ASPM Predicts Poor Clinical Outcome and Promotes Tumorigenesis for Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Abstract

Background: Abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated protein (ASPM) has been implicated in the aggressive behavior of several malignant tumors. However, its potential effects on diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) still remain unknown.

Methods: ASPM levels were determined by immunohistochemically in DLBCL tissues from 54 patients and 15 reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (RLH) tissues as control, and its association with clinical features and overall survival were evaluated. The effects of ASPM on cell growth, cell apoptosis and cell cycle of DLBCL cells were assessed. Bioinformatics, quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting were conducted for mechanic investigation.

Results: ASPM expression was upregulated in DLBCL tissues compared with RLH tissues. Its high expression was correlated with inferior clinicopathological characteristics and poor outcomes of DLBCL patients. Multivariate analysis revealed that high ASPM expression emerged as an independent factor for poor prognosis. In DLBCL cell lines, silencing of ASPM suppressed cell growth, induced cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle. Mechanically, effects of ASPM knockdown on DLBCL cells were partially dependent on its block of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Conclusion: Collectively, our results suggested that ASPM potentially served as a predictive biomarker of DLCBL tumorigenesis and prognosis, representing a potential therapeutic target for DLCBL.

Keywords: ASPM; biomarker; cell growth; diffuse large B-cell lymphoma; prognosis; tumorigenesis.