Non-tumor Tissues Research Articles

Correlation between Tregs and ICOS-induced M2 macrophages polarization in colorectal cancer progression.

To explore the mechanism by which Tregs promote the progression of colorectal cancer by inducing tumor-associated macrophages to polarize into M2 type via ICOS. Postoperative pathological tissues and clinical pathological data of 268 colorectal cancer patients who underwent initial surgery were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the expression levels of ICOS, CD163 (a marker for M2 macrophages), and Foxp3 (a marker for Tregs) in cancerous, adjacent non-tumorous, and normal tissues. The relationship of ICOS, M2 macrophages, and Tregs in CRC with clinical pathological characteristics and pre-surgical tumor markers (such as CEA and CA199) was explored. The expression levels of M2 macrophages and Tregs increased with tumor progression, while ICOS expression showed a decreasing trend. Compared to adjacent and normal tissues, the expression levels of ICOS, M2 macrophages, and Tregs were higher in CRC tissues. The expression levels of M2 macrophages and Tregs were significantly positively correlated with tumor markers, while ICOS expression was significantly negatively correlated. Tumor-associated m2 macrophages induced by Tregs and ICOS participate in the dynamic balance of the colorectal cancer tumor microenvironment, and their interaction affects colorectal carcinogenesis and progression. High levels of ICOS are associated with better long-term survival rates.

Analysis of Carcinogenic Involvement of MicroRNA Pattern in Peripheral Non-Cancerous Tissues and Chronic Viral Liver Injury.

Risk factors for hepatocarcinogenesis include chronic inflammation due to viral infection, liver fibrosis, and aging. In this study, we separated carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic cases due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, aiming to comprehensively analyze miRNA expression in liver tissues by age, and identify factors that contribute to carcinogenesis. Total RNA was extracted from 360 chronic hepatitis C (CH), 43 HCV infected hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and surrounding non-tumor (SNT) tissues. MicroRNA (miRNA) expression patterns were analyzed using microarray. Using machine learning, we extracted characteristic miRNA expression patterns for each disease and age. There were no age-dependent changes in miRNA expression in the disease-specific comparisons; however, miRNA expression differed among the age groups of 50, 60, and 70 years of age between CH and SNT. The expression of miRNA was different between SNT and HCC only in patients in their 70s. Of the 55 miRNAs with significant differences in expression between CH and SNT, 34 miRNAs showed significant differences in expression even in the degree of liver fibrosis. The observation that miRNAs involved in hepatocarcinogenesis differ at different ages suggests that the mechanisms of carcinogenesis differ by age group as well. We also found that many miRNAs whose expression did not affect liver fibrosis were involved in carcinogenesis. These findings are expected to define biomarkers for detection of HCC at early stage, and develop novel therapeutic targets for HCC.

Tumor thickness as a novel risk factor for lymph node metastasis by superficial squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck.

Narrow-band imaging combined with magnified endoscopy has enabled the detection of superficial squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SSCCHN) that has been resected with minimally invasive treatment, preserving vocalization and swallowing functions. However, risk factors of lymph node metastasis (LNM) must be identified, as some patients with LNM have a poor prognosis. From an initial 599 patients with 700 lesions who underwent trans-oral surgery in 27 Japanese hospitals (a nationwide registration survey), we enrolled 541 patients with 633 SSCCHNs, as indicated by central pathological diagnoses. All pathological specimens for each patient were examined using 20 pathological factors that are thought to affect the LNM of SSCCHN. In all, 24 (4.4%) of the 568 SSCCHNs exhibited LNM, and all 24 had at least one solitary nest of epithelial neoplastic cells present in the stroma, clearly separated from the intraepithelial carcinoma. Multivariate analysis also showed that tumor thickness (p = 0.0132, RR: 7.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.54-40.02), and an INFc pattern classified as infiltrating growth (INF) with unclear boundaries between tumor and non-tumor tissues (p = 0.0003, RR: 14.47, 3.46-60.46), and tumor budding (p = 0.0019, RR: 4.35, CI: 1.72-11.01) were significantly associated with LNM. Solitary nests may be indicative of LNM. In addition, tumor thickness was revealed to be a risk factor for LNM in SSCCHNs using pT factors that do not include an invasion depth element because of the anatomical absence of the muscularis mucosae.

