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- Andersson, Bengt-Åke
(author)
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Circulating Biomarkers in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer and the Influence of Cigarette Smoking
- 2019
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a collective name for heterogeneous tumors located in the head and neck regions for which smoking, alcohol and human papillomavirus (HPV) are documented risk factors. The survival of HNC patients has only improved marginally during the last decade. The most important prognostic factors are tumor size, local spread and distant metastases, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging. Prognostic biomarkers are needed as a complement to TNM staging.The aim for this thesis was to investigate rapid and low cost blood based biomarkers which could indicate the risk of HNC, recurrence of the disease or the survival of HNC patients. Furthermore, the aim was to examine how cigarette smoking influences the levels of biomarkers.In paper I, a possible role of plasma cytokines or proteins associated with immune response or inflammation, as biomarkers for the survival of HNC patients was investigated. Higher levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were detected in plasma of the patients compared with the levels in the controls. The elevated levels of these two biomarkers detected in patients were associated with decreased survival.In paper II, the influence of 45 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in 41 genes associated with cell cycle progression, cell death, DNA repair or immune response on cancer risk, tumor recurrence and survival in HNC patients were investigated. SNPs in immune response genes were associated with risk for HNC, an elevated risk for recurrence and a decreased survival in HNC patients.In paper III, the influence of cigarette smoking on levels of inflammatory cells, proteins or cytokines/chemokines, microRNAs (miRNAs) and SNPs was analysed in healthy smokers and non-smokers. Higher levels of total white blood cells (WBCs), neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP, monocyte chemoattractant protein- 1 (MCP-1) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were detected in smokers compared to non-smokers and indicate an inflammatory response. Also, a lower level of oncomiRNA miR-21was detected in smokers. This alteration, in combination with the elevated levels of IFN-γ in smokers could be a protective response to cigarette smoke. The higher levels of IFN-γ in smokers compared to non-smokers were however only detected in individuals with SNP rs2069705 genotype AG/GG. This indicates a genetic association of the levels of IFN-γ.In paper IV, the separate effects of cigarette smoking and HNC on inflammatory or immune biomarkers and the impact of high risk human papillomavirus, age and gender were investigated. Comparisons of circulating levels of WBCs and its subpopulations, plasma proteins or cytokines/chemokines between smoking and non-smoking patients, smoking and non-smoking controls and between the patient and control groups were analysed. Smoking had highest impact on elevated levels of WBCs, IFN-γ and MCP-1, and HNC had highest impact on elevated levels of neutrophils, monocytes, NLR, CRP, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 beta and TNF-α.In conclusion, host immune response associated parameters could be suitable as biomarkers for the risk of HNC, risk of recurrence or in predicting survival of HNC patients. This thesis show that HNC are associated with systemic inflammatory response and upregulated CRP and TNF-α is related to shorter survival in HNC patients. Additionally, SNPs in immune response genes such as rs1800629 in the TNF-α gene indicates a risk for HNC or an elevated risk for recurrence and a decreased survival in HNC patients. These rapid and low cost blood based biomarkers could be used in combination or as a supplement to established biomarkers in the clinic for a more personalized treatment modality.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Mattias K, 1979, et al.
(author)
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IGF2/IGF1R Signaling as a Therapeutic Target in MYB-Positive Adenoid Cystic Carcinomas and Other Fusion Gene-Driven Tumors
- 2019
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In: Cells. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4409. ; 8:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chromosome rearrangements resulting in pathogenetically important gene fusions are a common feature of many cancers. They are often potent oncogenic drivers and have key functions in central cellular processes and pathways and encode transcription factors, transcriptional co-regulators, growth factor receptors, tyrosine kinases, and chromatin modifiers. In addition to being useful diagnostic biomarkers, they are also targets for development of new molecularly targeted therapies. Studies in recent decades have shown that several oncogenic gene fusions interact with the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway. For example, the MYB-NFIB fusion in adenoid cystic carcinoma is regulated by IGF1R through an autocrine loop, and IGF1R is a downstream target of the EWSR1-WT1 and PAX3-FKHR fusions in desmoplastic small round cell tumors and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, respectively. Here, we will discuss the mechanisms behind the interactions between oncogenic gene fusions and the IGF signaling pathway. We will also discuss the role of therapeutic inhibition of IGF1R in fusion gene driven malignancies.
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| 5. |
- Andersson, Mattias K, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Nuclear expression of FLT1 and its ligand PGF in FUS-DDIT3 carrying myxoid liposarcomas suggests the existence of an intracrine signaling loop.
