KAT8/SIRT7-mediated Fascin-K41 acetylation/deacetylation regulates tumor metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Fascin actin-bundling protein 1 (Fascin) is highly expressed in a variety of cancers, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), working as an important oncogenic protein and promoting the migration and invasion of cancer cells by bundling F-actin to facilitate the formation of filopodia and invadopodia. However, it is not clear how exactly the function of Fascin is regulated by acetylation in cancer cells. Here, in ESCC cells, the histone acetyltransferase KAT8 catalyzed Fascin lysine 41 (K41) acetylation, to inhibit Fascin-mediated F-actin bundling and the formation of filopodia and invadopodia. Furthermore, NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin (SIRT) 7-mediated deacetylation of Fascin-K41 enhances the formation of filopodia and invadopodia, which promotes the migration and invasion of ESCC cells. Clinically, the analysis of cancer and adjacent tissue samples from patients with ESCC showed that Fascin-K41 acetylation was lower in the cancer tissue of patients with lymph node metastasis than in that of patients without lymph node metastasis, and low levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation were associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with ESCC. Importantly, K41 acetylation significantly blocked NP-G2-044, one of the Fascin inhibitors currently being clinically evaluated, suggesting that NP-G2-044 may be more suitable for patients with low levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation, but not suitable for patients with high levels of Fascin-K41 acetylation. © 2024 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

MASAN: a novel staging system for prognosis of patients with oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most malignant cancers worldwide. Treatment of ESCC is in progress through accurate staging and risk assessment of patients. The emergence of potential molecular markers inspired us to construct novel staging systems with better accuracy by incorporating molecular markers. METHODS: We measured H scores of 23 protein markers and analysed eight clinical factors of 77 ESCC patients in a training set, from which we identified an optimal MASAN (MYC, ANO1, SLC52A3, Age and N-stage) signature. We constructed MASAN models using Cox PH models, and created MASAN-staging systems based on k-means clustering and minimum-distance classifier. MASAN was validated in a test set (n = 77) and an independent validation set (n = 150). RESULTS: MASAN possessed high predictive accuracies and stratified ESCC patients into three prognostic groups that were more accurate than the current pTNM-staging system for both overall survival and disease-free survival. To facilitate clinical utilisation, we also constructed MASAN-SI staging systems based on staining indices (SI) of protein markers, which possessed similar prognostic performance as MASAN. CONCLUSION: MASAN provides a good alternative staging system for ESCC prognosis with a high precision using a simple model.

A three-gene signature and clinical outcome in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

It is increasingly apparent that cancer development depends not only on genetic alterations, but also on epigenetic changes involving histone modifications. GASC1, member of the histone demethylases affecting heterochromatin formation and transcriptional repression, has been found to be dysregulation in many types of cancers including breast cancer, prostate cancer, metastatic lung sarcomatoid carcinoma, and leukemia. In this study, we examined the expression of GASC1 and certain GASC1-targeted genes (KLF4, MYC, SOX2, PPARG, MDM2, and NANOG) and identified a three-gene prognostic signature (PPARG, MDM2, and NANOG), using risk scores based on immunohistochemical analyses of 149 tumor specimens from patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The presence of a high-risk three-gene signature in the ESCC tumors was significantly associated with decreased overall survival (OS) of the patients. We validated the predictive value of the three-gene signature in a second independent cohort of 101 patients with ESCC in order to determine whether it had predictive value. The results were similar to those in 149 patients. According to multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses, the predictive model of a three-gene signature was an independent predictor for OS (p = 0.005 in cohort 1, p = 0.025 in cohort 2). In addition, ROC analysis indicated that the predictive ability of the three-gene model was more robust than that of a single biomarker. Therefore, our three-gene signature is closely associated with OS among patients with ESCC and may serve as a predictor for the poor prognosis of ESCC patients.

