The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitor Gefitinib Reduces but Does Not Prevent Tumorigenesis in Chemical and Hormonal Induced Hepatocarcinogenesis Rat Models

Activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway promotes the development of hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) and carcinoma (HCC). The selective EGFR inhibitor Gefitinib was found to prevent hepatocarcinogenesis in rat cirrhotic livers. Thus, Gefitinib might reduce progression of pre-neoplastic liver lesions to HCC. In short-and long-term experiments, administration of N-Nitrosomorpholine (NNM) or intrahepatic transplantation of pancreatic islets in diabetic (PTx), thyroid follicles in thyroidectomized (TTx) and ovarian fragments in ovariectomized (OTx) rats was conducted for the induction of foci of altered hepatocytes (FAH). Gefitinib was administered for two weeks (20 mg/kg) or three and nine months (10 mg/kg). In NNM-treated rats, Gefitinib administration decreased the amount of FAH when compared to controls. The amount of HCA and HCC was decreased, but development was not prevented. Upon all transplantation models, proliferative activity of FAH was lower after administration of Gefitinib in short-term experiments. Nevertheless, the burden of HCA and HCC was not changed in later stages. Thus, EGFR inhibition by Gefitinib diminishes chemical and hormonal also induced hepatocarcinogenesis in the initiation stage in the non-cirrhotic liver. However, progression to malignant hepatocellular tumors was not prevented, indicating only a limited relevance of the EGFR signaling cascade in later stages of hepatocarcinogenesis

The VENUSS prognostic model to predict disease recurrence following surgery for non-metastatic papillary renal cell carcinoma: development and evaluation using the ASSURE prospective clinical trial cohort

Abstract: Background: The current World Health Organization classification recognises 12 major subtypes of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although these subtypes differ on molecular and clinical levels, they are generally managed as the same disease, simply because they occur in the same organ. Specifically, there is a paucity of tools to risk-stratify patients with papillary RCC (PRCC). The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a tool to risk-stratify patients with clinically non-metastatic PRCC following curative surgery. Methods: We studied clinicopathological variables and outcomes of 556 patients, who underwent full resection of sporadic, unilateral, non-metastatic (T1–4, N0–1, M0) PRCC at five institutions. Based on multivariable Fine-Gray competing risks regression models, we developed a prognostic scoring system to predict disease recurrence. This was further evaluated in the 150 PRCC patients recruited to the ASSURE trial. We compared the discrimination, calibration and decision-curve clinical net benefit against the Tumour, Node, Metastasis (TNM) stage group, University of California Integrated Staging System (UISS) and the 2018 Leibovich prognostic groups. Results: We developed the VENUSS score from significant variables on multivariable analysis, which were the presence of VEnous tumour thrombus, NUclear grade, Size, T and N Stage. We created three risk groups based on the VENUSS score, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of recurrence equalling 2.9% in low-risk, 15.4% in intermediate-risk and 54.5% in high-risk patients. 91.7% of low-risk patients had oligometastatic recurrent disease, compared to 16.7% of intermediate-risk and 40.0% of high-risk patients. Discrimination, calibration and clinical net benefit from VENUSS appeared to be superior to UISS, TNM and Leibovich prognostic groups. Conclusions: We developed and tested a prognostic model for patients with clinically non-metastatic PRCC, which is based on routine pathological variables. This model may be superior to standard models and could be used for tailoring postoperative surveillance and defining inclusion for prospective adjuvant clinical trials

HSF1 is a prognostic determinant and therapeutic target in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a lethal primary liver tumor characterized by clinical aggressiveness, poor prognosis, and scarce therapeutic possibilities. Therefore, new treatments are urgently needed to render this disease curable. Since cumulating evidence supports the oncogenic properties of the Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) transcription factor in various cancer types, we investigated its pathogenetic and therapeutic relevance in iCCA.MethodsLevels of HSF1 were evaluated in a vast collection of iCCA specimens. The effects of HSF1 inactivation on iCCA development in vivo were investigated using three established oncogene-driven iCCA mouse models. In addition, the impact of HSF1 suppression on tumor cells and tumor stroma was assessed in iCCA cell lines, human iCCA cancer-associated fibroblasts (hCAFs), and patient-derived organoids. Results Human preinvasive, invasive, and metastatic iCCAs displayed widespread HSF1 upregulation, which was associated with a dismal prognosis of the patients. In addition, hydrodynamic injection of a dominant-negative form of HSF1 (HSF1dn), which suppresses HSF1 activity, significantly delayed cholangiocarcinogenesis in AKT/NICD, AKT/YAP, and AKT/TAZ mice. In iCCA cell lines, iCCA hCAFs, and patient-derived organoids, administration of the HSF1 inhibitor KRIBB-11 significantly reduced proliferation and induced apoptosis. Cell death was profoundly augmented by concomitant administration of the Bcl-xL/Bcl2/Bcl-w inhibitor ABT-263. Furthermore, KRIBB-11 reduced mitochondrial bioenergetics and glycolysis of iCCA cells. Conclusions The present data underscore the critical pathogenetic, prognostic, and therapeutic role of HSF1 in cholangiocarcinogenesis

