Delta magnetic resonance imaging radiomics features‑based nomogram predicts long‑term efficacy after induction chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: To establish and validate a delta-radiomics-based model for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) following induction chemotherapy (IC).

Methods And Materials: A total of 250 LA-NPC patients (training cohort: n = 145; validation cohort: n = 105) were enrolled. Radiomic features were extracted from MRI scans taken before and after IC, and changes in these features were calculated.

Prognostic value of circulating Epstein-Barr virus DNA level post-induction chemotherapy for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A recursive partitioning risk stratification analysis.

Background: To evaluate the prognostic value of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA level post-induction chemotherapy (IC) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: A total of 893 newly diagnosed NPC patients treated with IC were retrospectively reviewed. The recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was performed to construct a risk stratification model.

Failure pattern and suggestions for target volume delineation of carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Background: To review our long-term clinical experience, analyze the failure patterns, and give suggestions for target volume delineation of carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods: From April 2008 to May 2019, 30 patients with CASTLE treated by postoperative or radical IMRT in our center were retrospectively reviewed. A total dose of 56-60 Gy in 28-30 fractions was prescribed to patients without residual disease and 66 Gy in 33 fractions for patients with residual or unresectable disease.

Dissecting the heterogeneity of the microenvironment in primary and recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas using single-cell RNA sequencing.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a 10-15% recurrence rate, while no long term or durable treatment options are currently available. Single-cell profiling in recurrent NPC (rNPC) may aid in designing effective anticancer therapies, including immunotherapies. For the first time, we profiled the transcriptomes of ∼60,000 cells from four primary NPC and two rNPC cases to provide deeper insights into the dynamic changes in rNPC within radiation fields.

Optimization of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 siRNA Loaded Chitosan-Tripolyphosphate Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer Hepatic Metastasis in a Mouse Model.

Metastatic liver disease is the most frequent complication of colorectal cancer (CRC), and the development of liver-targeted nanoparticles for drug delivery is a promising therapeutic approach. However, to improve the efficacy of passive drug delivery, its release rate at the sites of liver metastases should be maximized while minimizing drug uptake in nontargeted cells. Herein, we report the development and use of tripolyphosphate (TPP) modified chitosan (CS) nanoparticles loaded with small interfering RNA (siRNA) directed against transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), which promotes tumorigenesis in advanced CRC.

Discrimination of A1555G and C1494T point mutations in the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene by on/off switch.

The objective of this study was to apply the "on/off" switch consisting of 3' phosphorothioate-modified allele specific primers and exo(+) polymerase in single base discrimination of A1555G and C1494T mutations in the highly conserved sites of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA. The two point mutations are the hotspot mutations associated with either aminoglycoside antibiotics induced deafness or inherited nonsyndromic hearing loss. The PCR products of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 12S rRNA gene were inserted into the pMD19-T vector for transformation into Escherichia coli JM109 competent cells for preparing wild-type pMD19-T/mt vector.

Clinical significance of immunohistochemical expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha as a prognostic marker in rectal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha), a subunit of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), furnishes tumor cells with the means of adapting to stress parameters, such as tumor hypoxia, and promotes critical steps in tumor progression and aggressiveness by inducing angiogenesis and regulating energy metabolism. In this study, we investigated the relationship between HIF-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and clinicopathologic characteristics, and evaluated the role of HIF-1alpha expression in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma.

Patients And Methods: The immunohistochemical expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF was evaluated in 30 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded postoperative rectal adenocarcinoma tissue samples.