When the Loss Costs Too Much: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Sarcopenia in Head and Neck Cancer.

Whether or not skeletal muscle mass (SMM) depletion, known as sarcopenia, has significant negative effects on the prognosis of patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) is both new and controversial. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the prognostic significance of sarcopenia in HNC. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science, which contain trial registries and meeting proceedings, to identify related published or unpublished studies.

Production of a Functional Factor, p40, by Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Is Promoted by Intestinal Epithelial Cell-Secreted Extracellular Vesicles.

The symbiotic relationship between the gut microbiome and the host provides a nutrient-rich environment for gut microbes and has beneficial effects on host health. Although the composition of the gut microbiome is known to be influenced by both host genetics and environmental factors, host effects on the activities and functions of the gut microbial communities remain poorly understood. Intestinal epithelial cells exert front-line responses to gut microbes and contribute to maintaining a healthy intestinal homeostasis.

MEIS-1 level in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma can predict the post-treatment outcomes of radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a local-ablative therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At present, there is no predictive marker for RFA treatment outcomes. This work aimed to valuate myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1 (MEIS-1) in predicting post-RFA treatment outcomes of unresectable HCC patients.

Androgen receptor/let-7a signaling regulates breast tumor-initiating cells.

Androgen receptor (AR) is an important transcriptional factor, which is frequently expressed in invasive breast cancer and correlates patients' prognosis. Our previous results indicate AR activation may increase let-7a expression in breast cancer cells, while let-7, a tumor suppressor, is reported to inhibit breast tumor-initiating cells (T-IC). The study aims to explore the effects of AR/let-7a signaling on breast T-IC and its regulatory mechanism.

Activation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Macrophages Mediates Feedback Inhibition of M2 Polarization and Gastrointestinal Tumor Cell Growth.

EGF receptor (EGFR) in tumor cells serves as a tumor promoter. However, information about EGFR activation in macrophages in regulating M2 polarization and tumor development is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EGFR activation in macrophages on M2 polarization and development of gastrointestinal tumors.

An LGG-derived protein promotes IgA production through upregulation of APRIL expression in intestinal epithelial cells.

p40, a Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-derived protein, transactivates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in intestinal epithelial cells, leading to amelioration of intestinal injury and inflammation. To elucidate mechanisms by which p40 regulates mucosal immunity to prevent inflammation, this study aimed to determine the effects and mechanisms of p40 on regulation of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) expression in intestinal epithelial cells for promoting immunoglobulin A (IgA) production. p40 upregulated April gene expression and protein production in mouse small intestine epithelial (MSIE) cells, which were inhibited by blocking EGFR expression and kinase activity.

Advances in endovascular therapy to treat primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a minimally invasive procedure to restrict a tumor's blood supply, and TACE has an established role in cancer therapy. An embolic material in the form of microspheres (such as drug-eluting beads) and transarterial radioembolization is effective at treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Endovascular therapy offers promise for the treatment of tumor thrombi in the portal vein.

Genomic amplification and high expression of EGFR are key targetable oncogenic events in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor.

Background: The dismal outcome of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) highlights the necessity of finding new therapeutic methods to benefit patients with this aggressive sarcoma. Our purpose was to investigate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as a potential therapeutic target in MPNSTs.

Patients And Methods: We performed a microarray based-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) profiling of two cohorts of primary MPNST tissue samples including 25 patients treated at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MD Anderson) and 26 patients from Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital (TMUCIH).

Mesenchymal to epithelial transition in sarcomas.

Mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET) in carcinomas has been proposed to promote the growth of epithelial tumour cells at distant sites during metastasis. MET has also been suggested as an important biological and clinical process in mesenchymal tumors, sarcomas. Here we review studies on MET in sarcomas, including molecular markers, signalling mechanisms, regulation by micro RNAs and therapeutic implications.