Change in serum TSH levels within the reference range was associated with variation of future blood pressure: a 5-year follow-up study

Controversy exists on the relationship between serum thyrotropin (TSH) and blood pressure, and only a few prospective studies are available up to now. The study aimed to investigate the association between serum TSH within the reference range and blood pressure through a 5-year follow-up study. A total of 623 subjects with normal TSH were followed up for 5 years, including the measurement of demographic data, blood pressure, height, weight and serum TSH. Finally, 531 subjects were included in this prospective study. Body mass index (BMI), prevalence of hypertension, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were all higher at follow-up than at baseline. Adjusted for age, gender, smoking status, BMI and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at baseline, multiple linear regression analyses found no relationship between serum TSH at baseline and levels of blood pressure at follow-up, but the changes in serum TSH levels during follow-up was positively associated with the changes in systolic blood pressure (B=2.134, P<0.05), which became more significant in women but not significant in men. The change of systolic blood pressure in group of TSH increase >0.5 mIU l^-1 was significantly higher than in group of TSH decrease >0.5 mIU l^-1 within reference, after adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, BMI and HOMA-IR at baseline. This result became more significant in women, but no statistical significance was observed in men. Co-variation with serum TSH levels and blood pressure was observed during 5-year follow-up among people with normal TSH.

Decay Chain Deduction of Uranium Fission Products

Delayed gamma spectrum is the fingerprint of uranium materials in arms control verification technology. The decay chain is simplified into basic state linear chain and excitation state linear chain to calculate and analyze the delayed gamma spectra of fission products. Formulas of the changing rule for nuclide number before and after zero-time are deduced. The C program for calculating the delayed gamma ray spectra data is constructed, and related experiments are conducted to verify this theory. Through analysis of the delayed gamma counts of several nuclides, the calculated results are found to be consistent with experimental values.

Relationships and redundancies of selected hemodynamic and structural parameters for characterizing virtual treatment of cerebral aneurysms with flow diverter devices

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

To quantify the relationship and to demonstrate redundancies between hemodynamic and structural parameters before and after virtual treatment with a flow diverter device (FDD) in cerebral aneurysms.

METHODS

Steady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed for 10 cerebral aneurysms where FDD treatment with the SILK device was simulated by virtually reducing the porosity at the aneurysm ostium. Velocity and pressure values proximal and distal to and at the aneurysm ostium as well as inside the aneurysm were quantified. In addition, dome-to-neck ratios and size ratios were determined. Multiple correlation analysis (MCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were conducted to demonstrate dependencies between both structural and hemodynamic parameters.

RESULTS

Velocities in the aneurysm were reduced by 0.14m/s on average and correlated significantly (p<0.05) with velocity values in the parent artery (average correlation coefficient: 0.70). Pressure changes in the aneurysm correlated significantly with pressure values in the parent artery and aneurysm (average correlation coefficient: 0.87). MCA found statistically significant correlations between velocity values and between pressure values, respectively. HCA sorted velocity parameters, pressure parameters and structural parameters into different hierarchical clusters. HCA of aneurysms based on the parameter values yielded similar results by either including all (n=22) or only non-redundant parameters (n=2, 3 and 4).

CONCLUSION

Hemodynamic and structural parameters before and after virtual FDD treatment show strong inter-correlations. Redundancy of parameters was demonstrated with hierarchical cluster analysis.

The utility of breast cone-beam computed tomography, ultrasound, and digital mammography for detecting malignant breast tumors: A prospective study with 212 patients

PURPOSE

Breast cone-beam computed tomography (BCBCT) is a flat-panel detector (FPD)-based X-ray imaging system that provides high-quality images of the breast. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability to detect breast abnormalities using non-contrast BCBCT and contrast-enhanced BCBCT (BCBCT and CE-BCBCT) compared to ultrasound (US) and digital mammography (MG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective study was performed from May 2012 to August 2014. Ninety-two patients (172 lesions) underwent BCBCT alone, and 120 patients (270 lesions) underwent BCBCT and CE-BCBCT, all the patients underwent US and MG.

RESULTS

Cancer diagnosis was confirmed pathologically in 102 patients (110 lesions). BCBCT identified 97 of 110 malignant lesions, whereas 93 malignant lesions were identified using MG and US. The areas under the receiver operating curves (AUCs) for breast cancer diagnosis were 0.861 (BCBCT), 0.856 (US), and 0.829 (MG). CE-BCBCT improved cancer diagnostic sensitivity by 20.3% (78.4-98.7%). The AUC values were 0.869 (CE-BCBCT), 0.846 (BCBCT), 0.834 (US), and 0.782 (MG).

CONCLUSION

In this preliminary study, BCBCT was found to accurately identify malignant breast lesions in a diagnostic setting. CE-BCBCT provided additional information and improved cancer diagnosis in style c or d breasts compared to the use of BCBCT, US, or MG alone.

Discovery of a Novel Immune Gene Signature with Profound Prognostic Value in Colorectal Cancer: A Model of Cooperativity Disorientation Created in the Process from Development to Cancer

Immune response-related genes play a major role in colorectal carcinogenesis by mediating inflammation or immune-surveillance evasion. Although remarkable progress has been made to investigate the underlying mechanism, the understanding of the complicated carcinogenesis process was enormously hindered by large-scale tumor heterogeneity. Development and carcinogenesis share striking similarities in their cellular behavior and underlying molecular mechanisms. The association between embryonic development and carcinogenesis makes embryonic development a viable reference model for studying cancer thereby circumventing the potentially misleading complexity of tumor heterogeneity. Here we proposed that the immune genes, responsible for intra-immune cooperativity disorientation (defined in this study as disruption of developmental expression correlation patterns during carcinogenesis), probably contain untapped prognostic resource of colorectal cancer. In this study, we determined the mRNA expression profile of 137 human biopsy samples, including samples from different stages of human colonic development, colorectal precancerous progression and colorectal cancer samples, among which 60 were also used to generate miRNA expression profile. We originally established Spearman correlation transition model to quantify the cooperativity disorientation associated with the transition from normal to precancerous to cancer tissue, in conjunction with miRNA-mRNA regulatory network and machine learning algorithm to identify genes with prognostic value. Finally, a 12-gene signature was extracted, whose prognostic value was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis in five independent datasets. Using the log-rank test, the 12-gene signature was closely related to overall survival in four datasets (GSE17536, n = 177, p = 0.0054; GSE17537, n = 55, p = 0.0039; GSE39582, n = 562, p = 0.13; GSE39084, n = 70, p = 0.11), and significantly associated with disease-free survival in four datasets (GSE17536, n = 177, p = 0.0018; GSE17537, n = 55, p = 0.016; GSE39582, n = 557, p = 4.4e-05; GSE14333, n = 226, p = 0.032). Cox regression analysis confirmed that the 12-gene signature was an independent factor in predicting colorectal cancer patient’s overall survival (hazard ratio: 1.759; 95% confidence interval: 1.126–2.746; p = 0.013], as well as disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 2.116; 95% confidence interval: 1.324–3.380; p = 0.002).

