LncRNA cancer susceptibility 20 regulates the metastasis of human gastric cancer cells via the miR-143-5p/MEMO1 molecular axis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is considered as one of the most widespread malignancies. Emerging evidence has shown that lncRNAs can function as important oncogenes or tumor suppressors during GC progression. AIM: To investigate the effect and mechanism of lncRNA cancer susceptibility 20 (CASC20) in the proliferation and metastasis of GC cells. METHODS: Data mining and clinical samples were used to evaluate the expression of CASC20 in GC and adjacent tissues. CASC20 was down-regulated in GC cells by short-interfering RNA. Cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, and cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing and Transwell assays. The expressions of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS: The expression of CASC20 was increased in GC tumor tissues and various GC cell lines. High CASC20 expression was correlated with a high risk of lymphatic metastasis and poor prognosis in GC patients. In vitro assays showed that silencing CASC20 reduced cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in GC cells. Mechanistic studies revealed that CASC20 exhibits oncogenic functions by regulating MEMO1 expression through competitive endogenous binding to miR-143-5p, leading to induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that CASC20 serves as a tumor promoter by regulating metastasis in GC via the miR-143-5p/MEMO1 axis. CASC20 may be a potential therapeutic target for GC.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor-like-1: a new therapeutic target and unfavorable prognostic indicator for rectal adenocarcinoma.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor-like-1 (FGFRL1) is important to cell motility and links with tumorigenic potential in various types of cancers. To investigate the biological function and underlying mechanism of FGFRL1 in rectal adenocarcinoma, we conducted this study. TCGA and Oncomine databases were used to analyze FGFRL1 expression and its association with clinical characteristics or overall survival (OS) in rectal adenocarcinoma patients. siRNA strategy was implemented to knockdown FGFRL1 expression in rectal adenocarcinoma cells. CCK8, colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays were implemented to measure cell behaviors. qRT-PCR and western blot were utilized to identify mRNA and protein expression levels. FGFRL1 was significantly increased in rectal adenocarcinoma tissue samples, either colon or rectum. High-regulation of FGFRL1 expression induced poorer outcome of rectal adenocarcinoma patients. Downregulation of FGFRL1 inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion of SW837 cells. The MAPK pathway-related proteins, phosphorylation of MEK and ERK, were also decreased after si-FGFRL1 transfection. These findings demonstrated that FGFRL1, acting as a potential inducator, may promote the progression of rectal adenocarcinoma via activating the MAPK signaling pathway.

[Expression of transgelin-2 and clinical significance in colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between the expression of transgelin-2 and the clinicopathological factors of colorectal carcinoma and evaluate the value of transgelin-2 in prognostic assessment of the colorectal cancer patients. METHODS: Using tissue microarray and immunohistochemical methods, we examined transgelin-2 of 120 colorectal cancer patients received surgical treatment from September 2002 to April 2004, including 74 male and 46 female, age from 26 to 89 years. Analyzed the relationship between transgelin-2 and both the clinicopathological features and prognosis of the colorectal cancer by using χ² test and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Cox proportion hazard regression analysis was used to study the independent prognostic factors. RESULTS: The positive rate of transgelin-2 expression was 69.2% in colorectal carcinoma. The transgelin-2 expression correlated with differentiation degree (χ² = 5.420), lymph nodes metastasis (χ² = 45.577), distant metastasis (χ² = 12.009), and TNM staging (χ² = 47.577). The survival time was (39 ± 5) months in patients with positive expression of the transgelin-2, while (59 ± 3) months in patients with negative expression. The patient's survival time was statistically correlated with the transgelin-2 expression (P = 0.003). Distant metastasis (RR = 8.318, 95%CI: 4.119 - 16.790), lymph nodes metastasis (RR = 2.794, 95%CI: 1.246 - 6.263) and transgelin-2 expression (RR = 1.834, 95%CI: 1.118- 2.973) were independent prognostic factors in patients with colorectal cancer (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of transgelin-2 is correlated with clinicopathological features and prognosis in colorectal cancer, may be the potential marker of metastasis and the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

