Comparative analysis of the immune responses of CcIgZ3 in mucosal tissues and the co-expression of CcIgZ3 and PCNA in the gills of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) in response to TNP-LPS.

Fish live in an aquatic environment rich in various microorganisms and pathogens. Fish mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) plays a very important role in immune defence. This study was conducted to characterize the immune response mediated by CcIgZ3 in common carp (Cyprinus carpio.) and investigate the proliferating CcIgZ3+ B lymphocytes in gill. We determined the expression of CcIgZ3 in many different tissues of common carp following stimulation by intraperitoneal injection of TNP-LPS (2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl hapten conjugated to lipopolysaccharide) or TNP-KLH (2,4,6-Trinitrophenyl hapten conjugated to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin). Compared with TNP-KLH, TNP-LPS can induce greater CcIgZ3 expression in the head kidney, gill and hindgut, especially in the gill. The results indicate that the gill is one of the main sites involved in the immune response mediated by CcIgZ3. To examine the distribution of CcIgZ3+ B lymphocytes, immunohistochemistry (IHC) experiments were performed using a polyclonal antibody against CcIgZ3. The results indicated that CcIgZ3 was detected in the head kidney, hindgut and gill. To further examine whether CcIgZ3+ B lymphocytes proliferate in the gills, proliferating CcIgZ3+ B cells were analysed by immunofluorescence staining using an anti-CcIgZ3 polyclonal antibody and an anti-PCNA monoclonal antibody. CcIgZ3 and PCNA (Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen) double-labelled cells in the gills were located within the epithelial cells of the gill filaments of common carp stimulated with TNP-LPS at 3 dps and 7 dps, and relatively more proliferating CcIgZ3+ B cells appeared in the gills of common carp at 7 dps. These data imply that CcIgZ3+ B cells in the gills might be produced by local proliferation following TNP-LPS stimulation. In summary, compared with those in TNP-KLH, CcIgZ3 preferentially affects the gills of common carp following challenge with TNP-LPS. CcIgZ3+ B cells proliferate in the gills to quickly produce the CcIgZ3 antibody. In addition, CcIgZ3+ B cells can be activated to induce a strong immune response very early locally in the gill and produce the antibody CcIgZ3, which helps exert an immune-protective effect. These results suggest that an effective vaccine can be designed to promote production of the mucosal antibody CcIgZ3.

Molecular characterization of the B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (blimp1) gene of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and its transcription repression involves recruitment of histone deacetylase HDAC3.

Blimp1 is the master regulator of B cell terminal differentiation in mammals, it inhibits expression of many transcription factors including bcl6, which provides the basis for promoting further development of activated B lymphocytes into plasma cells. Blimp-1 is thought to act as a sequence-specific recruitment factor for chromatin-modifying enzymes including histone deacetylases (HDAC) and methyltransferases to repress target genes. The cDNA of Ccblimp1a (Cyprinus carpio) open reading frame is 2337 bp encoding a protein of 777 amino acids. CcBlimp1a contains a SET domain, two Proline Rich domains, and five ZnF_C2H2 domains. Blimp1 are conserved in vertebrate species. Ccblimp1a transcripts were detected in common carp larvae from 1 dpf (day post fertilization)to 31 dpf. Ccblimp1a expression was up-regulated in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) and spleen leukocytes (SPL) of common carp stimulated by intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection. Ccblimp1a expression in PBL and SPL of common carp was induced by TNP-LPS and TNP-KLH. The results indicated TNP-LPS induced a rapid response in PBL and TNP-KLH induced much stronger response in SPL and PBL. IHC results showed that CcBlimp1 positive cells were distributed in the head kidney, trunk kidney, liver, and gut. Immunofluorescence stain results showed that CcBlimp1 was expressed in IgM + lymphocytes. The subcellular localization of CcBlimp1 in the nuclei indicated CcBlimp1 may be involved in the differentiation of IgM + lymphocytes. Further study focusing on the function of CcBlimp1 transcriptional repression was performed using dual luciferase assay. The results showed that the transcription repression of CcBlimp1 on bcl6aa promoter was affected by the histone deacetylation inhibitor and was synergized with histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3). The results of Co-IP in HEK293T and immunoprecipitation in SPL indicated that CcBlimp1 recruited HDAC3 and might be involved in the formation of complexes. These results suggest that CcBlimp1 is an important transcription factor in common carp lymphocytes. Histone deacetylation modification mediated by HDAC3 may have important roles in CcBlimp1 transcriptional repression during the differentiation of lymphocytes.

