MiRNA biomarkers in cancers of the male reproductive system: Are we approaching clinical application?

Background: Specific cancer types face specific clinical management challenges. Owing to their stability, robustness and fast, easy and cost-effective detection, microRNAs (miRNAs) are attractive candidate biomarkers to the clinic.

Objectives: Based on a comprehensive review of the relevant literature in the field, we explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers to answer relevant clinical dilemmas inherent to cancers of the male reproductive tract (prostate [PCa], testis [TGCTs] and penis [PeCa]) and identify some of the challenges/limitations hampering their widely application.

MicroRNAs as Potential Tools for Predicting Cancer Patients' Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Vaccination Response.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that is caused by a highly contagious and severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This infection started to spread across the world in 2019 and rapidly turned into a global pandemic, causing an urgent necessity for treatment strategies development. The mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 can trigger an immune response, providing genetic information that allows the production of spike glycoproteins.

Advances in Microfluidics for the Implementation of Liquid Biopsy in Clinical Routine.

In recent years, we have seen major advances in the field of liquid biopsy and its implementation in the clinic, mainly driven by breakthrough developments in the area of molecular biology. New developments have seen an integration of microfluidics and also biosensors in liquid biopsy systems, bringing advantages in terms of cost, sensitivity and automation. Without a doubt, the next decade will bring the clinical validation and approval of these combined solutions, which is expected to be crucial for the wide implementation of liquid biopsy systems in clinical routine.

DigiMir Test: Establishing a Novel Pipeline for MiR-371a Quantification Using Droplet Digital PCR in Liquid Biopsies From Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Patients.

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common cancers in young-adult male patients aged between 15 and 39 years. Hsa-miR-371a-3p is currently the most reliable biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of these patients non-invasively in liquid biopsies, and it is destined to be introduced in the clinic due to improved performance compared to the classical serum tumor markers available. Current studies have focused on real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) protocols for its determination; still, some challenges remain, since these protocols often require preamplification steps (costly and time-consuming), and report relative levels normalized to a housekeeping microRNA, not always performed the same way.

DNA Methylation Biomarkers for Prediction of Response to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy: Where Do We Stand?

Platinum-based chemotherapy is routinely used for the treatment of several cancers. Despite all the advances made in cancer research regarding this therapy and its mechanisms of action, tumor resistance remains a major concern, limiting its effectiveness. DNA methylation-based biomarkers may assist in the selection of patients that may benefit (or not) from this type of treatment and provide new targets to circumvent platinum chemoresistance, namely, through demethylating agents.

Epigenetically-regulated miR-30a/c-5p directly target TWF1 and hamper ccRCC cell aggressiveness.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is highly prone to metastasize and displays an extremely low 5-year survival rate. Not only miRNAs (miRs) are key gene expression regulators but can also be epigenetically modified. Abnormal miR expression has been linked with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-driven ccRCC progression.

From Therapy Resistance to Targeted Therapies in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common malignancy among men worldwide. Although early-stage disease is curable, advanced stage PCa is mostly incurable and eventually becomes resistant to standard therapeutic options. Different genetic and epigenetic alterations are associated with the development of therapy resistant PCa, with specific players being particularly involved in this process.

Evaluating the Optimal Sequence of Treatment With EGFR Inhibitors and Bevacizumab in RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Background Epithelial growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi) and bevacizumab are the two main target therapies available for first-line treatment of RAS wild-type (wt) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, the optimal sequencing of these agents remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the optimal sequence with EGFRi and bevacizumab in first- and second-line treatment.

Expression of LncRNAs in HPV-induced Carcinogenesis and Cancer Cachexia: A Study in K14-HPV16 Mice.

Aim: To evaluate the expression of lincRNA-p21, H19, EMX2OS, SNHG12 and MALAT1 in a mouse model of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16)-induced carcinogenesis and cachexia.

Materials And Methods: Chest skin, ear, tongue, penis and gastrocnemius muscle samples from wild-type mice (HPV-) and K14-HPV16 male mice (HPV+) were collected to evaluate the expression of the selected lncRNAs using real-time PCR (qPCR).

