The Efficiency and Toxicity Of Anlotinib in Combination With Docetaxel Followed by Epirubicin and Cyclophosphamide Regimen as Neoadjuvant Treatment in IIB to IIIA Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Single-Arm, Multicenter, Open-Label, Phase II Study.

BACKGROUND: The combination of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy for patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains inadequately supported by evidence. We conducted a single-arm, open-label, multicenter, phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of anlotinib plus epirubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel in patients with IIB to IIIA stage TNBC. METHODS: Newly diagnosed patients received epirubicin at 90 mg/m2 and cyclophosphamide at 600 mg/m2 followed by docetaxel at 100 mg/m2 (21 days per cycle; total of 4 cycles), along with oral anlotinib (12 mg qd, d1-14; 21 days per cycle; total of 4 cycles). Subsequently, patients underwent surgery. The primary endpoint of this study was pathologic complete response (pCR). RESULTS: Among the 34 included patients, the median age was 46.5 years (range: 27-72); all were female. Pathological assessment revealed that 17 patients achieved RCB 0 response, which is currently defined as pathologic complete response; 3 patients achieved RCB 1; 12 patients achieved RCB 2; and 1 patient achieved RCB 3. The probability of a grade 3 adverse reaction was 17.6%, and no grade 4 adverse reactions occurred. The most common hematological adverse reaction was leukopenia (13/34, 38.2%), of which 5.9% (2/34) were grade 3. The most common non-hematological adverse reactions were oral mucositis (16/34, 58.8%), fatigue (50.0%), hand-foot syndrome (50.0%), hypertension (44.1%), bleeding (44.1%), and alopecia (32.4%). CONCLUSION: The combination of anlotinib and EC-T chemotherapy demonstrated tolerable side effects in the neoadjuvant treatment of early TNBC. pCR was higher than what has been reported in previous clinical studies of chemotherapy alone. This study provides additional rationale for using anlotinib plus docetaxel-epirubicin-based chemotherapy regimen in patients with early-stage TNBCs.

Exosomal lncCRLA is predictive for the evolvement and development of lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma, the most common histological subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, exhibits heterogeneity that enables adaptability, limits therapeutic success, and remains incompletely understood. Our team uncovers that lncRNA related to chemotherapy resistance in lung adenocarcinoma (lncCRLA) is preferentially expressed in lung adenocarcinoma cells with the mesenchymal phenotype. lncCRLA can not enhance chemotherapy resistance in lung adenocarcinoma due to its binding to RIPK1 in exosomes, which is released into intercellular media and transferred by exosomes from mesenchymal-like to epithelial-like cells. However, plasmatic lncCRLA corresponding to tissue lncCRLA functions as a preferred biomarker to reflect the response to chemotherapy and disease progression of lung adenocarcinoma. Through single-cell sequencing, RNA-Mutect technique and spatial transcriptomics, a handful of hybrid EMT cells with elevated lncCRLA are characterized as the origin of lung adenocarcinoma, which are indiscriminated from hybrid EMT cells by the in-depth sequencing. Plasmatic lncCRLA is properly predictive for the preinvasive lesion of lung adenocarcinoma that would evolve to invasive lesion. That notion is confirmed by a brand-new transgenic mouse model in which EMT is tracked by Cre and Dre system. Dasatinib is potential to hinder the spontaneous progression from preinvasive to invasive lesion of lung adenocarcinoma. Together, plasmatic lncCRLA is defined as a brand-new circulating biomarker to predict the occurrence and evolvement of lung adenocarcinoma, a light for early detection of lung adenocarcinoma.

PIK3R3 Missense and NOTCH2 Synonymous Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Are Associated with Liver Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of candidate genes also affects the occurrence and prognosis of liver cancer. We mainly explored the effects of PIK3R3 and NOTCH2 polymorphisms on liver cancer risk among Chinese people. METHODS: Four SNPs (rs785468, rs785467, rs3795666, and rs17024525 in PIK3R3 and NOTCH2) from 709 liver cancer patients and 700 healthy controls were genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY system. The correlation between SNPs and liver cancer risk was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. The SNP-SNP interactions were conducted by the multifactor dimensionality reduction method. RESULTS: The results revealed that PIK3R3-rs785467 reduced the likelihood of liver cancer among Chinese Han people (p < 0.05). In addition, PIK3R3-rs785467 decreased the susceptibility to liver cancer in different populations (females, non-smokers, and age >55 years, p < 0.05). NOTCH2-rs3795666 reduced the susceptibility to liver cancer among males, drinkers, and patients aged >55 years (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that PIK3R3-rs785476 and NOTCH2-rs3795666 polymorphisms are responsible for decreasing the susceptibility of liver cancer development in the Chinese Han population.