Autoantibodies as potential biomarkers for the early detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most frequent causes of cancer death worldwide and effective diagnosis is needed. We assessed the diagnostic potential of an autoantibody panel that may benefit early diagnosis. METHODS: We analyzed data for patients with ESCC and normal controls in a test cohort and a validation cohort. Autoantibody levels were measured against a panel of six tumor-associated antigens (p53, NY-ESO-1, matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), peroxiredoxin VI (Prx VI), and BMI1 polycomb ring finger oncogene (Bmi-1)) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We assessed serum autoantibodies in 513 participants: 388 with ESCC and 125 normal controls. The validation cohort comprised 371 participants: 237 with ESCC, and 134 normal controls. Autoantibodies to at least 1 of 6 antigens demonstrated a sensitivity/specificity of 57% (95% confidence interval (CI): 52-62%)/95% (95% CI: 89-98%) and 51% (95% CI: 45-57%)/96% (95% CI: 91-99%) in the test and validation cohorts, respectively. Measurement of the autoantibody panel could differentiate early-stage ESCC patients from normal controls (sensitivity 45% (95% CI: 32-59%) and specificity 95% (95% CI: 89-98%) in the test cohort; 46% (95% CI: 35-58%) and 96% (95% CI: 91-99%) in the validation cohort). In either cohort, no significant differences were seen when patients were subdivided by age, gender, smoking status, size of tumor, site of tumor, depth of tumor invasion, histological grade, lymph node status, TNM stage, or early-stage and late-stage groups. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of an autoantibody response to multiple tumor-associated antigens in an optimized panel assay, to help discriminate early-stage ESCC patients from normal controls, may aid in early detection of ESCC.

Spatial analysis of stromal signatures identifies invasive front carcinoma-associated fibroblasts as suppressors of anti-tumor immune response in esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicates that the tumor microenvironment (TME) is a crucial determinant of cancer progression. However, the clinical and pathobiological significance of stromal signatures in the TME, as a complex dynamic entity, is still unclear in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: Herein, we used single-cell transcriptome sequencing data, imaging mass cytometry (IMC) and multiplex immunofluorescence staining to characterize the stromal signatures in ESCC and evaluate their prognostic values in this aggressive disease. An automated quantitative pathology imaging system determined the locations of the lamina propria, stroma, and invasive front. Subsequently, IMC spatial analyses further uncovered spatial interaction and distribution. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore the TME remodeling mechanism in ESCC. To define a new molecular prognostic model, we calculated the risk score of each patient based on their TME signatures and pTNM stages. RESULTS: We demonstrate that the presence of fibroblasts at the tumor invasive front was associated with the invasive depth and poor prognosis. Furthermore, the amount of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)+ fibroblasts at the tumor invasive front positively correlated with the number of macrophages (MØs), but negatively correlated with that of tumor-infiltrating granzyme B+ immune cells, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Spatial analyses uncovered a significant spatial interaction between α-SMA+ fibroblasts and CD163+ MØs in the TME, which resulted in spatially exclusive interactions to anti-tumor immune cells. We further validated the laminin and collagen signaling network contributions to TME remodeling. Moreover, compared with pTNM staging, a molecular prognostic model, based on expression of α-SMA+ fibroblasts at the invasive front, and CD163+ MØs, showed higher accuracy in predicting survival or recurrence in ESCC patients. Regression analysis confirmed this model is an independent predictor for survival, which also identifies a high-risk group of ESCC patients that can benefit from adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our newly defined biomarker signature may serve as a complement for current clinical risk stratification approaches and provide potential therapeutic targets for reversing the fibroblast-mediated immunosuppressive microenvironment.