Intra-aneurysmal microcatheter looping technique for stent-assisted embolization of complex intracranial aneurysms

The endovascular treatment of wide-necked, large and giant aneurysms remains challenging. This retrospective study investigated the feasibility and safety of an intra-aneurysmal microcatheter looping technique for stent-assisted embolization of complicated intracranial aneurysms.This technique was used for 31 patients with complicated cerebral aneurysms from January 2007 to November 2013. The clinical and angiographic results were retrospectively evaluated.The target aneurysms were successfully treated in all cases (100%). A flow diverter was used in seven procedures. There were no aneurysmal perforations or ischemic complications, except for a microguidewire perforation of the distal vessel in one case. Among the 24 cases with conventional stent-assisted embolization, complete embolization or neck residual was obtained in 21 cases. Partial occlusion occurred in three cases.In conclusion, the intra-aneurysmal microcatheter looping technique is a safe and feasible alternative treatment of complicated intracranial aneurysms. This approach is a reasonable choice for patients and leads to successful outcomes.

Detection of BRAF mutation in Chinese tumor patients using a highly sensitive antibody immunohistochemistry assay

BRAF mutations can be found in various solid tumors. But accurate and reliable screening for BRAF mutation that is compatible for clinical application is not yet available. In this study, we used an automated immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining coupled with mouse monoclonal anti-BRAF V600E (VE1) primary antibody to screen the BRAF V600E mutation in 779 tumor cases, including 611 colorectal carcinomas (CRC), 127 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC) and 41 malignant melanomas. Among the 779 cases, 150 cases were positive for BRAF (V600E) staining, including 38 (of 611, 6%) CRCs, 102 (of 127, 80%) PTCs and 10 (of 41, 24%) malignant melanomas. Sanger sequencing and real-time PCR confirmed the sensitivity and specificity of IHC staining for the V600E mutation are 100% and 99%, respectively. Therefore, our study demonstrates that the fully automated IHC is a reliable tool to determine BRAF mutation status in CRC, PTC and melanoma and can be used for routine clinical screen.

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein predicts adverse cardiovascular events in patients with Takayasu arteritis with coronary artery involvement

The study aimed to assess the association of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in Takayasu arteritis (TA) patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Data on 60 TA patients with CAD and 60 age- and severity-matched patients with CAD hospitalized in Fuwai Hospital from 2005 to August 2014 were assessed. The clinical features, laboratory data, coronary angiographic findings, treatment, and follow-up outcomes were summarized retrospectively. MACE were defined as death from cardiac causes, myocardial infarction, nonfatal target vessel revascularization, or rehospitalization due to unstable or progressive angina. CAD patients had more atherogenic lipid and lipoprotein profiles such as lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (1.0 ± 0.2 vs. 1.3 ± 0.3 mmol/L, p = 0.01) and higher levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (2.5 ± 0.9 vs. 2.2 ± 1.1 mmol/L, p = 0.04) in contrast with TA-CAD patients. During a mean follow-up period of 3.2 years, 31 patients with Takayasu coronary arteritis reached the endpoint. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated that log(hsCRP) (HR = 5.3, 95 % CI = 1.1-27.8, p = 0.04) was a significant and independent predictor of MACE in patients with Takayasu coronary arteritis. Elevated baseline levels of hsCRP predict cardiovascular events, independent of other prognostic markers in TA-related CAD patients.

Cell membrane gp96 facilitates HER2 dimerization and serves as a novel target in breast cancer

HER2 receptor dimerization is a critical step in the HER2 activation process. Here, we demonstrated that heat shock protein gp96 on cell membrane interacts with HER2, facilitates HER2 dimerization and promotes cell proliferation. Cell membrane gp96 levels were observed to correlate with HER2 phosphorylation in primary breast tumors. Finally, we provide evidence that targeting gp96 with a specific monoclonal antibody led to decreased cell growth and increased apoptosis in vitro, and suppression of tumor growth in vivo. Our work represents a new therapeutic strategy for inhibiting HER2 signaling in cancer.

Impact of imidacloprid on life-cycle development of Coccinella septempunctata in laboratory microcosms

Long-term effects of a single application of imidacloprid on ladybird beetle, Coccinella septempunctata L., were studied in indoor laboratory microcosms, starting with the 2nd instar larvae of C. septempunctata but covering the full life cycle. The microcosms comprised enclosures containing a pot with soil planted with broad bean plants and black bean aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch, as food. Exposure doses (0.85-13.66g a.i. ha(-1)) in the long-term microcosm experiment were based on a preliminary short-term (72h) toxicity test with 2nd instar larvae. The measurement endpoints used to calculate NOERs (No Observed Effect application Rates) included development time, hatching, pupation, adult emergence, survival and number of eggs produced. Furthermore, for these endpoints ER50 (application rate causing 50 percent effect) and LR50 (application rate causing 50 percent mortality) values were calculated when possible. The single imidacloprid application affected survival (lowest LR50 4.07g a.i. ha(-1); NOER 3.42g a.i. ha(-1)), egg production (ER50 26.63g a.i. ha(-1)) and egg hatching (NOER 6.83g a.i. ha(-1)). Statistically significant treatment-related effects on the whole development duration, pupation and adult emergence could not be demonstrated (NOER≥13.66g a.i. ha(-1)). The lowest L(E)R50 values and NOERs derived from the laboratory microcosm test with C. septempunctata are lower than the reported field application rates of imidacloprid (15-60g a.i. ha(-1)) in cotton cultivation in China, suggesting potential risks to beneficial arthropods.

