TTF1

Gene Summary

Gene:TTF1; transcription termination factor 1
Aliases: TTF-1, TTF-I
Location:9q34.13
Summary:This gene encodes a transcription termination factor that is localized to the nucleolus and plays a critical role in ribosomal gene transcription. The encoded protein mediates the termination of RNA polymerase I transcription by binding to Sal box terminator elements downstream of pre-rRNA coding regions. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. This gene shares the symbol/alias 'TFF1' with another gene, NK2 homeobox 1, also known as thyroid transcription factor 1, which plays a role in the regulation of thyroid-specific gene expression. [provided by RefSeq, Apr 2011]
Databases:OMIM, HGNC, Ensembl, GeneCard, Gene
Protein:transcription termination factor 1
Source:NCBIAccessed: 31 August, 2019

Ontology:

What does this gene/protein do?
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Cancer Overview

Research Indicators

Publications Per Year (1994-2019)
Graph generated 31 August 2019 using data from PubMed using criteria.

Literature Analysis

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Tag cloud generated 31 August, 2019 using data from PubMed, MeSH and CancerIndex

Specific Cancers (6)

Data table showing topics related to specific cancers and associated disorders. Scope includes mutations and abnormal protein expression.

Note: list is not exhaustive. Number of papers are based on searches of PubMed (click on topic title for arbitrary criteria used).

Latest Publications: TTF1 (cancer-related)

Sun S, Hu Z, Huang S, et al.
REG4 is an indicator for KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinoma with TTF-1 low expression.
J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2019; 145(9):2273-2283 [PubMed] Related Publications
OBJECTIVES: Recent research has classified lung adenocarcinoma patients with KRAS mutation into three subtypes by co-occurring genetic events in TP53 (KP subgroup), STK11/LKB1 (KL subgroup) and CDKN2A/B inactivation plus TTF-1 low expression (KC subgroup). The aim of this study was to identify valuable biomarkers by searching the candidate molecules that contribute to lung adenocarcinoma pathogenesis, especially KC subtype.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the publicly available database and identified the candidate REG4 using the E-GEOD-31210 dataset, and then confirmed by TCGA dataset. In addition, an independent cohort of 55 clinical samples was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Functional studies and RNA sequencing were performed after silencing the REG4 expression.
RESULTS: REG4, an important regulator of gastro-intestinal carcinogenesis, was highly expressed in KRAS mutant lung adenocarcinoma with low expression of TTF-1 (KC subtype). The results were validated both by gene expression analysis and immunohistochemistry study in an independent 55 clinical samples from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Further in vitro and in vivo functional assays revealed silencing REG4 expression significantly reduces cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. Moreover, RNA sequencing and GSEA analysis displayed that REG4 knockdown might induce cell cycle arrest by regulating G2/M checkpoint and E2F targets.
CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that REG4 plays an important role in KRAS-driven lung cancer pathogenesis and is a novel biomarker of lung adenocarcinoma subtype. Future studies are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms of REG4 in the division and proliferation of KC tumors and its potential therapeutic value.

Huang TS, Lee JJ, Li YS, Cheng SP
Ethacridine Induces Apoptosis and Differentiation in Thyroid Cancer Cells
Anticancer Res. 2019; 39(8):4095-4100 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND/AIM: Ethacridine is used as a topical antiseptic as well as for second-trimester abortion. Recent studies showed that ethacridine is an inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG) and an activator of the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). This study examined the effects of ethacridine on thyroid cancer cells.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thyroid cancer cell lines (FTC133 and SW1736) and thyroid follicular epithelial cells (Nthy-ori 3-1) were treated with ethacridine. Viability, clonogenicity, cell-cycle distribution, and apoptosis were evaluated. The expression of thyroid differentiation markers (TTF-1, PAX8, and NIS) was determined by real-time PCR.
RESULTS: Ethacridine suppressed cell growth and clonogenic ability of thyroid cancer cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner (p<0.001). No cell-cycle arrest was found, but ethacridine dose-dependently induced apoptosis of thyroid cancer cells (p<0.001). The PAX8 and NIS expressions were significantly increased in SW1736 (3.41-fold and 1.53-fold, respectively) and Nthy-ori 3-1 cells (2.73-fold and 4.12-fold, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Ethacridine elicits apoptotic cell death in thyroid cancer cells and promotes differentiation in a subset of thyroid follicular cells.

Shao K, Wang Y, Xue Q, et al.
Clinicopathological features and prognosis of ciliated muconodular papillary tumor.
J Cardiothorac Surg. 2019; 14(1):143 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUNDS: The pulmonary ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT) is a very rare tumor with only several case reports in published literatures, and its clinicopathological features, standard treatment methods and prognosis has not been well defined.
METHODS: Two cases of CMPT diagnosed and treated in our hospital and 39 cases reported in the published literature were analyzed retrospectively.
RESULTS: The cohort of 41 CMPT patients comprised of 20 males and 21 females, aged 9-84 years. The diameter of the primary tumor was 0.3-4.5 cm. Most of these lesions were subsolid nodules, as observed on computed tomography and easily misdiagnosed as early lung adenocarcinoma. Tumors of 26 patients were stained by immunohistochemistry method, which revealed that CK7, CEA, and TTF-1 were positive and CK20 was negative in most patients. The results of gene alternation demonstrated mutations in EGFR, KRAS, and BRAF and ALK rearrangements in CMPT. All the patients underwent surgical treatment and did not receive postoperative adjuvant therapy. The follow-up duration was 0-120 months, and no case of tumor recurrence was found until the final follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of CMPT was low and rate of image misdiagnosis high. Immunohistochemistry is helpful for accurate diagnosis of CMPT. Sub-lobectomy may be proper and adjuvant treatment should be avoided since the disease is now prone to benign lesions. Furthermore, since the biological behavior of this tumor is not yet fully elucidated, additional case data are essential for accurate conclusions.

