Application of the WHO Classification of Thoracic Tumors (2021) grading system in invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma and its correlation with the targeted genes' variations / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the applicability of the 2021 WHO classification of thoracic tumors' new grading system for invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma (IPA) with different clinical stages and its correlation with the characteristics of targeted genes' variation. Methods: A total of 2 467 patients with surgically resected primary IPA in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Shanghai, China from September to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Eligible cases were graded using the new grading system of IPA of the 2021 WHO classification of thoracic tumors. The clinicopathological data and targeted-gene abnormality were collected. The utility of new grading system of IPA in different clinical stages was investigated. The correlation of clinicopathological features and targeted-gene abnormality in different grades of IPA were compared. Results: All 2 311 cases of IPA were included. There were 2 046 cases of stage Ⅰ IPA (88.5%), 169 cases of stage Ⅱ (7.3%), and 96 cases of stage Ⅲ (4.2%). According to the new classification system of IPA, 186 cases (9.1%), 1 413 cases (69.1%) and 447 cases (21.8%) of stage-Ⅰ adenocarcinoma were classified as Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3, respectively. However, there were no Grade 1 adenocarcinomas in stages Ⅱ and Ⅲ cases. Among stage-Ⅱ and Ⅲ IPA cases, there were 38 Grade 2 cases (22.5%) and 131 Grade 3 cases (77.5%), and 3 Grade 2 cases (3.1%) and 93 Grade 3 cases (96.9%), respectively. In stage-Ⅰ cases, no tumor cells spreading through airspace (STAS), vascular invasion or pleural invasion was found in Grade 1 of IPA, while the positive rates of STAS in Grade 2 and 3 IPA cases were 11.3% (159/1 413) and 73.2% (327/447), respectively. There was a significant difference among the three grades (P<0.01). Similarly, the rates of vascular and pleural invasion in Grade 3 IPA cases were 21.3% (95/447) and 75.8% (339/447), respectively, which were significantly higher than those of 1.3% (19/1 413) and 3.0% (42/1 413) in Grade 2 (P<0.01). EGFR mutational rates in Grades 1, 2 and 3 IPA were 65.7% (94/143), 76.4% (984/1 288) and 51.3% (216/421), respectively. The differences among the three grades were statistically significant (P<0.01). No fusion genes were detected in Grade 1 IPA, while the positive rates of ROS1 and ALK fusion genes in Grade 3 were 2.4% (10/421) and 8.3% (35/421), respectively, which were significantly higher than that of 0.5% (7/1 288) and 1.6% (20/1 288) in Grade 2 (P<0.01). In stage-Ⅱ cases, only EGFR mutation rate in Grade 2 adenocarcinoma (31/37, 83.8%) was higher than that in Grade 3 adenocarcinoma (71/123, 57.7%; P<0.01). However, the correlation between the new grade system of IPA and the distribution characteristics of targeted-gene variation cannot be evaluated in stage Ⅲ cases. Conclusions: The new grading system for IPA is mainly applicable to clinical stage-Ⅰ patients. Tumor grades of IPA are strongly correlated with the high-risk factors of prognosis and the distribution features of therapeutic targets. It is of great significance and clinical value to manage postoperative patients with early-stage IPA.

Clinicopathological features of patients with RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of patients with RET fusion positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: A total of 1 089 NSCLCs were retrieved at Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from August 2018 to April 2020. In all cases, multiple gene fusion detection kits (fluorescent PCR method) were used to detect the gene status of RET, EGFR, ALK, ROS1, KRAS, BRAF and HER2; and immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of PD-L1 and mismatch repair related proteins. The correlation between RET-fusion and patients' age, gender, smoking history, tumor stage, grade, pathologic type, and PD-L1, mismatch repair related protein expression was analyzed. Results: There were 22 cases (2.02%) detected with RET fusion-positive in 1 089 NSCLC patients, in which 11 males and 11 females; and the median age was 63.5 years. There were 20 adenocarcinomas, including 11 acinar predominant adenocarcinoma (APA), five solid predominant adenocarcinoma (SPA) and four lepidic predominant adenocarcinoma (LPA); There were one case each of squamous cell carcinoma (non-keratinizing type) and sarcomatoid carcinoma (pleomorphic carcinoma). There were 6 and 16 patients with RET fusion-positive who were in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ and Ⅲ-Ⅳ respectively, and 16 cases with lymph node metastasis, 11 cases with distant metastasis. Among RET fusion-positive cases, one was detected with HER2 co-mutation. The tumor proportion score of PD-L1≥1% in patients with RET fusion positive lung cancer was 54.5% (12/22). Defects in mismatch repair protein expression were not found in patients with RET fusion positive NSCLC. Four patients with RET fusions positive (two cases of APA and two cases of SPA) received pratinib-targeted therapy, and two showed benefits from this targeted therapy. Conclusions: The histological subtypes of RET fusions positive NSCLC are more likely to be APA or SPA. RET fusion-positive NSCLC patients are associated with advanced clinical stage, lymph node metastases, and they may benefit from targeted therapy with RET-specific inhibitors.

