Methane saline suppresses ferroptosis via the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway to ameliorate intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objectives: Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a multifactorial and complex clinical pathophysiological process. Current research indicates that the pathogenesis of intestinal I/R injury involves various mechanisms, including ferroptosis. Methane saline (MS) has been demonstrated to primarily exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in I/R injury.

Prognostic significance of TNFRSF4 expression and development of a pathomics model to predict expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: TNFRSF4 plays a significant role in cancer progression, especially in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to investigate the prognostic value of TNFRSF4 expression in patients with HCC and to develop a predictive pathomics model for its expression.

Methods: A cohort of patients with HCC retrieved from the TCGA database was analyzed using RNA-seq analysis to determine TNFRSF4 expression and its impact on overall survival (OS).

Up-regulation of MIC19 promotes growth and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma by activating ROS/NF-κB signaling.

Background: Mitochondrial malfunction has been well-recognized as a critical step in the pathogenesis of many types of diseases, including cancer. MIC19 is a core a subunit of the MICOS complex that plays a critical role in maintaining the normal function of mitochondria. However, the biological functions of MIC19 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unclear.

Complement C5 is a novel biomarker for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prominent malignant diseases, with a high incidence and a dismal prognosis. Metastasis to the liver is the leading cause of death in CRC patients. This study aimed to identify accurate metastatic biomarkers of CRC and investigate the potential molecular mechanisms of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer (LMCRC).

Efficacy of Drug-Eluting Bead Transarterial Chemoembolization in the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis.

We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in the treatment of colorectal cancer liver metastasis. A total of 120 patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis were divided into the TACE group (receiving TACE treatment,  = 60) and the DEB-TACE group (receiving DEB-TACE treatment,  = 60). At 1 month after treatment, the objective response rate (ORR) in the TACE group and DEB-TACE group were 65.

TFB2M activates aerobic glycolysis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the NAD /SIRT3/HIF-1α signaling.

Background And Aim: Increased aerobic glycolysis has been well-known as a hallmark of cancer, which is closely related to mitochondrial dysfunction. TFB2M (mitochondrial transcription factor B2) is a core mitochondrial transcription factor, which has been shown by us to play an oncogenic role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, whether TFB2M contributes to the aerobic glycolysis in HCC cells remains unexplored.

CRIF1 overexpression facilitates tumor growth and metastasis through inducing ROS/NFκB pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

CR6-interacting factor 1 (Crif1) is a mitochondrial protein which is required for the assembly of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes. Our bioinformatics analysis based on Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database revealed an aberrant overexpression of CRIF1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the clinical significance and biological functions of CRIF1 are still unclear in this malignancy.

Over-expression of TFB2M facilitates cell growth and metastasis via activating ROS-Akt-NF-κB signalling in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background & Aims: Human TFB2M (mitochondrial transcription factor B2) is a key regulator of mitochondria transcription. Our bioinformatic analysis based on the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) data revealed an aberrant over-expression of TFB2M in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the functional roles of TFB2M in tumourigenesis remains unexplored, including HCC.

NPAS2 Contributes to Liver Fibrosis by Direct Transcriptional Activation of Hes1 in Hepatic Stellate Cells.

Recently, emerging evidence shows that dysregulation of circadian genes is closely associated with liver fibrosis. However, how dysregulation of circadian genes promotes liver fibrosis is unknown. In this study, we show that neuronal PAS domain protein 2 (NPAS2), one of the core circadian molecules that has been shown to promote hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation, significantly contributed to liver fibrogenesis.

MTP18 overexpression contributes to tumor growth and metastasis and associates with poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Human MTP18 (mitochondrial protein 18 kDa) is a novel nuclear-encoded mitochondrial membrane protein that is involved in controlling mitochondrial fission. Our bioinformatic analysis of TCGA data revealed an aberrant overexpression of MTP18 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We analyzed its biological effects and prognostic significance in this malignancy.

Circulating miRNA-21-5p as a diagnostic biomarker for pancreatic cancer: evidence from comprehensive miRNA expression profiling analysis and clinical validation.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly fatal disease worldwide and is often misdiagnosed in its early stages. The exploration of novel non-invasive biomarkers will definitely benefit PC patients. Recently, circulating miRNAs in body fluids are emerging as non-invasive biomarkers for PC diagnosis.

Hsp60 exerts a tumor suppressor function by inducing cell differentiation and inhibiting invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60), a typical mitochondrial chaperone, is associated with progression of various cancers. However, its expression and significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain largely unclear. In the present study, the mRNA and protein expression of Hsp60 in HCC tissues were detected by quantitative RT-PCR (n=24), western blot (n=7), and immunohistochemical staining (n=295), respectively.

New Insight into the Anti-liver Fibrosis Effect of Multitargeted Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: From Molecular Target to Clinical Trials.

Tyrosine kinases (TKs) is a family of tyrosine protein kinases with important functions in the regulation of a broad variety of physiological cell processes. Overactivity of TK disturbs cellular homeostasis and has been linked to the development of certain diseases, including various fibrotic diseases. In regard to liver fibrosis, several TKs, such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor, and epidermal growth factor receptor kinases, have been identified as central mediators in collagen production and potential targets for anti-liver fibrosis therapies.