The Hippo pathway effector TAZ induces intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in mice and is ubiquitously activated in the human disease

Background Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a highly aggressive primary liver tumor with increasing incidence worldwide, dismal prognosis, and few therapeutic options. Mounting evidence underlines the role of the Hippo pathway in this disease; however, the molecular mechanisms whereby the Hippo cascade contributes to cholangiocarcinogenesis remain poorly defined. Methods We established novel iCCA mouse models via hydrodynamic transfection of an activated form of transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), a Hippo pathway downstream effector, either alone or combined with the myristoylated AKT (myr-AKT) protooncogene, in the mouse liver. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, and quantitative real-time RT-PCR were applied to characterize the models. In addition, in vitro cell line studies were conducted to address the growth-promoting roles of TAZ and its paralog YAP. Results Overexpression of TAZ in the mouse liver triggered iCCA development with very low incidence and long latency. In contrast, co-expression of TAZ and myr-AKT dramatically increased tumor frequency and accelerated cancer formation in mice, with 100% iCCA incidence and high tumor burden by 10 weeks post hydrodynamic injection. AKT/TAZ tumors faithfully recapitulated many of the histomolecular features of human iCCA. At the molecular level, the development of the cholangiocellular lesions depended on the binding of TAZ to TEAD transcription factors. In addition, inhibition of the Notch pathway did not hamper carcinogenesis but suppressed the cholangiocellular phenotype of AKT/TAZ tumors. Also, knockdown of YAP, the TAZ paralog, delayed cholangiocarcinogenesis in AKT/TAZ mice without affecting the tumor phenotype. Furthermore, human preinvasive and invasive iCCAs and mixed hepatocellular carcinoma/iCCA displayed widespread TAZ activation and downregulation of the mechanisms protecting TAZ from proteolysis. Conclusions Overall, the present data underscore the crucial role of TAZ in cholangiocarcinogenesi

Immune Cell and Stromal Signature Associated with Progression-free Survival of Patients with Resected Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Background & Aims: Changes to the microenvironment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) have been associated with poor outcomes of patients. We studied the associations between composition of the pancreatic stroma (fibrogenic, inert, dormant, or fibrolytic stroma) and infiltration by inflammatory cells and times of progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with PDACs after resection. Methods: We obtained 1824 tissue microarray specimens from 385 patients included in the European Study Group for Pancreatic Cancer trial 1 and 3 and performed immunohistochemistry to detect alpha smooth muscle actin, type 1 collagen, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD206, and neutrophils. Tumors that expressed high and low levels of these markers were compared with patient outcomes using Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable recursive partitioning for discrete-time survival tree analysis. Prognostic index was delineated by a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model of immune cell and stromal markers and PFS. Findings were validated using 279 tissue microarray specimens from 93 patients in a separate cohort. Results: Levels of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD68, and CD206 were independently associated with tumor recurrence. Recursive partitioning for discrete-time survival tree analysis identified a high level of CD3 as the strongest independent predictor for longer PFS. Tumors with levels of CD3 and high levels of CD206 associated with a median PFS time of 16.6 months and a median prognostic index of –0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI] –0.35 to –0.31), whereas tumors with low level of CD3 cell and low level of CD8 and high level of CD68 associated with a median PFS time of 7.9 months and a prognostic index of 0.32 (95% CI 0.050–0.32); we called these patterns histologic signatures. Stroma composition, when unassociated with inflammatory cell markers, did not associate significantly with PFS. In the validation cohort, the histologic signature resulted in an error matrix accuracy of predicted response of 0.75 (95% CI 0.64–0.83; accuracy P < .001). Conclusions: In an analysis of PDAC tissue microarray specimens, we identified and validated a histologic signature, based on leukocyte and stromal factors, that associates with PFS times of patients with resected PDACs. Immune cells might affect the composition of the pancreatic stroma to affect progression of PDAC. These findings provide new insights into the immune response to PDAC