LncRNA PCAT6 activated by SP1 facilitates the progression of breast cancer by the miR-326/LRRC8E axis.

Breast cancer is an aggressive malignancy with high morbidity in females worldwide. Extensive studies reveal that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are abnormally expressed and act as key regulators in various cancers, including breast cancer. In this work, we investigated the role and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA prostate cancer-associated transcript 6 (PCAT6) in breast cancer progression. Our findings revealed that PCAT6 was overexpressed in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, elevation of PCAT6 reflected an adverse prognosis of patients. Functional experiments indicated that PCAT6 knockdown hampered cell proliferation, facilitated apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in vitro, and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. We also found that the transcription factor SP1 could bind to the PCAT6 promoter and promoted its expression. Subsequently, it was verified that PCAT6 was a molecular sponge for microRNA-326 (miR-326), and the leucine-rich repeat containing the eight family member E (LRRC8E) was a direct target of miR-326. Rescue assays revealed that LRRC8E overexpression attenuated the suppressive effect of PCAT6 knockdown on cellular progression of breast cancer. In summary, this study demonstrated that SP1-activated PCAT6 promoted the malignant behaviors of breast cancer cells by regulating the miR-326/LRRC8E axis.

Peperomin E Induces Apoptosis and Cytoprotective Autophagy in Human Prostate Cancer DU145 Cells In Vitro and In Vivo.

Peperomin E was first isolated from Peperomia dindygulensis, an anticarcinogenic herb, and exhibited anticancer activity in many cancer cell lines. To date, it is unknown whether peperomin E has an effect on human prostate cancer DU145 cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we used MTT to assess the proliferation inhibition activity of peperomin E in DU145 cells in vitro and observed the cell morphological changes by a phase contrast microscope. A DU145 cell xenograft tumor mouse model was used to evaluate the efficacy of peperomin E in vivo. Apoptosis rates were measured by flow cytometry, and protein expression levels were analyzed by western blot. The results showed that peperomin E significantly inhibited the proliferation of DU145 cells in vitro and reduced the weight and volume of tumors in vivo. Peperomin E also significantly induced the apoptosis and autophagic response of DU145 cells. The autophagic inhibitors LY294002 and chloroquine enhanced peperomin E-mediated inhibition of DU145 cell proliferation and induction of DU145 cell apoptosis. The results also showed that the Akt/mTOR pathway participated in peperomin E-induced autophagy in DU145 cells. In summary, our finding showed that peperomin E had an effect on DU145 cells in vitro and in a nude mouse DU145 cell xenograft model in vivo, demonstrated that peperomin E could significantly induce apoptosis and the autophagic response in DU145 cells and that autophagy played a cytoprotective role in peperomin E-treated DU145 cells. These results suggest that the combination of peperomin E treatment and autophagic inhibition has potential for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Chemical Constituents from the Wild Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz and Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Activity Evaluation as Well as Molecular Docking Study.

Screening the lead compounds which could interact both with PAS and CAS of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is an important trend in finding innovative drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this paper, four sesquiterpenes, i.e., atractylenolide III (1), atractylenolide IV (2), 3-acetyl-atractylon (3) and ß-eudesmol (4), were obtained from the wild Atractylode macrocephala grown in Qimen for the first time. Their structures were elucidated mainly by NMR spectroscopy. To screen the potential dual site inhibitors of AChE, the compounds 1, 2, 3, as well as a novel and rare bisesquiterpenoid lactone, biatractylenolide II (5), which was also obtained from the tilted plant in our previous investigation, were evaluated their AChE inhibitory activities by using Ellman's colorimetric method. The results showed that biatractylenolide II displayed moderate inhibitory activity (IC50 = 19.61 ± 1.11 µg/mL) on AChE. A further molecular docking study revealed that biatractylenolide II can interact with both the peripheral anionic site (PAS) and the catalytic active site (CAS) of AChE. These data suggest that biatractylenolide II can be considered a new lead compound to research and develop more potential dual site inhibitors of AChE.