Pan-cancer integrative analyses dissect the remodeling of endothelial cells in human cancers.

Therapeutics targeting tumor endothelial cells (TECs) have been explored for decades, with only suboptimal efficacy achieved, partly due to an insufficient understanding of the TEC heterogeneity across cancer patients. We integrated single-cell RNA-seq data of 575 cancer patients from 19 solid tumor types, comprehensively charting the TEC phenotypic diversities. Our analyses uncovered underappreciated compositional and functional heterogeneity in TECs from a pan-cancer perspective. Two subsets, CXCR4 + tip cells and SELE + veins, represented the prominent angiogenic and proinflammatory phenotypes of TECs, respectively. They exhibited distinct spatial organization patterns, and compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, tumor tissue showed an increased prevalence of CXCR4 + tip cells, yet with SELE + veins depleted. Such functional and spatial characteristics underlie their differential associations with the response of anti-angiogenic therapies and immunotherapies. Our integrative resources and findings open new avenues to understand and clinically intervene in the tumor vasculature.

CX-5461 Preferentially Induces Top2α-Dependent DNA Breaks at Ribosomal DNA Loci.

While genotoxic chemotherapeutic agents are among the most effective tools to combat cancer, they are often associated with severe adverse effects caused by indiscriminate DNA damage in non-tumor tissue as well as increased risk of secondary carcinogenesis. This study builds on our previous work demonstrating that the RNA Polymerase I (Pol I) transcription inhibitor CX-5461 elicits a non-canonical DNA damage response and our discovery of a critical role for Topoisomerase 2α (Top2α) in the initiation of Pol I-dependent transcription. Here, we identify Top2α as a mediator of CX-5461 response in the murine Eµ-Myc B lymphoma model whereby sensitivity to CX-5461 is dependent on cellular Top2α expression/activity. Most strikingly, and in contrast to canonical Top2α poisons, we found that the Top2α-dependent DNA damage induced by CX-5461 is preferentially localized at the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) promoter region, thereby highlighting CX-5461 as a loci-specific DNA damaging agent. This mechanism underpins the efficacy of CX-5461 against certain types of cancer and can be used to develop effective non-genotoxic anticancer drugs.

Cystatin SN (CST1) Is a Poor Independent Prognostic Biomarker for Gastrointestinal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (GI-DLBCL) is the most common histological subtype of extra-nodal DLBCL, but the risk factors, prognostic biomarkers, histopathological classifications, and treatment strategies have not had significant progress. Emerging evidence shows that cystatin SN (CST1) is involved in tumor progression in several cancer types, but its role in GI-DLBCL has not been revealed. MATERIAL AND METHODS We established a cohort consisting of 84 patients with GI-DLBCL who underwent surgical resection. The expression of CST1 in the cohort was investigated by immunohistochemistry, which divided the patients into subgroups with low or high expression of CST1. Moreover, the CST1 expression in GI-DLBCL tissues or adjacent GI tissues were compared with RT-qPCR. The correlation between CST1 expression and clinicopathological factors was analyzed with the chi-square test. The prognostic significance of CST1 was estimated by univariate and multivariate analysis, and statistical significance was analyzed with the log-rank test. RESULTS CST1 was aberrantly upregulated in GI-DLBCL tissues compared with in non-tumor GI tissues. High expression of CST1 indicated poor prognosis of GI-DLBCL (P=0.012), and CST1 can be regarded as an independent prognostic biomarker of GI-DLBCL (hazard ratio=3.07). In our study, serum lactate dehydrogenase (P=0.002), performance status (P=0.003), Lugano stage (P=0.002), and International Prognostic Index (P=0.001) were also prognostic factors of GI-DLBCL. CONCLUSIONS CST1 is an independent prognostic biomarker of GI-DLBCL, indicating unfavorable prognosis. Our results suggested that CST1 detection can be a promising method to stratify high-risk patients and guide individual treatment.