Pawelczyk K, Piotrowska A, Ciesielska U, et al.
Role of PD-L1 Expression in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Their Prognostic Significance according to Clinicopathological Factors and Diagnostic Markers.
Int J Mol Sci. 2019; 20(4) [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: The latest immunotherapy, used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), uses monoclonal antibodies directed against programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) to inhibit its interaction with the PD-1 receptor. Elevated levels of PD-L1 expression were observed on NSCLC cells. The association between PD-L1 expression and clinicopathological features is still unclear. Therefore, we examined this relationship and also compare PD-L1 expression levels with Ki-67, p63 and TTF-1.
METHODS: 866 samples of NSCLCs were used to prepare tissue microarrays (TMAs) on which immunohistochemical (IHC) reactions were performed. Changes in the level of
RESULTS: PD-L1 expression was observed in 32.6% of NSCLCs. PD-L1 expression was increased in higher malignancy grades (G) (
CONCLUSIONS: PD-L1 expression seems to be associated with increased tumor proliferation and aggressiveness as well as shorter patient survival in NSCLC, predominantly in the AC group.

D'Almeida O, Mothar O, Bondzie EA, et al.
Encapsulated miR-200c and Nkx2.1 in a nuclear/mitochondria transcriptional regulatory network of non-metastatic and metastatic lung cancer cells.
BMC Cancer. 2019; 19(1):136 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs are noncoding RNA molecules of ~ 22 nucleotides with diagnostic and therapeutic action [Curr Drug Targets, 2015. 16(12): p. 1381-403], affecting the expression of mRNAs involved in invasion, migration, and development [Oncotarget, 2015. 6(9): p. 6472-98, Cancer Manag Res, 2014. 6: p. 205-16]. miR-200c is part of the miR-200c/141 cluster on chromosome 12p13. Its mechanism of action when encapsulated is critical in lung cancer when patients express changes in miRNAs. miR-200c be a potential biomarkers for various lung diseases. As a potential therapy, miR-200c can impacts lives as target lung cancer is a leading cause of death with about 234,000 cases annually, high heterogeneity, complex screening, and a 5-year survival rate of 16% [CA Cancer J Clin, 2016.66(1): p. 7-30]. Encapsulated miR-200c efficiently enhances bioavailability, pharmacokinetics of therapeutics and targeting to cells, improves efficacy and provides potential cure.
METHODS: The functions of miR-200c were determined in non-metastatic KW-634 and metastatic 821-T4 and 821-LN mouse lung cancer cell lines after various Nano vehicle treatments. Viability and cytotoxicity were determined by cell cycle and quantitative real-time PCR analyses were used to quantify levels of miR-200c and its target genes. In situ hybridization was used to visualize patterns of expression of miR-200c and others in the lung and many organs. Next-generation sequencing accession number GSE125000, invasion and migration assays using transwell chambers, and ActivSignal were used to elucidate the activation and inhibition profiles and perform direct expression measurements and modification of cellular components.
RESULTS: Due to their effectiveness as intracellular vesicles transporting miR-200c into, out, and between parts of the cells, miR-200c is encapsulated with cholesterol, an integral part of the biological membranes with very important physical properties of the vehicle. Nano miR-200c showed efficient cellular uptake in KW-634, 821-T4, and 821-LN cells with important changes in gene expression and new isoforms. In KW-634, when treated with encapsulated miR-200c and compare to the non-encapsulated control; miR-29b increased by 5261-fold, and in 821-T4/LN, miR-1247 increased by 150-fold. Conversely, miR-1247 and miR-675 decreased by 348 and 1029.5-fold, respectively. miR-189 decreased by 34-fold in treated 821-T4 cells. A reduction of growth was observed only after 48 h of treatment with Nano miR-200c. Moreover, labeling the vehicle with carboxy-fluorescein showed that the encapsulated particles enter the nucleus and mitochondria. Encapsulated miR-200c by entering the cells, the nucleus and mitochondria, trigger changes in cell cycle phases with 4 up to 12 fold percentage in G2 and S phase respectively compare to miR-200c. Endogenous expression of Nkx2.1, miR-200c, and their targets Myb, Nfib, Six4 and Six1 showed an inverse correlation, as observed in development.
CONCLUSIONS: Little is known about miR-200c involvement in regulatory processes. Nano miR-200c affects invasion and migration mechanisms. The expression of encapsulated miR-200c contributes to the inhibition/activation of Kras, EMT, Hippo, regulatory pathways and blockers of metastasis. Delivery of miR-200c increases the expression of miR-29b, an EMY regulator, and miR-1247, an inhibitor of cancer genes, both tumor suppressors involved in lung metastasis. Encapsulated miR-200c act on different proteins that regulates cell cycle pathways. These findings represent a part of a regulatory network providing new insights towards improvement of therapy.