Non-doctoral factors influencing the surgical choice of Chinese patients with breast cancer who were eligible for breast-conserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: The rate of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is low in China. Many patients choose mastectomy even when informed that there is no difference in the overall survival rate compared with that of BCS plus radiotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the factors that influenced the surgical choice in patients eligible for BCS. METHODS: Female patients with breast carcinoma were enrolled in a single center from March 2016 to January 2017. They made their own decision regarding the surgical approach. Univariate analysis was employed to determine the factors associated with the different breast surgical approaches. Significant factors (defined as P < 0.05) were then incorporated into multivariate logistic regression models to determine the factors that independently influenced patients' decision. RESULTS: Of the 271 patients included, 149 were eligible for BCS; 65 chose BCS and 84 chose mastectomy. On the basis of univariate analysis, patients with younger age, higher income and education, shorter admission to surgery interval, and shorter confirmed diagnosis to surgery interval were more likely to choose BCS than mastectomy (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, patients who resided in rural regions, did not have general medicare insurance, and were diagnosed with breast cancer preoperatively were more inclined to choose mastectomy than BCS (P < 0.05). The multivariate model revealed three independent influencing factors: age at diagnosis (P = 0.009), insurance status (P = 0.035), and confirmed diagnosis to surgery interval (P = 0.037). In addition, patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) were more inclined to choose mastectomy. CONCLUSION: Surgical choice of patients eligible for BCS was affected by several factors, and age at diagnosis, confirmed diagnosis to surgery interval, and insurance status were independent factors.

Comparative Profiling of Triple-Negative Breast Carcinomas Tissue Glycoproteome by Sequential Purification of Glycoproteins and Stable Isotope Labeling.

BACKGROUND: Women with triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) have a poor prognosis due to lack of suitable targeted therapies. Changes in the protein glycosylation are increasingly being recognized as an important modification associated with cancer etiology. METHODS: In an attempt to identify TNBC biomarkers with greater diagnostic and prognostic capabilities, hydrazide- based chemistry method combined with LC-MS/MS were used to purify and identify N-linked glycopeptides or glycoproteins of tissues from TNBC patients. RESULTS: A total of 550 unique N-linked glycoproteins were identified, among these proteins, 72 unique N-linked glycoproteins were significantly regulated in tumor tissues, of which 56 proteins were upregulated and 16 proteins were downregulated. To assess the validity of the results, three selected proteins including Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1, Insulin receptor, Tissue factor pathway inhibitor were selected for western blot analysis, and these proteins were found as potential biomarkers of TNBC. The top three pathways of differentially expressed glycoproteins participated in were caveolar-mediated endocytosis signaling, agrin interactions at neuromuscular junction and LXR/RXR activation. CONCLUSION: This work provides potential glycoprotein markers to function as a novel tissue-based biomarker for TNBC.

Role of bromide in hydrogen peroxide oxidation of CTAB-stabilized gold nanorods in aqueous solutions.

In recent years hydrogen peroxide has often been used as the oxidizing agent to tune the resonance wavelength of gold nanorods (AuNRs) through anisotropic shortening in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). However, a complete picture of the reaction mechanism remains elusive. In this work, we present a systematic study on the mechanism of the AuNR oxidation by revealing the important role of bromide. Hydrogen peroxide slowly oxidizes bromide into elemental bromine. The latter two form tribromide, which exhibits a characteristic 272 nm absorption peak. The peak intensity, representing the concentration of tribromide, is found to have a linear correlation with the oxidation rate of AuNRs. Tribromide approaches AuNRs through conjugating strongly with CTA cationic micelles, which leads to the oxidation occurring on the surface of AuNRs. In contrast, the CTA micelles protect AuNRs from the direct oxidation by hydrogen peroxide. Our findings are believed to provide new insights into the reaction mechanism occurring in the relevant CTAB-AuNR systems, which can be important for understanding the principles governing the reaction dynamics.

Genetic polymorphisms in XRCC1 genes and colorectal cancer susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to investigate the association among the polymorphisms of XRCC1 gene, smoking, drinking, family history of tumors, and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the population of Han nationality in Jiangsu Province, China. METHODS: A case-control study of 320 patients with CRC and 350 cancer-free subjects as a control group was conducted. The three polymorphic sites, codons 194, 280, and 399, of XRCC1 genes were analyzed by PCR-RFLP. RESULTS: We find that heavy smoking (>500 cigarettes per year) significantly increased the susceptibility of CRC (OR=1.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.27-2.84) after stratification by total smoking amount. There was also significant difference between cases and controls when family history of tumors (OR=2.96, 95% CI 1.76-4.99) was considered. Comparing with individuals carrying XRCC1 399Arg/Arg genotype, the subjects with 399Arg/Gln (OR=1.46, 95% CI 1.06-2.01) or 399Gln/Gln genotype (OR=1.93, 95% CI 1.05-3.54) had a significantly increased risk for CRC. Taking smoking and drinking habits into consideration, we found that subjects with heavy smoking history and XRCC1 194Arg allele had the significantly increased risk for CRC (OR=2.91, 95% CI 1.35-6.24). Individuals, who carry 399Gln allele and have a heavy smoking (OR=2.72, 95% CI 1.52-4.89) or drinking habit (OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.06-3.67), also have higher risk. In smoking population, 194Arg (P=0.491) and 399Gln (P=0.912) had not significantly increased risk for CRC, so did 399Gln (P=0.812) in smoking population. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals carrying XRCC1 399Gln allele with a smoking or drinking habit were in increased risk, and heavy-smoking subjects with 194Arg allele also have higher risk for CRC in the Han nationality population of Jiangsu Province, which also showed a positive correlation with exposure dose of tobacco. But XRCC1 399Gln allele or 194Arg allele were not independent risk factors for CRC in smoking or drinking population.

