Shanti Ross

Multiplex Protein Signature for the Detection of Bladder Cancer in Voided Urine Samples

PURPOSE Accurate urine assays for bladder cancer detection would benefit patients and health care systems. Through extensive genomic and proteomic profiling of urine components we previously identified a panel of 8 biomarkers that can facilitate the detection of bladder cancer in voided urine samples. In this study we confirmed this diagnostic molecular signature in a diverse multicenter cohort. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a case-control, phase II study in which we analyzed voided urine from 102 subjects with bladder cancer and 206 with varying urological disorders. The urinary concentration of 8 biomarkers (IL-8, MMP-9 and 10, PAI-1, VEGF, ANG, CA9 and APOE) was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Diagnostic performance of the panel of tested biomarkers was evaluated using ROCs and descriptive statistical values, eg sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS Seven of the 8 urine biomarkers were increased in subjects with bladder cancer relative to those without bladder cancer. The 7 biomarkers were assessed in a new model, which had an AUROC of 0.88 (95% CI 0.84-0.93), and 74% sensitivity and 90% specificity. In contrast, the sensitivity of voided urine cytology and the UroVysion® cytogenetic test in this cohort was 39% and 54%, respectively. Study limitations include analysis performed on banked urine samples and the lack of voided urine cytology and cytogenetic test data on controls. CONCLUSIONS The study provides further evidence that the reported panel of diagnostic biomarkers can reliably achieve the noninvasive detection of bladder cancer with higher sensitivity than currently available urine based assays.

Chemokine (C-X-C) ligand 1 (CXCL1) protein expression is increased in aggressive bladder cancers

BackgroundChemokines, including chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), may regulate tumor epithelial-stromal interactions that facilitate tumor growth and invasion. Studies have linked CXCL1 expression to gastric, colon and skin cancers, but limited studies to date have described CXCL1 protein expression in human bladder cancer (BCa).MethodsCXCL1 protein expression was examined in 152 bladder tissue specimens (142 BCa) by immunohistochemical staining. The expression of CXCL1 was scored by assigning a combined score based on the proportion of cells staining and intensity of staining. CXCL1 expression patterns were correlated with clinicopathological features and follow-up data.ResultsCXCL1 protein expression was present in cancerous tissues, but was entirely absent in benign tissue. CXCL1 combined immunostaining score was significantly higher in high-grade tumors relative to low-grade tumors (p = 0.012). Similarly, CXCL1 combined immunostaining score was higher in high stage tumors (T2-T4) than in low stage tumors (Ta-T1) (p < 0.0001). An increase in the combined immunostaining score of CXCL1 was also associated with reduced disease-specific survival.ConclusionTo date, this is the largest study describing increased CXCL1 protein expression in more aggressive phenotypes in human BCa. Further studies are warranted to define the role CXCL1 plays in bladder carcinogenesis and progression.

Urinary Protein Biomarker Panel for the Detection of Recurrent Bladder Cancer

Background: Up to 70% of patients with non–muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) experience disease recurrence, making it one of the most prevalent cancers in the United States. The purpose of this study was to test the performance of a multiplex urinary biomarker assay for the monitoring of voided urine for recurrent bladder cancer. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study included a total of 125 subjects with a history of bladder cancer. Voided urine specimens were collected before procedure from these subjects (53 with confirmed tumor recurrence and 72 with confirmed non-tumor recurrence) for analysis. A prediction rule generated from the performance characteristics of 10 single biomarkers (IL8, MMP9, MMP10, SERPINA1, VEGFA, ANG, CA9, APOE, SERPINE1, and SDC1) was measured using ELISA. The diagnostic performance of the biomarker panel was assessed using receiver operator curves (ROC) and descriptive statistical values (e.g., sensitivity and specificity). Results: The combination of all 10 biomarkers outperformed any single biomarker with a calculated AUROC for the diagnostic panel of 0.904 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.853–0.956]. The multiplex assay achieved an overall sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 88% for recurrent bladder cancer and significantly outperformed the Urovysion cytogenetic assay (sensitivity 42%, specificity 94%) and voided urinary cytology (sensitivity 33%, specificity 90%). Conclusions: A diagnostic panel of 10 urinary biomarkers that accurately detects primary bladder cancer also performs well for the detection of recurrent bladder cancer. Impact: The identification of a reliable urine-based surveillance and detection assay would be of benefit to both patients and the healthcare system. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(7); 1340–5. ©2014 AACR.

