[Clinical efficacy and safety of venetoclax combined with multidrug chemotherapy in the treatment of 15 patients with relapsed or refractory early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of Venetoclax combined with multidrug chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory early T-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R ETP-ALL) . Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 15 patients with R/R ETP-ALL who received Venetoclax combined with multidrug chemotherapy from December 2018 to February 2022. Among them, eight cases were combined with demethylated drugs, four cases were combined with demethylated drugs and HAAG chemotherapy regimen, two cases were combined with demethylated drugs and CAG regimen, and one case was combined with Cladribine. Specific usage and dosage of Venetoclax: 100 mg on day 1, 200 mg on day 2, 400 mg on day 3-28, orally; when combined with azole antifungal drugs, dosage was reduced to 100 mg/d. Results: Fifteen patients (10 males and 5 females) with R/R ETP-ALL were treated with Venetoclax and multidrug chemotherapy with a median age of 35 (12-42) years old. Of 4 refractory and 11 relapsed patients, the efficacy was evaluated on the 21th day following combined chemotherapy: the overall response rate, the complete response (CR) rate, and the CR with incomplete hematological recovery (CRi) rate were 67.7% (10/15), 60.0% (9/15), and 6.7% (1/15), respectively. For the overall study population, the 12-month overall survival (OS) rate was 60.0%, and the median OS was 17.7 months. The disease-free survival (DFS) rate of all CR patients at 12 months was 60.0%, and the median DFS did not reach. About 14 patients had Ⅲ-Ⅳ hematological toxicity, but these adverse reactions were all controllable. No adverse reaction in the nervous system and tumor lysis syndrome occurred in this study, and no adverse reaction of organs above grade Ⅲ occurred. Conclusion: Venetoclax combined with multidrug chemotherapy may be a safe and promising treatment option for patients with R/R ETP-ALL.

[Research progress in anti-reflux reconstructions and mechanism after proximal gastrectomy].

The electrophysiological activity of the gastrointestinal tract and the mechanical anti-reflux structure of the gastroesophageal junction are the basis of the anti-reflux function of the stomach. Proximal gastrectomy destroys the mechanical structure and normal electrophysiological channels of the anti-reflux. Therefore, the residual gastric function is disordered. Moreover, gastroesophageal reflux is one of the most serious complications. The emergence of various types of anti-reflux surgery through the mechanism of reconstructing mechanical anti-reflux barrier and establishing buffer zone, and the preservation of, the pacing area and vagus nerve of the stomach, the continuity of the jejunal bowel, the original gastroenteric electrophysiological activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and the physiological function of the pyloric sphincter, are all important measures for gastric conservative operations. There are many types of reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy. The design based on the anti-reflux mechanism and the functional reconstruction of mechanical barrier, and the protection of gastrointestinal electrophysiological activities are important considerations for the selected of reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy. In clinical practice, we should consider the principle of individualization and the safety of radical resection of tumor to select a rational reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy.

[Expression and significance of immune checkpoint B7-homolog 4 in endometrial cancer].

