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Published on: May 11, 2016
High STMN1 Expression is Associated with Cancer Progression and Chemo-Resistance in Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Pinjie Bao1, Takehiko Yokobori2,3, Bolag Altan4
1Department of General Surgical Science, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, Gunma, Japan.
Background:
Known as a microtubule-destabilizing protein, STMN1 (gene symbol: STMN1) regulates the dynamics of microtubules, cell cycle progress, and chemo-resistance against taxane agents. It is highly expressed in various human cancers and involved in cancer progression as well as poor prognosis.
Methods:
Expression of STMN1 was examined by immunohistochemistry using FFPE tissue sections from 186 patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Analysis of STMN1 suppression was performed for STMN1 small interfering RNA (siRNA)-transfected LSCC cell lines to determine the change in proliferation, invasive and apoptosis abilities, and paclitaxel sensitivity.
Results:
The cytoplasmic STMN1 expression in LSCC was higher than in normal tissues. The high expression was significantly associated with vascular invasion (P = 0.0477) and poor prognosis. In addition, the proliferating and invasive abilities were decreased, and the apoptosis ability and paclitaxel sensitivity were increased in STMN1-suppressed LSCC cells compared with control cells.
Conclusion:
The results suggest that STMN1 is a prognostic factor that also is associated with caner progression and chemo-resistance. Therefore, STMN1 could be a predictor for poor prognosis and a potential therapeutic target in LSCC.
Insights
Stathmin 1 (STMN1) is highly expressed in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and linked to poorer outcomes. Suppressing STMN1 in LSCC cells reduced proliferation and invasion while increasing apoptosis and sensitivity to paclitaxel.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Stathmin 1 (STMN1) is a microtubule-destabilizing protein crucial for cell cycle regulation.
- Elevated STMN1 expression is observed in various cancers, correlating with disease progression and adverse prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of STMN1 in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).
- To evaluate STMN1 as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target in LSCC.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to assess STMN1 expression in 186 LSCC patient tissue samples.
- STMN1 was suppressed using small interfering RNA (siRNA) in LSCC cell lines to analyze effects on proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, and chemosensitivity.
Main Results:
- Cytoplasmic STMN1 expression was significantly higher in LSCC compared to normal tissues.
- High STMN1 expression correlated with vascular invasion and poor prognosis in LSCC patients.
- STMN1 suppression led to decreased proliferation and invasion, and increased apoptosis and paclitaxel sensitivity in LSCC cells.
Conclusions:
- STMN1 serves as a prognostic factor associated with LSCC progression and chemoresistance.
- STMN1 shows potential as a predictive biomarker for poor prognosis and a therapeutic target in LSCC.
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