Diagnostic potential of urinary α1-antitrypsin and apolipoprotein E in the detection of bladder cancer.

PURPOSE The ability to reliably diagnose bladder cancer in voided urine samples would be a major advance. Using high throughput technologies, we identified a panel of bladder cancer associated biomarkers with potential clinical usefulness. In this study we tested 4 potential biomarkers for the noninvasive detection of bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined voided urine specimens from 124 patients, including 63 newly diagnosed with bladder cancer and 61 controls. Concentrations of proteins were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, including α1-antitrypsin, apolipoprotein E, osteopontin and pentraxin 3. Data were compared to the results of urinary cytology and the BTA Trak® enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based bladder cancer detection assay. We used the AUC of ROC curves to compare the usefulness of each biomarker to detect bladder cancer. RESULTS Urinary levels of α1-antitrypsin, apolipoprotein E and bladder tumor antigen were significantly increased in subjects with bladder cancer. α1-Antitrypsin (AUC 0.9087, 95% CI 0.8555-0.9619) and apolipoprotein E (AUC 0.8987, 95% CI 0.8449-0.9525) were the most accurate biomarkers. The combination of α1-antitrypsin and apolipoprotein E (AUC 0.9399) achieved 91% sensitivity, 89% specificity, and a positive and negative predictive value of 89% and 90%, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis highlighted only apolipoprotein E as an independent predictor of bladder cancer (OR 24.9, 95% CI 4.22-146.7, p = 0.0004). CONCLUSIONS Alone or in combination, α1-antitrypsin and apolipoprotein E show promise for the noninvasive detection of bladder cancer (OR 24.9, 95% CI 4.22-146.7, p = 0.0004). Larger, prospective studies including more low grade, low stage tumors are needed to confirm these results.

Influencing factors on the NMP-22 urine assay: an experimental model

BackgroundThe commercial NMP-22 urine assays for bladder cancer (BCa) detect nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1 (NUMA1) using monoclonal antibodies. It remains unclear whether these assays are monitoring a tumor antigen or some other phenomenon associated with the disease state. In this study, we investigated the influence of urinary cellular and protein concentration, and hematuria on the performance of the NMP-22 tests in an experimental model.MethodsPooled urine from healthy subjects were spiked with varying concentrations of benign (UROtsa) cells, cancer cells (RT4, T24, KU-7 and UM-UC-14), whole blood or serum, prior to analysis with both NMP22® Bladder Cancer ELISA test and the NMP22® BladderChek® point-of-care test.ResultsUrines from control subjects were negative for NMP-22. The addition of whole blood at 50ul/10 ml, but not serum, resulted in a false-positive result. Furthermore, the addition of a high concentration of benign urothelial cells (106) or the cell lysate from these cells (306 μg protein) resulted in a false-positive result. High concentrations of pooled-cancer cells (106) or cell lysate (30.6 μg and above) resulted in a positive NMP-22 assay. Concordance between the NMP-22 ELISA assay and the NMP-22 point of care assay was >90%.ConclusionsRather than detecting a specific tumor antigen, urinary NMP-22 assays may be measuring the cellularity or amount of cell turnover that may be introduced into the urine by a variety of conditions, including surface shedding from bladder tumors. The absence of significant urinary cellularity in some cases due to lesion characteristics or the timing of sampling may result in false-negative NMP-2 assays.

External Validation of a Multiplex Urinary Protein Panel for the Detection of Bladder Cancer in a Multicenter Cohort

Background: Because of the faltering sensitivity and/or specificity, urine-based assays currently have a limited role in the management of patients with bladder cancer. The aim of this study was to externally validate our previously reported protein biomarker panel from multiple sites in the United States and Europe. Methods: This multicenter external validation study included a total of 320 subjects (bladder cancer = 183). The 10 biomarkers (IL8, MMP9, MMP10, SERPINA1, VEGFA, ANG, CA9, APOE, SDC1, and SERPINE1) were measured using commercial ELISA assays in an external laboratory. The diagnostic performance of the biomarker panel was assessed using receiver operator curves (ROC) and descriptive statistical values. Results: Utilizing the combination of all 10 biomarkers, the area under the ROC for the diagnostic panel was noted to be 0.847 (95% confidence interval, 0.796–0.899), outperforming any single biomarker. The multiplex assay at optimal cutoff value achieved an overall sensitivity of 0.79, specificity of 0.79, positive prediction value of 0.73, and negative prediction value of 0.84 for bladder cancer classification. Sensitivity values of the diagnostic panel for high-grade bladder cancer, low-grade bladder cancer, muscle invasive bladder cancer, and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer were 0.81, 0.90, 0.95, and 0.77, respectively. Conclusions: Urinary levels of the biomarker panel enabled discrimination of patients with bladder cancer and controls, and the levels of biomarker subsets were associated with advancing tumor grade and stage. Impact: If proven to be reliable, urinary diagnostic biomarker assays can detect bladder cancer in a timely manner such that the patient can expect improvements in overall survival and quality of life. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(9); 1804–12. ©2014 AACR.