Polygalacin D inhibits the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through BNIP3L-mediated mitophagy and endogenous apoptosis pathways / 中国天然药物

Platycodon grandiflorum (Jacq.) A. DC. is a famous medicinal plant commonly used in East Asia. Triterpene saponins isolated from P. grandiflorum are the main biologically active compounds, among which polygalacin D (PGD) has been reported to be an anti-tumor agent. However, its anti-tumor mechanism against hepatocellular carcinoma is unknown. This study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect of PGD in hepatocellular carcinoma cells and related mechanisms of action. We found that PGD exerted significant inhibitory effect on hepatocellular carcinoma cells through apoptosis and autophagy. Analysis of the expression of apoptosis-related proteins and autophagy-related proteins revealed that this phenomenon was attributed to the mitochondrial apoptosis and mitophagy pathways. Subsequently, using specific inhibitors, we found that apoptosis and autophagy had mutually reinforcing effects. In addition, further analysis of autophagy showed that PGD induced mitophagy by increasing BCL2 interacting protein 3 like (BNIP3L) levels.In vivo experiments demonstrated that PGD significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased the levels of apoptosis and autophagy in tumors. Overall, our findings showed that PGD induced cell death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells primarily through mitochondrial apoptosis and mitophagy pathways. Therefore, PGD can be used as an apoptosis and autophagy agonist in the research and development of antitumor agents.

Chinese Medical Association guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer (2023 edition) / 中华肿瘤杂志

To standardize the prevention and clinical management of lung cancer, improve patients' survival outcomes, and offer professional insight for clinicians, the Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association has summoned experts from departments of pulmonary medicine, oncology, thoracic surgery, radiotherapy, imaging, and pathology to formulate the Oncology Society of Chinese Medical Association guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer in China (2023 edition) through consensus meetings. Updates in this edition include 1) cancer screening: deletion of high-risk traits of lung cancer based on epidemiological investigations in the Caucasian population, while preserving features confirmed by research on the Chinese population. Advice on screening institutions is also added to raise awareness of the merits and demerits of lung cancer screening through detailed illustrations. 2) Principles of histopathologic evaluation: characteristics of four types of neuroendocrine tumors (typical carcinoid, atypical carcinoid, large cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma) are reviewed. 3) Surgical intervention: more options of resection are available for certain peripheral lesions based on several clinical studies (CALGB140503, JCOG0802, JCOG1211). 4) neoadjuvant/adjuvant therapy: marked improvement in the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients receiving neoadjuvant immunotherapy are reviewed; more options for consolidation immunotherapy after radiochemotherapy have also emerged. 5) Targeted and immune therapy: tyrosine kinase inhibitors of sensitive driver mutations such as EGFR and ALK as well as rare targets such as MET exon 14 skipping, RET fusion, ROS1 fusion, and NTRK fusion have been approved, offering more treatment options for clinicians and patients. Furthermore, multiple immune checkpoint inhibitors have been granted for the treatment of NSCLC and SCLC, resulting in prolonged survival of late-stage lung cancer patients. This guideline is established based on the current availability of domestically approved medications, recommendations of international guidelines, and present clinical practice in China as well as integration of the latest medical evidence of pathology, genetic testing, immune molecular biomarker detection, and treatment methods of lung cancer in recent years, to provide recommendations for professionals in clinical oncology, radiology, laboratory, and rehabilitation.

Oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome caused by BCOR gene mutations: a case report / 中国当代儿科杂志

A full-term female infant was admitted at 5 hours after birth due to heart malformations found during the fetal period and cyanosis once after birth. Mmultiple malformations of eyes, face, limbs, and heart were noted. The whole-exome sequencing revealed a pathogenic heterozygous mutation, c.2428C>T(p.Arg810*), in the BCOR gene. The infant was then diagnosed with oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome. He received assisted ventilation to improve oxygenation and nutritional support during hospitalization. Right ventricular double outlet correction was performed 1 month after birth. Ocular lesions were followed up and scheduled for elective surgery. The possibility of oculo-facio-cardio-dental syndrome should be considered for neonates with multiple malformations of eyes, face, and heart, and genetic testing should be performed as early as possible to confirm the diagnosis; meanwhile, active ophthalmic and cardiovascular symptomatic treatment should be given to improve the prognosis.

Research Status of TPO/c-MPL Signaling Pathway in Acute Myeloid Leukemia--Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Thrombopoietin (TPO) can activate hematopoietic cell proliferation by its receptor c-MPL mediated downstream pathways and induce the generation of megakaryocyte. In recent years, domestic and foreign researches have confirmed that TPO/ c-MPL pathway also plays an important role in the self-renewal and quiescence of leukemia stem cell, and its expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) also indicates the chemotherapy resistance and poor prognosis. In this article, the research progress of the roles of TPO/c-MPL pathway in chemotherapy resistance, prognosis of AML patients, and the application of TPO/ c-MPL receptor agonists in AML were summarized briefly.

Effect of CDK1 Interferes with the Regulation of PLK1, Aurora B and TRF1 on the Proliferation of Leukemia Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of CDK1 interference regulation of PLK1, Aurora B and TRF1 on the proliferation of leukemia cells.@*METHODS@#The human myelogenous leukemia cell line HL-60 was selected as the research object, and the effect of TRF1 expression and its changes on cell proliferation and cycle was investigated by regulating intracellular CDK1 expression. The objects were divided into 5 groups, including control group, shRNA-NC group, CDK1-shRNA group, pcDNA group and pcDNA-CDK1 group. RT-PCR was used to detect the CDK1 expression of cells in each group; colony formation was used to detect the proliferation of the cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of CDK1, PLK1, Aurora B, TRF1, and cyclin p53, p27, cyclinA.@*RESULTS@#The phosphorylation level of PLK1, Aurora B and the expression of TRF1 in the CDK1-shRNA group were significantly down-regulated as compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the cells in CDK1-shRNA group showed lower clone formation rate, the increasing of cycle-associated proteins p53 and p27 and the decreasing of cyclinA expression (P<0.05). It was shown that interfered CDK1 expression could inhibit the proliferation of HL-60 cells and prolong the time that they enter mitosis, thereby extending the cell cycle. Compared with the control group, the overexpressed CDK1 in the pcDNA-CDK1 group made the phosphorylation level of PLK1, Aurora B, and TRF1 expression increase significantly (P<0.05), also the colony formation rate (P<0.05). The cycle-related proteins p53 and p27 was down-regulated, while cyclinA expression was up-regulate significantly (P<0.05). The results indicted that overexpressed CDK1 could stimulate adverse reactions, thereby promoting the proliferation of HL-60 cells and shortening the cell cycle.@*CONCLUSION@#Knocking out CDK1 can inhibit the phosphorylation of PLK1 and Aurora B and negatively regulate TRF1, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of leukemia cells.

Clinical Significance of Truncated Mutant ΔJBP of TET2 Gene in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To the clinical characteristics and prognostic value of the patients with complete deletion of TET_JBP domain (ΔJBP) in TET2 acute myeloid leukemia (AML).@*METHODS@#Next Generation Sequencing technology was used to determine the mutations of 34 AML-related genes (including TET2 gene). The I-TASSER tool was used to predict the tertiary structure of the full-length TET2 protein and TET_JBP structure deletion.@*RESULTS@#Among 38 AML patients with TET2 mutations, 22(57.9%) showed truncation mutations, of which 16 (72.7%) produced TET2ΔJBP truncation mutants. Protein structure prediction showed that the deletion of TET_JBP domain lead to the significant changes of tertiary structure in TET2 protein. Compared with the patients in non-ΔJBP group, the age of patients in ΔJBP group were older (63 vs 54 years old, P=0.047), and the occurrence rate of CEBPA double mutation (CEBPA@*CONCLUSION@#AML patients with TET2ΔJBP truncation mutant shows lower CR rate, shorter EFS and OS after induction chemotherapy, which may be related to the poor prognosis, and co-mutation with CEBPA

