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O-GlcNAcylation Induced HMGB1 Signalling
Sponsor: Chinese University of Hong Kong
Summary
This study investigates how HMGB1 compartmentalisation and O-GlcNAcylation regulate inflammatory signalling, autophagy, and immune escape in cancer. Our research focuses on HMGB1, a key mediator of inflammation and immune regulation. Because extracellular HMGB1 and related cytokines are detectable in blood, circulating plasma biomarkers may serve as systemic surrogates of tumour-immune microenvironment (TIME) biology. Spatial profiling technologies-such as multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) and GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling (DSP)-enable precise mapping of HMGB1 localisation, O-GlcNAcylation status, and immune cell organisation within tumour tissues. Integrating these spatial tissue features with plasma cytokine signatures provides a mechanistic and clinically translatable approach for recurrence prediction. This study aims to determine whether baseline and early-on-treatment plasma cytokine profiles can predict recurrence in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and to evaluate how these circulating immune mediators correspond to spatially resolved TIME features.
Official title: O-GlcNAcylation Induced HMGB1 Signaling as a Molecular Switch for Immune Escape in Esophageal Carcinoma
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
120
Start Date
2026-04-01
Completion Date
2037-03-31
Last Updated
2026-07-14
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
specimen collection
Participants will contribute samples at one or more of the following clinically defined stages: Timepoint 1 - Baseline (diagnosis / pre-treatment) Specimens: 1. Tumor and adjacent biopsy obtained from diagnostic endoscopy * collect extra biopsy from diagnostic endoscopy * 4 biopsies for tumor and 4 biopsies for adjacent normal tissue, each approximately 3-5 mm in size 2. Peripheral blood (≤15 mL) for plasma and immune biomarkers Timepoint 2 - On-Treatment (early treatment) Specimens: 1. Peripheral blood (≤15 mL per time timepoint) 2. Tumor and adjacent biopsy only if clinically indicated (e.g., reassessment or surveillance endoscopy) Timepoint 3 - Recurrence / metastasis Specimens: 1. Biopsy of recurrent/metastatic lesion and adjacent tissue, if performed as part of routine clinical care 2. Peripheral blood (≤15 mL) obtained at the recurrence evaluation timepoint
Locations (1)
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, Hong Kong