ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of KRAS mutation in pancreatic tumorigenesis and therapy.MethodThe research progress of KRAS mutation in pancreatic tumorigenesis and therapy were summarized by reading the domestic and international literatures published in recent years.ResultsPancreatic cancer had the title of " king of cancer”. More than 90% of pancreatic cancer patients had KRAS mutation. KRAS had a complex relationship with pancreatic cancer through downstream signaling pathways, including Raf (rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma)-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphatidylinositol-4, 5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT), and RalGDS-Ral. Although basic research on pancreatic cancer was deepening, there was still a lack of effective molecular targeted drugs.ConclusionsKRASgene plays an important role in the occurrence of pancreatic cancer. The treatment associated with KRAS mutation provides a more effective prognostic possibility for pancreatic cancer patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of lenvatinib as targeted therapy for locally advanced thyroid cancer. MethodsThe data of 17 patients with locally advanced thyroid cancer who received targeted therapy in the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Clinical Oncology School of Fujian Cancer Hospital from September 2021 to June 2023 were prospectively collected and analyzed. ResultsSeventeen patients received lenvatinib for a median of 8 weeks (4–32 weeks), 5 patients achieved partial response, 11 patients achieved stable disease, and 1 patient experienced progressive disease. The objective response and disease control rates were 29.4% (5/17) and 94.1% (16/17) respectively, the median tumor diameter of the target lesion decreased from 43 mm before treatment to 12 mm after treatment. Five patients did not undergo surgery because of tumor progression and their refusal; R0/1 resection was achieved in 11 of the 12 remaining patients (91.7%). All patients suffered from drug-related adverse events, and the commonest drug-related adverse events were hypertension (7/17, 41.2%), diarrhea (6/17, 35.3%), and proteinuria (5/17, 29.4%). There were no major drug-related adverse events. ConclusionPreliminary analysis indicates that lenvatinib is effective and safe for targeted therapy of locally advanced thyroid cancer, with a relatively high rate of R0/1 resection.
The mechanisms behind diabetic retinopathy (DR) can be ascribed primarily to retinal microvascular abnormalities, excessive inflammatory response and neurodegeneration. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of endogenous non-coding RNA with a special circular structure, which is mainly composed of precursor RNA after shearing and processing. It is widely present in the retina and participates in the occurrence and development of various fundus diseases. CircRNAs express in an abnormal way in retina, serving as “the sponge” for miRNA so as to play roles in dysfunction of retinal vascular, inflammatory response and neurodegeneration in the development of DR. Further studies for circRNAs in DR will illustrate pathophysiology of DR more deeply, shedding light on circRNAs becoming novel biomarkers and molecular targets for diagnosis and treatment, thus achieving the goal of early diagnosis and precise therapy of DR.
HtrA serine peptidase 2 (HTRA2) is a serine protease existing in the mitochondrial gap. Among the four members of the human HtrA serine peptidase family, HTRA2 is the only protease with clear localization in the cell. It plays a dual role in the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis and the promotion of cell apoptosis. HTRA2 has been found to be associated with a variety of tumors. Meanwhile, the expression of HTRA2 can enhance the sensitivity of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for malignant tumors and a target for combined therapy. This article reviews the structure, biological function and role of HTRA2 in malignant tumors, in order to provide clues and basis for early diagnosis and individualized treatment of tumor patients.
ObjectiveTo summary the progress and status of downstaging therapy in treating hepatocellular carcinoma. MethodsThe related literatures were reviewed and analyzed by searching PubMed and MEDLINE. ResultsAlthough the clinical prognosis of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma was poor, the liver resection or liver transplantation after downstaging therapy could significantly improve the prognosis of patients. However, differences were existed if different downstaging therapies and selections of standard were used. ConclusionTo improve the prognosis of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, the downstaging therapy should be ingeniously selected based on the situation of the patients.
ObjectiveThis study is aimed to determine the expression of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 39 (USP39) protein in the colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues, and the effect of silencing USP39 gene on the cell growth and cell cycle distribution of CRC cells.Methods① The expressions of USP39 protein in CRC tissues and its paracancerous tissues were determined by immunohistochemical staining method. ② By lentiviral infection, Lv-shUSP39 (KD-1 and KD-2 group) and Lv-shCon (shCon group) were transferred into SW1116 and HCT116 cells, and cells of blank control group did not received any treatment (Con group). To determine the role of USP39 gene in cell growth, MTT assay was performed to draw growth curve, and cell cycle distribution of CRC cells in the 4 groups were determined by flow cytometer.Results① The expression of USP39 protein was higher in CRC tissues compared to adjacent tissues (P=0.007). ② For SW1116 and HCT116 cells, the cell proliferation ability of KD-1 and KD-2 groups were remarkably decreased than those in corresponding shCon and Con groups on 3, 4, and 5-day (P<0.05). ③ Flow cytometry assay showed that, the percentage of G0/G1 phase cells were decreased obviously (P<0.05), while increased significantly in percentage of G2/M phase and number of sub-G1 phase cells in KD-1 group compared with that in the Con group and shCon group of SW1116 and HCT116 cells (P<0.05).ConclusionsThe expression of USP39 protein is highly expressed in CRC tissues. Knockdowning of USP39 gene can inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis.