Differential distribution and prognostic value of CD4+ T cell subsets before and after radioactive iodine therapy in differentiated thyroid cancer with varied curative outcomes.

Differentiated thyroid cancer is the most frequently diagnosed endocrine tumor. While differentiated thyroid cancers often respond to initial treatment, little is known about the differences in circulating immune cells amongst patients who respond differently. A prospective study of 39 patients with differentiated thyroid cancer was conducted. Serum thyroglobulin levels and thyroid and immunological functions were tested before and after radioactive iodine treatment (RAIT). Efficacy assessments were performed 6 to 12 months after radioactive iodine treatment. Most patients showed an excellent response to radioactive iodine treatment. Before radioactive iodine treatment, the excellent response group had considerably fewer circulating CD4+ T cell subsets than the non-excellent response group. Both the excellent response and non-excellent response groups had considerably lower circulating CD4+ T lymphocyte subsets 30 days after radioactive iodine treatment, but those of the excellent response group were still lower than those of the non-excellent response group. All circulating CD4+ T cell subsets in the excellent response group rose by varying degrees by the 90th day, but only Treg cell amounts increased in the non-excellent response group. Interestingly, in the non-excellent response group, we noticed a steady drop in Th1 cells. However, the bulk of circulating CD4+ T cell subsets between the two groups did not differ appreciably by the 90th day. Finally, we discovered that CD4+ T cell subsets had strong predictive potential, and we thus developed high-predictive-performance models that deliver more dependable prognostic information. In conclusion, in individuals with differentiated thyroid cancer, there is great variation in circulating immune cells, resulting in distinct treatment outcomes. Low absolute CD4+ T cell counts is linked to improved clinical outcomes as well as stronger adaptive and resilience capacities.

Dynamic Immune Function Changes Before and After the First Radioactive Iodine Therapy After Total Resection of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma.

The effects of total thyroidectomy or radioactive iodine therapy on immune activation and suppression of the tumor microenvironment remain unknown. We aimed to investigate the effects of these treatments on the immune function in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Our cohort included 45 patients with DTC treated with total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT). Immune function tests were performed by flow cytometry at 0, 30, and 90 days post-RAIT. Both the percentage and absolute number of circulating regulatory T cells were significantly lower in the postoperative DTC compared to the healthy controls. Notably, the absolute number of multiple lymphocyte subgroups significantly decreased at 30 days post-RAIT compared to those pre-RAIT. The absolute counts of these lymphocytes were recovered at 90 days post-RAIT, but not at pre-RAIT levels. Additionally, the Th17 cell percentage before RAIT was positively correlated with thyroglobulin (Tg) levels after RAIT. The tumor burden might contribute to increased levels of circulating Tregs. In conclusion, RAIT caused transient radiation damage in patients with DTC and the percentage of Th17 cells before RAIT could be a significant predictor of poor prognosis in patients with DTC.

Three years of follow-up of otodental syndrome in 3-year-old Chinese boy: a rare case report.

BACKGROUND: Otodental syndrome is an exceptionally rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by a delayed eruption of posterior teeth, globodontia, lisping, and sensorineural hearing loss. In this case report, we reported a 3-year-old Chinese boy with the otodental syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: A 3-year-old Chinese boy was referred to our hospital with complaint of no eruption of primary canines and molars. Three years follow-up showed lately erupted bulbous primary canines with hypoplastic enamel spot, globe-shaped primary molars and sensorineural hearing loss at 4 and a half-year-old age. We diagnosed otodental syndrome in the patient's mother with hearing loss at 16-year-old age. Gene sequencing and analysis of deafness-related genes GJB2, GJB3, SLC26A4, and mtDNA did not reveal any mutation or SNPs in the patient and his mother. CONCLUSIONS: This case report highlights the importance of detailed medical, dental, and family history examination, as well as multi-disciplinary teamwork for diagnosis and treatment of otodental syndrome.

Proliferation of small cell lung cancer cell line reduced by knocking-down PROX1 via shRNA in lentivirus.

