Analysis of cancer-associated fibroblasts related genes identifies COL11A1 associated with lung adenocarcinoma prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of lung adenocarcinoma is difficult due to the limited therapeutic options. Cancer-associated fibroblasts play an important role in the development of cancers. This study aimed to identify a promising molecular target associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: The Cancer Genome Atlas lung adenocarcinoma dataset was used to screen hub genes associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts via the EPIC algorithm and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis. Multiple databases were used together with our data to verify the differential expression and survival of COL11A1. Functional enrichment analysis and the single-cell TISCH database were used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying COL11A1 expression. The correlation between COL11A1 and immune checkpoint genes in human cancers was also evaluated. RESULTS: Using the EPIC algorithm and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis, 13 hub genes associated with cancer-associated fibroblasts in lung adenocarcinoma were screened. Using the GEPIA database, Kaplan-Meier Plotter database, GSE72094, GSE75037, GSE32863, and our immunohistochemistry experiment data, we confirmed that COL11A1 overexpresses in lung adenocarcinoma and that high expression of COL11A1 is associated with a poor prognosis. COL11A1 has a genetic alteration frequency of 22% in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. COL11A1 is involved in the extracellular matrix activities of lung adenocarcinoma. Using the TISCH database, we found that COL11A1 is mainly expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment rather than by lung adenocarcinoma cells. Finally, we found that COL11A1 is positively correlated with HAVCR2(TIM3), CD274 (PD-L1), CTLA4, and LAG3 in lung adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: COL11A1 may be expressed and secreted by cancer-associated fibroblasts, and a high expression of COL11A1 may result in T cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment of lung adenocarcinoma. COL11A1 may serve as an attractive biomarker to provide new insights into cancer therapeutics.

Operando X-Ray Diffraction Boosting Understanding of Graphite Phase Evolution in Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The fast charging/discharging performance of lithium-ion batteries is closely related to the properties of electrode materials, especially the phase evolution and Li+ diffusion kinetics. The phase evolution and intrinsic properties of an electrode material under different C-rates can be investigated by applying operando X-ray diffraction (XRD). In this study, a transmission X-ray diffractometer is used in operando monitoring the behaviors of NCM811/Graphite pouch cells during charging/discharging at low rate (0.1C) and high rate (2.5C), especially the structure changes, phase evolution, and relaxation of graphite anode. The variations in XRD patterns, as well as and the inconsistency between the state of charge (SOC) of full cells and the SOC of electrodes, are explained based on genetic algorithm and shrinking annuli model. Furthermore, from the perspectives of monitoring and identification of electrode state, structural design of materials and electrodes, and optimization of charging/discharging protocols, practical suggestions for understanding the state and improving the performance of electrodes are proposed.

miR-183-5p regulates ECM and EMT to promote non-small cell lung cancer progression by targeting LOXL4.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression is mediated by changes in gene expression induced by microRNAs. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated the roles of miR-183-5p and its target gene in lung cancer development. Methods: Relative levels of miR-183-5p and lysyl oxidase-like 4 (LOXL4) expression in lung cancer cells or tissues were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunofluorescence or Western blotting as appropriate. The binding of miR-183-5p to LOXL4 sequences was verified by a dual luciferase reporter assay, and cell proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Edu staining. The cell cycle stage and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate cell migration and invasion capabilities. The tumorigenic capability of cancer cells was analyzed using a cancer cell line-based xenograft nude mouse model. Results: miR-183-5p expression was decreased in the lung cancer tissues and cell lines and was negatively correlated with elevated LOXL4 expression. Treatment with miR-183-5p mimics suppressed LOXL4 expression, while treatment with an miR-183-5p inhibitor promoted LOXL4 expression in A549 cells. miR-183-5p was found to directly bind to the 3' UTR of the LOXL4 gene in A549 cells. Overexpression of LOXL4 enhanced cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion, but repressed their apoptosis, and activated extracellular matrix (ECM) and the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in A549 cells, while LOXL4 knockdown produced the opposite effects. Treatment with an miR-183-5P inhibitor promoted the proliferation, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion of A549 cells but suppressed their apoptosis, and activated the ECM and EMT process, while all these effects were abrogated by LOXL4 knockdown. The tumorigenic capability of A540 cells in nude mice was greatly impaired by treatment with miR-183-5p mimics. Conclusions: miR-183-5p repressed the proliferation, migration, invasion, ECM formation, and EMT processes, and promoted the apoptosis of lung cancer cells by targeting LOXL4 expression.