High­glucose microenvironment promotes perineural invasion of pancreatic cancer via activation of hypoxia inducible factor 1α.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most lethal diseases, with a 5­year survival rate of <9%. Perineural invasion (PNI) is a common pathological hallmark of PC and is correlated with a poor prognosis in this disease. Hyperglycemia has been shown to promote the invasion and migration of PC cells; however, the effect of hyperglycemia on the PNI of PC and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, Western blotting was utilized to detect the expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and nerve growth factor (NGF). Transwell and wound­healing assays were performed to detect the influence of hyperglycemia on the invasion and migration ability of PC cells. An in vitro PC­dorsal root ganglion (DRG) co­culture system and an in vivo PNI sciatic nerve­infiltrating tumor model were used to evaluate the severity of PNI in hyperglycemic conditions. In the results, hyperglycemia promoted the invasion/migration ability and elevated the expression of NGF in PC by upregulating HIF1α. Moreover, in vitro short­term hyperglycemia caused little damage on the DRG axons and accelerated both the PNI of the PC and the outgrowth of the DRGs by increasing the expression of NGF via activation of HIF1α. Indeed, in vivo long­term hyperglycemia promoted the infiltration and growth of PC, and then disrupted the function of the sciatic nerve in a HIF1α­dependent manner. In conclusion, a high­glucose microenvironment promotes PNI of PC via activation of HIF1α.

lncCRLA Enhanced Chemoresistance in Lung Adenocarcinoma That Underwent EpithelialMesenchymal Transition.

EMT confers increased metastatic potential and the resistance to chemotherapies to cancer cells. However, the precise mechanisms of EMT-related chemotherapy resistance remain unclear. c-Src-mediated caspase 8 phosphorylation essential for EMT in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines preferentially occurs in cells with the mesenchymal phenotype, resulting in chemoresistance to cisplatin plus paclitaxel in patients with resectable lung adenocarcinoma and a significantly worse 5-year PFS. Cisplatin killed lung adenocarcinoma cells regardless of caspase 8. Paclitaxel-triggered necroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells was dependent on the phosphorylation or deficiency of caspase 8, during which FADD interacted with RIPK1 to activate the RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL signaling axis. Accompanied with c-Src-mediated caspase 8 phosphorylation to trigger EMT, a novel lncRNA named lncCRLA was markedly upregulated and inhibited RIPK1-induced necroptosis by impairing RIPK1RIPK3 interaction via binding to the intermediate domain of RIPK1. Dasatinib mitigated c-Src-mediated phosphorylation of caspase 8-induced EMT and enhanced necroptosis in mesenchymal-like lung adenocarcinoma cells treated with paclitaxel, while c-FLIP knockdown predominantly sensitized the mesenchymal-like lung adenocarcinoma cells to paclitaxel+dasatinib. c-Srccaspase 8 interaction initiates EMT and chemoresistance via caspase 8 phosphorylation and lncCRLA expression, to which the dasatinib/paclitaxel liposome+siFLIP regimen was lethal.

c-Src Increases the Sensitivity to TKIs in the EGFR-Mutant Lung Adenocarcinoma.

c-Src and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are key apical kinases that govern cell responses to microenvironmental cues. How c-Src affects EGFR-related signaling and targeted therapy remains elusive. Initially, caspase-8 phosphorylated at tyrosine 380 by c-Src predominantly enhancing c-Src activation to facilitate metastasis through attaining epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in lung adenocarcinoma. Mechanistically, the linkage of c-Src SH2 domain with phosphotyrosine 380 of caspase-8 and SH3 domain with "PDEP" motif of caspase-8 overactivates c-Src as compared with other c-Src-partner proteins. c-Src is incapable of triggering EGFR-related signaling. This is reflected by the levels of phosphotyrosine 1068, 1086, and 1145, which have no impact on c-Src activation. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) suppress EGFR-related signaling to yield cell deaths of lung adenocarcinoma by both necroptosis and intrinsic apoptosis. Given that c-Src activation is frequent in lung adenocarcinoma, blocking c-Src activation through dasatinib can seal the survival-signaling-related phosphotyrosines of EGFR by its SH2 domain, which in turn increases the antitumor activity of TKIs in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma. Collectively, c-Src inactivation by dasatinib administration sensitizes EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma to TKIs.

