By inhibiting PFKFB3, aspirin overcomes sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the few cancers with a continuous increase in incidence and mortality. Drug resistance is a major problem in the treatment of HCC. In this study, two sorafenib-resistant HCC cell lines and a nude mouse subcutaneously tumor model were used to explore the possible mechanisms leading to sorafenib resistance, and to investigate whether aspirin could increase the sensitivity of hepatoma cells to sorafenib.

Quercetin prevents hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation and reducing autophagy via the TGF-β1/Smads and PI3K/Akt pathways.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of quercetin on hepatic fibrosis, a characteristic response to acute or chronic liver injury. Mice were randomized to bile duct ligation (BDL) or carbon tetrachloride (CCl) cirrhosis models. Quercetin (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg daily) was administered by gavage for 2 or 4 weeks.

The natural product fucoidan ameliorates hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice.

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide based predominantly on l-fucose, and has several biologic functions. Reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis and autophagy and release of related inflammatory factors have important roles in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IR). Here, the effect of fucoidan on hepatic IR was investigated.

Pretreatment with propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate ameliorated concanavalin A-induced liver injury by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway in mice.

Aims: Propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate (PSS), a sulfated polysaccharide possesses anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we investigated the effect of PSS on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced liver injury in mice and examined the underlying mechanisms.

Main Methods: Balb/C mice were injected intravenously with Con A (25mg/kg) to generate a model of acute liver injury.

Salidroside pretreatment attenuates apoptosis and autophagy during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in mice.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) contributes to liver damage in many clinical situations, such as liver resection and liver transplantation. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent salidroside (Sal) on hepatic IRI in mice. The mice were randomly divided into six groups: normal control, Sham, Sal (20 mg/kg), IRI, IRI + Sal (10 mg/kg), and IRI + Sal (20 mg/kg).

Prognostic value of CD146 in solid tumor: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CD146, also known as melanoma cell adhesion molecule, was initially identified as a marker of melanoma progression and metastasis. Recently many clinical studies investigated overexpression of CD146 predict poor prognosis of solid tumor, however, the results was inconclusive, partly due to small numbers of patients included. This present meta-analysis was therefore performed utilizing the results of all clinical studies concerned to determine the prognostic value of CD146 expression in solid tumors.

AMPKα phosphatase Ppm1E upregulation in human gastric cancer is required for cell proliferation.

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a valuable anti-cancer strategy. In the current study, we tested expression and potential function of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase phosphatase (Ppm1E), an AMPKα phosphatase, in human gastric cancers. Ppm1E expression was elevated in human gastric cancer tissues (vs.

Identification of DNA-PKcs as a primary resistance factor of TIC10 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

The current study tested the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell activity of TIC10, a first-in-class small-molecule tumor necrosis (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) inducer. TIC10 exerted potent anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic actions in primary and established human HCC cells. TIC10 blocked Akt-Erk activation, leading to Foxo3a nuclear translocation, as well as TRAIL and death receptor-5 (DR5) transcription in HCC cells.

Ulk1 over-expression in human gastric cancer is correlated with patients' T classification and cancer relapse.

Ulk1 is a key autophagy protein. Here, we tested expression and potential function of Ulk1 in human gastric cancer. Ulk1 mRNA and protein were significantly elevated in multiple fresh human gastric cancer tissues.

The protective effects of shikonin on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury are mediated by the activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, which can result in severe liver injury and dysfunction, occurs in a variety of conditions such as liver transplantation, shock, and trauma. Cell death in hepatic I/R injury has been linked to apoptosis and autophagy. Shikonin plays a significant protective role in ischemia/reperfusion injury.

The role of NM23 in patients with colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the relationship between NM23 expression and the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for relevant articles. The pooled odd ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95%CI were calculated to evaluate the prognostic value of NM23 expression in patients with colorectal cancer, and the association between NM23 expression and clinicopathological factors.

Identification of sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) as a primary target of icaritin in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly aggressive neoplasm. We aim to explore the anti-HCC activity by a natural prenylflavonoid icaritin. Icaritin was cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic when added to established (HepG2, KYN-2 and Huh-7 lines) and primary human HCC cells.

AMPK-autophagy inhibition sensitizes icaritin-induced anti-colorectal cancer cell activity.

