ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To explore the key genes involved in the occurrence and development of glioblastoma (GBM) by analyzing whole-transcriptome sequencing and biologic data from GBM and normal cerebral cortex tissues and to search for important noncoding RNA (ncRNA) molecular markers based on the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. METHODS: Ten GBM and normal cerebral cortex tissues were collected for full transcriptome sequencing, screened for differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs, and subjected to bioinformatic analysis. We constructed a Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network and a circRNA/lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network and identified them using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Finally, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases were used to validate and conduct a survival analysis of the target genes. RESULTS: A total of 5341 DEmRNAs, 259 DEmiRNAs, 3122 DElncRNAs, and 2135 DEcircRNAs were identified. Enrichment analysis showed that target genes regulated by DEmiRNA, DElncRNA, and DEcircRNA were closely related to chemical synaptic transmission and ion transmembrane transport. A PPI network analysis screened 10 hub genes that directly participate in tumor cell mitosis regulation. In addition, the ceRNA composite network showed that hsa-miR-296-5p and hsa-miR-874-5p were the central nodes of the network, and the reliability of relevant key molecules was successfully verified through RT-qPCR identification and the TCGA database. The CGGA database survival analysis produced 8 DEmRNAs closely related to GBM patient survival prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the important regulatory functions and molecular mechanisms of ncRNA molecules and identified hsa-miR-296-5p and hsa-miR-874-5p as key molecules in the ceRNA network. They may play an important role in GBM pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the clinical efficacy and safety of temozolomide (TMZ) plus whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in the treatment of intracranial metastases. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 72 patients with intracranial metastases were randomly divided into observation group and control group (each n = 36). The patients of observation group received WBRT plus TMZ, while the patients of control group received WBRT. The observation index of both groups included the short- and long-term clinical efficacies, improvement of symptoms and signs, quality of life (QOL), and adverse responses. RESULTS: After treatment, the objective remission rate in observation group (77.78%, 28/36) was evidently higher than that of in control group (47.22%, 17/36), with significant difference (P = 0.0074). However, the disease control rate in observation group (94.44%, 34/36) was only slightly higher than that of in control group (86.11%, 31/36) (P = 0.4263). Moreover, after treatment, compared to control group, observation group showed markedly better improvement in symptoms and signs, as well as QOL (P < 0.001), with significantly longer overall survival and progression-free survival (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: TMZ concomitant with WBRT can increase the local control, prolong the survival time and improve the QOL of patients with intracranial metastases.
