The tumor-associated fibrotic reactions in microenvironment aggravate glioma chemoresistance.

Malignant gliomas are one of the most common and lethal brain tumors with poor prognosis. Most patients with glioblastoma (GBM) die within 2 years of diagnosis, even after receiving standard treatments including surgery combined with concomitant radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the first-line chemotherapeutic agent for gliomas, but the frequent acquisition of chemoresistance generally leads to its treatment failure. Thus, it's urgent to investigate the strategies for overcoming glioma chemoresistance. Currently, many studies have elucidated that cancer chemoresistance is not only associated with the high expression of drug-resistance genes in glioma cells but also can be induced by the alterations of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Numerous studies have explored the use of antifibrosis drugs to sensitize chemotherapy in solid tumors, and surprisingly, these preclinical and clinical attempts have exhibited promising efficacy in treating certain types of cancer. However, it remains unclear how tumor-associated fibrotic alterations in the glioma microenvironment (GME) mediate chemoresistance. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms behind this phenomenon are yet to be determined. In this review, we have summarized the molecular mechanisms by which tumor-associated fibrotic reactions drive glioma transformation from a chemosensitive to a chemoresistant state. Additionally, we have outlined antitumor drugs with antifibrosis functions, suggesting that antifibrosis strategies may be effective in overcoming glioma chemoresistance through TME normalization.

LncRNA ZFAS1 promotes proliferation and migration and inhibits apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma via the PI3K/AKT pathway in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence shows that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a key role in the development of various cancers. Zinc finger antisense 1 (ZFAS1) is a novel lncRNA with previously demonstrated associations with several types of cancer. Here we examined the expression and potential function of the ZFAS1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: We detected ZFAS1 expression in GSE12452, a human microarray dataset, and NPC cell lines. Small interfering RNA against ZFAS1 was used to elucidate the cellular functions of ZFAS1 using MTT, colony formation, cell cycle, cell apoptosis, transwell invasion and migration and western blot assays. An activator of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway (740Y-P) was used to determine the contribution of PI3K/AKT. RESULTS: ZFAS1 was significantly upregulated in NPC tissues and cell lines. Silencing ZFAS1 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and invasion, arrested cell cycle progression and promoted cell apoptosis, as well as reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, 740Y-P could rescue the effects of ZFAS1 knockdown on proliferation, apoptosis and invasion in 5-8F cells. CONCLUSIONS: ZFAS1 might play an oncogenic role in NPC and facilitate cell proliferation and invasion via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in NPC cells.

[Analysis of copy number variations in an infant with Cri du Chat syndrome by array-based comparative genomic hybridization].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze genomic copy number variations in an infant with Cri du Chat syndrome, and to explore the underlying genetic cause. METHODS: G-banding analysis was carried out on cultured peripheral blood sample from the patient. Copy number variation analysis was performed using microarray comparative genomic hybridization, and the result was verified with fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The infant was found to have a 46, XY, der(5) (p?) karyotype. By microarray comparative genomic hybridization, a 23.263 Mb deletion was detected in 5p14.2-p15.3 region in addition to a 14.602 Mb duplication in 12p31 region. A derivative chromosome was formed by rejoining of 12p31 region with the 5p14.2 breakpoint. The patient therefore has a karyotype of arr cgh 5p15.3p14.2 (PLEKHG4B>CDH12)× 1 pat, 12p13.33p13.1 (IQSEC3>GUC Y2C)× 3 pat. Loss of distal 5p and gain of distal 12p were verified with fluorescence in situ hybridization. CONCLUSION: The Cri du Chat syndrome manifested by the patient was caused by deletion of distal 5p from an unbalanced translocation involving chromosome 5. Microarray comparative genomic hybridization is a powerful tool for revealing genomic copy number variations for its high-resolution, high-throughput and high accuracy.

[The effect and mechanism of SU11248 on proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of sunitinib malate (SU11284) on proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2 and explore its mechanism. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2 was treated with SU11248 in vitro, and the change in the proliferation of CNE-2 cell line was observed by MTT assay; Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the levels of P27(KIP1);, cyclin G1 mRNA and protein in CNE-2 cells after treated with 2.5 µg/mL SU11284 for different durations. RESULTS: SU11248 inhibited the proliferation of CNE-2 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) was 2.5 µg/mL. Moreover, SU11248 treatment concentration-dependently decreased cyclin G1 mRNA and protein expressions (P<0.05), in contrast, it time-dependently increased P27(KIP1); mRNA and protein levels (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: SU11248 may significantly inhibit the proliferation of CNE-2 cells through up-regulating P27(KIP1); and down-regulating cyclin G1.

[A novel mutation Glu441stop (GAA to TAA) of androgen receptor gene resulting in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the mutation of human androgen receptor gene (AR) in a patient with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS). METHODS: DNA sequences of 8 exons and their exon/intron boundaries of the AR gene in the patient were amplified by PCR and directly sequenced. RESULTS: DNA sequencing revealed a nonsense mutation in exon 1, resulting in a change of codon 441 GAA (glutamic acid) to a stop codon (TAA). CONCLUSION: A novel mutation Glu441stop (GAA to TAA) of the androgen receptor gene leading to complete androgen insensitivity syndrome was identified in this study in a Chinese patient. It may help us further understanding the pathogenesis of CAIS.