Investigation of CCL18 and A1AT as potential urinary biomarkers for bladder cancer detection.

BackgroundIn this study, we further investigated the association of two biomarkers, CCL18 and A1AT, with bladder cancer (BCa) and evaluated the influence of potentially confounding factors in an experimental model.MethodsIn a cohort of 308 subjects (102 with BCa), urinary concentrations of CCL18 and A1AT were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In an experimental model, benign or cancerous cells, in addition to blood, were added to urines from healthy controls and analyzed by ELISA. Lastly, immunohistochemical staining for CCL18 and A1AT in human bladder tumors was performed.ResultsMedian urinary protein concentrations of CCL18 (52.84 pg/ml vs. 11.13 pg/ml, p < 0.0001) and A1AT (606.4 ng/ml vs. 120.0 ng/ml, p < 0.0001) were significantly elevated in BCa subjects compared to controls. Furthermore, the addition of whole blood to pooled normal urine resulted in a significant increase in both CCL18 and A1AT. IHC staining of bladder tumors revealed CCL18 immunoreactivity in inflammatory cells only, and there was no significant increase in these immunoreactive cells within benign and cancerous tissue and no association with BCa grade nor stage was noted. A1AT immunoreactivity was observed in the cytoplasm of epithelia cells and intensity of immunostaining increased with tumor grade, but not tumor stage.ConclusionsFurther development of A1AT as a diagnostic biomarker for BCa is warranted.

Induction of endothelial proliferation and angiogenesis through activating the ERK1/2/EGF pathway mediate by CXC chemokine receptor 2 by chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1.

138 Background: Endothelial cell growth and proliferation are critical for tumoral angiogenesis. We report here that blockade of Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1) results in reduction of human endothelial cell proliferation and its ability to induce angiogenesis. METHODS Two human endothelial cell lines, HUVEC and HDMEC, were used in the in vitro assays. Proliferation assay and matrigel tube formation assay were performed to test the inhibitory effect of anti-CXCL antibody on the activity of endothelial cells in vitro. Matrigel plug assay in nude mice was performed to test the in vivo angiogenic activity of CXCL1. RESULTS CXCL1 interacts with its receptor CXC chemokine Receptor 2 and induces endothelial cell proliferation, whereas blockade of CXCL1 is associated with reduction in cellular proliferation through a decrease in levels of cyclin D and cdk4 and inhibition of angiogenesis through EGF and ERK 1/2. Targeting CXCL1 inhibits neoangiogenesis but has no effect on disrupting established vasculature. Furthermore targeting CXCL1 is associated with reduction in migration of human endothelial cells in an in vitro model. Additionally, neutralizing antibody against CXCL1 in a xenograft angiogenesis model resulted in inhibition of angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS CXCL1-induced regulation of angiogenesis has not been studied extensively in human cancers, thus these findings illustrate a novel contribution of CXCL1 interactions in pathological angiogenesis. Therefore, the ability to selectively modulate CXCL1, specifically in tumoral angiogenesis, may promote the development of novel oncologic therapeutic strategies.

Abstract 1922: Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) enhances bladder cancer tumor progression.