The current research studied the potential effect of autophagy on icaritin-induced anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) cell activity. Treatment of icaritin in both primary and established (HT-29) CRC cells induced feedback activation of autophagy, evidenced by p62 degradation, Beclin-1 and autophagy-related gene-5 (ATG-5) upregulation, as well as light chain 3B (LC3B)-GFP puncta formation. Pharmacological inhibiting of autophagy dramatically potentiated icaritin-induced CRC cell death and apoptosis.

Prognostic value of increased KPNA2 expression in some solid tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Karyopherin α2 (KPNA2), a member of the Karyopherin α family, has recently been reported to play an important role in tumor progression. However, the association between KPNA2 expression and prognosis in cancer remains controversial. So we performed this meta-analysis to evaluate whether expression of KPNA2 was associated with prognosis in patients with solid tumor.

Preclinical study of cinobufagin as a promising anti-colorectal cancer agent.

Here, we assessed the anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) cell activity of cinobufagin (CBG). We found that CBG exerted potent cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activity against CRC lines (HCT-116 and HT-29) and primary human CRC cells. Meanwhile, it activated apoptosis, and disrupted cell-cycle progression in the cells.

Tetraspanin CD151 as an emerging potential poor prognostic factor across solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Tetraspanin CD151, also known as PETA-3 or SFA-1, has been reported to predict prognosis in various solid tumors. Yet, the results of these studies remained inconclusive. Here, we performed this meta-analysis of relevant studies published on the topic to quantitatively evaluate the clinicopathological significance of CD151 in solid tumors.

Gene silencing of USP1 by lentivirus effectively inhibits proliferation and invasion of human osteosarcoma cells.

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent malignant bone tumor, affecting the extremities of adolescents and young adults. Ubiquitin-specific protease 1 (USP1) plays a critical role in many cellular processes including proteasome degradation, chromatin remodeling and cell cycle regulation. In the present study, we discovered that USP1 was overexpressed in 26 out of 30 osteosarcoma tissues compared to cartilage tumor tissues and normal bone tissues.

Klotho mitigates cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and renal fibrosis in rats.

Purpose: Klotho deficiency is implicated in various kidney diseases, including renal fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Klotho administration on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and renal fibrosis induced by cyclosporine A (CsA) in rats.

Methods: CsA-induced renal fibrosis was established by oral administration of CsA (30 mg/kg) to rats on a low-salt diet for 28 days.

Atypical presentation of a gastric stromal tumor masquerading as a giant intraabdominal cyst: A case report.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are mesenchymal neoplasms that arise in the gastrointestinal tract, accounting for ~1% of gastric malignancies. The present study reports the case of a GIST of the stomach in a 75-year-old man who presented with abdominal distension and anorexia for 1 month. Gastroscopy was unremarkable.

Impact of TROP2 expression on prognosis in solid tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Over-expression of TROP2 (the trophoblast cell surface antigen 2) was reported to predict poor prognosis in various solid tumors in number of studies. However, the results remained not comprehensive. Therefore, we here carried out this meta-analysis of relevant studies published on this topic to quantitatively evaluate the clinicopathological significance of TROP2 in solid tumors.

Silencing Aurora-A with siRNA inhibits cell proliferation in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is an oncogenic serine/threonine kinase, it plays important roles in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. In this study, we investigated the expression of AURKA in lung adenocarcinoma tissues, the role of small interference RNA targeting AURKA on growth, cell cycle, and apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cell lines in vitro. The AURKA is highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma tissues and human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines.

Prognostic Value of NME1 (NM23-H1) in Patients with Digestive System Neoplasms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: There is a heated debate on whether the prognostic value of NME1 is favorable or unfavorable. Thus, we carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between NME1 expression and the prognosis of patients with digestive system neoplasms.

Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science for relevant articles.

Small bowel adenocarcinoma in Lynch syndrome: A case report.

Small bowel adenocarcinoma is part of the tumor spectrum of Lynch syndrome, which is caused by germline mutations in the mismatch repair genes. The present study describes the case of a 51-year-old man fulfilling the Amsterdam II criteria for Lynch syndrome, who had a 15-mm early-stage colorectal cancer resected endoscopically from the ascending colon. Due to upper abdominal discomfort after eating and consequent anorexia, a computed tomography scan performed 1 month later showed a tumoral mass of the upper jejunum with local lymphadenopathy.