Optimal scheduling of electricity and hydrogen integrated energy system considering multiple uncertainties.

The spread of renewable energy (RE) generation not only promotes the economy and environmental protection, but also brings uncertainty to the power system. As the integration of hydrogen and electricity can effectively mitigate the fluctuation of RE generation, an electricity-hydrogen integrated energy system is constructed. Then, this paper studies the source-load uncertainties and corresponding correlation as well as the electricity-hydrogen price uncertainties and corresponding correlation. Finally, an optimal scheduling model considering economy, environmental protection, and demand response (DR) is proposed. The simulation results indicate that the introduction of the DR strategy and the correlation of electricity-hydrogen price can effectively improve the economy of the system. After introducing the DR, the operating cost of the system is reduced by 5.59%, 10.5%, and 21.06% in each season, respectively. When considering the correlation of EP and HP, the operating cost of the system is reduced by 4.71%, 6.47%, 1.4% in each season, respectively.

Purification, characterization and bioactivities of a 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan from Aralia echinocaulis.

The discovery of active constituents from food plants is an important area of research in pharmaceutical sciences. Aralia echinocaulis is a medicinal food plant that is mainly used to prevent or treat rheumatoid arthritis in China. This paper reported the isolation, purification and bioactivity of a polysaccharide (HSM-1-1) from A. echinocaulis. Its structural features were analyzed according to the molecular weight distribution, monosaccharide composition, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The results indicated that HSM-1-1 was a new 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan mainly composed of xylan and 4-O-methyl glucuronic acid with the molecular weight of 1.6 × 104 Da. Furthermore, the antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities of HSM-1-1 in vitro were investigated, and the results showed that HSM-1-1 had potent proliferation inhibition activity on colon cancer cell SW480 with an inhibition rate of 17.57 ± 1.03 % at a concentration of 600 µg/mL, as measured via MTS methods. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a polysaccharide structure obtained from A. echinocaulis and its bioactivities, and its potential as an adjuvant natural product with antitumor effects is shown.

Bioinformatics Prediction and in vivo Verification Identify SLC7A5 as Immune Infiltration Related Biomarker in Breast Cancer.

Purpose: Solute carrier family 7, member 5 (SLC7A5) is reportedly a key gene in various tumors. However, the relationship between SLC7A5 and immune cell infiltration in breast cancer remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the expression levels and clinical value of SLC7A5 using the R package in breast cancer through the TCGA database. Methods: Public transcript data and clinical information of patients were downloaded from the TCGA database. Prognosis analysis was performed to explore the clinical value of SLC7A5 as well as drug sensitivity prediction and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). We also explored the correlations between SLC7A5 and immune infiltration as well as immune markers. Results: We observed that high SLC7A5 expression levels were related to poor survival. Our GSEA demonstrated that G protein-coupled receptor-ligand binding, interleukin signaling, neutrophil degranulation, amino acid and derivative metabolism, and Rho GTPase signaling were differentially enriched in the SLC7A5 high-expression phenotype. Patients in the low SLC7A5 expression group showed sensitivity to paclitaxel and doxorubicin. Conclusion: SLC7A5 could serve as a biomarker for breast cancer prognosis.

The transcribed ultraconserved element uc.51 promotes the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer by stabilizing NONO.