Effekte von Amitriptylin, Fluoxetin, Tranylcypromin und Venlafaxin auf die glatte Muskulatur der Rattenaorta – in vitro

Einleitung: In dieser Studie wurden die antidepressiv wirksamen Medikamente Amitriptylin, Fluoxetin, Tranylcypromin und Venlafaxin auf ihre peripheren vasoaktiven Eigenschaften hin untersucht, da sie in der klinischen Anwendung häufig zu Blutdruckveränderungen führen. Material und Methoden: Es wurden in-vitro-Untersuchungen an endothelintakten und endothelfreien Rattenaorten durchgeführt. Wir ermittelten die Effekte der Antidepressiva in kumulativer Dosierung auf mittels KCl, Phenylephrin und Prostaglandin F2α präkontrahierte Aortenringe. Weiterhin wurden die zugrunde liegenden vasoaktiven Mechanismen im Hinblick auf die NO cGMP-Signaltransduktion, den second-messenger cAMP und die Beteiligung von K+ Kanälen sowie Adrenozeptoren näher untersucht. Ergebnisse: Alle vier Antidepressiva haben direkte Effekte auf die Rattenaorta in vitro. Sie dilatieren konzentrationsabhängig vorkontrahierte Aortenringe; pEC50 nach Vorkontraktion mit Phenylephrin (0,1 µM): Amitriptylin (6,98±0,13), Fluoxetin (6,11±0,05), Tranylcypromin (5,33±0,05), Venlafaxin (4,45±0,08) (n=8); mit KCl (20 mM): Amitriptylin (4,89±0,11), Fluoxetin (6,00±0,06), Tranylcypromin (4,99±0,30), Venlafaxin (5,02±0,07) (n=7). Hohe Konzentrationen an Tranylcypromin führen nach Vorkontraktion mit PGF2α zu einer weiteren Kontraktion endothelintakter Aorten. Gegenüber den Kontrollexperimenten führte die Hemmung des NO-cGMP-Signalweges, der cAMP-Produktion sowie die Blockade von K+-Kanälen und Adrenozeptoren zu Verschiebungen der Dosis-Antwort-Kurven der Antidepressiva. Amitriptylin, Fluoxetin und Venlafaxin hemmen die Kontraktionsantwort von Aortenringen auf adrenerge Einflüsse, Tranylcypromin verstärkt diese hingegen. Diskussion: Amitriptylin interagiert mit der pharmakomechanischen Kopplung im glatten Gefäßmuskel, indem es die Aortenringe durch eine antagonistische Wirkung an α1 Adrenozeptoren relaxiert. Auch Venlafaxin interagiert mit Adrenozeptoren. Fluoxetin, Tranylcypromin und Venlafaxin wirken über die elektromechanische Kopplung durch eine K+-Kanal-Aktivierung vasodilatierend. Die Relaxation der glatten Gefäßmuskulatur durch die antidepressiven Medikamente ist teilweise abhängig von der Integrität des Endothels, da insbesondere eine Aktivierung der endothelabhängigen Induktion der NO-cGMP-Signalkaskade durch die Antidepressiva stattfindet. Die zusätzlich vasokonstriktive Wirkung von Tranylcypromin lässt sich durch seine bekannte Interaktion mit dem Prostaglandin-Stoffwechsel erklären. Die Relaxation der Rattenaorta in vitro und das Auftreten hypotensiver Verläufe bei klinischer Anwendung der untersuchten Antidepressiva kann durch die in dieser Studie gezeigten direkten peripheren vaskulären Effekte dieser Medikamente mit erklärt werden.Introduction: In this study the antidepressants Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine, Tranylcypromine and Venlafaxine were examined for their peripheral vasoactive properties due to often seen alterations of blood pressure in patients treated with these drugs. Materials and methods: We used preparations of rat aortal rings with and without endothelium for in vitro investigations. We determined the effects of cumulative concentrations of the antidepressants on tension elicited by phenylephrine, prostaglandine F2α and KCl and after pre-incubation with some modulators of the NO-cGMP, adrenergic, cAMP or potassium channel pathway. Results: All antidepressants showed, to a different extent, vasoactive properties on the rat aorta in vitro. They relax pre-contracted aortal rings in a concentration dependent manner; pEC50 (means and S.E.M.) in descending order of potency after pre-contraction with phenylephrine 0.1 µM: Amitriptyline 6.98 (0.13), Fluoxetine 6.11 (0.05), Tranylcypromine 5.33 (0.05) and Venlafaxine 4.45 (0.08), n=8 each; after pre-contraction with KCl 20 mM: Fluoxetine 6.00 (0.06), Tranylcypromine 4.99 (0.30), Venlafaxine 5.02 (0.07), n=7 each. After pre-contraction with prostaglandine F2α high concentrations of Tranylcypromine lead to further contraction of the endothelium intact preparations. The inhibition of the NO-cGMP cascade, the adrenergic pathway, the cAMP production and potassium channels lead to significant changes of the dose response curves of the antidepressants. Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine and Venlafaxine inhibit smooth muscle contraction to adrenergic influences, whereas Tranylcypromine increases adrenergic responses. Discussion: Amitriptyline interacts with the pharmacomechanic coupling in vascular smooth muscle while it relaxes aortal rings by its antagonism at α1-adrenoceptors. Venlafaxin also has effects to adrenergic receptors. Fluoxetine, Tranylcypromine and Venlafaxine affect the electromechanic coupling due to activation of potassium channels. The relaxation of vascular smooth muscle by the antidepressants is partially dependent on the integrity of the endothelium since they activate the endothelium derived NO-cGMP pathway. The additional vasoconstrictive effect of Tranylcypromine can be explained by its known interaction with the prostaglandine metabolism. The dilatation of the rat aorta in vitro and the occurring hypotension in clinical application of these antidepressants can be ascribed to their peripheral direct vasoactive effects shown in this study