- 2010
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In: BMC cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2407. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The FUS-DDIT3 fusion oncogene encodes an abnormal transcription factor that has a causative role in the development of myxoid/round-cell liposarcomas (MLS/RCLS). We have previously identified FLT1 (VEGFR1) as a candidate downstream target gene of FUS-DDIT3. The aim of this study was to investigate expression of FLT1 and its ligands in MLS cells. Methods: HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells were transiently transfected with FUS-DDIT3-GFP variant constructs and FLT1 expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. In addition, FLT1, PGF, VEGFA and VEGFB expression was measured in MLS/RCLS cell lines, MLS/RCLS tumors and in normal adiopocytes. We analyzed nine cases of MLS/RCLS and one cell line xenografted in mice for FLT1 protein expression using immunohistochemistry. MLS/RCLS cell lines were also analyzed for FLT1 by immunofluorescence and western blot. MLS/RCLS cell lines were additionally treated with FLT1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors and assayed for alterations in proliferation rate. Results: FLT1 expression was dramatically increased in transfected cells stably expressing FUS-DDIT3 and present at high levels in cell lines derived from MLS. The FLT1 protein showed a strong nuclear expression in cells of MLS tissue as well as in cultured MLS cells, which was confirmed by cellular fractionation. Tissue array analysis showed a nuclear expression of the FLT1 protein also in several other tumor and normal cell types including normal adipocytes. The FLT1 ligand coding gene PGF was highly expressed in cultured MLS cells compared to normal adipocytes while the other ligand genes VEGFA and VEGFB were expressed to lower levels. A more heterogeneous expression pattern of these genes were observed in tumor samples. No changes in proliferation rate of MLS cells were detected at concentrations for which the kinase inhibitors have shown specific inhibition of FLT1. Conclusions: Our results imply that FLT1 is induced as an indirect downstream effect of FUS-DDIT3 expression in MLS. This could be a consequence of the ability of FUS-DDIT3 to hijack parts of normal adipose tissue development and reprogram primary cells to a liposarcoma-like phenotype. The findings of nuclear FLT1 protein and expression of corresponding ligands in MLS and normal tissues may have implications for tissue homeostasis and tumor development through auto- or intracrine signaling.
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- Andersson, Mattias K, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Proliferation of Ewing sarcoma cell lines is suppressed by the receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and vandetanib
- 2008
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In: Cancer Cell International. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1475-2867. ; 8:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have gained much attention in recent years as targeted agents for the treatment of a wide range of human cancers. We have investigated the effect of the TKIs gefitinib and vandetanib on tumor cell lines derived from Ewing sarcoma, a highly malignant tumor affecting bone and soft tissue in children and young adults. Gefitinib is an inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase activity (EGFR) and vandetanib selectively targets vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) with additional activity against VEGFR-3, EGFR and RET kinase receptors. RESULTS: Two Ewing sarcoma cell lines investigated showed high levels of nuclear EGFR expression as well as moderate expression in plasma membrane and cytoplasm. When treated with concentrations of 5 muM and more of either gefitinib or vandetanib, we observed a significant decrease in cell proliferation. However, there were no detectable changes in p44/42 MAPK and Akt-1 phosphorylation, or in the expression of cyclin D1 or c-Myc following gefitinib or vandetanib treatment. CONCLUSION: We conclude that Ewing sarcoma tumor cell proliferation is not highly sensitive to inhibition of EGFR signaling alone or the simultaneous inhibition of VEGFR receptors, EGFR and RET kinase. Decreased tumor cell proliferation could be achieved with gefitinib and vandetanib, but only at higher doses where non-specific effects of the compounds may be overriding. As Ewing tumor cells do not seem to depend on EGFR and VEGFR pathways for survival, other key factors in the cellular signaling of Ewing sarcoma should be targeted in order to obtain a potent therapeutic response.
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- Andersson, Mattias K, 1979, et al.
(author)
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Skadade stamceller ger cancer hos unga
- 2005
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In: Forskning & Framsteg. - 0015-7937. ; 40:7, s. 19-21
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Cancer är vanligen en ålderssjukdom, men när kontrollgener i stamceller skadas tidigt under utvecklingen kan även unga få cancer. Sådana förändringar ligger bakom exempelvis barnleukemi.
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| 9. |
- Andersson, Mattias K, 1979, et al.
(author)
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The multifunctional FUS, EWS and TAF15 proto-oncoproteins show cell type-specific expression patterns and involvement in cell spreading and stress response
- 2008
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In: BMC Cell Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2121. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: FUS, EWS and TAF15 are structurally similar multifunctional proteins that were first discovered upon characterization of fusion oncogenes in human sarcomas and leukemias. The proteins belong to the FET (previously TET) family of RNA-binding proteins and are implicated in central cellular processes such as regulation of gene expression, maintenance of genomic integrity and mRNA/microRNA processing. In the present study, we investigated the expression and cellular localization of FET proteins in multiple human tissues and cell types. RESULTS: FUS, EWS and TAF15 were expressed in both distinct and overlapping patterns in human tissues. The three proteins showed almost ubiquitous nuclear expression and FUS and TAF15 were in addition present in the cytoplasm of most cell types. Cytoplasmic EWS was more rarely detected and seen mainly in secretory cell types. Furthermore, FET expression was downregulated in differentiating human embryonic stem cells, during induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cells and absent in terminally differentiated melanocytes and cardiac muscle cells. The FET proteins were targeted to stress granules induced by heat shock and oxidative stress and FUS required its RNA-binding domain for this translocation. Furthermore, FUS and TAF15 were detected in spreading initiation centers of adhering cells. CONCLUSION: Our results point to cell-specific expression patterns and functions of the FET proteins rather than the housekeeping roles inferred from earlier studies. The localization of FET proteins to stress granules suggests activities in translational regulation during stress conditions. Roles in central processes such as stress response, translational control and adhesion may explain the FET proteins frequent involvement in human cancer.
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