MiR-145 modulates multiple components of the insulin-like growth factor pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Profiling of microRNA expression in human cancers has highlighted downregulation of miR-145 as a common event in epithelial malignancies. Here, we describe recurrent underexpression of miR-145 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the identification of a biological pathway by which miR-145 exerts its functional effects in liver tumorigenesis. In a cohort of 80 HCC patients, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction corroborated reduced miR-145 expression in 50% of tumors, which also correlated with a shorter disease-free survival of patients.

Deciphering the molecular genetic basis of NPC through molecular, cytogenetic, and epigenetic approaches.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is consistently associated with EBV infection and prevalence in southern China and Southeast Asia. In addition to EBV, the development of NPC involves cumulative genetic and epigenetic changes influenced by predisposing genetic factors and environmental carcinogens. Over the past two decades, knowledge of genetic and epigenetic alterations of NPC has rapidly accumulated.

CXCR6 and CCR5 localize T lymphocyte subsets in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The substantial T lymphocyte infiltrate found in cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been implicated in the promotion of both tumor growth and immune escape. Conversely, because malignant NPC cells harbor the Epstein-Barr virus, this tumor is a candidate for virus-specific T cell-based therapies. Preventing the accumulation of tumor-promoting T cells or enhancing the recruitment of tumor-specific cytotoxic T cells offers therapeutic potential.

Eight-signature classifier for prediction of nasopharyngeal [corrected] carcinoma survival.

Purpose: Currently, nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prognosis evaluation is based primarily on the TNM staging system. This study aims to identify prognostic markers for NPC.

Patients And Methods: We detected expression of 18 biomarkers by immunohistochemistry in NPC tumors from 209 patients and evaluated the association between gene expression level and disease-specific survival (DSS).

Inhibition of NOTCH3 signalling significantly enhances sensitivity to cisplatin in EBV-associated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an EBV-associated epithelial malignancy which is prevalent in south-east Asia and southern China. Despite the multiple genetic and epigenetic changes reported, the contribution of dysregulated signalling pathways to this distinct type of head and neck cancer is not well understood. Here we demonstrate the up-regulation of NOTCH ligands (JAG1 or DLL4) and effector (HEY1) in the majority of EBV-positive tumour lines and primary tumours.

CD133(+) liver tumor-initiating cells promote tumor angiogenesis, growth, and self-renewal through neurotensin/interleukin-8/CXCL1 signaling.

Unlabelled: A novel theory in the field of tumor biology postulates that cancer growth is driven by a population of stem-like cells, called tumor-initiating cells (TICs). We previously identified a TIC population derived from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is characterized by membrane expression of CD133. Here, we describe a novel mechanism by which these cells mediate tumor growth and angiogenesis by systematic comparison of the gene expression profiles between sorted CD133 liver subpopulations through genome-wide microarray analysis.

Carboxyl-terminal truncated HBx regulates a distinct microRNA transcription program in hepatocellular carcinoma development.

Background: The biological pathways and functional properties by which misexpressed microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to liver carcinogenesis have been intensively investigated. However, little is known about the upstream mechanisms that deregulate miRNA expressions in this process. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein (HBx), a transcriptional trans-activator, is frequently expressed in truncated form without carboxyl-terminus but its role in miRNA expression and HCC development is unclear.

Characterization of the gene structure, functional significance, and clinical application of RNF180, a novel gene in gastric cancer.

Background: By using genome-wide methylation screening, the authors identified ring finger protein 180 (RNF180) as preferentially methylated in cancer. This study was undertaken to clarify its structure and functional role in gastric cancer.

Methods: The transcription start site and core functional promoter region of RNF180 were revealed by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends and luciferase activity assays.

Zinc finger E-box binding factor 1 plays a central role in regulating Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent-lytic switch and acts as a therapeutic target in EBV-associated gastric cancer.

Background: The role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in gastric carcinogenesis remains largely unknown. The authors studied the effects of zinc finger E-box binding factor 1 (ZEB1) on latent-lytic switch of EBV infection in gastric cancer and explored the importance of EBV in gastric carcinogenesis.

Methods: Loss or gain of ZEB1 function was obtained by ZEB1 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) knock-down or forced ZEB1 re-expression.

Biomarker analyses and final overall survival results from a phase III, randomized, open-label, first-line study of gefitinib versus carboplatin/paclitaxel in clinically selected patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer in Asia (IPASS).

Purpose: The results of the Iressa Pan-Asia Study (IPASS), which compared gefitinib and carboplatin/paclitaxel in previously untreated never-smokers and light ex-smokers with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma were published previously. This report presents overall survival (OS) and efficacy according to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) biomarker status.

Patients And Methods: In all, 1,217 patients were randomly assigned.

Distinct DNA methylation epigenotypes in bladder cancer from different Chinese sub-populations and its implication in cancer detection using voided urine.

Background: Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the world and the incidence is particularly high in southwestern Taiwan. Previous studies have identified several tumor-related genes that are hypermethylated in bladder cancer; however the DNA methylation profile of bladder cancer in Taiwan is not fully understood.

Methods: In this study, we compared the DNA methylation profile of multiple tumor suppressor genes (APC, DAPK, E-cadherin, hMLH1, IRF8, p14, p15, RASSF1A, SFRP1 and SOCS-1) in bladder cancer patients from different Chinese sub-populations including Taiwan (104 cases), Hong Kong (82 cases) and China (24 cases) by MSP.