Kim HS, Kim JH, Han B, Choi DR
Correlation of Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 Expression with
Medicina (Kaunas). 2019; 55(2) [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis investigated the relationship between thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) expression and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to clarify whether TTF-1 can be a potential surrogate marker for EGFR mutation status in advanced NSLCL.
METHODS: A systematic searching of databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar, was performed to identify studies assessing the correlation of TTF-1 expression with EGFR mutations. From 17 studies, 9764 patients were included in the combined analysis of odds ratio (OR) for the correlation between TTF-1 expression and
RESULTS: Compared with NSCLCs showing negative TTF-1 expression, tumors harboring TTF-1 overexpression showed a significantly higher rate of EGFR mutations (OR = 5.19, 95% confidence interval: 3.60⁻7.47, p < 0.00001). This correlation was observed in both subgroups of East Asian (OR = 4.33, 95% CI: 3.46⁻5.41, p < 0.00001) and European patients (OR = 4.64, 95% CI: 1.41⁻15.28, p < 0.01). In addition, TTF-1 expression was significantly associated with EGFR mutations in exon 19 (OR = 4.63, 95% CI: 2.89⁻7.41, p < 0.00001) as well as exon 21 (OR = 3.16, 95% CI: 1.04⁻9.60, p = 0.04).
CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates a significant correlation between TTF-1 expression and EGFR mutations in patients with NSCLC. The status of TTF-1 expression may be a biomarker to guide anticancer treatment in patients with NSCLC and unknown EGFR mutation status.

Mitchell A, Wanczyk H, Jensen T, Finck C
Assessment of iPSC teratogenicity throughout directed differentiation toward an alveolar-like phenotype.
Differentiation. 2019 Jan - Feb; 105:45-53 [PubMed] Related Publications
Considerable work has gone into creating cell therapies from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) since their discovery just over a decade ago. However, comparatively little research has been done concerning the safety of iPSCs and their progeny and specifically the mechanisms governing teratogenicity. The aim of this study was to ascertain at what developmental phase iPSCs undergoing differentiation to an alveolar-like phenotype lose their capacity to form a teratoma and uncover potential mechanisms responsible. iPSCs were differentiated using a previously published directed differentiation protocol mirroring alveolar embryogenesis. At each developmental phase cell phenotype was assessed and cells mixed with Matrigel and injected subcutaneously above the hind limbs of NSG mice to determine teratogenicity. A genetic screen of 42 genes commonly associated with teratoma formation was conducted on all the cells and any resulting teratoma. It was found that neither NKX2-1 lung progenitors nor terminally differentiated alveolar-like cells formed teratomas. As expected the expression of pluripotency markers was diminished over differentiation. However, the expression of two proteoglycans, decorin and lumican, was increased more than 3000x during differentiation. Both decorin and lumican are putative tumor suppressors with additional functions in angiogenesis, fibrosis, inflammation and autophagy. We hypothesize that the increasing expression of these proteoglycans by iPSCs as they differentiate may act to inhibit host endothelial cell recruitment when implanted resulting in the inhibition of any teratoma formation by any remaining undifferentiated iPSCs.

Huang YL, Chang YL, Chen KC, Wu CT
Mixed squamous cell and glandular papilloma of the lung: A case report of a novel mutation in the BRAF gene and coexistent HPV infection, possible relationship to ciliated muconodular papillary tumor.
Pathol Int. 2019; 69(2):104-109 [PubMed] Related Publications
Mixed squamous cell and glandular papilloma (mixed papilloma) is a very rare tumor, with fewer than 25 cases having been reported in the literature. Although a scattering of cases of p16

Dey P, Ghosh RK
Fine-needle aspiration cytology of non-small cell lung carcinoma: A paradigm shift.
Diagn Cytopathol. 2019; 47(4):351-358 [PubMed] Related Publications
Lung carcinoma is one of the commonest causes of cancer related death. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a well-established technique in the diagnosis of various malignant tumors. FNAC is now an important technique in classifying lung carcinomas and also detecting salient mutational changes in lung carcinomas. The judicious use of the various immunological markers such as TTF-1, p40, CK 5/6, CK 7 and Napsin may help in sub-classification of non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC). The mutational changes in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and ALK genes are needed in targeted therapy of adenocarcinoma of lung. With the help of immunocytochemistry, polymerase chain receptor, fluorescent in situ hybridization and next generation sequencing, one can detect various mutational changes in NSCLC. In this review article, we have discussed the role of cytology and other ancillary techniques to classify lung carcinomas. The important mutational changes in lung carcinoma for targeted therapy have also been discussed in detail.

Camolotto SA, Pattabiraman S, Mosbruger TL, et al.
FoxA1 and FoxA2 drive gastric differentiation and suppress squamous identity in NKX2-1-negative lung cancer.
Elife. 2018; 7 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Changes in cancer cell identity can alter malignant potential and therapeutic response. Loss of the pulmonary lineage specifier NKX2-1 augments the growth of KRAS-driven lung adenocarcinoma and causes pulmonary to gastric transdifferentiation. Here, we show that the transcription factors FoxA1 and FoxA2 are required for initiation of mucinous NKX2-1-negative lung adenocarcinomas in the mouse and for activation of their gastric differentiation program.

Selberherr A, Koperek O, Riss P, et al.
Neuroendocrine Liver Metastasis-a Specific Set of Markers to Detect Primary Tumor Sites.
Endocr Pathol. 2019; 30(1):31-34 [PubMed] Related Publications
The diagnosis of neuroendocrine neoplasia (NEN) is often made at an advanced stage of disease, including hepatic metastasis. At this point, the primary may still be unknown and sometimes cannot even be detected by functional imaging, especially in very small tumors of the pancreas (pan) and small intestinal (si) entities. The site of the primary may be based on biopsy specimens of the liver applying a specific set of markers. Specimens of liver metastases from 87 patients with NENs were studied. In retrospect, 50 patients had si and 37 pan NENs. Tissue samples were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The markers applied were insulin gene enhancer protein Islet-1 (ISL-1), homeobox protein CDX-2 (CDX2), thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1), and serotonin. Positive stains for CDX2 were documented in 43 (86%) and for serotonin in 45 (90%) of 50 siNENs. Three panNENs were positive for CDX2 and one for serotonin, respectively. ISL-1 was negative throughout in siNENs and also negative in 8 of 50 panNENs (21.6%). TTF-1 was negative in more than 90% of the specimens of either entity. Immunohistochemical markers in liver metastasis can lead the way to the site of the primary NEN. They should always be used in combined clusters.