Targeting USP10 induces degradation of oncogenic ANLN in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Anillin (ANLN) is a mitosis-related protein that promotes contractile ring formation and cytokinesis, but its cell cycle-dependent degradation mechanisms in cancer cells remain unclear. Here, we show that high expression of ANLN promotes cytokinesis and proliferation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells and is associated with poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Furthermore, the findings of the study showed that the deubiquitinating enzyme USP10 interacts with ANLN and positively regulates ANLN protein levels. USP10 removes the K11- and K63-linked ubiquitin chains of ANLN through its deubiquitinase activity and prevents ANLN ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Importantly, USP10 promotes contractile ring assembly at the cytokinetic furrow as well as cytokinesis by stabilizing ANLN. Interestingly, USP10 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase APC/C co-activator Cdh1 formed a functional complex with ANLN in a non-competitive manner to balance ANLN protein levels. In addition, the macrolide compound FW-04-806 (F806), a natural compound with potential for treating ESCC, inhibited the mitosis of ESCC cells by targeting USP10 and promoting ANLN degradation. F806 selectively targeted USP10 and inhibited its catalytic activity but did not affect the binding of Cdh1 to ANLN and alters the balance of the USP10-Cdh1-ANLN complex. Additionally, USP10 expression was positively correlated with ANLN level and poor prognosis of ESCC patients. Overall, targeting the USP10-ANLN axis can effectively inhibit ESCC cell-cycle progression.

Blocking STAT3 signaling augments MEK/ERK inhibitor efficacy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the world's leading causes of death, and its primary clinical therapy relies on surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and chemoradiotherapy. Although the genomic features and clinical significance of ESCC have been identified, the outcomes of targeted therapies are still unsatisfactory. Here, we demonstrate that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling is highly activated and associated with poor prognosis in patients with ESCC. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors efficiently blocked the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in ESCC, while signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling was rapidly activated. Combined STAT3 inhibition prevented the emergence of resistance and enhanced MEK inhibitor-induced cell cycle arrest and senescence in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies revealed that the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) was downregulated, resulting in an increase in STAT3 phosphorylation in MEK-inhibited cells. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that ELK1, which was activated by MEK/ERK signaling, induced SOCS3 transcription. These data suggest that the development of combined MEK and STAT3 inhibition could be a useful strategy in ESCC targeted therapy.

STAT3ß Enhances Sensitivity to Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy by Inducing Cellular Necroptosis in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), especially platinum plus radiotherapy, is considered to be one of the most promising treatment modalities for patients with advanced esophageal cancer. STAT3ß regulates specific target genes and inhibits the process of tumorigenesis and development. It is also a good prognostic marker and a potential marker for response to adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (ACRT). We aimed to investigate the relationship between STAT3ß and CCRT. We examined the expression of STAT3α and STAT3ß in pretreatment tumor biopsies of 105 ESCC patients who received CCRT by immunohistochemistry. The data showed that ESCC patients who demonstrate both high STAT3α expression and high STAT3ß expression in the cytoplasm have a significantly better survival rate, and STAT3ß expression is an independent protective factor (HR = 0.424, p = 0.003). Meanwhile, ESCC patients with high STAT3ß expression demonstrated a complete response to CCRT in 65 patients who received platinum plus radiation therapy (p = 0.014). In ESCC cells, high STAT3ß expression significantly inhibits the ability of colony formation and cell proliferation, suggesting that STAT3ß enhances sensitivity to CCRT (platinum plus radiation therapy). Mechanistically, through RNA-seq analysis, we found that the TNF signaling pathway and necrotic cell death pathway were significantly upregulated in highly expressed STAT3ß cells after CCRT treatment. Overall, our study highlights that STAT3ß could potentially be used to predict the response to platinum plus radiation therapy, which may provide an important insight into the treatment of ESCC.

