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Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is relatively rare worldwide but exhibits a higher prevalence in specific geographic regions, particularly Southeast Asia and the North-Eastern states of India. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of a decade抯 worth of data involving 117 patients with NPC at the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, India. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 117 newly diagnosed NPC patients spanning from 2012 to 2022. Key demographic parameters such as age, gender, presenting symptoms, and disease stage were meticulously documented. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival curves. Results: Our analysis encompassed 117 patients. The median age at presentation was 54 years. Undifferentiated carcinoma emerged as the predominant histological subtype. Notably, patients with type 1 keratinizing carcinoma, cranial nerve involvement, and advanced disease stages exhibited significantly poorer overall survival outcomes. Conclusions: This retrospective analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in the North-Eastern region of India highlights the critical significance of implementing early detection and intervention strategies for NPC in this specific geographical area, with the potential to improve patient outcomes.
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Radiomics is a rapidly developing field,which can transform the black and white gray-scale information of traditional CT,MR1,positron emission tomography(PET),and other images into quantitative radiomics features,obtain rich deep features of lesions,and provide more valuable information for clinical diag-nosis and treatment.Radiomics capture these time-varying lesion characteristics in continuous imaging,and then discover markers and patterns of disease evolution,progression and treatment response,which are used to solve clinical problems.Image data are mineable,and in large enough data sets,they can be used to complete advancements from the individual level to the molecular/digital level.Although the development of radiomics is still in its infancy,there have been many studies on its application in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.This article reviews the application of radiomics in the precise diagnosis,treatment efficacy and prognosis prediction,and differential diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma,in order to provide a basis for clinical precise diagnosis and individualized treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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OBJECTIVE To investigate the prognostic value of pre-treatment serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)levels in patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)treated with salvage intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)and to determine its association with rT staging.METHODS The records of 97 patients with locally relapsed and non-metastatic NPC who received salvage IMRT treatment in our center from January 2018 to April 2022 were collected,including 51 patients who died,18 patients with distant metastases,30 patients with local failure,and 67 patients with prognostic adverse events(death,distant tumors/local metastases).Clinical data,local failure-free survival(LFFS),distant metastasis-free survival(DMFS)and overall survival(OS)were obtained from all patients,and the relationship between LDH and the prognosis of salvage IMRT therapy in NPC patients was analyzed.RESULTS The serum LDH level before salvage IMRT was significantly higher in the death[221.25(178.24,339.13)U/L vs.124.82(79.0,159.50)U/L,Z=-5.122],local failure[230.75(170.89,394.50)U/L vs.157.85(91.78,216.95)U/L,Z=-3.442],distant metastasis[261.62(153.55,465.50)U/L vs.168.98(101.75,237.75)U/L,Z=-2.478]and poor prognosis group[220.05(167.20,506.16)U/L vs.93.45(69.95,154.35)U/L,Z=-6.018],and all P<0.05.Serum LDH levels were divided into dichotomous variables according to median values(≥177.50 U/L vs.<177.50 U/L),the Cox univariate model found that the hazard ratios of LDH affecting LFFS,DMFS,OS and toxic-related death(TRD)were 3.759(1.660-8.558),4.217(1.383-12.861),3.226(1.715-6.069),3.363(1.750-6.463),P<0.05.LDH remained an independent prognostic factor for LFFS,DMFS,OS,and TRD in multivariate regression analysis(P<0.05).Compared with patients with LDH<177.50 U/L,more patients in the LDH≥177.50 U/L group had local progression-related death,and the no LFFS stage,no DMFS stage and OS were shorter in the LDH≥177.50 U/L group(log rank=11.624,7.559,14.758),P<0.05.In predicting overall survival,adding LDH to the rT stage is preferable to the rT stage alone.CONCLUSION LDH is an important factor in predicting LFFS,DMFS,OS,and TRD after saving IMRT in patients with locally relapsed,non-metastatic NPC,and the value of LDH combined with rT staging in predicting overall survival is high.
