Role of S100A3 in human hepatocellular carcinoma and the anticancer effect of sodium cantharidinate

Abstract

The fifth most common cancer worldwide is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which has an annual mortality rate of ~800,000. Although surgical procedures for HCC, such as hepatic resection and liver transplantation, have progressed and the outcomes of patients have improved, HCC is still characterized by frequent recurrence, even after liver transplantation. In the present study the expression of the protein coding gene, S100 calcium binding protein A3 (S100A3), was observed in 62 HCC tissues and tumor-surrounding tissues. The present study indicated that S100A3 activation was involved in tumorigenesis and tumor aggressiveness. The protein and mRNA expression levels of S100A3 in the human HCC cell line (HepG2) were investigated using western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, respectively. The function of sodium cantharidinate in inducing HCC cell apoptosis was also investigated. Sodium cantharidinate inhibited the protein and gene expression of S100A3 in HepG2 cells in vitro. These data suggested that S100A3 has an important role in human HCC. The present study indicates that the functional properties of sodium cantharidinate are promising for the development of a novel drug that may control the expression of S100A3 and improve the treatment of human HCC in the near future.

New and Old Genes Associated with Primary and Established Responses to Cisplatin and Topotecan Treatment in Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

“…A similar observation was made in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at both the transcript and protein levels. HepG2 cells also shows increased expression of S100A3 in comparison to primary human hepatocytes [ 34 ]. A more prominent role of S100A3 was observed in gastric and prostate cancers.…”

“…Expression of S100A3 has been reported in many cancers. In gastric, colorectal, and hepatocellular cancers, the expression of S100A3 is upregulated [ 32 , 33 , 34 ]. Furthermore, S100A3 expression is correlated with tumor differentiation and TNM in gastric cancer [ 32 ].…”

Semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A), protocadherin 9 (PCdh9), and S100 calcium binding protein A3 (S100A3) as potential biomarkers of carcinogenesis and chemoresistance of different neoplasms, including ovarian cancer — review of literature

“…Similarly, in colorectal cancer tissues, a notable increase in expression of this protein was detected, with the highest expression levels in the tumor cells and tumor interstitial regions and the significant reduction was observed after the cytotoxic treatment [32]. The S100A3 gene activation was also proven to be involved in tumorigenesis and tumor aggresiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma and prostate cancer [33,34]. In the prostate cancer the positive correlation of S100A3 expression with tumor size was found.…”

Comprehensive analysis of the expression and prognosis for S100 in human ovarian cancer

“…It was reported to be associated with tumorigenesis in epidermoid cysts, pilomatrixoma, and digestive system tumors. [ 40 , 41 ] S100A5 is expressed in very restricted regions of the adult brain and regulates electrolyte metabolism. [ 42 ] S100A7A was demonstrated to be involved in the innate immune system and acts as a defense against epidermal differentiation and inflammation.…”