Characterization of TIM-3 Expression and Its Correlation with TNF-α and IFN-γ in Patients with Surgically Resected Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Objective: T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-containing protein-3 (TIM-3) is an important immune checkpoint, but its role in lung cancer is still not clear. In this study, we investigated TIM-3 protein expression and its correlation with TNF-α and IFN-γ by examining the tissues of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Methods: We detected the mRNA quantity of TIM-3, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in 40 surgically resected specimens from patients with lung adenocarcinoma by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein expression of TIM-3, TNF-α, and IFN-γ was assessed in normal tissues, paracarcinoma tissues, and tumor tissues by western blotting, respectively. The relevance between the expression and clinicopathological information of the patients was analyzed. Results: The results showed that the expression level of TIM-3 was higher in tumor tissues than normal tissues and paracancerous tissues (P < 0.05). On the contrary, the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ in tumor tissues was lower than normal tissues and paracarcinoma tissues (P < 0.05). However, the expression levels of IFN-γ mRNA were not observed to be significantly different between cancerous tissues and adjacent tissues. While TIM-3 protein expression in cancer tissues of patients with lymph node metastasis was higher than in patients without metastasis, the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ was lower (P < 0.05). Importantly, the expression of TIM-3 was negatively correlated with the expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ, and the expression of TNF-α was found to be positively correlated with IFN-γ in the patient. Conclusion: The high expression of TIM-3, the low expression of TNF-α and IFN-γ, and the synergistic effect of TNF-α and IFN-γ in patients with lung adenocarcinoma were closely related to poor clinicopathological characteristics. Overexpression of TIM-3 may play an important role in the relationship between TNF-α and IFN-γ secretion and poor clinicopathological characteristics.

Correction: Zheng et al. Glycolysis-Related SLC2A1 Is a Potential Pan-Cancer Biomarker for Prognosis and Immunotherapy. Cancers 2022, 14, 5344.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].

Addition of bevacizumab to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in advanced NSCLC: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The synergistic effects of antiangiogenic inhibitor bevacizumab and epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) therapy were encouraging in patients with EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC, though some controversy remains. The specific subgroup of patients who might benefit most from the EGFR-TKI and bevacizumab combination therapy is yet to be determined. Methods: Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that had compared the clinical efficacy of EGFR-TKI and bevacizumab combination therapy with EGFR-TKI monotherapy in treating EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC patients published before 23 December 2022 were searched in the Cochrane, PubMed and Embase. We performed a meta-analysis for the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), and treatment-related adverse events with a grade equal or more than 3 (grade≥3 TRAEs). Subgroup analyses of PFS and OS stratified by clinical characteristics and treatment were conducted. Results: We included 10 RCTs involving 1520 patients. Compared with EGFR-TKI monotherapy, addition of bevacizumab to EGFR-TKI resulted in a significantly higher PFS (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.62-0.87)) and ORR (risk ratio (RR) = 1.07, 95% CI: 1.01-1.13). However, no significant difference in OS (HR = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.83-1.12) was noticed. Patients with EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC receiving combination therapy showed PFS improvement regardless of gender (male or female), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (0 or 1), baseline central nervous system (CNS) metastasis (presence or absence) and EGFR mutation type (19del or 21L858R). Subgroup analyses showed that, with the treatment of bevacizumab and EGFR-TKI, patients who ever smoked achieved significantly better OS and PFS benefits (HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95; HR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.46-0.74, respectively), and those aged <75 years and the Asian population had significantly prolonged PFS (HR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.52-0.91; HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.58-0.87; respectively). The superiority of EGFR-TKI and bevacizumab combination therapy against EGFR-TKI monotherapy in improving PFS was more significant in the erlotinib regimen subgroup. The risk of grade≥3 TRAEs was remarkably higher in the combination therapy group (HR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.39-2.16). Conclusion: Addition of bevacizumab to EGFR-TKI therapy provided significantly better PFS and ORR for EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC patients, though with higher risk of grade≥3 TRAEs. Patients who ever smoked, aged <75 years, and Asian population might benefit more from the combination regimen. Systematic Review Registration: This systematic review and meta-analysis was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023401926).