Objective: To investigate the expression of B7 homolog 4 (B7-H4) and its clinical significance in endometrial cancer. Methods: A total of 833 patients with endometrial cancer admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from 2009 to 2019, were enrolled. The expression of B7-H4, mismatch repair (MMR), p53, programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein, and CD8+ T lymphocyte density in endometrial cancer tissues were detected by the EnVision two-step method of immunohistochemical staining. First-generation sequencing (Sanger method) was used to determine molecular subtyping of endometrial cancer. The χ2 test was used to compare the differences in positive expression rate of B7-H4 protein in endometrial cancer tissues with different clinicopathological features and molecular subtyping, PD-L1 protein expression, and CD8+ T lymphocyte density. Survival analyses [including recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS)] were performed for 664 patients with follow-up time≥3 months, with a median follow-up time of 31 months (range: 4-121 months), and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the relevant factors affecting the prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer. Results: (1) The median age of 833 patients was 58 years (range: 25-88 years); pathological type: 595 with endometrioid carcinoma, 238 with non-endometrioid carcinoma; surgical-pathological staging: 542 cases at stage Ⅰ, 38 cases at stage Ⅱ, 173 cases at stage Ⅲ, and 45 cases at stage Ⅳ. Molecular subtyping was performed in 590 patients, including 50 with POLE mutation, 163 with mismatch repair defect (MMR-d) type, 246 with nospecific molecular change (NSMP) type, and 131 with p53 mutation subtype. (2) B7-H4 protein was expressed with brownish-yellow stainind in the cell membrane and cytoplasm of endometrial carcinoma, and the positivity rate of B7-H4 protein was 71.5% (596/833). The positivity rates of B7-H4 protein among patients with different age, surgical-pathological stage, tumor grade, pathological type, depth of muscular invasion, presence or absence of lymphovascular space invasion, and molecular subtype were significantly different (all P<0.05). The positivity rates of B7-H4 protein among patients with different PD-L1 protein expression and CD8+ T lymphocyte density were not significantly different (P>0.05). The 5-year RFS (83.9%) and DSS (87.3%) of B7-H4 protein-positive patients had an increasing trend compared with the 5-year RFS (77.2%) and DSS (78.1%) of B7-H4 protein-negative patients, but there were not statistically significant differences (P=0.053, P=0.083). (3) Univariate analysis showed that the 5-year RFS and DSS of patients with different age, tumor grade, surgical-pathological stage, pathological type, depth of muscular invasion, lymphovascular space invasion, and molecular subtype were significantly different (all P<0.01). There were no significant differences in 5-year RFS (P=0.184, P=0.113) and DSS (P=0.549, P=0.247) among patients with different CD8+ T lymphocyte density and PD-L1 protein expression. Further analysis according to molecular subtype, the results of CD8+ T lymphocyte density and PD-L1 protein expression showed that the 5-year RFS and DSS of B7-H4 protein-positive patients were higher than those of B7-H4 protein-negative patients with NSMP subtype, low density of CD8+ T lymphocyte and PD-L1 protein-negative endometrial carcinoma (all P<0.05), however, there was no significant difference in 5-year DSS between B7-H4 protein-positive patients and B7-H4 protein-negative patients with PD-L1 protein-negative endometrial cancer (P=0.060). Multivariate analysis showed that positive expression of B7-H4 protein was an independent factor for 5-year RFS (HR=0.27, 95%CI: 0.09-0.78, P=0.016) and DSS (HR=0.16, 95%CI: 0.05-0.58, P=0.005) in patients with NSMP subtype endometrial carcinoma. In patients with low-density CD8+ T lymphocytes endometrial cancer, positive expression of B7-H4 protein was an independent factor for 5-year RFS (HR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.26-0.80, P=0.006), but it was not an independent factor for 5-year DSS. In patients with PD-L1 protein-negative endometrial cancer, B7-H4 protein was not an independent factor for 5-year RFS. Conclusion: B7-H4 protein expressed highly in endometrial carcinoma tissues, and its high expression is closely related to clinicopathological features, molecular subtype of p53 mutant and NSMP, and the favorable prognosis of patients with low density of CD8+ T lymphocyte immunophenotype endometrial carcinoma.

[History and present situation of seromuscular flap anastomosis in proximal gastrectomy].

With the increasing detection rate of early upper gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction, the safety of proximal gastrectomy with clear indications has been verified, and function-preserving proximal gastrectomy has been widely used. However, proximal gastrectomy destructs the normal anatomical structure of esophagogastric junction, resulting in severe postoperative gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and seriously affecting the quality of life. Among various anti-reflux surgery methods, reconstruction of "cardiac valve" has always been the focus of relevant scholars because its similarity with the mechanism of normal anti-reflux. After years of development, evolution and optimization, the designed seromuscular flap anastomosis includes tunnel muscle flap anastomosis, Hatafuku valvuloplasty, single muscle flap anastomosis and double muscle flap anastomosis. The double muscle flap anastomosis has become a research hotspot because it shows good anti-reflux effect in clinical application. This paper reviews the history, research status and hot issues of seromuscular flap anastomosis of esophageal remnant stomach at home and abroad.

