M2 subtype tumor associated macrophages (M2-TAMs) infiltration predicts poor response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors treatment for prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is poor response to the immunotherapy for its high heterogeneity of immune microenvironment. In this study, we aim to introduce a new immune subtype for PCa involving M2 tumour associated macrophages (M2-TAMs). METHODS: Three hundred and sixty-two PCa patients and matched normal prostate tissues were selected from the Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. Patients' immune infiltration characters were then analyzed based on the gene expressions. The immune subtypes were identified by the method of unsupervised hierarchical clustering. Finally, the relationship between the M2-TAMs infiltration and anti-programmed death-ligand-1 (PD-L1) therapy was investigated in the IMvigor210 cohort. RESULTS: PCa expressed lower immune-related genes levels compared with the adjacent normal tissues. Based on the proved immunosuppressive mechanisms in PCa, tumour patients were classified into three independent subclasses with high infiltrated cytolytic activity (CYT), M2-TAMs and regulatory T cell (Tregs), respectively. Among these subtypes, M2-TAMs infiltration subtype showed the worst clinicopathological features and prognosis compared with the other two subtypes. The results of the IMvigor210 cohort demonstrated poor response of anti-PD-L1 therapy for patients with high M2-TAMs infiltration. CONCLUSION: Prostate tumours involved in significant immunosuppression, and high infiltration of M2-TAMs can be applied to predict the effect of anti-PD-L1 therapy.Key MessagesPCa patients can be classified into three immunotypes of high infiltrated CYT, M2-TAMS, and Tregs according to the immunosuppressive mechanisms.High M2-TAMs infiltration subtype reflected the worst clinical characters, immune infiltration, and lowest expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors among the three subclasses in PCa.High M2-TAMs infiltration predicts the low response rate of anti-PD-L1 therapy.

Expression of cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 in patients with asthenozoospermia and its clinical significance / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJEVTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of cysteine-rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2) in spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia and explore its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHOS</b>Semen samples were collected from 24 normal volunteers and 24 patients with asthenozoospermia for detecting CRISP2 mRNA and protein expressions using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The correlation of CRISP2 expressions with sperm morphology, progressive motility and fertility prognosis were analyzed in patients with asthenozoospermia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CRISP2 protein expression was obviously lowered in the ejaculated spermatozoa of patients with asthenozoospermia as compared to the normal volunteers, but no significant difference in CRISP2 mRNA expression was found between the two groups. Correlation analysis showed that CRISP2 protein expression was positively correlated with normal sperm morphology (r=0.6182, P=0.0037) and progressive motility (r=0.6309, P=0.0029). Follow-up study of the patients revealed a higher fertility rate in patients with a relatively high CRISP2 protein expression than in those with low CRISP2 protein expression (80.0% vs 20.0%, P=0.0230).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression level of CRISP2 protein is positively correlated with normal sperm morphology and progressive motility. A reduced CRISP2 protein expression indicates poor fertility prognosis of patients with asthenozoospermia, suggesting the potential value of CRISP2 as a novel therapeutic target for treating asthenozoospermia.</p>

Effect of painless urethral catheterization combined with lidocaine on urethral irritation / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of placement of urethral catheter combined with lidocaine on urethral irritation caused by postoperative indwelling catheters.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 120 male surgical patients requiring postoperative indwelling catheters between June 2011 and January 2012 were divided into two equal groups for placement of painless urethral catheter combined with bladder washing with lidocaine on the first postoperative day, or for routine catheter placement only. The symptoms of urethral irritation such as urethral pain, urinary urgency, and perineal discomforts were observed and compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In patients with painless urethral catheter placement combined with bladder washing with lidocaine, 11 developed urethral irritation symptoms, as compared to 24 in the patients with routine catheter placement only, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Placement of painless urethral catheter combined with bladder washing with lidocaine can significantly reduce the incidence of urethral irritation due to postoperative indwelling catheters.</p>