Circular RNAs in human diseases.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a unique class of RNA molecules formed through back-splicing rather than linear splicing. As an emerging field in molecular biology, circRNAs have garnered significant attention due to their distinct structure and potential functional implications. A comprehensive understanding of circRNAs' functions and potential clinical applications remains elusive despite accumulating evidence of their involvement in disease pathogenesis.

Cyr61 overexpression induced by interleukin 8 via NF-kB signaling pathway and its role in tumorigenesis of gastric carcinoma in vitro.

Cyr61 (CCN1) is a multifunctional matricellular protein in bridging inflammation and cancer, involved in many biological functions such as tumorigenesis and carcinogenesis. The role of Cyr61 in gastric cancer (GC) has not been fully understood and needs to be investigated and clarified. We examined Cyr61 expression in 6 GC cell lines and stable transfection of recombinants in to BGC823 specifically down regulated the Cyr61 mRNA and protein expression shown by the analysis with western blot, RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence assay.

High-fidelity of non-small cell lung cancer xenograft models derived from bronchoscopy-guided biopsies.

Background: At present, there are two main types of lung cancer xenograft models: those derived from stable cell lines, and patient-derived xenograft models established by surgically resected tissues. However, these animal models may not reflect the biological and genetic characteristics of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We utilized bronchoscopy-guided biopsy tissues of NSCLC patients to establish xenograft models and analyzed their histopathologic and genotypic fidelity with parental tumors.

Epidermal growth factor receptor variant III mutation in Chinese patients with squamous cell cancer of the lung.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)vIII mutation in Chinese non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and to explore the likely relationship between EGFRvIII mutation and response to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: Samples were derived from two patient cohorts: (i) 114 early-stage NSCLC who received surgical resection; and (ii) 31 advanced-stage SCC who received EGFR-TKI EGFRvIII. EGFR and V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism, respectively.

Prevalence and clinical significance of BRAF V600E in Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, distribution, and prognostic role of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B (BRAF) V600E mutations in Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma (ADC), and to explore the possibility of BRAF V600E mutation detection in plasma DNA.

Methods: Data from 190 patients with lung ADCs treated at the Peking University Cancer Hospital from July 2011 to March 2012 were collected. The amplification refractory mutation system was used for BRAF V600E testing and denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation detection.

High-level SAE2 promotes malignant phenotype and predicts outcome in gastric cancer.

Background: The SUMO pathway has been shown to play an important role in tumorigenesis. This report analyzed the involvement of the sole SUMO-Activating Enzyme Subunit 2 (SAE2) in human gastric cancer (GC) progression and prognosis.

Methods: Expression of SAE2 was examined by Quantigene Plex, western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

High-level SAE2 promotes malignant phenotype and predicts outcome in gastric cancer.

Background: The SUMO pathway has been shown to play an important role in tumorigenesis. This report analyzed the involvement of the sole SUMO-Activating Enzyme Subunit 2 (SAE2) in human gastric cancer (GC) progression and prognosis.

Methods: Expression of SAE2 was examined by Quantigene Plex, western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

DACT2 is frequently methylated in human gastric cancer and methylation of DACT2 activated Wnt signaling.

Dapper, Dishevelled-associated antagonist of β-catenin (DACT), is a key regulator of Wnt signaling pathway. The purpose of this study is to explore the epigenetic changes and the function ofDACT2 in human gastric cancer (GC). Eight human gastric cancer cell lines, 167 cases of primary gastric cancer and 8 cases of normal gastric mucosa were involved in this study.

Clinical safety of induced CTL infusion through recombinant adeno-associated virus-transfected dendritic cell vaccination in Chinese cancer patients.

Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the safety of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) infusion by transfected dendritic cells (DCs) with recombinant adeno-associated virus vector (rAAV) carrying CEA cDNA among advanced cancer patients.

Patients And Methods: A total of 27 cancer patients with tumor tissue expression positivity and/or sera-elevated level of CEA were subsequently divided into cohort A and B resulted from the ex vivo expansion number of CTLs generated from co-culture of specific transfected DCs with autologous T lymphocytes. Based on the variations of infused number of specific CTL derived from different yields of individualized patients who had experienced various anti-cancer treatments, we compared the patients of low number of CTL cells (2-8 × 10(8) infused, cohort A, 6 cases) with those of higher number (above 8 × 10(8) infused, cohort B, 21 cases) to testify the possible adverse reactions caused by amount of infused CTLs.

[A phase II clinical trial of celecoxib combined with platinum-based chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC as first-line treatment.].

Background: Currently, platinum-based regimes are standard first-line chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy, influencing factors and adverse events of celecoxib plus platinum-based chemotherapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer as first-line treatment.

Methods: Previously untreated patients of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with COX-2 positive, confirmed by immunohistochemical staining, were randomized to receive GP, NP or TP regimens.

Dendritic cells pulsed with alpha-fetoprotein and mutant P53 fused gene induce bi-targeted cytotoxic T lymphocyte response against hepatic carcinoma.

Dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy is rapidly emerging as a promising treatment in cancer therapy. We had previously shown that DC pulsed with either defined mRNA of tumor antigen (Ag) such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), or total RNA of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could elicit Ag-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response. Therefore, we suggested a novel DC-based therapeutic method, in which DCs derived from CD34(+) cells enriched peripheral blood mononuclear cells were pulsed with liposome-coated AFP and mutant P53 (mtP53) fused gene pEGFP-C3/AFP-mtP53 to induce bi-targeted specific CTL responses against HCC.

[Parotidectomy of deep-lobe tumors].

Objective: To evaluate advantages of the superficial lobe preservation in the parotidectomy of deep-lobe tumors, which include much lower incidence in postparotidectomy depression, variable aesthetic deformities, facial nerve injury and Frey's syndrome.

Methods: This retrospective review included 114 patients with benign parotid gland tumors hospitalized from 2001 to 2004, among which 13 patients with deep-lobe parotid tumors and 101 patients in the superficial lobe of parotid gland. Seven in the 13 patients with deep-lobe tumors were operated with the method of the superficial lobe preservation.

[Biological properties of mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow of patients with multiple myeloma].

The study was purposed to explore the role of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the pathogenesis of bone disease particularly observed in multiple myeloma (MM), the biological features of marrow derived MSCs from patients with MM have been investigated. Marrow aspirates were harvested from 11 newly diagnosed patients with MM and 5 normal adults and MSCs were isolated and culture-expanded by the cell properties of adherence to plastic flasks, The phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometric technique. The proliferation of MSCs was observed by MTT assay and their differentiation capacities into osteoblasts and adipoblasts were assessed with lineage-specific histochemical staining.

Rapid increase in colorectal cancer rates in urban Shanghai, 1972-97, in relation to dietary changes.

Background: In urban Shanghai, the largest industrial and commercial city in China, the age-adjusted (to world standard) incidence rates for colorectal cancer increased from 14.8 to 24.1 per 10(5) man-years and from 11.

[In vivo and in vitro effects of selenium-enriched garlic on growth of human gastric carcinoma cells].

Objective: To compare the effects of selenium-enriched garlic (Se-garlic), garlic, Na2SeO3, and garlic + Na2SeO3 on growth of human gastric carcinoma cells.

Methods: In vivo and in vitro assays were carried out in the cultured human gastric carcinoma cell line MGC803 transplanted in the nude mice by cell count, flow cytometry, Western blot and neoplasm volume measurement.

Results: The inhibition effect of garlic was similar to that of Se-garlic, but Na2SeO3 was weaker than Se-garlic.