STAT3ß disrupted mitochondrial electron transport chain enhances chemosensitivity by inducing pyroptosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

The clinical efficacy of cisplatin in the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is undesirable. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3ß (STAT3ß), a splice variant of STAT3, restrains STAT3α activity and enhances chemosensitivity in ESCC. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we found that high expression of STAT3ß contributes to cisplatin sensitivity and enhances Gasdermin E (GSDME) dependent pyroptosis in ESCC cells after exposure to cisplatin. Mechanistically, STAT3ß was located into the mitochondria and its high expression disrupts the activity of the electron transport chain, resulting in an increase of ROS in cisplatin treatment cells. While high levels of ROS caused activation of caspase-3 and GSDME, and induced cell pyroptosis. STAT3ß blocked the phosphorylation of STAT3α S727 in mitochondria by interacting with ERK1/2 following cisplatin treatment, disrupting electron transport chain and inducing activation of GSDME. Clinically, high expression of both STAT3ß and GSDME was strongly associated with better overall survival and disease-free survival of ESCC patients. Overall, our study reveals that STAT3ß sensitizes ESCC cells to cisplatin by disrupting mitochondrial electron transport chain and enhancing pyroptosis, which demonstrates the prognostic significance of STAT3ß in ESCC therapy.

Integrated single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals heterogeneity of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma microenvironment.

The tumor microenvironment is a highly complex ecosystem of diverse cell types, which shape cancer biology and impact the responsiveness to therapy. Here, we analyze the microenvironment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) using single-cell transcriptome sequencing in 62,161 cells from blood, adjacent nonmalignant and matched tumor samples from 11 ESCC patients. We uncover heterogeneity in most cell types of the ESCC stroma, particularly in the fibroblast and immune cell compartments. We identify a tumor-specific subset of CST1+ myofibroblasts with prognostic values and potential biological significance. CST1+ myofibroblasts are also highly tumor-specific in other cancer types. Additionally, a subset of antigen-presenting fibroblasts is revealed and validated. Analyses of myeloid and T lymphoid lineages highlight the immunosuppressive nature of the ESCC microenvironment, and identify cancer-specific expression of immune checkpoint inhibitors. This work establishes a rich resource of stromal cell types of the ESCC microenvironment for further understanding of ESCC biology.

P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF)-mediated acetylation of Fascin at lysine 471 inhibits its actin-bundling activity and tumor metastasis in esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Fascin is crucial for cancer cell filopodium formation and tumor metastasis, and is functionally regulated by post-translational modifications. However, whether and how Fascin is regulated by acetylation remains unclear. This study explored the regulation of Fascin acetylation and its corresponding roles in filopodium formation and tumor metastasis. METHODS: Immunoprecipitation and glutathione-S-transferase pull-down assays were performed to examine the interaction between Fascin and acetyltransferase P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF), and immunofluorescence was used to investigate their colocalization. An in vitro acetylation assay was performed to identify Fascin acetylation sites by using mass spectrometry. A specific antibody against acetylated Fascin was generated and used to detect the PCAF-mediated Fascin acetylation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells using Western blotting by overexpressing and knocking down PCAF expression. An in vitro cell migration assay was performed, and a xenograft model was established to study in vivo tumor metastasis. Live-cell imaging and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching were used to evaluate the function and dynamics of acetylated Fascin in filopodium formation. The clinical significance of acetylated Fascin and PCAF in ESCC was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Fascin directly interacted and colocalized with PCAF in the cytoplasm and was acetylated at lysine 471 (K471) by PCAF. Using the specific anti-AcK471-Fascin antibody, Fascin was found to be acetylated in ESCC cells, and the acetylation level was consequently increased after PCAF overexpression and decreased after PCAF knockdown. Functionally, Fascin-K471 acetylation markedly suppressed in vitro ESCC cell migration and in vivo tumor metastasis, whereas Fascin-K471 deacetylation exhibited a potent oncogenic function. Moreover, Fascin-K471 acetylation reduced filopodial length and density, and lifespan of ESCC cells, while its deacetylation produced the opposite effect. In the filipodium shaft, K471-acetylated Fascin displayed rapid dynamic exchange, suggesting that it remained in its monomeric form owing to its weakened actin-bundling activity. Clinically, high levels of AcK471-Fascin in ESCC tissues were strongly associated with prolonged overall survival and disease-free survival of ESCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fascin interacts directly with PCAF and is acetylated at lysine 471 in ESCC cells. Fascin-K471 acetylation suppressed ESCC cell migration and tumor metastasis by reducing filopodium formation through the impairment of its actin-bundling activity.

