Extracellular vesicles released by hypoxia-induced tumor-associated fibroblasts impart chemoresistance to breast cancer cells via long noncoding RNA H19 delivery.

Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been emphasized in regulating the hypoxic tumor microenvironment of breast cancer (BC), where tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAFs) play a significant role. In this study, we describe possible molecular mechanisms behind the pro-tumoral effects of EVs, secreted by hypoxia (HP)-induced TAFs, on BC cell growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance. These mechanisms are based on long noncoding RNA H19 (H19) identified by microarray analysis. We employed an in silico approach to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs that were associated with BC. Subsequently, we explored possible downstream regulatory mechanisms. We isolated EVs from TAFs that were exposed to HP, and these EVs were denoted as HP-TAF-EVs henceforth. MTT, transwell, flow cytometry, and TUNEL assays were performed to assess the malignant phenotypes of BC cells. A paclitaxel (TAX)-resistant BC cell line was constructed, and xenograft tumor and lung metastasis models were established in nude mice for in vivo verification. Our observation revealed that lncRNA H19 was significantly overexpressed, whereas miR-497 was notably downregulated in BC. HP induced activation of TAFs and stimulated the secretion of EVs. Coculture of HP-TAF-EVs and BC cells led to an increase in TAX resistance of the latter. HP-TAF-EVs upregulated methylation of miR-497 by delivering lncRNA H19, which recruited DNMT1, thus lowering the expression of miR-497. In addition, lncRNA H19-containing HP-TAF-EVs hindered miR-497 expression, enhancing tumorigenesis and TAX resistance of BC cells in vivo. Our study presents evidence for the contribution of lncRNA H19-containing HP-TAF-EVs in the reduction of miR-497 expression through the recruitment of DNMT1, which in turn promotes the growth, metastasis, and chemoresistance of BC cells.

Constructing a prognostic model for colon cancer: insights from immunity-related genes.

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer (CC) is a malignancy associated with significant morbidity and mortality within the gastrointestinal tract. Recurrence and metastasis are the main factors affecting the prognosis of CC patients undergoing radical surgery; consequently, we attempted to determine the impact of immunity-related genes. RESULT: We constructed a CC risk model based on ZG16, MPC1, RBM47, SMOX, CPM and DNASE1L3. Consistently, we found that a significant association was found between the expression of most characteristic genes and tumor mutation burden (TMB), microsatellite instability (MSI) and neoantigen (NEO). Additionally, a notable decrease in RBM47 expression was observed in CC tissues compared with that in normal tissues. Moreover, RBM47 expression was correlated with clinicopathological characteristics and improved disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) among patients with CC. Lastly, immunohistochemistry and co-immunofluorescence staining revealed a clear positive correlation between RBM47 and CXCL13 in mature tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) region. CONCLUSION: We conclude that RBM47 was identified as a prognostic-related gene, which was of great significance to the prognosis evaluation of patients with CC and was correlated with CXCL13 in the TLS region.

Membrane Trafficking-Related Genes Predict Tumor Immune Microenvironment and Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease with varying clinical outcomes. The identification of distinct subgroups of CRC patients based on molecular profiling can aid in better understanding the disease and improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the potential of membrane trafficking-related genes (MTRGs) in sub-grouping colorectal cancer patients based on their overall survival and immune microenvironments. Consensus clustering analysis identified two distinct clusters with different expression profiles of membrane trafficking-related genes. The patients in cluster 1 had a significantly better overall survival than those in cluster 2. Furthermore, the immune microenvironments in the two clusters were also found to be significantly different, with cluster 1 having a higher immune score and more immune cells present. Functional analysis of differentially expressed genes between the two clusters revealed that MTRGs were involved in immune response and metabolic processes, and a risk signature model based on MTRGs was established to predict the prognosis of CRC patients. These findings suggest that MTRGs play a crucial role in the immune microenvironment and overall survival of CRC patients and may provide a potential target for personalized therapy.

