Project description:Serine-threonine kinase receptor-associated protein (STRAP) is upregulated in breast, colorectal and lung cancers, promoting their growth. We identify the upregulation of STRAP in hepatocellular carcinomas. Elevated STRAP endows tumor cells with growth advantage by reprograming a variety of metabolic processes and signaling pathways critical for hepatocellular carcinoma progression. Especially, enhanced Wnt/β-catenin signaling is likely to be a major effector of its tumor-promoting role.
Project description:CTNNB1 is the most frequently mutated gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its clinical relevance remains controversial. We determined an evolutionarily conserved β-catenin signature by comparative analysis of gene expression data from human HCC (GSE43619) and a mouse model.
Project description:We screened HCC organoids to identify a CTNNB1-mutant HCC selective small molecule (WNTinib), with MOA depending on reactivation of cytoplasmic EZH2, leading to its nuclear translocation and selective transcriptional block of WNT targets We then performed gene expression profiling analysis using data obtained from RNA-seq of 2 genetically different organoids at 3 time points.
Project description:We screened HCC organoids to identify a CTNNB1-mutant HCC selective small molecule (WNTinib), with MOA depending on reactivation of cytoplasmic EZH2, leading to its nuclear translocation and selective transcriptional block of WNT targets
Project description:CTNNB1 is the most frequently mutated gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its clinical relevance remains controversial. We determined an evolutionarily conserved β-catenin signature by comparative analysis of gene expression data from human HCC and a mouse model (GSE43628). We generated gene expression data from the tumors of 88 HCC patients who underwent surgical resection as the primary treatment. We used these gene expression data to develop a new prognostification model for prognosis of HCC after surgery. We generated gene expression data from the tumors of 88 HCC patients who underwent surgical resection as the primary treatment.
Project description:Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MEK 1/2) are central components of the RAS signaling pathway and attractive targets for cancer therapy. However, PIK3CA mutation, which commonly co-occurs with KRAS mutation, offered resistance to MEK inhibitor through activation of PI3K-AKT signaling. We identified a gene that cooperates with MEK inhibitors to forcefully treat PIK3CA mutant colon cancer cells. -catenin, a key molecule of the WNT pathway, emerged as a candidate by protein/Ab Chip array. MEK inhibitor treatment led to a decrease in -catenin in PIK3CA wild-type colon cancer cells but not in PIK3CA mutant colon cancer cells. Tumor regression was promoted by a combination of MEK inhibitor and NVP-TNS656, which targets the WNT pathway. Furthermore, combined inhibition of MEK and -catenin by NVP-TNS656 promoted tumor regression in colon cancer patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models expressing mutant PIK3CA. Taken together, we propose that inhibition of the WNT pathway, particularly -catenin, may bypass resistance to MEK inhibitor in human PIK3CA mutant colon cancer. Additionally, -catenin is a potential PD marker of MEK inhibitor resistance. In the study, we identified and evaluated biomarker for response to MEK inhibitor on colon cancer cells.