Zablockis R, Žurauskas E, Danila E, Gruslys V
Prognostic Value of Thyroid Transcription Factor-1 Expression in Patients with Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma.
In Vivo. 2018 Nov-Dec; 32(6):1571-1579 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
BACKGROUND/AIM: The prognostic role of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF1) in advanced lung cancer is not clearly established. The present study aimed to evaluate the associations between clinicopathological characteristics, TTF1 expression, and overall survival (OS) of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventy-two patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. OS was assessed according to immunohistochemical TTF1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma tissue, age, gender, performance status (PS), smoking history and status, disease stage, tumor differentiation, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment status.
RESULTS: The OS time was longer (p<0.001) for patients with TTF1 expression than for patients without TTF1 expression (13.0 vs. 5.0 months, respectively). A multivariate analysis confirmed that worse PS [hazard ratio (HR)=2.13, p<0.001], poor histological differentiation (HR=2.02, p=0.001), wild-type EGFR status (HR=3.08, p<0.001) and negative TTF1 expression (HR=1.97, p=0.001) were independent predictors of worse prognosis.
CONCLUSION: TTF1 expression is an independent predictor of survival of patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.

Jester R, Znoyko I, Garnovskaya M, et al.
Expression of renal cell markers and detection of 3p loss links endolymphatic sac tumor to renal cell carcinoma and warrants careful evaluation to avoid diagnostic pitfalls.
Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2018; 6(1):107 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Endolymphatic sac tumor (ELST) is a rare neoplasm arising in the temporal petrous region thought to originate from endolymphatic sac epithelium. It may arise sporadically or in association with Von-Hippel-Lindau syndrome (VHL). The ELST prevalence in VHL ranges from 3 to 16% and may be the initial presentation of the disease. Onset is usually in the 3rd to 5th decade with hearing loss and an indolent course. ELSTs present as locally destructive lesions with characteristic computed tomography imaging features. Histologically, they show papillary, cystic or glandular architectures. Immunohistochemically, they express keratin, EMA, and variably S100 and GFAP. Currently it is recommended that, given its rarity, ELST needs to be differentiated from other entities with similar morphologic patterns, particularly other VHL-associated neoplasms such as metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Nineteen ELST cases were studied. Immunohistochemistry (18/19) and single nucleotide polymorphism microarray testing was performed (12/19). Comparison with the immunophenotype and copy number profile in RCC is discussed. Patients presented with characteristic bone destructive lesions in the petrous temporal bones. Pathology of tumors showed characteristic ELST morphology with immunoexpression of CK7, GFAP, S100, PAX-8, PAX-2, CA-9 in the tumor cells. Immunostaines for RCC, CD10, CK20, chromogranin A, synaptophysin, TTF-1, thyroglobulin, and transthyretin were negative in the tumor cells. Molecular testing showed loss of 3p and 9q in 66% (8/12) and 58% (7/12) cases, respectively. Immunoreactivity for renal markers in ELST is an important diagnostic caveat and has not been previously reported. In fact, renal markers are currently recommended in order to rule out metastatic RCC although PAX gene complex and CA-9 have been implicated in the development of the inner ear. Importantly copy number assessment of ELST has not been previously reported. Loss of 3p (including the VHL locus) in ELST suggests similar mechanistic origins as ccRCC.

Mollaoglu G, Jones A, Wait SJ, et al.
The Lineage-Defining Transcription Factors SOX2 and NKX2-1 Determine Lung Cancer Cell Fate and Shape the Tumor Immune Microenvironment.
Immunity. 2018; 49(4):764-779.e9 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
The major types of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)-squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma-have distinct immune microenvironments. We developed a genetic model of squamous NSCLC on the basis of overexpression of the transcription factor Sox2, which specifies lung basal cell fate, and loss of the tumor suppressor Lkb1 (SL mice). SL tumors recapitulated gene-expression and immune-infiltrate features of human squamous NSCLC; such features included enrichment of tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) and decreased expression of NKX2-1, a transcriptional regulator that specifies alveolar cell fate. In Kras-driven adenocarcinomas, mis-expression of Sox2 or loss of Nkx2-1 led to TAN recruitment. TAN recruitment involved SOX2-mediated production of the chemokine CXCL5. Deletion of Nkx2-1 in SL mice (SNL) revealed that NKX2-1 suppresses SOX2-driven squamous tumorigenesis by repressing adeno-to-squamous transdifferentiation. Depletion of TANs in SNL mice reduced squamous tumors, suggesting that TANs foster squamous cell fate. Thus, lineage-defining transcription factors determine the tumor immune microenvironment, which in turn might impact the nature of the tumor.