Significance of nonmucinous lepidic component with mild nuclear atypia in the discrimination of multiple primary lung cancers from intrapulmonary metastases

The distinguishing of intrapulmonary metastases from multiple primaries is of great clinical importance. Although comprehensive histological assessment (CHA) was recommended for addressing this problem, the limitations of CHA have been addressed. We hypothesized that a nonmucinous lepidic component with mild nuclear atypia (NLCMA) may be one of the important sign suggesting primary lesions. In this study, we measured the value of NLCMA in distinguishing multiple primaries from intrapulmonary metastases. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 54 patients with 116 lesions (70 comparisons). Intrapulmonary metastases and multiple primaries were differentiated on the basis of CHA (Method I) and CHA combined with the assessment of NLCMA (Method II), respectively. Then, the results of two methods were compared with survival analysis. 33 cases were defined as multiple primaries and 21 cases as metastases by Method I, while 41 cases as multiple primaries and 13 cases as metastases by Method II. On univariate analysis, there was a better DFS in patients with a tumor ≤ 3 cm (P=0.012), female gender (P=0.011), highest N0 (P=0.002), absent micropapillary (P=0.013), multiple primaries (P=0.008 by method I, P < 0.001 by method II). A multivariate analysis adjusting for gender, tumor size, micropapillary and multiple primaries/metastases (by methodI and method II, respectively) indicated that multiple primaries (by method II) was an independent predictors for DFS. The presence of NLCMA may indicate that a lesion should be defined as primary in multifocal adenocarcinoma.

Histological subtypes of lung cancer in Chinese women from 2000 to 2012

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to characterize the histological and epidemiological features of lung cancer in Chinese women.

METHODS

Demographic and histological information on female lung cancer cases identified during 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2012 from the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were collected. The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology system was used to classify the histological subtypes. Relative frequencies (RF) were estimated for major histological subtypes and compared by the years of diagnosis and birth, and among residential areas. Statistical differences were tested for RFs in the time periods with a trend test and with Pearson Chi square tests for distribution.

RESULTS

Of 7070 female Chinese lung cancer cases, the major histological subtypes were adenocarcinoma (ADC) 65.79%; squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 10.21%; small cell cancer 8.12%; large cell carcinoma, 2.79%; and adeno-squamous carcinoma (ASC), 2.19%. ADC increased, with RFs from 46.72% in the cases identified in 2000-2002 to 76.49% in 2011-2012 (Z = 16.998, P < 0.0001); SCC decreased from 15.69% to 5.97% (Z = -8.750, P < 0.0001). Compared to the cases identified in 2000-2006, the age-adjusted RFs of ADC in 2007-2012 consistently increased in all study areas.

CONCLUSION

The significant increase of ADC of the lung in Chinese women suggests that a persistently strong exposure to potential carcinogens in the Chinese population should be further and fully investigated.

C-MYC overexpression predicts aggressive transformation and a poor outcome in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a relatively common, indolent B-cell lymphoma. MALT lymphoma with large tumor cells (LTCs) is believed to have the potential to transform to aggressive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) which may have a poor prognosis. C-MYC is a transcription factor. Its translocation and overexpression predicts an inferior prognosis and poor response to therapy in cases of DLBCL. In the current study, C-MYC expression was detected in MALT lymphomas, and its relationship to the occurrence of LTCs, clinicopathological parameters and prognosis was assessed. A total of 69 cases were enrolled in the study, including 42 cases of MALT lymphoma without LTCs, 20 cases of MALT lymphoma with LTCs and 7 cases of DLBCL with a MALT lymphoma component (DLBCL+MALT). Immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridization analyses were performed. In total, 15/42 (35.7%) cases were nuclear positive for C-MYC expression in the group without LTCs, whereas 15/20 (75.0%) and 4/7 (57.1%) cases were positive in the group with LTCs and in the group with DLBCL+MALT, respectively (P=0.004). Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the correlations of C-MYC expression and clinicopathological parameters with overall survival (OS). C-MYC expression, Ann Arbor stage, LDH level and IPI were considerably associated with OS according to the univariate analysis. However, only C-MYC expression ≥ 20% showed a statistical significance in the multivariate analysis (HR=20.604, 95% CI: 1.909-222.412, P=0.013). Therefore, C-MYC overexpression may play an important role in aggressive transformation and is an independent prognostic factor in MALT lymphoma.

Effect of vascular haemoglobin concentrations on ultrasound-guided diffuse optical tomography in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions

OBJECTIVES

Ultrasound-guided diffuse optical tomography (US-DOT) can potentially detect breast carcinomas by measuring total tumour haemoglobin concentrations (TTHC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether vascular haemoglobin concentrations (VHC) affect the ability of US-DOT to distinguish breast carcinomas from benign.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 85 women (97 palpable lesions) referred for core breast biopsy, we measured VHC with a complete blood count and calculated TTHCs for each lesion with US-DOT. Anaemia was defined as a VHC less than 120.0 g/L.

RESULTS

Mean TTHCs were significantly higher in malignant lesions (n = 53) than in benign lesions (n = 44), regardless of whether the lesions were from women with anaemia (TTHC, 248.5 vs. 123.3 μmol/L; P = 0.001) or from those without (TTHC, 229.7 vs. 173.9 μmol/L; P = 0.016). A cut-off TTHC of 155.1 μmol/L provided 81.3 % sensitivity, 81.8 % specificity and 81.5 % accuracy for detecting malignant tumours in women with anaemia and 78.4 % sensitivity, 54.5 % specificity and 67.1 % accuracy for women without. There was no significant difference in sensitivity (P = 0.813), specificity (P = 0.108) and accuracy (P = 0.162) between the anaemic group and the non-anaemic group.

CONCLUSIONS

Vascular haemoglobin concentrations did not affect the ability of US-DOT to differentiate breast carcinomas from benign lesions.