Effect of rhTPO to the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Lines / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) to proliferation and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines.@*METHODS@#After the treatment of different concentrations of rhTPO (0, 50, 100 ng/ml) for different time (24,48,72 h)，the cell proliferation rates of the AML cell lines (Kasumi-1, Skno-1, HEL, HL-60, THP-1) were determined by CCK-8 method. Apoptosis rate of each cell line cocultured with rhTPO was detected by Annexin V/PI method. The relative expression of TPO receptor c-MPL (myeloproliferative clonal antibody) mRNA in AML cell lines was detected by Q-PCR. The expression of c-MPL protein in each cell line was detected by Western blot. The expression of c-MPL antigen in HL-60 cells treated by different concentrations of rhTPO was detected by Flow cytometry.@*RESULTS@#RhTPO showed no promotion to the proliferation of Kasumi-1, Skno-1, HEL, HL-60, THP-1 cell lines，however，it showed inhibitory effect to cell proliferation (72 h 0 ng/ml vs 100 ng/ml, P= 0.029) and pro-apoptotic (48 h 0 ng/ml vs 50 ng/ml, P=0.0143) in HL-60 cells. In Kasumi-1, Skno-1, HEL and THP-1 cells, there showed no statistically significant differences in apoptosis rate among each groups treated by different concentrations of rhTPO. Each AML cell line showed different levels of c-MPL gene and c-MPL protein expression, but HEL cells showed the highest expression in both of them. After HL-60 cells were treated by different concentrations of rhTPO for 48 hours, there showed no statistical difference in c-MPL antigen expression among each groups.@*CONCLUSION@#RhTPO can not promote the proliferation of Kasumi-1, Skno-1, HEL, HL-60 and THP-1 leukemia cell lines. On the contrary, rhTPO can inhibit HL-60 cell proliferation and promote its apoptosis, and this effect is not related to c-MPL gene expression or protein expression.

Roles of ten eleven translocation proteins family and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in epigenetic regulation of stem cells and regenerative medicine / 北京大学学报(医学版)

The methylation of cytosine is one of the most fundamental epigenetic modifications in mammalian genomes, and is involved in multiple crucial processes including gene expression, cell differentiation, embryo development and oncogenesis. In the past, DNA methylation was thought to be an irreversible process, which could only be diluted passively through DNA replication. It is now becoming increa-singly obvious that DNA demethylation can be an active process and plays a crucial role in biological processes. Ten eleven translocation (TET) proteins are the key factors modulating DNA demethylation. This family contains three members: TET1, TET2 and TET3. Although three TET proteins have relatively conserved catalytic domains, their roles in organisms are not repeated, and their expression has significant cell/organ specificity. TET1 is mainly expressed in embryonic stem cells, TET2 is mainly expressed in hematopoietic system, and TET3 is widely expressed in cerebellum, cortex and hippocampus. This family catalyzes 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and other oxidative products, reactivates silenced-gene expression, in turn maintains stem cell pluripotency and regulates lineage specification. With the development of tissue engineering, organ transplantation, autologous tissue transplantation and artificial prosthesis have been widely used in clinical treatment, but these technologies have limitations. Regenerative medicine, which uses stem cells and stem cell related factors for treatment, may provide alternative therapeutic strategies for multiple diseases. Among all kinds of human stem cells, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are the most prospective stem cell lineage since they have no ethical issues and can be easily obtained with large quantities. To date, ADSCs have been shown to have strong proli-feration capacity, secrete numerous soluble factors and have multipotent differentiation ability. However, the underlying mechanism of the proliferation, secretion, acquired pluripotency, and lineage specific differentiation of ADSCs are still largely unknown. Some studies have explored the role of epigenetic regulation and TET protein in embryonic stem cells, but little is known about its role in ADSCs. By studying the roles of TET proteins and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in ADSCs, we could provide new theoretical foundation for the clinical application of ADSCs and the stem cell-based therapy. In the future, combined with bioprinting technology, ADSCs may be used in tissue and organ regeneration, plastic surgery reconstruction and other broader fields.

