Journal of Buon最新文献

Purpose: Peroxiredoxins (Prdxs) represent a family of proteins that act as antioxidant enzymes and are involved in a variety of metabolic functions including mainly the intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels reduction. Especially, Prdx-6 protein encoded by the PRDX6 gene (1q25.1) regulates also phospholipid modifications and induces response to oxidative stress and injuries. Our aim was to investigate the expression of Prdx-6 in colon adenocarcinoma (CA).

Methods: A series of 30 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary CAs tissue sections were used and analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was performed using an anti-Prdx-6 antibody. Digital image analysis was also implemented for evaluating objectively the protein expression levels on the corresponding stained cells.

Results: Prdx-6 protein overexpression (increased immunostaining levels) was observed in 12/30 (40%) cases, whereas 18/30 (60%) CA tissues demonstrated low to moderate protein levels, respectively. Prdx-6 overall expression was strongly associated with the stage of the examined tumors (p=0.011), whereas other statistical significances were not assessed (inflammatory infiltration: p=0.364; carcinoma location: p=0.93; differentiation grade: p=0.517; tumor diameter: p=0.983; ulceration: p=0.622).

Conclusions: Prdx-6 overexpression is observed in a significant subset of CAs correlating with aggressive biological behavior (advanced stage). Prdx-6 is a crucial enzyme for oxidative stress/injury endogenous cell response and should be an interesting agent as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target.

Purpose: RNF6 is verified to promote the malignant growth of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its level is linked to prognosis in CRC patients. Radioresistance is a key factor influencing prognosis in CRC. This study aimed to uncover the potential regulation of ring finger protein 6 (RNF6) in CRC radioresistance.

Methods: RNF6 levels in radioresistant and non-radioresistant CRC patients were detected. In vitro and in vivo regulatory effects of RNF6 on radioresistant CRC cell lines and nude mice bearing radioresistant CRC were examined, respectively. The involvement of Wnt pathway in CRC radioresistance was explored by Western blot.

Results: RNF6 was highly expressed in radioresistant CRC species than that of non-radioresistant ones. Identically, RNF6 was upregulated in radioresistant CRC cells compared to parental cells. SW1116 cells overexpressing RNF6 were more tolerant to radiotherapy, and similar results were obtained in nude mice bearing radioresistant CRC with overexpression of RNF6. Moreover, the Wnt pathway was activated during RNF6-induced radioresistance improvement in CRC.

Conclusions: RNF6 enhances radioresistance of CRC through activating the Wnt pathway.

Purpose: Colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) is globally one of the most frequently occurring malignant tumors. The patients' 5-year survival rate with colon cancer was poor. There is a usual form of mRNA modification called N6-methyl adenosine (m6A). It is adjusted by the m6A RNA methylation modulator. Nevertheless, few studies of COAD can fully discuss m6A-related lncRNAs' prognostic function.

Methods: From The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, this study of COAD samples discussed 23 m6A regulator-related lncRNAs systemically. 2 m6A patterns with various clinical results were recognized, and a remarkable correlation between various m6A clusters and tumor immune microenvironment was discovered.

Results: According to prognostic analysis, cluster1 had a higher immune checkpoint programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and a better prognosis. A 6 m6A-related lncRNAs model was constructed through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), univariate, multivariate Cox regression and stratified analysis. The outcomes reported that compared with the low-risk group, high-risk groups that were based on model closely were related to poor overall survival (OS). The study ensured a risk model consisting of 6 m6A-related lncRNAs as independent prognosis predictors. For the expression differences between the two groups, Genomes Pathway Analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) biological process analyses were conducted. In addition, on the basis of full analysis of OS, a nomogram based on gender, age, lncRNA feature and the stage was constructed. One year, two years, and three years are the periods when the calibration chart performed best.

Conclusions: The outcomes of the study confirmed the underlying function of m6A-related lncRNAs and offered fresh perspectives to COAD prognosis.

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of different peri-operative regimens using the network meta-analysis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal/hepatic vein tumor thrombosis. The interested modalities included neoadjuvant three-dimensional radiotherapy (3D-CRT), post-operative intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), post-operative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), 3DCRT plus TACE and surgery alone.

Methods: PubMed and Cochrane Library electronic databases were systematically searched for eligible studies published up to March 2021. Data related to treatment efficacy including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were extracted and compared using a Bayesian approach. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed and compared.

Results: Five studies published between 2009 and 2021 were enrolled in this network meta-analysis. The comparison showed that surgery with IMRT ranks relatively higher in prolonging OS in advanced HCC patients, followed by neoadjuvant 3DCRT and surgery plus TACE. Neoadjuvant 3DCRT and postoperative IMRT appear to be better choices than 3DCRT plus TACE in terms of OS. IMRT, TACE and neoadjuvant 3DCRT group were all superior to surgery alone in terms of DFS. The rate of AEs did not differ significantly.

Conclusions: Adjuvant IMRT showed more favorable treatment responses compared to other regimens in HCC patients as a peri-operative regimen.

Purpose: To explore the expression and clinical significance of factors associated with multiple myeloma (MM) and identify new diagnostic markers.

Methods: Two gene expression array data sets (GSE6477 and GSE5900) were downloaded and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in bone marrow from patients with MM and healthy donors analyzed. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment and Gene Ontology annotation of DEGs was conducted and a protein-protein interaction network generated. Plasma and bone marrow samples from patients with MM were analyzed for cytokine expression by ELISA and correlations between cytokine levels and clinical indicators evaluated.