KEY POINTS

• US-DOT can differentiate benign from malignant breast lesions by measuring TTHC. • No difference in TTHC between the anaemia and non-anaemia group. • Vascular haemoglobin concentrations do not affect the diagnostic ability of US-DOT.

Clinicopathological characteristics of four cases of EBV positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders of childhood in China

A new category, "EBV positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) of childhood", was proposed in the 2008 World Health Organization's (WHO) classifications of lymphoma. This series of lymphoproliferative disorders is rare. There are two major types of this series of disorders: systemic EBV positive T-cell LPD of childhood and hydroa vacciniforme-like lymphoma (HVLL). In this study, we describe the distinct features of four cases of EBV positive T-cell LPD of childhood in China. Two were systemic EBV positive T-cell LPD of childhood, one was HVLL and one was chronic active EBV (CAEBV). The main manifestations were lymphadenopathy, fever, hepatosplenomegaly and skin rashes. The structure of the lymph nodes in the patients ranged from preserved to partially or totally destroyed. Small- to medium-sized, atypical T cells had infiltrated the lymph nodes. In HVLL, the neoplastic cells had infiltrated the dermis and subcutaneous region surrounding sweat glands and nerves. All of the cases tested positive for CD8, other T cells, cytotoxic markers and EBV-encoded RNA (EBER) without CD56 expression. Molecular analysis was performed in three cases. All of the three analyses showed a TCRγ rearrangement and one case also had an IGH rearrangement. One of the patients with systemic EBV positive T-cell LPD of childhood experienced rapid evolved and died within five months of onset. CAEBV, systemic EBV-positive T-cell LPD of childhood and HVLL are distinct but overlapping diseases within the category of EBV-positive T-cell LPD of childhood. They constitute a continuous spectrum of EBV-infected associated disorders.

The impact of nonlinear losses in the silicon micro-ring cavities on CW pumping correlated photon pair generation

In this paper, 1.5 μm correlated photon pairs are generated under continuous wave (CW) pumping in a silicon micro-ring cavity with a Q factor of 8.1 × 10(4). The ratio of coincidences to accidental coincidences (CAR) is up to 200 under a coincidence time bin width of 5 ns. The experiment result of single side photon count shows that the generation rate does not increase as the square of the pump level due to the nonlinear losses in the cavity which reduce the Q factor and impact the field enhancement effect in the cavity under high pump level. Theoretical analysis shows that the photon pair generation rate in the cavity is proportional to the seventh power of the Q factor, which agrees well with the experiment result. It provides a way to analyze the performance of CW pumping correlated photon pair generation in silicon micro-ring cavities under high pump levels.

Determination of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 in olive oil, peanut oil, and sesame oil using immunoaffinity column cleanup, postcolumn derivatization, and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection: first action 2013.05

A collaborative study of a method for determination of aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2, G1, and G2 in olive oil, peanut oil, and sesame oil using immunoaffinity column cleanup, postcolumn derivatization, and LC with fluorescence detection, previously published in J. AOAC Int. 95, 1689-1700 (2012), was approved as First Action 2013.05 on March 29, 2013 by the Method-Centric Committee for Aflatoxins in Edible Oils. The method uses methanol for extraction followed by filtration. The extract is applied to an immunoaffinity column with antibodies specific for AFs, which are then eluted from the column with a methanol solution. Determination and quantification occur using RP-LC with fluorescence detection after postcolumn derivatization. The average recovery of AFs in olive, peanut, and sesame oils in spiked samples (levels between 2.0 and 20.0 microg/kg) ranged from 84 to 92%. The recoveries for AFs B1, B2, G1, and G2 were 86-93, 89-95, 85-97, and 76-85%, respectively. Within-laboratory RSD (RSDr) values for AFs ranged from 3.4 to 10.2%. RSDr values forAF B1, B2, G1, and G2 were 3.5-10.9, 3.2-9.5, 6.5-14.9, and 4.8-14.2%, respectively. Between-laboratory RSD (RSDR) values for AFs were 6.1-14.5%. RSD, values for AFs B1, B2, G1, and G2 were 7.5-15.4, 7.1-14.6, 10.8-18.1, and 7.6-23.7%, respectively. Horwitz ratio values were < or =2 for the analytes in the three matrixes.

Histological subtypes of lung cancer in Chinese males from 2000 to 2012

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the histological and epidemiological features of male lung cancer patients in China.

METHODS

The demographic and histological information about male lung cancer patients identified from 2000-01-01 to 2012-12-31, was collected from the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Relative frequencies (RF) were estimated for major histological subtypes and compared according to the years of diagnosis and birth.

RESULTS

The RF of adenocarcinoma (ADC) increased from 21.96% to 43.36% and the RF of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) decreased from 39.11% to 32.23% from 2000 to 2012 in the 15 427 male lung cancer patients included in this study (Z=17.909, P<0.0001; Z=-6.117, P<0.0001). The RF of ADC increased from 28.72% in 2000-2004, 36.88% in 2005-2008 to 48.61% in 2009-2012 in patients born after 1960. The age-adjusted RF of ADC in 2007-2012 increased consistently in all the investigated areas.

CONCLUSION

The increased RF of ADC in male lung cancer patients highlights the need for further investigation of the etiologic factors of these tumors. Smoke-free policies rather than modifying tobacco products should be enforced.

Imaging findings of primary splenic lymphoma: a review of 17 cases in which diagnosis was made at splenectomy

Purpose

This study sought to characterize the imaging features of primary splenic lymphoma (PSL).

Materials and Methods

Pathological and imaging data from 17 patients with primary splenic lymphoma initially diagnosed at splenectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Pretreatment computed tomography (CT) imaging was available for 16 patients, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data were available for 4 patients. Splenic lymphoma imaging data were categorized based on the gross pathological presentation in the following manner: type 1, homogeneous enlargement; type 2, miliary nodules; type 3, multifocal masses of varying size; and type 4, solitary large mass.