Pulmonary Metastasising Aneurysmal Fibrous Histiocytoma: A Case Report, Literature Review and Proposal of Standardised Diagnostic Criteria

An aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma is a rare cutaneous soft-tissue tumour which accounts for approximately 0.06% of all dermatopathologies. Metastasis is exceedingly uncommon, to the point that there have only been eight reported cases in the scientific literature. We present the case of a 25-year-old male with a primary aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma located in the nuchal region which exhibited rapid growth and abrupt ulceration over a short time span and showed signs of locoregional aggressive infiltration. A subsequent histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of diffuse solid and cystic pulmonary metastases. Further genetic sequencing verified LAMTOR1-PRKCD fusion. This case report seeks to review the existing literature on aneurysmal fibrous histiocytoma, discuss the challenges of differential diagnosis and propose standardised diagnostic criteria

Early Subcellular Hepatocellular Alterations in Mice Post Hydrodynamic Transfection: An Explorative Study

Hydrodynamic transfection (HT) or hydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVi) is among the leading technique that is used to deliver plasmid genes mainly into the liver of live mice or rats. The DNA constructs are composed of coupled plasmids, while one contains the gene of interest that stably integrate into the hepatocyte genome with help of the other consisting sleeping beauty transposase system. The rapid injection of a large volume of DNA-solution through the tail vein induces an acute cardiac congestion that refluxed into the liver, mainly in acinus zone 3, also found through our EM study. Although, HT mediated hydrodynamic force can permeabilizes the fenestrated sinusoidal endothelium of liver, but the mechanism of plasmid incorporation into the hepatocytes remains unclear. Therefore, in the present study, we have hydrodynamically injected 2 mL volume of empty plasmid (transposon vector) or saline solution (control) into the tail vein of anesthetized C57BL/6J/129Sv mice. Liver tissue was resected at different time points from two animal group conditions, i.e., one time point per animal (1, 5, 10–20, 60 min or 24 and 48 hrs after HT) or multiple time points per animal (0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 min) and quickly fixed with buffered 4% osmium tetroxide. The tissues fed with only saline solution was also resected and fixed in the similar way. EM evaluation from the liver ultrathin sections reveals that swiftly after 1 min, the hepatocytes near to the central venule in the acinus zone 3 shows cytoplasmic membrane-bound vesicles. Such vesicles increased in both numbers and size to vacuoles and precisely often found in the proximity to the nucleus. Further, EM affirm these vacuoles are also optically empty and do not contain any electron dense material. Although, some of the other hepatocytes reveals sign of cell damage including swollen mitochondria, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus and disrupted plasma membrane, but most of the hepatocytes appeared normal. The ultrastructural findings in the mice injected with empty vector or saline injected control mice were similar. Therefore, we have interpreted the vacuole formation as nonspecific endocytosis without specific interactions at the plasma membrane