Long Noncoding RNA HCP5 Contributes to Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression by Targeting MicroRNA-128-3p.

Aim: To determine the role and underlying mechanism of lncRNA HCP5 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Method: The expression of HCP5 and miR-128-3p was assessed by qRT-PCR. CCK-8, EdU staining, and transwell were performed to determine cell progression. A nude mouse xenograft tumor model was carried out to detect the role of HCP5 in vivo. The luciferase assay was performed to confirm the function between lncRNA HCP5 and miR-128-3p. Results: The increased level of HCP5 was observed in NPC tissues. Silencing of HCP5 prevented tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. The luciferase assay verified that HCP5 could bind with miR-128-3p. Furthermore, forced expression of miR-128-3p could prevent the function of HCP5 on NPC cells. Conclusion: lncRNA HCP5 could regulate NPC cell progression via sponging miR-128-3p, which might serve as a potential therapy target of NPC.

Eriodictyol inhibits the growth of CNE1 human nasopharyngeal cancer growth by targeting MEK/ERK signalling pathway, inducing cellular autophagy and inhibition of cell migration and invasion.

PURPOSE: Eriodictyol is an active flavonoid present in several vegetables and fruits. Eriodictyol-bearing plants have long been used in folk medicine used to treat different human disorders. It has been reported to exhibit the anticancer, antioxidative and antiinflammatory properties. The current research study was designed to explore the anticancer potential of eriodictyol against CNE1 nasopharyngeal cancer (NP) cells. Additionally, its effects of targeting MEK/ERK signalling pathway, autophagy, cell migration and invasion were also examined. METHODS: MTT assay was applied for viability measurements, and clonogenic potency measurements were made by clonogenic assay. Autophagy was monitored by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cell migration capability was examined by wound healing assay, and transwell chambers assay was used for estimation of cell invasion. Western blotting assay was performed to examine protein expression levels. RESULTS: The results indicated the proliferation rate of CNE1 cells was reduced in eriodictyol dose-dependently. Cell colonies were also observed to be minimised after eriodictyol exposure. The underlying mechanism of antiproliferative effects of eriodictyol in the current research was found to be autophagy-mediated as suggested by TEM and increased expressions of pro-autophagy proteins. Cell migration and invasion was significantly suppressed by eriodictyol in CNE1 cells. Finally, western blotting assay indicated that eriodictyol blocked MEK/ERK signalling pathway dose-dependently. In conclusion, the results of the currently performed investigation indicated that eriodictyol is a potential anticancer agent against CNE1 nasopharyngeal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, this molecule may prove a leading agent in nasopharyngeal cancer treatment provided further in vitro and in vivo investigations are performed.

[Clinical application of transcanal endoscopic ear surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane].

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of transcanal endoscopic ear surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane. Method:The clinical data of 16 patients with conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane were retrospectively analyzed. They were diagnosed and treated by transcanal endoscopic ear surgery. Result:All patients were diagnosed by exploratory tympanotomy, including 6 cases of congenital middle ear anomalies, 5 cases of congenital cholesteatoma, 2 cases of congenital middle ear anomalies with congenital cholesteatoma, 2 cases of otosclerosis, and 1 case of traumatic ossicular chain disruption. During the tympanic exploration by transcanal endoscopic ear surgery, different methods of hearing reconstruction were applied according to the intraoperative lesions. Among 14 cases（14 ears）, 7 patients underwent reconstruction with partial ossicular replacement prosthesis （PORP）, 5 patients had total ossicular replacement prosthesis （TORP）, and 2 patients had piston. The remaining 2 patients did not undergot ossicular reconstruction. After the operation, the mean air-conductive threshold of 14 patients decreased from （61.7±6.5） dB HL to （29.8±10.7） dB HL （P<0.01） and the mean ABG decreased from（36.8±3.2） dB HL to （10.7±6.9） dB HL （P<0.01）. 1 case of congenital middle ear anomalies with congenital cholesteatoma underwent the lesion resection without ossicular reconstruction. Due to lack of suitable Piston, 1 case of congenital middle ear anomalies with fixed stapes did not perform hearing reconstruction. No serious complications occured after operations. Conclusion:Transcanal endoscopic ear surgery was suitable for the diagnosis and treatment of conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane. It was minimally invasive with low complications, and the patients had a good hearing recovery after ossicular reconstruction.

Correlation between the expression of miR150 and FOXO4 and the local recurrence and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after intensive radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between the expression of miR150 and FOXO4 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the local recurrence and metastasis after intensive radiotherapy. METHODS: 94 patients with NPC were selected in Hunan Provincial People's Hospital from May 2011 to May 2013. All patients received intensive radiotherapy. Thirty healthy controls were also included. The expression levels of miR150 and FOXO4 mRNA in blood lymphocytes were detected by RT-PCR. All patients with NPC were followed up for 36 months. Blood was drawn from patients to analyze the expression of miR150 and FOXO4. MiR150 inhibitor was used to treat NPC cells, and FOXO4 overexpression cell lines were established. Transwell invasion assay was performed to investigate the effects of miR150 expression inhibition and FOXO4 overexpression on cell invasion. Protein levels were detected by western blot. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, the levels of miR150 mRNA in NPC patients were significantly increased, while FOXO4 mRNA levels were significantly decreased (p<0.05). The levels of miR150 and FOXO4 were significantly correlated with distant metastasis and tumor recurrence (p<0.05). High expression level of miR150 or low expression level of FOXO4 significantly shortened the overall survival (OS) of patients (p<0.05). Cox's proportional hazards model showed that miR150 and FOXO4 were potential independent risk factors for NPC (p<0.05). The level of miR150 in patients with tumor recurrence was significantly higher than that in patients without tumor recurrence, while the level of FOXO4 in patients with tumor recurrence was lower than that patients without tumor recurrence (p<0.05). MiR150 expression inhibition or FOXO4 overexpression significantly reduced the invasion abilities of CNE1 and CNE2 cells and protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase2 (MMP2) and MMP9 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: MiR150 and FOXO4 are closely related to the metastasis and recurrence of NPC, and are independent prognostic factors for NPC. MiR150 and FOXO4 are of clinical significance in predicting NPC prognosis.