Proteases and their inhibitors as prognostic factors for high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Ovarian carcinoma is one of the most lethal malignancies, but only very few prognostic biomarkers are known. The degradome, comprising proteases, protease non-proteolytic homologues and inhibitors, have been involved in the prognosis of many cancer types, including ovarian carcinoma. The prognostic significance of the whole degradome family has not been specifically studied in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. A targeted DNA microarray known as the CLIP-CHIP microarray was used to identify potential prognostic factors in ten high-grade serous ovarian cancer women who had early recurrence (<1.6 years) or late/no recurrence after first line surgery and chemotherapy. In women with early recurrence, we identified seven upregulated genes (TMPRSS4, MASP1/3, SPC18, PSMB1, IGFBP2, CFI – encoding Complement Factor I – and MMP9) and one down-regulated gene (ADAM-10). Using immunohistochemistry, we evaluated the prognostic effect of these 8 candidate genes in an independent cohort of 112 high-grade serous ovarian cancer women. Outcomes were progression, defined according to CA-125 criteria, and death. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were done to estimate the associations between each protein and each outcome. High ADAM-10 expression (intensity of 2–3) was associated with a lower risk of progression (adjusted hazard ratio (HR): 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29-0.87). High complement factor I expression (intensity 2–3) was associated with a higher risk of progression (adjusted HR: 2.30, 95% CI: 1.17–4.53) and death (adjusted HR: 3.42; 95% CI: 1.72–6.79). Overall, we identified the prognostic value of two proteases, ADAM-10 and complement factor I, for high-grade serous ovarian cancer which could have clinical significance.     

Redox active or thiol reactive? Optimization of rapid screens to identify less evident nuisance compounds

Compounds that exhibit assay interference or undesirable mechanisms of bioactivity are routinely encountered in assays at various stages of drug discovery. We observed that assays for the investigation of thiol-reactive and redox-active compounds have not been collected in a comprehensive review. Here, we review these assays and subject them to experimental optimization to improve their reliability. We demonstrate the usefulness of our assay cascade by assaying a library of bioactive compounds, chemical probes, and a set of approved drugs. These high-throughput assays should complement the array of wet-lab and in silico assays during the initial stages of hit discovery campaigns to pursue only hit compounds with tractable mechanisms of action.     

Decreased expression levels of DAL-1 and TOB1 are associated with clinicopathological features and poor prognosis in gastric cancer

PurposeWe previously demonstrated that the functional inactivation of DAL-1 and TOB1 promotes an aggressive phenotype in gastric cancer cells, but the links between both genes and the survival of patients with gastric cancer are unknown. Here, we investigated the correlations of the expression levels of DAL-1 and TOB1 with the progression of gastric cancer.MethodsA total of 270 patients who underwent resectable gastrectomy were included. The expression of DAL-1 and TOB1 was detected by immunohistochemistry.ResultsLow expression of DAL-1 in cancer tissue was significantly associated with tumor site (p < 0.05), histological grade (p < 0.01), depth of invasion (p < 0.05), lymph node metastasis status (p < 0.05), Lauren classification (p < 0.001), and clinical stage (p < 0.01). A lower level of TOB1 was observed in gastric cancer patients with diffuse type disease compared to patients with either intestinal or mixed type disease (p < 0.001). Additionally, Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed that decreased expression of DAL-1 was positively correlated with low TOB1 expression (r=0.304, p < 0.001). The survival analysis showed that low levels of DAL-1 and TOB1 were significantly associated with poor survival of gastric cancer patients (p <0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively).ConclusionThe downregulation of DAL-1 and TOB1 expression is associated with shorter survival of gastric cancer patients. Hence, DAL-1 and TOB1 may be considered potential novel markers for predicting the outcomes of patients with gastric cancer.     

Investigation of the mechanisms of Genkwa Flos hepatotoxicity by a cell metabolomics strategy combined with serum pharmacology in HL-7702 liver cells

1. To investigate Genkwa Flos hepatotoxicity, a cell metabolomics strategy combined with serum pharmacology was performed on human HL-7702 liver cells in this study.

2. Firstly, cell viability and biochemical indicators were determined and the cell morphology was observed to confirm the cell injury and develop a cell hepatotoxicity model. Then, with the help of cell metabolomics based on UPLC-MS, the Genkwa Flos group samples were completely separated from the blank group samples in the score plots and seven upregulated as well as two down-regulated putative biomarkers in the loading plot were identified and confirmed. Besides, two signal molecules and four enzymes involved in biosynthesis pathway of lysophosphatidylcholine and the sphingosine kinase/sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway were determined to investigate the relationship between Genkwa Flos hepatotoxicity and these two classic pathways. Finally, the metabolic pathways related to specific biomarkers and two classic metabolic pathways were analyzed to explain the possible mechanism of Genkwa Flos hepatotoxicity.