The complete chloroplast genome sequences of an endangered orchid species Paphiopedilum wenshanense (Orchidaceae).

Paphiopedilum wenshanense, a species of the family Orchidaceae, is endangered in the world with highly ornamental and biological value, the morphology of P. wenshanense is very similar to its relative species, P. bellatulum and P. concolor. However, there are few studies on the molecular biology and phylogeny of this species currently. Therefore, we report its complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence at the first time, hoping to provide a foundation for its future phylogenetic analysis. The complete chloroplast genome of P. wenshanense was 161,750 bp in size, which contained a large single-copy (LSC) region of 90,656 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 1886 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions of 34,604 bp each. The total GC content was 35.66%. The genome encodes 38 transfer RNA genes, eight ribosomal RNA genes, and 80 protein-coding genes. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the genetic relationship between P. wenshanense and P. concolor was very close.

Glycolysis-Related SLC2A1 Is a Potential Pan-Cancer Biomarker for Prognosis and Immunotherapy.

SLC2A1 plays a pivotal role in cancer glycometabolism. SLC2A1 has been proposed as a putative driver gene in various cancers. However, a pan-cancer analysis of SLC2A1 has not yet been performed. In this study, we explored the expression and prognosis of SLC2A1 in pan-cancer across multiple databases. We conducted genetic alteration, epigenetic, and functional enrichment analyses of SLC2A. We calculated the correlation between SLC2A1 and tumor microenvironment using the TCGA pan-cancer dataset. We observed high expression levels of SLC2A1 with poor prognosis in most cancers. The overall genetic alteration frequency of SLC2A1 was 1.8% in pan-cancer, and the SLC2A1 promoter was hypomethylation in several cancers. Most m6A-methylation-related genes positively correlated with the expression of SLC2A1 in 33 TCGA cancers. Moreover, SLC2A1 was mainly related to the functions including epithelial-mesenchymal transition, glycolysis, hypoxia, cell-cycle regulation, and DNA repair. Finally, SLC2A1 positively associated with neutrophils and cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment of most cancers and significantly correlated with TMB and MSI in various cancers. Notably, SLC2A1 was remarkably positively correlated with PD-L1 and CTLA4 in most cancers. SLC2A1 might serve as an attractive pan-cancer biomarker for providing new insights into cancer therapeutics.

Establishing a TNM-like risk classification for metachronous second pulmonary adenocarcinoma in patients with previously resected pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Background: For metachronous second pulmonary adenocarcinoma (msPAD) in patients with resected PAD, the method to distinguish tumour clonality has not yet been well established, which makes it difficult to determine accurate staging and predict prognosis. Methods: Patients received surgery for the primary and encountered msPAD were recruited into the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. We extracted overall survival 1 (OS1) for the primary, overall survival 2 (OS2) for the msPAD, and defined interval survival as the interval time between the first and second PAD. Based on the nomogram and recursive partitioning analysis, a tumor, node, metastasis staging system (TNM)-like risk stratification system was established for OS2 on the premise of suspending the dispute of tumor clonality. Results: A total of 1,045 patients were identified. There is no significant association between interval survival and OS2. A TNM-like risk stratification system was established based on the independent pathological factors for prognosis, including tumor diameter (2nd), node metastasis (2nd), grade (2nd), and extrapulmonary metastasis (2nd). The proposed risk stratification system present well capacity in predicting and stratifying prognosis. Compared with the TNM stage system, the proposed risk stratification system presents a smaller Akaike information criterion (AIC) but larger c-index, and generates higher accuracy to predict prognosis at 160 months of follow-up according to the time-dependent receiver operating curve (ROC) curve. Conclusions: In conclusion, the TNM-like risk stratification appears to be suitable for prognostic prediction and risk stratification for msPAD patients with former PAD resection. This model validates and refines the known classification rules based on the easily collected variables, and highlights potentially clinical implications.