The present study aimed to find whether PROX1 is expressed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines, and whether PROX1 knockdown with shRNA via lentivirus resulted in decreased cell proliferation. SCLC cell lines H69, H82, H187 and H889 were selected for the study. PROX1 mRNA and protein levels were determined with real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. The localization and distribution of PROX1 was mapped by immunocytochemistry with a specific antibody. Three pairs of shRNA were selected from a pool of shRNA pairs, and packaged into lentivirus particles to infect the above cell lines. The non-target sequence (NT) and a house-keeping gene, glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), were employed as controls. SCLC cell proliferation rates were measured with bromine deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation method. The results indicated levels of that PROX1 mRNA were detected in SCLC cell lines in the following rank order H69>H889>H187>H82. A similar profile for PROX1 protein expression was captured. The majority of PROX1 was concentrated at the cell nucleus. H69 was selected to represent the above SCLC cell lines. The PROX1 level in H69 cells was successfully reduced with shRNA lentivirus, and the cell proliferation rate of infected H69 cells was dramatically reduced by 20-50%. Hence, it is concluded that PROX1 expression in SCLC cell line is high, and can be reduced with shRNA lentivirus, thereby reducing the cell proliferation rate.

[Radioiodine-131 therapy improves sex hormones and sexual function in male patients with Graves' disease].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of sex hormones and sexual function in male patients with Graves' disease (GD) after Radioiodine-131 (I-131) therapy. METHODS: Thirty-four male GD patients, aged 21 -40 (32.3 +/- 6.7) years, were treated with I-131 at the dose of 111 - 407 (237.8 +/- 51.8) MBq. The levels of serum sex hormones were measured, and the patients'scores on erectile function (IIEF-5) were obtained before and 3 and 6 months after the treatment. Another 20 healthy men aged 25 - 37 (31 +/- 3.1) years were enlisted as controls. RESULTS: The baseline levels of estrogen (E2), testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were (132.5 +/- 40.4) pmol/L, (21.6 +/- 4.6) nmol/L and (10.1 +/- 4.4) IU/L in the GD patients, significantly higher than (80.4 +/- 31.2) pmol/L, (14.5 +/- 4.2) nmol/L and (6.2 +/- 1.9) IU/L in the healthy controls (P < 0.05). The E2, T and LH levels showed a significant decrease in the GD patients after 3 months of treatment ([110.2 +/- 20.6] pmol/L, [17.7 +/- 5.5] nmol/L and (9.4 +/- 3.9) IU/L, P < 0.05), but exhibited no statistically significant differences from the healthy controls at 6 months ([82.6 +/- 30.1] pmol/L, [13.8 +/- 3.4 ] nmol/L and [6.6 +/- 1.5] IU/L, P > 0.05). The IIEF-5 score of the GD patients was 5 - 25 (15.5 +/- 3.5) before I-131 treatment, significantly lower than that of the controls (19 - 25, 24 +/- 0.5) (P < 0.05), and it was 8 - 25 (19.5 +/- 1.0) at 3 months and 10 - 25 (23.5 +/- 1.5) at 6 months, significantly higher in the latter than in the former (P < 0.05), and with no significant difference between the 6-month treated patients and the healthy controls (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The E2, T and LH levels are increased while the IIEF-5 score decreased markedly in male GD patients. Six-month treatment with I-131 can not only restore the E2, T and LH levels to normal but also significantly improve the patient's sexual function.

[Significance of sentinel lymph node detection for cN0 laryngeal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of radiolabeled tracer method, methylene blue method and combination of these two methods in detection of sentinel lymph node (SLN), and to evaluate the accuracy of SLN in predicting the cervical lymph nodes status in laryngeal carcinoma patients with clinically negative neck lymph nodes (cN0 ). METHODS: Forty-one patients with cN0 laryngeal neoplasms underwent SLN detection using both of radiolabeled tracer and methylene blue. SLN imaging was performed with laryngoscope-guided injection of radioactive isotope 99Tc(m)-sulfur colloid (SC) into the laryngeal carcinoma before surgery, then all these patients underwent intraoperative lymphatic mapping with a handheld gamma-detecting probe. After mapping of SLN, methylene blue was subsequently injected at the same spots around the tumor in order to identify SLN during surgery. The results of SLN detection by isotope tracer, dye and combination of both methods were compared. RESULTS: The SLN detection rates by radiolabeled tracer, methylene blue and combined method were 87.8%, 70.7% and 92.7%, respectively (P < 0.01). The number of detected SLN was significantly different between radiolabeled tracer method and combined method (P < 0.05), and also between blue dye method and combined method (P < 0.01). However, no statistically significant difference was found between methylene blue method and radiolabeled tracer method (P > 0.05). Nine patients were found to have lymph node metastasis by final pathological examination. The sensitivity, accuracy and negative predictive values of SLN detection by the combined method using radiolabeled tracer and methylene blue were 88.9%, 97.4% and 96.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combined method using radiolabeled tracer and methylene blue can improve the accuracy of sentinel lymph node detection. Furthermore, sentinel lymph node detection can accurately predict the cervical lymph node status in cN0 laryngeal carcinoma.