[Retracted] MicroRNA­451a prevents cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via the 3­phosphoinositide­dependent protein kinase­1­mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9548.].

MicroRNA-451a prevents cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via the 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

The role of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in governing the progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has been the focus of recent studies. However, the functional role of miR-451a in cSCC growth remains poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the expression levels of miR-451a in cSCC cell lines and the involvement of miR-451a in cSCC progression. The results revealed that the expression levels of miR-451a were downregulated in cSCC tissues and cell lines, and that this subsequently upregulated 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDPK1) expression levels. PDPK1 was validated as a direct target of miR-451a in cSCC using bioinformatics software Starbase, dual-luciferase reporter gene assays and western blotting. Additionally, CCK-8, EdU and Transwell assays, as well as flow cytometry and Hoechst 3325 staining, were performed to assess the malignant aggressiveness of cSCC cells. Overexpression of miR-451a was demonstrated to impair the proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and promoted apoptosis in cSCC cells by interacting with PDPK1, possibly by direct targeting. Furthermore, the western blotting results indicated that miR-451a overexpression may block the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by interacting with PDPK1. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggested that miR-451a may prevent the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of cSCC cells through the PDPK1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which may offer potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cSCC.

Efficacy of several biological therapies for treating moderate to severe psoriasis: A network meta-analysis.

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to systematically assess the efficacy of the various treatments available for moderate to severe psoriasis. PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched to select relevant studies up to February 2015. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as effect estimates. In addition, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 50, PASI 75 and PASI 90 responses for the therapies were systematically assessed. A total of 33 randomized controlled trials were included in the present study. For the PASI 75 response rate, infliximab (5 mg) may be the most effective option for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Furthermore, the pooled results of the PASI 50 response rate demonstrated that infliximab (5 mg) and ustekinumab (90 mg) may be superior to other drugs for treating moderate to severe psoriasis. For the PASI 90 response rate, infliximab (5 mg), ustekinumab (90 mg) and briakinumab (weeks 0 and 4, 200 mg; week 8, 100 mg) exhibited improved results compared with other treatments. In conclusion, infliximab (5 mg) may be a superior option to treat moderate to severe psoriasis due to the relatively high PASI scores. However, despite the high PASI 90 responses, further studies are required to identify the efficacy of ustekinumab (90 mg) and briakinumab.