Outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome

Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been reported to provide prolonged remission of relapsed/refractory mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), its role has not been fully evaluated. Here, the outcomes of allogeneic HSCT for patients with MF/SS were retrospectively evaluated by using the registry database of the Japan Society for Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation. Forty-eight patients were evaluable and enrolled in the analysis. Median age was 45.5 years. Eighteen patients (38%) received myeloablative conditioning, and 33 (69%) received HSCT from an alternative donor. Disease status was complete or partial response in 25% of the patients and relapsed or refractory in the others. At the time of analysis, 18 patients were alive, with a median follow-up of 31.0 months (range, 3.8-31.1). Three-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 30% (95%CI, 16-45%) and 19% (95%CI, 9-31%), respectively. Disease progression was not observed later than 17 months after transplantation. Both disease status and performance status at transplant significantly affected OS and PFS. Although our findings suggest that allogeneic HSCT provides long-term PFS in patients with MF/SS, the timing of transplantation should be decided carefully based on the disease status and the patient's condition in order to improve the outcome.     

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Thoracic Malignancies: Review of the Existing Evidence by an IASLC Expert Panel and Recommendations

In the past 10 years, a deeper understanding of the immune landscape of cancers, including immune evasion processes, has allowed the development of a new class of agents. The reactivation of host antitumor immune response offers the potential for long-term survival benefit in a portion of patients with thoracic malignancies.The advent of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death ligand-1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), both as single agents and in combination with chemotherapy, and more recently, the combination of ICI, anti–programmed cell death protein 1, and anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 antibody, have led to breakthrough therapeutic advances for patients with advanced NSCLC, and to a lesser extent, patients with SCLC. Encouraging activity has recently emerged in pretreated patients with thymic carcinoma (TC). Conversely, in malignant pleural mesothelioma, pivotal positive signs of activity have not been fully confirmed in randomized trials. The additive effects of chemoradiation and immunotherapy suggested intriguing potential for therapeutic synergy with combination strategies. This has led to the introduction of ICI consolidation therapy in stage III NSCLC, creating a platform for future therapeutic developments in earlier-stage disease. Despite the definitive clinical benefit observed with ICI, primary and acquired resistance represent well-known biological phenomena, which may affect the therapeutic efficacy of these agents.The development of innovative strategies to overcome ICI resistance, standardization of new patterns of ICI progression, identification of predictive biomarkers of response, optimal treatment duration, and characterization of ICI efficacy in special populations, represent crucial issues to be adequately addressed, with the aim of improving the therapeutic benefit of ICI in patients with thoracic malignancies.In this article, an international panel of experts in the field of thoracic malignancies discussed these topics, evaluating currently available scientific evidence, with the final aim of providing clinical recommendations, which may guide oncologists in their current practice and elucidate future treatment strategies and research priorities.     

miRNA-325-3p通过下调细胞角蛋白13 的表达降低鼻咽癌细胞CNE1 的放疗敏感性

目的：探究miRNA-325-3p 及其靶基因细胞角蛋白13（cytokeratin 13，CK13）对鼻咽癌细胞CNE1 的放疗敏感性的影响。方法：通过miRBase、Targetscan 及Microcosm 三大数据库预测miRNA-325-3p 的潜在靶基因，并通过双荧光素酶活性检测实验进行验证，qPCR检测不同放射剂量下鼻咽癌细胞CNE1 中miRNA-325-3p 及其靶基因的表达水平变化，通过克隆形成实验观察不同放射剂量下过表达miRNA-325-3p 及敲低靶基因后CNE1 细胞克隆形成率的变化，流式细胞术验证过表达miRNA-325-3p及敲低靶基因后CNE1 在不同放射剂量下凋亡水平的变化，MTT法检测miRNA-325-3p 过表达和CK13 敲低组鼻咽癌细胞CNE1在不同放射剂量下的细胞存活率以验证其放疗敏感性的变化。结果：CK13 确认为miRNA-325-3p 的潜在靶基因，鼻咽癌细胞CNE1 经放射处理后，miRNA-325-3p 的表达水平显著升高、CK13 的表达水平显著降低（均P<0.05）。miRNA-325-3p 表达量上调和CK13 基因沉默均显著提高CNE1 细胞的存活率[miRNA上调时：（60.14±3.55）% vs（19.23±3.42）%，t=14.37、P<0.01；CK13 沉默时：（76.15±5.13）% vs（28.53±3.68）%，t=13.06、P<0.01]和克隆形成率，降低了凋亡率[miRNA 上调时：（27.95±2.67）% vs（51.68±3.47）%，t=9.39、P<0.01；CK13 沉默时：（20.31±2.62）% vs（38.14±3.83）%，t=6.66、P<0.01]。结论：miRNA-325-3p 能够通过下调靶基因CK13的表达降低鼻咽癌细胞CNE1 对放疗的敏感性。     

