Alveolar soft tissue sarcoma: a report of 50 cases at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar soft-part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft tissue sarcoma subtype, occurring mainly in young people, with poor prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of localized or metastatic ASPS patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (China) from 2012 to 2020, focusing on treatment and prognosis. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 24 years (range: 1.4-78 years). Women (n = 29, 58%), especially those aged <30 years, dominated this series. The most common metastasis site was lung. Thirty-one (62%) patients developed lung metastasis (localized: n = 9 [18%]; metastatic: n = 22 [44%]). Only a tumor maximum diameter ≥ 5 cm was associated with a high lung metastasis rate (p = 0.039). The mean follow-up time was 37.5 months (1-108 months), and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 84.7%. Univariate analysis indicated that distant metastasis observed at the initial visit and incomplete resection of the primary tumor were associated with poor OS. For localized cases, neither surgery plus radiotherapy (p = 0.486) nor surgery plus chemotherapy (p = 0.536) improved progression-free survival compared to surgery alone. Among the metastatic cases, the disease control rate (PR + SD) was higher for targeted therapy (60%) and combined immunosuppressive therapy (100%) than for conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy (26%). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy do not provide good local control for patients with localized disease. Although there is no standard treatment strategy for patients with advanced or metastatic disease, they can benefit from targeted therapy and/or immunosuppressive therapy.

Clinical and Genetic Characteristics of 17 α-Hydroxylase/17, 20-Lyase Deficiency: c.985_987delTACinsAA Mutation of CYP17A1 Prevalent in the Chinese Han Population.

OBJECTIVE: 17 α-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase deficiency (17-OHD) is a rare recessive hereditary disease that can be attributed to cytochrome P450 17 α-hydroxylase deficiency caused by CYP17A1 gene mutations. METHODS: A large cohort of 10 Chinese Han patients with 17-OHD from 2012 to 2020 were enrolled. The clinical and biochemical features were investigated, and genetic mutations of CYP17A1 were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-Sanger sequencing. Karyotype identification and the SRY gene test were also carried out. In silico analysis was used to predict the effects of genetic mutations on the protein function. RESULTS: All patients were female. Common complaints were hypertension, hypokalemia, and primary amenorrhea. The karyotype was 46, XY, and the SRY gene was detected in 7 patients; the karyotype was XX in the remaining 3 patients. A total of 7 mutations including Y329N, Y329X, Y329Lfs∗, R96W, A82D, S380N, and A487_P489del have been identified in the CYP17A1 gene. The Y329Lfs∗ mutation was found in 9/10 (90%) of patients with a high allele frequency of 70%. In silico prediction showed that a novel variant of c.1139G>A (S380N) occurs at a conserved residue and can cause disease. CONCLUSION: We presented a detailed description of the clinical and genetic characteristics in Chinese patients with 17-OHD and concluded that Y329Lfs∗ mutation of CYP17A1 is prevalent in the Chinese Han population. Therefore, hotspot screening by polymerase chain reaction-Sanger sequencing for exon 6 of CYP17A1 could contribute to the rapid diagnosis of 17-OHD in China. Genetic counseling based on the genetic diagnosis for at-risk relatives is advised.

TRAF4, a new substrate of SIAH1, participates in chemotherapy resistance of breast cancer cell by counteracting SIAH1-mediated downregulation of ß-catenin.

PURPOSE: TRAF4 plays an important role in the development and progression of breast cancer, but its impact on chemotherapy resistance is as yet, however, poorly understood. METHODS: Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence staining were used to identify and verify that TRAF4 was a novel substrate of SIAH1 and prevented SIAH1-mediated ß-catenin degradation. Cell proliferation analysis and Flow cytometry analysis were utilized to detect TRAF4's function on the growth-inhibitory effect of etoposide. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of TRAF4, SIAH1, and ß-catenin. Statistical analysis was used to analyze the relationships between them with clinical parameters and curative effect of chemotherapy pathologically. RESULTS: Our results suggested that TRAF4 prevents SIAH1-mediated ß-catenin degradation. TRAF4 was a novel substrate of SIAH1 and the TRAF domain of TRAF4 was critical for binding to SIAH1. TRAF4 reduced the growth-inhibitory effect of etoposide via reducing the number of S-phase cells and suppressing cell apoptosis. Concordantly, we found that breast cancer patients with a low-TRAF4 expression benefited most from chemotherapy, who had higher tumor volume reduction rate and better pathological response, while, the high-TRAF4 expression group had lower tumor volume reduction rate and poor pathological response. CONCLUSIONS: TRAF4 was a novel substrate of SIAH1 and prevented SIAH1-mediated ß-catenin degradation, which explains the protective effect of TRAF4 on ß-catenin during cell stress and links TRAF4 to chemotherapy resistance in tumors. These findings implicated a novel pathway for the oncogenic function of TRAF4.

