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Objective:To investigate the association of plasma EBV-DNA copy number, serum cytokines and B symptoms in patients with extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL), unravel the mechanism and assess the prognostic value of clinical indicators.Methods:Clinical data of 173 newly-diagnosed ENKTL patients (116 male, 57 female; median age: 43, 4 to 71 years)were retrospectively analyzed. According to Ann Arbor stage, 126 cases were classified as stage I-II and 47 cases of stage Ⅲ-IV. The primary sites of tumors included nasal cavity (n=100), extranasal upper aerodigestive tract (extranasal UADT, n=34), and extra-upper aerodigestive tract (extra-UADT, n=39). Prior to treatment, 91 patients had B symptoms and 82 cases of without B symptoms. According to plasma EBV-DNA copy levels, all patients were divided into the negative group (n=36), low load group (<10 4 copies/ml, n=73) and high load group (≥10 4 copies/ml, n=64). Serum cytokines including IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α were detected. Correlation analysis was performed by Cochran-Armitage trend test and Spearman correlation analysis. Survival analysis was conducted using univariate and multivariate Cox regression hazard analysis and survival curves were derived from Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Results:The incidence of B symptoms and fever showed a significant upward trend with the increasing plasma EBV-DNA copy levels. In addition, serum levels of IFN-γ, IL-6 and IL-10 cytokines were higher in patients with B symptoms than those without B symptoms (all P<0.05). Serum IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 levels were also positively correlated with plasma EBV-DNA copy number. The occurrence of B symptoms was associated with high-risk clinical features including advanced stage, primary tumor invasion, regional lymph node involvement, and elevated pre-treatment LDH. Survival analysis showed that stage, B symptoms, plasma EBV-DNA, and the above serum cytokines affected the prognosis of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (all P<0.05). However, multivariate analysis showed that the occurrence of B symptoms was not an independent prognostic factor of ENKTL patients. Conclusion:This exploratory study suggests that the incidence of B symptoms is associated with increasing levels of EBV-DNA copies and cytokines, and these indicators are also important factors influencing the prognosis of ENKTL patients.
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AIM: To find out the gene structure and diversity of protate specific membrane antigen(PSMA) alternative spliced variants, and probe into the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.METHODS: 5'-RACE and 3'-RACE methods were used to amplify the 5' and 3'end of alternative spliced variant and then those viariants were sequenced for analyzing the gene stucture and diversity of PSMA alternative spliced variants of prostate cancer tissues.RESULTS: Four new alternative spliced variants of PSMA were discovered from prostate cancer tissues.Compared with reported PSMA alternative spliced variants,different insertions and deletions existed in different sites of those new variants.CONCLUSION: The discovery of the new variants confirms the diversity of PSMA spliced variants and provides the clues for seeking the target of diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer.
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AIM: To discuss the relationship between prostate specific membrane antigen(PSMA) and prostate cancer and to seek a target for diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer.METHODS: A pair of primers was designed according to the published PSMA mRNA sequence.Total RNA was extracted from prostate cancer tissues and was reversely transcribed into cDNA,which was used as a template for PCR to amplify the PSMA gene.The recombinant was sequenced and the result was analyzed by BLAST.The PSMA5 gene specific primers were designed to identify its expression in different cells and prostate tissues.RESULTS: A new alternatively spliced variant of PSMA named PSMA5 was discovered when sequencing the recombinant.PSMA5 showed well pathological tissue-specificity,and its expression rate in prostate cancer,benign prostatic hyperplasia of prostate,and normal prostate tissue were 92.6%,78.8% and 10.0%,respectively.It expressed specifically in Pca cell line LNCaP,not in cell lines of PC3,bladder carcinoma,renal carcinoma,or hepatoma.CONCLUSION: A new alternative spliced variant of PSMA named PSMA5 was discovered,which was well correlated with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.This finding may give a new clue to the evolution of prostate cancer and may provide a target for the diagnosis and therapy of prostate cancer.
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AIM: To amplify from leader peptide region an d obtain human monoclonal anti-D variable region gene with high specificity and affinity, and analyze the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences.ME THODS: The total RNA was extracted from an Epstein-Barr-virus-transforme d cell line secreting monoclonal anti- (rhesus D) antibody. The leader region pri mers containing a ribosome recognition site were designed. By using PCR method, the cDNA of human anti-(rhesus D) antibody (IgM ?) variable region gene was amp lified. Cloning and subsequent sequence analysis of the variable region gene was performed. The deduced amino acid sequence was also compared and analyzed with previ ously published sequences.RESULTS: A band of approximate 440 and 410 base pairs were amplified using heavy chain primers and light chain primer s, respectively. Sequence analysis indicated that the deduced amino acid sequenc e w as in agreement with the characterization of the amino acid present in the human Ig variable region. CONCLUSION: The cloning and sequencing of a human anti- (Rhesus D) antibody variable region cDNA will make benefits for pro duction of recombinant anti-(Rhesus D) antibody and prevention of Rh haemolytic disease in newborns.
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AIM: To obtain eukaryotic expression vector of Chinese prostate-specific membrane antigen. METHODS: Chinese prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR from prostate cancer tissues, then cloned into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3 0 and sequenced. RESULTS: Seven bases in Chinese PSMA cDNA sequence were found different from those reported by Israeli, which lead to two different amino acids. CONCLUSION: We have obtained the PSMA cDNA, and the recombinant eukaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed. The study lays foundation for DCs vaccine modified by PSMA gene for the treatment of prostate neoplasms.