[Associations of the MicroRNA-143/145 Polymorphisms with Cardiovascular Risk Factors and the Severity of Coronary Heart Disease].

Objective To explore the possible effects of the microRNA(miR)-143/145 polymorphisms on cardiovascular risk factors and the severity of coronary heart disease(CHD) in Chinese Han people. Methods Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis was employed to identify the genotypes of the rs353292 and rs4705343 polymorphisms for 380 patients with CHD and 163 CHD-free controls. The physiological and biochemical parameters between the genotypes were compared in the CHD patients and in controls,and the incidence of myocardial infarction(MI) was also compared between the genotypes in the CHD patients. Results The subjects with the rs353292 TT genotype had higher serum levels of triglycerides(F=3.00,P=0.05) and glucose(F=9.91,P<0.001) than the C carriers,and the subjects with the rs4705343 TT genotype had significantly higher prevalence of hypertension(Χ2=6.35,P=0.04) than the C carriers in the control group. The patients with the rs353292 TT genotype had significantly higher serum levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)(F=8.43,P<0.001) than the C carriers in the CHD group,and the frequency of MI was significantly higher in the patients with the rs353292 TT genotype than that in the C carrier patients(Χ2=5.29,P=0.02). Conclusion The T allele of the rs353292 polymorphism is associated with serum hs-CRP levels in CHD patients,and it may affect the occurrence and development of MI by up-regulation of CRP gene through miR-143/145. The rs4705343 polymorphism is not related to the risk and severity of CHD.

Acanthosis Nigricans in a Patient with Urothelial Carcinoma Treated with PD-L1 Inhibitor Avelumab, and Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency.

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) describes hyperkeratotic and hyperpigmented skin changes and its pathophysiology is linked to the activation of epidermal growth factor receptors. Current literature shows that AN is most commonly diagnosed at the time of the underlying pathology, which may occur under benign or malignant conditions. This case presentation demonstrates the occurrence of AN in a patient following the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma and ongoing treatment with PD-L1 inhibitor immunotherapy. Subsequent investigations ruled out a secondary malignancy or disease progression; however, metabolic screening identified secondary glucocorticoid induced adrenal insufficiency. AN was persistent in this patient despite adequate treatment, which highlights its co-occurrence in both benign and paraneoplastic conditions.

Case Series: Cemiplimab and Nivolumab Immunotherapy as Promising Treatment in Advanced or Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is the second most common skin cancer. Surgery is usually curative; however, some locally advanced or metastatic CSCC may be unresectable. Current novel therapeutic options with immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) of programmed-death receptor 1 (PD-1) such as cemiplimab and nivolumab have demonstrated promising and sustained results with good tolerability in patients with CSCC. This study looks at 2 cases of CSCC treated with cemiplimab and nivolumab, respectively, demonstrating dramatic response within 2 cycles with significant reduction in tumour size and minimal toxicities or adverse outcomes reported. Immunotherapy has shown positive results as an effective treatment option for unresectable, recurrent, or metastatic CSCC. It is currently approved for use in the USA and Europe.