Semi-comprehensive analysis of gene amplification in thymic malignant tumors using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and fluorescence in situ hybridization
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY
Authors: Kakegawa, Seiichi; Matsumoto, Isao; Tamura, Masaya; Takata, Munehisa; Yoshida, Shuhei; Saito, Daisuke; Tanaka, Yusuke; Takemura, Hirofumi; Ooi, Akishi
Abstract
Research on the amplification of oncogenes in thymic malignant tumor is limited. In this study, we aimed to determine the gene amplification status of receptor tyrosine kinases and other cell regulator genes in thymic malignant tumors, with a view toward the future introduction of molecular targeted therapy. In addition, we examined the usefulness of multiplex, ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) in the semi-comprehensive detection of these gene amplifications. The participants of this study were nine patients with thymic carcinoma and one patient with atypical carcinoid who underwent resection at our department from 1999 to 2016. Twenty-four oncogenes (MDM4, MYCN, ALK, PDGFRA, KIT, KDR, DHFR, EGFR, MET, SMO, BRAF, FGFR1, MYC, ABL1, RET, CCND1, CCND2, CDK4, MDM2, AURKB, ERBB2, TOP2A, AURKA, AR) were analyzed for amplification by MLPA. In cases where amplification by MLPA was suspected, confirmation was performed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Immunostaining for detected oncoproteins and p53 were performed in cases with confirmed oncogene amplification. MYC (2/10, 20%) and MDM2 (1/10,10%) amplifications were detected using MLPA and FISH. Immunostaining in both cases was positive. The MDM2-amplified tumor relapsed and spread rapidly after operation despite the use of post-operative chemo-radiotherapy. MYC amplification may be involved in the carcinogenesis of thymic malignant tumors. In addition, MDM2 amplification may be a concern in the increased malignancy.
Selected by gene co-expression network and molecular docking analyses, ENMD-2076 is highly effective in glioblastoma-bearing rats
AGING-US
Authors: Zhong, Sheng; Bai, Yang; Wu, Bo; Ge, Junliang; Jiang, Shanshan; Li, Weihang; Wang, Xinhui; Ren, Junan; Xu, Haiyang; Chen, Yong; Zhao, Gang
Abstract
Background: Glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumor. Bioinformatics technology and structure biology were effectively and systematically used to identify specific targets in malignant tumors and screen potential drugs. Results: GBM patients have higher AURKA and KDR mRNA expression compared with normal samples. Then, we identified a small molecular compound, ENMD-2076, could effectively inhibit Aurora kinase A and VEGFR-2 (encoded by KDR) activities. ENMD-2076 is predicted without toxic properties and also has absorption and gratifying brain/blood barrier penetration ability. Further results demonstrated that ENMD-2076 could significantly inhibit GBM cell lines proliferation and vitality, it also suppressed GBM cells migration and invasion. ENMD-2076 induced glioblastoma cell cycle arrest in G2-M phase and apoptosis by inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways. Additionally, ENMD-2076 prolonged the median survival time of tumor-bearing rats and restrained growth rate of tumor volume in vivo. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that ENMD-2076 is a promising drug in dealing with glioblastoma and have a perspective application. Methods: We show that AURKA and KDR genes are hub driver genes in glioblastoma with bioinformatics technology including WGCNA analysis, PPI network, GO, KEGG analysis and GSEA analysis. After identifying a compound via virtual screening analysis, further experiments were carried out to examine the antiglioblastoma activities of the compound in vivo and in vitro.