Regulation of TRIP13 on Proliferation and Apoptosis of B-Cell Lymphoma Cells and Its Mechanism / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the regulatory effect of TRIP13 on the proliferation and apoptosis of B-cell lymphoma cells and its possible molecular mechanism by knocking down/overexpressing TRIP13 on the cell lines Granta-519 and JVM-2.@*METHODS@#Lentiviral transfection technology was used to construct Granta-519 and JVM-2 cells with knocked down or overexpressed TRIP13 and their control cells. The efficiency of transfection was determined by fluorescence microscopy. The efficiency of knockdown and overexpression was evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot. The proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. The apoptosis was detected by the Annexin V-APC single staining. The cell cycle was detected by the PI staining. The expression levels of P53, MDM4, and BCL-2 were evaluated by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#After TRIP13 was knocked down, the proliferation ability of Granta-519 and JVM-2 cells was significantly reduced, and the apoptosis rate significantly increased. After TRIP13 was overexpressed, the proliferation ability of Granta-519 and JVM-2 cells was significantly enhanced, and the apoptosis was significantly reduced. After TRIP13 was knocked down, Granta-519 cells had obvious G@*CONCLUSION@#TRIP13 promotes the proliferation of B-cell lymphoma cells, inhibits their apoptosis, and affects their proliferation and apoptosis by participating in the regulation of the cell cycle. TRIP13 promotes the expression of BCL-2 proteins and inhibits the expression of MDM4 protein in B-cell lymphoma cells.

Long non-coding ribonucleic acid H19 and ten-eleven translocation enzyme 1 messenger RNA expression levels in uterine fibroids may predict their postoperative recurrence

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the predictive value of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 and the ten-eleven translocation enzyme 1 (TET1) transcriptional expression in postoperative recurrence of uterine fibroids (UFs). METHODS: Seventy-five patients with UF, who underwent surgical treatment, were enrolled in the treatment group, and 60 healthy individuals were enrolled in the control group. The relative expression levels of lncRNA H19 and TET1 mRNA in the serum and UF tissues were analyzed. The patients were further divided into a better curative (BC) group and a poor efficacy (PE) group to analyze the predictive value of lncRNA H19 and TET1 and the independent risk factors affecting the recurrence of UF. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, lncRNA H19 expression levels were significantly higher, while TET1 expression levels were significantly lower in the treatment group (p<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) values of the two indicators for diagnostic importance were found to be 0.872 and 0.826, respectively. Compared with the PE group, lncRNA H19 expression levels were significantly lower, while TET1 expression levels were significantly higher in the BC group (p<0.001). The AUC values of the two indicators for their predictive efficacy were 0.788 and 0.812, respectively. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, menarche age, maximum diameter of UFs, number of UFs, lncRNA H19 levels, and TET1 levels were independent risk factors affecting UF recurrence. The AUC values of lncRNA H19 and TET1 for their predictive value for postoperative recurrence were 0.814 and 0.765, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The lncRNA H19 and TET1 have high diagnostic and predictive efficacy for determining the postoperative recurrence of UFs.

Urine hepcidin, netrin-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 levels in multicystic dysplastic kidney / Níveis de hepcidina, netrina-1, lipocalina associada a gelatinase neutrofílica e ligante de quimiocina C-C motif na urina do rim displásico multicístico

ABSTRACT Introduction: Glomerular hyperfiltration may lead to proteinuria and chronic kidney disease in unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney (MCDK). We aimed to investigate the urine neutrophil-gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), netrin-1, hepcidin, and C-C motif chemokine ligand-2 (MCP-1/CCL-2) levels in patients with MCDK. Methods: Thirty-two patients and 25 controls were included. The urine hepcidin, netrin-1, NGAL, and MCP-1/CCL-2 levels were determined by ELISA. Results: The patients had higher serum creatinine (Cr) levels, urine albumin, and netrin-1/Cr ratio with lower GFR. There were positive correlations between urine protein/Cr, MCP-1/CCL-2/Cr, and netrin-1 with NGAL (r = 0.397, p = 0.031; r = 0.437, p = 0.041, r = 0.323, p = 0.042, respectively). Urine netrin-1/Cr was positively correlated with MCP-1/CCL-2/Cr (r = 0.356, p = 0.045). There were positive associations between the presence of proteinuria and netrin-1/Cr, MCP-1/CCL-2/Cr, and NGAL/Cr [Odds ratio (OR): 1.423, p = 0.037, OR: 1.553, p = 0.033, OR: 2.112, p = 0.027, respectively)]. ROC curve analysis showed that netrin-1/Cr, MCP-1/CCL-2/Cr, and NGAL/Cr had high predictive values for determining proteinuria p = 0.027, p = 0.041, p = 0.035, respectively). Urine hepcidin/Cr was negatively correlated with tubular phosphorus reabsorption and was positively correlated with urine NGAL/Cr (r = -0.418, p = 0.019; r = 0.682, p = 0.000; respectively). Conclusions: MCP-1/CCL-2 may play a role in the development of proteinuria in MCDK. Netrin-1 may be a protective factor against proteinuria-induced renal injury. Urine hepcidin/Cr may reflect proximal tubule damage in MCDK. Urine NGAL/Cr may be a predictor of tubule damage by proteinuria.