Zamboni M, Civitareale D
TTF-1/Nkx2.1 functional connection with mutated EGFR relies on LRIG1 and β-catenin pathways in lung cancer cells.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2018; 505(4):1027-1031 [PubMed] Related Publications
In non-small lung cancer, the expression of the transcription factor TTF-1/Nkx2.1 correlates with the presence of EGFR mutations, therefore TTF-1/Nkx2.1 expression is used to optimize an EGFR testing strategy and to guide clinical treatment. We investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional connection between EGFR and TTF-1/Nkx2.1 gene expression in lung adenocarcinoma. Using the H1975 cell line as a non-small cell lung cancer model system and short hairpin RNA, we have selected clones with TTF-1/Nkx2.1 silenced expression. We have found that Leucine-rich immunoglobulin repeats-1 (LRIG1) gene is a direct target of TTF-1/Nkx2.1 and the transcription factor binding to the LRIG1 genomic sequence inhibits its gene expression. In TTF-1/Nkx2.1 depleted clones, we have found high levels of LRIG1 and decreased presence of EGFR protein. Furthermore, in TTF-1/Nkx2.1 depleted clones we detected a reduced β-catenin level and we provide experimental evidence indicating that TTF-1/Nkx2.1 gene expression is regulated by β-catenin. Published studies indicate that LRIG1 triggers EGFR degradation and that mutated EGFR induces β-catenin activity. Hence, with the present study we show that mutated EGFR, enhancing β-catenin, stimulates TTF-1/Nkx2.1 gene expression and, at the same time, TTF-1/Nkx2.1, down-regulating LRIG1, sustains EGFR pathway. Therefore, LRIG1 and β-catenin mediate the functional connection between TTF-1/Nkx2.1 and mutated EGFR.

Sarun KH, Lee K, Williams M, et al.
Genomic Deletion of
Int J Mol Sci. 2018; 19(10) [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a deadly cancer that is caused by asbestos exposure and that has limited treatment options. The current standard of MPM diagnosis requires the testing of multiple immunohistochemical (IHC) markers on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue to differentiate MPM from other lung malignancies. To date, no single biomarker exists for definitive diagnosis of MPM due to the lack of specificity and sensitivity; therefore, there is ongoing research and development in order to identify alternative biomarkers for this purpose. In this study, we utilized primary MPM cell lines and tested the expression of clinically used biomarker panels, including CK8/18, Calretinin, CK 5/6, CD141, HBME-1, WT-1, D2-40, EMA, CEA, TAG72, BG8, CD15, TTF-1, BAP1, and Ber-Ep4. The genomic alteration of

Lee H, Fu Z, Koo BH, et al.
The expression of TTF1, CDX2 and ISL1 in 74 poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas.
Ann Diagn Pathol. 2018; 37:30-34 [PubMed] Related Publications
BACKGROUND: The expression profile of immunohistochemical markers of origin in poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (PDNEC) is not well studied.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four PDNECs from gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) organs and the lung, including 48 large cell NEC (LCNEC) and 26 small cell carcinomas (SmCC), were subject to immunohistochemical staining for CDX2, TTF1 and ISL1. The staining intensity (1 to 3) and percentage of positive tumor cells [0 (negative), 1 (<50%) and 2 (≥50%)] were assessed. The multiplicative index (maximum 6) was calculated and the average total score (aTS) was determined for each primary site and histologic subtype.
RESULTS: In the 38 GEP and 36 lung PDNECs, CDX2, TTF1 and ISL1 staining was observed in 71% (aTS 2.8), 16% (aTS 0.4), 63% (aTS 1.9), and 22% (aTS 0.6), 72% (aTS 2.9) and 92% (aTS 3.8), respectively. GEP PDNECs showed a higher aTS for CDX2 and lower aTS for TTF1 and ISL1, compared to that of lung PDNECs (Student's t-test, p < 0.001). SmCC had a higher aTS for TTF1 and ISL1 (p < 0.001) and lower aTS for CDX2 (p < 0.002) than that of LCNEC.
CONCLUSIONS: CDX2 and TTF1 demonstrate potential utility in suggesting the primary site of PDNEC. In addition, CDX2 may be useful in supporting the diagnosis of LCNEC in cases with overlapping or borderline morphology. Utility of ISL1 as an adjunctive diagnostic marker of SmCC remains to be studied.

Jiang Y, Zhao J, Zhang Y, et al.
Establishment of lung cancer patient-derived xenograft models and primary cell lines for lung cancer study.
J Transl Med. 2018; 16(1):138 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
BACKGROUND: The overall 5-year survival rate of lung cancer is about 15% even with therapeutic drugs like tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Ideal models are urgently needed for exploring mechanisms and finding new drugs. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) models and primary cells are both used to screen therapeutic regimens for cancer. However, PDX models and primary cells from the same patient are difficult to establish. Their consistency to the original tumor tissue is not well studied.
METHODS: 31 lung cancer patient tissues were procured to establish the lung cancer PDX models and primary cell lines. Tumor growth measurements, histological and immunohistochemistry analysis, Western blotting, EGFR and K-RAS mutation detection and gefitinib sensitive assay were performed to evaluate the characteristic of established PDX models. Immunofluorescence analysis, anchorage-independent cell growth, Western blotting and gefitinib sensitive assay were performed to assay the characteristic of established primary cell lines. The whole-exome sequencing was used to compare the characteristic of the patient's tumor tissue, established PDX and primary cell line.
RESULTS: Twenty-one lung cancer PDX models (67.74%, 21/31) and ten primary cell lines (32.25%, 10/31) were established from patients' tumor tissues. The histology and pathological immunohistochemistry of PDX xenografts are consistent with the patients' tumor samples. Various signal pathways were activated in different PDX models (n = 5) and primary cell lines (n = 2). EGFR mutation PDX model and primary cell line (LG1) were sensitive to gefitinib treatment. The expression of CK8/18, TTF1 and NapsinA in LG1 and LG50 primary cells were also positive. And the activated signal pathways were activated in LG1 and LG50 primary cell lines. Furthermore, the gene mutation in PDX tumor tissues and primary cell line (LG50) was consistent with the mutation in LG50 patient's tumor tissues.
CONCLUSION: These data suggested that established lung cancer PDX models and primary cell lines reserved mostly molecular characteristics of primary lung cancer and could provide a new tool to further understand the mechanisms and explore new therapeutic strategies.