Saikosaponin-d increases radiation-induced apoptosis of hepatoma cells by promoting autophagy via inhibiting mTOR phosphorylation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of saikosaponin-d (SSd) on autophagy activity and radiosensitivity of hepatoma cells, and to elucidate its related molecular mechanisms. Methods: The growth of SMMC-7721 and MHCC97L hepatoma cells were detected by clonal formation and survival fraction. Flow cytometry was used to detect the changes of apoptosis of hepatoma cells. The morphological changes of autophagy of hepatoma cells were observed by transmission electron microscopy and were further quantitatively detected by laser confocal microscopy. The expressions of related proteins were detected by Western blotting. Results: SSd can significantly increase the apoptosis of hepatoma cells induced by radiation and inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells. The addition of the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ) or an mTOR agonist (MHY1485), which could reduce the promoting effect of SSd on radiation-induced apoptosis and inhibitory effect on the proliferation of hepatoma cells. Transmission electron microscopy and confocal microscopy results also showed that the number of autophagosomes was significantly higher in the radiation and SSd co-treatment group than in the radiotherapy or SSd alone group; however, the effect of SSd on autophagy in hepatoma cells was decreased after adding MHY1485, siRNA-P53 or AMPK inhibitor (Compound C). Western blot analysis showed that after the addition of SSd, the phosphorylation of mTOR was significantly decreased by radiation, the expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3-II and Beclin-1 was increased, p62 was decreased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP was enhanced; this effect of SSd was partially reversed after the addition of MHY1485, siRNA-P53 or Compound C. Conclusions: SSd increases radiation-induced apoptosis of hepatoma cells by promoting autophagy via inhibiting mTOR phosphorylation and providing a possible potential approach for radiosensitization therapy of liver cancer.

The Effect of Metformin on the Clinicopathological Features of Breast Cancer With Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to review the use of hypoglycemic drugs and clinicopathological data in breast cancer patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and to investigate the effect of metformin on the clinicopathological features of breast cancer in patient with T2DM. METHODS: Eighty-nine patients with breast cancer hospitalized in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from January 2012 to December 2014 were included. Thirty-three patients were on metformin (metformin group) and 56 patients were on control group. Streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) method was used to quantify protein expression of molecular markers (estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2)), molecular markers of proliferation (Ki-67 and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) molecular markers (matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), E-cadherin and downstream N-cadherin). Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to detect HER-2 (+ and ++). RESULTS: The rate of lymph node metastasis and the level of Ki-67/MMP-2 in the metformin group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). The ratio of luminal pattern in metformin group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). However, there were no differences in the parameters of age, duration of diabetes, body mass index, tumor size, histological grade of cancer and clinical pathological features between the two groups. No significant difference was observed in the expressions of ER, PR, HER-2, EGFR, E-cadherin, N-cadherin and the recurrence rate between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin is associated with luminal breast cancer and can inhibit breast cancer invasion and metastasis in some cases. It may be associated with EMT and is beneficial to the prognosis of breast cancer.

Saikosaponin-d Increases the Radiosensitivity of Hepatoma Cells by Adjusting Cell Autophagy.

Radiotherapy for liver cancer can affect the level of autophagy in cells, and effective autophagy regulation can increase the radiosensitivity of liver cancer cells.Saikosaponin-d (SSd) is an effective active ingredient extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Bupleurum. We have confirmed previously in vitro and in vitro experiments that SSd can significantly induce apoptosis of liver cancer cells, increase the radiosensitivity of liver cancer cells.This study explored the role of autophagy in SSd-mediated radiosensitivity of liver cancer cells. MTT and clone formation experiments showed that radiation can inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells and reduce the colony formation of hepatoma cells. After the addition of SSd, the inhibitory effect of radiation on the proliferation and clonal formation of hepatoma cells was further enhanced. However, the addition of the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine or mTOR agonist can partially reverse the inhibitory effect of the combined treatment of SSd with radiation on the proliferation of hepatoma cells. Similarly, transmission electron microscopy and laser confocal microscopy showed that after the addition of SSd, the number of radiation-induced autophagosomes increased significantly in hepatoma cells and the intervention of mTOR agonist can reduce the formation of autophagosomes in hepatoma cells.In addition,Western blot analysis presented that radiation significantly increased LC3-II levels. Especially when SSd is added, LC3-II levels is further increased. Our data indicate that SSd can inhibit the growth of liver cancer cells and enhance cell radiosensitivity by inducing autophagy formation.

