AFP-HSP90 mediated MYC/MET activation promotes tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancers.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) elevation is a well-known biomarker in various diseases, particularly in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Intracellular AFP has been previously implicated in promoting tumorigenesis. In this study, we discovered that AFP enhances the stability of oncoproteins c-MYC and c-MET, thereby facilitating the progression of liver and gastric tumors.

PDE4DIP contributes to colorectal cancer growth and chemoresistance through modulation of the NF1/RAS signaling axis.

Phosphodiesterase 4D interacting protein (PDE4DIP) is a centrosome/Golgi protein associated with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. PDE4DIP is commonly mutated in human cancers, and its alteration in mice leads to a predisposition to intestinal cancer. However, the biological function of PDE4DIP in human cancer remains obscure.

RSPO2 promotes progression of ovarian cancer through dual receptor-mediated FAK/Src signaling activation.

R-spondin 2 (RSPO2) drives the potentiation of Wnt signaling and is implicated in tumorigenesis in multiple cancers, but its role in ovarian cancer has not been investigated. Here, we reported that RSPO2 promoted the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer through the activation of FAK/Src signaling cascades. RSPO2 enhanced the autophosphorylation of FAK and Src through a unique dual receptors mechanism.

NLRC3 deficiency promotes cutaneous wound healing due to the inhibition of p53 signaling.

Cutaneous wound healing is a complicated process that is characterized by an initial inflammatory phase followed by a proliferative phase. NLRC3 plays important roles in innate immunity, inflammatory regulation and tumor cell growth. However, the function of NLRC3 in wound healing remains unclear.

Epigenetic induction of lipocalin 2 expression drives acquired resistance to 5-fluorouracil in colorectal cancer through integrin β3/SRC pathway.

The therapeutic efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is often reduced by the development of drug resistance. We observed significant upregulation of lipocalin 2 (LCN2) expression in a newly established 5-FU-resistant colorectal cancer (CRC) cell line. In this study, we demonstrated that 5-FU-treated CRC cells developed resistance through LCN2 upregulation caused by LCN2 promoter demethylation and that feedback between LCN2 and NF-κB further amplified LCN2 expression.

AFP promotes HCC progression by suppressing the HuR-mediated Fas/FADD apoptotic pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is reactivated in a majority of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and associated with poor patient outcomes. Although increasing evidence has shown that AFP can regulate HCC cell growth, the precise functions of AFP in hepatocarcinogenesis and the associated underlying mechanism remain incompletely understood.

Non-invasive Bioluminescence Monitoring of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Therapy in an HCR Mouse Model.

Animal models play crucial roles in the development of anticancer therapeutics. The ability to quickly assess the localized primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) status in a non-invasive manner would significantly improve the effectiveness of anti-HCC therapeutic studies. However, to date, animal models with this advantage are extremely scarce.