3. Based on the results, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress, phospholipase A₂/lysophosphatidylcholine pathway, the disturbance of sphingosine-1-phosphate metabolic profile centered on sphingosine kinase/sphingosine-1-phosphate pathway and fatty acid metabolism might be critical participators in the progression of liver injury induced by Genkwa Flos.     

Association of PD-L1 gene rs4143815 C>G polymorphism and human cancer susceptibility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Programmed death ligand 1(PD-L1) mediated immune escape play important roles in the development of cancer. The gene polymorphism of PD-L1, in particular rs4143815 C?>?G, has been associated with the cancer risks, but with conflicting results. Therefore, this meta-analysis was aimed to assess the association between rs4143815 C?>?G and cancer susceptibility. A systematic literature search was performed to select the studies and the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the strength of association. Eleven eligible studies containing 3711 cases and 3704 controls were enrolled in the meta-analysis. The results suggested that there is a strong association between rs4143815 C?>?G and the cancer risks (G vs. C: OR?=?1.386, 95% CI: 1.132–1.696, p?=?0.002; GG vs. CG?+?CC: OR?=?1.843 95% CI: 1.300–2.613, p?=?0.002; GG?+?CG vs. CC: OR?=?1.280, 95% CI: 1.040–1.576, p?=?0.020). Subgroup analysis based on cancer type suggested that PD-L1 rs4143815 C?>?G might increase the susceptibility to gastric cancer (G vs. C: OR?=?1.842, 95% CI: 1.403–2.418, p?<?0.001) and bladder cancer (G vs. C: OR?=?2.015, 95% CI: 1.556–2.608, p?<?0.001), and genotype GG carriers of PD-L1 rs4143815 C?>?G might have higher risks of HCC (GG vs. CG?+?CC: OR?=?2.226 95% CI: 1.562–3.172, p?<?0.001). PD-L1 rs4143815 C?>?G might confer an increased cancer risk, indicating this SNP may contribute to the pathogenesis of cancer and might be used as a potential biomarker to predict the susceptibility to cancer.     

Effects of newly introduced antidiabetic drugs on autophagy

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder that has a complex molecular and cellular pathophysiology, resulting in its dynamic progression and that may show differing responses to therapy. The incidence of diabetes mellitus increases with age and requires additive therapeutic agents for its management. SGLT2i and DPP-4 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are newly introduced antidiabetic drugs that work through differing mechanisms; DPP-4 inhibitors maintain the endogenous level of GLP1; GLP-1RA result in pharmacological levels of GLP1, whilst SGLT2i act on the proximal tubules of the kidney. They have shown efficacy in the management of diabetes and in contrast to other antidiabetic drugs, do not inherently cause hypoglycemia in therapeutic doses. Autophagy as a highly conserved mechanism to maintain cell survival and homeostasis by degradation of damaged or aged organelles and components, and recognised to be increasingly important in diabetes. In the present review, we discuss the modulatory effects of these newly introduced antidiabetic drugs on the autophagy process.     

鞘磷脂类信号通路与动脉粥样硬化的研究进展

动脉粥样硬化是临床常见的冠心病和脑梗死等缺血性心脑血管疾病的主要病理基础,其病因复杂,发病机制尚未完全阐明。近年来,越来越多的研究显示鞘磷脂类信号通路可通过调节脂代谢、炎症和血管内皮功能等影响动脉粥样硬化的发生发展。文章综述了鞘磷脂类信号通路关键分子鞘磷脂、神经酰胺和1-磷酸鞘氨醇与动脉粥样硬化的关系,旨在为防治疾病提供新思路。     

Therapeutic effects of topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment in children with refractory vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Middle East

ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to review the efficacy and safety profile in children treated with topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment for vernal keratoconjunctivitis in Middle East and to propose a treatment posology. According to recent studies, a complex non-IgE dependent mechanism plays a relevant role in the pathogenesis of vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Numerous cells and mediators have been found in the serum, conjunctiva and tears of patients with Vernal keratoconjunctivitis.DesignThis case series included 10 patients from a single centre, pediatric department of a tertiary hospital with active symptomatic vernal keratoconjunctivitis. All the patients had proliferative lesions and corneal involvement despite conventional medications, including topical steroids. All other medications, systemic and topical: steroids, antihistamines and cyclosporine, were unsuccessful. Patients were treated with topical 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment twice daily for 8 weeks and then once a day for the next two month followed by thrice a week for two months. The changes in symptoms and signs after treatment were evaluated, also the development of possible complications was assessed.ResultsThe results showed a significant reduction in signs and symptoms after 4 weeks of the treatment. Clinical resolution of giant papillae and corneal lesions were seen within eight weeks and no additional drug was required during that period, except tear substitutes. Treatment was continued for period of two months and then slowly reduced.ConclusionThe use of 0.03% Tacrolimus ointment is safe and effective in children refractory to conventional treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis even in high temperature climate as Middle East. Due to the effectiveness of the treatment, the dosage used may be proposed for conventional use.