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Biomedical subjects

Ken-Ichi Kawaguchi

Publications and source records attributed to Ken-Ichi Kawaguchi.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Synthesis and biological evaluation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives as novel PI3 kinase p110alpha inhibitors.

3-{1-[(4-Fluorophenyl)sulfonyl]-1H-pyrazol-3-yl}-2-methylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine, 2a, was discovered in our chemical library as a novel p110alpha inhibitor with an IC(50) of 0.67microM, through screening in a scintillation proximity assay. Optimization of the substituents of 2a increased the p110alpha inhibitory activity by more than 300-fold (2g: IC(50)=0.0018microM). Further structural modification of 2g afforded thiazole derivative 12, which has potent p110alpha inhibitory activity (IC(50) of 0.0028microM) and is highly selective for p110alpha over other PI3K isoforms. Compound 12 also inhibited serum-induced cell proliferation of A375 and HeLa cells in vitro with IC(50) values of 0.14microM and 0.21microM, respectively, and suppressed tumor growth by 37% in a mouse HeLa xenograft model when dosed intraperitoneally at 25mg/kg. These results suggest that selective p110alpha inhibitors may have potential as cancer therapeutic agents.

Animals↗

Nuclear beta-catenin correlates with cyclin D1 expression in spindle and pleomorphic sarcomas but not in synovial sarcoma.

Nuclear beta-catenin staining in soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) has been shown to correlate with tumor progression as assessed by proliferative activity or poor prognosis. Frequent activation of Wnt signaling pathway has been also shown in synovial sarcoma (SS), suggesting a specific role of this pathway in SS. We examined roles of nuclear beta-catenin staining within soft tissue sarcomas. Immunohistochemical detection of nuclear beta-catenin accumulation correlated with cyclin D1 overexpression in spindle cell and pleomorphic sarcomas (P = .037), and the expression of these proteins evenly distributed throughout each section. In some cases, strong beta-catenin nuclear staining was observed in highly pleomorphic and mitotic cells. Furthermore, tumors with nuclear beta-catenin accumulation showed statistically significant increasing cyclin D1 mRNA expression level compared with those without (P = .023). Cyclin D1 mRNA expression levels were statistically higher in tumors with cyclin D1 overexpression than in tumors without (P = .037), suggesting that cyclin D1 overexpression is due to transcriptional activation. However, these correlations could not be detected in SS. In biphasic SS, beta-catenin nuclear staining was observed in spindle cells, whereas cyclin D1 nuclear staining was seen in glandular areas where beta-catenin kept membranous expression. Mutations in exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene and in the mutation cluster region of adenomatous polyposis coli gene were absent in this series of cases. Thus, cyclin D1 could be considered as one of the targets of the nuclear beta-catenin in spindle cell and pleomorphic sarcomas. A possible association between beta-catenin accumulation and spindle cell morphogenesis may exist in SS.

Cell Nucleus↗

Prognostic significance of dysadherin expression in epithelioid sarcoma and its diagnostic utility in distinguishing epithelioid sarcoma from malignant rhabdoid tumor.