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OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nituzumab in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Guangxi,Yunnan and Guizhou.METHODS A total of 80 patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were pathologically confirmed and admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Ethnomedicine from July 2021 to July 2022 from ethnic minority areas near the border of Guangxi,Yunnan and Guizhou were selected as the subjects of this study.They were randomly divided into control group(standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy)and observation group(combined treatment with nituzumab on the basis of control group),with 40 cases in each group.The levels of tumor markers,oxidative stress indicators,adverse reactions,complications,and recent clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared.RESULTS After treatment,the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),cytokeratin 19 fragment antigen21-1(CYFRA21-1),squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen(SCCAg)and serum ferritin(SF)were significantly decreased in both groups,while nitric oxide(NO)and malondialdehyde(MDA)were significantly increased.The levels of SCCAg,SF,CYFRA21-1,NO and MDA in observation group were lower than those in control group,and the level of SOD was higher than those in control group(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the objective response rate(ORR)in the observation group was increased(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nituzumab can effectively improve the short-term survival rate and clinical efficacy of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma,regulate tumor markers and oxidative stress levels,and alleviate the disease.
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OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of SAMC on the killing function of CD8+T cells against nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and its mechanism.METHODS HK-1 and C666-1 are divided into 0,25,50,and 100 mol/L SAMC group,Western blot was used to detcet PD-L1 expression in tumor cells.CD8+T cells were co-cultured with HK-1 and C666-1 cells in a ratio of 10∶1,and 0,25,50,and 100 μmol/L SAMC were added and detect the killing ability of CD8+T on HK-1 and C666-1.ELISA was used to detect INF-γ and TNF-α concentration.Construct a subcutaneous transplant tumor model of nasopharyngeal HK-1 cells,and divide it into a control group,CD8+T cell group,SAMC group,and SAMC+CD8+T cell group.The tumor volume was measured during treatment in each group of mice.Western blot was used to detect the expression of PD-L1 in the tumor tissue,ELISA was used to detect INF-γ and TNF-α concentration of mouse serum.RESULTS Compared to 0 μmol/L SAMC group,the expression of PD-L1 in 25,50,100μmol/L SAMC group were significantly downregulated(P<0.05).Compared to 0 μmol/L SAMC+CD8+T group,the INF-γ and TNF-α concentration were significantly increased in 25,50,100 μmol/L SAMC+CD8+T group,the lysis rates of HK-1 and C666-1 cells were significantly increased.Compared with the control group,the tumor volume and weight in the CD8+T cell group and SAMC+CD8+T cell group were significantly reduced(P<0.05),the concentration of INF-γ and TNF-α were significantly increased.Compared with the CD8+T cell group,the tumor volume and weight in the SAMC+CD8+T cell group mice significantly decreased(P<0.05),while the serum INF-γ and TNF-α concentration significantly increased(P<0.05),and the expression of PDL-1 in tumor tissue was significantly downregulated(P<0.01).CONCLUSION SAMC can promote the killing function of CD8+T cells by inhibiting the expression of PD-L1 in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.
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Objective To investigate the expression of N6 methyladenine(m6A)demethylase human fat mass and obesity-associated(FTO)protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC),and the effect of over-expression of FTO on the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in vitro and in vivo.Methods Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression of FTO protein in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and para-cancerous tissues;The dominant expression cell line of FTO was screened,the over-expression FTO cell line was constructed.The cell pro-liferation was examined by soft-agar method.A mouse tumor model was developed for measurement of tumor growth.ResultsThe expression of FTO in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues was lower than that in adjacent tissues.Low ex-pression of FTO promoted proliferation of NPC cells,while over-expression of FTO reversed this effect.Conclusions FTO inhibits proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and this result may provide an experimental technology in searching therapeutic targets of chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Objective To discuss the methods,efficacy,and safety of endovascular treatment for ruptured pseudoaneurysm hemorrhage of internal carotid artery(ICA)after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Methods The clinical data of 21 patients with ruptured pseudoaneurysm hemorrhage of ICA after radiotherapy for NPC,who were admitted to the Affiliated Union Hospital,Fujian Medical University of China,were retrospectively analyzed.The patient's surgical strategies were analyzed,the therapeutic results and the clinical and imaging follow-up results were summarized.Of the 21 patients,covered stent implantation was carried out in 8,stent-assisted coil embolization was employed in 6,and direct occlusion of parent artery was