[Analysis of the factors contributing to endometriosis in China and UK].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the differences in the factors associated with endometriosis between Chinese and British patients. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted in 387 patients with endometriosis and 199 non-endometriosis patients admitted to John Radcliffe Hospital (Oxford, UK) and in 101 patients with endometriosis and 50 non-endometriosis patients admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine. The clinical data including height, weight, body mass index, marital status, employment, menstruation, fertility, and operation reasons were collected via a standardized WERF EPHect questionnaire. RESULTS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that body mass index, surgery for dysmenorrhea, history of pregnancy, counts of previous surgeries for endometriosis and status of employment were all significantly associated with endometriosis in the UK (P < 0.05), while a history of dysmenorrhea was significantly correlated with endometriosis in Chinese patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dysmenorrhea may be the most important common factor associated with endometriosis in China and the UK, but the other factors contributing to endometriosis may differ between these two countries.

[Current status and progress in the standardized surgical management of specimens after radical gastric cancer surgery].

Standardized surgical management of postoperative specimens of gastric cancer is an important part of the standardized diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. It can reflect the accurate number and detailed distribution of lymph nodes in the specimen and lay the foundation for accurate and standardized pathological reports after surgery. Meanwhile, it can evaluate the scope of intraoperative lymph node dissection, the safety of cutting edge, and the standardization of surgery (principle of en-bloc dissection), which is an important means of surgical quality control. It also provides accurate research samples for further research and is an important way for young surgeons to train their clinical skills. The surgical management of postoperative specimens for gastric cancer needs to be standardized, including specimen processing personnel, processing flow, resection margin examination, lymph node sorting, measurement after specimen dissection, storage of biological specimens, documentation of recorded data, etc. The promotion of standardized surgical management of specimens after radical gastrectomy can promote the homogenization of gastric cancer surgical diagnosis and treatment in medical institutions and further promote the high-quality development of gastric cancer surgery in China.

[Application of modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy].

Objective: Traditional Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy can greatly decrease the anastomosis-related complications and reduce the incidence of reflux esophagitis, but its complexity limits the wide application. To decrease the complexity of Kamikawa anastomosis, the surgical team of Changzhi People's Hospital of Shanxi Changzhi Medical College improved this technique by using novel notion and reduced surgical procedures. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy. Methods: A descriptive cohort study was carried out. Case enrollment criteria: (1) upper gastric carcinoma or esophagogastric junction carcinoma without distant metastasis was confirmed by preoperative gastroscopic biopsy and imaging examination; (2) tumor diameter was less than 4 cm; (3) preoperative clinical staging was cT1-3N1M0. Exclusion criteria: (1) patients received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy; (2) patients had severe heart or lung disease, or poor nutritional status so that they could not tolerate surgery. Clinical data of 25 patients with upper gastric carcinoma or esophagogastric junction carcinoma who underwent modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction in Heji Hospital (8 cases) and Changzhi People's Hospital (17 cases) from April 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. Of 25 patients, 21 were male and 4 were female, with mean age of 63.0 (49 to 78) years; 3 underwent open surgery and 22 underwent laparoscopic surgery. The modified Kamikawa anastomosis was as follows: (1) the novel notion of total mesangial resection of the esophagogastric junction was applied to facilitate the thorough removal of lymph nodes and facilitate hand-sewn anastomosis and embedding; (2) the diameter of the anastomotic stoma was selected according to the diameter of the esophageal stump, between 2.5 and 3.5 cm, to reduce the occurrence of anastomotic stenosis; (3) an ultrasonic scalpel was used to incise the esophageal stump, which could not only prevent bleeding of the esophageal stump, but also closely seal the esophageal mucosa, muscle layer and serosa to prevent esophageal mucosa retraction; (4) barbed suture was used to suture the remnant stomach fundus and esophagus to fix the stomach fundus in order to reduce the cumbersome and difficult intermittent sutures in a small space; (5) two barbed sutures were used to continuously suture the front and back walls of the anastomosis and complete the suture and fixation of the muscle flap. Relevant indicators of surgical safety, postoperative complications (using the Clavien-Dindo classification), esophageal reflux symptoms and the occurrence of esophagitis (using Los Angeles classification) were analyzed. The gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) score, gastroscopy, multi-position digestive tract radiography during postoperative follow-up were used to evaluate the residual gastric motility and anti-reflux efficacy. Results: Modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy was successfully performed in 25 patients. The surgical time was (5.8±1.8) hours, the intraoperative blood loss was (89.2±11.8) ml, and the average hospital stay was (13.8±2.9) days. Three cases (12.0%) developed postoperative anastomotic stenosis as Clavien-Dindo grade III and were healed after endoscopic dilation treatment. Postoperative upper gastrointestinal radiography showed 1 case (4.0%) with reflux symptoms as Clavien-Dindo grade I. Gastroscopy showed no signs of reflux esophagitis, and its Los Angeles classification was A grade. No anastomotic bleeding, local infection and death were found in all the patients. At postoperative 6-month of follow-up, GERD score showed no significant difference compared to pre-operation (2.7±0.6 vs. 2.4±1.0, t=-1.495, P=0.148). Conclusion: Modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy is safe and feasible with good anti-reflux efficacy.

