Trends in published meta-analyses in cancer research, 2008-2013.

In order to capture trends in the contribution of epidemiology to cancer research, we describe an online meta-analysis database resource for cancer clinical and population research and illustrate trends and descriptive detail of cancer meta-analyses from 2008 through 2013. A total of 4,686 cancer meta-analyses met our inclusion criteria. During this 6-year period, a fivefold increase was observed in the yearly number of meta-analyses. Fifty-six percent of meta-analyses concerned observational studies, mostly of cancer risk, more than half of which were genetic studies. The major cancer sites were breast, colorectal, and digestive. This online database for Cancer Genomics and Epidemiology Navigator will be continuously updated to allow investigators to quickly navigate the meta-analyses emerging from cancer epidemiology studies and cancer clinical trials.

miR-223 Deficiency Protects against Fas-Induced Hepatocyte Apoptosis and Liver Injury through Targeting Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor.

The biological functions and molecular mechanisms of miR-223 action in liver cells and liver diseases remain unclear. We therefore determined the effect and mechanism of action of miR-233 in Fas-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and liver injury. Wild-type (WT) and miR-223 knockout (KO) mice were treated i.p. with 0.5 µg/g body weight anti-Fas antibody Jo2, and the animals were monitored for survival and the extent of liver injury. Although WT mice died 4 to 6 hours after Jo2 injection (n = 6), all of the miR-223 KO mice (n = 6) survived. In comparison to WT mice, the miR-223 KO mice showed resistance to Fas-induced liver injury, as indicated by less tissue damage under histopathological examination, fewer apoptotic hepatocytes under caspase-3 immunostaining, and less elevation of serum transaminases. miR-223 KO livers showed less caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9 activation and less poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage compared with WT livers (P < 0.05). Furthermore, tail vein injection of miR-223 lentiviral vector to miR-223 KO mice restored Jo2-induced liver injury. Transfection of miR-223 KO hepatocytes with miR-223 mimic enhanced Jo2-induced activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9, whereas transfection of WT hepatocytes with the miR-223 inhibitor attenuated Jo2-induced apoptosis. These findings demonstrate that miR-223 deficiency protects against Fas-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and liver injury. Further in vitro and in vivo data indicate that miR-223 regulates Fas-induced hepatocyte apoptosis and liver injury by targeting the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor.

miR-185 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma growth by targeting the DNMT1/PTEN/Akt pathway.

miRNAs have recently been implicated in hepatocarcinogenesis, although the actions and mechanisms of individual miRNAs remain incompletely understood. We examined the biological functions and molecular mechanisms of miR-185 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The expression of miR-185 is decreased in human HCC tissues compared with the nonneoplastic liver parenchyma. Quantitative RT-PCR showed a reduction of miR-185 in human HCC cells compared with primary hepatocytes. miR-185 overexpression in human HCC cells inhibited cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and prevented tumor growth in SCID mice. miR-185 overexpression inhibited DNMT1 3' untranslated region luciferase reporter activity in HCC cells; this effect was abolished when the miR-185 binding site was mutated. miR-185 mimic or overexpression decreased the level of DNMT1 protein in HCC cells. These findings establish DNMT1 as a bona fide target of miR-185 in HCC cells. The role of DNMT1 in miR-185-induced inhibition of HCC growth was further supported by the fact that DNMT1 overexpression prevented miR-185-induced inhibition of HCC cell proliferation/invasion. miR-185 mimic or overexpression reduced PTEN promoter DNA methylation and enhanced PTEN expression, leading to the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation; these effects were partially reversed by DNMT1 overexpression. These results provide novel evidence that miR-185 inhibits HCC cell growth by targeting DNMT1, leading to PTEN induction and Akt inhibition. Thus, reactivation or induction of miR-185 may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.