Dissecting prostate Cancer: Single-Cell insight into Macrophage Diversity, molecular Prognosticators, and the role of Peptidylprolyl Isomerase F

BackgroundProstate cancer remains a prominent challenge in oncology, with advanced stages showing poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME), and particularly tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), plays a crucial role in disease progression. This study explores the single-cell transcriptomics of prostate cancer, determines macrophage heterogeneity, identifies prognostic gene markers, and assesses the role of PPIF in TAMs. MethodsSingle-cell RNA sequencing data from the GEO database (GSE176031) and transcriptome data from the TCGA were processed to characterize cell populations and identify prognostic genes in prostate cancer. Macrophage subpopulations were examined through clustering, followed by gene set scoring based on migration, activation, and proliferation. PPIF expression in macrophages was investigated using multiplex immunofluorescence staining on matched prostate cancer and adjacent non-tumoral tissues. ResultsThe single-cell analysis identified 9,178 cells, categorized into 10 principal cell types, with macrophages constituting a significant part of the immune microenvironment. Four macrophage subgroups demonstrated distinct functional pathways: phagocytic, immune-regulatory, and proliferative. A total of 39 genes correlated with prostate cancer prognosis were identified, of which 10 carried the most significant prognostic information. Peptidylprolyl Isomerase F (PPIF) expression was significantly higher in TAMs from tumor tissue than normal tissue, indicating its potential regulatory role in the immune microenvironment. ConclusionThe intricate cellular architecture of the prostate cancer TME has been elucidated, with a focus on macrophage heterogeneity and functional specialization. Prognostic genes, including PPIF, were associated with survival outcomes, providing potential therapeutic targets. PPIF’s prominent expression in TAMs may serve as a lever in cancer progression, warranting further investigation as a biomarker and a molecule of interest for therapeutic targeting within the prostate cancer milieu.

Identification and Prognostic Value of m6A-Related Genes in Glioblastoma.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is one of the most common forms of mRNA modification, which is dynamically regulated by the m6A-related genes; however, its effect in glioblastoma (GBM) is still unknown. We sought to investigate the association between m6A-related genes (m6A-RGs) and GBM. Transcriptome data and the relevant clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus databases. The m6A-RGs were identified from differently expressed genes, and COX and lasso regression models were applied to locate the prognosis-related genes. We identified 15 out of 19 m6A-RGs differentially expressed between GBM and nontumor tissues. We identified two subgroups of GBM (clusters 1 and 2) by applying consensus clustering. Compared with the cluster 1 subgroup, the cluster 1 subgroup correlates with a poorer prognosis, and most of the 19 m6A-RGs are higher expressed in cluster 1. Through univariate Cox and lasso regression model, we identified three m6A-RGs, namely HNRNPC, ALKBH5, and FTO, which were used to construct a Cox regression risk model to predict the prognosis of GBM patients. We identified a valuable m6A model for predicting the prognosis of GBM patients, which can provide useful epigenetic biomarkers.

Exploring the Molecular Mechanisms of Huaier on Modulating Metabolic Reprogramming of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Study based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking and Bioinformatics.

Huaier (Trametes robiniophila Murr), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in China as a complementary and alternative therapy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Past studies have shown that Huaier can arrest the cell cycle, promote apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. However, how it regulates the metabolism of HCC is still unclear. This study explores the metabolic-related function of Huaier in treating HCC with an in-silico approach. A network pharmacology and bioinformatics-based approach was employed to investigate the molecular pathogenesis of metabolic reprogramming in HCC with Huaier. The compounds of Huaier were obtained from public databases. Oral bioavailability and drug likeness were screened using the TCMSP platform. The differential gene expressions between HCC and non-tumor tissue were calculated and used to find the overlap from the targets of Huaier. The enrichment analysis of the overlapped targets by Metascape helped filter out the metabolism-related targets of Huaier in treating HCC. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction and topological screening revealed the hub nodes. The prognosis and clinical correlation of these targets were validated from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database, and the interactions between the hub nodes and active ingredients were validated by molecular docking. The results showed that Peroxyergosterol, Daucosterol, and Kaempferol were the primary active compounds of Huaier involved in the metabolic reprogramming of HCC. The top 6 metabolic targets included AKR1C3, CYP1A1, CYP3A4, CYP1A2, CYP17A1, and HSD11B1. The decreased expression of CYP3A4 and increased expression of AKR1C3 were related to the poor overall survival of HCC patients. The molecular docking validated that Peroxyergosterol and Kaempferol exhibited the potential to modulate CYP3A4 and AKR1C3 from a computational perspective. This study provided a workflow for understanding the mechanism of Huaier in regulating the metabolic reprogramming of HCC.

