TMPO-AS1 is an independent prognostic factor for patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Long noncoding RNA (lncRNAs) are frequently abnormally expressed in tumors and involved in the occurrence and progression of human cancer. Recently, a disease-related lncRNA, TMPO antisense RNA 1 (TMPO-AS1), was identified to be dysregulated in several tumors. Hence, we aimed to demonstrate whether TMPO-AS1 could be a promising prognostic marker for patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). METHODS RT-PCR was performed to test TMPO-AS1 expressions in 187 LSCC specimens compared with matched normal specimens. Chi-squared tests were used to determine the associations between TMPO-AS1 expressions and the clinicopathological characteristics of LSCC patients. Then, the clinical outcome of LSCC patients who had lower or higher TMPO-AS1 expression was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier assays. Finally, a Cox proportional hazards model was carried out to evaluate the prognostic values of TMPO-AS1 and other clinical features. RESULTS We found that TMPO-AS1 was distinctly upregulated in human LSCC tissues compared with corresponding normal specimens (p < 0.01). Higher expressions of TMPO-AS1 were observed to be positively associated with the clinical stage (p = 0.020) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.027). A clinical study in 187 patients revealed that patients with TMPO-AS1 low expressions had poorer survival than those with TMPO-AS1 high expressions (p = 0.0012). In addition, the result of multivariate assays demonstrated TMPO-AS1 expression is an independent predictor for the overall survival of LSCC patients. CONCLUSIONS TMPO-AS1 might be considered a novel molecule involved in LSCC progression, which provides a possible prognostic biomarker.

RESUMO OBJETIVO RNAs longos não-codificantes (INcRNAs) são frequentemente expressos anormalmente em tumores e estão envolvidos na ocorrência e progressão do câncer humano. Recentemente, um INcRNA relacionado com a doença, o TMPO antisense RNA 1 (TMPO-AS1), foi identificado como desregulado em vários tumores. Por isso, procuramos demonstrar se o TMPO-AS1 poderia ser um marcador de prognóstico promissor para pacientes com carcinoma de células escamosas da laringe (LSCC). MÉTODOS RT-PCR foi realizado para medir as expressões do TMPO-AS1 em 187 espécimes de LSCC em comparação com espécimes normais correspondentes. Foram utilizados testes Qui-quadrado para determinar as associações entre as expressões do TMPO-AS1 e as características clínicas dos pacientes com LSCC. Em seguida, o desfecho clínico dos pacientes com LSCC que tinham uma expressão do TMPO-AS1 inferior ou superior foi analisado com ensaios Kaplan-Meier. Por último, o modelo de riscos proporcionais de Cox foi utilizado para avaliar o valor prognóstico do TMPO-AS1 e outras características clínicas. RESULTADOS Observamos que o TMPO-AS1 estava claramente super-regulado nos tecidos de LSCC humanos em comparação com os espécimes normais correspondentes (p<0,01). Expressões mais elevadas de TMPO-AS1 estavam positivamente associadas ao estágio clínico (p=0,020) e à metástase linfática (p=0,027). Um estudo clínico com 187 pacientes revelou que aqueles com expressões mais baixas de TMPO-AS1 tiveram uma sobrevida pior do que aqueles com expressões elevadas de TMPO-AS1 (p=0,0012). Além disso, o resultado de ensaios multivariados demonstrou que a expressão do TMPO-AS1 é um preditor independente para a sobrevida global de pacientes com LSCC. CONCLUSÕES TMPO-AS1 pode ser considerado uma molécula nova envolvida na progressão do LSCC, o que proporciona um possível biomarcador de prognóstico.

Emery dreifuss muscular dystrophy: a clinico-pathological study.

Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is a rare and genetically heterogeneous disorder. We report two patients with emerin deficient X-linked EDMD and two probable patients with EDMD with typical early contractures, progressive muscle weakness and cardiac involvement. Family history was noted in one case. Muscle biopsy revealed features of dystrophy in all.

Evaluación clínica-inmunológica del tratamiento con Tp-5 en sujetos infectados con HIV / Clinical immunological evaluation of the treatment with tp-5 in subjects infected with HIV

We studied the effect of Tp-5 treatment on the immune system of 15 HIV+ males. The control groups consisted of 7 asymphtomatic HIV+ homosexual men and 33 health individuals. At the time of admission, the HIV+ subjects showed a significant decrease in the number of CD4+ T-cell and an increase in CD8+ cell when compared to normal controls. During Tp-5 treatment, 4 out of 15 of the HIV infected individuals expressed a transient increase of the CD4+ lymphocyte subpopulation. The number of CD8+ subset was not modified by the pentapepotide. The ability of pokeweed mitogen driven B lymphocytes to differentiate into plasma cell, already significantly low at admission, persisted without change at the end of the treatment. Thus, Tp-5 was not able to restore B-lynphocyte function. The T-lymphocyte PHA proliferative response of T-lymphocytes of HIV infected individuals did not differ from normal controls and no variation was observed after 3 months of the Tp-5 therapy. Nevertheless, the delayed skin reactivity to the 7 antigens tested, increased in 5 out of 9 patients, suggesting a partial restoration of T cell immunity by Tp-5. We conclude that Tp-5 in vivo can induce a transient partial variation at the T lymphocyte level in HIV infected patients

Immunomodulating substances: an overview.

Uma revisao da atividade imunomoduladora de Bacillus Calmette Gerin (BCG), Propionibacterium spp. (Corynebacterium parvum), interferon, levamisole e timopoietina, como estabilizadores da homeostasia imunologica, quando injetados em mamiferos. Nao ha mecanismo comum de acao entre os imunoestimuladores, mas todos influenciam a ativacao de macrofagos. Levamisole e timopoietina revelam alguns efeitos similares nas imunorespostas celulares. O modelo do efeito da timopoietina pentapeptidio (TP5) em infeccoes experimentais por Babesia microti em hamsters foi destacado, revelando menor parasitemia durante a infeccao aguda