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AKR1C2 acts as a targetable oncogene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via activating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Zhan-Fei Zhang1, Tie-Jun Huang2, Xin-Ke Zhang3

  • 1Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
|July 18, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member C2 (AKR1C2) acts as an oncogene in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Upregulated AKR1C2 promotes tumor progression and cisplatin resistance by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • The aldo-keto reductases family 1 member C2 (AKR1C2) has known roles in tumorigenesis but its function in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear.
  • AKR1C2 exhibits ambiguous functions across various cancers, necessitating investigation into its specific role and mechanism in ESCC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the role of AKR1C2 in the tumorigenesis of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).
  • To investigate the clinical significance and molecular mechanisms of AKR1C2 in ESCC progression.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of AKR1C2 expression in ESCC tissues and correlation with clinicopathological features.
  • In vitro and in vivo functional assays involving ectopic expression and knockdown of AKR1C2 in ESCC cells.
  • Bioinformatic and mechanistic studies to identify signaling pathways regulated by AKR1C2, including PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition.

Main Results:

  • AKR1C2 expression is upregulated in ESCC tissues and associated with advanced pathological stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor prognosis.
  • Ectopic expression of AKR1C2 enhanced ESCC cell proliferation, migration, and cisplatin resistance; knockdown reversed these effects.
  • AKR1C2 was found to activate the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and its inhibition synergized with cisplatin to reduce tumor aggressiveness in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions:

  • AKR1C2 functions as an oncogene in ESCC by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway.
  • AKR1C2 represents a potential prognostic biomarker for ESCC.
  • AKR1C2 may serve as a novel therapeutic target for ESCC treatment, particularly in combination with cisplatin.
Keywords:
AKR1C2PI3K/AKT signalling pathwaycisplatin resistancecombination therapyoesophageal squamous cell carcinoma

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