Results: In chest skin and ear, H19, SNHG12, EMX2OS and lincRNA-p21 were down-regulated in HPV+ versus HPV- mice.

G9a inhibition by CM-272: Developing a novel anti-tumoral strategy for castration-resistant prostate cancer using 2D and 3D in vitro models.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is an incurable form of prostate cancer (PCa), with DNMT1 and G9a being reported as overexpressed, rendering them highly attractive targets for precision medicine. CM-272 is a dual inhibitor of both methyltransferases' activity. Herein, we assessed the response of different PCa cell lines to CM-272, in both 2D and 3D models, and explored the molecular mechanisms underlying CM-272 inhibitory effects.

Stress in Metastatic Breast Cancer: To the Bone and Beyond.

Breast cancer (BRCA) remains as one the most prevalent cancers diagnosed in industrialised countries. Although the overall survival rate is high, the dissemination of BRCA cells to distant organs correlates with a significantly poor prognosis. This is due to the fact that there are no efficient therapeutic strategies designed to overcome the progression of the metastasis.

PD-L1 expression in EBV associated gastric cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to the summarize the evidence on programmed cell death protein ligand 1 (PD-L1) in Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) and to estimate the expression rate of PD-L1 among this subtype of Gastric Cancer (GC).

Materials And Methods: For this study, PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published until 1st November 2021. A total of 43 eligible publications with a total of 11,327 patients were included analysis based on inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Human ILC3 Exert TRAIL-Mediated Cytotoxicity Towards Cancer Cells.

Group 3 helper Innate Lymphoid Cells (ILC3s) are cytokine-producing lymphocytes that respond to stress signals released during disturbed tissue homeostasis and infection. Upon activation, ILC3s secrete IL-22 and IL-17, and orchestrate immune responses against extracellular pathogens. Their role in cancer remains poorly explored.

PIK3CA Gene Mutations in HNSCC: Systematic Review and Correlations with HPV Status and Patient Survival.

PIK3CA mutations are believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). This study aims to establish the frequency of PIK3CA mutations in a Portuguese HNSCC cohort and to determine their association with the HPV status and patient survival. A meta-analysis of scientific literature also revealed widely different mutation rates in cohorts from different world regions and a trend towards improved prognosis among patients with PIK3CA mutations.

Corrigendum: . and Bovine Papillomavirus: Partners in Cancer.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.

Ki67 and LSD1 Expression in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors Is Not Associated with Patient Outcome: Investigation Using a Digital Pathology Algorithm.

TGCTs represent a model of curable disease afflicting especially young men. Defining tumor biological characteristics is crucial to increase current knowledge and tailor the best clinical management. Ki67, a potential prognostic marker, still exhibits heterogenous associations with patient outcomes, thus bringing the need of corroboration with larger cohorts in clinical practice.

LiKidMiRs: A ddPCR-Based Panel of 4 Circulating miRNAs for Detection of Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Decreased renal cell cancer-related mortality is an important societal goal, embodied by efforts to develop effective biomarkers enabling early detection and increasing the likelihood of curative treatment. Herein, we sought to develop a new biomarker for early and minimally invasive detection of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) based on a microRNA panel assessed by ddPCR.

Methods: Plasma samples from patients with RCC ( = 124) or oncocytomas ( = 15), and 64 healthy donors, were selected.

Digital Pathology Implementation in Private Practice: Specific Challenges and Opportunities.

Digital pathology (DP) is being deployed in many pathology laboratories, but most reported experiences refer to public health facilities. In this paper, we report our experience in DP transition at a high-volume private laboratory, addressing the main challenges in DP implementation in a private practice setting and how to overcome these issues. We started our implementation in 2020 and we are currently scanning 100% of our histology cases.

Discriminating Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Phenotypes in Circulating Tumor Cells Isolated from Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers constitute a group of highest morbidity worldwide, with colorectal cancer (CRC) and gastric cancer being among the most frequently diagnosed. The majority of gastrointestinal cancer patients already present metastasis by the time of diagnosis, which is widely associated with cancer-related death. Accumulating evidence suggests that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer promotes circulating tumor cell (CTCs) formation, which ultimately drives metastasis development.