Abstract 4209
Background
Vimentin (Vim) is one of the mesenchymal markers, that are often upregulated in cancer cells during epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) – a process endowing tumor cells with invasiveness, pro-metastatic potential and, arguably, cancer stem cells (CSC) properties. It is normally seen in cytoplasm, but cell surface Vim was also detected on cells with CSC characteristics. Vim expression may be used as a surrogate marker of EMT in tumor tissue samples from patients and aid in prognosis evaluation. We aimed to characterize Vim expression in prostate cancer (PCa) using our method of semiquantitative staining assessment.
Methods
Vim expression was assessed in 48 cases of PCa using immunohistochemistry with primary rabbit polyclonal antibodies (ThermoFischer, 1:1000). UnoView Rabbit Detection Kit was used for visualization. Specificity of staining was confirmed by another antibody (mouse monoclonal, DAKO, 1:200) in selected cases. To assess Vim expression semiquantitatively we proposed a weighed staining index (WSI) that takes into account the proportion of stained cells as well as the ratios of staining intensities and can be applied to different cellular compartments staining separately. It combines advantages of simple ad oculus semiquantitative staining evaluation and obtaining numerical characteristics of marker expression.
Results
Median WSI for membranous staining was 5 (0 – 52) (7, if cases without expression were excluded), for cytoplasmic – 20.5 (0 – 64) (22.5, if cases without expression were excluded). In 2 (4.2%) cases marker expression was absent in both membrane and cytoplasm. WSI in PCa was significantly higher for cytoplasmic staining. However, in 3 (6.25%) cases WSI for membranous staining was higher than that for cytoplasmic. Significant correlation was found between WSI for cytoplasmic and membranous staining (Spearman test, r = 0.51, p < 0,05). However, no correlation was found between WSI for both compartments and E-cadherin expression (as assessed by average staining intensity score – a method similar to WSI – using Aperio software previously).
Conclusions
Vim expression as a sign of EMT in the tumor is present in 95.8% cases of PCa and is more prevalent in cytoplasm. WSI is a useful tool to assess Vim (and possibly other markers) expression.
Clinical trial identification
Legal entity responsible for the study
M. Puchinskaya.
Funding
Belarusian Republican Foundation for Fundamental Research.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
1735 - mTOR inhibition in the treatment of resistant breast cancer
Presenter: María Rodriguez
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
6068 - Study of Photodynamic therapy in vitro
Presenter: Irene Jiménez Munguía
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3011 - The potential of neratinib plus dasatinib in overcoming and preventing neratinib resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer models
Presenter: Neil Conlon
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2644 - Novel HDACi, MHY446, induces apoptosis via regulation of mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum interaction in HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells
Presenter: Nam Deuk Kim
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
3085 - Dual inhibition of TGF-β and AXL as a novel treatment for colorectal cancer
Presenter: Davide Ciardiello
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1314 - PARP inhibition enhances cisplatin sensitivity in cervical cancer by modulating β-catenin signaling
Presenter: Minakshi Mann
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
2417 - Synergistic effect of DSF combined treatment with cisplatin in atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT)
Presenter: Seung Ah Choi
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1149 - Reactive oxygen species induced by OSU-A9 inhibit the growth of duodenal cancer and gastric cancer cells through dephosphorylating intranuclear pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme M2
Presenter: Li-Yuan Bai
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
1862 - New therapy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma targeted to cancer associated fibroblasts
Presenter: Takahiro Yamanaka
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract
782 - Macrophage-cancer cell fusion is mediated by Phosphatidylserine-CD36 receptor interaction and induced by ionizing radiation
Presenter: Ivan Shabo
Session: Poster Display session 1
Resources:
Abstract