Mining the Prognostic Role of DNA Methylation Heterogeneity in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: DNA methylation heterogeneity is a type of tumor heterogeneity in the tumor microenvironment, but studies on the identification of the molecular heterogeneity of the lung adenocarcinoma genome with respect to DNA methylation sites and their roles in lung cancer progression and prognosis are scarce. Methods: Prognosis-associated DNA methylation subtypes were filtered by the Cox proportional hazards model and then established by unsupervised cluster analysis. Association analysis of these subtypes with clinical features and functional analysis of annotated genes potentially affected by methylation sites were performed. The robustness of the model was further tested by a Bayesian network classifier. Results: Over 7 thousand methylation sites were associated with lung adenocarcinoma prognosis. We identified seven molecular methylation subtypes, including 630 methylation sites. The subtypes yielded the most stable results for differentiating methylation profiles, prognosis, and gene expression patterns. The annotated genes potentially affected by these methylation sites are enriched in biological processes such as morphogenesis and cell adhesion, but their individual impact on the tumor microenvironment and prognosis is multifaceted. Discussion. We revealed that DNA methylation heterogeneity could be clustered and associated with the clinical features and prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma, which could lead to the development of a novel molecular tool for clinical evaluation.

The gut microbiota mediates protective immunity against tuberculosis via modulation of lncRNA.

The gut-lung axis has been implicated as a potential therapeutic target in lung disorders. While increasing evidence suggests that gut microbiota plays a critical role in regulating host immunity and contributing to tuberculosis (TB) development and progression, the underlying mechanisms whereby gut microbiota may impact TB outcomes are not fully understood. Here, we found that broad-spectrum antibiotics treatment increased susceptibility to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) infection and modulated pulmonary inflammatory responses in mouse M. tuberculosis infection model. We then identified a commensal gut bacteria-regulated lncRNA, termed lncRNA-CGB, which was down-regulated by dysbiosis of gut microbiota during TB infection. Furthermore, we found that Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) was a direct regulator of lncRNA-CGB, and oral administration of B. fragilis enhanced expression of lncRNA-CGB and promoted anti-TB immunity. Genomic knock-out of lncRNA-CGB led to reduced IFN-γ expression and impaired anti-TB immunity, therefore leading to detrimental effects on M. tuberculosis infection. Mechanistically, lncRNA-CGB interacted with EZH2 and negatively regulated H3K27 tri-methylation (H3K27Me3) epigenetic programming, leading to enhanced IFN-γ expression. Thus, this work not only uncovered previously unrecognized importance of gut bacteria-lncRNA-EZH2-H3K27Me3 axis in conferring immune protection against TB but also identified a potential new paradigm to develop a microbiota-based treatment against TB and potentially other diseases.

Establishing a prognostic model for metachronous second squamous cell lung cancer in patients with resected squamous cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: For metachronous second pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma (msPSC) in patients with resected PSC, the method to distinguish tumour clonality has not yet been well established, which makes it difficult to determine accurate staging and predict prognosis. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery for first PSC and encountered msPSC were recruited from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We extracted overall survival 1 (OS1) for the first PSC, overall survival 2 (OS2) for msPSC, and interval survival for the time interval between the first and second PSC. The nomogram was calibrated for OS2, and recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was performed for risk stratification. RESULTS: A total of 617 patients were identified. Several independent prognostic factors were identified and integrated into the nomogram for OS2, including gender, age (2nd), nodal status (1st), node metastasis (2nd), and extrapulmonary metastasis (2nd). The calibration curves showed optimal agreement between the predictions and actual observations, and the c-index was 0.678. Surgery was associated with longer survival for msPSC patients. The prognosis of sublobectomy was comparable and inferior to that of lobectomy in the low- and moderate-risk groups, respectively. Radiotherapy was associated with better outcomes in patients who did not undergo surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The RPA-based clinical nomogram appears to be suitable for the prognostic prediction and risk stratification of OS2 in msPSC. This practical system may help clinicians make decisions and design clinical studies.