Resumo Introdução: A hiperfiltração glomerular pode causar proteinúria e doença renal crônica no rim displásico multicístico unilateral (RDM). Nosso objetivo foi investigar os níveis de lipocalina associada à gelatinase neutrofílica na urina (NGAL), netrina-1, hepcidina e quimiocina C-C com ligante-2 (MCP-1/CCL-2) em pacientes com RDM. Métodos: Trinta e dois pacientes e 25 controles foram incluídos. Os níveis urinários de hepcidina, netrin-1, NGAL e MCP-1/CCL-2 foram determinados por ELISA. Resultados: Os pacientes apresentaram níveis séricos mais elevados de creatinina (Cr), albumina na urina e relação netrina-1/Cr com menor TFG. Houve correlação positiva entre proteína na urina/Cr, MCP-1/CCL-2/Cr e netrina-1 com NGAL (r = 0,397, p = 0,031; r = 0,437, p = 0,041, r = 0,323, p = 0,042, respectivamente). A netrina-1/Cr na urina foi correlacionada positivamente com MCP-1/CCL-2/Cr (r = 0,356, p = 0,045). Houve associações positivas entre a presença de proteinúria e netrina-1/Cr, MCP-1/CCL-2/Cr e NGAL/Cr [Odds ratio (OR): 1,423, p = 0,037, OR: 1,553, p = 0,033, OR: 2,112, p = 0,027, respectivamente) ]. A análise da curva ROC mostrou que netrina-1/Cr, MCP-1/CCL-2/Cr e NGAL/Cr apresentaram altos valores preditivos para determinar a proteinúria p = 0,027, p = 0,041, p = 0,035, respectivamente). A hepcidina/Cr na urina foi correlacionada negativamente com a reabsorção tubular de fósforo e positivamente com a NGAL/Cr na urina (r = -0,418, p = 0,019; r = 0,682, p = 0,000; respectivamente). Conclusões: MCP-1/CCL-2 pode ter participação no desenvolvimento de proteinúria no RDM. A Netrina-1 pode ser um fator protetor contra lesão renal induzida por proteinúria. Hepcidina/Cr na urina pode refletir danos em túbulos proximais no RDM. O valor de NGAL/Cr urinário pode ser um preditor de danos nos túbulos por proteinúria.

Clinical Characteristics and Prognostic Significance of BCOR/BCORL1 Gene Mutation in Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic significance of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients with BCOR/BCORL1 mutation.@*METHODS@#The clinical characteristics of 135 patients diagnosed as de novo MDS in People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from September 2015 to September 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Next-generation sequencing was used to detect 34 kinds of myeloid-tumor-related gene in MDS patients. The clinical characteristics of BCOR/BCORL1 mutation and its effect to progression-free survival(PSF) and overall survival (OS) in MDS patients were analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among MDS patients, BCOR/BCORL1 mutation was found in 34(25.2%) patients, including 16(11.9%) BCOR mutation and 18(13.3%) BCORL1 mutation. Patients with BCOR/BCORL1 mutation were more common in women and showed lower neutrophil count ［0.75(0.08-22.20) vs 1.27(0.06-35.71)×10@*CONCLUSION@#BCOR/BCORL1 mutation is more common in MDS patients and often company with other genes co-mutations. BCOR/BCORL1 mutation is not associated with disease progression and AML transformation in MDS patients, but it predicts poor overall survival.