[Genetic diagnosis for a patient with Leydig cell hypoplasia caused by two novel variants of LHCGR gene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a patient with Leydig cell hypoplasia. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing was used to detect genetic variants in the patient. Suspect variants were verified by PCR and Sanger sequencing of the family members. RESULTS: The patient was found to carry two novel variants, namely c.265A>T (p.Ile189Leu) and c.422T>C (p.Val141Ala), of the luteinizing hormone receptor gene (LHCGR), where were respectively inherited from her father and mother. Upon prenatal diagnosis, the fetus was found to be a heterozygous carrier of the c.265A>T (p.Ile189Leu) variant. CONCLUSION: The compound heterozygous variants of c.265A>T (p.Ile189Leu) and c.422T>C (p.Val141Ala) of the LHCGR gene probably underlie the Leydig cell hypoplasia in the patient.

Proliferative role of TRAF4 in breast cancer by upregulating PRMT5 nuclear expression.

In this study, we examined protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated 4 (TRAF4) expression in breast cancer to find the interaction mechanism between the two. We examined TRAF4 and PRMT5 expression by immunohistochemistry and found that their expression is positively correlated in breast cancer. Besides, PRMT5 expression was significantly associated with histological type and tumor size (p < 0.05). PRMT5 nuclear expression was significantly associated with HER2 expression (p < 0.05). PRMT5 and TRAF4 were both overexpressed in breast cancer tissues and cells, and we found that PRMT5 binds to the zinc finger structures in TRAF4 by coimmunoprecipitation and Western blotting. We also tested the potential regulatory effect between TRAF4 and PRMT5. TRAF4 upregulated PRMT5 expression, which occurred predominantly in the nucleus, on which TRAF4 promotion of cell proliferation in breast cancer is mainly dependent. PRMT5 may play an important role in activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Effects of Adjuvant Radiation Plus Chemotherapy on Survival Outcomes in Stage III C Endometrial Cancer According to Histology: Analysis of Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database.

Purpose: To evaluate the survival benefit of radiation plus chemotherapy in adult females with stage IIIC endometrial cancer and to investigate whether the benefit varies according to histology. Methods: Data from adult females with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIIC endometrial cancer, who underwent at least total hysterectomy between 2010 and 2015, were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Adjuvant treatments were categorized as chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy with external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), chemotherapy with vaginal brachytherapy (VBT), or chemotherapy with EBRT+VBT. Multivariate Cox regression models, Kaplan-Meier curves, and log-rank tests were used to assess the association between treatment modality and overall survival (OS). Results: In total, 2138 cases were identified: stage IIIC1 (n = 1299 [60.8%]) and stage IIIC2 (n = 839 [39.2%]). Median OS for all patients was 48 (interquartile range [IQR] 28-70) months. Regarding adjuvant treatment, 40.5% of patients underwent chemotherapy only, followed by chemotherapy with EBRT (35.5%). Stage IIIC patients treated with chemotherapy plus radiation exhibited a significantly reduced risk for death from endometrial cancer in both univariate and multivariate analyses (P < 0.001). However, when stratified according to histology, OS also differed according to treatment modality when analyzing each histological type; combination therapy was no longer significantly different from chemotherapy alone for any histology (clear cell and carcinosarcoma). Combination therapy was associated with improved OS in patients with IIIC1 and IIIC2 disease. Similar associations were observed in patients with high-grade stage IIIC endometrioids. However, for low-grade tumors, combination therapy was no longer associated with reduced risk for death compared with chemotherapy alone. Conclusion: For patients with stage IIIC endometrial cancer, combined treatment with radiation and chemotherapy was associated with improved OS compared with chemotherapy alone. However, no survival benefit was found, and radiotherapy may be unnecessary in patients with low-grade endometrioids.

Epithelioid leiomyosarcoma of broad ligament harboring PGR-NR4A3 and UBR5-PGR gene fusions: a unique case report.