Downregulation of APE1 potentiates breast cancer cells to olaparib by inhibiting PARP-1 expression.

PURPOSE: Targeting DNA repair mechanisms to induce apoptosis may be a promising strategy for breast cancer treatment. Olaparib is proved to have anticancer effect by inhibiting DNA repairing protein poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). However, the cytotoxicity of olaparib is very limited to homologous recombination-proficient cells. This study aims to examine the effect and mechanism of olaparib treatment in breast cancer cell lines. METHODS: We investigated the cytotoxic effect of various doses of olaparib treatment to MCF-7 and ZR-75-1 cells in vitro. mRNA and protein levels of PARP and APE1 were examined by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. APE1-deficient cell lines were created by RNA interference and used for in vitro cytotoxicity study as well as in vivo study. RESULTS: 2 µM or higher concentrations of olaparib lead to significant cell death and ROS production. Moreover, olaparib treatment not only inhibits PARP1, but also reduces the expression of APE1 in both mRNA and protein levels. Deficiency of APE1 resulted in increased sensitivity of MCF-7 and ZR-75-1 cells to olaparib treatment. In vivo study showed that reduction of APE1 significantly reduced the volume and weight of MCF-7 xenografted tumors when treated with olaparib, which suggests the synergistic function of inhibition of APE1 in promoting antitumor effects of olaparib treatment. CONCLUSION: To acquire better benefits for HR-proficient breast cancer patients, developing chemotherapeutic drugs antagonize APE1 would be an effective strategy to improve the clinical outcome of PARP inhibitors.

Prognostic and predictive values of PD-L1 expression in patients with digestive system cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: PD-L1 has been reported to be expressed in diverse human malignancies. However, the prognostic value of PD-L1 in digestive system cancers remains inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic impact of PD-L1 expression in digestive system cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Embase, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure for publications concerning PD-L1 expression in digestive system cancers. Correlations of PD-L1 expression level with overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were analyzed. RESULTS: Finally, 32 studies with 7,308 patients were included. Our results show that PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with poorer OS (hazard ratio [HR] =1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] =1.18-1.76, P<0.001), but not DFS (HR =0.91, 95% CI =0.61-1.37, P=0.657) or RFS (HR =1.27, 95% CI =0.75-2.14, P=0.368). Moreover, in the subgroup analysis, significant associations between PD-L1 expression and OS were found in Asians (HR =1.50, 95% CI =1.19-1.89, P=0.001), gastric cancer (HR =1.43, 95% CI =1.05-1.94, P=0.021), and pancreatic carcinoma (HR =2.64, 95% CI =1.78-3.93, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the expression of PD-L1 is associated with worse OS in digestive system cancers, especially in gastric cancer and pancreatic cancer. In addition, PD-L1 may act as a new parameter for predicting poor prognosis and a promising target for anticancer therapy in digestive system cancers.

Association of transcription factor 7-like 2 gene polymorphisms with breast cancer risk in northwest Chinese women.

Genetic variations in transcription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2) are associated with cancer risk. This study was conducted to establish the relationship between TCF7L2 polymorphisms (rs1225404, rs7003146, and rs7903146) and clinical features and risk of breast cancer in Northwest Chinese Han women. In this study, three polymorphisms of TCF7L2 (rs1225404, rs7003146, and rs7903146) were genotyped in 458 patients with breast cancer and 500 healthy controls using the Sequenom MassARRAY-iPLEX system. We evaluated the associations between the polymorphisms and breast cancer using odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). The C allele of rs1225404 was associated with increased breast cancer risk (OR = 1.58, P = 0.0004, PC= 0.0012), whereas the G allele of rs7003146 was associated with decreased breast cancer risk (OR = 0.71, P = 0.01, PC= 0.03). Furthermore, the rs1225404 polymorphism positively correlated with negative progesterone receptor status. A positive correlation with positive estrogen receptor (ER) status was observed for the rs7003146 polymorphism. Our results suggest that TCF7L2 polymorphisms rs1225404 and rs7003146, but not rs7903146, may affect breast cancer risk in Northwest Chinese women. Additionally, the tag polymorphisms in TCF7L2 are associated with the clinical features of breast cancer, which may provide us novel insight into the pathogenesis of breast cancer.

