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    08 August 2023, Volume 50 Issue 8 Previous Issue    Next Issue
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    Original Articles
    Effects of miR-451 on glycolysis and apoptosis of breast cancer cells by regulating Rho/ROCK1 pathway
    Feng Dongxu, Wu Wei, Gao Pingfa, Wang Jun, Shi Lijuan, Chen Dawei, Li Wenbing, Zhang Meifeng
    2023, 50 (8):  449-456.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20221129-00087
    Abstract ( 121 )   HTML ( 17 )   PDF (1774KB) ( 35 )   Save
    Objective To explore the effects of miR-451 on glycolysis and apoptosis of breast cancer cells by regulating the Rho/ROCK1 pathway. Methods Breast cancer MCF7 cells were divided into breast cancer cells (BC) group, breast cancer cells + miR-451-NC (MN) group, breast cancer cells + miR-451 inhibitor (MI) group, breast cancer cells + miR-451 mimic (MM) group, breast cancer cells + lysophosphatidic acid (BL) group, breast cancer cells + fasudil (BF) group, and breast cancer cells + miR-451 mimic + fasudil (MF) group. Glucose uptake detection kit and lactate detection kit were used to detect cell glycolysis, DAPI staining was used to detect cell apoptosis, Western blotting was used to detect Rho/ROCK1 pathway protein expression, and double luciferase reporting assay was used to confirm the interaction between miR-451 and Rho/ROCK1. Results The glucose intake of cells in the BC group, MN group, MI group and MM group were (14.22±2.36)×105 mg/h, (14.20±2.37)×105 mg/h, (21.55±2.43)×105 mg/h, (6.19±1.34)×105 mg/h (F=5.30, P<0.001), respectively, and lactic acid production were (1.52±0.21)×105 μg/h, (1.53±0.22)×105 μg/h, (2.05±0.32)×105 μg/h, (0.54±0.12)×105 μg/h (F=3.28, P=0.008), respectively. The apoptosis rates were (10.13±1.35)%, (10.16±1.37)%, (5.36±1.24)%, (28.47±2.56)% (F=6.36, P<0.001), respectively. The expressions of Rho protein were 2.31±0.46, 2.32±0.41, 2.95±0.35, 1.05±0.25 (F=2.86, P=0.017), respectively. The expressions of ROCK1 protein were 2.51±0.41, 2.52±0.42, 3.05±0.33, 1.15±0.13 (F=2.43, P=0.035), and there were statistically significant differences between the MN and MI groups, MN and MM groups, MI and MM groups (all P<0.05). The glucose intake in the BC group, BL group and BF group were (14.22±2.36)×105 mg/h, (21.54±2.40)×105 mg/h, (6.20±1.35)×105 mg/h (F=5.33, P<0.001), respectively. Lactic acid production were (1.52±0.21)×105 μg/h, (2.01±0.30)×105 μg/h, (0.55±0.12)×105 μg/h (F=3.28, P=0.008), respectively. The apoptosis rates were (10.13±1.35)%, (5.34±1.22)%, (28.44±2.54)% (F=6.45, P<0.001). The expressions of Rho protein were 2.31±0.46, 2.94±0.45, 1.01±0.24 (F=2.40, P=0.037), respectively, and the expressions of ROCK1 protein were 2.51±0.41, 3.08±0.42 and 1.13±0.12, respectively (F=2.38, P=0.039). The pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In the MF group, glucose intake was (3.21±0.89)×105 mg/h, lactic acid production was (0.33±0.04)×105 μg/h, apoptosis rate was (38.01±2.87)%, Rho protein expression was 0.55±0.14, and ROCK1 protein expression was 0.51±0.10. There were statistically significant differences among the MM group, BF group and MF group (F=4.53, P=0.001; F=4.26, P=0.002; F=6.12, P<0.001; F=4.06, P=0.002; F=9.72, P<0.001), and there were statistically significant differences between the MF group and BF group (all P<0.05). Dual luciferase report showed that miR-451 transfection significantly decreased the luciferase activity of ROCK1-3'-UTR-WT (0.59±0.03 vs. 1.01±0.05, t=17.64, P<0.001), but had no significant effect on mutated genes (1.01±0.07 vs. 1.02±0.04, t=0.30, P=0.767). Conclusion Overexpression of miR-451 can significantly inhibit glycolysis of breast cancer cells and promote apoptosis of breast cancer cells, the mechanism of which may be related to inhibition of Rho/ROCK1 pathway.
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    Effect of fritinib on angiogenesis, tumor growth and IRE1-ASK1-JNK pathway in triple negative breast cancer
    Pan Shulan, Liu Chang, He Ping
    2023, 50 (8):  457-462.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230420-00088
    Abstract ( 74 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (1716KB) ( 15 )   Save
    Objective To investigate the effects of fritinib on angiogenesis, tumor growth and inositol requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1)-apoptosis signal regulating kinase 1 (ASK1)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway in triple negative breast cancer. Methods Triple negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 were taken and divided into normal saline (NS) group, low-dose fritinib (LD) group, medium-dose fritinib (MD) group and high-dose fritinib (HD) group. NS group was added with 100 μmol/L normal saline. LD group, MD group and HD group were added with 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L fritinib, respectively. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, the ability of cells to form mimicry vessels was observed by three-dimensional cell culture, and the related indexes of angiogenesis and IRE1-ASK1-JNK pathway were detected by Western blotting. Twenty triple-negative breast cancer rat models were divided into control group and experimental group by random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. The control group was given normal saline gavage and the experimental group was given 100 μmol/L fritinib gavage. The tumor growth of rats in the two groups was observed and recorded. Results The 48 h cell proliferation rates of NS group, LD group, MD group and HD group were (85.44±5.58)%, (73.24±4.95)%, (61.53±4.07)% and (50.23±2.97)%, respectively (F=4.01, P=0.002). Compared with the NS group, the cell proliferation rate in LD, MD and HD groups was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (all P<0.05). The apoptosis rates of NS group, LD group, MD group and HD group were (3.41±0.39)%, (18.75±1.94)%, (24.97±2.58)% and (38.62±3.27)%, respectively (F=18.99, P<0.001). Compared with the NS group, the apoptosis rate of LD, MD and HD groups was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (all P<0.05). The number of mimicry vessels in NS group, LD group, MD group and HD group was 19.58±2.11, 15.67±2.02, 11.57±1.73 and 5.20±1.23, respectively (F=3.28, P=0.008). Compared with the NS group, the