adopted in 7.Results Successful endovascular treatment was accomplished in all the 21 patients.Excellent hemostatic effect was obtained immediately after surgery.Aneurysm neck residue was observed in 2 patients,and aneurysm body residue was seen in one patients.Postoperative bleeding recurred in 5 patients,in 4 of them the bleeding stopped after once more occlusion of the parent artery,and one patient developed internal leakage after covered stent implantation and the bleeding stopped after balloon dilation,and this patient died of unknown cause one month later.One patient developed coma after covered stent implantation,CT scan demonstrated subarachnoid hemorrhage and brain swelling,and this patient showed no improvement after treatment and was self-discharged from hospital.ICA occlusion was seen in 3 patients during follow-up period,and 2 patients did not receive a postoperative follow-up visit.In the 19 patients who were followed up,the mRS score was 0 point(n=9),1 point(n=6),2 points(n=2),5 points(n=1),and 6 points(n=1).Conclusion For the ruptured pseudoaneurysm hemorrhage of ICA after radiotherapy for NPC,endovascular treatment is highly safe with reliable efficacy.The covered stent implantation carries good short-term efficacy,but there are also problems such as aneurysm recurrence,internal endoleak,etc.The direct occlusion of parent artery may have more reliable long-term efficacy.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:304-308)
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Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of a 3D U-Net in conjunction with a three-phase CT image segmentation model in the automatic segmentation of GTVnx and GTVnd in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:A total of 645 sets of computed tomography (CT) images were retrospectively collected from 215 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cases, including three phases: plain scan (CT), contrast-enhanced CT (CTC), and delayed CT (CTD). The dataset was grouped into a training set consisting of 172 cases and a test set comprising 43 cases using the random number table method. Meanwhile, six experimental groups, A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, and B2, were established. Among them, the former four groups used only CT, only CTC, only CTD, and all three phases, respectively. The B1 and B2 groups used phase fine-tuning CTC models. The Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and 95% Hausdorff distance (HD95) served as quantitative evaluation indicators.Results:Compared to only monophasic CT (group A1/A2/A3), triphasic CT (group A4) yielded better result in the automatic segmentation of GTVnd (DSC: 0.67 vs. 0.61, 0.64, 0.64; t = 7.48, 3.27, 4.84, P < 0.01; HD95: 36.45 vs. 79.23, 59.55, 65.17; t = 5.24, 2.99, 3.89, P < 0.01), with statistically significant differences ( P < 0.01). However, triphasic CT (group A4) showed no significant enhancement in the automatic segmentation of GTVnx compared to monophasic CT (group A1/A2/A3) (DSC: 0.73 vs. 0.74, 0.74, 0.73; HD95: 14.17 mm vs. 8.06, 8.11, 8.10 mm), with no statistically significant difference ( P > 0.05). For the automatic segmentation of GTVnd, group B1/B2 showed higher automatic segmentation accuracy compared to group A1 (DSC: 0.63, 0.63 vs. 0.61, t = 4.10, 3.03, P<0.01; HD95: 58.11, 50.31 mm vs. 79.23 mm, t = 2.75, 3.10, P < 0.01). Conclusions:Triphasic CT scanning can improve the automatic segmentation of the GTVnd in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Additionally, phase fine-tuning models can enhance the automatic segmentation accuracy of the GTVnd on plain CT images.
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Objective:To effectively quantify and evaluate the quality of different deformation registration algorithms, in order to enhance the possibility of implementing deformation registration in clinical practice.Methods:The Jacobian determinant mean (JDM) is proposed based on the Jacobian determinant (JD) of displacement vector field (DVF), and the Jacobian determinant error (DJDE) is introduced by incorporating the JD of the inverse DVF. The optical flow method (OF-DIR) and fast demons method with elastic regularization (FD-DIR) were tested on nasopharyngeal and lung cancer datasets. Finally, JDM and DJDE with the Jacobian determinant negative percentage (JDNP), inverse consistency error (ICE) and normalized mean square error (NMSE) were used to evaluate the registration algorithms and compare the differences evaluation indicators in different tumor images and different algorithms, and the receiver operating curve (ROC) was analyzed in evaluation.Results:In lung cancer, OF-DIR outperformed FD-DIR in terms of JDM, NMSE, DJDE and ICE, and the difference was statistically significant( z = -2.24, -4.84, t = 4.01, 6.54, P<0.05). In nasopharyngeal carcinoma, DJDE, ICE and NMSE of OF-DIR were superior to FD-DIR, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 4.46, -7.49, z = -2.22, P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in JDM ( P>0.05). In lung cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, JDNP of OF-DIR was worse than that of FD-DIR, and the difference was statistically significant ( z = -4.29, -4.02, P<0.01). In addition, DJDE is more specific and sensitive on ROC curve (AUC=0.77), and has different performance result for tumor images at different sites. Conclusions:The JDM and DJDE evaluation metrics proposed are effective for deformation registration algorithms. OF-DIR is suitable for both lung cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, while the influence of organ motion on the registration effect should be considered when using FD-DIR.
