Anoikis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs when cells lose their attachment to the extracellular matrix (ECM) or to neighboring cells.It is a crucial process in maintaining tissue homeostasis and preventing the survival and spread of detached cells, particularly in normal development, tissue remodeling, and cancer.
Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a rare and aggressive cancer that primarily affects T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell involved in the immune response.
There are different subtypes of ATLL, classified based on clinical features and prognosis. The main ones include acute, lymphoma, chronic, and smoldering, each with distinct characteristics and disease progression.
Acute ATLL is characterized by a high level of abnormal lymphocytes in the blood, involvement of multiple organs, and aggressive disease progression. It typically presents with systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, and organ dysfunction. Lymphoma-type ATLL presents as solid tumor masses in lymph nodes, skin, or other organs without significant blood involvement. It may resemble other types of non-Hodgkin lymphomas and exhibits variable clinical presentations and prognoses.
The chronic subtype is characterized by slow disease progression, milder symptoms, and longer survival compared to the acute subtype. It often involves skin lesions and may present with lymphocytosis (an increased number of lymphocytes) in the blood. However, chronic ATLL can progress to more aggressive forms over time.
Finally, smoldering ATLL is an indolent form, typically characterized by the presence of abnormal lymphocytes in the blood without significant symptoms or organ involvement. It may remain stable for extended periods or progress to more advanced stages.
The symptoms of ATLL vary depending on subtype and disease stage. The most common are fatigue, lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes), skin lesions, hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen), and systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Treatment approaches depend on subtype, stage, and individual patient factors,
Understanding the mechanisms underlying anoikis resistance in ATLL is important for developing therapeutic strategies to combat metastasis and improve outcomes. This resistance can result from genetic alterations, dysregulation of signaling pathways, and changes in cell adhesion molecules.
Therefore, in this study, we employed several multiclass machine learning (ML) algorithms to identify specific anoikis-related classifier genes for three ATLL subtypes.
In this study, we obtained four microarray datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. These datasets contained gene expression data from ATLL samples and asymptomatic carrier (AC) subjects. Specifically, we downloaded the microarray datasets GSE33615 and GSE55851,
The samples were derived from whole blood or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We merged the expression values for each condition separately, resulting in a total of 23 samples from individuals with chronic and 29 with acute ATLLs, as well as 10 samples from the smoldering subtype, and 37 samples from ACs. No new human subjects were directly involved in this research. The combined gene expression data consisted of 14,887 genes. To address potential batch effects, we utilized the “removeBatchEffect” function from the Limma package. Additionally, the data were log2-transformed and subjected to quantile normalization to ensure comparability and enhance analysis accuracy.
We utilized the Limma package within the R (R Foundation for Statistical Computing) environment to identify the genes that are differentially expressed between ACs and ATLL subtypes. We considered genes with Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) adjusted p-values of less than 0.05 as differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To determine the differentially expressed anoikis-related genes (DEAGs), we found the common genes between DEGs and 756 aniokis-related genes obtained from the GeneCard website (Weizmann Institute of Science,
Multiclass classification is a type of machine learning problem where the goal is to classify instances into one of three or more options.
The SVMs are powerful classification tools known for their robustness and tendency to avoid overfitting, often performing well across various applications.
Multiclass logistic regression generalizes the model to handle problems with more than two classes. Traditional logistic regression models binary outcomes by mapping class labels to 1 (positive) or 0 (negative) and predicting the probability of belonging to class 1. By default, logistic regression is not suitable for multiclass classification but can be adapted by decomposing the problem into multiple binary classification tasks using one-vs-rest or one-vs-one strategies.
In the present study, we applied the multiclass SVM and LR algorithms to identify the best anoikis-related classifier genes distinguishing several ATLL subtypes. By comparing the results from both models, we identified genes consistently selected as classifiers.
