The RNA-binding protein RBM47 inhibits non-small cell lung carcinoma metastasis through modulation of AXIN1 mRNA stability and Wnt/ß-catentin signaling.

BACKGROUND: Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a highly prevalent and deadly form of cancer, with efforts to better understand the molecular basis of the progression of this disease being essential to its effective treatment. Several recent studies have highlighted the ability of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) to regulate a wide range of cellular processes in both healthy and pathogenic contexts. Among these RBPs, RNA binding motif protein 47 (RBM47) has recently been identified as a tumor suppressor in both breast and colon cancers, whereas its role in NSCLC is poorly understood. METHODS: RBM47 expression in NSCLC samples was evaluated by RT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry analysis. Molecular and cellular techniques including lentiviral vector-mediated knockdown were used to elucidate the functions and mechanisms of RBM47. RESULTS: This study sought to analyze the expression and role of RBM47 in NSCLC. In the present study, we observed reduced levels of RBM47 expression in NSCLC, with these reductions corresponding to a poorer prognosis and more advanced disease including a higher TNM stage (p = 0.022), a higher likelihood of tumor thrombus (p = 0.001), and pleural invasion (p = 0.033). Through functional analyses in vitro and in vivo, we further demonstrated that these RBP was able to disrupt the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. At a molecular level, we determined that RBM47 was able to bind the AXIN1 mRNA, stabilizing it and thereby enhancing the consequent suppression of Wnt/ß-catentin signaling. CONCLUSION: Together our findings reveal that RBM47 targets AXIN1 in order to disrupt Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in NSCLC and thereby disrupting tumor progression. These results thus offer new insights into the molecular biology of NSCLC, and suggest that RBM47 may also have value as a prognostic biomarker and/or therapeutic target in NSCLC patients.

Expression and clinical significance of p75NTR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To analyze the expression and clinical significance of p75NTR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Sixty patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent surgical resection in our hospital between January 2017 and January 2018 were selected as the study subjects. The content of the study was in accordance with medical ethics and approved by the medical ethics committee, and patients understood and signed an informed consent form. The clinical data of all patients were analyzed retrospectively. The positive rate of p75NTR in lymph node metastasis-positive patients, lymph node metastasis-negative patients and patients with invasion of the muscle layer was detected and statistically analyzed. Results: Lymph node metastasis-positive patients had a p75NTR-positive rate of 100.00% (30/30), which was significantly higher than that of lymph node metastasis-negative patients (20.00% (6/30)) (P < 0.05) The p75NTR-positive rate in patients with infiltration of the muscular layer was 73.33% (20/30), which was significantly higher than that of patients with infiltration of the whole layer (43.33% (13/30) (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The high expression of p75NTR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue can indicate the invasion depth of the cancerous tissue and lymph node metastasis, and the clinical introduction of the p75NTR index can be the basis for an effective prognosis prediction in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

A prediction model for lymph node metastasis in T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic resection is widely used for the treatment of T1 esophageal cancer, but it cannot be used to treat lymph node metastasis (LNM). This study aimed to develop a prediction model for LNM in patients with T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: A prospectively maintained database of all patients who underwent surgery for esophageal cancer between January 2002 and June 2010 was retrospectively reviewed, and patients with T1 squamous cell carcinoma were included in this study. Correlations between LNM and clinicopathological variables were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. The penalized maximum likelihood method was used to estimate regression coefficients. A prediction model was developed and internally validated using a bootstrap resampling method. Model performance was evaluated in terms of calibration, discrimination, and clinical usefulness. RESULTS: A total of 240 patients (197 male, 43 female) with a mean age of 57.9 years (standard deviation ± 8.3 years) were included in the analysis. The incidence of LNM was 16.3%. The prediction model consisted of four variables: grade, T1 stage, tumor location and tumor length. The model showed good calibration and good discrimination with a C-index of 0.787 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.711-0.863). After internal validation, the optimism-corrected C-index was 0.762 (95% CI, 0.686-0.838). Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the prediction model was clinically useful. CONCLUSIONS: Our prediction model can facilitate individualized prediction of LNM in patients with T1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. This model can aid surgical decision making in patients who have undergone endoscopic resection.

[Efficacy analysis of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in the treatment of obesity-related comorbidities].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for the treatment of obesity and related diseases. METHODS: Clinical data of 67 patients who underwent LSG between December 2006 and July 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. Improvements in body mass index(BMI), percentage of excess weight loss(EWL), type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other comorbidities were observed at one year postoperatively. RESULTS: Laparoscopic procedures were completed in 67 patients without conversion. The operative time was(78±17) min. The postoperative hospital stay was(5.0±1.7) d. The postoperative recovery was uneventful and there were no perioperative death or severe postoperative complication. Sixty-four patients(95.5%) had a postoperative follow up of 1 year. One year after LSG, BMI decreased by(10.4±3.7) kg/m(2) from (37.7±4.1) kg/m(2) preoperatively and EWL was(80.2±27.7)%. In 13 cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus, 7 patients (53.8%, 7/13) were weaned off hypoglycemic agents or insulin. In 11 cases of hypertension, 5 required no medications(45.5%, 5/11). The remission rate was both 100%. There was significant resolution or improvement of other obesity-related comorbidiities, including hyper-triglyceridemia(n=51), hyperuricemia(n=42), sleep apnea syndrome (n=2), osteoarticular disease (n=9), and acanthosis (n=8). CONCLUSIONS: LSG is safe and feasible for the treatment of obesity and can cure or improve type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and other obesity related comorbidities.