number of mimicry vessels in LD group, MD group and HD group was significantly reduced. The results were dose-dependent (all P<0.05). vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein expression in NS group, LD group, MD group and HD group was 2.36±0.21, 1.79±0.17, 1.48±0.14 and 0.94±0.10, respectively (F=5.17, P<0.001). The expression of IRE1 protein was 1.18±0.12, 1.67±0.18, 2.03±0.24 and 2.39±0.28, respectively (F=5.55, P<0.001). The expression of ASK1 protein was 1.09±0.11, 1.46±0.13, 1.81±0.18, 2.33±0.21 (F=5.32, P<0.001), respectively. JNK protein expression was 1.01±0.09, 1.48±0.14, 1.86±0.21 and 2.28±0.24, respectively (F=6.92, P<0.001). Compared with the NS group, VEGF protein expression in LD, MD and HD groups was significantly decreased, and the expressions of IRE1, ASK1 and JNK were significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner (all P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the tumor weight and volume of the experimental group were significantly decreased [(0.55±0.10)g vs. (1.37±0.15)g, t=14.38, P<0.001; (77.39±3.21)mm3 vs. (118.26±5.34)mm3, t=20.74, P<0.001], tumor inhibition rate was significantly increased [(71.23±3.85)% vs. (32.56±3.08)%, t=24.80, P<0.001]. Conclusion Fritinib has an inhibitory effect on the activity of triple negative breast cancer cells, which can significantly reduce their angiogenesis and inhibit tumor growth. Moreover, it is related to the activation of IRE1-ASK1-JNK pathway.
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    Study on the prognostic value of serological indicators for nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on nomogram model
    Wang Xiao, Li Ying, Luo Yujie, Jin Shu
    2023, 50 (8):  463-469.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230426-00089
    Abstract ( 86 )   HTML ( 9 )   PDF (1936KB) ( 23 )   Save
    Objective To explore the prognostic value of serological indicators for nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on nomogram model. Methods The clinal data of 231 patients diagnosed as nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were treated for the first time in the First People's Hospital of Ziyang of Sichuan Province from January 2020 to December 2021 were studied retrospectively. The patients were randomly divided into training group (n=173) and verification group (n=58) according to the ratio of 3∶1 by random number table method. Lasso Cox regression model was used to generate a prognosis model in the training cohort. Consistency index (C index) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to compare the prediction accuracy between the new prognosis model and TNM staging and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA copy number. Subsequently, an overall survival (OS) nomogram including prognosis model, TNM staging and EBV DNA copy number was established to predict the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Results The median follow-up time of the training cohort was 31.4 months, and that of the verification cohort was 30.4 months. In the training cohort, the 12-month, 24-month and 36-month OS rates were 97.4%, 83.8% and 63.3% respectively. In the verification cohort, the 12-month, 24-month and 36-month OS rates were 94.2%, 84.4% and 72.8% respectively. There was no significant difference in the distribution of clinical features and serological indicators between the training cohort and the verification cohort(all P>0.05). The established prognostic model included the following variables: age, body mass index, platelet, lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, C-reactive protein(CRP), CRP/albumin ratio, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio and prognostic nutrition index. In the training cohort, the C index of the prognostic model was 0.790 (95%CI: 0.730-0.852), which was significantly higher than that of EBV DNA copy number (0.693, 95%CI: 0.625-0.760) (χ2=5.74, P=0.028), but there was no significant difference compared to TNM staging (0.738, 95%CI: 0.688-0.786)(χ2=2.32, P=0.074). In the validation cohort, the C index of the prognostic model (0.797, 95%CI: 0.742-0.874) was significantly higher than the DNA copy number of EBV (0.636, 95%CI: 0.559-0.713) (χ2=6.03, P=0.024), but there was no significant difference compared to TNM staging (0.755, 95%CI: 0.705-0.815)(χ2=1.74, P=0.121). DCA showed that the prognostic model had a better overall net benefit than EBV DNA copy number and was comparable to TNM staging in both the training and validation cohorts. The calibration curve of the training cohort and the verification cohort showed that the 12-month, 24-month and 36-month OS rates predicted by the nomograms were consistent with actual observations. Conclusion The prognosis model established in this study, including serological indicators, shows better accuracy in predicting the prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma than traditional TNM staging and EBV DNA copy number alone. The nomogram based on prognosis model, TNM staging and EBV DNA can enhance the predictive ability of prognosis model.
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    Expression and clinical significance of ASB6 in colorectal cancer tissues
    Liu Debao, Sun Ziwen, Lu Shoutang, Xu Haidong
    2023, 50 (8):  470-474.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230523-00090
    Abstract ( 80 )   HTML ( 14 )   PDF (1021KB) ( 29 )   Save