Mechanism of gambogic acid repressing invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer by regulating macrophage polarization via tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicle-shuttled miR-21.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Gambogic acid (GA) is a promising antitumor drug for treating CRC. We aimed to elucidate its mechanism in CRC invasion/metastasis via tumor cell-derived extracellular vesicle (EV)-carried miR-21. Nude mice peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) model was subjected to GA treatment liver collection, followed by observation/counting of metastatic liver tissues/liver metastatic nodules by hematoxylin and eosin staining. miR-21 expression in metastatic liver tissues/CD68 + CD86, CD68 + CD206 cell percentages and M2 macrophage marker CD206 level in tumor tissues/interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-10 levels were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)/flow cytometry/enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HT-29 cells were treated with GA/miR-21 mimics/negative control for 48 h. miR-21 expression/cell proliferation/migration/invasion/apoptosis were assessed by RT-qPCR/cell counting kit-8/scratch assay/transwell assay/flow cytometry. EVs were extracted from HT-29 cells and identified by transmission electron microscope/nanoparticle tracking analysis/Western blot. IL-4/IL-13-induced macrophages/PC nude mice were treated with GA and EVs, with the internalization of EVs by macrophages assessed through the uptake test. After intraperitoneal injection of GA, PC nude mice exhibited decreased tumor cell density/irregular cell number/liver metastatic nodule number/miR-21 expression, and CRC cells manifested reduced CD68 + CD206 cells/IL-10/miR-21/proliferation/migration/invasion and increased CD68 + CD86 cells/IL-12/apoptosis, while these trends were opposite after miR-21 overexpression, implying that GA curbed CRC/cell invasion/metastasis and macrophage polarization by diminishing miR-21 levels. miR-21 was encapsulated in HT-29 cell-derived EVs. M2 polarization elevated CD206 cells/IL-10, which were decreased by simultaneous GA treatment. EVs could be uptaken by macrophages. CRC cell-EV-miR-21 annulled the suppression effects of GA on macrophage M2 polarization. GA suppressed macrophage M2 polarization by lessening tumor cell derived-EV-shuttled miR-21, thereby weakening CRC invasion/metastasis.

Tislelizumab in previously treated, locally advanced unresectable/metastatic microsatellite instability-high/mismatch repair-deficient solid tumors.

Objective: The open-label, phase II RATIONALE-209 study evaluated tislelizumab (anti-programmed cell death protein 1 antibody) as a tissue-agnostic monotherapy for microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) tumors. Methods: Adults with previously treated, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic MSI-H/dMMR solid tumors were enrolled. Patients received tislelizumab 200 mg intravenously every 3 weeks. Objective response rate (ORR; primary endpoint), duration of response (DoR), and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed by independent review committee (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors v1.1). Results: Eighty patients were enrolled and treated; 75 (93.8%) patients had measurable disease at baseline. Most had metastatic disease and received at least one prior therapy for advanced/metastatic disease (n=79; 98.8%). At primary analysis (data cutoff July 8, 2021; median follow-up 15.2 months), overall ORR [46.7%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 35.1-58.6; one-sided P<0.0001] and ORR across tumor-specific subgroups [colorectal (n=46): 39.1% (95% CI, 25.1-54.6); gastric/gastroesophageal junction (n=9): 55.6% (95% CI, 21.2-86.3); others (n=20): 60.0% (95% CI, 36.1-80.9)] were significantly greater with tislelizumab vs. a prespecified historical control ORR of 10%; five (6.7%) patients had complete responses. Median DoR, PFS, and overall survival were not reached with long-term follow-up (data cutoff December 5, 2022; median follow-up 28.9 months). Tislelizumab was well tolerated with no unexpected safety signals. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of grade ≥3 occurred in 53.8% of patients; 7.5% of patients discontinued treatment due to TRAEs. Conclusions: Tislelizumab demonstrated a significant ORR improvement in patients with previously treated, locally advanced unresectable or metastatic MSI-H/dMMR tumors and was generally well tolerated.