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Objective:To assess the application value of low-dose contrast agent combined with bolus tracking technique in radiotherapy localization for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods:One hundred patients with NPC for radiotherapy localization were enrolled prospectively and randomly divided into observation ( n = 50) and control ( n = 50) group using random number table. All patients in the control group underwent routine computerized tomography (CT) for radiotherapy localization with an intravenous bolus of 80 ml iodinated contrast media. Images were obtained at a fixed delay of 50 s from the beginning of contrast injection. Patients in the observation group underwent CT scan using a bolus tracking technique with an intravenous bolus of 50-60 ml iodinated contrast media. By observing the time-CT value monitoring curve, the scanning was manually triggered when the peak fell. The score of image quality, enhanced CT value, iodine contrast dose, and dose calculation variance of planning target volume were compared between the two different dose groups. The differences of dose were compared using independent sample t-tests and the differences in graph scores were compared using Wilcoxon rank sum tests. Results:The dosage of iodine contrast agent in the observation group was 28.75% less than that in the control group, and the difference achieved statistical significance ( t=-42.11, P<0.001). The enhanced CT value of carotid artery and jugular vein in the control group increased 32.58% and 21.02% compared with patients in the observation group, respectively ( t=-8.11 and -4.82, P<0.001 for both). No statistically significant differences in the enhanced CT value were found for the gross tumor volume (GTV) of nasopharynx or sternocleidomastoid between the two groups ( P>0.05). The images in both groups can met the requirements of target volume delineation, and the difference of subjective score was not statistically significant ( Z=-1.36, P=0.175). There were no significant differences in the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of nasopharynx between the two groups ( P>0.05). The results of subjective score and GTV target area showed high consistency between the two doctors with a κ value of 0.77. The differences in dose calculation variance of planning target volume between the two different dose groups was also not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the radiotherapy localization for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, the application of low-dose contrast agent combined with bolus tracking technique could obtain good images for target delineation and effectively reduce the intake of iodine contrast agent and the risk of adverse reactions. Based on these results, low-dose contrast agent combined with bolus tracking technique has wide range of application.
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Objective:To investigate the efficacy and side effects of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without nimotuzumab in the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:In the prospective study, 100 patients with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳa locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (except T 3N 0M 0 stage) who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the experimental and control groups using the random number table method. Patients in both groups were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy using TPF (paclitaxel liposome, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil) regimen for 2 cycles. At 2 weeks after chemotherapy, concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus nimotuzumab targeted therapy was given in the experimental group, and concurrent chemoradiotherapy was delivered in the control group. The main observation index was the distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) rate. Log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used. Results:The objective remission rate and complete remission rate in the experimental and control groups were 100% vs. 98% ( P=1.000) and 92.0% vs. 80% ( P=0.084). The 3-year DMFS in the experimental and control groups were 91.4 % vs. 76.1 % ( P=0.043). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and overall survival (OS) in two groups were 87.3 % vs. 74.1 % ( P=0.097), 94.5 % vs. 85.6 % ( P=0.227) and 90.5% vs. 85.2% ( P=0.444). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with age<60 years ( HR=0.34, 95% CI=0.12-0.94, P=0.037), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)≤4 ( HR=0.34, 95% CI=0.13-0.89, P=0.028) received concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus nimotuzumab obtained better PFS. Multivariate analysis showed that NLR was an independent risk factor for disease progression ( HR=5.94, 95% CI=1.18-29.81, P=0.030) and distant metastasis ( HR=13.76, 95% CI=1.52-124.36, P=0.020). Conclusions:Compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone, concurrent chemoradiotherapy combined with nimotuzumab after neoadjuvant chemotherapy can significantly increase DMFS rate for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The incidence of side effects is similar in two groups. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus nimotuzumab after neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be a preferred treatment strategy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
