KIF20A inhibition potentiates vincristine chemotherapy in Wilms tumor [Oral presentation]

Abstract

<p><b>Purpose:</b> Introduction: Wilms' tumor is a prevalent cancer in children, with its pathogenesis and treatment options still largely unknown. KIF20A, a vital mitotic protein, has been found to be abnormally expressed in various cancers and is linked to tumor malignancy and prognosis. However, the role of KIF20A in Wilms' tumor remains unclear.</p><p><b>Methods</b>: This study investigates the potential role of KIF20A in the development of Wilms' tumor. Initially, we utilized bioinformatics approaches to analyze the impact of KIF20A on the survival rates of patients with Wilms' tumor and to identify potential molecules regulated by KIF20A. In vitro, we examined the expression levels of KIF20A across various Wilms' tumor cell lines. Furthermore, we constructed cell lines with altered expression levels of KIF20A using shRNA knockdown and stable overexpression techniques. The effects of KIF20A on tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis were analyzed using CCK8 assays, flow cytometry for apoptosis detection, and transwell assays for cell migration.</p><p><b>Results:</b> Our findings reveal a significant inverse correlation between KIF20A levels and the prognosis of Wilms' tumor patients. KIF20A is highly expressed in Wilms' tumor cell lines, and its knockdown results in increased apoptosis and reduced migration ability of these cells, possibly due to significant delays in the mitotic process induced by KIF20A.</p><p><b>Conclusion:</b> The study suggests that KIF20A plays a critical role in the progression of Wilms' tumor and highlights its potential as a promising target for developing new treatment approaches for Wilms' tumor.</p>