Large-scale and high-resolution mass spectrometry-based proteomics profiling defines molecular subtypes of esophageal cancer for therapeutic targeting.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a type of aggressive cancer without clinically relevant molecular subtypes, hindering the development of effective strategies for treatment. To define molecular subtypes of EC, we perform mass spectrometry-based proteomic and phosphoproteomics profiling of EC tumors and adjacent non-tumor tissues, revealing a catalog of proteins and phosphosites that are dysregulated in ECs. The EC cohort is stratified into two molecular subtypes-S1 and S2-based on proteomic analysis, with the S2 subtype characterized by the upregulation of spliceosomal and ribosomal proteins, and being more aggressive. Moreover, we identify a subtype signature composed of ELOA and SCAF4, and construct a subtype diagnostic and prognostic model. Potential drugs are predicted for treating patients of S2 subtype, and three candidate drugs are validated to inhibit EC. Taken together, our proteomic analysis define molecular subtypes of EC, thus providing a potential therapeutic outlook for improving disease outcomes in patients with EC.

Low temperature of radiofrequency ablation at the target sites can facilitate rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Rapid progression of residual tumor after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma has been observed increasingly. However, its underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. The present study was designed to determine whether low temperature of RFA at the target sites facilitates rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma and to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The residual VX2 hepatoma model in rabbits was established by using RFA at 55, 70 and 85 degrees C. Rabbits that were implanted with VX2 hepatoma but did not receive RFA acted as a control group. The relationship between rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma and low temperature of RFA at the target sites was carefully evaluated. A number of potential contributing molecular factors, such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. RESULTS: The focal tumor volume and lung metastases of RFA-treated rabbits increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and the greatest changes were seen in the 55 degrees C group (P < 0.05). Expression of PCNA, MMP-9, VEGF, HGF and IL-6 in tumor tissues increased significantly in the RFA-treated groups compared with the control group, and of the increases were greatest in the 55 degrees C group (P < 0.05). These results were consistent with gross pathological observation. Tumor re-inoculation experiments confirmed that low temperature of RFA at the target sites facilitated rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient RFA that is caused by low temperature at the target sites could be an important cause of rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma. Residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma could facilitate its rapid progression through inducing overexpression of several molecular factors, such as PCNA, MMP-9, VEGF, HGF and IL-6.

Endocrine traits of polycystic ovary syndrome in prenatally androgenized female Sprague-Dawley rats.

Although hyperandrogenism is an important condition and is considered the possible pathogenesis behind polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), data supporting this is still scarce. We sought to determine whether or not prenatal androgen exposure leads to PCOS and the possible cellular mechanisms involved. To induce prenatal androgen exposure, pregnant rats were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of free testosterone (T) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from embryonic days 16 to 19, and their female offspring were studied as adults. The mRNA expression of the progesterone receptor (PR) in the preoptic area (POA) hypothalamus was higher in the experimental groups than in the control group after ovariectomy and stimulation with estradiol benzoate. The levels of T, P, leutinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol were higher in the experimental groups than in the control groups. The frequency and magnitude of LH secretion was increased in experimental rats as compared with the control group. The anogenital distance of the experimental groups was prolonged and the nipple number was lower than that of the control group. Almost all experimental rats had prolonged or irregular estrous cycles. The experimental groups had fewer corpus luteum and preovulatory follicles and more preantral follicles and antral follicles than the controls. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that excess androgen during the prenatal period may cause PCOS. Additionally, we show that hyperandrogenic interference in the release of preovulatory LH surges is mediated by the suppressive effects of androgens on PR expression in POA-hypothalamic tissue.

