Insights into the Relationship between Pentraxin-3 and Cancer

Abstract

Although cancer can be cured if detected early and treated effectively, it is still a leading cause of death worldwide. Tumor development can be limited by an appropiate immune response, but it can be promoted by chronic extensive inflammation through metabolic dysregulation and angiogenesis. In the past decade, numerous efforts have been made in order to identify novel candidates with predictive values in cancer diagnostics. In line with this, researchers have investigated the involvement of pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) in cellular proliferation and immune escape in various types of cancers, although it has not been clearly elucidated. PTX-3 is a member of the long pentraxin subfamily which plays an important role in regulating inflammation, innate immunity response, angiogenesis, and tissue remodeling. Increased synthesis of inflammatory biomarkers and activation of different cellular mechanisms can induce PTX-3 expression in various types of cells (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, myeloid dendritic cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells). PTX-3 has both pro- and anti-tumor functions, thus dual functions in oncogenesis. This review elucidates the potential usefulness of PTX-3 as a serum biomarker in cancer. While future investigations are needed, PTX-3 is emerging as a promising tool for cancer’s diagnosis and prognosis, and also treatment monitoring.

Upregulation of the ZNF148/PTX3 axis promotes malignant transformation of dendritic cells in glioma stem‐like cells microenvironment

“…27 In addition, the expression level of PTX3 was positively correlated with tumor malignancy degree, 28,29 sustained the migration and proliferation of tumor cells, and dysregulates mitogenic signaling pathways, encouraging tumor escape from immune responses. 30 Our investigations disclosed that t-DCs in the GSCs microenvironment exhibited obvious upregulation of PTX3, indicating the potential role of PTX3 in DC malignant transformation induced by GSCs.…”

“…The expression of the long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) in DCs is related to the humoral immune function of DCs, as a part of soluble pattern recognition molecules, participates in the recognition of pathogenic microorganisms, as well as activation of the immune system 27 . In addition, the expression level of PTX3 was positively correlated with tumor malignancy degree, 28,29 sustained the migration and proliferation of tumor cells, and dysregulates mitogenic signaling pathways, encouraging tumor escape from immune responses 30 . Our investigations disclosed that t‐DCs in the GSCs microenvironment exhibited obvious upregulation of PTX3, indicating the potential role of PTX3 in DC malignant transformation induced by GSCs.…”

The crossroad between autoimmune disorder, tissue remodeling and cancer of the thyroid: The long pentraxin 3 (PTX3)

“…It is well known that PTX3 modulates the cancer-related inflammation or angiogenesis involved in the carcinogenetic process of several types of cancer ( 33 , 34 ). Other studies support the hypothesis that PTX3 exerts a pro-tumorigenic effect promoting macrophage infiltration and tumor cell migration and invasion.…”

“…Other studies support the hypothesis that PTX3 exerts a pro-tumorigenic effect promoting macrophage infiltration and tumor cell migration and invasion. It is possible that PTX3 may have different functions on cancer development depending on the tissue and cancer type ( 33 ). The role of PTX3 as biomarker of cancer has been investigated.…”

“…Several tumors express PTX3, including lung cancer, glioma, ovarian cancer, myxoid liposarcoma, prostate carcinoma, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and pancreatic cancer (28)(29)(30)(31)(32). The role of PTX3 in tumorigenesis is still poorly defined (33,34). In preclinical models, Ptx3 deficiency was associated to higher susceptibility to chemical carcinogenesis (9), while in human prostate cancer PTX3 expression is progressively reduced in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive tumor areas (35).…”