Results

Of the 17 patients with PSL, 16 cases were non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and of these, 9 cases were diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) and 4 cases were splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (SMZL). Imaging showed the following types of PSL presentation: 1 case of type 1, 0 cases of type 2, 4 cases of type 3, and 12 cases of type 4. There was evidence of necrosis in 12 cases (70.6%), and there was evidence of mild enhancement in enhanced CT in 14 cases and in enhanced MRI in 3 cases. Prior to surgery, PSL was considered possible in 8 patients.

Conclusion

The most frequent histological subtype was DLBCL, followed by SMZL. In both CT and MRI, PSL generally presents as a solitary mass or masses rather than as splenomegaly. In addition, necrosis and mild enhancement are commonly observed, and splenectomy may be required to confirm the diagnosis.

A nation-wide multicenter retrospective study of the epidemiological, pathological and clinical characteristics of breast cancer in situ in Chinese women in 1999 - 2008

BACKGROUND

Compared with invasive breast cancer, breast cancer in situ (BCIS) is seldom life threatening. However, an increasing incidence has been observed in recent years over the world. The purpose of our study is to investigate the epidemiological, clinical and pathological profiles of BCIS in Chinese women from 1999-2008.

METHODS

Four thousand and two hundred-eleven female breast cancer (BC) patients were enrolled in this hospital-based nation-wide and multi-center retrospective study. Patients were randomly selected from seven hospitals in seven representative geographical regions of China between 1999 and 2008. The epidemiological, clinical and pathological data were collected based on the designed case report form (CRF).

RESULTS

There were one hundred and forty-three BCIS cases in four thousand and two hundred-eleven BC patients (3.4%). The mean age at diagnosis was 48.3 years and BCIS peaked in age group 40-49 yrs (39.9%). The most common subtype was ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) (88.0%). 53.8% were positive for estrogen receptor (ER). Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive status was observed in 23.8% of patients. All patients underwent surgeries and 14.7% of them had breast conservation therapies (BCT) (21/143), but 41.9% accepted chemotherapy (64/143). Much less patients underwent radiotherapy (16.0%, 23/143) and among patients who had BCT, 67% accepted radiotherapy (14/21). Endocrine therapy was taken in 44.1% patients (63/143).

CONCLUSIONS

The younger age of BCIS among Chinese women than Western countries and increasing number of cases pose a great challenge. BCT and endocrine therapy are under great needs.

1.5 μm polarization entanglement generation based on birefringence in silicon wire waveguides

In this Letter, the 1.5 μm polarization entanglement generation is realized in a silicon wire waveguide utilizing its birefringence. In this scheme, two orthogonal polarized correlated states are generated by scalar processes of spontaneous four-wave mixing (SFWM) in the quasi-transverse electrical and quasi-transverse magnetic modes, respectively. Meanwhile, the vector processes of SFWM are suppressed by the group birefringence in the waveguide. The maximum polarization entangled state is generated by optimizing the pump polarization, which is demonstrated by the experiments of two-photon interference and polarization indistinguishability at one side. The fringe visibilities of two-photon interferences are 96.8±4.7% and 86.0±3.7% under two nonorthogonal polarization detection settings, respectively. This scheme provides a simple way to realize silicon integrated sources for 1.5 μm polarization entanglement generation.

Research into the functional components and antioxidant activities of North China rice wine (Ji Mo Lao Jiu)

Over the last decade, considerable experimental evidence has supported the view that grape wine and South China rice wine are rich in diverse nutrients and have powerful antioxidant activity. However, little research has been carried out for North China rice wine, of which Ji Mo Lao Jiu (JMLJ) is the outstanding representative. In this study, the functional components and antioxidant activity of JMLJ were investigated. Twenty-eight free amino acids were found in JMLJ, much more than that previously reported in other Chinese rice wines (16-21). Functional oligosaccharides (5290.222 mg/L), total phenols (722.431 ± 10.970 mg/L), and mineral elements (9) were rich in JMLJ. When compared with synthetic antioxidants, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), JMLJ showed effective 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and reducing capacity. The results of this study lay the foundation for promoting the utilization of JMLJ and the development of North China rice wine in the food industry.

Targeted expression of Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase and Fludara® for prostate cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have shown that Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk)/ganciclovir (GCV) comprised the most commonly used suicide gene therapy for prostate cancer, with modest results being obtained. However, novel suicide genes, such as Escherichia coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP), have been utilized to demonstrate more potent tumor killing and an enhanced bystander effect on local, non-expressing cells compared to HSV-tk.

METHODS

PNP/fludarabine (Fludara®; fludarabine phosphate; Berlex Labs, Richmond, CA, USA) was deliveried by prostate-specific, rat probasin-based promoter, ARR2PB. After infection of various cell lines with ADV.ARR(2) PB-PNP and administration of androgen analog, R1881, expression of PNP mRNA was detected; in vivo, the antitumor effect of the ARR(2) PB-PNP/Fludara system was monitored and analyzed, as well as animal survival.

RESULTS

After in vitro infection with ADV.ARR(2) PB-PNP (multiplicity of infection  =  10), LNCaP cells were more sensitive to a lower concentration Fludara (LD(50) , approximately 0.1 µg/ml) in the presence of R1881. Furthermore, robust bystander effects after R1881/Fludara treatment were observed in LNCaP cells after infection with bicistronic vector ADV.ARR2PB/PNP-IRES-EGFP in contrast to a much weaker effect in cells treated with ADV.CMV-HSV-tk/GCV. In vivo, tumor size in the ADV.ARR2PB-PNP/Fludara treatment group was dramatically smaller than in the control groups, and the mice treated with our system had a significantly prolonged survival, with three of eight mice surviving up to the 160-day termination point, as well as no systemic toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The ARR(2) PB-PNP/Fludara system induced massive tumor cell death and a prolonged life span without systemic cytotoxicity; therefore, it might be a more attractive strategy for suicide gene therapy of prostate cancer.

Clinical and pathologic features of multifocal and multicentric breast cancer in chinese women: a retrospective cohort study

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the clinical-pathological characteristics of multifocal and multicentric breast cancer (MMBC) in Chinese women.

Methods

Sixty-seven cases with MMBC were randomly collected and reviewed at seven hospitals in representative districts of China during 1999 to 2008.