Prognostic significance of perigastric lymph nodes metastases on survival in patients with thoracic esophageal cancer.

Several publications have showed that the number of metastatic lymph node (LN) should be taken into consideration in nodal category of esophageal cancer, but seldom considered extent of involved regional LNs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the significance of the extent of regional LN metastasis on survival in patients with esophageal cancer. A total of 245 thoracic esophageal cancer patients underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with standard lymphadenectomy between January 2000 and December 2006 were included in the study. Data including demographic factors, pathologic findings, LN parameters and survival outcomes were collected. The survival experience was depicted using Kaplan-Meier method. A multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was used to screen the significant prognostic factors. The univariate analysis to further explore the significant prognostic factor was done by log-rank test. After a median follow-up of 53.2 months, the 5-year survival rate was 46.3% for the entire cohort. Cox model regression indicated that the LN status and perigastric nodal status, aside from residual tumor status, histological tumor type and depth of invasion, were the independent prognostic factors. Patients without LN metastasis had better 5-year survival than those with positive nodes (64.2% vs. 18.9%, X2=35.875, P<0.001). However, For those patients with nodal involvement, there was no difference in 5-year survival between patients with involved nodes<3 and >or=3 (27.8% vs. 0%, X2=0.925, P=0.336). When considering the location of LN metastasis, patients could be further stratified according to whether the perigastric nodes were involved or not (37.5% vs. 10.0%, X2=4.295, P=0.038). In conclusion, involved LN number had no prognostic implication in nodal involved patients based on our data. Whereas, perigastric nodal involvement should be used to refine the N category (N0, no nodal metastasis, N1, non-perigastric node metastasis, N2, perigastric node metastasis) for the future esophageal cancer staging criteria.

Heme is involved in the systemic inflammatory response following radiofrequency ablation of hepatic hemangiomas.

OBJECTIVE: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for managing hepatic hemangiomas. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) often occurs with hemoglobinuria, and its underlying pathophysiological mechanism is unknown. Heme can trigger inflammation by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the production of inflammatory mediators. We therefore investigated whether circulating heme is involved in SIRS following RFA of hepatic hemangiomas. METHODS: We enrolled 65 patients with hepatic hemangioma who underwent RFA. Serum concentrations of free heme, ROS, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured after RFA. Univariate analysis and a multivariate binary logistic regression model were used to evaluate the contribution of 17 risk factors for SIRS after RFA. RESULTS: Fifty-nine (59/65, 90.8%) patients developed hemoglobinuria, among which 25 (25/59, 42.4%) experienced SIRS shortly after RFA. In the SIRS group, the serum concentrations of heme, ROS, and TNF-α were immediately elevated after RFA compared with baseline and slowly regained their normal levels 3 days after RFA. Moreover, the concentrations of circulating heme significantly correlated with those of ROS (r = 0.805, P < 0.001) and TNF-α (r = 0.797, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the volume of hemangioma [odds ratio (OR) = 1.293, P = 0.031], time of ablation (OR = 1.194, P = 0.029) as well as the concentrations of heme (OR = 1.430, P = 0.017), ROS (OR = 1.251, P = 0.031), and TNF-α (OR = 1.309, P = 0.032) were significantly associated with SIRS. CONCLUSION: Circulating heme was associated with the induction of ROS and the production of TNF-α, which may contribute to the induction of SIRS following RFA of hepatic hemangiomas.