[Current status of research on standardized management of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer].

The quality control and standardization of procedures in radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, especially the standardized processing of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, is very important. It is not only the basis of accurate pathological staging, but also the evidence of surgical quality and the original data of clinical research, which plays a pivotal role. The examination and classification of lymph nodes, specimens processing records, and data uploading and archiving after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer are indispensable. It is necessary for surgeons to participate in the processing of surgical specimens. This article will combine the current research status and progress at home and abroad to review the standardized processing of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

LncRNA LncOGD-1006 alleviates OGD-induced ischemic brain injury regulating apoptosis through miR-184-5p/CAAP1 axis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the effect of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) LncOGD-1006 to ischemic stroke and the possible mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The primary brain microvascular endothelial cells (bEnd.3) of oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) was used as a mimic of ischemic stroke in vitro. RESULTS: The results showed that LncOGD-1006 was upregulated in bEnd.3 after OGD-induced. CONCLUSIONS: LncOGD-1006 might act as a ceRNA to inhibit apoptosis in bEnd.3 cells by targeting miR-184-5p/CAAP1 pathway.

[Current status of anti-reflux surgery of proximal gastrectomy for esophagogastric junction tumor].

In recent years, the overall incidence of gastric cancer has been decreasing worldwide, while the incidence of the esophagogastric junction tumor is increasing year by year. With the progress of the diagnostic technology of upper gastrointestinal tumors and the gradual popularization of early cancer screening, the detection rate of early esophagogastric junction tumor keeps increasing. Therefore, in recent years, the clinical application of gastric function preserving surgery is gradually increasing. As an important part of the surgical treatment strategy of esophagogastric junction tumors, proximal gastrectomy has attracted more and more attention with the confirmation of oncological safety. Compared with total gastrectomy, patients after proximal gastrectomy have better nutritional status and quality of life. However, the high incidence of reflux esophagitis after traditional proximal gastrectomy has seriously affected the quality of life of patients, and also hindered the application of proximal gastrectomy in esophagogastric junction tumors. How to reduce the occurrence of reflux esophagitis after proximal gastrectomy by optimizing the method of digestive tract reconstruction has been a big challenge in clinical practice. This article reviews the current methods of anti-reflux surgery for proximal gastrectomy for esophagogastric junction tumors, aiming to provide a reference for choosing a reasonable anti-reflux surgery.

Genome-wide Analyses Identify a Novel Risk Locus for Nonsyndromic Cleft Palate.

