), one of the most common inherited cancer syndromes, are at increased risk of developing malignancies, in particular colorectal cancer (CRC). Regular colonoscopy with polypectomy is recommended to reduce CRC risk in LS individuals. However, recent independent studies demonstrated that a substantial proportion of LS individuals develop CRC despite regular colonoscopy. The reasons for this surprising observation confirmed by large prospective studies are a matter of debate. In this review, we collect existing evidence from clinical, epidemiological and molecular studies and interpret them with regard to the origins and progression of LS-associated CRC. Alongside with hypotheses addressing colonoscopy quality and pace of progression from adenoma to cancer, we discuss the role of alternative precursors and immune system in LS-associated CRC. We also identify gaps in current knowledge and make suggestions for future studies aiming at improved CRC prevention for LS individuals

Cancer Risks for PMS2-Associated Lynch Syndrome

PURPOSE: Lynch syndrome due to pathogenic variants in the DNA mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, and MSH6 is predominantly associated with colorectal and endometrial cancer, although extracolonic cancers have been described within the Lynch tumor spectrum. However, the age-specific cumulative risk (penetrance) of these cancers is still poorly defined for PMS2-associated Lynch syndrome. Using a large data set from a worldwide collaboration, our aim was to determine accurate penetrance measures of cancers for carriers of heterozygous pathogenic PMS2 variants. METHODS: A modified segregation analysis was conducted that incorporated both genotyped and nongenotyped relatives, with conditioning for ascertainment to estimates corrected for bias. Hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95% CIs were estimated for each cancer site for mutation carriers compared with the general population, followed by estimation of penetrance. RESULTS: In total, 284 families consisting of 4,878 first- and second-degree family members were included in the analysis. PMS2 mutation carriers were at increased risk for colorectal cancer (cumulative risk to age 80 years of 13% [95% CI, 7.9% to 22%] for males and 12% [95% CI, 6.7% to 21%] for females) and endometrial cancer (13% [95% CI, 7.0%-24%]), compared with the general population (6.6%, 4.7%, and 2.4%, respectively). There was no clear evidence of an increased risk of ovarian, gastric, hepatobiliary, bladder, renal, brain, breast, prostate, or small bowel cancer. CONCLUSION: Heterozygous PMS2 mutation carriers were at small increased risk for colorectal and endometrial cancer but not for any other Lynch syndrome-associated cancer. This finding justifies that PMS2-specific screening protocols could be restricted to colonoscopies. The role of risk-reducing hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for PMS2 mutation carriers needs further discussion

Cancer Risks for PMS2-Associated Lynch Syndrome (vol 29, pg 2961, 2018)

This corrects the article "Cancer Risks for PMS2-Associated Lynch Syndrome" in volume 36 on page 2961