Dysadherin is a cancer-associated cell membrane glycoprotein, which downregulates E-cadherin and promotes metastasis. We studied the clinicopathological features in 72 cases of epithelioid sarcoma and in six cases of malignant rhabdoid tumor, and also assessed the immunohistochemical expression of dysadherin, E-cadherin and MIB-1 in epithelioid sarcoma and malignant rhabdoid tumor cases. In addition, we compared dysadherin mRNA expression between epithelioid sarcoma and malignant rhabdoid tumor cell lines, using RT-PCR and real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis. Immunohistochemical dysadherin expression was more frequently observed in proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma (71%) in comparison with distal-type epithelioid sarcoma (36%) (P = 0.037). Furthermore, seven proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma cases mimicking malignant rhabdoid tumor (histologically classified as the large cell type, accompanied by frequent rhabdoid cells and located in deep soft tissue) were all positive for dysadherin (100%), whereas dysadherin expression was not detected at all in any of the true six malignant rhabdoid tumors (0%). Cell lines established from proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma revealed significantly higher levels of dysadherin mRNA expression, compared with the levels seen in malignant rhabdoid tumor cell lines by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (P = 0.0433). Epithelioid sarcoma patients with dysadherin expression survived for a significantly shorter time than those without dysadherin expression (P = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, dysadherin immunopositivity (P = 0.0004) was one of the two independent adverse prognostic factors. We conclude that dysadherin expression in epithelioid sarcoma is a significant poor prognostic factor and that it is a powerful diagnostic marker for distinguishing epithelioid sarcoma, including the proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma, from malignant rhabdoid tumor. In epithelioid sarcoma, especially in proximal-type epithelioid sarcoma, increased cell disadhesion and motility by dysadherin plays an important role to acquire aggressive biological behavior. However, in malignant rhabdoid tumor, cell growth cycle that is regulated by hSNF5/INI1 gene seems to be critical to lethal biological behavior rather than dysadherin.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Five-year evolution of a telangiectatic osteosarcoma initially managed as an aneurysmal bone cyst.

We present the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of a telangiectatic osteosarcoma (TOS) of the right femoral neck in a 20-year-old man which was initially diagnosed and managed as an aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC). The lesion recurred twice. At the second recurrence TOS was diagnosed. The first local recurrence was recognized 4 years 8 months after the first operation. The clinical diagnosis for the recurrent lesion was recurrent ABC, and curettage and bone graft with internal fixation were performed. The second local recurrence was observed 8 months after the second surgery. The right lesser trochanter appeared destroyed on the radiograph, and a large medial soft tissue mass was demonstrated by computed tomography. The patient underwent wide resection of the tumor with prosthetic replacement of the right proximal femur. The histologic section for this lesion showed a blood-filled cystic lesion, and its wall contained sarcomatous cells with atypical mitoses and tumor osteoid. The histologic diagnosis for the second recurrent lesion was high-grade TOS. The retrospective review of the histologic section for the primary lesion showed similar features to ABC except for a few bizarre cells without mitosis in the tissue of cystic wall. The patient demonstrates no evidence of disease 13 months after the last surgery without adjuvant therapy (he declined chemotherapy).

Adult↗

Microsatellite instability and hMLH1 and hMSH2 expression analysis in soft tissue sarcomas.

Alterations of the size of microsatellite DNA sequences, namely microsatellite instability (MSI), have been demonstrated in some types of malignancies. We analyzed the MSI of five microsatellite markers in 40 cases of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) using high resolution fluorescent microsatellite analysis. In addition, we examined the expression of hMLH1 and hMSH2 proteins of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes by immunohistochemistry, and promoter methylation of the hMLH1 gene by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). MSI was recognized in 10 of 40 STS cases (25%), which consisted of 2 MSH-high (MSI-H) tumors and 8 MSI-low (MSI-L) tumors. A loss of hMLH1 expression was recognized in 7 of 40 STS cases (18%), and loss of hMSH2 expression was recognized in 3 of 40 STS cases (8%). One case showed a loss of both hMLH1 and hMSH2 expression. Promoter hypermethylation of the hMLH1 gene was detected in only 3 of 40 STS cases (8%). Of 10 cases with MSI, 5 (50%) showed a loss of hMLH1 and/or hMSH2 expression. There was a statistically significant correlation between MSI-positive tumors and the loss of hMLH1 and/or hMSH2 expression (p=0.0286). Although the frequency of MSI (25%) or a loss of hMLH1 and/or hMSH2 expression (23%) was relatively low in STS cases, a loss of hMLH1 and/or hMSH2 was recognized in 5 out of 10 MSI-positive cases (50%). These findings suggest that the inactivation of MMR gene expression might be the cause of MSI in STS cases.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗

Decreased expression of transforming growth factor-beta II receptor is associated with that of p27KIP1 in giant cell tumor of bone: a possible link between transforming growth factor-beta and cell cycle-related protein.