Circ_0020123 regulates autophagy, glycolysis, and malignancy by upregulating IRF4 through eliminating miR-193a-3p-mediated suppression of IRF4 in non-small cell lung cancer.

Circular RNA is related to the tumorigenesis of various cancers. Circular RNA hsa_circ_0020123 (circ_0020123) has been uncovered to promote non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression. However, the regulatory mechanism of circ_0020123 in NSCLC is unclear. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was employed to detect the levels of circ_0020123, microRNA (miR)-193a-3p, and IRF4 interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) in NSCLC tissues and cells. Loss-of-function experiments were performed to analyze the impacts of circ_0020123 silencing on NSCLC cell malignancy, autophagy, and glycolysis. Protein levels were detected using western blotting. The regulatory mechanism of circ_0020123 was analyzed by bioinformatics analysis and validated by the dual-luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation assay, and RNA pull-down assay. Xenograft assay was performed to verify the biological function of circ_0020123. We observed an overt elevation in circ_0020123 expression in NSCLC samples and cells, and NSCLC patients with high circ_0020123 expression had a poor prognosis. Circ_0020123 knockdown constrained xenograft tumor growth in vivo and curbed cell proliferation, migration, and glycolysis, and accelerated cell apoptosis and autophagy in NSCLC cells in vitro. Circ_0020123 could absorb miR-193a-3p to regulate IRF4 expression. miR-193a-3p silencing overturned circ_0020123 knockdown-mediated impacts on NSCLC cell malignancy, autophagy, and glycolysis. And IRF4 overexpression reversed miR-193a-3p mimic-mediated effects on NSCLC cell malignancy, autophagy, and glycolysis. Circ_0020123 promoted glycolysis and tumor growth by upregulating IRF4 through sequestering miR-193a-3p in NSCLC, offering a novel mechanism by which circ_0020123 is responsible for the malignancy, autophagy, and glycolysis of NSCLC cells.

Comparative transcriptome analysis identified important genes and regulatory pathways for flower color variation in Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum.

BACKGROUND: Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum is a member of Orchidaceae family that is famous for its ornamental value around the globe, it is vulnerable due to over-exploitation and was listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which prevents its trade across borders. Variation in flower color that gives rise to different flower patterns is a major trait contributing to its high ornamental value. However, the molecular mechanism underlying color formation in P. hirsutissimum still remains unexplored. In the present study, we exploited natural variation in petal and labellum color of Paphiopedilum plants and used comparative transcriptome analysis as well as pigment measurements to explore the important genes, metabolites and regulatory pathways linked to flower color variation in P. hirsutissimum. RESULT: We observed that reduced anthocyanin and flavonoid contents along with slightly higher carotenoids are responsible for albino flower phenotype. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified 3287 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among normal and albino labellum, and 3634 DEGs between normal and albino petals. Two genes encoding for flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) and one gene encoding for chalcone synthase (CHS) were strongly downregulated in albino labellum and petals compared to normal flowers. As both F3H and CHS catalyze essentially important steps in anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, downregulation of these genes is probably leading to albino flower phenotype via down-accumulation of anthocyanins. However, we observed the downregulation of major carotenoid biosynthesis genes including VDE, NCED and ABA2 which was inconsistent with the increased carotenoid accumulation in albino flowers, suggesting that carotenoid accumulation was probably controlled at post-transcriptional or translational level. In addition, we identified several key transcription factors (MYB73, MYB61, bHLH14, bHLH106, MADS-SOC1, AP2/ERF1, ERF26 and ERF87) that may regulate structural genes involved in flower color formation in P. hirsutissimum. Importantly, over-expression of some of these candidate TFs increased anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco leaves which provided important evidence for the role of these TFs in flower color formation probably via regulating key structural genes of the anthocyanin pathway. CONCLUSION: The genes identified here could be potential targets for breeding P. hirsutissimum with different flower color patterns by manipulating the anthocyanin and carotenoid biosynthesis pathways.