RG108 调控 TFPI-2 甲基化/TMPRSS4 表达对 NSCLC 细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：探讨RG108对人非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）A549和H1299细胞增殖、凋亡的影响及其可能的作用机制。方法：体外培养A549和H1299细胞，经不同浓度RG108处理后，采用MTT法、流式细胞术分别检测细胞增殖率、细胞周期和凋亡水平；qPCR和Western blotting（WB）法检测细胞内TFPI-2 mRNA和蛋白的表达及TMPRSS4的表达量，以甲基化特异性PCR和比色法检测细胞中TFPI-2启动子区域甲基化的状态和程度；分别采用siRNA-TFPI-2和pcDNA3.0-TMPRSS4质粒敲减TFPI-2或过表达TMPRSS4，然后检测细胞增殖率及凋亡率的变化。结果：RG108处理后，A549和H1299细胞的增殖率显著降低（均P<0.05）、细胞周期阻滞于G1/S期（均P<0.05）而凋亡率显著增加（均P<0.01），细胞中TFPI-2 mRNA及蛋白表达水平均显著升高（P<0.01和P<0.05），同时细胞中TFPI-2启动子区域甲基化程度显著降低（均P<0.05）、TMPRSS4的表达也明显减少（P<0.05）。沉默TFPI-2表达后，A549和H1299细胞的增殖水平显著增加（均P<0.05），而转染pcDNA3.0-TMPRSS4质粒则显著降低细胞的凋亡率（均P<0.05）。结论：RG108能够通过抑制TFPI-2甲基化负向调控TMPRSS4表达进而抑制A549和H1299细胞的增殖，并促进其凋亡。     

circRNA_001569通过miR-145/HBXIP轴影响乳腺癌细胞的恶性生物学行为

目的：探讨 circRNA_001569 通过 miR-145/HBXIP 轴在乳腺癌细胞增殖、侵袭、迁移中发挥的作用。方法:收集2016年1月至2019年1月期间衡水市人民医院收治的30例乳腺癌患者的癌组织和癌旁组织。qPCR检测circRNA_001569在乳腺癌组织、癌旁组织以及细胞系中的表达。生物信息学工具预测miR-145的靶基因，RNA免疫沉淀（RNA immunoprecipitation，RIP）和双荧光素酶报告基因实验检测 miR-145 或靶基因之间的相互作用 ；向乳 腺 癌 MDA-MB-231 和 MCF-7细胞中转染si-circRNA_001569、miR-145 mimics或miR-145 inhibitor，建立基因过表达或沉默的细胞模型，qPCR和Western blotting分别检测转染对相关基因和蛋白表达的影响，CCK-8法、Transwell实验检测转染对细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移的影响。结果:在乳腺癌组织和乳腺癌细胞中，circRNA_001569 和 HBXIP 均呈高表达、miR-145 呈低表达。RIP 分析和双荧光素酶实验证实了 miR-145 与circRNA_001569和HBXIP之间的靶向关系；circRNA_001569或HBXIP过表达促进MDA-MB-231和MCF-7细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移（均 P<0.01），而 miR-145 过表达起相反的作用（均 P<0.01）。结论:circRNA_001569 可能通过下调 miR-145 的表达、上调HBXIP的表达从而促进乳腺癌细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移。     

非小细胞肺癌顺铂耐药相关基因生物信息学研究

目的：通过分析非小细胞肺癌顺铂敏感株及耐药株的基因芯片表达数据，筛选差异基因及关键通路，构建蛋白相互作用网络，探讨关键集群功能。方法:从GEO数据库获得基因芯片表达数据，利用GEO2R工具筛选差异基因，通过STRING数据库和Cytoscape软件构建蛋白相互作用网络，经DAVID富集得到相关特征基因与信号通路信息。结果：通过芯片分析共获得481个差异表达基因，相比于敏感细胞株，顺铂获得性耐药细胞株中有418个上调基因和63个下调基因。差异基因功能主要富集在piRNA代谢、DNA甲基化修饰、细胞有丝分裂及细胞周期进程等信号通路。蛋白复合物预测得到主要功能集群6个，分别与细胞趋化性、细胞角化性、piRNA代谢过程、细胞因子受体相互作用、细胞因子分泌调节及染色质沉默相关生物进程相关。结论:本研究利用生物信息学方法，发现顺铂耐药细胞株特征基因及信号通路，其中SAA1、KRT5、TDRD9、BCL2A1、CSF1R和HIST1H1A等显著上调基因及其功能集团可能是非小细胞肺癌顺铂耐药的潜在分子机制，为临床精准治疗提供新的理论依据。     

