Cancer Med. 2026 Apr;15(4):e71833. doi: 10.1002/cam4.71833.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to elucidate the role of FGFR1 in activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the underlying mechanisms by which it promotes malignant progression in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). By integrating multi-omics analysis with functional experiments, the clinical heterogeneity of FGFR1 amplification, signaling crosstalk, and their regulatory networks governing tumor phenotypes were revealed.

METHODS: Using TCGA data (n = 490), we analyzed the relationship between FGFR1 copy number variation (CNV) and mRNA expression in LUSC, and validated the correlation with protein expression in a clinical cohort (n = 38). GSEA and single-gene GSEA were performed to identify signaling pathways associated with high FGFR1 expression. The interaction between FGFR1 and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was investigated by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, stable cell lines, Western blot, qPCR, and functional assays.

RESULTS: FGFR1 amplification correlated with increased mRNA and protein expression. The top 25% FGFR1 high-expression group enriched Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K-Akt, and cAMP pathways. Mechanistically, FGFR1 promoted β-catenin nuclear accumulation and enhanced β-catenin signaling through PKA-associated phosphorylation and Akt/GSK3β-related regulation of β-catenin stability, and these effects were attenuated by AKT inhibition. CTNNB1 knockdown significantly inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumor growth of LUSC cells.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that FGFR1 activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling through coordinated regulation of β-catenin phosphorylation, stability, and subcellular localization, thereby promoting malignant progression in LUSC. These results provide a rationale for targeting the FGFR1-Wnt/β-catenin axis as a potential therapeutic strategy.

PMID:41998829 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.71833

Oncogenesis. 2026 Apr 2. doi: 10.1038/s41389-026-00603-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by metabolic plasticity and profound immune evasion. However, the functional role of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPX3), a secreted antioxidant enzyme, in these processes remains unclear. Multi-omics analyses of paired GBC and adjacent non-tumor tissues revealed consistent downregulation of GPX3, which correlated with reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and enhanced glycolytic activity. Functional restoration of GPX3 in GBC cells reduced intracellular ROS levels, suppressed the expression of glycolysis-related enzymes, and consequently impaired tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion. In xenograft models, GPX3 overexpression markedly attenuated tumor growth and lung metastasis. Notably, GPX3 restoration also enhanced CD8⁺ T cell infiltration and elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine production, suggesting reversal of tumor-associated immunosuppression. These findings identify GPX3 as a critical tumor suppressor that integrates redox regulation, metabolic reprogramming, and immune activation to restrict malignant progression. Targeting GPX3 or its downstream pathways may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to simultaneously suppress gallbladder cancer aggressiveness and reinforce anti-tumor immunity.

PMID:41927557 | DOI:10.1038/s41389-026-00603-7