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta is a potential regulator of cell growth that sends its signals through a heteromeric complex composed of type I and II receptors (IR and IIR). This study examined a correlation between TGF-beta1, TGF-beta-IR and -IIR, and cell cycle-related proteins in giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone, using immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis. First, an immunohistochemical study for TGF-beta1, TGF-beta-IR and -IIR, p27KIP1 (p27), p21WAF1 (p21), cyclin D1, and cyclin E was carried out on 92 cases of GCT of bone; the expression of these proteins was evaluated in multinucleated giant cells (MGCs) and mononucleated stromal cells (MSCs) separately; and proliferative activity was assessed using MIB-1. Next, to confirm our immunohistochemical results, Western blot analysis was performed in 19 cases for which frozen samples were available. Immunoreactivity for TGF-beta-IR and -IIR showed a tendency to be greater in MGCs than in MSCs; however, no differences were observed in TGF-beta1. Cyclin D1 expression was correlated with the occurrence of vascular invasion in both MGCs and MSCs (P = 0.0255 and 0.0183, respectively). The expression of TGF-beta-IIR and p27 was concordantly decreased in both MGSs and MSCs (P = 0.0014 and 0.0317, respectively). The expression for TGF-beta-IIR and p27 in Western blot analysis was related to the results from immunohistochemical analysis, and the expression of TGF-beta-IIR and p27 was concordant in almost all GCT cases. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between p27 expression and MIB-1 labeling index in MSCs (P = 0.0397). In GCT of bone, TGF-beta-IIR and p27 expression were concordantly decreased; this result supports the possibility that these 2 factors may play an important role in cell proliferation of this tumor. Furthermore, our results provide a possible link between the effects of extracellular growth factors and cell cycle control. In addition, p27 expression may be a useful indicator of cell proliferation in MSCs of this tumor.

Adolescent↗

Altered expression and molecular abnormalities of cell-cycle-regulatory proteins in rhabdomyosarcoma.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most commonly occurring soft-tissue sarcoma in children. Some reports have discussed the altered expression and molecular abnormalities of cell-cycle-regulatory proteins in rhabdomyosarcoma; however, variable frequencies of occurrence have been noted. In the current study, among 72 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma, the authors evaluated for the expression of p53, MDM2, p16, p21/WAF1, p27, cyclin D1, cyclin E, pRb and E2F-1 protein immunohistochemically and assessed for proliferative activities using MIB-1. We also analyzed the mutation of the p53 gene in 45 cases, the amplification of the MDM2 gene in 18 cases and the mutation of the H-ras gene in 29 cases, using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded materials. Furthermore, we assessed the correlation between clinicopathologic factors and the results of both immunohistochemical and molecular analyses. Alveolar type affected older patients, and it had a significantly higher mitotic rate compared with the embryonal type (P=0.0226). p53 overexpression was detected in 22 (30.6%) of 72 cases, and 10 (22.2%) of 45 cases had p53 gene abnormalities. As for MDM2, its overexpression was found in nine (12.5%) of 72 cases, and three (16.7%) of 18 cases showed MDM2 amplification. A statistically significant association was observed between immunoreaction for MDM2 and p53 overexpression (P=0.0002), and p53 and MDM2 overexpression was significantly correlated with high MIB-1 labeling indices. E2F-1 labeling indices showed a significantly higher score in alveolar type compared with that seen in embryonal type (P=0.0334), but MIB-1 did not. In conclusion, our study suggests that p53 overexpression may be related to tumor progression because tumors with p53 overexpression have a high proliferative activity in the current study. Alveolar type had a significantly higher both mitotic rate and E2F-1 labeling indices when compared with the embryonal type. The current study is the first report of the correlation of E2F-1 with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

Adolescent↗

PTEN and other tumor suppressor gene mutations as secondary genetic alterations in synovial sarcoma.