Long noncoding RNAs have recently emerged as significant contributors to cancers, including breast cancer (BC). One class of long noncoding RNAs called transcribed ultraconserved regions (T-UCRs) is highly conserved in many species and closely related to diverse physiological and pathological processes. However, the function of T-UCRs in BC remains largely unclear. In this study, we identified uc.51, a T-UCR that is overexpressed in both BC tissues and cell lines and is correlated with larger tumor size. Loss- and gain-of-function assays were performed in vitro and demonstrated that uc.51 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BC cells. Mechanistically, non-POU domain-containing octamer-binding protein (NONO) was found to physically interact with uc.51 by RNA pulldown followed by mass spectrometry. This interaction was further verified by RNA immunoprecipitation. Moreover, uc.51 positively regulated the expression of NONO, maintained its stability through the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and activated the phosphorylation of CREB. Rescue experiments demonstrated that NONO overexpression compensated for the attenuated influence on BC progression resulting from downregulation of uc.51, indicating that NONO functions downstream of uc.51. In vivo functional experiments also revealed a positive correlation between uc.51 expression and tumor size. Ki-67 and NONO levels in the lv-uc.51-shRNA group were decreased compared with those in the lv-con-shRNA group, according to the immunohistochemical staining results, and a decreased incidence of distant metastasis was observed in the lv-uc.51-shRNA group in the xenograft model. Collectively, our results reveal a substantial role for the uc.51-NONO axis in BC progression and indicate that the uc.51-NONO axis has potential to be a therapeutic target for BC.

Can axillary surgery be omitted in patients with breast pathologic complete response after neoadjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer? A real-world retrospective study in China.

PURPOSE: Studies show that axillary surgery can be potentially omitted in certain breast cancer patients who achieve breast pathologic complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST). However, potential differences between the ypT0 and ypTis subgroups remain to be explored. Furthermore, whether axillary surgery can be omitted in patients with clinically assessed positive axillary lymph nodes (cN+) remains unknown. This study was to evaluate the status of axillary lymph nodes for patients who achieved breast pCR after NST in the real-world study. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 258 patients with early or locally advanced breast cancer who underwent breast and axillary surgery after NST. Clinical and pathologic data were compared between patients with breast pCR (ypT0/is) and those without breast pCR. RESULTS: The rate of breast pCR after NST was 27.1% (70/258). Among the patients with initial cN0, the rate of axillary pCR was similar between the breast pCR and breast non-pCR groups (100% vs. 85.7%, P = 0.1543). Among those with breast pCR, the rate of axillary pCR was 100% in both the ypT0 and ypTis subgroups. Furthermore, among those with initial cN+, the rate of axillary pCR was higher in the breast pCR group than in the breast non-pCR group (82.7% vs. 22.9%, P < 0.0001). Among the patients with breast pCR, the rate of axillary pCR was higher in the ypT0 subgroup than in the ypTis subgroup (94.3% vs. 58.8%, P = 0.0034). CONCLUSION: Axillary surgery may potentially be omitted in patients with initial cN0 who achieve breast pCR (ypT0/is), and may also be considered for omission in patients with initial cN+ who achieve ypT0 (not ypTis).

Contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis and molecular changes in second primary breast cancer: a case report.

Contralateral axillary metastasis (CAM) is rather rare in primary breast cancer. In this case, we present a 46-year-old female patient who underwent left breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and left axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). Two years later, an enlarged lymph node was found in her right axilla. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the breast displayed a left breast mass with multiple internal mammary lymph nodes and abnormal lymph nodes in the right axillary region. However, no abnormalities were found in the right breast. The left breast mass was diagnosed as invasive carcinoma by core needle biopsy. During the operation, we suggested that the contralateral lymph nodes were metastatic from the second primary breast cancer by preoperative 99mTc injection around the left breast. The patient underwent left mastectomy and right axillary lymph node dissection. The postoperative pathology was diagnosed as metachronous secondary primary left breast cancer, in which the initial presentation was lymph node metastasis to the contralateral axilla of the left breast. Therefore, we propose that CAM may be more common in second primary or recurrent breast cancer. It should be treated as locoregional extension. Preoperative lymph node markers are important to identify whether contralateral axillary lymph node metastasis occurs from a second primary breast cancer.

Retrospective comparisons of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel and docetaxel neoadjuvant regimens for breast cancer.

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of 2-weekly nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nP) and 3-weekly docetaxel regimens as neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) for breast cancer. Materials & methods: Patients (n = 201) received NST comprising either dose-dense epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by 2-weekly nP (n = 104) or 3-weekly courses of epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (n = 97). Results: Higher pathological complete response rates were achieved by the nP group. Subgroup analysis showed that the nP-based regimen achieved higher pathological complete response rates in patients with triple-negative tumor cells and high Ki67 levels. However, grades 3-4 peripheral sensory neuropathies were more frequent in the nP group. Conclusion: The 2-weekly nP-based regimen might be a better choice of NST for patients with breast cancer.