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Objective:To screen and verify the key radioresistance genes regulated by m6A methylation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) based on the chip data and cell experiments.Methods:The microarray data of NPC radioresistance genes, m6A regulated genes and mRNA expression profiles of NPC genes were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differential genes were screened and statistically analyzed by R software. The biological processes, signal pathways and interaction networks of these genes were analyzed by bioinformatics. The m6A regulatory factors were knocked down and the radioresistant strains were constructed. The above m6A differential radioresistant genes of NPC were screened and verified by real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The m6A modification of screened genes and their direct binding ability with methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) were verified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation qPCR (MeRIP-qPCR). The siRNA of selected genes was transfected into NPC cells, and after treatment with ionizing radiation, cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay and EdU, apoptosis and cell cycle were detected by flow cytometry, and radiosensitivity was detected by clone formation assay. The trend of differences in the abundance of Fe 2+ and lipid peroxidation between the control and EGLN3 knockdown groups after ionizing radiation treatment was compared by paired t-test. Results:Chip data GSE48501 intersected with GSE200792 and GSE53819 to obtain 6 differential genes, including EGLN3, FOSL2, ADM, JUN, VEGFA and PRDM1. The target genes of EGLN3 and FOSL2 were further screened by TNMplot and KMplot, etc. The mRNA of the target genes directly bound to METTL3 and were subjected to its mediated modification of m6A. The target genes were up-regulated in the parental cells after irradiation in a dose and time gradient manner, which were also significantly up-regulated in radioresistant cells. After EGLN3 and FOSL2 were down regulated, the proliferation activity of NPC cells was more significantly decreased after irradiation, and the radiosensitization ratio was statistically significant compared with that of NPC cells without EGLN3 and FOSL2 down-regulation. After irradiation, EGLN3 down-regulated NPC cells significantly down-regulated glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression, increased the abundance of Fe 2+ and lipid peroxidation, which played a role in radiosensitization by inducing ferroptosis. Conclusions:EGLN3 and FOSL2 play a role in radioresistance in NPC through METTL3 mediated m6A methylation. Down-regulation of EGLN3 combined with ionizing radiation can increase the intracellular Fe 2+ abundance and lipid peroxidation and down-reuglate the expression of GPX4 in NPC cells, which can enhance radiosensitization for NPC radiotherapy by the ferroptosis pathway.
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Objective:To investigate the necessity of adaptive re-planning during radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its impact on dose improvement.Methods:Clinical data of 89 NPC patients admitted to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from July 2014 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received 25+7 rounds of adaptive re-planning during radiotherapy. Plan-A was defined as the initial CT scan-based 25-fraction radiotherapy plan, while plan-B was defined as the re-planned 7-fraction radiotherapy plan based on a subsequent CT scan. The changes in the target and parotid gland volumes were compared between plan-A and plan-B. Plan-I was a one-time simulation of plan-A extended to 32 fraction radiotherapy plan, and plan-II was generated through registration and fusion of the plan-A and plan-B for adaptive re-planning. The differences in dose metrics, homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI), and dose to organs at risk (OAR) were compared between plan-I and plan-II. Statistical analysis was performed by using paired t-test. Results:Compared with plan-A, the gross tumor volume of massive bleeding lesions (GTV nx) and parotid gland volume of plan-B were decreased by 13.14% and 11.12%, respectively (both P<0.001). While planning clinical target volume of metastatic lymph nodes (PCTV nd) of plan-B was increased by 7.75%( P<0.001). There were significant changes in the lymph nodes of plan-A and plan-B. The D mean, D 5%, D 95% of massive bleeding lesions planning target volume (PTV nx) and D 5% of high risk planning target volume (PTV1) in plan-II were all significantly higher than those in plan-I (all P<0.05). The CI of PTV nx and PTV1 in plan-II was closer to 1 than that in plan-I. In all assessed OAR, the D mean, D 50%, and D max of plan-II were significantly lower than those of plan-I (all P<0.05). Conclusions:During radiotherapy, NPC patients may experience varying degrees of primary tumor shrinkage, parotid gland atrophy, and lymph node changes. It is necessary to deliver re-planning and significantly improve the dose of target areas and OAR.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of estrogen-related receptor α (ESRRA)-mediated lipophagy on the proliferation and migration abilities of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.Methods:A total of 16 clinical samples diagnosed by pathology in the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from 2021 to 2023 were selected, including 8 normal nasopharyngeal mucosa tissues and 8 nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues. Immortalized normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP69 and nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines C666-1, CNE2, TW03-EBV and TW03 were selected. The cell lines C666-1 and CNE2 were divided into the siR-NC group (transfected with small interfering RNA negative control sequence) and siR-ESRRA group (transfected with small interfering RNA against ESRRA gene). The relative expression levels of ESRRA were detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemical assay. EdU assay was used to detect the proliferation ability of C666-1 and CNE2 cells, and Transwell assay was used to detect the migration ability. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the relative expression levels of ESRRA and perilipin 3 (PLIN3) mRNA. The formation of lipophagy in C666-1 and CNE2 cells was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The co-localization of LC3, PLIN3 and LAMP2 with lipid droplets labeling with Bodipy was detected by immunofluorescence assay. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between ESRRA and PLIN3.Results:The relative expression level of ESRRA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues was higher than that in normal nasopharyngeal mucosa tissues(1.15±0.75 vs. 0.32±0.21, t = 3.02, P = 0.009). The relative expression level of ESRRA in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines C666-1 (1.539±0.044), CNE2 (1.420±0.030), TW03-EBV (2.867±0.044), and TW03 (1.323±0.022) were higher than that in normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell line NP69 (0.094±0.002), and the difference was statistically significant ( F = 34.08, P < 0.001).The results of EdU assay showed that the proportions of EdU labeled positive cells in CNE2 cells of siR-NC group and siR-ESRRA group were (70.44±4.06)% and (51.51±0.92)% ( t = 7.88, P = 0.001), and the proportions in C666-1 cells were (62.25±3.89)% and (54.91±0.27)% ( t = 3.26, P = 0.031). The results of Transwell assay showed that the number of migrating cells in CNE2 and C666-1 cells was less than that in siR-NC group [CNE2 cells: (181±7) cells vs. (261±21) cells; C666-1 cells: (201±16) cells vs. (256±7) cells], and the differences were statistically significant ( t = 6.30, P = 0.003; t = 5.43, P = 0.006). According to qRT-PCR results, the relative expression level of PLIN3 mRNA in the siR-ESRRA group was higher than that in the siR-NC group (CNE2 cells: 1.58±0.16 vs. 0.83±0.17, t = 5.59, P = 0.005; C666-1 cells: 1.37±0.12 vs. 1.06±0.06, t = 3.86, P = 0.018). The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results indicated a targeted binding interaction between PLIN3 and ESRRA. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed that the lipid droplets in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells increased and the binding to autophagosomes decreased after knockdown of ESRRA. The results of immunofluorescence assay demonstrated that, in contrast to the siR-NC group, there was a decrease in the co-localization of LC3 and LAMP2 and an increase in the co-localization of lipid droplets with PLIN3. Conclusions:ESRRA is highly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and cells. As a transcription repressor, ESRRA may work to prevent PLIN3 from being transcribed, decrease lipid droplet stability, mediate lipophagy, and promote proliferation and migration of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.
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Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Yinlian Gargle in the treatment of acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis after nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy.Methods Thirty-two patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma,who had received first radiation,were randomly split into two groups:the trial group(19 cases)and the control group(13 cases).After all groups were treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy,the control group was given rinse treatment with saline whereas the trial group was given Yinlian Gargle.The incidence of severe acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis,the duration and intensity of oropharyngeal discomfort and pain(NRS score),quality of life(QOL-NPC score),duration and intensity of radiation-induced side effects(SE-QOL-NPC score)and symptoms of dry mouth(SE1 score)were monitored before and after intervention in two groups.Results The incidence of grade Ⅲ or above radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis until the sixth week of radiotherapy in the trial group was considerably lower than that in the control group(P＜0.001),while the incidence of grade I or above radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis at 1 month after radiotherapy in the trial group was obviously lower than that in the control group(P＜0.001).The NRS score of pharyngeal discomfort of the trial group was lower than that of the control group starting from the second week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).The NRS score of oral and oropharyngeal pain was lower than that of the control group starting from the fourth week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).The SE1 score of the trial group was higher than that of the control group starting from the fifth week of radiotherapy(P＜0.05).After one month of the completion of the radiotherapy,the NRS score of pharyngeal discomfort and the NRS score of oral and oropharyngeal pain in the trial group were lower than those of the control group(P＜0.001).The QOL-NPC score,SE-QOL-NPC score,and SE1 score were all higher than those in the control group(P = 0.05 or P＜0.05).Conclusion Patients with nasopharyngeal cancer can greatly reduce their risk of developing severe acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis,effectively delay and relieve related symptoms,and enhance quality of life by consistently using Yinlian Gargle during radiotherapy.Additionally,a month after the completion of radiotherapy,it still has positive therapeutic effects on acute radiation-induced oropharyngeal mucositis.