A novel molecular subset of epithelioid leiomyosarcomas with rhabdoid features harboring PGR gene rearrangements has recently been documented. Herein, we present a unique case of PGR-rearranged smooth muscle tumor with both PGR-NR4A3 and UBR5-PGR gene fusions reported in a 30-year-old woman who had a mass in the broad ligament. The histological examination showed a round/polygonal to spindle cell tumor with abundant myxoid matrix and focal hyalinization, resulting in an epithelioid pattern. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the tumor had variable staining for desmin, SMA, and h-caldesmon and diffuse nuclear staining of ER, PR, and WT1. Furthermore, targeted RNA sequencing analysis revealed PGR-NR4A3 and UBR5-PGR gene fusions. Our case in addition with the reported cases suggest that myxoid matrix with two types of tumor cells (round/polygonal epithelioid cells and spindle cells) may be significant for the diagnosis of PGR-NR4A3 fusion-positive leiomyosarcoma. UBR5-PGR gene fusion is a novel finding in epithelioid leiomyosarcoma.

A unique case of eyelid metastasis from chondroid chordoma.

A unique case of eyelid metastasis from nasopharyngeal chondroid chordoma in a 63-year-old woman was reported. Chordomas are rare tumors of the bone deriving from remnants of the embryonic notochord. Histologically, the tumor showed lobulated structure and concludes two types of cells: liquid drop cell and small round/cubic cell. Immunohistochemically, AE1/AE3, epithelial membrane antigene (EMA), and S100 showed a uniform and strong positivity. It has a great capacity for recurrence and malignant transformation, despite their slow-growing nature. The most common sites of metastases are liver, lungs, and bones. The eyelid metastasis from chordoma is an extremely rare finding, which may suggest a poor prognosis for the patient. Its significant clinicopathological characteristic could prompt us to take it into consideration when assessing the patient's prognosis.

Suppression of microRNA-9-5p rescues learning and memory in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats model.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion has been associated with cognitive impairment in dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular disease (VaD), the two most common neurodegenerative diseases in aged people. However, the effective therapeutic approaches for both AD and VaD are still missing. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play important roles in the epigenetic regulation in many neurological disorders; the critical roles of miRNAderegulation had been implicated in both AD and VaD. In the current study, we reported that miR-9-5p is elevated in the serum and cerebrospinalfluid of patientswith VaD. The miR-9-5p wasalso increased in both the hippocampus and cortex of rats with 2-vessel occlusionsurgery. Furthermore, application ofmiR-9-5p antagomirs attenuated the memory impairments in rats with 2-vessel occlusion surgery both in the Morris water maze and inhibitory avoidance step-down tasks. Furthermore, miR-9-5p antagomirs reducedthe inhibition oflong-term potentiation and loss of dendritic spines in chronic cerebral hypoperfusionrats. Additionally, the cholinergic neuronal function was rescued by miR-9-5p antagomirs, as well as the neuronal loss and the oxidative stress. We concluded that miR-9-5p inhibition may be a potential therapeutic target for the memory impairments caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

MicroRNA-9 Mediates the Cell Apoptosis by Targeting Bcl2l11 in Ischemic Stroke.

Ischemic strokes occur as a result of an obstruction within a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain and accounts for about 87 % of all cases. During the cerebral ischemia, most of the neurons undergo the necrosis and apoptosis upon the exposure to the dramatic blood flow reduction. Although, it is known that both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways are involved in the neuronal apoptosis of ischemic brain injury. The complex underlying mechanisms remains less known. MicroRNAs are a class of endogenous small non-coding RNAs and the role of miRNAs in the pathophysiology of stroke has been studied. In this study, we found that miR-9 is downregulated in the mice with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) brain and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) neurons. Application of miR-9 gamer could restore the neurological scores and reduces the infarct volume, brain water content, and the behavioral impairments. Moreover, upregulation of miR-9 suppresses the neuronal apoptosis in MCAO brain and OGD neurons. Furthermore, we identified that Bcl2l11 as the direct target of miR-9 and manipulation of miR-9 induces the corresponding changing of Bcl2l11 protein level. Finally, we found that the protein level of Bcl2l11 is increased in the MCAO brain and OGD neurons. Our study demonstrated the critical role of miR-9 in the neuronal apoptosis of ischemic brain injury.