Sirtuin 1 is upregulated in a subset of hepatocellular carcinomas where it is essential for telomere maintenance and tumor cell growth.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor with a poor prognosis. Treatment of HCC is complicated by the fact that the disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage when it is no longer amenable to curative surgery, and current systemic chemotherapeutics are mostly inefficacious. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a class III histone deacetylase that is implicated in gene regulations and stress resistance.

Impact of pediatric Rome III criteria of functional dyspepsia on the diagnostic yield of upper endoscopy and predictors for a positive endoscopic finding.

Objective: Pediatric Rome III criteria of functional dyspepsia (FD) has eliminated the mandatory use of upper endoscopy and recommended a symptom-based approach. In the absence of alarm symptoms, FD can be positively diagnosed in children having normal physical findings without exclusionary investigations. We aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Rome III guidelines to discriminate organic diseases from FD and to identify the predictors for positive endoscopic findings.

Yes-associated protein 1 exhibits oncogenic property in gastric cancer and its nuclear accumulation associates with poor prognosis.

Purpose: Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) is a multifunctional protein that can interact with different transcription factors to activate gene expression. The role of YAP1 in tumorigenesis is unclear. We aimed to investigate the functional role of YAP1 in tumorigenesis of gastric cancer.

Novel mutations in PHKA2 gene in glycogen storage disease type IX patients from Hong Kong, China.

The diagnosis of glycogen storage disease (GSD) type IX is often complicated by the complexity of the phosphorylase kinase enzyme (PHK), and molecular analysis is the preferred way to provide definitive diagnosis. Here we reported two novel mutations found in two GSD type IX patients with different residual enzyme activities from Hong Kong, China using genetic analysis and, provided the molecular interpretation of the deficient PHK activity. These two newly described mutations would be useful for the study of future GSD patients.

miR-130b Promotes CD133(+) liver tumor-initiating cell growth and self-renewal via tumor protein 53-induced nuclear protein 1.

A novel paradigm in tumor biology suggests that cancer growth is driven by stem-like cells within a tumor, called tumor-initiating cells (TICs) or cancer stem cells (CSCs). Here we describe the identification and characterization of such cells from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using the marker CD133. CD133 accounts for approximately 1.

Massive subchorionic thrombohematoma: a series of 10 cases.

A retrospective audit identified 10 cases of massive idiopathic subchorionic thrombohematoma. The incidence was 1:3,133. Only six of these pregnancies resulted in a livebirth and only two reached term.

14-3-3sigma expression as a prognostic marker in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

In this study, we investigated the expression of 14-3-3sigma tumor suppressor gene in a panel of NPC cell lines, xenografts and primary tumors. Our objective was to determine the correlation between 14-3-3sigma expression and clinical outcome in NPC. We detected reduced 14-3-3sigma expression in 5/6 NPC tumor lines by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour: an imaging dilemma (2010: 5b). IMFT of the bladder.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMFT) is a distinct entity under the group of inflammatory pseudotumours. Sometimes these pseudotumours can have an aggressive appearance on imaging, which makes it indistinguishable from other malignant neoplasms. We present a case of IMFT of the bladder in a child.

Inhibitory role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in hepatocarcinogenesis in mice and in vitro.

Unlabelled: Although peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) agonist have been shown to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, the role of PPARgamma in hepatocarcinogenesis remains unclear. We investigated the therapeutic efficacy of PPARgamma against HCC. PPARgamma-deficient (PPARgamma(+/-)) and wild-type (PPARgamma(+/+)) littermates were used in a diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced HCC model and treated with PPARgamma agonist (rosiglitazone) or the vehicle alone for 8 months.

Late retroperitoneal recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma 12 years after initial diagnosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive tumor with poor long-term prognosis. Here, we present an unusual patient with a solitary recurrence of HCC in the right kidney 12 years after the initial diagnosis. This illustrates the importance of considering late recurrence in patients with a history of HCC and the management of these metastases.

Second-trimester detection of Mowat-Wilson syndrome using comparative genomic hybridization microarray testing.

Background: Fetuses with increased nuchal translucency but apparently normal karyotypes may have small genetic defects that are undetectable by conventional cytogenetic studies. Microarray comparative genomic hybridization (array comparative genomic hybridization) may help prenatal diagnosis by revealing small genetic defects.

Case: A patient presented with a fetus with large nuchal translucency and ambiguous genitalia at 13 weeks of gestation.

Alisol B, a novel inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase pump, induces autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis.

Emerging evidence suggests that autophagic modulators have therapeutic potential. This study aims to identify novel autophagic inducers from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs as potential antitumor agents. Using an image-based screen and bioactivity-guided purification, we identified alisol B 23-acetate, alisol A 24-acetate, and alisol B from the rhizome of Alisma orientale as novel inducers of autophagy, with alisol B being the most potent natural product.

Radiological appearance of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour.

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMFT) is a distinct entity with variable clinical presentation and therapeutic options. We present three paediatric cases of IMFT, originated from the lung, bladder and ovary respectively. All lesions were heterogeneous, with mixed solid/cystic components and infiltrative pattern, and were interpreted as aggressive malignant neoplasms initially due to their bizarre imaging appearance.