Promotion of stem cell-like phenotype of lung adenocarcinoma by FAM83A via stabilization of ErbB2.

Lung cancer stands as the leading cause of mortality among all types of tumors, with over 40% of cases being lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Family with sequence similarity 83 member A (FAM83A) emerges as a notable focus due to its frequent overexpression in LUAD. Despite this, the precise role of FAM83A remains elusive. This study addresses this gap by unveiling the crucial involvement of FAM83A in maintaining the cancer stem cell-like (CSC-like) phenotype of LUAD. Through a global proteomics analysis, the study identifies human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2 or ErbB2) as a crucial target of FAM83A. Mechanistically, FAM83A facilitated ErbB2 expression at the posttranslational modification level via the E3 ubiquitin ligase STUB1 (STIP1-homologous U-Box containing protein 1). More importantly, the interaction between FAM83A and ErbB2 at Arg241 promotes calcineurin (CALN)-mediated dephosphorylation of ErbB2, followed by inhibition of STUB1-mediated ubiquitin-proteasomal ErbB2 degradation. The maintenance of the CSC-like phenotype by FAM83A, achieved through the posttranslational regulation of ErbB2, offers valuable insights for identifying potential therapeutic targets for LUAD.

Two-step method for creating a gastric tube during laparoscopic-thoracoscopic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy.

AIM: To introduce a two-step method for creating a gastric tube during laparoscopic-thoracoscopic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy and assess its clinical application. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two patients with middle or lower esophageal cancer who underwent laparoscopic-thoracoscopic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy at Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute from March 2014 to March 2016 were included in this study, and divided into two groups based on the procedure used for creating a gastric tube. One group used a two-step method for creating a gastric tube, and the other group used the conventional method. The two groups were compared regarding the operating time, surgical complications, and number of stapler cartridges used. RESULTS: The mean operating time was significantly shorter in the two-step method group than in the conventional method group [238 (179-293) min vs 272 (189-347) min, P < 0.01]. No postoperative death occurred in either group. There was no significant difference in the rate of complications [14 (21.9%) vs 13 (22.4%), P = 0.55] or mean number of stapler cartridges used [5 (4-6) vs 5.2 (5-6), P = 0.007] between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The two-step method for creating a gastric tube during laparoscopic-thoracoscopic Ivor-Lewis esophagectomy has the advantages of simple operation, minimal damage to the tubular stomach, and reduced use of stapler cartridges.

Short-Term Outcome of Three-Dimensional Versus Two-Dimensional Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery for Benign Pulmonary Diseases.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether three-dimensional (3D) video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) pulmonary resections are comparable to two-dimensional (2D) VATS pulmonary resections in patients with potentially operable benign pulmonary diseases. METHODS: We analyzed the clinical data of patients who underwent 2D and 3D VATS pulmonary resections for benign diseases in our hospital from November 2013 to August 2014. Perioperative factors (estimated blood loss and operative time) and postoperative factors (postoperative hospital length of stay, postoperative complications, and duration of chest tube drainage) were evaluated. RESULTS: VATS was performed in 278 patients during the 10-month study period. The 2D VATS system was used in 142 patients (51.08%), and the 3D VATS system was used in 136 (48.92%). Operative time was significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.007). However, no significant differences were found in estimated blood loss (p = 0.75), chest drainage tube placement time (p = 0.852), rate of postoperative complications (p = 0.566), or postoperative hospital length of stay (p = 0.951). CONCLUSIONS: The use of 3D VATS appears to facilitate precise execution of surgical techniques in specific operative tasks and, as a result, reduces lung resection performance time in patients with benign pulmonary diseases.

Antitumor effect of recombinant human endostatin combined with cisplatin on rats with transplanted Lewis lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the antitumor effect and mechanism of recombinant human endostatin (Endostar) injection in tumor combined with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin on subcutaneous transplanted Lewis lung cancer in rats. METHODS: A total of 30 C57 rats were selected, and the monoplast suspension of Lewis lung cancer was injected into the left axilla to prepare the subcutaneous transplanted tumor models in the axilla of right upper limb. The models were randomly divided into Groups A, B, and C. Medication was conducted when the tumor grew to 400 mm(3). Group A was the control group without any interventional treatment. Group B was injected with Endostar 5 mg kg(-1) d(-1) for 10 d. Group C was given the injection of Endostar 5 mg kg(-1) d(-1) combined with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin 5 mg kg(-1) d(-1) for 10 d. All the rats in three groups were executed the day after the 10 d medication and the tumor was taken off for measurement of volume and mass changes and calculation of antitumor rate, after which the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in rats' plasma was determined by ELISA. The tumor tissues were cut for the preparation of conventional biopsies. After hematoxylin-eosin staining, the pathologic histology was examined to observe the structures of tumor tissues, VEGF score and microvessel density (MVD) in each group. RESULTS: The volume and mass of tumor in Groups B and C were significantly lower than Group A (P < 0.05) while the tumor volume and mass in Group C were significantly lower than Group B (P < 0.05). The antitumor rate in Group C was significantly higher than Group B (P < 0.05), but the tumor VEGF score, MVD and plasma VEGF level in Group C were significantly lower than Groups A and B (P < 0.05). In Group B, the tumor VEGF score, MVD and plasma VEGF level were significantly lower than Group A (P < 0.05). The microscopic image of Group C showed that its number of active tumor cells and the blood capillary around tumor was significantly smaller than that of Groups A and B, and meanwhile atrophy and liquefactive necrosis were seen in local tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Endostar injection combined with intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin is effective in reducing tumor VEGF score and MVD of transplanted tumor tissues in rats with Lewis lung cancer to obstruct the nutrient supply of tumor cells and kill tumor cells, so that the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and metastasis can be achieved with a remarkable effect.