A practical screening strategy for Lynch syndrome and Lynch syndrome mimics in colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to provide an efficient and practical screening strategy to distinguish a broader spectrum of Lynch syndrome (LS) and LS mimics-associated colorectal cancer (CRC), including Lynch-like syndrome (LLS), constitutional mismatch repair-deficiency, familial CRC type X (FCCTX), and polymerase proofreading-associated polyposis syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 1294 cases of CRC samples were detected mismatch repair (MMR) status using immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, in which the cases with MLH1-deficient CRC underwent BRAF mutation analysis by IHC. Following the personal and/or family history survey, next-generation sequencing (NGS) was used to detect gene variants. RESULTS: 1294 CRC patients were dichotomized into tumors caused by a deficient MMR (dMMR) system and a proficient MMR (pMMR) system after MMR status analysis. 45 patients with suspected sporadic dMMR CRC were then separated from MLH1-deficient CRC though BRAF mutation status analysis by IHC. Following the personal and/or family history survey for 1294 patients, as well as germline genetic testing by NGS, 34 patients were diagnosed as LS (8 cases), SLS (13 cases), LLS ( 6 cases), FCCTX (3 cases), and sporadic CRC (4 cases). CONCLUSIONS: Our screening strategy, which consists of clinical and molecular analyses, is expected to improve the screening efficiency and management for the LS and LS mimics.

Comparison of Multi-Gene Testing Data Between Fresh and Formalin-Fixed Specimens From Core Needle Biopsy in Patients With NSCLC.

Purpose: Currently, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens are the conventional material for gene testing for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. In our study, we aimed to develop a quick gene testing procedure using fresh core needle biopsy samples from NSCLC patients. Methods: In total, 77 fresh NSCLC samples obtained from core needle biopsy were evaluated by frozen section examination. If the NSCLC diagnosis and adequate tumor cell counts were confirmed by histopathology, the fresh tissues were used to extract DNA and subsequent gene testing by ARMS-PCR. Meanwhile, the paired FFPE core needle biopsy samples from 30 NSCLC patients also underwent gene testing. Results: In total, 77 fresh samples showed an EGFR mutation rate of 61.0%, higher than the levels in the Asian. Following a comparison of gene testing results with fresh tissues and paired FFPE tissues from the 30 patients, no significant difference in the DNA concentration extracted from fresh tissues and FFPE tissues was found. However, DNA purity was significantly higher in fresh tissues than that in FFPE tissues. Gene testing detected the same gene mutations in 93.3% of cases in fresh tissues and paired FFPE tissues. The gene testing procedure using fresh biopsy samples greatly shortens the waiting time of patients. Conclusion: The multi-gene mutation testing using fresh core needle biopsy samples from NSCLC patients is a reasonable, achievable, and quick approach. Fresh tissues may serve as a potential alternative to FFPE tissues for gene testing in NSCLC patients.

LBH589 Inhibits Glioblastoma Growth and Angiogenesis Through Suppression of HIF-1α Expression.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an angiogenic malignancy with a highly unfavorable prognosis. Angiogenesis in GBM represents an adaptation to a hypoxic microenvironment and is correlated with tumor growth, invasion, clinical recurrence, and lethality. LBH589 (also called panobinostat) is a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor with potent antitumor activity. In the current study, we investigated the mechanism and effects of LBH589 on GBM growth and hypoxia-induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. To determine the antitumor and angiogenesis activity and mechanism of LBH589, we used cell proliferations in vitro and GBM xenografts in vivo. To clarify mechanisms of LBH589 on angiogenesis, HDAC assay, RT-PCR, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were performed. We found LBH589 displayed significant antitumor effects on GBM as demonstrated by inhibited cell proliferation, slower tumor growth, and decreased microvessel density of subcutaneous xenografts. These actions of LBH589 resulted from the disruption of heat shock protein 90/HDAC6 complex, increased HIF-1α instability and degradation, and decreased VEGF expression. Our results indicate the potential antiangiogenic activity of LBH589 in human GBM and provide some preclinical data to warrant further exploration of HDAC inhibitors for the treatment of advanced glioma. Moreover, our study supports the role of HDAC inhibitors as a therapeutic strategy to target tumor angiogenesis.

Valproic acid ameliorates olfactory dysfunction in APP/PS1 transgenic mice of Alzheimer's disease: Ameliorations from the olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulb.

Olfactory dysfunction is a common and early symptom of many neurodegenerative diseases, particularly of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment, pointing to the progression to dementia. Recent studies have revealed that valproic acid (VPA) has neuroprotective effects in rodent models of AD. In this study, we investigated the effects of VPA on olfactory dysfunction of APP/PS1 double transgenic mouse models of AD. After continuous treatment with a 100mg/kg daily dose of VPA for 3 months, APP/PS1 mice showed improved olfactory performances. In agreement with the behavioral findings, VPA treatment reduced amyloid ß (Aß) burden in the olfactory epithelium (OE) of transgenic mice. And, VPA increased epithelial thickness of the olfactory mucosa through decreased cell apoptosis and increased cell proliferation. In the olfactory bulb (OB), VPA administration also reduced senile plaques and levels of soluble and insoluble Aß42 peptides. Besides, VPA promoted the increase of mitral cells and decrease of neurofilament immunostaining. In hence, VPA treatment completely improved the olfactory performances and prevented degenerative changes of the OE and OB. Our study raises the possibility of AD diagnosis by OE biopsy. Moreover, VPA may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of olfactory dysfunction in AD patients.