Stromal Score-Based Gene Signature: A Prognostic Prediction Model for Colon Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence has revealed the crucial roles of stromal cells in the microenvironment of various malignant tumors. However, efficient prognostic signatures based on stromal characteristics in colon cancer have not been well-established yet. The present study aimed to construct a stromal score-based multigene prognostic prediction model for colon cancer. METHODS: Stromal scores were calculated based on the expression profiles of a colon cancer cohort from TCGA database applying the ESTIMATE algorithm. Linear models were used to identify differentially expressed genes between low-score and high-score groups by limma R package. Univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression models were used successively to select the prognostic gene signature. Two independent datasets from GEO were used as external validation cohorts. RESULTS: Low stromal score was demonstrated to be a favorable factor to the overall survival of colon cancer patients in TCGA cohort (p = 0.0046). Three hundred and seven stromal score-related differentially expressed genes were identified. Through univariate, LASSO, and multivariate Cox regression analyses, a gene signature consisting of LEP, NOG, and SYT3 was recognized to build a prognostic prediction model. Based on the predictive values estimated by the established integrated model, patients were divided into two groups with significantly different overall survival outcomes (p < 0.0001). Time-dependent Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses suggested the satisfactory predictive efficacy for the 5-year overall survival of the model (AUC value = 0.733). A nomogram with great predictive performance combining the multigene prediction model and clinicopathological factors was developed. The established model was validated in an external cohort (AUC value = 0.728). In another independent cohort, the model was verified to be of significant prognostic value for different subgroups, which was demonstrated to be especially accurate for young patients (AUC value = 0.763). CONCLUSION: The well-established model based on stromal score-related gene signature might serve as a promising tool for the prognostic prediction of colon cancer.

Hsa-mir-1269 genetic variant contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma susceptibility through affecting SOX6.

MiR-1269 is an essential oncogene that plays crucial roles in regulating the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we mainly focused on the polymorphisms (rs73239138) in miR-1069 to explore its potential role in regulation of target genes in liver cancer. We detected increased level of miR-1269 in 80 HCC patients. SOX6 was predicted as a potential target gene of miR-as. Notably, Pearson correlation analysis indicated that patients harbored with miR-1269 wild type (rs73239138, GG genotype), positively correlated with SOX6 expression. Over-expression of miR-1269 with GG genotype promoted cell proliferation comparing with AA genotype, which is acompanied by a decreased level of SOX6. Further dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-1269 with GG genotype have a stronger binding ability with SOX6. SNP rs73239138 in miR-1269 was very likey to be involved in the development of HCC by acting as a protective factor, as the carriers of GA and GG genotype resulted in a smaller tumor size. In conclusion, our results support that SNP rs73239138 in miR-1269 is a protective factor which prevents binding to 3'UTR of SOX6 and there by suppresses tumor growth in HCC.

Linc-POU3F3 promotes cell proliferation in gastric cancer via increasing T-reg distribution.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) have been proved to participate in the oncogenesis or development of gastrointestinal tumors. In this study, we aimed to identify the function of lncRNAs in the differentiation of peripheral blood T cells especially the distribution of regulatory T cells (T-reg) in gastric cancer. The distribution of T-reg was detected by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood T-reg cells were significantly up-regulated in plasma samples of gastric cancer patients. LncRNA microarray detection indicated an aberrant expression profiling of lncRNAs in T-reg cells between gastric cancer patients and controls in which linc-POU3F3 was selected as a potential biomarker with the highest fold change value as well as the most stable expression level in each group. In addition, over-expression of linc-POU3F3 elevated Treg distribution in vitro and promoted tumor cell proliferation in the co-culture system. We further found that linc-POU3F3 could recruit TGF-beta which increased the phosphorylation of SMAD2/3. In conclusion, we found that linc-POU3F3 could promote the distribution of Tregs in peripheral blood T cell which caused an enhanced cell proliferation of gastric cancer cells by recruiting TGF-beta as well as activating TGF-beta signal pathway. This finding may provide a theoretical basis for the further exploration of lncRNAs function in immune cell cells of gastric cancer.

Complete defect closure of gastric submucosal tumors with purse-string sutures.

BACKGROUND: Gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) originating from the muscularis propria layer are treated endoscopically. Successful closure of the wall defect is a critical step. This study evaluated the safety and feasibility of the endoscopic purse-string suture (EPSS) method using an endoloop and several metallic clips after endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) or perforation due to endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). METHODS: From December 2009 to April 2013, 30 patients with SMTs originating from the muscularis propria layer who received EFTR or ESD were retrospectively analyzed. After successful tumor resection, an endoloop was anchored onto the circumferential margin of the gastric defect with several metallic clips and tightened gently. Patient characteristics, tumor size, en bloc resection, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS: For all 30 patients, EPSS was successfully performed after EFTR or perforation due to ESD. The mean diameter of the resected specimen was 1.9 cm. No severe complications occurred during or after the procedure. The lesions were healed 1 month after the procedure, as confirmed endoscopically. CONCLUSION: The EPSS method using an endoloop and clips is an effective and safe technique for closing the gastric defect after EFTR or perforation due to ESD.

[Comparative study of ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in common duct stones].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic value study the technique of ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in common duct stones. METHODS: Three hundreds and eighty-four patients suspected common duct stones from August 2005 to October 2007 were undergone abdominal ultrasonography, MRCP and ERCP. RESULTS: There was stone in common duct in 370 and no stones in 14 of 384 patients. Ultrasonography indicated stones 268 cases, 8 false positive result was among them. MRCP diagnosed stones in 362 cases and false positive result in 6 cases, ERCP diagnosed stones 370 cases. The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography, MRCP and ERCP was 70.3% (260/370), 96.2% (356/370) and 100% respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for common duct stone was little higher, US should be used as a primary checking method. There was higher concordance between MRCP and ERCP for common duct stone. Combination of MRCP and ERCP can improve diagnostic accuracy of common duct stone.