Results: Of 908 DEGs, 416 were up-regulated and 492 down-regulated. Further, 161 proteins pairs and 21 nodes were detected, and eight hub genes (CXCL2, CXCL8, CXCL12, ELANE, LCN2, CX3CL1, CCL13, and CCL27) screened out. Expression levels of CXCL8, CXCL2, CXCL12, LCN2, and CCL13 were low in CD138+ plasma cells, and expression levels of the eight cytokines differed significantly in peripheral blood plasma from patients with MM and healthy controls. ROC curve analysis determined optimal diagnostic thresholds determined for: CCL27 (189 ng/mL), CXCL2 (313 ng/L), CX3CL1 (132 ng/L), CCL13 (235 pg/mL), CXCL8 (884 ng/L), ELANE (50 µg/L), LCN2 (8 µg/L), and CXCL12 (2525 pg/mL).

Conclusions: CX3CL1, CCL13, CXCL8, and CXCL12 levels were positively correlated with those of hemoglobin and β2 microglobulin (β2-MG); CCL27 and CXCL2 with β2-MG; and CCL13 and ELANE with white blood cell count and age, respectively. CCL27, CXCL2, and β2-MG levels were associated with MM incidence.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of different histological types of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) (clear cell RCC (ccRCC), papillary RCC (pRCC), chromophobe RCC (chRCC).

Methods: The clinical data of 67 patients (including 38 patients with ccRCC, 20 patients with pRCC and 9 patients with chRCC) with RCC confirmed pathologically in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent CT, MRI plain scan and three-phase enhanced scan, and their CT and MRI imaging features were analyzed.

Results: Most of the enhancement was non-uniform. Most of the lesions presented as "fast-in, fast-out", with obvious enhancement in the early stage and enhancement decline in the later stage. Non-uniform and slightly higher signals were mostly present in DWI. The CT scan of pRCC patients showed equal density and homogeneous enhancement. Some of the larger lesions showed cystic necrosis and hemorrhage. MRI showed a lower signal on T1WI and a slightly higher signal on T2WI. The CT of patients with chRCC showed equal density and more uniform enhancement. DWI showed high signal, and central radial scar showed low signal. There was a significant difference in the percentage of cystic necrosis in ccRCC, pRCC and chRCC among groups (p<0.05). The incidence of cystic necrosis in ccRCC and pRCC was significantly higher than that in chRCC (p<0.05). The CT values in ccRCC patients were significantly higher than those in pRCC and chRCC patients in the parenchymal phase, corticomedullary phase and excretory phase (p<0.05). The CT value of chRCC patients in the parenchymal phase was significantly higher than that of pRCC (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The CT and MRI of ccRCC, pRCC and chRCC have their own imaging characteristics, which has important reference value for the preoperative differential diagnosis of RCC.

Purpose: Pain due to oral-mucositis (OM) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients receiving radiotherapy (RT) /chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) can be nociceptive and/or neuropathic. Neuropathic pain (NP) often remains underdiagnosed and untreated. This study's purpose was to identify the presence of OM-induced NP in HNC patients under RT/CRT.

Methods: Pain was assessed using a 0-10 numeric scale (NRS). At an NRS≥5 score, patients completed the Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire, where a score ≥4/10 indicates the presence of NP. Mucositis and xerostomia were assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer and the NRS scales accordingly. Pain medication was documented.

Results: Forty patients were recruited; twenty-six (mean age 63.54±13.96 years) completed a DN4 (mean pain NRS 7.46±1.42); five (5/26, 19.23%) had a DN4≥4. The most common NP descriptors were "burning" (34.62%), "electric shocks" (30.77%) and "pins-and-needles" (30.77%). A direct correlation was observed between DN4 and pain, mucositis, and xerostomia (p<0.02). Pain medication was administered to fifteen patients (15/26, 57.69%). Adjuvant medication was administered to one patient with positive DN4 score.

Conclusions: Five (5/26, 19%) of the patients with NRS≥5 developed NP; adjuvant medication to address NP was prescribed to one patient. NP is likely underdiagnosed and undertreated in the HNC population undergoing RT/RC.

Purpose: Recommendations and guidelines consider cancer patients a high-priority population for COVID-19 immunization. Vaccination process in Serbia began in January 2021 with four available vaccines. We have conducted a cross-sectional study investigating cancer patients' acceptability of anti SARS-COV2 vaccines.

Methods: The study included 767 patients with solid and hematologic malignancies treated at the Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Serbia. During July and August 2021 patients filled in an individual paper questionnaire on anti SARS-COV2 vaccination acceptance, preferences, side effects and information origin. Data on treatment phase, diagnosis and treatment was collected from electronic health records.

Results: During the first six months of vaccination campaign in Serbia 41% (320/767) of the investigated oncology patients received COVID-19 vaccines. The median age of vaccinated patients was 65 years (28-84). Most of them (75%) were in active treatment of cancer. Half of the unvaccinated patients (52%) wish to get vaccinated after the end of their cancer treatment. Around 10% of the patients definitely refused vaccination. The majority of information on COVID-19 vaccines cancer patients got from their oncologist, television and newspapers. Side effects were reported by 10.93% of the patients after the first dose and 13,31% after the second dose. No serious side effects were reported.

Conclusion: We have confirmed that patients are reluctant of receiving vaccine due to fear of side effects, especially during the active cancer treatment. However, real-world evidence and clinical trials data have gathered enough evidence to reassure any doubts of the patients and their oncologists on safety and efficacy of anti SARS-COV2 vaccines.