Predictors of postoperative biochemical remission in acromegaly.

PURPOSE: Acromegaly is a rare neuroendocrine condition that can lead to significant morbidity. Despite China's vast population size, studies on acromegaly remain sparse. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and predictors of biochemical remission after surgery for acromegaly using the China Acromegaly Patient Association (CAPA) database. METHODS: A retrospective nationwide study was conducted using patient-reported data from CAPA database between 1998 and 2018. The principal component analysis (PCA) and logistic regression analysis were employed to determine independent predictors of biochemical remission at 3 months in patients after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 546 surgical cases (mean age: 36.8 years; 59.5% females), macroadenomas and invasive tumors (Knosp score 3-4) were 83.9% and 64.1%, respectively. Ninety-five percent of patients were treated with endonasal surgery and 36.8% exhibited biochemical remission at 3-months postoperatively. The following independent predictors of biochemical remission were identified: preoperative growth hormone (GH) levels between 12 and 28 µg/L [odds ratio (OR) = 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.37-0.92; p = 0.021], preoperative GH levels > 28 µg/L (OR = 0.55; 95% CI, 0.34-0.88; p = 0.013), macroadenoma (OR = 0.56; 95% CI, 0.32-0.96; p = 0.034), giant adenomas (OR = 0.14; 95% CI, 0.05-0.38; p < 0.001), Knosp score 3-4 (OR = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.24-0.57; p < 0.001), and preoperative medication usage (OR = 2.32; 95% CI, 1.46-3.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this nationwide study spanning over two decades, we highlight that higher preoperative GH levels, large tumor size, and greater extent of tumor invasiveness are associated with a lower likelihood of biochemical remission at 3-months after surgery, while preoperative medical therapy increases the chance of remission.

A novel circular RNA circFN1 enhances cisplatin resistance in gastric cancer via sponging miR-182-5p.

Cisplatin (CDDP) is commonly used for gastric cancer (GC) chemotherapy. However, after several CDDP-based treatment cycles, patients always acquire chemotherapy resistance, which limits the overall clinical efficacy of the treatment. Clarification of the mechanisms responsible for CDDP resistance is required to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs involved in the pathogenesis of cancer, although their role in the mechanism underlying CDDP resistance in GC remains unknown. In the present study, we explored the underlying roles of circRNAs in the modulation of CDDP resistance in CDDP-sensitive and CDDP-resistant human GC cells. Using RNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, expression of circFN1 (originating from exons 10, 11, and 12 of the FN1 gene hsa_circ_0058147) was higher in CDDP-resistant GC cells and tissues. CircFN1 upregulation in GC patients treated by CDDP was significantly correlated with aggressive biological behavior. CircFN1 promoted viability and inhibited apoptosis of GC cells exposed to CDDP in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, circFN1 suppressed GC cell apoptosis by "sponging" miR-182-5p. These findings demonstrate the involvement of circFN1 in CDDP resistance of GC and implicate circFN1 as a therapeutic target for GC patients treated with CDDP. It provides novel evidence of the function of circRNAs as microRNA sponges and highlight a potential therapeutic target for extinguishing CDDP resistance in patients with GC.