ABSTRACT
Esophageal cancer is considered one of the most significant challenges to public health worldwide. While various therapeutic options exist for esophageal cancer, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, several adverse effects of these medications have been reported. Therefore, a new generation of therapeutic lines should be applied to minimize complications. In this regard, immunotherapy is a novel approach that aims to kill tumor cells directly by targeting them. Specifically, monoclonal antibodies can target specific markers of esophageal cancer tumor cells, keeping other normal cells safe. Multiple monoclonal antibodies optimized for esophageal cancer, such as pembrolizumab, ramucirumab, trastuzumab, nivolumab, and ipilimumab, are available. On the other hand, esophageal cancer tumor cells express a specific inhibitory ligand and its receptor called programmed cell death, which can suppress T cell immune responses. This receptor provides an inhibitory signal, causing the highest expression of the PD-L1 ligand on tumor cells. The outcomes of this interaction lead to the suppression of the activation and function of T lymphocytes. Therefore, immunotherapy for esophageal cancer targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway has shown a remarkable correlation with cancer care. This study presents a comprehensive review of the latest findings related to immunotherapy in esophageal cancer.
ABSTRACT
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), a highly aggressive subtype of esophageal cancer, is characterized by late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options. Recent advancements in transcriptome sequencing technologies have illuminated the molecular intricacies of ESCC tumors, revealing metabolic reprogramming as a prominent feature. Specifically, the Warburg effect, marked by enhanced glycolysis, has emerged as a hallmark of cancer, offering potential therapeutic targets. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed bulk RNA-seq data from ESCC patients, uncovering elevated SRA1 expression in ESCC development and a poorer prognosis. Silencing of SRA1 led to a modulation of glycolysis-related products and a shift in PKM2 expression. Our findings shed light on the intricate molecular landscape of ESCC, highlighting SRA1 as a potential therapeutic target to disrupt glycolysis-dependent energy production. This metabolic reprogramming may hold the key to innovative treatment strategies for ESCC, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To establish a novel approach for diagnosing early- and midstage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). METHODS: The tumor suppressor gene phospholysine phosphohistidine inorganic pyrophosphate phosphatase (LHPP)-based miRNA signature was identified using next-generation sequencing and 3 biological online prediction systems. This retrospective study established and validated an ESCC prediction model using a test cohort and a validation cohort. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) results showed that LHPP protein levels were significantly lower in tissues with early- and midstage ESCC than in adjacent tissues (Pâ < .01). Further, we confirmed that miR-15b-5p, miR-424-5p, miR-497-5p, miR-363-5p, and miR-195-5p inhibited LHPP. These 5 miRNAs were significantly elevated in the plasma of early- and midstage ESCC (Pâ < .05). An ESCC prediction model combining these 5 miRNAs was established. Finally, in the external validation cohort, the model exhibited high discriminative value (sensitivity/specificity: 84.4%/93.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The prediction model has potential implications for diagnosis of early- and midstage ESCC.
Subject(s)
Esophageal Neoplasms , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma , MicroRNAs , Humans , Case-Control Studies , Cell Line, Tumor , East Asian People , Esophageal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics , Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/diagnosis , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/genetics , Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/pathology , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Genes, Tumor Suppressor , MicroRNAs/genetics , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relations between different compositions of Gegenqinlian decoction and their effects on experimental shigellosis in rabbits to explore the composition protocol of Gegenqinlian decoction. METHODS: Rabbit models of intestinal invasion induced by Shigella flexneri was established by directly inoculating the bacterium in the colon after cecum bypass operation. The effects of different compositions of Gegenqinlian decoction on the indexes of colitis and the bacterial count of Shigella in the colon content and colon tissue were investigated by orthogonal design. RESULTS: According to the bacterial count of Shigella in the colon, Coptis chinensis franch and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi are the main effective drugs, but they antagonized each other, so that the best combination protocol was Coptis chinensis Franch only. CONCLUSION: Among the components of Gegenqinlian decoction, Coptis chinensis franch has the strongest pharmacological effect against bacteria and Glycyrrhina wralensis fisch is the most effective to ameliorate pathological lesions.