Mining Polo-Box domain of Polo-like kinase 1 as a new therapeutic target for cancer / 生物工程学报

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) is widely regarded as one of the most promising targets for cancer therapy due to its essential role in cell division and tumor cell survival. At present, most Plk1 inhibitors have been developed based on kinase domain, some of which are in clinical trial. However, inhibitors targeting kinase domain face off-target effect and drug resistance owing to the conserved nature and the frequent mutations in the ATP-binding pocket. In addition to a highly conserved kinase domain, Plk1 also contains a unique Polo-Box domain (PBD), which is essential for Plk1's subcellular localization and mitotic functions. Inhibitors targeting Plk1 PBD show stronger selectivity and less drug resistance for cancer therapy. Therefore, Plk1 PBD is an attractive target for the development of anti-cancer agents. In this review, we will summarize the up-to date drug discovery for targeting Plk1 PBD, including the molecular structure and cellular functions of Plk1 PBD. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting Plk1 PBD not only provide an opportunity to specifically inhibit Plk1 activity for cancer treatment, but also unveil novel biological basis regarding the molecular recognition of Plk1 and its substrates.

miR-660-5p promotes breast cancer progression through down-regulating TET2 and activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling

Breast cancer (BC) is a commonly diagnosed cancer in females. MicroRNA-660-5p (miR-660-5p) has been reported to be involved in the occurrence and development of BC. However, the regulatory network of miR-660-5p in BC has not been fully addressed. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the enrichment of miR-660-5p and tet-eleven translocation 2 (TET2) in BC tissues and cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), flow cytometry, and transwell migration and invasion assays were used to measure cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The target relationship between miR-660-5p and TET2 was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay. Protein expression was measured by western blot. The expression of miR-660-5p was elevated in BC, and high expression of miR-660-5p was closely related to lymph node metastasis, advanced TNM stage, and vascular invasion of BC tumors. miR-660-5p silencing inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis, but induced apoptosis of BC cells. TET2 was identified as a direct target of miR-660-5p, and the interference of TET2 partly reversed the suppressive effects of miR-660-5p silencing on the malignant potential of BC cells. miR-660-5p promoted BC progression partly through modulating TET2 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. miR-660-5p/TET2 axis might be a promising target for BC treatment.

Impact of kras mutations in clinical features in colorectal cancer / Impacto das mutações kras e características clínicas em câncer colorretal

ABSTRACT Background: KRAS mutations are important events in colorectal carcinogenesis, as well as negative predictors of response to EGFR inhibitors treatment. Aim: To investigate the association of clinical-pathological features with KRAS mutations in colorectal cancer patients treated. Methods: Data from 69 patients with colorectal cancer either metastatic at diagnosis or later, were retrospectively analyzed. The direct sequencing and pyrosequencing techniques were related to KRAS exon 2. The mutation diagnosis and its type were determined. Results: KRAS mutation was identified in 43.4% of patients. The most common was c.35G>T (p.G12V), c.35G>A (p.G12D) and c.38G>A (p.G13D). No correlation was found between KRAS mutation and age (p=0.646) or gender (p=0.815). However, mutated group had higher CEA levels at admission (p=0.048) and codon 13 mutation was associated with involvement of more than one metastatic site in disease progression (p=0.029). Although there was no association between primary tumor site and mutation diagnosis (p=0.568), primary colon was associated with worse overall survival (p=0.009). Conclusion: The KRAS mutation was identified in almost half of patients. Mutated KRAS group had higher levels of CEA at admission and the mutation at codon 13 was associated with involvement of more than one metastatic site in the course of the disease. Colon disease was associated with the worst overall survival.

RESUMO Racional: Mutações KRAS são eventos importantes na carcinogênese colorretal como preditores negativos de resposta ao tratamento. Objetivo: Investigar a associação de características clinicopatológicas com mutações no KRAS em pacientes com câncer colorretal tratados. Métodos: Sessenta e nove pacientes com câncer colorretal metastáticos ao diagnóstico ou posteriormente foram analisados. As técnicas de sequenciamento direto e pirosequenciamento foram relacionadas ao éxon 2 do KRAS e o diagnóstico da mutação e seu tipo foram determinados. Resultados: A mutação KRAS foi identificada em 43,4% dos pacientes, c.35G>T (p.G12V), c.35G>A (p.G12D) e c.38G>A (p.G13D). Não foi encontrada correlação entre a mutação KRAS e a idade (p=0,646) ou o gênero (p=0,815). No entanto, o grupo mutado apresentou níveis mais altos de CEA na admissão (p=0,048). A mutação do códon 13 foi associada ao envolvimento de mais de um local metastático na progressão da doença (p=0,029); não houve associação entre o local primário do tumor e o diagnóstico de mutação (p=0,568); a doença primária do cólon foi associada com pior sobrevida global (p=0,009). Conclusão: A mutação KRAS foi identificada em quase metade dos pacientes. O grupo KRAS mutado apresentou níveis mais altos de CEA na admissão e a mutação no códon 13 foi associada ao envolvimento de mais de um local metastático no curso da doença. A doença do cólon foi associada com pior sobrevida global.

