De-Zhong Zhang^*, Bing-He Chen^*, Lan-Fang Zhang^†, Ming-Kun Cheng^‡, Xiang-Jie Fang^*, Xin-Jun Wu^*

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.9, pp. 1453-1462, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504017X14886494526344

Abstract Gastric cancer (GC) is the most common epithelial malignancy worldwide. Basic transcription factor 3 (BTF3) plays a crucial role in the regulation of various biological processes. We designed experiments to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the role of BTF3 in GC cell proliferation and metastasis. We confirmed that BTF3 expression was decreased in GC tissues and several GC cell lines. Lentivirus-mediated downregulation of BTF3 reduced cell proliferation, induced S and G₂/M cell cycle arrest, and increased apoptosis. Knockdown of BTF3 significantly reduced the expression of Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1). Upregulation of FOXM1 significantly inhibited the decrease… More >

Kairui Liu^*, Xiaolin Wu^*, Xian Zang^†, Zejian Huang^*, Zeyu Lin^‡, Wenliang Tan^*, Xiang Wu^*, Wenrou Hu^*, Baoqi Li^*, Lei Zhang^*

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.8, pp. 1329-1340, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504017X14876227286564

Abstract Overexpression of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) has been detected in many cancer types and is considered to foster tumor progression. However, the role of TRAF4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. In this study, we found that TRAF4 was highly expressed in HCC cell lines and HCC tissues compared with normal liver cell lines and adjacent noncancerous tissues. TRAF4 overexpression in HCC tissues was correlated with tumor quantity and vascular invasion. In vitro studies showed that TRAF4 was associated with HCC cell migration and invasion. An in vivo study verified that More >

Paweena Dana^*†‡, Ryusho Kariya^‡, KulthidaVaeteewoottacharn^*†, Kanlayanee Sawanyawisuth^*†, Wunchana Seubwai^†§, Kouki Matsuda^‡, Seiji Okada^‡, Sopit Wongkham^*†

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.7, pp. 1047-1059, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504016X14813899000565

Abstract CD147 is a transmembrane protein that can induce the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Expression of CD147 has been shown to potentiate cell migration, invasion, and metastasis of cancer. In this study, the critical role of CD147 in metastasis was elucidated using CD147-overexpressing cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cells in vitro and in vivo. The molecular mechanism, demonstrated herein, supported the hypothesis that metastasis increased in CD147-overexpressing cells. Five CD147-overexpressing clones (Ex-CD147) were established from a low CD147-expressing CCA cell line, KKU-055, using lentivirus containing pReceiver-Lenti-CD147. The metastatic capability was determined using the tail vein injection… More >

Jing Zeng^*1, Tianping Du^†1, Yafeng Song^‡, Yan Gao^‡, Fuyan Li^‡, Ruimin Wu^‡, Yijia Chen^‡, Wei Li^‡, Hong Zhou^‡, Yi Yang^‡, Zhijun Pei^‡

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.6, pp. 913-921, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504016X14792098307036

Abstract Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) has been demonstrated to play an important role in diverse tumorigenesis. However, the biological function of lncRNAs in glioma is still unknown. In this study, we found that lncRNA CCAT2 was overexpressed in glioma tissues and cell lines and associated with tumor grade and size. Furthermore, patients with high levels of lncRNA CCAT2 had poorer survival than those with lower levels of lncRNA CCAT2. Knocking down lncRNA CCAT2 expression significantly suppressed the glioma cell growth, migration, and invasion, as well as induced early apoptosis of glioma More >

Jiakai Han¹, Wei Gao¹, Dongyue Su, Yang Liu

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.6, pp. 873-878, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504016X14783701102564

Abstract A-kinase anchor protein 4 (AKAP4), a member of the A-kinase anchor family of proteins, plays a role in tumor development and progression. However, its expression pattern and function in human thyroid cancer remain obscure. Here we examined AKAP4 expression in thyroid cancer cell lines as well as the effects of AKAP4 on the proliferation and metastasis of thyroid cancer cells. We also explored the molecular mechanism by which AKAP4 mediates the metastatic potential of thyroid cancer cells. Our results revealed that the transcript and protein levels of AKAP4 were significantly upregulated in thyroid cancer cell… More >