Prevalence and Associations of Beta2-Microglobulin Mutations in MSI-H/dMMR Cancers.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) has emerged as an important predictor of sensitivity for immunotherapy-based strategies. ß-2-Microglobulin (B2M) contains microsatellites within the coding regions and is prone to somatic changes in MSI/mismatch repair deficiency (MSI/dMMR) tumors. To delineate prevalence and associations of B2M mutations in MSI-H/dMMR cancers, we investigated the mutational profile of B2M and clinical and pathological features in gastric cancer (GC), colorectal cancer (CRC), and endometrial cancer (EC) with a high incidence of microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H)/dMMR. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissues along with matched normal tissues were collected from 108 MSI/dMMR patients with GC, CRC, and EC. Genomic profiling of tissue and blood samples were assessed next-generation sequencing (NGS). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine the presence or absence of B2M protein. Alternations in the exonic microsatellite regions of B2M were observed at various but high frequencies (57.5% in CRC, 23.9% in GC, and 13.6% in EC) and in different forms. NGS assay revealed that genes involved in chromatin regulation, the PI3K pathway, the WNT pathway, and mismatch repair were extensively altered in the MSI-H cohort. Signature 6 and 26, 2 of 4 mutational signatures associated with defective DNA mismatch repair, featured with high numbers of small insertion/deletions (INDEL) dominated in all 3 types of cancer. Alternations in the exonic microsatellite regions of B2M were observed at various but high frequencies (57.5% in CRC, 23.9% in GC, and 13.6% in EC) and in different forms. Tumor mutational burden (TMB) was significantly higher in the patients carrying MSI-H/dMMR tumors with B2M mutation than that in patients with wild-type B2M (P = .026).The frame shift alteration occurring at the exonic microsatellite sties caused loss of function of B2M gene. In addition, a case with CRC carrying indels in B2M gene resisted the ICI treatment was reported. In conclusion, patients carrying MSI-H/dMMR tumors with B2M mutation showed significantly higher TMB. Prescription of ICIs should be thoroughly evaluated for these patients.

Complete remission in leptomeningeal metastasis of NSCLC with rare EGFR-SEPT14 fusion treated with osimertinib combined with intrathecal chemotherapy with pemetrexed.

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is one of the most serious complications of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without standard treatment guidelines and is always accompanied by poor prognosis. Identifying the types of gene mutations is essential to improve the outcome, and an increasing number of rare epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are revealed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). Here, we describe a case of a 56-year-old man who was diagnosed with lung adenocarcinoma and received thoracoscopic resection in May 2015. One year later, LM was confirmed by positive cerebrospinal fluid cytology. Given the existence of EGFR exon 19 deletions, erlotinib was implemented and achieved a short response for 10 months. Then the systemic therapy was changed to osimertinib and obtained clinical remission for 25 months. Owing to the resurgence of violent headache, retching and vomiting, NGS of cerebrospinal fluid was performed and two rare EGFR-SEPT14 fusions were found. Osimertinib combined bevacizumab, chemotherapy (carboplatin and abraxane) and dacomitinib were implemented in turn but ineffective. Thus, osimertinib combined intrathecal chemotherapy with pemetrexed were carried out and gained a complete remission of neurologic symptoms, stable lesions and long-term survival without notable side effects. This study presented the first case of NSCLC-LM harboring particular EGFR-SEPT14 fusions, who showed a durable response to osimertinib and intrathecal pemetrexed, providing a potential therapeutic option for NSCLC-LM patients with this particular mutation.

A simple and fast LC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of tenofovir alafenamide and tenofovir in human plasma.

A simple and fast liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the simultaneous determination of tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) and tenofovir (TNF) in human plasma. A simple protein precipitation procedure was employed to extract analytes from plasma. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Eclipse Plus C18 column utilizing a fast gradient elution starting with 2% of 2 mM ammonium acetate-formic acid (100/0.1, v/v) followed by increasing the percentage of acetonitrile. Detection was performed on a tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source operated in the positive ionization mode, using the transitions m/z 477.2 → m/z 346.1 for TAF and m/z 288.1 → m/z 176.1 for TNF. TAF-d5 and TNF-d7 were used as the internal standard of TAF and TNF, respectively. The method was validated in the concentration ranges 1.25-500 ng/mlfor TAF and 0.300-15.0 ng/ml for TNF with acceptable accuracy and precision.

Apatinib treatment is effective for metastatic malignant phyllodes tumors of the breast: a case report.

BACKGROUND: We report a rare case of malignant phyllodes tumors (MPT) with partial response to apatinib. CASE PRESENTATION: A 26-year-old woman had a palpable mass in her right breast for over a year. After resection, pathology indicated malignant phyllodes tumor. Eleven months after surgery, she underwent reoperation for a lung nodule, which demonstrated lung metastasis. She refused chemotherapy and was rehospitalized six months later due to leg pain. Pelvic mass biopsy revealed metastatic malignant phyllodes tumor. After concurrent chemoradiotherapy of the pelvic mass, multiple lung metastases emerged. Subsequent treatment with apatinib 500 mg/day resulted in a reduction in mass size and partial response. She survived for more than 8 months. CONCLUSION: The present case showed the potential therapeutic effects of apatinib in patients with MPT.