Expression, correlation, and prognostic value of TRAF2 and TRAF4 expression in malignant plural effusion cells in human breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: TRAF2 and TRAF4, members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor- associated factor family of intracellular signal transduction proteins, are associated with breast cancer progression and metastasis. METHODS: We collected malignant serous effusion cells from the patients with breast cancer (n = 46). Cell blocks prepared from plural effusions (n = 46) and primary breast cancer (n = 50), lymph node metastases (n = 50), and normal breast tissue specimens (n = 30). The immunohistochemistry was performed for the detection of TRAF2 and TRAF4 expression with the correlation of their expression with clinicopathological parameters and survival rate analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with normal breast tissues, TRAF2 expression was upregulated, and nuclear TRAF4 expression was downregulated in malignant pleural effusion cells, primary tumors, and lymph node metastases (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed TRAF2 expression in pleural effusions was associated with the molecular/pathological type, venous invasion, and lymph node metastasis, while nuclear TRAF4 expression was associated with age, tumor size, venous invasion, and lymph node metastasis, clinical staging, molecular/pathological subtype and p53 status (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between TRAF2 and TRAF4 expression levels in malignant pleural effusion cells (r = 0.937; P < 0.01). Kaplan-Meire analysis demonstrated a close correlation of TRAF2 and TRAF4 expression in malignant pleural effusion cells with cumulative overall survival (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TRAF2 and nuclear TRAF4 expression in malignant pleural effusion cells may represent potential prognostic factors and biomarkers of invasion and metastasis in breast cancer.

Expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-assicated factor 4 correlates with expression of Girdin and promotes nuclear translocation of Girdin in breast cancer.

Overexpression of tumor necrosis factor receptor­associated factor 4 (TRAF4) has been reported in several human malignancies; however its association with Girdin in breast cancer is unclear. The aim of the present study was to analyze the correlation, expression and nuclear and cytoplasmic localizations of TRAF4 and Girdin in breast cancer tissues. Tissue samples from 38 patients with breast cancer, the MCF­10A normal mammary epithelial cell line, the MCF­7 estrogen­receptor (ER)­positive and MDA­MB­231 ER­negative breast cancer cell lines were used in the present study. The results demonstrated that cytoplasmic expression of TRAF4 was positively correlated with cytoplasmic expression of Girdin. Furthermore, coexpression of TRAF4 and Girdin was highest in tissue samples from patients with lymph node metastases. Girdin was observed to be predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm of breast cancer cells; however TRAF4 promoted its translocation to the nucleus. These findings suggest that cytoplasmic expression of TRAF4 may be a novel potential marker for cell migration in breast cancer.

Cytoplasmic TRAF4 contributes to the activation of p70s6k signaling pathway in breast cancer.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 4 (TRAF4) is an important adaptor protein that plays a significant role in several signaling pathways. By studying the relationship between TRAF4 and 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase (p70s6k) in vivo, we demonstrated that cytoplasmic TRAF4 was correlated with the activation of p70s6k in breast cancer. Moreover, we found that cytoplasmic TRAF4 expression in breast cancer patients was significantly associated with a poor prognosis. To determine the exact mechanism, we analyzed the interaction between TRAF4 and p70s6k and identified the Zinc fingers domain of TRAF4 was responsible for their interaction in MCF7 cells. Furthermore, we found that activation of p70s6k/S6 signaling pathway by TRAF4 requires the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity; TRAF4 acted as a sensitizer. Tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 2 (TRAF2), as a binding partner of TRAF4, could also promoted activation of p70s6k signaling via upregulating cytoplasm expression of TRAF4 and played a critical role in TNFa-induced activation of p70s6k/S6 pathway. Finally, we demonstrated p70s6k/S6 signaling pathway played an important role in the promoting function of TRAF4 on cell proliferation. In summary, our work suggests a new direction for understanding the oncogenic function of TRAF4 in breast cancer.

Suppressive role of miR-502-5p in breast cancer via downregulation of TRAF2.

TRAF2 promotes cancer cell survival, proliferation and metastasis through the NF-κB pathway by directly interacting with various TNF recepors. However, the molecular mechanism of TRAF2 dysregulation in breast cancer remains to be elucidated. In the present study, miR-502-5p was predicted as a potential regulator of TRAF2. miR-502-5p was significantly downregulated in breast cancer tissues when compared to the level in paired normal breast tissues. The breast cancer cell lines including MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 expressed a lower level of miR-502-5p when compared to the level in the non-malignant breast epithelial cell line MCF-10A. In vitro, miR-502-5p enhanced early apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of breast cancer cells. Luciferase reporter assay results showed that miR-502-5p could bind to the 3'-untranslated region of the TRAF2 gene, thus, exerting an inhibitory effect on TRAF2. Furthermore, silencing of TRAF2 exhibited effects similar to those of exogenous miR­502-5p, while overexpression of TRAF2 partially abrogated miR-502-5p-mediated suppression in breast cancer cells. In conclusion, miR-502-5p may act as a tumor-suppressor gene by targeting oncogenic TRAF2 in breast cancer and, therefore, may be a potential diagnostic and anticancer therapeutic marker for breast cancer.