Glutathione S-transferase P1 gene rs4147581 polymorphism predicts overall survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: evidence from an enlarged study.

As the most important detoxifying enzymes in liver, glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) can protect hepatocytes against carcinogens. We conducted a large cohort study to investigate the prognostic value of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in seven encoding genes of GSTs for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Twelve SNPs were genotyped and correlated with overall survival in 469 HCC patients.

Polymorphisms of glutathione S-transferase genes and survival of resected hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Aim: To investigate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes on survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods: Twelve tagging SNPs in GST genes (including GSTA1, GSTA4, GSTM2, GSTM3, GSTO1, GSTO2 and GSTP1) were genotyped using Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX genotyping method in a cohort of 214 Chinese patients with resected HCC. The Cox proportional hazards model and log-rank test were performed to determine the SNPs related to outcome.

Glutathione S-transferase O2 gene rs157077 polymorphism predicts response to transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Some genetic alterations of glutathione S-transferase omega 2 (GSTO2) have been reported to increase the risk of many malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, their prognostic capability remained unresolved in HCC patients treated with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). To fill this gap, we genotyped three well-defined polymorphisms in GSTO2 to assess whether they can predict overall survival among 228 HCC patients under TACE treatment. The median follow-up time and survival time were 22.

Prognostic implications of estrogen receptor 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor A expression in primary gallbladder carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate the prognostic significance of estrogen receptor 1 (ER1) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression in primary gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) to identify new prognostic markers for this malignancy.

Methods: Using immunohistochemistry, we investigated ER1 and VEGF-A expression in 78 GBC and 78 cholelithiasis (CS) tissues. The results were correlated with clinicopathological features.

Reactive oxygen species generation is essential for cisplatin-induced accelerated senescence in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Accelerated senescence is important because this process is involved in tumor suppression and has been induced by many chemotherapeutic agents. The platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin displays a wide range of antitumor activities. However, the molecular mechanism of cisplatin-induced accelerated senescence in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear.

Protective role of hydrogen-rich water on aspirin-induced gastric mucosal damage in rats.

Aim: To investigate the role of the hydrogen-rich water (HRW) in the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

Methods: Forty male rats were allocated into four groups: normal control group, HRW group, aspirin group, and HRW plus aspirin group. The protective efficacy was tested by determining the gastric mucosal damage score.

Cisplatin induces cell cycle arrest and senescence via upregulating P53 and P21 expression in HepG2 cells.

Objective: Cellular senescence as one of the important steps against tumor is observed in many cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and is related to chemotherapeutic response. To investigate the effect of cisplatin on hepatocellular carcinoma, we treated HepG2 cells exhibiting wild-type TP53 with gradient concentrations of cisplatin.

Methods: The inhibitory effects of cisplatin on human hepatoma HepG2 cells were detected by MTT assay and colony formation test.

Upregulation of glycoprotein nonmetastatic B by colony-stimulating factor-1 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Considerable effort has been made in elucidating the appropriate biomarkers and the mechanism and functional significance of these biomarkers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Glycoprotein nonmetastatic B (GPNMB) overexpression occurs in cutaneous melanomas and breast cancer, and it is an attractive candidate for cancer therapy. However, little is known about the expression and regulation of GPNMB in HCC.

Highlights for α-fetoprotein in determining prognosis and treatment monitoring for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To explore the prognostic value in the monitoring of treatment efficacy of serial α-fetoprotein (AFP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE LIBRARY through April 21, 2012, to find qualifying articles. Our overall search strategy included terms for HCC, AFP, treatment response, and prognosis.

Gallbladder cancer: a subtype of biliary tract cancer which is a current challenge in China.

Biliary tract cancers, broadly described as malignancies that arise from the biliary tract epithelia, are usually divided into two major clinical phenotypes: cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, differing in etiopathogenesis, risk factors, and perhaps molecular and genetic signatures. Atypical symptoms and lack of tumor biomarkers make it difficult to diagnose in early stages. At the time of presentation, few patients are candidates for potentially curative surgical resection.

Prognosis and management for gallbladder cancer with hepatic invasion: long-term results of 139 patients from a single center in China.

Objective: To improve the diagnosis of primary gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) with/without hepatic metastases by analyzing our experience of different GBC treatment in our patients.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical data of the 139 patients with GBC who underwent hepatic resection in our unit from January 2003 to December 2007. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they demonstrated hepatic invasion.

Distinctions between clinicopathological factors and prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein negative and positive hepatocelluar carcinoma patients.

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a significant marker for clinical diagnosis and prognosis evaluation in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. However, some proportion of liver cancer patients are AFP-negative (AFP ≤20 ng/ml). In order to study the differences between clinicopathological factors and prognosis of alpha-fetoprotein negative and positive patients, a total of 114 cases (41 AFP-negative and 73 AFP-positive) were selected for our research.