RFT2 is overexpressed in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and promotes tumorigenesis by sustaining cell proliferation and protecting against cell death.

Human riboflavin transporter 2 (RFT2, also termed as SLC52A3) was recently identified as a susceptibility gene to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), however, its expression and biologic function has remained unclear in ESCC. In this study, we demonstrated that RFT2 was frequently overexpressed in tumor samples compared with normal adjacent tissue in ESCC patients. Knockdown of RFT2 in ESCC cells resulted in decreases of intracellular flavin status, mitochondrial membrane potential and cellular ATP levels, and inhibitions of cell proliferation, colony formation and anchorage-independent growth.

Macrophage inhibitory factor 1 acts as a potential biomarker in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and is a target for antibody-based therapy.

Macrophage inhibitory factor 1 (MIC1) is frequently altered in various cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of MIC1 for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Serum MIC1 of 286 ESCC and 250 healthy subjects was detected, the diagnostic performance was assessed and compared with SCC, CEA, CA199 and CA724, and the value as a prognostic indicator was also evaluated.

[Research advances in induced pluripotent stem cells].

Differentiated somatic cells can be directly reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in vitro. Similarly to embryonic stem (ES) cells, iPS cells have pluripotency to differentiate into all cell types and capability to self-renew themselves indefinitely. Without immune rejection and ethical issues, patient-specific iPS cells promise to be an ideal tool for regenerative medicine, drug screening, and toxicity testing.