    Objective To explore the expression and clinical significance of ASB6 in colorectal cancer tissue. Methods The cancer tissues and para-carcinoma tissues were selected from 106 patients with colorectal cancer admitted to the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Third Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 2015 to January 2018. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression level of ASB6 protein in tissues, and the correlation between its expression and clinical pathological characteristics of patients was analyzed. At the same time, the expression of ASB6 mRNA in colorectal cancer tissues and para-carcinoma tissues was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis method was used to explore the relationship between the expression of ASB6 and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the independent prognostic factors of colorectal cancer patients. Results The high expression rate of ASB6 in colorectal cancer tissues (67.9%, 72/106) was significantly higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues (10.4%,11/106, χ2=73.67, P<0.001). Further analysis showed that the expression of ASB6 protein was significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis (χ2=7.34, P=0.007) and TNM stage (χ2=16.85, P<0.001). There was no significant correlation between the expression of ASB6 protein and age (χ2=0.42, P=0.516), sex (χ2=0.76, P=0.385), tumor size (χ2=0.91, P=0.341), tumor location (χ2=2.29, P=0.130), histological classification (χ2<0.01, P>0.999), differentiation degree (χ2=2.54, P=0.111) and distant metastasis (χ2=3.38, P=0.066). qRT-PCR results showed that the expression level of ASB6 mRNA in colorectal cancer tissues was significantly higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues (5.37±0.13 vs. 3.39±0.09, t=-12.48, P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall 5-year survival rates of patients in the ASB6 high expression group (72 cases) and the ASB6 low expression group (34 cases) were 45.8% and 73.5%, respectively (χ2=6.82, P=0.009). Univariate survival analysis found that ASB6 protein expression (HR=3.09, 95%CI: 1.25-7.65, P=0.015), lymph node metastasis (HR=0.41, 95%CI: 0.21-0.82, P=0.011), distant metastasis (HR=0.20, 95%CI: 0.10-0.42, P<0.001), and TNM stage (HR=0.10, 95%CI: 0.03-0.32, P<0.001) were prognostic factors, while multivariate Cox survival analysis found that distant metastasis (HR=0.22, 95%CI: 0.09-0.50,P<0.001) and TNM stage (HR=0.25, 95%CI: 0.11-0.58, P<0.001) were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion The expression of ASB6 in colorectal cancer tissues is significantly higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues, and the prognosis of patients with high expression of ASB6 is significantly worse than that of patients with low expression of ASB6. ASB6 can be used as an important indicator for early monitoring and postoperative survival assessment of colorectal cancer patients in the future.
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    Analysis of curative effect and prognosis of immune checkpoint inhibitor in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer
    Zhang Lu, Jiang Hua, Lin Zhou, Ma Chenying, Xu Xiaoting, Wang Lili, Zhou Juying
    2023, 50 (8):  475-483.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230227-00091
    Abstract ( 83 )   HTML ( 12 )   PDF (950KB) ( 24 )   Save
    Objective To analyze the efficacy, safety and prognostic factors of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer. Methods A total of 87 patients with recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2018 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into non immunotherapy group n=32 and immunotherapy group n=55 according to whether immune checkpoint inhibition was applied after recurrence and metastasis. The disease control rate DCR, progression free survival PFS, overall survival 1 OS1, date of pathology diagnosis to the end of follow-up or time of death, overall survival 2 OS2, time of first immunotherapy/non-immunotherapy to the end of follow-up or time of death, safety and prognostic factors of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Results In 87 patients with recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer, the DCR of the non immunotherapy group and immunotherapy group were 53.1% 17/32 and 72.7% 40/55 respectively χ2=3.44, P=0.064. The median OS1 of the non immunotherapy group was 51.0 months, while the immunotherapy group did not reach the median OS1, with a statistically significant difference χ2=7.50, P=0.006. The median OS2 of the non immunotherapy group was 28.0 months, while the immunotherapy group did not reach the median OS2, with a statistically significant difference χ2=7.07, P=0.008. The median PFS of the non immunotherapy group and immunotherapy group were 18.0 months and 23.0 months respectively, with no significant difference χ2=0.01, P=0.915. In the immunotherapy group, 70.9% 39/55 of patients received immune checkpoint inhibitors as first-line treatment and 29.1% 16/55 received as second-line and above treatment. Both groups of patients did not achieve median OS2, with median PFS of 23.0 and 17.0 months respectively, and there were no statistically significant differences χ2=0.94, P=0.333; χ2=2.00, P=0.158; 38.2% 21/55 of patients received immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with local radiotherapy, 61.8% 34/55 patients did not receive radiotherapy. And neither group of patients achieved median OS2, with median PFS of 19.0 and 25.0 months respectively, with no statistically significant differences χ2=0.62, P=0.432; χ2=0.01, P=0.906. The incidences of grade 1-2 hematuria and hypothyroidism in the non immunotherapy group and immunotherapy group were 53.1% 17/32 vs. 27.3% 15/55, χ2=5.82, P=0.016, 3.1% 1/32 vs. 21.8% 12/55, χ2=4.19, P=0.041 respectively. The incidence of myelosuppression in the non immunotherapy group [grade 1-2: 59.4% 19/32, grade 3-4: 34.4% 11/32] was significantly different from that in the immunotherapy group [grade 1-2: 80.0% 44/55, grade 3-4: 3.6% 2/55; Z=3.50, P<0.001]. There were no statistically significant differences between creatinine increase, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase increase, lymphocyte decrease, hypoproteinemia, proteinuria, rash, fatigue all P>0.05. Univariate regression analysis showed that the use of immune checkpoint inhibitor was an independent protective factor affecting the prognosis of patients HR=0.31, 95%CI: 0.12-0.77, P=0.012. Conclusion Whether used as first-line or second-line or above treatment, the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in patients with recurrent and metastatic cervical cancer prolongs their OS1, OS2, and has good safety. The application of immune checkpoint inhibitors is an independent protective factor affecting the prognosis of patients.
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    Reviews
    Current status of research on exosomes in malignancies
    Zhang Yuan, Bai Zhiyu, Li Qi, Feng Qinmei
    2023, 50 (8):  484-488.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230315-00092
    Abstract ( 80 )   HTML ( 6 )   PDF (716KB) ( 19 )   Save

