SNORA5A regulates tumor-associated macrophage M1/M2 phenotypes via TRAF3IP3 in breast cancer

Small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs) have robust potential functions and therapeutic value in breast cancer. Herein, we investigated the role SNORA5A in breast cancer. Samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were reviewed. The transcription matrix and clinical information were analyzed using R software and validated in clinical tissue samples. SNORA5A was significantly down-regulated in breast cancer, and high expression of SNORA5A correlated with a favorable prognosis. High expression of SNORA5A induced a high concentration of tumor-associated macrophages M1 and a low concentration of tumor-associated macrophages M2. Moreover, SNORA5A were clustered in terms related to cancer and immune functions. Possible downstream molecules of SNORA5A were identified, among which TRAF3IP3 was positively correlated with M1 and negatively correlated with M2. The function of TRAF3IP3 in tumor inhibition and its relationship with macrophages in clinical tissue samples were in accordance with bioinformatics analysis results. SNORA5A could regulate macrophage phenotypes through TRAF3IP3 and serves as a potential prognostic marker for breast cancer patients.

Clinical application of digital PCR for accurate detection of gene mutation in cancer patients / 中华检验医学杂志

The efficient characterization of genetic and epigenetic alterations in oncology requires highly sensitive and specific high throughput procedures.However, the necessary level of sensitivity and specificity were previously unreachable using conventional testing procedures.By partitioning individual target molecules within separated compartments, digital PCR ( dPCR ) could allow to overcome such limitations and detect with unprecedented accuracy very rare sequences.In such procedure, the sample is diluted such that each individual compartment will contain no more than one target sequences.The assay provides an absolute value and quantitative data.The recent coupling of dPCR procedure with microfluidic systems in commercial platforms should make droplet based digital PCR an essential tool for the management of patients with cancer.Applications range from the analysis of tumor heterogeneity to the analysis of body effluents.Droplet based digital PCR is also particularly suited for the increasing field of liquid biopsy analysis.