RNA Interference based Midkine Gene Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises from hepatocytes and accounts for 90% of primary liver cancer. Reasons for HCC prognosis remaining dismal are that HCC is asymptomatic in its early stages, leading to late diagnosis, and it is markedly resistant to conventional chemo- and radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated RNA interference (RNAi)-based treatment for HCC by targeting MDK. The present study aimed to evaluate MDK serum levels as a diagnostic biomarker for HCC detection and the effect of MDK silencing by RNAi on HCC. A total of 140 participants, including 120 patients diagnosed with HCC and 20 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study, all patients who underwent liver resection were sampled for tumor and adjacent non-tumor liver tissues, in addition to 5 ml of blood sample. Midkine expression levels were evaluated by ELISA and by qRT-PCR. The in vitro transfection and gene knockdown efficiency of midkine by MDK-siRNA was detected by qRT-PCR and ELISA. Gene knockdown effect at the molecule level on the proliferation of HepG2 in vitro was determined by cell counting. The results showed that the expression of MDK was significantly increased in the serum of HCC patients compared to control serum samples with P<0.001 and significant elevated expression levels of MDK in tumor tissues compared to non-tumor ones with P<0.001. It also showed that down-regulation of MDK using RNAi can significantly inhibit HepG2 cells. Molecular targeting of MDK using RNAi interference decreases proliferation and could be a therapeutic target.

Whole-exome sequencing reveals novel cancer genes and actionable targets in biliary tract cancers in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

People with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have a 20% lifetime risk of biliary tract cancer (BTC). Using whole-exome sequencing, we characterized genomic alterations in tissue samples from BTC with underlying PSC. We extracted DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor and paired nontumor tissue from 52 resection or biopsy specimens from patients with PSC and BTC and performed whole-exome sequencing. Following copy number analysis, variant calling, and filtering, putative PSC-BTC-associated genes were assessed by pathway analyses and annotated to targeted cancer therapies. We identified 53 candidate cancer genes with a total of 123 nonsynonymous alterations passing filtering thresholds in 2 or more samples. Of the identified genes, 19% had not previously been implicated in BTC, including CNGA3, KRT28, and EFCAB5. Another subset comprised genes previously implicated in hepato-pancreato-biliary cancer, such as ARID2, ELF3, and PTPRD. Finally, we identified a subset of genes implicated in a wide range of cancers such as the tumor suppressor genes TP53, CDKN2A, SMAD4, and RNF43 and the oncogenes KRAS, ERBB2, and BRAF. Focal copy number variations were found in 51.9% of the samples. Alterations in potential actionable genes, including ERBB2, MDM2, and FGFR3 were identified and alterations in the RTK/RAS (p = 0.036), TP53 (p = 0.04), and PI3K (p = 0.043) pathways were significantly associated with reduced overall survival. In this exome-wide characterization of PSC-associated BTC, we delineated both PSC-specific and universal cancer genes. Our findings provide opportunities for a better understanding of the development of BTC in PSC and could be used as a platform to develop personalized treatment approaches.

Fusion Genes Landscape of Lung Cancer Patients From Inner Mongolia, China.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally. Gene fusion, a key driver of tumorigenesis, has led to the identification of numerous driver gene fusions for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, previous studies focused on Western populations, leaving the possibility of unrecognized lung cancer-associated gene fusions specific to Inner Mongolia due to its unique genetic background and dietary habits. To address this, we conducted DNA sequencing analysis on tumor and adjacent nontumor tissues from 1200 individuals with lung cancer in Inner Mongolia. Our analysis established a comprehensive fusion gene landscape specific to lung cancer in Inner Mongolia, shedding light on potential region-specific molecular mechanisms underlying the disease. Compared to Western cohorts, we observed a higher occurrence of ALK and RET fusions in Inner Mongolian patients. Additionally, we discovered eight novel fusion genes in three patients: SLC34A2-EPHB1, CCT6P3-GSTP1, BARHL2-APC, HRAS-MELK, FAM134B-ERBB2, ABCB1-GIPC1, GPR98-ALK, and FAM134B-SALL1. These previously unreported fusion genes suggest potential regional specificity. Furthermore, we characterized the fusion genes' structures based on breakpoints and described their impact on major functional gene domains. Importantly, the identified novel fusion genes exhibited significant clinical and pathological relevance. Notably, patients with SLC34A2-EPHB1, CCT6P3-GSTP1, and BARHL2-APC fusions showed sensitivity to the combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Patients with HRAS-MELK, FAM134B-ERBB2, and ABCB1-GIPC1 fusions showed sensitivity to chemotherapy. In summary, our study provides novel insights into the frequency, distribution, and characteristics of specific fusion genes, offering valuable guidance for the development of effective clinical treatments, particularly in Inner Mongolia.