Prognostic value of increased expression of RBM8A in gastric cancer

This study was designed to investigate the expression of RBM8A protein in patients with gastric cancer (GC) and to explore its correlation with clinical pathological features as well as prognosis. One hundred pairs of gastric carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues from patients undergoing gastrectomy for GC were included in this study. The protein expression level of RBM8A was determined by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays. We also detected the mRNA expression level of RBM8A in 16 pairs of gastric carcinoma tissues and adjacent tissues. Meanwhile, we predicted the potential correlation between RBM8A and tumor stages as well as survival condition in patents with GC based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The correlation of RBM8A with the clinical pathological features and prognosis of the 100 patients with GC was also elucidated. The expression level of RBM8A was significantly higher in gastric carcinoma tissues compared to the adjacent tissues. The protein level of RBM8A was correlated with tumor size (P=0.031), depth of invasion (P<0.001), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001), TNM stage (<0.001), and distant metastasis (P=0.001). Patients with increased RBM8A expression (P<0.0018, 95%CI=0.322−0.871), higher TNM stage (P<0.001, 95%CI=4.990−11.283), and lymph node metastasis (P<0.001, 95%CI=2.873−4.002) had a lower overall survival. Taken together, our study demonstrated that RBM8A may act as a proto-oncogene, which could be a promising biomarker and therapeutic target in the diagnosis and treatment of GC.

Impact of Taurine on the proliferation and apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma cells and its mechanism / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Cervical cancer has the fourth highest incidence and mortality rate of all cancers in women worldwide; it seriously harms their physical and mental health. The aim of this study was to observe the roles and preliminary mechanism of Taurine (Tau)-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.@*METHODS@#Cells from the human cervical cancer cell line SiHa were transfected with the recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N1-MST1 (mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1); then, the cell proliferation activity was analyzed by the MTT assay, cell apoptosis by flow cytometry, and the related protein levels by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Tau inhibited the proliferation of SiHa cells and induced apoptosis in these cells (the apoptotic rate was 21.95% in the Tau 160 mmol/L group and 30% in the Tau 320 mmol/L group), upregulated the expression of the MST1 (control, 0.53; Tau 40-320 mmol/L groups, 0.84-1.45) and Bax (control, 0.45; Tau 40-320 mmol/L groups, 0.64-1.51) proteins (P < 0.01), and downregulated the expression of Bcl-2 (control, 1.28, Tau 40-320 mmol/L groups, 0.93-0.47) (P < 0.01). The overexpression of MST1 promoted the apoptosis of SiHa cells, enhanced the apoptosis-inductive effects of Tau (P < 0.01), upregulated the expression of the proapoptotic proteins p73, p53, PUMA (p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis), and caspase-3, and promoted the phosphorylation of YAP (Yes-associated protein).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Tau inhibited the proliferation and induced the apoptosis of cervical cancer SiHa cells. The MST1 protein plays an important role in the Tau-induced apoptosis of cervical cancer cells.

miR-593 inhibits proliferation of colon cancer cells by down-regulating PLK1 / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the role of miR-593 in regulating the proliferation of colon cancer cells and the molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#Bioinformatics analysis identified PLK1 as the possible target gene of miR-593. Luciferase assay was employed to verify the binding between miR-593 and PLK1, and qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to verify that PLK1 was the direct target gene of miR-593. CCK-8 assay was performed to test the hypothesis that miR-593 inhibited the proliferation of colon cancer cells by targeting PLK1.@*RESULTS@#Luciferase assay identified the specific site of miR-593 binding with PLK1. Western blotting showed a significantly decreased expression of PLK1 in the colon cancer cells transfected with miR-593 mimics and an increased PLK1 expression in the cells transfected with the miR-593 inhibitor as compared with the control cells ( < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed no significant differences in the expression levels of PLK1 among the cells with different treatments ( > 0.05). The cell proliferation assay showed opposite effects of miR-593 and PLK1 on the proliferation of colon cancer cells, and the effect of co-transfection with miR-593 mimic and a PLK1-overexpressing plasmid on the cell proliferation was between those in PLK1 over-expressing group and miR-593 mimic group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#miR-593 inhibits the proliferation of colon cancer cells by down-regulating PLK1 and plays the role as a tumor suppressor in colon cancer.