Integrative analysis and validation of dysregulated long non-coding RNAs in colon cancer.

It is an increasing evidence that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in tumour initiation and progression. Here, we analysed RNA-sequencing data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. Totally, 1176lncRNAs, 245miRNAs and 2081mRNAs were identified to be differentially expressed (DE) in colon cancer tissues compared with normal tissues. CASC21, a novel lncRNA located in 8q24.21 locus, was significantly overexpressed in 30 colon cancer tissues compared with matched normal tissues by qRT-PCR assay. CASC21 tended to higher expression as the increase of the tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) classification. Functionally, CASC21 promoted cell proliferation by regulating cell cycle and enhanced tumour metastasis by epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colon cancer. Mechanism study indicated that CASC21 might be involved in activating WNT/ß-catenin pathway in colon cancer. In addition, we also built a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNNA) network by bioinformatic analysis using TCGA datasets. Together, our results not only provide novel lncRNAs as potential candidates for further study but also prove that CASC21 is an oncogenic regulator through activating WNT/ß-catenin signalling in colon cancer.

LINC00365 promotes colorectal cancer cell progression through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

In the past decade, substantial evidence established that long noncoding RNAs are serious about mediating the evolution of malignancies. In previous studies, LINC00365, which has not been reported in colorectal cancer (CRC), was selected using the bioinformatics analysis in GSE109454 and GSE41655 data sets. However, the function and mechanism of LINC00365 are still obscure. In our study, LINC00365 was found upregulated in CRC specimens and intimately connected with the prognosis of patients with CRC. In addition, LINC00365 overexpression enhances the cell abilities of proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Meanwhile, mechanistic studies showed that LINC00365 might involve in CRC cell progression by mediating the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Furthermore, LINC00365 upregulation increased CDK1 protein expression. In conclusion, this study suggests that LINC00365 acts as a vital part in facilitating CRC progression and might play as a therapeutic target for patients with CRC.

Controlling the minimal feature sizes in adjoint optimization of nanophotonic devices using b-spline surfaces.

Adjoint optimization is an effective method in the inverse design of nanophotonic devices. In order to ensure the manufacturability, one would like to have control over the minimal feature sizes. Here we propose utilizing a level-set method based on b-spline surfaces in order to control the feature sizes. This approach is first used to design a wavelength demultiplexer. It is also used to implement a nanophotonic structure for artificial neural computing. In both cases, we show that the minimal feature sizes can be easily parameterized and controlled.

Construction and analysis of dysregulated lncRNA-associated ceRNA network in colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed digestive system cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the interactions among messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in CRC to reveal the mechanisms of CRC. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from public gene expression data sets. One thousand eighty-one common dysregulated mRNAs in two data sets were identified. Gene function analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis indicated that these DEGs might play important roles in CRC. LINC00365 was selected through coding- noncoding network analysis and its expression was validated upregulated in 22 paired clinical samples and four CRC cell lines. A competing endogenous RNA network composed of 70 miRNAs, nine mRNAs, and LINC00365 was constructed. Eight of nine mRNAs were validated upregulated in The Cancer Genome Atlas data set. Our results suggested that LINC00365 was an oncogene in CRC and it could regulate the expression of several mRNAs through sponging miRNAs.

USP7-TRIM27 axis negatively modulates antiviral type I IFN signaling.

Ubiquitination and deubiquitination are important post-translational regulatory mechanisms responsible for fine tuning the antiviral signaling. In this study, we identified a deubiquitinase, the ubiquitin-specific peptidase 7/herpes virus associated ubiquitin-specific protease (USP7/HAUSP) as an important negative modulator of virus-induced signaling. Overexpression of USP7 suppressed Sendai virus and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and poly(deoxyadenylic-deoxythymidylic)-induced ISRE and IFN-ß activation, and enhanced virus replication. Knockdown or knockout of endogenous USP7 expression had the opposite effect. Coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that USP7 physically interacted with tripartite motif (TRIM)27. This interaction was enhanced after SeV infection. In addition, TNF receptor-associated factor family member-associated NF-kappa-B-binding kinase (TBK)-1 was pulled down in the TRIM27-USP7 complex. Overexpression of USP7 promoted the ubiquitination and degradation of TBK1 through promoting the stability of TRIM27. Knockout of endogenous USP7 led to enhanced TRIM27 degradation and reduced TBK1 ubiquitination and degradation, resulting in enhanced type I IFN signaling. Our findings suggest that USP7 acts as a negative regulator in antiviral signaling by stabilizing TRIM27 and promoting the degradation of TBK1.-Cai, J., Chen, H.-Y., Peng, S.-J., Meng, J.-L., Wang, Y., Zhou, Y., Qian, X.-P., Sun, X.-Y., Pang, X.-W., Zhang, Y., Zhang, J. USP7-TRIM27 axis negatively modulates antiviral type I IFN signaling.