Inamura K
Clinicopathological Characteristics and Mutations Driving Development of Early Lung Adenocarcinoma: Tumor Initiation and Progression.
Int J Mol Sci. 2018; 19(4) [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with lung adenocarcinoma representing the most common lung cancer subtype. Among all lung adenocarcinomas, the most prevalent subset develops via tumorigenesis and progression from atypical adenomatous hyperplasia (AAH) to adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS), to minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA), to overt invasive adenocarcinoma with a lepidic pattern. This stepwise development is supported by the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of these tumors. In the 2015 World Health Organization classification, AAH and AIS are both defined as preinvasive lesions, whereas MIA is identified as an early invasive adenocarcinoma that is not expected to recur if removed completely. Recent studies have examined the molecular features of lung adenocarcinoma tumorigenesis and progression.

Sumi T, Hirai S, Yamaguchi M, et al.
Survivin knockdown induces senescence in TTF‑1-expressing, KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas.
Int J Oncol. 2018; 53(1):33-46 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
Survivin plays a key role in regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis, and is highly expressed in the majority of malignant tumors. However, little is known about the roles of survivin in KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas. In the present study, we examined 28 KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma tissues and two KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma cell lines, H358 and H441, in order to elucidate the potential of survivin as a therapeutic target. We found that 19 (68%) of the 28 KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas were differentiated tumors expressing thyroid transcription factor‑1 (TTF‑1) and E-cadherin. Patients with tumors immunohistochemically positive for survivin (n=18) had poorer outcomes than those with survivin-negative tumors (n=10). In the H358 and H441 cells, which expressed TTF‑1 and E-cadherin, survivin knockdown alone induced senescence, not apoptosis. However, in monolayer culture, the H358 cells and H441 cells in which survivin was silenced, underwent significant apoptosis following combined treatment with ABT-263, a Bcl‑2 inhibitor, and trametinib, a MEK inhibitor. Importantly, the triple combination of survivin knockdown with ABT-263 and trametinib treatment, clearly induced cell death in a three-dimensional cell culture model and in an in vivo tumor xenograft model. We also observed that the growth of the H358 and H441 cells was slightly, yet significantly suppressed in vitro when TTF‑1 was silenced. These findings collectively suggest that the triple combination of survivin knockdown with ABT-263 and trametinib treatment, may be a potential strategy for the treatment of KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinoma. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the well‑differentiated type of KRAS-mutant lung tumors depends, at least in part, on TTF‑1 for growth.

Kataoka T, Okudela K, Matsumura M, et al.
A molecular pathological study of four cases of ciliated muconodular papillary tumors of the lung.
Pathol Int. 2018; 68(6):353-358 [PubMed] Related Publications
Ciliated muconodular papillary tumors (CMPTs) are a recently categorized benign or low-grade malignant neoplasm that develops in the peripheral lung. Only about 40 cases have been reported to date, and the clinicopathological characteristics have yet to be defined in detail. Here, we present four cases of CMPTs with a focus on their immunohistochemical profiles and driver gene mutations. These tumors were a papillary proliferation of a mixture of ciliated, mucous, and basal cells located in the peripheral lung. Ciliated, mucous and basal cells were positive for TTF-1 when using the clone SPT24, but negative for HNF-4α. Basal cells were positive for p40. Mucous cells in some tumors were positive for MUC5AC and MUC6. The Ki-67 index was less than 5%, and strong expression of p53 was not detected. Three of the four tumors had a BRAF (V600E) driver mutation, an EGFR (del E746-T751/S752V) driver mutation, or driver mutations in both EGFR (E709G) and KRAS (G12V). These mutation types are rare for any histological type of lung cancer. The present results confirmed that CMPT is a neoplasm with immunohistochemical features and driver gene mutations that are distinct from those of common lung tumors.

Tata PR, Chow RD, Saladi SV, et al.
Developmental History Provides a Roadmap for the Emergence of Tumor Plasticity.
Dev Cell. 2018; 44(6):679-693.e5 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
We show that the loss or gain of transcription factor programs that govern embryonic cell-fate specification is associated with a form of tumor plasticity characterized by the acquisition of alternative cell fates normally characteristic of adjacent organs. In human non-small cell lung cancers, downregulation of the lung lineage-specifying TF NKX2-1 is associated with tumors bearing features of various gut tissues. Loss of Nkx2-1 from murine alveolar, but not airway, epithelium results in conversion of lung cells to gastric-like cells. Superimposing oncogenic Kras activation enables further plasticity in both alveolar and airway epithelium, producing tumors that adopt midgut and hindgut fates. Conversely, coupling Nkx2-1 loss with foregut lineage-specifying SOX2 overexpression drives the formation of squamous cancers with features of esophageal differentiation. These findings demonstrate that elements of pathologic tumor plasticity mirror the normal developmental history of organs in that cancer cells acquire cell fates associated with developmentally related neighboring organs.