[Study on the tumor infiltration in mesorectum of rectal cancer by spiral computed tomography and histopathology].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of spiral computed tomography in the preoperative assessment of the degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and circumferential resection margin status of rectal cancer compared with large tissue slice technique. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients with rectal cancer diagnosed by fiber colonoscopy and pathology from March 2007 to December 2007 underwent preoperative 64-layers spiral CT examination. The degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and circumferential resection margin status were evaluated. Large tissue slice technique was applied in the pathologic study after the total mesorectal excision of the rectum to determine the degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and the circumferential resection margin status. The spiral CT findings were compared with pathologic results. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the CT results were assessed respectively. RESULTS: The overall spiral CT accuracy was 93.0% (53/57) for the degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum, and it was 94.7%, 94.7% and 96.5% for degree I, II, III infiltration, respectively. Fifty-three cases (93.0%) were accurately predicated with the circumferential resection margin status. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of spiral CT measurement was 80.0%, 97.6%, 92.3% and 93.2%, respectively, and was consistent well with the histopathological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Spiral CT provides accurate preoperative assessment for the degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and circumferential resection margin status of rectal cancer.

[Prognostic analysis of middle and lower rectal cancer with different degrees of infiltration in mesorectum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between tumor infiltration in mesorectum and prognosis of middle and lower rectal cancer. METHODS: 49 patients with middle and lower rectal cancer underwent total mesorectal excision. Specimens were obtained during operation and underwent large slice pathologic technique to observe the degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and circumferential resection margin. Follow-up was conducted for 61 (9 - 66) months to observe the local recurrence rate, metastasis rate, and five-year survival rate. RESULTS: Follow-up showed a local recurrence rate of 12.2% (6/49), distant metastasis rate of 26.5% (13/49), and five-year survival rate of 67.3% (33/49). The rate of degree I of tumor infiltration in mesorectum was 40.8% (20/49), the degree II rate was 26.5% (13/49), and the degree III rate was 32.7% (16/49) with the corresponding local recurrence rates of 0, 7.7% (1/13), and 31.3% (5/16) respectively (chi(2) = 7.357, P = 0.015), metastatic rates of 10% (2/20), 23.1% (3/13), and 50% (8/16) respectively (chi(2) = 7.405, P = 0.025), and the 5-year survival rates of 90% (18/20), 69.2% (9/13), and 37.5% (6/16) respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the survival time was correlated with the degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum (P = 0.012). The rate of circumferential resection margin involvement was 24.5% (12/49). In the 12 patients with positive circumferential resection margin, the local recurrence rate was 33.3% (4/12), whereas 5.4% (2/37) in those with negative circumferential resection margin (chi(2) = 6.577, P = 0.010). Distant metastasis rate was 50% (6/12) in the patients with positive circumferential resection margin, whereas 18.9% (7/37) in those with negative one (chi(2) = 4.491, P = 0.034). The 5-year survival rate of the patients with positive circumferential resection margin was 33.3% (4/12), significantly lower than that of the patients with negative circumferential resection margin [78.4% (29/37)]. Kaplan- Meier survival analysis showed survival time was correlated with the circumferential resection margin status (P = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The degree of tumor infiltration in mesorectum and circumferential resection margin status are important predictors of local and distant recurrence as well as survival of patients with middle and lower rectal carcinoma.

[A clinical study on the degree of mesorectal tumor invasion in middle-low rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between the degree of mesorectal tumor invasion and prognosis of the patients with middle-low rectal cancer. METHODS: Specimens from 49 patients with middle-low rectal cancer, undergone total mesorectal excision in our hospital from April 2003 to December 2003,were studied by large slice pathologic technique. The thickness of mesorectum and the depth of tumor infiltration were measured, and the degree of mesorectal tumor invasion was calculated. The local recurrence rate, metastasis rate and 5-year survival rate were investigated respectively. Possible clinicopathological influence factors were also analyzed. RESULTS: The local recurrence rate was 12.2%(6/49), the distant metastasis rate was 26.5%(13/49). In three different degrees of mesorectal tumor invasion(I(,II(,III(), the local recurrence rates were 0, 7.7% and 31.3% (chi(2)=7.357, P =0.015); the metastasis rates were 10%, 23.1% and 50%(chi(2)=7.405, P =0.025); the 5-year survival rates were 90.9%, 69.2% and 28.6%(log-rank, P =0.013). Tumor diameter, T and N staging were risk factors influencing the degree of mesorectal tumor invasion(chi(2)=6.849 P=0.033, chi(2)=34.845 P =0.000, chi(2)=17.266 P =0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The degree of mesorectal tumor invasion is an important predictor of local and distant metastasis as well as survival of patients in middle-low rectal carcinoma. The degree of mesorectal tumor invasion in the middle-low rectal carcinoma is significantly correlated with tumor diameter, T and N stage.