Clinical significance of melanoma cell adhesion molecule CD146 and VEGFA expression in epithelial ovarian cancer

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer in females; however, its asymptomatic progression and the lack of an efficient screening strategy leads to late diagnosis. The present study aimed to investigate the expression levels of cluster of differentiation (CD)146 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) in epithelial ovarian cancer, and their clinical significance. A total of 52 ovarian samples were tested, of which 22 were from patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and 30 were from non-cancer patients. The relative gene expression of CD146 and VEGFA was quantified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression levels. The relative gene expression levels of CD146 and VEGFA in tumor tissues were significantly increased compared with the control (4.92±0.44 vs. 1.05±0.06 and 3.08±0.17 vs. 1.06±0.07, P<0.01). The protein expression levels of CD146 and VEGFA in tumor tissue were also significantly increased compared with the control (0.70±0.02 vs. 0.41±0.07 and 0.54±0.01 vs. 0.26±0.01, P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the expression levels of CD146 and VEGFA genes (r=0.78) and between the two proteins (r=0.69). Dot density frequency analysis indicated that CD146 and VEGFA were specifically present in tumor tissues. In conclusion, CD146 and VEGFA are co-overexpressed in ovarian cancer; their potential as tumor biomarkers or therapeutic targets for the treatment of ovarian cancer requires further investigation.

Tumor Microenvironment in Ovarian Cancer: Function and Therapeutic Strategy

“…Subsequently, Jiang's report indicates CD146 promotes the migration of ECs and the formation of microvasculature by enhancing VEGFR2 phosphorylation and downstream signaling (AKT/p38 MAPKs/NF-κB) activation (Jiang et al, 2012). Interestingly, Zhou's research indicated that the gene and protein levels of CD146 and VEGFRA were increased in patients with EOC compared to those of non-cancer patients (Zhou et al, 2019).…”

CD146, from a melanoma cell adhesion molecule to a signaling receptor

“…Under pathological conditions, such as inflammation and tumorigenesis, CD146 was upregulated in the related cells and has been identified as a reliable marker for numerous types of cancers. Accumulating evidence shows that CD146 overexpression has been linked to either the initial development of the primary lesion or progression to metastases of most of cancer types, primarily including melanoma, 1 , 27 – 29 breast, 6 , 30 , 31 ovarian, 32 – 35 lung, 36 , 37 prostate, 38 – 40 glioma, 41 kidney, 42 hepatic, 43 , 44 and gastric cancers. 21 , 45 In 2017, Nollet et al reported that TsCD146 mAb (for tumor specific anti-CD146 monoclonal antibody) can specifically recognize CD146 expressed in cancer cells but not CD146 in physiological vessels, suggesting that structural features of cancer CD146 differ from those of physiological CD146.…”

Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor-Dependent Melanoma Cell Adhesion Molecule Activation Promotes Peritoneal Metastasis of Ovarian Cancer

“…Additionally, high MCAM expression increased disease progression in OvCa patients, suggesting that MCAM modulation by MITF is a clinically important factor that accelerates OvCa progression, by promoting metastasis to the peritoneum, and worsens the prognosis. Therefore, MCAM also have the potential to be a biomarker to predict the prognosis of OvCa ( Figure 5 I) [ 48 ]. Collectively, the MITF/MCAM axis may significantly contribute to migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity in vivo, but research studies have not yet explored this question.…”