Dasatinib promotes paclitaxel-induced necroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma with phosphorylated caspase-8 by c-Src.

Cisplatin and paclitaxel are considered to be the backbone of chemotherapy in lung adenocarcinoma. These agents show pleiotropic effects on cell death. However, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. The present study reported that phosphorylated caspase-8 at tyrosine 380 (p-Casp8) was characterized as a biomarker of chemoresistance to TP regimen (cisplatin and paclitaxel) in patients with resectable lung adenocarcinoma with significantly poorer 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Cisplatin killed lung adenocarcinoma cells regardless of c-Src-induced caspase-8 phosphorylation at tyrosine 380. Subsequently, we identified a novel mechanism by which paclitaxel induced necroptosis in lung adenocarcinoma cells that was dependent upon p-Casp8, receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), and RIPK3. Moreover, dasatinib, a c-Src inhibitor, dephosphorylated caspase-8 to facilitate necroptosis, rather than apoptosis, in paclitaxel-treated p-Casp8-expressing lung adenocarcinoma cells. The data from our study revealed previously unrecognized roles of p-Casp8 as a positive effector in the initiation of necroptosis and as a negative effector in the repression of the interaction between RIPK1 and RIPK3. Moreover, these outcomes supported the need for further clinical studies with the goal of evaluating the efficacy of dasatinib plus paclitaxel in the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma.

Perioperative versus Preoperative Chemotherapy with Surgery in Patients with Resectable Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Esophagus: A Phase III Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative chemotherapy for resectable squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus remains elusive. Thus, we assessed whether a perioperative regimen of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and 5- fluorouracil (PCF) improved outcomes among patients with curable squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus comparing with preoperative chemotherapy alone. METHODS: Overall, 346 patients with resectable squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus were randomly assigned to receive surgery plus perioperative chemotherapy (175, arm A) or preoperative chemotherapy (171, arm B). Both arms received two preoperative cycles of PCF: intravenous paclitaxel (100 mg per square meter of body surface area) and cisplatin (60 mg per square meter of body surface area) on day 1, and a continuous intravenous infusion of 5- fluorouracil (700 mg per square meter of body surface area per day) for 5 days. Arm A received two added postoperative cycles of PCF. The primary end point was relapse-free survival, and the secondary end point was overall survival. RESULTS: Compared with preoperative chemotherapy group, perioperative chemotherapy group had a greater likelihood of 5-year relapse-free survival (hazard ratio for relapse, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.73; 31% versus 17%, p < 0.001) and of 5-year overall survival (hazard ratio for death, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.95; 38% versus 22%, p < 0.001). A pathologic complete response rate was achieved in 77 of 320 patients (24.1%) who underwent resection after chemotherapy. The increased PCF-related toxic events were not detected with the addition of two postoperative cycles of PCF. CONCLUSION: In patients with operable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, perioperative regimen of PCF can significantly improve 5-year relapse-free and overall survival comparing with preoperative chemotherapy alone. (The trial has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01225523.).