Acyl-CoA Synthetase Medium-Chain Family Member 5–Mediated Fatty Acid Metabolism Dysregulation Promotes the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer, with high incidence and mortality worldwide. Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advancements, HCC remains poorly responsive to treatment with a poor prognosis. Understanding the molecular mechanisms driving HCC is crucial for developing effective therapies. Emerging evidence indicates that dysregulated fatty acid metabolism contributes to HCC. Acyl-CoA medium-chain synthetase 5 (ACSM5), involved in fatty acid metabolism, is downregulated in HCC, however, its role is not well understood. In the study, we analyzed ACSM5 expression in HCC patient samples and cell lines. Using newly established ACSM5-overexpressing HCC cell lines, Huh7-ACSM5 and Hepa1-6-ACSM5, we investigated the effects and regulatory mechanisms of ACSM5. Our results showed that ACSM5 was significantly downregulated in HCC tumor tissues compared to non-tumor tissues. ACSM5 expression was regulated by DNA methylation, with a DNMT1 inhibitor effectively increasing ACSM5 expression and reducing promoter region methylation. Overexpression of ACSM5 in Huh7 cells reduced fatty acid accumulation, decreased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in mouse xenografts. Furthermore, ACSM5 overexpression also decreased STAT3 phosphorylation, subsequently affecting downstream cytokine TGFB and FGF12 mRNA levels. Our findings suggest that ACSM5 downregulation contributes to HCC progression, providing insights into its oncogenic role and highlighting its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.

SPP1 promotes tumor progression in esophageal carcinoma by activating focal adhesion pathway.

Recurrence and metastasis are the major obstacles affecting the therapeutic efficacy and clinical outcomes for patients with esophageal carcinoma (ESCA). Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) is considered as a hub gene in ESCA and is negatively associated with disease-free survival (DFS) in ESCA. However, the exact roles and underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study aims to examine the roles of SPP1 on ESCA, and elucidate the potential mechanisms. Bioinformatics were used to analyze the expression of SPP1 in ESCA tissues, and its relations with clinicopathological characteristics and clinical prognosis in patients with ESCA based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Loss-of-function was conducted to examine the roles of SPP1 on malignant behaviors of ESCA cells by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), plate clone, wound healing, and transwell assays. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to screen the pathways associated with SPP1 in ESCA. Then, the enriched pathway and the underlying mechanism were elucidated by western blotting, cell adhesion, and cell spreading assays. Lastly, Y15 [a specific inhibitor of focal adhesion kinase (FAK)] was used to examine its potential to inhibit tumor growth in ESCA cells. SPP1 was upregulated in ESCA tissues compared to the adjacent nontumorous tissues, which was closely associated with clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, histological subtype, and p53 mutation. A high expression of SPP1 indicated a poor clinical prognosis in patients with ESCA. The knockdown of SPP1 inhibited cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities in ESCA cells. GSEA indicated that the focal adhesion pathway was closely related with SPP1 in ESCA. Further studies confirmed that the knockdown of SPP1 suppressed cell adhesion ability and reduced the expression of p-FAK and p-Erk in ESCA cells. In addition, Y15 inhibited FAK autophosphorylation and dramatically inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in ESCA cells. SPP1 promotes tumor progression in ESCA by activating FAK/Erk pathway, and FAK is a potential therapeutic target to overcome tumor recurrence and metastasis of ESCA.