Long non-coding RNA MEG3 mediates the miR-149-3p/FOXP3 axis by reducing p53 ubiquitination to exert a suppressive effect on regulatory T cell differentiation and immune escape in esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) has been implicated in the progression of esophageal cancer (EC). However, the specific mechanism of the involvement of MEG3 in EC development in relation to the regulation of immune escape remains uncertain. Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of MEG3 on EC via microRNA-149-3p (miR-149-3p). METHODS: Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were initially performed in EC cells in addition to the establishment of a 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide-induced EC mouse model aimed at evaluating the respective roles of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), MEG3, miR-149-3p, mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) and p53 in T cell differentiation and immune escape observed in EC. RESULTS: EC tissues were found to exhibit upregulated FOXP3 and MDM2 while MEG3, p53 and miR-149-3p were all downregulated. FOXP3 was confirmed to be a target gene of miR-149-3p with our data suggesting it reduced p53 ubiquitination and degradation by means of inhibiting MDM2. P53 was enriched in the promoter of miR-149-3p to upregulate miR-149-3p. The overexpression of MEG3, p53 or miR-149-3p or silencing FOXP3 was associated with a decline in CD25+FOXP3+CD4+ T cells, IL-10+CD4+ T cells and IL-4+CD4+ T cells in spleen tissues, IL-4, and IL-10 levels as well as C-myc, N-myc and Ki-67 expression in EC mice. CONCLUSION: Collectively, MEG3 decreased FOXP3 expression and resulted in repressed regulatory T cell differentiation and immune escape in EC mice by upregulating miR-149-3p via MDM2-mediated p53.

Curcumin suppresses the stemness of non-small cell lung cancer cells via promoting the nuclear-cytoplasm translocation of TAZ.

Curcumin has been shown to suppress the progression of lung cancer, however, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on the stemness of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. We found that curcumin reduced the sphere formation ability at the concentrations without affecting the cell viability of NSCLC cells and normal pulmonary epithelial cells, which is evident by the decrease of sphere size and number. In addition, curcumin decreased ALDH activity and the expression of stemness markers (CD133, EpCAM, Oct4). RNA sequencing analysis revealed that the Hippo pathway was mostly enriched in cells with curcumin treatment. Indeed, the expression of cancer stem cell markers was significantly decreased by curcumin treatment by analyzing the RNA sequencing data. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that curcumin negatively regulated the cancer stem cell function and positively modulated cancer stem cell differentiation ability. Furthermore, curcumin enhanced the cisplatin sensitivity of NSCLC cells. Mechanistically, it was found that curcumin promoted the nuclear-cytoplasm translocation of TAZ, but not YAP, the critical effectors of Hippo pathway. In addition, curcumin destabilzed TAZ protein stability and promoted TAZ protein degradation in lung cancer cells, which is dependent on the proteasome degradation system, not by autophagy lysosome degradation system. Overexpression of TAZ rescued the inhibition of curcumin on the stemness of lung cancer cells. Thus, our results suggest that curcumin can attenuate the stemness of lung cancer cells through promoting TAZ protein degradation and thus activating Hippo pathway.

Impact of Examined Lymph Node Count for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Patients who Underwent Right Transthoracic Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: The impact of the number of examined lymph nodes (ELNs) on stage correction and prognostication in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) who underwent right transthoracic esophagectomy is still unclear. METHODS: Patients with ESCC who underwent right transthoracic esophagectomy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 1997 and December 2013 were retrospectively enrolled. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine the effect of ELN count on overall survival. The impact of ELN count on stage correction was evaluated using the hypergeometric distribution and Bayes theorem and ß-binomial distribution estimation, respectively. The threshold of ELNs was determined using the LOWESS smoother and piecewise linear regression. RESULTS: Among the 875 included patients, greater ELNs were associated with a higher rate of nodal metastasis. Significant association between staging bias and the number of ELNs is only observed through the Bayes method. The ELN count did not impact 90-day mortality but significantly impacted long-term survival (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.986), especially in those patients with node-negative disease (aHR 0.972). In patients with node-negative disease, cut-point analysis showed a threshold ELN count of 21. CONCLUSIONS: A greater number of ELNs is associated with more accurate node staging and better long-term survival in resected ESCC patients. We recommended harvesting at least 21 LNs to acquire accurate staging and long-term survival information for patients with declared node-negative disease using the right thoracic approach.