Five common functional polymorphisms in microRNAs (rs2910164, rs2292832, rs11614913, rs3746444, rs895819) and the susceptibility to breast cancer: evidence from 8361 cancer cases and 8504 controls.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationship between the five common polymorphisms in miRNAs (miR-146a rs2910164 G>C, miR-149 rs2292832 C>T, miR-196a2 rs11614913 C>T, miR-499 rs3746444 A>G and miR-27a rs895819 A>G), and breast cancer (BC) risk. METHODS: Meta-analyses were performed on 15 published studies involving 8, 361 BC patients and 8, 504 cancer-free controls. There were 8 studies with 4, 314 cases and 4, 485 controls for rs2910164, 3 studies with 1, 439 cases and 1, 508 controls for rs2292832, 10 studies with 4, 618 cases and 5, 590 controls for rs11614913, 5 studies with 2, 924 cases and 3, 563 controls for rs3746444, and 5 studies with 2, 912 cases and 3, 697 controls for rs895819. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the BC risk. RESULTS: Meta-analyses showed that rs2910164 (miR-146a) was associated with BC risk in Caucasian population (homozygote comparison: OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 1.02-1.63, P=0.03; dominant model: OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.05-1.65, P=0.02), whereas negative results were obtained for Asians in all genetic models. rs11614913 (miR-196a2) was associated with BC risk in the overall population based on the recessive model (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.80-0.99, P=0.03). Association of rs3746444 (miR-499) with BC risk was detected under three genetic models (allele contrast genetic model: OR = 1.13, 95%CI = 1.03-1.23, P=0.007; homozygote comparison: OR = 1.36, 95 %CI = 1.10-1.69, P=0.005 and recessive model: OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.12-1.70, P=0.003). When stratified by ethnicity, the effects remained in Asians. rs895819 (miR-27a) was associated with BC risk in the overall population based on the allele contrast genetic model (OR = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.85-0.98, P=0.02); heterozygote comparison (OR = 0.89, 95 %CI = 0.80-0.99, P=0.03) and the dominant model (OR = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.80-0.98, P=0.02). However, there was no association between rs2292832 (miR-149) polymorphism and BC susceptibility. CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis results suggested that the rs2910164 and rs3746444 polymorphisms are associated with increased BC risk, while the rs11614913 and rs895819 polymorphisms correlate with reduced BC risk.

[Expression of phosphorylated caspase-8 in non-small cell lung cancer and the clinical implications].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical significance of phosphorylated caspase-8 by Src in patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Src and caspase-8 expressions were tested using immunohistochemistry in non-small cell lung cancer tissues and control lung tissues. The expression of phosphorylated caspase-8 at 380 tyrosine by Src was detected using Western blotting. The disease-free survival (DFS) of patients positive and negative for phosphorylated caspase-8 was analyzed with Kaplan-Meire survival curve. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the positivity rate of caspase-8 or Src between the cancer tissues and control lung tissues (76.3% vs 83.3%, P>0.05; 70.1% vs 66.4%, P>0.05). All the patients with Casp8- and Src-positive cancers were positive for phosphoryalted caspase-8, whose expression rate was significantly higher in the cancer tissues than in the paired control lung tissues (52.4% vs 7.1%, P<0.05). The 2-year DFS was significantly higher in patients negative for phosphorylated caspase-8 than in the positive patients (32.0% vs 60.3%, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Phosphorylated caspase-8 may serve as a predictor for a poorer DFS in patients with operable non-small cell lung cancer.

Association between genetic polymorphisms in AURKA (rs2273535 and rs1047972) and breast cancer risk: a meta-analysis involving 37,221 subjects.

BACKGROUND: Published data on the association between AURKA polymorphisms and breast cancer (BC) risk are inconclusive. This meta-analysis was performed to derive a more precise estimation on the relationship between AURKA polymorphisms (rs2273535 and rs1047972) and BC risk. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Knowledge and Embase were searched for relevant studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of associations. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were performed for allele contrast genetic model, homozygous genetic model, heterozygote genetic model, dominant model, and recessive model, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 13 studies (16,349 BC patients and 20,872 case-free controls) were involved in this meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed that there was significant association between rs2273535 and BC risk in three genetic models in the overall population (A vs. T: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.01-1.15, P = 0.02; AA vs. TT: OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.06-1.73, P < 0.00001; AA vs. TT + TA: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01-1.31, P = 0.04). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, the effects remained in Asians (allele contrast genetic model: OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.00-1.26, P = 0.04 and homozygote comparison: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06-1.41, P = 0.007). However, no genetic models reached statistical association in Cauasians. Rs1047972 polymorphism was associated with BC risk in the overall population based on homozygote comparison (AA vs. GG: OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.66-0.99, P = 0.04). When stratified by ethnicity, rs1047972 polymorphism had a decreased association with BC risk in Caucasians based on allele contrast genetic model, homozygote comparison, the dominant model and the recessive model. However, there was no association in any genetic model in Asians. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that AURKA rs2273535 polymorphism has an increased risk with BC, especially in Asians. However, rs1047972 polymorphism has a decreased BC risk in Caucasians. Further large scale multicenter epidemiological studies are warranted to confirm this finding.

