LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo ADLM 2025 Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

Deubiquitinating Enzyme A Biomarker for Endometrial Cancer Recurrence

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 31 May 2016
Image: A histologic view of an endometrial adenocarcinoma showing many abnormal nuclei (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
Image: A histologic view of an endometrial adenocarcinoma showing many abnormal nuclei (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons).
Cancer researchers have found that expression of the deubiquitinating enzyme USP14 (Ubiquitin-specific protease 14) is elevated in endometrial adenocarcinoma and could serve as a biomarker to identify patients at risk for recurrence of the disease.

Most endometrial cancer cases are diagnosed at an early stage, and patients have a good chance of recovery. However, a subset of patients with early stage and low-grade disease experience recurrence for reasons that remains unclear. Recurrence is often accompanied by chemoresistance and high mortality.

Investigators at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis, USA) have found that the chemoresistance may be linked to the expression of the deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) USP14. DUBs are key components of the ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation pathway and act as master regulators in a number of metabolic processes including cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. They have been shown to be upregulated in a number of human cancers, and their aberrant activity has been linked to cancer progression, initiation, and onset of chemoresistance.

The investigators found that USP14 was expressed along with the marker of proliferation Ki67 in endometrial cancer cells in situ. Furthermore, pharmacological targeting of USP14 with the [U.S.] Food and Drug Administration approved small-molecule inhibitor VLX1570, decreased cell viability in chemotherapy resistant endometrial cancer cells with a mechanism consistent with cell cycle arrest and caspase-3 mediated apoptosis.

"We have discovered that women with high levels of USP14 are seven time more likely to recur than women with low levels of it," said senior author Dr. Martina Bazzaro, assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and women's health at the University of Minnesota. "Knowing a patient's status with regards to USP14 positivity could make a tremendous difference in terms of how a patient is treated and ultimately save her life."

"Our next step is a clinical trial. Patients with low risk endometrial cancer will be given the diagnostic exam, utilizing USP14 to gauge the levels of the cancer," said Dr. Bazzaro. "Those with high amounts - a positive test - will be treated more aggressively than current treatments to help prevent potential recurrence. Knowing more about their individual cancers can help us as clinicians to tailor a care plan specifically for them."

The study was published in the April 18, 2016, online edition of the journal Oncotarget.

Related Links:
University of Minnesota

Gold Member
Flocked Fiber Swabs
Puritan® Patented HydraFlock®
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Staining System
RAL DIFF-QUIK
New
DNA/RNA Extraction/Purification Kit
Nucleic Acid Extraction or Purification Kit

DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The discovery of early markers for ovarian cancer that would have improved sensitivity could aid detection (Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock)

Highly Accurate Biomarkers Could Detect Ovarian Cancer Before Clinical Diagnosis

Ovarian cancer is a deadly and challenging disease, primarily because early detection is difficult. Most women (70-75%) are diagnosed only after the cancer has already spread, which significantly reduces... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: CellLENS enables the potential precision therapy strategies against specific immune cell populations in the tissue environment (Photo courtesy of MIT)

New AI System Uncovers Hidden Cell Subtypes to Advance Cancer Immunotherapy

To produce effective targeted therapies for cancer, scientists need to isolate the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of cancer cells, both within and across different tumors. These differences significantly... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The Check4 gene-detection platform (Photo courtesy of IdentifySensors)

Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells

A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
PURITAN MEDICAL