Švajdler M, Mezencev R, Ondič O, et al.
P16 is a useful supplemental diagnostic marker of pulmonary small cell carcinoma in small biopsies and cytology specimens.
Ann Diagn Pathol. 2018; 33:23-29 [PubMed] Related Publications
Pulmonary small cell carcinoma (SCLC) is usually diagnosed in small biopsy or cytological specimens based on cytomorphology; however in ambiguous cases diagnosis requires additional support by immunohistochemistry. While TP53 and RB1 alterations with secondary overexpression of p16 are mainstay events in SCLC pathogenesis, diagnostic value of p16-positivity in the diagnosis of SCLC has not yet been fully investigated. We examined the expression of p16, CD56, synaptophysin (SYP), chromogranin A and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF1) in a series of pulmonary and extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas, pulmonary carcinoids and non-small cell lung carcinomas, and compared diagnostic performance of these markers in the diagnosis of SCLC. P16 was positive in 95 of 101 SCLCs, and displayed highest diagnostic sensitivity of ~94%. Composite biomarkers CD56+p16+TTF1 and CD56+p16+SYP were both able to detect correctly all SCLC cases. Importantly, three (~3%) SCLC cases completely negative for all conventional markers displayed diffuse positivity for p16. CD56 and p16 demonstrated highest concordance between paired small biopsy and cytology specimens. 50% of squamous cell carcinomas, ~41% of adenocarcinoma/NSCLC-favour adenocarcinoma cases, and ~93% of extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas also showed p16-positivity. Combination of CD56, p16 and TTF1 produced diagnostic classifier that outperformed best single marker CD56 in differential diagnosis between SCLC and NSCLC. In conclusion, in the appropriate morphological context p16 represents a useful supplementary marker for diagnosis of SCLC, even in cases where only cytological material is available.

Lai SC, Phelps CA, Short AM, et al.
Thyroid transcription factor 1 enhances cellular statin sensitivity via perturbing cholesterol metabolism.
Oncogene. 2018; 37(24):3290-3300 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
We have discovered an unexpected connection between a critical lung development and cancer gene termed thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1 also known as NKX2-1) and cholesterol metabolism. Our published work implicates that TTF-1 positively regulates miR-33a which is known to repress ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) and thus its cholesterol efflux activity. We set out to demonstrate that a higher TTF-1 expression would presumably inhibit cholesterol efflux and consequently raise intracellular cholesterol level. Surprisingly, raising TTF-1 expression actually lowers intracellular cholesterol level, which, we believe, is attributed to a direct transactivation of ABCA1 by TTF-1. Subsequently, we show that lung cancer cells primed with a TTF-1-driven decrease of cholesterol were more vulnerable to simvastatin, a frequently prescribed cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitor. In view of the fact that pathologists routinely interrogate human lung cancers for TTF-1 immunopositivity to guide diagnosis and the prevalent use of statins, TTF-1 should be further investigated as a putative biomarker of lung cancer vulnerability to statins.

Mengoli MC, Bertolini F, Maur M, et al.
ALK-positive adenocarcinoma of the lung expressing neuroendocrine markers and presenting as a "pituitary adenoma".
Pathologica. 2017; 109(4):408-411 [PubMed] Related Publications
We report an ALK-rearranged adenocarcinoma of the lung presenting as a pituitary metastasis, clinically simulating a pituitary adenoma. The patient, a 50 year-old, former-smoking woman was admitted with a Parinaud's syndrome characterized by progressive oculomotor impairment of visual verticality, bitemporal hemianopsia and nystagmus. Imaging studies showed a sellar tumor and the biopsy revealed a TTF-1 and napsin positive lung adenocarcinoma strongly expressing synaptophysin and CD56, also harboring ALK rearrangement. A subsequent CT scan disclosed the primary lung mass of the left upper lobe. The patient progressed after 4 cycles of cisplatin/pemetrexed as first line treatment, but showed a partial response and a significant clinical benefit from the combination of ceritinib and nivolumab in a phase Ib trial. Despite its central nervous system tropism, ALK-rearranged adenocarcinoma manifesting with pituitary gland involvement was never reported. Second generation ALK inhibitors seem the best therapeutic strategy.

Takamatsu M, Sato Y, Muto M, et al.
Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of the bronchial glands: presentation of three cases and pathological comparisons with salivary gland counterparts and bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinomas.
Mod Pathol. 2018; 31(6):923-933 [PubMed] Related Publications
Hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma of the bronchial glands is a very rare tumor. Since only five reports describing six tumors have been published to date, only a little is known about specific histologic findings and clinical features. Because of its rarity, hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma has not been described in the latest WHO classification of pulmonary tumors yet. Here we present three cases of bronchial hyalinizing clear cell carcinomas, confirmed by both fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and RT-PCR, focusing on histologic and immunohistochemical characteristics in a comparison with three cases of salivary gland origin. In addition, we compared immunohistochemical features with bronchial mucoepidermoid carcinoma, a lesion that needs to be taken into account in differential diagnosis of hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma. All our bronchial hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma cases were surgically resected. Histologically, tumor cells showed clear to eosinophilic cytoplasm with hyalinizing stroma in various proportions, resembling those of salivary gland origin. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were positive for CK7, CK5/6, p40, p63, and ATF1, while they were negative for TTF1, Napsin A, HMB45, and SOX10. The CK5/6 staining pattern varied in mucoepidermoid carcinomas, while that of hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma was uniformly positive. FISH revealed EWSR1-ATF1 fusion, and RT-PCR with sequencing confirmed specificity of the chimeric gene for hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma. Clinically, bronchial hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma was characterized by occurrence in the fourth to sixth decades, no link with smoking history, and a predilection for the right lung, in line with previous reports. In summary, our study confirmed that the bronchial hyalinizing clear cell carcinoma is a histologically and genetically identical tumor to that of salivary gland origin, and that gene rearrangement analysis can play a critical role in distinction from mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