Identification of key genes by integrating DNA methylation and next-generation transcriptome sequencing for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aberrant DNA methylation leads to abnormal gene expression, making it a significant regulator in the progression of cancer and leading to the requirement for integration of gene expression with DNA methylation. Here, we identified 120 genes demonstrating an inverse correlation between DNA methylation and mRNA expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Sixteen key genes, such as SIX4, CRABP2, and EHD3, were obtained by filtering 10 datasets and verified in paired ESCC samples by qRT-PCR. 5-Aza-dC as a DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor could recover their expression and inhibit clonal growth of cancer cells in seven ESCC cell lines. Furthermore, 11 of the 16 genes were correlated with OS (overall survival) and DFS (disease-free survival) in 125 ESCC patients. ChIP-Seq data and WGBS data showed that DNA methylation and H3K27ac histone modification of these key genes displayed inverse trends, suggesting that there was collaboration between DNA methylation and histone modification in ESCC. Our findings illustrate that the integrated multi-omics data (transcriptome and epigenomics) can accurately obtain potential prognostic biomarkers, which may provide important insight for the effective treatment of cancers.

Resection as first-line therapy for large hepatic sclerosing hemangioma: a case report.

Hepatic sclerosing hemangioma is a rare benign disease that occurs in association with hepatic cavernous hemangioma degeneration and sclerosis. Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency (RF) ablation is an alternative treatment for hepatic cavernous hemangiomas, even for large hemangiomas (≥10 cm). However, RF ablation might not be suitable to treat large sclerosing hemangiomas. We herein report the successful surgical removal of a large hepatic sclerosing hemangioma after RF ablation treatment failure in a 65-year-old man. In conclusion, we suggest that resection should be chosen as a first-line therapy for the disease.

miR-152-3p Modulates hepatic carcinogenesis by targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 8.

BACKGROUND: Cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) as a Mediator complex-associated transcriptional regulator has been shown to play important role in the initiation and progression of various cancers. The present study aimed to explore miR-152-3p-modulated post-transcriptional repression of CDK8 in hepatic carcinogenesis. METHODS: Eighty-nine pairs of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adjacent non-tumor tissues were collected for molecular biological analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis assays were detected using CCK8 and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide (Annexinv-FITC) double staining, respectively. Bioinformatics algorithms and luciferase reporter assay were performed to validate CDK8 as a direct target of miR-152-3p. Gene and protein expression levels were monitored using RT-qPCR, western blotting or immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. RESULTS: CDK8 expression levels were up-regulated and miR-152-3p was down-regulated in HCC tissues. The correlation analysis had documented a significant negative correlation between miR-152-3p and CDK8 in the HCC tissues. Both CDK8 and miR-152-3p could serve as the independent prognostic factors for predicting the OS and DFS in HCC patients. Bioinformatics and experimental measurement revealed that CDK8 was a direct target of miR-152-3p. After co-transfection with the miR-152-3p mimics and the CDK8 overexpressed plasmids, the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic roles of miR-152-3p were restricted by CDK8. CONCLUSION: The present results obtained forcefully proved that miR-152-3p exhibited an antineoplastic activity via targeting CDK8 and might be served as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.

Insufficient radiofrequency ablation-induced autophagy contributes to the rapid progression of residual hepatocellular carcinoma through the HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling pathway.

Currently speaking, it is noted that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been the most widely used treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in patients. However, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the incidence of insufficient RFA (IRFA) may result in the identified rapid progression of residual HCC in the patient, which can greatly hinder the effectiveness and patient reported benefits of utilizing this technique. Although many efforts have been proposed, the underlying mechanisms triggering the rapid progression of residual HCC after IRFA have not yet been fully clarified through current research literature reviews. It was shown in this study that cell proliferation, migration and invasion of residual HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells were significantly increased after the IRFA was simulated in vitro. In other words, it is noted that IRFA could do this by enhancing the image of autophagy of the residual HCC cell via the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway. Consequently, the down-regulation of BNIP3 may result in the inhibition of the residual HCC cell progression and autophagy after IRFA. Our present study results suggest that IRFA could promote residual HCC cell progression in vitro by enhancing autophagy via the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway. For this reason, it is noted that the targeting of the BNIP3 may be useful in preventing the rapid growth and metastasis of residual HCC after IRFA. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(4): 277-282].