MiR-574-5p dysregulation in metastatic breast cancer through cell migration

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among women worldwide. The occurrence rate of metastasis is also increased. It’s reported that 20–30% of breast cancer patients may develop metastases after diagnosis and primary tumor treatment, and approximately 90% of cancer-related deaths are attributed to metastasis. Recently, a growing number of studies have highlighted the significant role of miR-574-5p, a member of the miRNA family, in multiple human diseases that induce apoptosis in cancer cell lines completely understood yet. the majority of studies indicated that miR-574-5p was a promoter of NSCLC development. indicated that miR-574-5p was involved in the progression and metastasis of NSCLC. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of miR-574-5p migration in breast cancer. Seventy tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues were examined in the study. The effects on cell proliferation and migration were investigated with MTT assay and scratch test, respectively. The effects on cell proliferation and migration were investigated with MTT assay and scratch test, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis was performed through enrichment and hub gene finding for miRNA targets. Metastatic breast cancer, proliferation, and migration-related to overexpression of miR-574-5p. In conclusion; miR-574-5p increased in breast cancer cell lines with a role in the growth, metastasis, and migration of breast cancer.

OIP5-AS1/miR-455-3p/microfibril-associated protein 2 axis exacerbates the progression of thyroid carcinoma.

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Opa interacting protein 5-antisense RNA 1 (OIP5-AS1) has been shown to participate in numerous biological and pathological processes, notably including oncogenesis. OIP5-AS1 modulates oncogenic or anti-tumor activities by controlling various microRNAs (miRs) in diverse cancer types. This study sought to examine the potential role of the lncRNA OIP5-AS1-mediated miR-455-3p/microfibril-associated protein 2 (MFAP2) axis and its influence on the progression of thyroid carcinoma. Cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis were assessed through in vitro experimental measurements, which involved the use of Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8), transwell, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining techniques. The estimate algorithm was employed to examine the relationship between MFAP2 and the Stromal score, Immune score, and ESTIMATE score. OIP5-AS1 expression was significantly more elevated in the thyroid carcinoma tissues and cell lines than the corresponding normal non-tumor tissues and cell lines. Following transfection with short-hairpin (sh)-OIP5-AS1, the CAL62 and SW1736 cells upregulated miR-455-3p and downregulated the MFAP2 expression levels. The downregulation of OIP5-AS1 expedited cellular apoptosis and hindered cellular proliferation and migration in the CAL62 and SW1736 cells. The in vitro experiments showed that both the suppression of MFAP2 and the increased expression of miR-455-3p exerted significant anti-cancer effects. In addition, the overexpression of MFAP2 counteracted the in vitro antineoplastic effects of the sh-OIP5-AS1 and miR-455-3p mimics. The results suggest that lncRNA OIP5-AS1 plays a crucial role in the advancement of thyroid carcinoma by inhibiting miR-455-3p to activate MFAP2.

CHI3L1 as a Prognostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Glioma.

The role of Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1) in tumor progression has been gradually clarified in different kinds of solid tumors. Hence, we aim to elucidate its prognostic value for glioma. In this study, we analyzed RNA sequencing data combined with corresponding clinical information obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) databases. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were acquired based on CHI3L1 expression profiles and were used for Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Cox regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression methods, along with a nomogram, were employed to establish a predictive model. Compared with the corresponding non-tumor tissues, CHI3L1 expression was significantly upregulated in various types of solid tumors, correlating with poor clinical outcomes including glioma. GO analysis identified oxidative stress-related genes (ORGs) that were differentially expressed and modulated by CHI3L1, with 11 genes subsequently identified as potential predictors, using Univariate-Cox regression and LASSO regression. In addition, an index of oxidative stress-related genes (ORGI) was established, demonstrating its prognostic value in conjunction with CHI3L1 expression. The aberrant expression of CHI3L1 was proved in glioma patients through immunohistochemistry (IHC). Meanwhile, the knockdown of CHI3L1 inhibited glioma growth in vitro, and real-time Quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmed decreased ORG expression upon CHI3L1 knockdown, suggesting the potential prognostic value of CHI3L1 as a therapeutic target for glioma.

Expression of SUMO and NF-κB genes in hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma patients: An observational study.