We identified 11,179 DEGs for the acute ATLL subtype, 10,650 for the chronic subtype, and 10,801 for the smoldering subtype. Next, we determined the common DEGs with log fold change > 1 across all ATLL subtypes compared to ACs as controls, and intersected these with known anoikis-related genes. Consequently, we identified 361 common DEAGs (
| ML algorithms | Genes |
|---|---|
| multiclass SVM | ACs: C5AR1, ROCK2, PTHLH, ISM1, IL1B ATLL_acute: S100A9, MMP2, IGFBP3, MAOA, ITGB3 ATLL_chronic: IL10, CDH1, SNAI1, CYP3A4, SPTA1 ATLL_smoldering: BCL2L1, MET, HOXA10, CLU, SNAI2 |
| multiclass LR | ACs: CEACAM3, ROCK2, MMP2, SNAI1, SPTA1 ATLL_acute: S100A9, CDKN2A, MET, MAOA, EPHA2 ATLL_chronic: IL10, CDH1, HOXA10, CYP3A4, NMU ATLL_smoldering: BCL2L1, IGFBP3, ISM1, ITGB3, SNAI2 |
Abbreviations: AC, asymptomatic carrier; ATLL, adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma; LR, logistic regression; ML, machine learning; SVM, support vector machine.
Note: The common genes are expressed in bold.
Fig. 1 Heatmap illustrating the expression levels of the common DEAGs for all ATLL subtypes and ACs.
We applied two multiclass machine learning algorithms, multiclass SVM and LR, to identify the best classifier genes distinguishing all ATLL subtypes from ACs. The dataset was split into training and testing sets with a 70:30 ratio. Subsequently, both machine learning methods were applied, and the top five classifier genes were identified for each subtype, which can be found in
The confusion matrices and classification reports demonstrate the performance of multiclass SVM (
Fig. 2 Confusion matrixes and classification reports—including precision, recall, and F1-score—obtained from multiclass (A) SVM and (B) LR.
The identified genes by two models have been enriched in several gene ontology (GO) biological process (
Fig. 3 Top gene ontology (GO) biological processes enriched by anoikis-related genes in (A) acute, (B) chronic, and (C) smoldering ATLL subtypes.
Fig. 4 Top biological passways enriched by anoikis-related genes in (A) acute, (B) chronic, and (C) smoldering ATLL subtypes.
Steroid hormone biosynthesis, drug metabolism and retinol metabolism, adherens junction, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor, T cell receptor signaling pathway, and C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway have been enriched by ATLL_chronic DEAGs.
The DEAGs of ATLL_smoldering were enriched in P53 signaling pathway, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance, transcriptional misregulation in cancer, microRNAs in cancer, focal adhesion, proteoglycans in cancer, rap1 signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.
Most of the identified pathways and BP terms are related to cancer development and viral infection, which are two characteristics of all ATLL subtypes.
In the next step, we identified the common genes detected by both multiclass algorithms. These genes could be considered major anoikis-related biomarkers for each subtype. The ATLL_acute included S100A9, which is involved in the IL-17 signaling pathway, and MAOA, associated with serotonergic and dopaminergic synapse pathways as well as amino acid metabolism (
Fig. 5 Illustration of the key pathways associated with specific anoikis-related genes identified in (A) acute, (B) chronic, and (C) smoldering ATLL subtypes.
In ATLL_chronic, the highlighted genes were IL10, which participates in viral protein interaction with cytokine and cytokine receptor, T cell receptor signaling, FoxO signaling, JAK-STAT signaling, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction; CDH1, involved in cell adhesion molecules, hippo signaling, rap1 signaling, and cancer pathways; and CYP3A4, related to drug metabolism and chemical carcinogenesis (
Finally, for ATLL_smoldering, BCL2L1 was identified, linked to NF-kappa B signaling, apoptosis, human T-cell leukemia virus 1 infection, PI3K-Akt signaling, and cancer pathways, along with SNAI2, which is associated with adherens junction and hippo signaling pathways (
The accurate classification of ATLL subtypes is crucial for tailoring effective therapeutic strategies, as each subtype exhibits distinct genomic profiles and clinical outcomes. In our study, we explored the expression patterns of anoikis-related genes across three major ATLL subtypes—acute, chronic, and smoldering—using multiclass SVM and LR models. We identified several differentially expressed genes that serve as potential classifiers for each subtype.