    Exosomes are membranous vesicles secreted by most eukaryotic cells, which are approximately 30-150 nm in diameter and contain RNA, proteins and lipids closely related to their function and origin, playing an important role in cell-to-cell communication. It can promote tumor progression by promoting the proliferation and migration of tumor cells, improving the tumor microenvironment and inhibiting the immune response. In addition, exosomes are expressed at high levels in certain tumors and can be used as predictors of cancer for early diagnosis. It can also be used as a carrier to carry targeted drugs to the local tumor to exert an inhibitory effect.

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    Mechanism of action and clinical significance of CST1 in the progression of gastric cancer
    Shao Huifang, Wang Xuehong, Lu Yongfu
    2023, 50 (8):  489-492.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230308-00093
    Abstract ( 117 )   HTML ( 6 )   PDF (692KB) ( 20 )   Save

    Cysteine protease inhibitor 1 (CST1) is a member of type 2 Cystatins superfamily, plays a key role in targeted regulation. CST1 is highly expressed in gastric cancer, promotes tumor cell migration and invasion by activating the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation pathway and Wnt pathway, and regulates tumor growth and progression in combination with the corresponding target genes of homeobox C10 and glutathione peroxidase 4. A deeper understanding of the role and function of CST1 in gastric cancer will help to further develop potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic and prognostic markers for gastric cancer.

