Key nodes of a microRNA network associated with the integrated mesenchymal subtype of high-grade serous ovarian cancer / 癌症

Metastasis is the main cause of cancer mortality. One of the initiating events of cancer metastasis of epithelial tumors is epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), during which cells dedifferentiate from a relatively rigid cell structure/morphology to a flexible and changeable structure/morphology often associated with mesenchymal cells. The presence of EMT in human epithelial tumors is reflected by the increased expression of genes and levels of proteins that are preferentially present in mesenchymal cells. The combined presence of these genes forms the basis of mesenchymal gene signatures, which are the foundation for classifying a mesenchymal subtype of tumors. Indeed, tumor classification schemes that use clustering analysis of large genomic characterizations, like The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), have defined mesenchymal subtype in a number of cancer types, such as high-grade serous ovarian cancer and glioblastoma. However, recent analyses have shown that gene expression-based classifications of mesenchymal subtypes often do not associate with poor survival. This "paradox" can be ameliorated using integrated analysis that combines multiple data types. We recently found that integrating mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) data revealed an integrated mesenchymal subtype that is consistently associated with poor survival in multiple cohorts of patients with serous ovarian cancer. This network consists of 8 major miRNAs and 214 mRNAs. Among the 8 miRNAs, 4 are known to be regulators of EMT. This review provides a summary of these 8 miRNAs, which were associated with the integrated mesenchymal subtype of serous ovarian cancer.

A bird's eye view of the air pollution-cancer link in China / 癌症

Air pollution in China comes from multiple sources, including coal consumption, construction and industrial dust, and vehicle exhaust. Coal consumption in particular directly determines the emissions of three major air pollutants: dust, sulfur dioxide (SO(2)), and nitrogen oxide (NOx). The rapidly increasing number of civilian vehicles is expected to bring NOx emission to a very high level. Contrary to expectations, however, existing data show that the concentrations of major pollutants [particulate matter-10 (PM10), SO(2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2))] in several large Chinese cities have declined during the past decades, though they still exceed the national standards of ambient air quality. Archived data from China does not fully support that the concentrations of pollutants directly depend on local emissions, but this is likely due to inaccurate measurement of pollutants. Analyses on the cancer registry data show that cancer burden related to air pollution is on the rise in China and will likely increase further, but there is a lack of data to accurately predict the cancer burden. Past experience from other countries has sounded alarm of the link between air pollution and cancer. The quantitative association requires dedicated research as well as establishment of needed monitoring infrastructures and cancer registries. The air pollution-cancer link is a serious public health issue that needs urgent investigation.

Active and passive smoking with breast cancer risk for Chinese females: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 癌症

Previous studies suggested that smoking and passive smoking could increase the risk of breast cancer, but the results were inconsistent, especially for Chinese females. Thus, we systematically searched cohort and case-control studies investigating the associations of active and passive smoking with breast cancer risk among Chinese females in four English databases (PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Wiley) and three Chinese databases (CNKI, WanFang, and VIP). Fifty-one articles (3 cohort studies and 48 case-control studies) covering 17 provinces of China were finally included in this systematic review. Among Chinese females, there was significant association between passive smoking and this risk of breast cancer [odds ratio (OR): 1.62; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.39-1.85; I2 = 75.8%, P < 0.001; n = 26] but no significant association between active smoking and the risk of breast cancer (OR: 1.04; 95% CI: 0.89-1.20; I2 = 13.9%, P = 0.248; n = 31). The OR of exposure to husband's smoking and to smoke in the workplace was 1.27 (95% CI: 1.07-1.50) and 1.66 (95% CI: 1.07-2.59), respectively. The OR of light and heavy passive smoking was 1.11 and 1.41, respectively, for women exposed to their husband's smoke (< 20 and ≥ 20 cigarettes per day), and 1.07 and 1.87, respectively, for those exposed to smoke in the workplace (< 300 and ≥ 300 min of exposure per day). These results imply that passive smoking is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, and the risk seems to increase as the level of passive exposure to smoke increases among Chinese females. Women with passive exposure to smoke in the workplace have a higher risk of breast cancer than those exposed to their husband's smoking.