Effects of SSd combined with radiation on inhibiting SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell growth.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Saikosaponin-d (SSd) combined with radiotherapy on SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines and its mechanism. MATERIAL/METHODS: SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines are selected in our research. With MTT (methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide) method, the effects of SSd and radiation on inhibiting SMMC-7721 cell growth were investigated. We also used transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to observe ultrastructural changes of cells. Colorimetry methods were used to measure content changes of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in cells. RESULTS: Both SSd and radiation inhibited the growth of SMMC-7721 cells. The combination of SSd and radiotherapy had a time-dependent synergistic effect. Radiation caused ultrastructural damage to cells, and the damage was enhanced in combination with SSd. Radiation decreased the GSH content and increased the MDA content in cells, and this effect was suppressed after the intervention of SSd. CONCLUSIONS: SSd can inhibit the growth of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines in vitro. Additionally, it significantly enhances the effects of radiation on inhibiting the growth of SMMC-7721 hepatoma cell lines, and up-regulates the antioxidant level after the radiotherapy. Thus, SSd could be an ideal radiotherapy sensitizer for the treatment of liver cancer.

Low-dose splenic radiation inhibits liver tumor development of rats through functional changes in CD4+CD25+Treg cells.

The increased number of CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells in tumor local and peripheral splenic tissues is related to the low immune function as well as to tumor recurrence and metastasis. Our pre-clinical studies showed that low-dose radiation (LDR) of the spleen in liver cancer patients significantly improves immune functions. However, the molecular mechanisms of such radiation remained ill defined. This study explores the role of CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells in radiation-induced immunomodulatory effects. Using the diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced rat liver tumor model and in vitro cell experiments, the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg/CD4(+) cells in the blood and the expressions of Foxp3(+), IL-10, TGF-ß, and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4(CTLA-4) in spleen and liver tumors significantly decreased after LDR of the spleen in rats with liver cancer. The tumors became smaller than those in the non-radiated group, with both showing a parallel relation. Flow cytometry and MTT results revealed that LDR failed to inhibit CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cell proliferation. Conversely, apoptosis was reduced and proliferation was stimulated. This process also changed CTLA-4 molecule expression on the surfaces of CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells and reduced their inhibitory function against CD4(+)CD25(-)T cell proliferation, and the suppression function of CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cells was further weakened with the introduction of the CTLA-4 inhibitor. Findings demonstrate that the reduction of CTLA-4 expression on the CD4(+)CD25(+)Treg cell surface and the further inhibition of cell function may be considered as important regulators of LDR-induced immunomodulatory effects. This study provides experimental evidence to elucidate the immune enhancement induced by this process and presents a novel method for liver cancer immunotherapy.

The expression and significance of five types of miRNAs in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the expression and significance of 5 types of miRNAs in breast cancer to provide a theoretical and practical foundation for using these miRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, thereby improving medical services. MATERIAL/METHODS: Stem-loop real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of miR-145, miR-21, miR-10b, miR-125a, and miR-206 in 35 cases of breast cancer and adjacent normal breast tissues, and to analyze the relationship of miRNAs expression with clinicopathological features of breast cancer. The expression levels of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) were examined by immunohistochemistry. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was used for the detection of HER-2 and TOP 2A. RESULTS: The expression levels of miR-145, miR-125a, and miR-206 in breast cancer were lower than those in adjacent normal tissues. MiR-145 was negatively correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, ER, HER-2, and TOP 2A (P<0.05), regardless of age, menstruation, and PR. MiR-125a was correlated with negative node status, negative HER-2 status (P<0.05), whereas tumor size, age, menstruation, ER, and PR were independent factors. MiR-206 expression was correlated with negative ER status, negative PR status, and negative HER-2 status (P<0.05), regardless of age, menstruation, lymph node metastasis, and TOP 2A. MiR-21 and miR-10b expression in breast cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues (P<0.05). MiR-21 in post-menstrual patients with lymph node metastasis was highly expressed (P<0.05), and had no correlations with tumor size, ER, PR, and TOP 2A expression. MiR-10b expression was positively correlated with breast cancer tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and TOP 2A status (P<0.05), but had no correlations with age, menstruation, ER, PR, and HER-2. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-145, miR-21, miR-10b, miR-125a, and miR-206 may play important roles in breast cancer development and invasion.