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    Research progress of Nrf2 in ovarian cancer
    An Rong, Liu Meihua, Wang Peichen, Wang Xiaohui
    2023, 50 (8):  493-497.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230525-00094
    Abstract ( 85 )   HTML ( 2 )   PDF (711KB) ( 19 )   Save

    Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an important transcription factor that regulates redox, lipid metabolism and protein dynamic balance, and plays an important role in protecting the body from oxidative stress damage. Recently, more and more studies have shown that Nrf2 is activated in ovarian cancer by various mechanisms to induce increased antioxidant enzymes, change sex hormone metabolism and induce downstream targets. Further studying the mechanism of Nrf2 in promoting the development of ovarian cancer, exploring its role in drug resistance and seeking new therapeutic targets can provide new ideas for the treatment of drug-resistant ovarian cancer.

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    TGF-β/Smad signal pathway and acute leukemia
    Wang Jun, Jia Xiuhong
    2023, 50 (8):  498-502.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230523-00095
    Abstract ( 84 )   HTML ( 4 )   PDF (826KB) ( 8 )   Save

    Transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway is an important signaling pathway in human cells, which can regulate life activities such as cell growth, proliferation and apoptosis, and its signal transduction consists of ligand and receptor binding, intracytoplasmic signaling pathway, as well as interactions within the cell nucleus. This signaling pathway is closely related to the pathogenesis, drug resistance, recurrence and prognosis of acute leukemia. Exploring the potential of direct inhibitors, related therapeutic targets and natural extracts of this signaling pathway for the treatment of leukemia can provide new ideas for the study of biomarkers and targeted gene therapy for leukemia.

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    Correlation between hypoxia and the oxygen sensing pathway in acute myeloid leukemia cells
    Wang Ting, Li Wenqian, Xie Youbang
    2023, 50 (8):  503-507.  doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20230605-00096
    Abstract ( 77 )   HTML ( 3 )   PDF (736KB) ( 14 )   Save

    Hypoxia is one of the significant characteristics of the microenvironment of malignant tumors in the blood system. Hypoxic microenvironment can promote the metastasis and infiltration of tumor cells, which is one of the key factors leading to treatment tolerance, and also an important factor for resistance against tumor immune response. In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the cellular oxygen sensing pathway is an important signaling transduction pathway that participates in the cell’s response to hypoxic environments and can regulate biological processes such as metabolism, growth, and survival. Starting from how hypoxia affects the oxygen sensing pathway of leukemia cells, and targeting the cell adaptation mechanism induced by hypoxia, exploring new directions for targeted treatment of hematological malignancies in hypoxic environments can provide new ideas and theoretical support for the treatment of AML.

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