Results

The incidence of MMBC in breast cancer in China was 1.75%. Compared to those with unifocal breast cancer, women with MMBC were more likely to have larger tumor size, lymph node metastasis (59.70% vs. 45.62%) and stage III to IV (46.26% vs. 21.10%). The peak age at onset of MMBC was 40 to 49 years old and has been gradually increasing during 1999 to 2008. Most of the MMBC women were treated with surgery and adjuvant therapy.

Conclusion

In China, the incidence of MMBC in breast cancer is significantly lower than that in Western countries. Compared to unifocal breast cancer, MMBC is biologically more aggressive. Most MMBC women underwent mastectomy, instead of breast conservation surgery.

Cytokeratin19-2g2, a novel fragment of cytokeratin19 in serum, indicating a more invasive behavior and worse prognosis in breast cancer patients

Background

Various studies have been searching for new tumor biomarkers for breast cancer for years. However, so far, few markers have been proved clinically useful except CA153. Based on knowledge that most adenocarcinomas including breast carcinoma expressed Cytokeratin19, the authors studied CK19-2G2,a novel fragment of cytokeratin19 shedding into serum in breast cancer patients.

Patients and Methods

The serum samples of four hundred and seventeen patients including three hundred and three (fifty-four DCIS and two hundred and forty-nine stage I-III) PBC patients and one hundred and fourteen MBC patients, eighty-one healthy controls and twenty-one breast benign disease patients were provided for measurement of CK19-2G2, CEA and CA153.The correlation between clinicopathological characters, prognosis and CK19-2G2 levels was further studied.

Results

The serum CK19-2G2 levels in breast cancer patients were significantly higher than that in healthy and benign controls. For breast cancer patients, CK19-2G2 levels in MBC were significantly higher than that in PBC patients. The sensitivities of CK19-2G2 for breast carcinoma are as high as CEA and CA153, and up to 71% in MBC patients. Serum CK19-2G2 levels (≥2 mU/mL) were associated with pathological stages, tumor size (≥2 cm), lymph node involvement, and HER2 status. Multivariate analysis revealed that high serum CK19-2G2 level was an independent factor for relapse (P = 0.029) and death (P = 0.040) in breast cancer patients.

Conclusion

Serum CK19-2G2 may be an independent indicator for prognosis and a candidate marker for monitoring metastasis in breast cancer.

18-FDG-PET in assessing disease activity in Takayasu arteritis: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

To assess the diagnosis value of 18-FDG-PET in estimating disease activity in Takayasu arteritis.

METHODS

A complete search of PubMed, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library was finished to July 25, 2012. Sensitivity and specificity as well as pooled estimates of positive and negative likelihood ratios (PLR and NLR) were calculated by Meta-Disc. We also calculated the area under the sROC curve (AUC) and the Q* index.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis was finished with 6 study retrieved from the database search. The pooled sensitivity, and specificity with 95% confidence interval were 70.1% (95% CI, 58.6-80.0) and 77.2% (95% CI, 64.2-87.3). The PLR and NLR were 2.313 (95% CI 1.108-4.829) and 0.341 (95% CI 0.142-0.824). The AUC was 0.805(±0.084) and Q* index was 0.7402 (±0.0739).

CONCLUSIONS

18-FDG-PET had moderate diagnosis value in assessing TA activity. It may add additional value to the current diagnosis methods.

Apoptosis induced by yessotoxins in Hela human cervical cancer cells in vitro

To investigate the apoptotic effects of an extract of red-tide algae, Protoceratium reticulatum, on HeLa cells, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, optical microscopy, Hoechst 33342/propidine iodide staining, and DNA gel electrophoresis to analyze its constituents and toxicity, as well as rhodamine 123 staining to investigate changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Analysis showed that the P. reticulatum extract contained the yessotoxins (YTXs) homo-YTX, 45-OH-YTX and 45-OH-homo-YTX. The results indicated that P. reticulatum extract negatively influences HeLa cells and induces their apoptosis.

[Comparative study of endoscopic mucous resection with transparent cap and endoscopic multi-band mucosectomy for early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesion]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic mucous resection with transparent cap (EMR-Cap) and endoscopic multi-band mucosectomy (MBM) in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesion.

METHODS

A retrospective study was performed to review 30 EMR-Cap cases from December 2008 to December 2009 and 32 MBM cases from January 2010 to January 2011 of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. The differences between these two techniques in efficacy, safety, and cost were compared.

RESULTS

In EMR-Cap group, the median resection time was 26(10-56) min and median procedure time was 43(22-81) min, significantly longer than those in MBM group [10(7-18) min and 32(28-45) min, P=0.036 and 0.038, respectively]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in total thickness and depth of resected lesions (P>0.05). In EMR-Cap group, the median cost was significantly higher than that of MBM group [(5466±354) vs. (4014±368) RMB, P=0.008)].

CONCLUSIONS

EMR-Cap and MBM are minimally invasive, safe and effective methods in the treatment of early esophageal cancer and precancerous lesions. Compared to the EMR-Cap, MBM is simple with shorter treatment time and lower cost.

[3-dimensional visualization study of angle nerve of facial nerve]

OBJECTIVE

To validate the previous anatomic study result about angle nerve of facial nerve through 3-dimensional (3-D) visualization technique, so as to provide theory basis for clinic treatment of nerve loss.

METHOD

The full-thickness soft tissue at internal side of inner canthus was harvested from adult cadaveric head. The skin was 3 cm in length and 1 cm in width, with 2 parallel cut lines as location markers. The specimen was sliced continuously into 120 slices, with 10 microm in thickness for every slice, 0.25 mm apart. The slices underwent HE staining and 2-D digital image was gained by high resolution scanner. Then 3-D reconstruction was performed.

RESULTS

(1) It showed the 3-D structures and routes of angle nerve, as well as the relationship between angle nerve and angle arteriovenous. All the reconstructed structures can be displayed together or separately, also from any angles. (2) It confirmed the accuracy of microscopic anatomy study about angle nerve. (3) The 3-D reconstruction of angle nerve, as well as the surrounding structure could be very useful for clinical application.