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Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a kind of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) with covalent closed-loop structure. They have attracted more and more attention because of their high stability, evolutionary conservatism, and tissue expression specificity. It has shown that circRNAs are involved in the development of a variety of diseases including malignant tumors recently. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor that occurs in the nasopharynx and has a unique ethnic and geographical distribution in South China and Southeast Asia. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is closely related to the development of NPC. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the mainstays of treatment for NPC. But tumor recurrence or distant metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with NPC. Several studies have shown that circRNAs, as gene expression regulators, play an important role in NPC and affect the progression of NPC. This review mainly summarized the research status of abnormally expressed circRNAs in NPC and EBV-encoded circRNAs. We also discussed the possibility of circRNAs as a therapeutic target, diagnostic and prognostic marker for NPC.
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AIM:To investigate the role of ClC-3 chloride channel in the promotion of radio sensitization of na-sopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells by dihydroartemisinin(DHA).METHODS:MTT was used to detect the inhibito-ry effect of DHA on the viability of CNE-2Z cells and normal nasopharyngeal epithelial NP69-SV40T cells,the radio sensi-tization effect of DHA on CNE-2Z cells was detected by cloning assay,the expression of ClC-3 protein was detected by Western blot,the expression of ClC-3 protein was down-regulated by siRNA technology,and the chlorine current of cells was recorded by whole cell patch-clamp technology.RESULTS:(1)Compared with NP69-SV40T cells,DHA selective-ly inhibited the proliferation of CNE-2Z cells,with IC10 values of(13.020±4.831)μmol/L and(5.244±1.050)μmol/L,respectively(P＜0.01).(2)The results of clonal formation experiments showed that DHA had a radio sensitizing effect on CNE-2Z cells,with a radio sensitization ratio of 1.9.(3)DHA could activate the chlorine channel of CNE-2Z cells and produce an outward chlorine current,but had no effect on the chlorine channel of NP69-SV40T cells.(4)DHA promoted the expression of ClC-3 chloric channel protein in CNE-2Z cells(P＜0.01).(5)Chlorine channel blocker NPPB could in-hibit the radio sensitizing effect of DHA on CNE-2Z cells by 1.84 times,and also inhibited the chlorine current activated by DHA.(6)the down-regulation of CNE-2Z ClC-3 protein could inhibit the radio sensitization effect of DHA on CNE-2Z cells by 4.19 times,and the activation of chlorine current by DHA on CNE-2Z cells was no longer produced.CONCLU-SION:DHA has a radio sensitizing effect on nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells,which is likely to be related to the activation of ClC-3 chloride channel.
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Objective To identify the exact locations of the brain being irradiated in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)patients during radiotherapy,and to analyze the differences in brain dose distribution between advanced NPC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)and volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT).Methods Based on the CT brain template provided by the Montreal Neurological Institute,the brain dose distribution was analyzed with voxel-based method.Results For advanced NPC patients,VMAT plans did not demonstrate superiority in normal brain tissue sparing,while IMRT performed better,with advantages observed in regions such as the brainstem,the posterior lobe of the cerebellum,the anterior lobe of the cerebellum,temporal lobes,occipital lobes,limbic lobes,and certain areas of the subcortical regions.Conclusion IMRT is advantageous over VMAT in protecting the normal brain tissues in advanced NPC patients.