The 3 major subphenotypes observed in patients with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) are nonsyndromic cleft lip only (NSCLO), nonsyndromic cleft lip with palate (NSCLP), and nonsyndromic cleft palate only (NSCPO). However, the genetic architecture underlying NSCPO is largely unknown. Here we performed a 2-stage genome-wide association study (GWAS) on NSCPO and replication analyses of selected variants in other NSOFCs from the Chinese Han population. We identified a novel locus (15q24.3) and a known locus (1q32.2) where variants in or near the gene reached genome-wide significance (2.80 × 10-13 < P < 1.72 × 10-08) in a test for association with NSCPO in a case-control design. Although a variant from 15q24.3 was found to be significantly associated with both NSCPO and NSCLP, the direction of estimated effects on risk were opposite. Our functional annotation of the risk alleles within 15q24.3 coupled with previously established roles of the candidate genes within identified risk loci in periderm development, embryonic patterning, and/or regulation of cellular processes supports their involvement in palate development and the pathogenesis of cleft palate. Our study advances the understanding of the genetic basis of NSOFCs and provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of NSCPO.

[Mouse vestibular supporting cells induce directional differentiation of human amniotic fluid stem cells into functional neurons: a pilot study].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of inducing human amniotic fluid stem cells into functional neurons by supporting contact co-culture depended on feeder layer from mouse vestibular supporting cells. Methods: Human amniotic fluid stem cells were isolated to culture. The vestibular tissues were obtained from the newborn C57BL/6J mouse by enzymatic digestion and cell culture, the hollow spheres were selected to prepare a monolayer feeder layer. The nGFP-labeled amniotic fluid stem cells were planted on the surface of the feeder layer to form the supporting contact co-culture without adding any exogenous nerve growth factor and neuronal signal inducing factor, and detected the expression of Tuj1 and PSD95, and investigated whether there were ion channels in neurons by FM1-43. Human amniotic fluid stem cells and mouse vestibular supporting cells, which were differentiated separately, and Transwell coculture was used as the control group. Results: The feeder layer expressed the special marker P27(kip1)of the inner ear supporting cell. The nGFP-labeled amniotic fluid stem cells were inoculated on the feeder layer, and (52.0±3.0)% of the nGFP cells expressed Tuj1,which had typical neurons morphological characteristics[protrusion length (110.7±6.2) µm]; the feeder layer cells were differentiated separately, of which (1.1±0.6) % expressed Tuj1 in the control group; the amniotic fluid stem cells were differentiated independently without typical neuron morphological features [protrusion length (16±4.1) µm], of which (92.0±1.0) % expressed Tuj1. The amniotic fluid stem cells and the feeder layer were co-cultured in Transwell: although (92.0±1.0)% of amniotic fluid stem cells had the expression of Tuj1, which had no typical neurons morphological feature[protrusion length (17±4.5) µm], only (1.2±0.9) % of Tuj1 were observed in the feeder layer. Conclusion: By supporting contact co-culture, the feeder layer from the vestibular supporting cells can successfully differentiate human amniotic fluid stem cells into neurons.

A taxonomic study on Themus (Telephorops) davidis species-group (Coleoptera, Cantharidae), with description of a new species from China.

Themus (Telephorops) davidis species-group is redefined and we present a catalogue, identification key and distribution map for this group. Some previously known species are redescribed and we provide new illustrations of female internal genitalia, abdominal sternite VIII and/or aedeagus. Further, we report new distribution data. A new species, Themus (Telephorops) hainanus sp. nov. from China (Hainan) is described, and Themus (Telephorops) birmanicus Wittmer, 1983 is recorded from China for the first time.