Novel anti-melanoma treatment: focus on immunotherapy / 癌症

Melanoma is an intractable cancer that is aggressive, lethal, and metastatic. The prognosis of advanced melanoma is very poor because it is insensitive to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The incidence of melanoma has been ascending stably for years worldwide, accompanied by increasing mortality. New approaches to managing this deadly disease are much anticipated to enhance the cure rate and to extend clinical benefits to patients with metastatic melanoma. Due to its high degree of immunogenicity, melanoma could be a good target for immunotherapy, which has been developed for decades and has achieved certain progress. This article provides an overview of immunotherapy for melanoma.

The prognostic role of PRUNE2 in leiomyosarcoma / 癌症

PRUNE2 plays an important role in regulating tumor cell differentiation, proliferation, and invasiveness in neuroblastoma. Our previous study revealed that PRUNE2/OBSCN two-gene relative expression classifer accurately differentiated leiomyosarcoma from gastrointestinal stromal tumor. However, the association between PRUNE2 expression and prognosis in leiomyosarcoma is poorly understood. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic role of PRUNE2 in leiomyosarcoma. PRUNE2 expression was detected using immunohistochemistry in 30 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded leiomyosarcoma tissues from MD Anderson Cancer Center, and high expression was detected in 36.7% (11/30) of the samples. To validate these results, immunohistochemistry was performed on another cohort of 45 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded leiomyosarcoma tissues from Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, and high PRUNE2 protein expression was detected in 37.8% (17/45) of the samples. Moreover, elevated PRUNE2 expression was significantly associated with tumor size (P = 0.03) and hemorrhage/cyst (P = 0.014), and was an independent favorable prognostic factor for overall survival in leiomyosarcoma patients from Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital (P < 0.05). These data suggest that increased PRUNE2 protein expression may serve as a favorable prognostic marker in human leiomyosarcoma.

SNP rs16917496 within SET8 3'UTR is associated with the age of onset of breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>We have identified a SNP within the seed-binding region for miR-502 in the 3'-UTR of the SET8 gene that codes for a methyltransferase for histone H4. SET8 methylates TP53 and thus regulates cell proliferation and genome stability. This study is to investigate the role for this SNP and its interaction with the TP53 codon 72 SNP in the age of onset of breast cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted a case-only study of 1, 110 breast cancer cases. PCR-RFLP was used for SNP genotyping. Ages of onset of breast cancer among different genotypes were analyzed using SAS software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Our analysis revealed that the SET8 CC and TP53 GG genotypes were independently associated with earlier age of onset of breast cancer in an allele-dose dependent manner. Moreover, individuals with both SET8 CC and p53 GG genotypes developed cancer at age of 47.74 years, compared with 54.55 years for individuals with both SET8 TT and TP53 CC genotypes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>miR-502-binding SNP in SET8 may modulate SET8 expression and contribute to early development of breast cancer either independently or together with the TP53 codon 72 SNP.</p>

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms among microRNA: big effects on cancer / 癌症

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the transcriptional or posttranscriptional level. Many miRNAs are found to play a significant role in cancer development either as tumor suppressor genes or as oncogenes. Examination of tumor-specific miRNA expression profiles in diverse cancers has revealed widespread deregulation of these molecules, whose loss and overexpression respectively have diagnostic and prognostic significance. Genetic variations, mostly single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within miRNA sequences or their target sites, have been found to be associated with many kinds of cancers. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of miRNAs including their biogenesis and role in cancer development, and finally, how SNPs among miRNAs affect miRNA biogenesis and contribute to cancer.

Treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis through posterolateral fusion and fixation with pedicle screws / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore internal fixation whether can improve the clinical outcomes of decompression and posterolateral fusion in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From December 1998 to December 2005, 49 patients who had degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent decompression and posterolateral fusion without (group A, 21 cases) or with (group B, 28 cases) internal fixation (CD HORIZON M8 system). There were 12 males and 37 females with a mean age of 58.5 years (range, from 49 to 68 years). Among them,32 cases were grade I and 17 were grade II according to Meyerding grade system. All patients were followed up with an average of 58 months (range from 12 to 90 months). The pain of low back and leg (VAS scoring), spinal active function and neurologic function were evaluated according the assessment system of Yuan.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VAS score of low back in group A and B were respectively 41.9 +/- 7.5 and 32.8 +/- 6.2 at follow-up; and VAS score of leg in group A and B were respectively 33.9 +/- 7.3 and 30.8 +/- 6.2. Spinal active function of patients, 15 cases obtained improvement, 6 cases aggravation or no improvement in group A; 25 cases obtained improvement, 3 cases aggravation or no improvement in group B. Neurologic function of patients, 15 cases obtained improvement, 6 cases aggravation or no improvement in group A; 26 cases obtained improvement, 2 cases aggravation or no improvement in group B. The group B was better than group A in the aspect of low back pain, spine active function and neurologic function (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in improvement of leg pain between two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Using internal fixation in decompression and posterolateral fusion for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis can improve low back pain and clinical function. Decompression is necessary for the surgical treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis, which is major effect on the improvement of leg pain.</p>