A clinical nomogram and heat map for assessing survival in patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer after complete resection.

BACKGROUND: Assessing the prognosis of patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become a major clinical issue. This study aimed to devise an effective clinical nomogram and heat map for assessing the survival of patients with stage I NSCLC receiving complete resection. METHODS: Nomograms were established based on a retrospective study of 654 patients with stage I NSCLC who underwent radical resection at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center between January 2009 and December 2014. The concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve were used to measure the accuracy and discriminative ability of the final nomogram. Heat maps were constructed with prognostic factors and survival probabilities. Survival curves were depicted using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test was used to determine significance. Patients were classified into low- and high-risk subgroups using recursive partitioning analysis based on nomogram scores. RESULTS: In univariate and multivariate analyses, the independent factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were age, sex, tumor size, and visceral pleural invasion, which were all selected in the nomogram. The C-indices of the nomogram for predicting OS and DFS were 0.694 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.651-0.737] and 0.653 (95% CI 0.61-0.696), respectively. The calibration curves for OS and DFS probabilities showed a good agreement between the nomogram prediction and actual observation. A heat map was generated using the above independent factors for OS and DFS. High-risk patients had shorter OS [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.535, 95% CI 2.444-5.113, p < 0.001] and DFS (HR = 2.607, 95% CI 1.922-3.537, p < 0.001) than low-risk patients. CONCLUSION: We established a prognostic nomogram and heat map that can be useful for evaluating survival in patients with stage I NSCLC after complete resection. The tools resulted in more accurate prediction and may guide clinicians in making treatment decisions.

Oncologic outcomes of lobectomy vs. segmentectomy in non-small cell lung cancer with clinical T1N0M0 stage: a literature review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lobectomy has long been regarded as the standard treatment for operable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Recent studies suggested that segmentectomy could achieve a good prognosis for early-stage NSCLC and might be an alternative to lobectomy in this cohort. Until now, on the issue of comparison between lobectomy and segmentectomy, there remains no published randomized controlled trial (RCT), and all existing evidence is low. Recently, a categorization of lower-level evidence has been proposed, namely, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. The aim of this meta-analysis is to compare the oncologic outcome between lobectomy and segmentectomy in NSCLC with the clinical T1N0M0 stage according to the GRADE system. METHODS: PubMed, the PMC database, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane library were searched prior to May 2019 to identify studies that compared the prognosis between lobectomy and segmentectomy for clinical T1N0M0 NSCLC. The evidence level of the included studies was assessed according to the GRADE system, including level IIA, probably not confounded nonrandomized comparison; level IIB, possibly confounded nonrandomized comparison; and level IIC, probably confounded nonrandomized comparison. The predefined outcomes included overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Univariable and multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Twelve nonrandomized studies involving 8,072 participants were included. Of these studies, two were classified as IIA level (16.7%), six as IIB level (50.0%), and four as IIC level (33.3%). When crude HRs were included, compared with lobectomy, segmentectomy was associated with shorter OS but comparable DFS in the entire cohort (OS, pooled HR =1.45, 95% CI, 1.23 to 1.67; DFS, pooled HR =1.03, 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.82) and in patients with nodules ≤2 cm (OS, pooled HR =1.55, 95% CI, 1.33 to 1.80; DFS, pooled HR =0.98, 95% CI, 0.55 to 1.77). When adjusted HRs were included, the impact of segmentectomy on OS and DFS was comparable to that of lobectomy in the entire cohort (OS, pooled HR =1.39, 95% CI, 0.92 to 2.10; DFS, pooled HR =0.83, 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.03) and in patients with nodules ≤2 cm (OS, pooled HR =1.61, 95% CI, 0.87 to 3.00; DFS, pooled HR =0.90, 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.27). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, although shorter OS is observed in patients received segmentectomy, it is necessary to wait for more results from RCT to draw a valid conclusion.