Mervai Z, Egedi K, Kovalszky I, Baghy K
Diethylnitrosamine induces lung adenocarcinoma in FVB/N mouse.
BMC Cancer. 2018; 18(1):157 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
BACKGROUND: Diethylnitrosamine is a well known carcinogen that induces cancers of various organs in mice and rats. Using FVB/N mouse strain, here we show that diethylnitrosamine induces primarily lung adenocarcinomas with modest tumor development in the liver, offering a new model to study chemical carcinogenesis in the lung.
METHODS: Animals were exposed to a single high dose of diethylnitrosamine, and more than 70% of the mice developed lung cancer. To obtain a new transplantable tumor line, pieces of primary tumors were inoculated and maintained subcutaneously in the same mouse strain. We used immunohistochemistry to characterize the tumor for main lung adenocarcinoma markers. We searched for mutations in KRAS exon 2 and EGFR exon 19, 21 with Sanger sequencing. We also compared the normal lung tissue with the diethylnitrosamine induced primary adenocarcinoma, and with the subcutaneously maintained adenocarcinoma using Western blot technique for main cell cycle markers and to identify the main pathways.
RESULTS: Primary and subcutaneous tumors express cytokeratin-7 and thyroid transcription factor-1, markers characteristic to lung adenocarcinoma. In addition, no mutations were found in the hot spot regions of KRAS and EGFR genes. We found high mTOR activation, but the level of p-Akt Ser473 and p-Akt Thr308 decreased in the tumorous samples.
CONCLUSIONS: We established a new lung adenocarcinoma model using FVB/N mouse strain and diethylnitrosamine. We believe that this new model system would be highly useful in lung cancer research.

Tabbò F, Nottegar A, Guerrera F, et al.
Cell of origin markers identify different prognostic subgroups of lung adenocarcinoma.
Hum Pathol. 2018; 75:167-178 [PubMed] Related Publications
Strong prognostic markers able to stratify lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) patients are lacking. We evaluated whether a six-immunohistochemical markers panel (TTF1, SP-A, Napsin A, MUC5AC, CDX2 and CK5), defining the putative neoplastic "cell of origin," allows to identify prognostic subgroups among lung ADC. We screened a large cohort of ADC specimens (2003-2013) from Torino Institutional Repository identifying: (i) marker positivity by immunohistochemistry, (ii) main morphological appearance by light microscopy, (iii) presence of "hotspot" mutations of candidate genes by Sequenom technology. To evaluate possible predictors of survival and time to recurrence, uni- and multivariable-adjusted comparisons were performed. We identified 4 different subgroups: "alveolar," "bronchiolar," "mixed" and "null type." Alveolar-differentiated ADC were more common in young (P=.065), female (P=.083) patients, frequently harboring EGFR-mutated (P=.003) tumors with acinar pattern (P<.001). Bronchiolar-differentiated ADC were more associated with mucinous and solid pattern (P<.001), higher degree of vascular invasion (P=.01) and KRAS gene mutations (P=.07). Bronchiolar, mixed, and null types were independent negative predictors for overall survival, and the latter two had a shorter time to recurrence. This "Cell of Origin" classifier is more predictable than morphology and genetics and is an independent predictor of survival on a multivariate analysis.

Phelps CA, Lai SC, Mu D
Roles of Thyroid Transcription Factor 1 in Lung Cancer Biology.
Vitam Horm. 2018; 106:517-544 [PubMed] Related Publications
Thyroid transcription factor 1 (TTF-1 or NKX2-1) is a transcription factor of fundamental importance in driving lung maturation and morphogenesis. In the last decade, scientists began to appreciate the functional roles of TTF-1 in lung tumorigenesis. This movement was triggered by the discoveries of genetic alterations of TTF-1 in the form of gene amplification in lung cancer. Many downstream target genes of TTF-1 relevant to the lung cancer biology of TTF-1 have been documented. One of the most surprising findings was that TTF-1 may exhibit either pro- or antitumorigenic activities, an outcome with the complexity exceeding the original anticipation purely based on the fact that TTF-1 undergoes gene amplification in lung cancer. In the coming decade, we believe, we will witness additional surprises as the research exploring the cancer roles of TTF-1 progresses.

Mawas AS, Amatya VJ, Kushitani K, et al.
MUC4 immunohistochemistry is useful in distinguishing epithelioid mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
Sci Rep. 2018; 8(1):134 [PubMed] Article available free on PMC after 16/10/2019 Related Publications
The differential diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma from lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma requires the positive and negative immunohistochemical markers of mesothelioma. The IMIG guideline has suggested the use of Calretinin, D2-40, WT1, and CK5/6 as mesothelial markers, TTF-1, Napsin-A, Claudin 4, CEA as lung adenocarcinoma markers p40, p63, CK5/6, MOC-31 as squamous cell markers. However, use of other immunohistochemical markers is still necessary. We evaluated 65 epithelioid mesotheliomas, 60 adenocarcinomas, and 57 squamous cell carcinomas of the lung for MUC4 expression by immunohistochemistry and compared with the previously known immunohistochemical markers. MUC4 expression was not found in any of 65 cases of epithelioid mesothelioma. In contrast, MUC4 expression was observed in 50/60(83.3%) cases of lung adenocarcinoma and 50/56(89.3%) cases of lung squamous cell carcinoma. The negative MUC4 expression showed 100% sensitivity, 86.2% specificity and accuracy rate of 91.2% to differentiate epithelioid mesothelioma from lung carcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MUC4 are comparable to that of previously known markers of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, namely CEA, Claudin 4 and better than that of MOC-31. In conclusion, MUC4 immunohistochemistry is useful for differentiation of epithelioid mesothelioma from lung carcinoma, either adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.

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