Circular RNA hsa_circ_0001306 Functions as a Competing Endogenous RNA to Regulate FBXW7 Expression by Sponging miR-527 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to regulate many types of cancers, including HCC. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential roles of hsa_circ_0001306 in HCC.

CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide Developed to Activate Primate Immune Responses Promotes Antitumoral Effects in Combination with a Neoantigen-Based mRNA Cancer Vaccine.

Purpose: The purpose of our research was to identify and evaluate synthetic phosphorothioate-modified CPG oligodeoxynucleotides (CPG-ODNs) activating innate and adaptive immune responses. Furthermore, combined treatment with CpG and an mRNA cancer vaccine was evaluated in melanoma models as a therapeutic approach.

Methods: A molecular assay was used to screen new CpG molecules; mouse modeling and pathological analysis were used to confirm the antitumor effect of CpG alone or in combination with an mRNA vaccine.

miR-137-3p Modulates the Progression of Prostate Cancer by Regulating the JNK3/EZH2 Axis.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide. Early detection of prostate cancer by prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening still has limitations. The discovery of new candidates is urgent and can provide insights into the mechanism involved in prostate cancer tumorigenesis.

Dysregulation of SPRR3/miR-876-3p Axis Contributes to Tumorigenesis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: SPRR3, also known as esophagin, has been shown to be involved in the initiation and progression of numerous types of tumor. However, the biological function of SPRR3 that contributes to non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) growth and migration is largely unknown.

Methods: The expression of SPRR3 and its association with EZH2 and miR-876-3p in NSCLC cells were determined by real-time PCR.

Subtype-specific secretomic characterization of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumor cells.

Pulmonary neuroendocrine (NE) cancer, including small cell lung cancer (SCLC), is a particularly aggressive malignancy. The lineage-specific transcription factors Achaete-scute homolog 1 (ASCL1), NEUROD1 and POU2F3 have been reported to identify the different subtypes of pulmonary NE cancers. Using a large-scale mass spectrometric approach, here we perform quantitative secretome analysis in 13 cell lines that signify the different NE lung cancer subtypes.

miR-140-3p functions as a tumor suppressor in squamous cell lung cancer by regulating BRD9.

Squamous cell lung cancer (SqCLC) is among the most malignant lung cancers worldwide, lacking biomarkers for diagnostic and targets for treatment. In this study, we observed that miR-140-3p was expressed at low levels both in SqCLC cell lines and patient samples, while overexpression of miR-140-3p dramatically reduced the cell proliferation and invasion in SqCLC cells and Patient derived xenograft (PDX) models. Our further investigation indicated miR-140-3p negatively affected the tumorigenesis of SqCLC by down-regulating the expression of BRD9, an oncogene in SqCLC.

Development and validation of serum exosomal microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. China accounts for over half of the new cases and deaths. Diagnostic imprecision and a lack of complimentary molecular biomarkers are partially responsible for this lack of progress.

Circulating HER-2 mRNA in the peripheral blood as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in females with breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a prevalent malignant cancer worldwide, and a lack of defined biomarkers for early prognostication contributes to its high associated mortality rate, especially in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-positive breast cancer. In the present study, HER-2 mRNA levels in patients were detected prior to surgery and during neoadjuvant chemotherapy to explore its potential diagnostic and prognostic value. Blood samples were collected from 70 patients with breast cancer, including 50 HER-2-negative and 20 HER-2-positive patients, prior to and following surgery (postoperative, n=13; neoadjuvant chemotherapy, n=5); the control group included 35 samples from healthy individuals.

Surgical excision and oncoplastic breast surgery in 32 patients with benign phyllodes tumors.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety in patients with benign phyllodes after performing local excision and following with intra-operative breast flap reconstruction.

Methods: Patients (n = 32) with eligible breast cystosarcoma phyllodes underwent wide local excision followed by intra-operative breast flap reconstruction. Primary outcome measures included average operative time, length of in-hospital stay, postoperative recurrence, and intra-operative and postoperative complications.

Exosomal miR-93 promotes proliferation and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma by directly inhibiting TIMP2/TP53INP1/CDKN1A.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant cancer worldwide; lacking biomarkers for early prognostication contributes to its high lethality. Herein, we report a novel biomarker, exosome delivered miR-93, is up-regulated in HCC cell line media and serum samples of HCC patients. We measured the proliferation and invasion ability of HCC cell lines following exosomal miR-93 treatment.

miR-342-3p suppresses cell proliferation and migration by targeting AGR2 in non-small cell lung cancer.

AGR2 is a well-studied secreted protein that is involved in multiple biological processes including cell proliferation and migration. The mechanism by which AGR2 increases the growth and migration of non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC) is still unknown. In this study, we report that AGR2 is directly targeted by miR-342-3p.

Modulation of glucose metabolism by a natural compound from Chloranthus japonicus via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor and regulator of glucose metabolism. Here, we demonstrated that shizukaol F, a natural compound isolated from Chloranthus japonicus, can activate AMPK and modulate glucose metabolism both in vitro and in vivo. Shizukaol F increased glucose uptake in differentiated C2C12 myotubes by stimulating glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) membraned translocation.

Quantitative Secretomic Analysis Identifies Extracellular Protein Factors That Modulate the Metastatic Phenotype of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women in the United States, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) representing 85% of all diagnoses. Late stage detection, metastatic disease and lack of actionable biomarkers contribute to the high mortality rate. Proteins in the extracellular space are known to be critically involved in regulating every stage of the pathogenesis of lung cancer.

Shizukaol D isolated from Chloranthus japonicas inhibits AMPK-dependent lipid content in hepatic cells by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction.

This study is the first to demonstrate that shizukaol D, a natural compound isolated from Chloranthusjaponicus, can activate AMP- activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key sensor and regulator of intracellular energy metabolism, leading to a decrease in triglyceride and cholesterol levels in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, we found that shizukaol D induces mitochondrial dysfunction by depolarizing the mitochondrial membrane and suppressing energy production, which may result in AMPK activation. Our results provide a possible link between mitochondrial dysfunction and AMPK activation and suggest that shizukaol D might be used to treat metabolic syndrome.

Preparation and characterization of paclitaxel-loaded DSPE-PEG-liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs) for improved bioavailability.

Lipid-based liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs) have attracted growing interest as a new drug nanocarrier system for improving bioavailability for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. In this study, self-assembled LCNPs based on soy phosphatidyl choline and glycerol dioleate, which was known possessing low toxicity and negligible hemolysis, were prepared using poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylethanolamine (DSPE-PEG) as the dispersing agent. Paclitaxel (PTX) was used as a model hydrophobic drug.