Nicotinic acid protects germinal vesicle oocyte meiosis against toxicity of benzo(a)pyrene in mice and humans.

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was detected in human follicular fluid at concentrations of approximately 5 nM in smokers and 7 nM in cases of assisted reproductive failure. However, whether low concentration of BaP affects germinal vesicle (GV) oocyte maturation remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of 5 nM BaP on GV oocyte maturation in both mice and humans.

Insufficient HtrA2 causes meiotic defects in aging germinal vesicle oocytes.

Background: High-temperature requirement protease A2 (HtrA2/Omi) is a mitochondrial chaperone that is highly conserved from bacteria to humans. It plays an important role in mitochondrial homeostasis and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the role of HtrA2 in mouse oocyte maturation.

ANGPTL4 overexpression inhibits tumor cell adhesion and migration and predicts favorable prognosis of triple-negative breast cancer.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients have relatively poor clinical outcomes. A marker predicting the prognosis of patients with TNBC could help guide treatment. Extensive evidence demonstrates that angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) is involved in the regulation of cancer growth, metastasis and angiogenesis.

microRNA-124 inhibits stem-like properties and enhances radiosensitivity in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells via direct repression of expression of JAMA.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a source of tumour recurrence in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC); however, the function of microRNA-124 (miR-124) in NPC CSCs has not been clearly defined. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-124 in NPC CSCs. qRT-PCR was performed to measure miR-124 expression in NPC tissues and cell lines and the effects of miR-124 on stem-like properties and radiosensitivity of NPC cells measured.

Prognostic model and optimal treatment for patients with stage IVc nasopharyngeal carcinoma at diagnosis.

The treatment for patients with stage IVc nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at diagnosis was still controversial. In this study, we tried to build a prognostic score model and optimize the treatment for the patients. The prognostic model was based on the primary cohort involving 289 patients from 2002 to 2011 and the validation involving another 156 patients from 2012 to 2015.

Long-term outcome and pattern of failure for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Purpose: To analyze the long-term outcome and pattern of failure for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods And Materials: Patients with NPC after IMRT from 2001 to 2008 were recruited (n = 865). Clinical features, laboratory data, and treatments were collected.

Efficacy and safety of anti-EGFR agents administered concurrently with standard therapies for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Agents targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are used to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, their efficacy and safety is poorly understood. Here we evaluated the efficacy and safety of anti-EGFR agents administered concurrently with standard therapies for HNSCC. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated addition of EGFR targeted therapy versus standard therapy alone were included.

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes predict prognosis of breast cancer patients treated with anti-Her-2 therapy.

Purpose: Infiltration of tumor associated lymphocytes and count of its different phenotypes are potentially new independent predictor of prognosis in breast cancer. However, research related to it is less reported in breast cancer patients treated with anti-Her-2 therapy. Thus, we evaluated the relationship between survival and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes including its different phenotypes in tumors of such patients.

Oligometastases in AJCC stage IVc nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A subset with better overall survival.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the patterns of metastasis and therapeutic approaches in American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage IVc nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 263 patients with stage IVc NPC revealed the incidence of bone, liver, and lung metastases was 67.7%, 32.

Prognostic significance of tumor volume in locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with salvage intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Introduction: To evaluate the prognostic value of gross tumor volume (TV) in patients with locally recurrent, nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: Between 2001 and 2012, 291 consecutive patients with locally recurrent, nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma underwent salvage IMRT were retrospectively reviewed. The correlations between TV and recurrent T classification were analyzed.