Biological effect of ribosomal protein L32 on human breast cancer cell behavior.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy among women worldwide. However, identifying effective biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of BC is challenging. Based on our previously developed 'humanized' mouse model of BC, microarray expression analysis was performed and multiple differentially expressed genes, including ribosomal protein (RP) L32, were screened. Recent reports have revealed that RPs are relevant to the development and progression of cancer. However, the expression and function of RPL32 in BC remains unknown. Therefore, in the present study, the role of RPL32 in the development of BC was explored. Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription­quantitative PCR were used, and it was found that RPL32 was upregulated in human BC tissues and cells. Cell Counting Kit­8, cell invasion and migration assays were performed, which demonstrated that RPL32 knockdown using lentivirus­delivered small interfering RNA inhibited the migration and invasion of BC cells in vitro and in vivo (nude mouse model). Moreover, western blotting showed that RPL32 knockdown decreased the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)­2 and MMP­9. Thus, the present findings indicated a potential oncogenic role of RPL32, suggesting that it may be a novel target for molecular targeted therapy in patients with BC.

Implanting totally implantable venous access ports in the upper arm is feasible and safe for patients with early breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Totally implantable venous access ports are widely used in chemotherapy for malignant tumors. This retrospective study investigated the safety, technical feasibility, and device-related complications of totally implantable venous access ports implanted in the upper arm. METHODS: Between May 2016 and June 2018, 570 women with early breast cancer received chemotherapy and were successfully implanted with a totally implantable venous access port in the upper arm. Device-related complications were collected and influencing factors were analyzed for major complications. RESULTS: Only one case underwent premature port removal before the end of chemotherapy. Device-related complications were observed in 32 cases, including 31 late complications. The rate of complications was 0.263/1000 catheter-days. Infection and thrombosis were the most common complications, occurring in 13 and 8 cases, respectively. Other complications were catheter occlusion, catheter dislocation, arrhythmia, and so on. Patients with higher body mass index were significantly more prone to infection and those who experienced catheter-related thrombosis had longer implantation times and higher body mass indices. CONCLUSION: Implanting totally implantable venous access ports in the upper arm is feasible and safe for patients with early breast cancer, with a low rate of complications, providing good alternative to central venous ports.

Combining the tumor abnormal protein test with tests for carcinoembryonic antigens, cancer antigen 15-3, and/or cancer antigen 125 significantly increased their diagnostic sensitivity for breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The tumor abnormal protein (TAP) test is used to screen for many cancers, but its use for breast cancer has not been studied. METHODS: Tests for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3), and TAP were administered to 261 women with operable benign breast disease and 348 with breast cancer. The cutoff value used for TAP was the mean + 3 standard deviations for benign breast disease patients (275.64 µm). Sensitivities and specificities of single biomarker tests and combined tests were compared. The combined tests were defined as positive if any single biomarker was positive, and negative otherwise. RESULTS: The single biomarker test sensitivities were similar: CEA, 7.18%; CA125, 4.89%; CA15-3, 7.47%; and TAP, 4.89%. For the combinations TAP + CEA + CA125, TAP + CEA + CA15-3, TAP + CA125 + CA15-3, and TAP + CEA + CA125 + CA15-3, the sensitivities were 16.67%, 17.82%, 16.38%, and 21.84%, respectively, and the specificities were 93.49%, 97.70%, 93.87%, and 92.72%. CONCLUSIONS: The 4-test combination showed the highest sensitivity (21.84%) and may be auxiliary used in early screening. TAP + CEA + CA15-3 showed high specificity (97.70%) and so could be used for confirming breast cancer.

Efficacy of two-weekly nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Aim: Compare the two-weekly regimens of nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-P) with solvent-based paclitaxel (sb-P) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Materials & methods: Patients (n = 162) with operable early breast cancer received four cycles of dose-dense epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by four two-weekly cycles of nab-P (n = 83) or sb-P (n = 79), with trastuzumab when needed. Results: Across all the patients, the ypT0 ypN0 and ypT0/is ypN0 pathological complete response rates in the nab-P group were not superior to those in the sb-P group. However, pathological complete response rates for triple-negative breast cancer were significantly better with nab-P than with sb-P. Meanwhile, nab-P also induced more peripheral sensory neuropathy. Conclusion: The two-weekly nab-P regimen is a good neoadjuvant chemotherapy choice for triple-negative breast cancer.