Exosomal long non-coding RNAs: biological properties and therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.

Exosomes and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important elements contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of cancer development and progression. The discovery of lncRNAs in exosomes further indicates their bona fide biological functional roles in cancer development and drug resistance. In this review, we describe the biogenesis of exosomes and summarize the function of exosomal lncRNAs in the field of cancer research. These findings strikingly advance current knowledge of exosomal lncRNAs and suggest that they may be promising diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer.

Pure natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery management of simple renal cysts: 2-year follow-up results.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Retrograde ureteroscopic marsupialization is a pure natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). We retrospectively examined the feasibility and safety of this technique to manage symptomatic simple renal cysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with simple renal cysts were selected and treated by incising the cyst wall to drain into the collecting system through retrograde ureteroscopy. A retrospective observational study was performed to evaluate the patient's symptomatic and radiologic results after ureteroscopic marsupialization. Symptomatic success based on pain relief was evaluated using a visual analog pain scale preoperatively and postoperatively. Radiologic success was defined as no recurrence of the cyst or a reduction in cyst size by at least half. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications observed. The mean operative time was 35 minutes (range 20-50 min). The mean hospital stay was 3.4 days (range 2-5 d). Of the 16 patients, one patient was lost at follow-up. The symptoms based on pain had resolved in 13 (83%) cases but remained in 2 cases at a mean follow-up of 24.2 months (range 6-36 mos). The average visual analog pain scale decreased from 6.7 (range 4-9) to 1.1 (range 0-5) at the sixth month. The mean size of all cysts decreased from 6.8 cm (range 4-10 cm) to 1.3 cm (range 0-5 cm). Radiographic success was achieved in 93% (14/15) of patients. Cytology and cyst wall pathology reports revealed no evidence of malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde ureteroscopic marsupialization is a complete transurethral NOTES marsupialization. With appropriate patient selection, the minimally invasive retrograde ureteroscopic marsupialization is feasible, safe, and effective. It can be preferred to more invasive laparoscopic or open surgical approaches.