Introduction: Bladder cancer (BCa) is among the five most common malignancies worldwide and has the highest recurrence rate of any tumor type. BCa biology is poorly understood and early detection remains one of the most urgent issues in BCa research. Previously we have identified a preliminary molecular signature of BCa in voided urine samples from BCa patients. Our results revealed aberrant overexpression of the serine protease inhibitor (serpin) plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1), both at the genomic and protein level. Increasing evidence indicate that elevated levels of PAI-1 correlates to a poor prognosis in many tumor types including breast, colorectal, gastric, ovarian, and more recently bladder cancer. PAI-1 has emerged as a potential target for BCa treatment and the aim of this study is to provide a greater understanding of its role in bladder cancer progression. Methods: PAI-1 expression levels in UROtsa (benign urothelial cell), KU7 (low-grade papillary urothelial cancer cell), and UMUC14 and T24 (high-grade invasive urothelial cancer cell lines) was tested by real-time PCR (RTPCR) and Western blot analysis. Secreted PAI-1 levels were measured by ELISA. KU7 stable clones overexpressing PAI-1 was established by transfection of plasmid DNA encoding human PAI-1. T24 and UMUC14 stable clones with shRNA knockdown of PAI-1 were established by infection with retroviral particles. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis assays were performed in stable clones. Results: RTPCR analysis revealed an increase of PAI-1 in T24 and UMUC14 cells (27.9 and 5.2 times, respectively) while KU7 cells exhibited significantly reduced levels as compared to the UROtsa control. Similar results were observed for PAI-1 protein concentrations in cell culture supernatants and western blot analysis. While overexpression of PAI-1 in KU7 cells promoted an increase in proliferation, migration and invasion, these were significantly reduced upon inactivation of PAI-1 in T24 and UMUC14 cells stably expressing shRNA PAI-1. Loss of PAI-1 function also led to a substantial increase in apoptotic cell death. Conclusions: These results suggest that PAI-1 overexpression in BCa promotes tumor progression and therapeutic strategies targeting PAI-1 may serve clinically beneficial outcomes. Funding provided by research grants from Florida Department of Health James and Esther King Team Science Award 10KT-01 (CJR) and National Cancer Institute RO1 CA116161 (SG). Citation Format: Evan Gomes, Steven Goodison, Makito Miyake, Shanti Ross, Ge Zhang, Charles Rosser. Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) enhances bladder cancer tumor progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1922. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1922

Abstract 4071: Angiogenin enhances proliferation, progression and angiogenesis in human bladder cancer.

Introduction: Angiogenin (ANG) is a member of RNase A family and regulates synthesis of various proteins. ANG is reported to act on both vascular endothelial cells and cancer cells. Although it has been demonstrated that upregulated ANG plays important roles on cellular proliferation, migration and angiogenesis in several malignancies, there are very few reports addressing the relationship between ANG expression and bladder cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the biological function of ANG in bladder cancer. Methods: UROtsa (benign urothelial cell line), RT4 (urothelial papilloma cell line), KU7 (non-invasive bladder cancer) and T24 (invasive bladder cancer) were used in this study. ANG-overexpressing stable clones in UROtsa were created using plasmid DNA transfection and ANG down-regulation in KU7 and T24 were created using siRNA transfection or short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) transfection. Proliferation assay, migration/invasion assay, anchorage-independent colony formation assay in soft agar and in-vitro Matrigel tube formation assay using HUVEC were carried out with conditioned media. ANG overexpression clone (UROtsa) and ANG shRNA expressing clones (KU7 and T24) were subcutaneously injected into nude mice to investigate whether ANG expression increase tumorigenicity and tumor growth in vivo. Results: Higher level of ANG was expressed in cancer cell lines, KU7 and T24, compared to non-cancer cell lines, UROtsa and RT4. Proliferation assay and soft agar assay revealed that ANG expression was associated with cell growth and anchorage independent growth in the mediation of dephophorylation of ERK1/2 and JNK/SAPK. Migration was inhibited significantly by knocking down ANG in KU7 (non-invasive cancer), while invasion was inhibited in T24 (invasive cancer). An in vitro Matrigel angiogenesis assay demonstrated that conditioned media collected from ANG overexpressing stable clones resulted in increased tube formation as compared to the control clone in UROtsa, while the tube formation ability was decreased by knocking down ANG in cancer cells. In tumorigenicity testing in nude mice, tumor growth was correlated with higher expression of ANG. Four weeks after inoculation of cells in nude mice, there was a significant difference in tumor size in all the cell lines (UROtsa control vs ANG overexpression, KU7 control shRNA vs ANG shRNA, T24 control shRNA vs ANG shRNA), suggesting that ANG expression supported tumorigenicity and tumor growth. Conclusions: These results suggest that ANG overexpression enhances tumor growth and progression. ANG secreted from cancer cells promotes angiogenesis in bladder cancer. Therefore, ANG may be a potential therapeutic target in bladder cancer. Citation Format: Makito Miyake, Steve Goodison, Evan Gomes Giacosia, Jeongsoon Kim, Shanti Ross, Ge Zhang, Charles J. Rosser. Angiogenin enhances proliferation, progression and angiogenesis in human bladder cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4071. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4071