Synovial sarcomas (SS) consistently show a characteristic chromosomal translocation, t(X;18)(p11;q11), which usually leads to the formation of 2 chimeric fusion transcripts, SYT-SSX1 and -SSX2. A recent multi-institutional retrospective study revealed that the SYT-SSX fusion type emerged as the only independent significant factor for overall survival in cases of SS. The aims of this study were; i). to investigate the frequency of PTEN gene alteration, ii). to evaluate whether the mutation status in various tumor suppressor genes (TSG) is responsible for the clinical and histologic heterogeneity in SS. Forty-nine cases of SS were examined for the presence of PTEN gene mutation by polymerase chain reaction - single-strand conformation polymorphism followed by DNA direct sequencing. The obtained data was combined with those of previously reported TSG mutations such as p53, adenomatous polyposis coli, and E-cadherin genes. Follow-up was available for 44 patients, and survival analysis was performed according to the mutation status of these TSG. PTEN mutations were detected in 7 cases (14.3%), and all of these were monophasic tumors. More than half of the mutations detected were located in exon 9, which has been shown to play a less important role in PTEN functioning, and the PTEN mutation was not associated with patients' prognosis. Mutations in these TSG other than silent mutations were detected in 20 out of 49 cases (40.8%), although the mutation status in TSG was not associated with overall survival rate in patients with SS. Secondary genetic alterations in these TSG seem to have a less important prognostic impact on patients with SS.

Adult↗

Possible association between tumor-suppressor gene mutations and hMSH2/hMLH1 inactivation in alveolar soft part sarcoma.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft tissue tumor of unknown origin and pathogenesis. We clinicopathologically analyzed 16 cases of ASPS and screened for the genetic alterations of various tumor-suppressor genes and oncogenes, including p53, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), E-cadherin, and beta-catenin, in 11 cases of ASPS. We also examined the expression of hMSH2/hMLH1 of DNA mismatch repair genes by immunohistochemistry, and promoter hypermethylation of these DNA mismatch repair genes by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MS-PCR) to elucidate any possible association between mutation status of these genes and inactivation of the hMSH2/hMLH1 genes. Furthermore, microsatellite instability (MSI) analysis and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosome 5q analysis were used for some cases of ASPS where DNA derived from normal tissue was available. The 5-year overall survival rate for all of the patients in this study was 68.6%. The 5-year overall survival rates for patients presenting with localized ASPS and for patients with distant metastases were 83.3% and 47.6%, respectively. The high nuclear grade of tumor cells was a significantly adverse prognostic factor (P = 0.0085). Single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by DNA direct sequencing revealed 4 point mutations of the p53 gene in 3 of 11 cases (27.3%), composed of 3 missense mutations and 1 silent mutation. In addition, 1 case with the E-cadherin missense mutation and 1 case with the APC missense mutations were observed, respectively. None of the cases harbored mutation of exon 3 of the beta-catenin gene. Loss of expression of the hMSH2 and hMLH1 genes was observed in 2 (18.2%) and 3 (27.3%) of 11 cases, respectively. All 3 cases with loss of hMLH1 gene expression harbored mutations of the p53 gene. There was a statistically significant correlation between the genetic alteration positive in these tumor-suppressor genes and loss of hMLH1 gene expression (P = 0.024). Methylation-specific PCR did not reveal hypermethylation of the hMSH2/hMLH1 promoter region in any of the cases examined. Three of 8 (37.5%) ASPS cases showed low MSI, and 2 of these 3 cases showed immunohistochemical lack of expression for either hMSH2 or hMLH1. LOH on 5q was present in 2 of 6 (33.3%) informative cases, and both cases showed LOH on the D5S346 marker, a microsatellite marker near the APC locus. Thus, inactivation of hMSH2/hMLH1 of DNA mismatch repair genes seems to have an important role to play in the mutagenesis of the tumor-suppressor genes in ASPS.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing↗