[Clinical study on two reconstruction methods of proximal gastrectomy and piggyback jejunal interposition for Siewert â ¡ or â ¢ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of two different digestive tract reconstruction methods in the Siewert Ⅱ or Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction underwent proximal gastrectomy and piggyback jejunal interposition. Methods: A total of 84 patients with Siewert Ⅱ or Ⅲ AEG who underwent proximal gastrectomy and interposition jejunal anastomosis were enrolled prospectively according to the exclusion criteria, from October 2015 to August 2017 at Department of Digestive Minimally Invasive Surgery, Shanxi Cancer Hospital. There were 61 male and 23 female patients, aged 48-69 years with an average age of 59.7 years. They were divided into single-tract reconstruction group (n=41) and double-tract reconstruction group (n=43) according to random number table. Both groups underwent proximal gastrectomy and piggyback jejunal interposition. After side-to-side anastomosis of the remnant stomach and jejunum was performed in the single-tract group, jejunum 3 cm below the anastomosis was ligated or closed. The jejunum in the double-tract group was not treated during the operation. Relevant nutritional indicators were collected at 3 months and 6 months after operation. The data were analyzed by repeated measurement of variance analysis to determine the nutritional status. Results: There was no significant difference in preoperative general condition between single-tract reconstruction group and double-tract reconstruction group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in perioperative related indicators (P>0.05). Nutritional indicators in single-channel reconstruction group were higher than those in double-channel reconstruction group (hemoglobin: F=23.374, P=0.000; albumin: F=6.149, P=0.003; total protein: F=18.362, P=0.000; weight: F=74.255, P=0.000). The quality of life was compared half year after operation, there was no significant difference in the incidence of subjective symptoms such as reflux, heart burning, nausea and vomiting, dysphagia and sternum discomfort in the two groups (P>0.05), as well as the results of QLQ-STO22 score (27.0±3.8 vs. 27.6±3.3, t=-0.688, P=0.494). The results of gastroscopy showed that the incidence and degree of the two groups were almost the same whether in the incidence of reflux esophagitis (2/41 vs. 2/43, P=1) or in the contrast of reflux degree (Z=-1.528, P=0.127). Conclusion: For patients with type Siewert Ⅱ or Ⅲ esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma who underwent proximal gastrectomy and piggyback jejunal operation, single tract reconstruction is ideal.

[A retrospective study on combined modality therapy with or without surgery for advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: an analysis of 119 cases].

Objective: To compare the treatment outcomes for locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma between surgery plus radio(chemo) therapy(SRT) and non-surgery chemoradiotherapy(CRT). Methods: A total of 119 patients diagnosed with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma without distant metastases between 2010 and 2014 were identified in the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, and they were divided into 2 groups: 42 cases in SRT group and 77 cases in CRT group. Patients' clinical information was collected. Survival rates and prognostic factors were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method with SPSS 23.0 software. The survival rates, laryngeal preservation rates and complication rates were compared between the two groups using the chi-square test.Among the 119 patients, 112 were males and 7 were females. Age ranged from 27 to 78 years, with an average age of 57 years. Results: There were no significant difference between the SRT and CRT group for five-year disease-free survival (DFS, 53.9% vs. 45.1%, χ(2)=1.251, P=0.263) and overall survival (OS, 54.9% vs. 45.6%, χ(2)=1.749, P=0.186). Compared to SRT group, CRT group did not showed the significant increase of treatment complications (χ(2)=0.858, P=0.354), with a higher laryngeal preservation rate (50.0% vs. 71.4%, χ(2)=6.493, P=0.011). Conclusions: Advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma is of high malignancy and poor prognosis. Combined modality treatment is a main approach for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. SRT offers disease-free survival and overall survival rates equivalent to CRT, but with a higher laryngeal preservation rate.

Effect of miR-212 targeting TCF7L2 on the proliferation and metastasis of cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRs) function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors in the progression of various human cancers, including cervical cancer. This study aimed to explore the role of miR-212 in cervical cancer and the mechanisms underlying this role. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot assays were used to determine the expression levels of miR-212 and TCF7L2 in the cervical cancer cells. Cell proliferation invasion was examined using BrdU assays and transwell, respectively. A bioinformatics analysis was used to predict targets, and a dual-luciferase reporter system was applied for validation. RESULTS: In our study, we demonstrated that miR-212 expression was significantly downregulated in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. Moreover, the increased expression of miR-212 suppressed cell proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cell lines in vitro. On the contrary, the decreased expression of miR-212 promoted cell proliferation and invasion of cervical cancer cell lines. Finally, the results of Western blot showed that overexpression of miR-212 dramatically suppressed the protein expression of TCF7L2. The knockdown of miR-212 showed the contrary effect. Luciferase reporter assay identified TCF7L2 as a novel direct target of miR-212. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that miR-212 inhibited cervical cancer metastasis and progression by targeting TCF7L2 expression.