Alterations in signaling pathways and modulation of cell metabolism are associated with the pathogenesis of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) proteins and NF-κB family play major roles in various cellular processes. The current study aims to determine the expression profile of SUMO and NF-κB genes in HCC tumors and investigate their association with the clinical outcome of HCC. The expression of 5 genes - SUMO1, SUMO2, SUMO3, NF-κB p65, and NF-κB p50 - was quantified in tumor and adjacent non-tumor tissues of 58 HBV-related HCC patients by real-time quantitative PCR and was analyzed for the possible association with clinical parameters of HCC. The expression of SUMO2 was significantly higher in HCC tumor tissues compared to the adjacent non-tumor tissues (P = .01), while no significant difference in SUMO1, SUMO3, NF-κB p65, and NF-κB p50 expression was observed between HCC tumor and non-tumor tissues (P > .05). In HCC tissues, a strong correlation was observed between the expression of SUMO2 and NF-κB p50, between SUMO3 and NF-κB p50, between SUMO3 and NF-κB p65 (Spearman rho = 0.83; 0.82; 0.772 respectively; P < .001). The expression of SUMO1, SUMO2, SUMO3, NF-κB p65, and NF-κB p50 was decreased in grade 3 compared to grades 1 and 2 in HCC tumors according to the World Health Organization grades system. Our results highlighted that the SUMO2 gene is upregulated in tumor tissues of patients with HCC, and is related to the development of HCC, thus it may be associated with the pathogenesis of HCC.

Clinicopathological Factors as Predictors for Establishment of Patient Derived Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Organoids

IntroductionPatient derived organoids (PDOs) are 3D in vitro models and have shown to better reflect patient and tumor heterogeneity than conventional 2D cell lines. To utilize PDOs in clinical settings and trials for biomarker discovery or drug response evaluation, it is valuable to determine the best way to optimize sample selection for maximum PDO establishment. In this study, we assess patient, tumor and tissue sampling factors and correlate them with successful PDO establishment in a well-documented cohort of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).MethodsTumor and non-tumorous adjacent tissue samples were obtained from HNSCC patients during routine biopsy or resection procedures at the University Medical Center Utrecht. The tissue was subsequently processed to establish PDOs. The sample purity was determined as the presence of epithelial cells in the culture on the day of organoid isolation as visualized microscopically by the researcher. PDO establishment was recorded for all samples. Clinical data was obtained from the medical records and was correlated to PDO establishment and presence of epithelial cells.ResultsOrganoids could be established in 133/250 (53.2%) primary tumor site tissues. HNSCC organoid establishment tended to be more successful if patients were younger than the median age of 68 years (74/123 (60.2%) vs. 59/127 (46.5%), p = 0.03). For a subset of samples, the presence of epithelial cells in the organoid culture on the day of organoid isolation was recorded in 112/149 (75.2%) of these samples. When cultures were selected for presence of epithelial cells, organoid establishment increased to 76.8% (86/112 samples).ConclusionThis study found a trend between age and successful organoid outgrowth in patients with HNSCC younger than 68 years and emphasizes the value of efficient sampling regarding PDO establishment.

SCARB2 associates with tumor-infiltrating neutrophils and predicts poor prognosis in breast cancer.

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in various aspects of breast cancer development and metastasis. Nevertheless, the expression, prognostic significance, and correlation with clinical features of SCARB2 in breast cancer, as well as the infiltrative characteristics of TME, remain largely unknown. We analyzed the differential presentation of SCARB2 mRNA in breast cancer tissues and nontumorous breast tissues and prognosis by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases. Additionally, the Tumor Immunity Estimation Resource (TIMER) was taken to evaluate the correlation between SCARB2 mRNA presence and tumor-infiltrating immune cells and immune checkpoints in the TME in breast cancer. We performed multiple immunohistochemical staining to verify the SCARB2 protein expression in breast cancer tissues and its relationship to immune cells and checkpoints and clinicopathological features. We identified elevated SCARB2 expression in breast cancer tissues, and high SCARB2 protein presentation was associated with advanced clinical stage and unfavorable prognosis. In addition, enhanced SCARB2 protein presence was closely correlated with up-regulation CD66b+ neutrophils infiltration in tumor tissues (r = 0.210, P < 0.05) and CD68 + CD163+ M2 macrophages in the interstitium (r = 0.233, P < 0.05), as well as the immune checkpoints, including PD-1 (r = 0.314, P < 0.01) protein expression. SCARB2 holds promise for predicting the clinical outcome of breast cancer patients and could serve as a potential therapeutic target.