Alkaloid extract of Corydalis yanhusuo inhibits angiogenesis via targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling.

BACKGROUND: Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang (YHS) is a well-known Chinese flowering herbal plant commonly used for centuries in functional food and traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, we have identified and characterized a novel inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) with low toxicity, alkaloid extract of YHS, which suppressed angiogenesis that plays a fundamental role in a wide spectrum of physiological functions and pathological processes. METHODS: Proliferative ability of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) was assessed using MTT assay and Ki67 immunofluorescence staining. Migration ability of HUVECs was evaluated by wound healing and transwell assays. In vitro angiogenesis was tested by spheroid sprouting and tube formation assays. In vivo vascularization was examined using Matrigel plug and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) models. Protein expression and phosphorylation levels of VEGFR2, AKT, ERK and STAT3 were determined by Western blot assay. RESULTS: We demonstrated that alkaloid extract of YHS significantly inhibited a variety of VEGF-induced angiogenesis processes including proliferation, migration, sprouting, and tube formation of HUVECs. Moreover, alkaloid extract of YHS contributed to reduced in vivo neo-vessel formation in Matrigel plugs of mice and CAM models. Further mechanistic studies revealed that alkaloid extract of YHS suppressed VEGF-induced signaling pathway as evaluated by diminished phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and subsequently attenuated its downstream regulators including phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-AKT and phospho-STAT3 levels in HUVECs. CONCLUSION: Collectively, these preclinical findings indicate that alkaloid extract of YHS remarkably limits angiogenesis and may serve as a promising anti-angiogenic drug candidate.

Gambogic acid impairs tumor angiogenesis by targeting YAP/STAT3 signaling axis.

Angiogenesis is central to a wide range of physiological and pathological processes including wound healing, macular degeneration, and cancer. Excessive or inappropriate vascular supply of tumors is one of the main targets for cancer therapy. Recently, critical and selective transcriptional factors such as yes-associated protein (YAP) that control the expression of angiogenesis factors have gained increasing attention in antiangiogenic therapy. In this study, we have identified and characterized a novel inhibitor of YAP, gambogic acid (GA), which exerted striking antiangiogenic effects both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that GA remarkably inhibited a variety of vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis processes including proliferation, migration, sprouting, and tube formation of endothelial cells in vitro. In addition, GA resulted in decreased neo-vessel formation in Matrigel plugs of mice and chick chorioallantoic membrane. More importantly, we showed that GA limited tumor growth via preventing tumor angiogenesis and vascular maturation. Further mechanistic studies illustrated that GA directly targeted YAP/STAT3 signaling axis, which is critical for the transcriptional regulation of a series of angiogenic factors. Taken together, these preclinical findings suggest that GA significantly repressed tumor angiogenesis and may serve as a promising drug candidate against cancer.

Artificial antigen-presenting cells are superior to dendritic cells at inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Adoptive immunotherapy is a promising cancer treatment that entails infusion of immune cells manipulated to have antitumor specificity, in vitro. Antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes are the main executors of transformed cells during cancer immunotherapy. To induce antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes, we developed artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) by engineering K562 cells with electroporation to direct the stable expression of HLA-A∗0201, CD80, and 4-1BBL. Our findings demonstrate that after three stimulation cycles, the aAPCs promoted the induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes with a less differentiated "young" phenotype, which enhanced immune responses with superior cytotoxicity. This novel, easy, and cost-effective approach to inducing antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes provides the possibility of improved cancer therapies.

Activation and propagation of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes from malignant pleural effusion and ascites with engineered cells for costimulatory enhancement.