CONCLUSION

Based on the histologic study and computer technology, the 3-D reconstruction of angle nerve could provide accurate basis for the feasibility of clinic treatment of angle nerve loss.

A case report of primary small cell carcinoma of the breast and review of the literature

Primary small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the breast, an exceedingly rare and aggressive tumor, is often characterized by rapid progression and poor prognosis. We report a case of primary SCC of the breast that was diagnosed through pathologic and immunohistochemical examinations. Computed tomography (CT) scans failed to reveal a non-mammary primary site. Due to the scant number of relevant case summaries, this type of tumor is proved to be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Therefore, we also reviewed relevant literature to share expertise in diagnosis, clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of this type of tumor. Future studies with more cases are required to define more appropriate treatment indications for this disease.

Clinicopathological and prognostic analysis of 319 cases of advanced esophageal gastric adenocarcinoma

AIM: To explore the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors in patients with advanced oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma (OGA), and to assess the applicability of the AJCC TNM staging guideline (7^th edition) in OGA.

METHODS: The clinical data for 319 cases of surgically removed advanced OGA were retrospectively reviewed, and survival analysis was made by the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 62%, 44% and 35%, respectively. Patients with localized OGA had a higher survival rate than those with infiltrative disease. Diameter of tumor, grade, infiltration depth and lymph node metastasis were significantly correlated with lower survival rate (all P < 0.01). Patients with the Lauren infiltration subtype had a lower survival rate than those with intestinal and mixed subtypes. The survival rate had no difference among patients with stages N1-N3 disease (N staging according to AJCC guideline), but was significantly lower in patients with more than 10 metastatic lymph nodes than in those with less than 10 metastatic lymph nodes.

CONCLUSION: Tumor diameter, infiltration depth, grade and Lauren classification are associated with prognosis in patients with esophagogastric adenocarcinoma. N staging according to AJCC guideline (7^th Ed) can not reveal prognostic significance, which suggests that OGA should have unique staging guidelines instead of referring to gastric or esophageal adenocarcinomas.

Absence of evidence for epidermal growth factor receptor and human homolog of the Kirsten rat sarcoma-2 virus oncogene mutations in breast cancer

AIMS

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an available target of effective anti-EGFR therapy for human breast cancer. KRAS, the human homolog of the Kirsten rat sarcoma-2 virus oncogene, encodes a main downstream signaling molecule in the EGFR pathway. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of EGFR and KRAS gene mutations in breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

EGFR and KRAS gene mutations were investigated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 143 Chinese female patients with breast cancer by means of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

Based on RT-PCR, 2/143 (1.4%) samples and 1/143 (0.7%) had EGFR and KRAS gene mutations, respectively. Overall, none of the cases was identified with mutations of both of these two genes.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, both EGFR and KRAS mutations were present rarely in this cohort of samples with breast cancer. This suggested that mutation analyses for EGFR and KRAS are not useful as screening tests for sensitivity to anti-EGFR therapy for breast carcinomas.

Epidermal growth factor receptor in breast carcinoma: association between gene copy number and mutations

Background

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an available target of effective anti-EGFR therapy for human breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of EGFR gene amplification and mutations in breast cancer and to analyze the association between the statuses of these two gene alterations.

Materials and methods

EGFR gene amplification and mutations were investigated in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 139 Chinese female patients with breast cancer by means of fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and fluorescently labeled real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively.

Results

EGFR gene amplification was observed in 46/139 (33.1%) of cases by FISH. Based on RT-PCR, 2/139 (1.4%) samples had EGFR gene mutations. Overall, only 1 (0.7%) of the cases was identified with both whole gene amplification and mutation, and 92 (66.2%) of cases were negative for both. High gene copy numbers of EGFR had significant correlation with the occurrence of EGFR protein expressions (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

In this study, EGFR mutations were presented in only two samples, indicating that EGFR mutations should not be employed in future trials with anti-EGFR therapies for breast cancer. However, EGFR whole gene amplification is frequently observed in patients with breast cancer. It will be of significant interest to investigate whether EGFR gene copy number is a suitable screening test for EGFR-targeted therapy for breast cancer.

Preferred structures of the atomic Ag islands on silicone oil surfaces

Varying the substrate temperature T(s) from 285 to 353 K, both the aggregation behavior of Ag atoms and the preferred structures of the atomic Ag islands on silicone oil surfaces are investigated. After deposition, the deposited Ag atoms form isolated islands with a preferred height. Our observations reveal that, as T(s) increases, the preferred island height increases from 20.0 to 33.0 nm, which results in the decrease of the Ag apparent coverage, from 9.6 ± 0.1% to 6.5 ± 0.3%. Further, the crystal structure of the Ag islands changes from amorphous to polycrystalline as the substrate temperature T(s) goes up. Subsequently a 3D aggregation mechanism of the Ag atoms on the liquid substrates is proposed.

Immunophenotypic characteristics and clinical relevance of CD56+ and CD56- extranodal nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma

This study aimed to determine whether the phenotypic characteristics of the two subtypes of CD56+ and CD56- lymphoma have relevance for their clinical behavior and prognosis. The immunophenotypes of all patients were confirmed using standard criteria for CD20, CD3ε, CD56, cytotoxic molecules (T-cell intracellular antigen-1 [TIA-1] and granzyme B), and Ki-67, and in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded RNA (EBER). CD56 was expressed in 90 of 118 (76.3%) patients. The majority (83.3%) of patients with nasal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL) presented with CD56+ lymphoma, whereas patients with NKTCL of the extranasal upper aerodigestive tract were more likely to have CD56- lymphoma (53.6%, p < 0.000). A lower percentage of expression of granzyme B and Ki-67 (>50%) was found in patients with CD56- lymphoma compared with those with CD56+ lymphoma (p <0.05). The clinical characteristics and prognosis were comparable between patients with CD56+ and CD56- lymphomas. The corresponding overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 74.1% and 56.7%, respectively, for patients with CD56+ lymphoma compared with 81.6% and 60.5% for those with CD56- lymphoma (p > 0.05). There was no clinical or prognostic significance in determining the two subtypes of CD56+ and CD56- NKTCL based on their immunophenotypic profiles, which has clinical implications for pathological diagnosis and insight into disease behavior.