The prognostic relevance of histologic subtype in appendiceal adenocarcinoma

BackgroundThe aim of this population-based study was to determine the prognostic value of the histologic subtypes mucinous (MAC), non-mucinous (AC) and signet ring cell (SRCC) adenocarcinoma among patients with appendiceal cancer.Methods and materialsData from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) of patients with primary appendiceal adenocarcinomas with MAC, AC and SRCC histologic subtype, diagnosed between 2001 and 2015 were used (n = 675). To categorize patients according to the recent histopathological classification, the NCR was linked with the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA). Log-rank tests and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to estimate overall survival (OS), and the cox proportional hazards model was run to identify prognostic factors.ResultsAC was the most frequently encountered histologic subtype (50.9%), followed by MAC (35.8%) and SRCC (13.3%). In locoregional disease, histologic subtype was not a prognostic factor for OS with 5-year survival rates for patients with AC, MAC and SRCC of 60.0%, 60.5% and 69.6% respectively (p = 0.68). Metastatic disease was more common in SRCC (53.8%) than in MAC (38.8%) and AC (23.4%) (p < 0.0001). Median OS for patients with metastatic disease was 12.6, 27.7 and 18.2 months in AC, MAC and SRCC respectively (p < 0.005). MAC was associated with higher survival compared to AC (HR 0.48, 95%CI 0.34–0.69). In subanalyses, MAC was only a positive prognostic factor compared to AC in patients with peritoneal metastases (HR 0.42, 95%CI 0.28–0.62).ConclusionHistologic subtype had no prognostic relevance in locoregional or systemic metastatic disease in appendiceal adenocarcinoma. In peritoneal metastases, mucinous histologic subtype was a favorable prognostic factor, compared to non-mucinous and signet ring cell subtype.     

LncRNA UCA1对肺癌细胞放射敏感性影响及机制研究

目的 研究长链非编码RNA (LncRNA) UCA1对肺癌细胞增殖、凋亡及放射敏感性影响及其机制。方法 运用qRT-PCR法检测肺癌细胞A549、H1299和人正常肺细胞HBE中UCA1、miR-513a-5p表达。将si-con组(转染si-con)、si-UCA1组(转染si-UCA1)、miR-513a-5p组(转染miR-513a-5p mimics)、miR-NC组(转染miR-NC)、IR+si-con组(转染si-con+照射)、IR+si-UCA1组(转染miR-NC+照射)、IR+miR-513a-5p组(转染miR-513a-5p mimics+照射)、IR+miR-NC组(转染miR-NC+照射)、IR+si-UCA1+anti-miR-513a-5p组(共转染si-UCA1和anti-miR-513a-5p+照射)均用脂质体法转染至A549、H1299细胞,然后部分组进行4Gy照射。MTT法检测各组细胞增殖,克隆形成实验检测细胞增敏比,流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡,双荧光素没报告基因检测实验检测各组细胞的荧光活性。结果 与HBE细胞相比,A549、H1299细胞中UCA1表达显著升高(P<0.05),miR-513a-5p表达显著降低(P<0.05)。抑制UCA1、过表达miR-513a-5p均可明显抑制A549、H1299细胞增殖、促进凋亡、提高放射敏感性(放射增敏比为1.897、2.146和1.615、1.872)。miR-513a-5p可抑制野生型UCA1细胞的荧光活性,且UCA1可负向调控miR-513a-5p的表达。抑制miR-513a-5p可逆转抑制UCA1对细胞的放射敏感性的增强作用。结论 抑制LncRNA UCA1可增强放射对肺癌细胞敏感性,其机制可能与靶向抑制miR-513a-5p有关。     

miR-9通过靶向E盒结合锌指蛋白2调控小细胞肺癌的恶性生物学行为及其可能的机制

目的：探讨 miR-9 通过靶向 E 盒结合锌指蛋白 2（zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2，ZEB2）对小细胞肺癌（small cell lung cancer，SCLC）细胞生物学行为的调控作用，分析miR-9在SCLC中的作用及其工作机制。方法：采用qPCR、WB和免疫组化方法检测于2018年2月至2019年11月于河北医科大学第四医院肿瘤内科接受手术治疗的67例SCLC患者癌组织及癌旁组织中ZEB2的表达。采用TargetScan预测miR-9的潜在靶基因并通过双荧光素酶报告基因试验、qPCR和WB法进行验证。CCK-8法、流式细胞术和Transwell实验检测miR-9和ZEB2 过表达对 NCI-H446 的生物学行为影响，WB法检测对细胞中E-cadherin，N-cadherin和Vimentin蛋白表达的影响。利用miR-9过表达NCI-H446细胞构建SCLC裸鼠移植瘤模型，观察miR-9对裸鼠移植瘤生长的影响。结果：SCLC组织中ZEB2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平明显高于癌旁正常组织（P<0.01）。miR-9在ZEB2的3'' UTR上具有潜在的结合位点，与对照组相比，miR-9过表达组NCI-H446细胞中ZEB2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平明显降低（P<0.01），细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭能力均显著下降（P<0.05或P<0.01），促EMT蛋白表达减少，而同时过表达ZEB2能够逆转上述影响。体内实验中，miR-9过表达组移植瘤体积、重量均明显低于对照组（P<0.05或P<0.01）。miR-9组裸鼠肿瘤组织中和ZEB2蛋白的表达均较对照组明显降低（P<0.01）。结论：miR-9通过靶向调控ZEB2从而抑制SCLC细胞的生物学行为以及NCI-H446裸鼠移植瘤的生长。