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) of autologous tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) has shown an effect on mediating tumor regression in some patients with highly advanced, refractory metastatic malignancy. Here, the in vitro generation of TILs isolated from malignant pleural effusion and ascites was compared with which using engineered cells for costimulatory enhancement (ECCE) and 3 common γ-chain cytokines, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, and IL-15, alone or in combination. We showed the robust clinical-scale production of TILs with a less differentiated 'young' phenotype by expansion in the presence of ECCE combined with IL-2/7/15. Furthermore, a major fraction of the TILs generated in this fashion was shown to produce much more IFN-γ and TNF-α, and displayed cytolytic activity against target cells expressing the relevant antigens. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the combination of ECCE and IL-2/7/15 has been applied for the generation of TILs isolated from malignant pleural effusion and ascites.

Cancer/testis Antigen MAGEA3 Interacts with STAT1 and Remodels the Tumor Microenvironment.

Cancer-testis antigen MAGEA3, being restrictedly expressed in testis and various kinds of tumors, has long been considered as an ideal target for immunotherapy. In this study, we report that MAGEA3 interacts with STAT1 and regulates the expression of tyrosine phosphorylated STAT1 (pY-STAT1) in tumor cells. We show that pY-STAT1 is significantly up-regulated when MAGEA3 is silenced by MAGEA3-specific siRNA. RNA sequencing analysis identified 274 STAT1-related genes to be significantly altered in expression level in MAGEA3 knockdown cells. Further analysis of these differentially expressed genes with GO enrichment and KEGG pathway revealed that they are mainly enriched in plasma membrane, extracellular region and MHC class I protein complex, and involved in the interferon signaling pathways, immune response, antigen presentation and cell chemotaxis. The differentially expressed genes associated with chemokines, antigen presentation and vasculogenic mimicry formation were validated by biological experiments. Matrigel matrix-based tube formation assay showed that silencing MAGEA3 in tumor cells impairs tumor vasculogenic mimicry formation. These data indicate that MAGEA3 expression in tumor cells is associated with immune cells infiltration into tumor microenvironment and anti-tumor immune responses, implying that it may play an important role in tumor immune escape. Our findings reveal the potential impact of MAGEA3 on the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and will provide promising strategies for improving the efficacy of MAGEA3-targeted immunotherapy.

Should anti-EGFR mAbs be discontinued for conversion surgery in untreated right-sided metastatic colorectal cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that left-sided tumors have better prognoses than right-sided tumors in RAS wild-type mCRC (metastatic colorectal cancer) patients, while anti-EGFR mAbs appear to have no advantage compared with bevacizumab for right-sided tumors in these patients. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether primary tumor location affects patients' options for potentially curative resection. METHODS: PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, ASCO, and ESMO conference abstracts were searched. The inclusion criteria were RCT (randomized controlled trials) studies that evaluated the efficacy of anti-EGFR mAbs based on primary tumor location. The outcomes included ORR, ETS, and DpR. ORs for ORR were calculated with 95% confidence intervals by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis, version 2.0. RESULT: Nine studies including nine RCTs were analyzed. Regardless of left- or right-sided tumors, the ORRs for anti-EGFR mAb (left-sided: 80.2%, 95% CI, 47-95%; I2 = 76.9%; right-sided: 46.1%, 95% CI, 39.4-53.0%; I2 = 18.9%) were both higher than the control arm including chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab. The ORs for anti-EGFR mAbs have a significant benefit compared with chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in left-sided tumors (OR = 2.19, 95% CI, 1.41-3.38; P < 0.001). For right-sided tumors, anti-EGFR mAbs still significantly improved the ORR compared with chemotherapy alone (OR = 1.75, 95% CI, 1.05-2.90; P = 0.03), and the OR numerically favored the anti-EGFR mAbs compared with bevacizumab (OR = 1.281, 95% CI, 0.77-2.12; P = 0.335). The data of ETS and DpR from three RCTs also favored the EGFR antibody irrespective of tumor location. Resection data on differentiating tumor locations is inconclusive. For right-sided tumors, it should be noted that median PFS and OS were comparable for patients who achieved ETS in both treatment arms. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-EGFR mAbs have advantages in the tumor shrinkage regardless of left- or right-sided tumors, which is important for conversion therapy. For right-sided tumors, anti-EGFR mAbs should remain the first choice for potentially curative resection in RAS wild-type mCRC patients. ETS may represent a subgroup of patients with right-sided tumors who might benefit from the anti-EGFR mAb.