m6A结合蛋白IGF2BP1在肝细胞癌中的基因调控网络分析

目的 分析m6A阅读器胰岛素样生长因子2-mRNA结合蛋白1（insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 1，IGF2BP1）在肝细胞癌（hepatocellular carcinoma，HCC）中的表达水平及其对HCC患者预后的影响，并探讨IGF2BP1在HCC发生发展中的作用及其潜在机制。方法 基于5对HCC癌及相应癌旁组织mRNA-seq数据和TCGA数据库LIHC的mRNA-seq数据综合分析IGF2BP1在HCC中的表达情况，同时利用TCGA数据库中343例HCC患者的临床随访资料分析IGF2BP1表达水平对HCC患者总生存期的影响。基于TCGA数据库筛选IGF2BP1的共表达mRNA，并利用m6Avar在线网站预测mRNA的m6A位点及其RNA结合蛋白等信息，最终构建IGF2BP1的基因调控网络。结果 IGF2BP1基因在HCC中表达上调（log2FC HCC转录组数据=10.684，P<0.001；log2FC TCGA-LIHC数据集=7.032，P<0.001）。生存分析显示IGF2BP1低表达的HCC患者中位生存时间为5.84年，IGF2BP1高表达患者为4.44年，高表达患者总生存期缩短（P=0.011）。22个差异表达的mRNA与IGF2BP1存在靶向结合关系，并与其表达水平呈正相关。其中，HMGA2等15个高表达mRNA的HCC患者总生存期缩短。HMGA2、PEG10、CEP55、RHO、CDC6和KIF23基因中的潜在m6A甲基化位点位于mRNA 3'UTR端的miRNA结合区域。结论 IGF2BP1在HCC中高表达且导致患者总生存期缩短。IGF2BP1可能通过m6A甲基化及miRNA抑制作用的方式上调mRNA的表达，促进HCC发生并导致不良预后。     

Characterization of Malignant Portal Vein Thrombosis with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography

We prospectively evaluated the effectiveness of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for differentiation of benign versus malignant portal vein thrombosis (PVT). We studied a total of 43 patients with chronic liver disease, hepatocellular carcinoma-suggestive nodules and confirmed PVT, in whom the nature of the PVT was confirmed by follow-up imaging (US, computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging) performed up to 6 mo after CEUS. PVT was assessed by US, Doppler US and CEUS with respect to vessel wall disruption and/or invasion, color Doppler vascularization, pulsed Doppler vascularization pattern and CEUS enhancement and vascularization pattern, and thrombi were classified as benign or malignant based on these findings. Follow-up studies revealed malignant PVT in 22 of the 43 patients (51%) and benign PVT in 21 patients (49%). CEUS findings were consistent with follow-up studies in 41 of the 43 patients (95%), with κ?=?0.903 (p < 0.0001), sensitivity?=?91% and specificity?=?100%, indicating that CEUS can be confidently used to differentiate benign from malignant portal vein thrombosis in the setting of chronic liver disease.     

Syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum associated with atypical stroma: A hitherto undocumented variant of sarcomatoid carcinoma

Carcinosarcomas are biphasic tumors composed of admixed malignant epithelial and mesenchymal components. Numerous terms have been used to name such neoplasms; therefore, terminological confusion is frequent. Most examples of carcinosarcomas are encountered in non‐cutaneous sites, with approximately 100 cases of cutaneous carcinosarcomas reported so far in the English literature. Although different theories have been suggested to explain the occurrence of these peculiar neoplasms, histogenetic mechanisms should be better hypothesized depending on each individual case. Even though prognosis tends to be related to the specific components of the lesion, especially the epithelial one, it seems that cases of cutaneous localization usually have a better outcome. We report an exceedingly rare case of syringocystadenocarcinoma papilliferum which showed an atypical stroma with sarcomatoid appearance, and highlight that the terminology used for this spectrum of lesions is disorganized and confusing.     