Epidemiological trend of gastric cancer in Tianjin, 1981-2002 / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the secular trend in incidence and mortality rate of gastric cancer in Tianjin and to provide evidence and reference for making prevention and control strategy for gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data derived from Tianjin cancer registry system were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method and Joinpoint model. A total of 17990 gastric cancer cases reported in Tianjin from 1981 to 2002, including 12755 males and 5235 females were studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The annual percent change (APC) of crude incidence rate for males and females was -0.92% (Z = -3.85, P = 0.001) and -0.79% (Z = -2.67, P = 0.015), while the APC of standard incidence rate was -3.55% (Z = -13.52, P = 0.000) and -3.47% (Z = -12.85, P = 0.000). There was a descending trend of incidence rate in males and females above 45-years-old, however, in male under 45 years it showed an increased trend and in females it kept stable. The APC of crude mortality rate was -1.66% ( Z = -5.79, P = 0.000) for males and -1.84% (Z = -6.02,P = 0.000) for females, while the APC of standard mortality rate was -4.60% ( Z = -15.79, P = 0.000) for females and -5.36% ( Z = -8.28, P = 0.000) for males during 1989-2002. Mortality and incidence ratio also indicated a downward trend.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Despite its declining trend in Tianjin, gastric cancer still remains an important public health problem in facing of the aging society and many risk factors.</p>

Analysis on causes of death of childhood leukemia from 1981 to 2000 in the city of Tianjin / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Leukemia is a major cause of death of children in China, which accounts for 50 % of all cancers of children. Data from Tianjin Cancer Hospital was analyzed for mortality of leukemia in children under 20 years from 1981 to 2000 in the city of Tianjin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>All physicians and medical staff of the hospitals and clinics in the registry area were responsible for filling out the report forms for every new case diagnosed as malignant tumors. Death certificates for malignant tumors have been registered at the local police station and the residential files were checked. All cancer cases with insufficient information were traced to his/her family and relevant persons worked in the clinic. Tianjin Cancer Registry Center periodically conducted an active re-checking program to review all patient records on cancers that was not registered in this period. Tumors diagnosed in this study were coded according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O). Mortality rates were calculated by age, sex and date of death.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The types of acute lymphoid leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia and chronic myeloid leukemia were the most common types of childhood leukemia in Tianjin, comprised 69.3%, 20.9 % and 8.0%, respectively. The mortality for childhood leukemia decreased slowly during the period of 1981 to 2000 in Tianjin. Mortality and morbidity ratios were 0.51.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Combined with characteristics of individual forms of childhood leukemia mortality, further epidemiological research is needed to prevent childhood leukemia.</p>

Risk factors of lung cancer in Tianjin / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the risk factors of lung cancer in Tianjin and to provide evidence for further monitor there of.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A case-control study involving interviews with 193 new cases and 259 controls aged 30 - 76 years was carried out. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information on general condition, living environment, living style, disease and family history, etc. Logistic regression model univariate and multivariate analysis were used to pick out the significant lung cancer risk factors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>By monovariate analysis, risk factors such as smoking, passive smoking, drinking, history of malignancy in family and occupation were found. By multivariate analysis, smoking, passive smoking, higher body mass index (BMI) and average income and living space per capita ten years earlier were ascertained, their operations research (OR) values were 3.302, 1.193, 1.003, 1.067 and 0.913.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Smoking and passive smoking are independent risk factors of lung cancer. Monthly income per person and living space per person 10 years earlier are associated with elevated risk of lung cancer. Higher body mass index has protective effects on lung cancer risk.</p>