We identified S100A9 and MAOA as the most significant DEAGs distinguishing the acute ATLL subtype.
The S100A9 calcium-binding protein is expressed in myeloid cells, cancer cells, and tumor stroma, acting as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) that promotes inflammatory signaling and tumor progression.
The MAOA mitochondrial enzyme degrades biogenic amines, including neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, thereby regulating cellular signaling and oxidative stress.
In chronic ATLL, three anoikis-related genes were identified: IL-10, CDH1, and CYP3A4. The first, IL-10, is an immunoregulatory cytokine that suppresses inflammation and Th1 responses.
As for CDH1, it encodes E-cadherin, a transmembrane glycoprotein critical for cell-cell adhesion in epithelial tissues. Loss this glycoprotein's expression enhances cancer cell invasiveness and anoikis resistance by reducing dependence on ECM adhesion.
The CYP3A4 liver enzyme is involved in drug metabolism and detoxification that can influence cancer progression by metabolizing endogenous compounds and chemotherapeutic drugs, potentially affecting cell stress responses and apoptosis.
Both BCL2L1 and SNAI2 were identified as the best DEAGs classifiers for ATLL_smoldering. As an anti-apoptotic protein from the BCL-2 family, BCL2L1 promotes cell survival and is a potential target in cancer treatment to induce apoptosis.
As for SNAI2, it is a zinc-finger transcription factor of the SNAIL family, primarily known for promoting EMT by repressing E-cadherin, which reduces cell-cell adhesion and enhances migratory and invasive cancer cell phenotypes critical for metastasis.
The anoikis-related gene profiles identified in this study reflect the biological divergence and clinical behavior of ATLL subtypes. The acute tumor is marked by aggressive progression and associated with the presence of S100A9 and MAOA, which may drive inflammatory signaling via S100A9/RAGE/TLR4 interactions, as well as oxidative stress modulation through MAOA activity, collectively enhancing survival of HTLV-1-infected T-cells under nonadherent conditions.
Chronic ATLL with intermediate clinical outcomes features IL-10, CDH1, and CYP3A4, suggesting reliance on IL-10, altered adhesion dynamics via CDH1-linked pathways, and metabolic/redox adaptation (CYP3A4-mediated detoxification).
Finally, smoldering ATLL, characterized by indolent disease with latent progression risk, engages BCL2L1 and SNAI2, pointing to dependencies on both. These distinct molecular patterns provide a framework for subtype-specific prognostic stratification and therapeutic targeting.
To validate our computational model's findings on ATLL subtype-specific gene profiles, future studies should focus on experimental validation through several approaches. These include gene editing techniques in relevant cell lines to directly confirm the functional roles of candidate genes; in vitro functional assays to assess effects on cell survival, proliferation, and anoikis resistance; in vivo animal model experiments to evaluate the efficacy of targeted therapies based on these gene profiles; and comprehensive analysis of patient-derived samples to verify gene expression patterns and correlate them with clinical outcomes. Collectively, these strategies would provide robust biological validation and support the development of precision therapeutic interventions for this disease.
Anoikis-related genes have the potential to serve as biomarkers for classifying different subtypes of ATLL. These genes can contribute to the activation of multiple pathways involved in the progression of these various subtypes. It is worth noting that the most important anoikis-related genes and their impact on ATLL development may vary among subtypes. Therefore, extensive studies incorporating large cohorts of patients and integrated molecular analyses are necessary to identify reliable biomarkers and gain a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this differentiation.
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Journal: Brazilian Journal of Oncology
DOI: 10.1055/s-00059887
e-issn: 2526-8732
Publisher: Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda.
Publisher address: Rua do Matoso 170, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 20270-135, Brazil
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