Wenzhang Zhang^*1, Xin Wu^†1, Liang Hu^*, Yuefan Ma^*, Zihan Xiu^*, Bingyu Huang^*, Yun Feng^*, Xudong Tang^*†‡

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.5, pp. 843-852, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504016X14813880882288

Abstract The human papillomavirus (HPV) infection may be associated with the development and progression of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the role of HPV-16 oncoproteins in the development and progression of NSCLC is not completely clear. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), a crucial step for invasion and metastasis, plays a key role in the development and progression of NSCLC. Here we explored the effect of HPV-16 oncoproteins on EMT and the underlying mechanisms. NSCLC cell lines, A549 and NCI-H460, were transiently transfected with the EGFP-N1-HPV-16 E6 or E7 plasmid. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed… More >

Li-Zhou Fang^*, Jian-Qing Zhang^*, Ling Liu^*, Wei-Ping Fu^*, Jing-Kui Shu^*, Jia-Gang Feng^*, Xiao Liang^†

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.5, pp. 819-829, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504016X14772349843854

Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for tumorigenesis and recurrence, so targeting CSCs is an effective method to potentially cure cancer. BTB/POZ domain-containing protein 7 (Btbd7) has been found in various cancers, including lung cancer and liver cancer, but the role of Btbd7 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), CSC self-renewal, and chemoresistance is still unknown. Therefore, in this study we found that the ratio of tumor sphere formation and stem cell transcription factors in CD133⁺ cells was dramatically enhanced compared to parental cells, which indicated successful sorting of CD133⁺ cells from A549. Meanwhile, Btbd7 and More >

Dengfeng Zhang¹, Feng Jiang¹, Xiao Wang, Guojun Li

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.5, pp. 743-751, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504016X14772395226335

Abstract Ubiquitin-specific protease 22 (USP22), a novel deubiquitinating enzyme, belongs to an extended family of proteins that have ubiquitin hydrolase activity. Recently, USP22 has attracted widespread attention because of its implication in carcinogenesis. However, there have been no studies, to our knowledge, investigating the expression of USP22 in osteosarcoma (OS) and its association with OS progression. In this study, we explored the role of USP22 in OS. We demonstrated that USP22 was highly expressed in OS tissue and cell lines. Downregulation of USP22 inhibited OS cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in vitro. In addition, More >

Zewei Zhang^*1, Chao Xu^†1, Xiafang Zhang^†1, Lulu Huang^†, Cheng Zheng^‡, Haitao Chen^†, Yan Wang^†, Haixing Ju^§, Qinghua Yao^†

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.5, pp. 691-699, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504016X14774897404770

Abstract The tripartite motif-containing protein 11 (TRIM11), a member of the TRIM protein family, has attracted much attention because of its involvement in the development of the central nervous system. It has gained renewed focus because of its newly found function in promoting tumors. However, little is known about its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we found TRIM11 to be overexpressed in HCC tissues and cell lines. Downregulation of TRIM11 inhibited HCC cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and in vivo as well as suppressed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, More >

Sheng-Qiang Lu^*1, Yan Qiu^†1, Wei-Jie Dai^‡, Xiao-Yu Zhang^§

Oncology Research, Vol.25, No.5, pp. 681-689, 2017, DOI:10.3727/096504016X14771034190471

Abstract Forkhead box R2 (FOXR2), a member of the FOX gene family, has not been very well investigated for its role in cancer. A recent study has shown that FOXR2 is highly expressed in breast cancer samples and is associated with poor prognosis. In addition, FOXR2 was identified as an oncogene in medulloblastoma. Nevertheless, whether FOXR2 plays a role in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In the present study, we conducted several in vitro and in vivo studies to investigate the expression and effect of FOXR2 in CRC. The study results demonstrated that FOXR2 was upregulated More >