Disparity in the use of adjuvant radioactive iodine ablation among high-risk papillary thyroid cancer patients

BackgroundWe sought to identify treatment disparities existing prior to publication of the 2015 American Thyroid Association Management Guidelines in order to identify patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) at risk for receiving inadequate treatment.MethodsPatients diagnosed with PTC from 2011 to 2013 were identified using Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database. High-risk disease was defined as T4, N1, or M1. Chi-square tests compared characteristics of patients with and without high-risk disease and characteristics of high-risk patients who did and did not receive radioactive iodine ablation (RAI). Likelihoods of having high-risk disease, of receiving RAI, and of cause-specific death were calculated using regression analyses.ResultsSample included 32,229 individuals; 7894 (24.5%) had high-risk disease. Mean age was 50.0 years, 24,815 (77.0%) were female, and 21,318 (66.2%) were white. Odds of high-risk disease were greater among males (OR:2.04; 95% CI:1.92–2.16), Hispanics (OR:1.67; 95% CI:1.56–1.79) and Asians (OR:1.49; 95% CI:1.37–1.62), and uninsured (OR:1.24; 95% CI:1.07–1.43), and lower among patients ages 45–64 (OR:0.57; 95% CI:0.53–0.60), and ≥65 years (OR:0.54; 95% CI:0.50–0.59), and Blacks (OR:0.46; 95% CI:0.40–0.53). Most (69.3%) high-risk patients received RAI. Odds of receiving RAI were lower among patients age ≥65 years (OR:0.67; 95% CI:0.58–0.77), uninsured (OR:0.52; 95% CI:0.41–0.67), or with Medicaid (OR:0.58; 95% CI:0.50–0.69). RAI use reduced the risk of cause-specific mortality (HR:0.29; 95% CI:0.18–0.47).ConclusionKnowledge of these treatment disparities will allow recognition of groups at risk for high-risk disease and receiving inadequate treatment.     

Risk communication in a patient decision aid for radiotherapy in breast cancer: How to deal with uncertainty?

Background and aimPatient decision aids for oncological treatment options, provide information on the effect on recurrence rates and/or survival benefit, and on side-effects and/or burden of different treatment options. However, often uncertainty exists around the probability estimates for recurrence/survival and side-effects which is too relevant to be ignored. Evidence is lacking on the best way to communicate these uncertainties. The aim of this study is to develop a method to incorporate uncertainties in a patient decision aid for breast cancer patients to support their decision on radiotherapy.MethodsFirstly, qualitative interviews were held with patients and health care professionals. Secondly, in the development phase, thinking aloud sessions were organized with four patients and 12 health care professionals, individual and group-wise.ResultsConsensus was reached on a pictograph illustrating the whole range of uncertainty for local recurrence risks, in combination with textual explanation that a more exact personalized risk would be given by their own physician. The pictograph consisted of 100 female icons in a 10 x 10 array. Icons with a stepwise gradient color indicated the uncertainty margin. The prevalence and severity of possible side-effects were explained using verbal labels.ConclusionsWe developed a novel way of visualizing uncertainties in recurrence rates in a patient decision aid. The effect of this way of communicating risk uncertainty is currently being tested in the BRASA study (NCT03375801).     

Significance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in Characterization of Equivocal Lesions in High-Risk Testicular Carcinoma in Restaging Setting

Objectives: The present study aims to evaluate the role of Positron emission tomography (PET) -computed tomography (CT) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) in the restaging of high-risk testicular cancer. Methods: Forty-five patients (mean age of 38.1±11.3 years and range 23-81 years) with testicular carcinoma, underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT during their clinical course were prospectively selected. PET positivity was defined as a site of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake in tissue histologically proven or clinically or radiographically suspected to represent tissue involvement. The sites of disease were characterized as either nodal or extranodal. All patients were followed-up for at least 12 months with a diagnostic and/or functional imaging modality. Results: Of the 45 patients 38 (84%) patient presented with seminoma and 7 (16%) were Non-seminomatous germ cell tumors. Analysis of secondary disease spectrum showed nodal involvement in 65%, osseous involvement in 23% and mixed visceral/soft tissue lesions in 12% of patients. Nineteen (42%) were negative for any metastatic disease. All negative patients remain disease free in the follow-up of one year. Out of the positive 26/45 patients, PET-CT showed progressive disease in 3/26, stable disease 1/26 and partial response in 2/26 and complete metabolic resolution in 20/26 patients. 18F-FDG PET-CT was able to characterize all patients leading to significant change of primary decision of wait and watch to go for treatment and vice versa. Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET-CT scan is potentially an excellent tool for characterization of equivocal lesions on CT scan in the restaging settings and follow up of high-risk testicular cancer patients.