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Objective To explore the effects of image registration using various regions of interest(ROI)on the setup error for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)patients who were immobilized individually.Methods Forty-three NPC patients who required radiotherapy were enrolled.The patients were immobilized with customized plastic foam and thermoplastic mask,and CBCT verification was performed once a week.In CBCT images,ROI was divided into the whole ROI(ROIPTV)and 7 local ROI containing different cervical structures(ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3,ROIneck4,ROIneck5,ROIneck6,and ROIneck7),which were then used for registrations with localized CT image.The setup errors in superior-inferior(SI),left-right(LR),anterior-posterior(AP),Pitch,Roll,and Yaw directions were recorded.Results In SI direction,the setup errors within 0.3 cm accounted for 89.74%for ROIneck7,and more than 90%for the other ROI.The proportion of setup errors within 0.3 cm gradually increased with the neck upward in LR direction,and they were 76.78%,81.70%,85.26%,and above 90%for ROIneck7,ROIneck6,ROIneck5,and the other ROI,respectively.In AP direction,the proportions of setup errors within 0.3 cm were less than 90%,except for ROIatlantoaxial and ROIneck3.The setup errors of ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3,and ROIneck4 were significantly positively correlated with ROIPTV in SI direction,and the correlation coefficients(R)were 0.94,0.95,0.90,and 0.83,respectively.In LR direction,there were positive correlations between the setup errors of ROIatlantoaxial and ROIsphenoid sinus(R=0.95),ROIneck3 and ROIsphenoid sinus(R=0.91),ROIPTV and ROIneck3(R=0.91).The setup errors of ROIPTV in AP direction were positively correlated with ROIatlantoaxial vertebrae and ROIneck3(R=0.88,0.90).The margins of all ROIs ranged from 0.38 cm to 1.01 cm.The extension of ROIneck6 and ROIneck7 in AP direction exceeded 0.9 cm,and the extension of ROIneck7 reached 0.95 cm in SI direction.Conclusion ROIPTV and ROIsphenoid sinus,ROIatlantoaxial,ROIneck3 are significantly correlated in SI,LR,and AP directions.The setup error of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients gradually increases with the neck down.The nasopharyngeal and cervical regions need to be expanded in segments when patients are immobilized individually.
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Objective To assess inter-observer variations(IOV)in the delineation of target volumes and organs-at-risk(OAR)for intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)of nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC)among physicians from different levels of cancer centers,thereby providing a reference for quality control in multi-center clinical trials.Methods Twelve patients with NPC of different TMN stages were randomly selected.Three physicians from the same municipal cancer center manually delineated the target volume(GTVnx)and OAR for each patient.The manually modified and confirmed target volume(GTVnx)and OAR delineation structures by radiotherapy experts from the regional cancer center were used as the standard delineation.The absolute volume difference ratio(△V_diff),maximum/minimum volume ratio(MMR),coefficient of variation(CV),and Dice similarity coefficient(DSC)were used to compare the differences in organ delineation among physicians from different levels of cancer centers and among the 3 physicians from the same municipal cancer center.Furthermore,the IOV of GTVnx and OAR among physicians from different levels cancer centers were compared across different TMN stages.Results Significant differences in the delineation of GTVnx were observed among physicians from different levels of cancer centers.Among the 3 physicians,the maximum values of △V_diff,MMR,and CV were 97.23%±83.45%,2.19±0.75,and 0.31±0.14,respectively,with an average DSC of less than 0.7.Additionally,there were considerable differences in the delineation of small-volume OAR such as the left and right optic nerves,chiasm,and pituitary,with average MMR>2.8,CV>0.37,and DSC<0.51.However,relatively smaller differences were observed in the delineation of large-volume OAR such as the brainstem,spinal cord,left and right eyeballs,and left and right mandible,with average△V_diff<42%,MMR<1.55,and DSC>0.7.Compared with the differences among physicians from different levels cancer centers,the differences among the 3 physicians from the municipal cancer center were slightly reduced.Furthermore,there were also differences in the delineation of target volumes for NPC among physicians from different levels cancer centers,depending on the staging of the disease.Compared with the delineation of target volumes for earlier stage patients(stages I or II),the differences among physicians in the delineation of target volumes for advanced stage patients(stages III or IV)were smaller,with average △V_diff and DSC of 98.31%±67.36%vs 69.38%±72.61%(P<0.05)and 0.55±0.08 vs 0.72±0.12(P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion There are differences in the delineation of GTVnx and OAR in radiation therapy for NPC among physicians from different levels of cancer centers,especially in the delineation of target volume(GTVnx)and small-volume OAR for early-stage patients.To ensure the accuracy of multicenter clinical trials,it is recommended to provide unified training to physicians from different levels of cancer centers and review their delineation results to reduce the effect of differences on treatment outcomes.