Abstract P3-05-01: “VISA” Nanopaticles to Breast Cancer In Vitro and in Living Imaging Animal Models

Development of cancer gene therapy has been hampered by the fact that there are no effective cancer-specific expression vectors available, which is critical for improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing toxicity in clinics. To overcome this problem, we recently developed a safe and effective strategy fro targeting a potent pro-apoptotic gene (BikDD) to the pancreatic tumors (Xie et al. Cancer Cell, 2007), lung cancer (Sher et al. Oncogene, 2009) and ovarian cancer (Xie et al. Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, 2009). A VISA system (VP16-Gal4-WPRE integrated systemic amplifier) was engineered by using the two-step transcriptional amplification (TSTA) system and the posttranscriptional regulatory element of the woodchuck hepatitis virus (WPRE). The VISA system can boost the activity of cancer-specific promoters by an average of 600-800-folds compared to their basal levels. C-VISA (CCKAR-VISA) nanoparticles transcriptionally targets transgene expression effectively to pancreatic tumors in vivo. C-VISA-BikDD nanoparticles was shown to be highly effective in reducing tumor burden and increasing animal survival rate in orthotopic pancreatic cancer models which is moving into clinical trials at University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, USA. In the current study, we identified hTERT(human telomerase reverse transcriptase), survivin, β-cateinin, claudin-4, and FASN (fatty acid synthase) promoters as breast cancer-selective promoters, and amplified their activity to hundreds of folds greater by the “VISA” system(called x-VISA) without loss of their specificity. Very importantly, the x-VISA promoters were also robust in the primary cultured breast cancer cells, with 42.5 %-65% of the CMV promoter, while retaining stringent pancreatic cancer specificity. x-VISA was also shown to target expression of firefly luciferase to MDA-MB-468 xenografts in an orthotopic mouse model, confirmed by noninvasive imaging with an Xenogen IVIS™ imaging system and measuring with a luminometer. The cancer-specific index was 35-60 for x-VISA-Luc and 0.01 for CMV-Luc in vivo. We further demonstrated significant antitumor activity of targeted BikDD expression driven by nanoparticles of the hTERT-VISA-BikDD vectors in Her-2-negative and-positive and triple-negative breast cancer cell lines in vitro, and in multiple breast cancer models of living imaging by the Xenogen IVIS imaging system with limited toxicity. In addition, treatment with hTERT-VISA-BikDD nanoparticles plus lapatinib or produces evident combinational therapeutic efficacy, which is likely due to the ability of lapatinib to promote apoptosis of Her-2-overexpressing breast cancer cells. Thus, our newly developed hTERT-VISA-BikDD nanoparticles are an innovative strategy for targeted antitumor effects of Her-2-negative, Her-2-positive and triple-negative breast cancer.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-05-01.

Trio is a key guanine nucleotide exchange factor coordinating regulation of the migration and morphogenesis of granule cells in the developing cerebellum

Orchestrated regulation of neuronal migration and morphogenesis is critical for neuronal development and establishment of functional circuits, but its regulatory mechanism is incompletely defined. We established and analyzed mice with neural-specific knock-out of Trio, a guanine nucleotide exchange factor with multiple guanine nucleotide exchange factor domains. Knock-out mice showed defective cerebella and severe signs of ataxia. Mutant cerebella had no granule cells in the internal granule cell layer due to aberrant granule cell migration as well as abnormal neurite growth. Trio-deficient granule cells showed reduced extension of neurites and highly branched and misguided processes with perturbed stabilization of actin and microtubules. Trio deletion caused down-regulation of the activation of Rac1, RhoA, and Cdc42, and mutant granule cells appeared to be unresponsive to neurite growth-promoting molecules such as Netrin-1 and Semaphorin 6A. These results suggest that Trio may be a key signal module for the orchestrated regulation of neuronal migration and morphogenesis during cerebellar development. Trio may serve as a signal integrator decoding extrinsic signals to Rho GTPases for cytoskeleton organization.

Pin1 expression contributes to lung cancer: Prognosis and carcinogenesis

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of death for malignancy in both men and women. Current therapies for NSCLC patients are inefficient due to the lack of diagnostic and therapeutic markers. The phospho-Ser/Thr-Pro specific prolyl-isomerase Pin1 is overexpressed in many different cancers, including NSCLC, and may possibly be used as a target for cancer therapy. We identified 79 cases with the follow-up survival and investigated the clinical relevance of Pin1 expression in NSCLC patients. To validate the oncogenic potential of Pin1 in lung cells, we overexpressed Pin1 in Glc82 cells, and downregulated Pin1 by RNA interference in H1299 cells. The 5-year survival rate of the 79 patients was 54.6%. High expression of Pin1 correlated with poor survival by univariate analysis as well as by multivariate analysis, demonstrating that high expression of Pin1 was an independent prognostic factor. Consistent with the clinical findings, overexpression of Pin1 in Glc82 cells increased cell growth and colony formation and tumorigenicity in nude mice including cell migration, invasion. To further validate the role of Pin1 in lung cancer carcinogenesis, lentivirus-mediated siRNA targeting of Pin1 resulted in the stable suppression of both cell growth, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and tumorigenic including cell migration, invasion in H1299 cells. Pin1 expression may be an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients of NSCLC patients, and these results indicate that Pin1 may have a role in tumor development and metastasis and thus could serve as a novel target for treatment of NSCLC.

Tumor suppressor function of BCSC-1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

BCSC-1 is dramatically upregulated in CNE-2L2 human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells with reduced malignancy (AS cells) and is proposed to be a candidate tumor suppressor gene. We therefore examined the effect of BCSC-1 expression on malignant behaviors of CNE-2L2 cells. Growth in vitro and tumorigenesis in nude mice of wild-type CNE-2L2 cells (W cells) were inhibited by ectopic BCSC-1, and those of AS cells were promoted by BCSC-1 suppression. The tumor suppressor function of BCSC-1 was further confirmed by a study showing that intratumor BCSC-1 injection caused growth suppression of the tumor from W cells inoculated in nude mice. Immunohistochemistry exhibited marked reduction of BCSC-1 expression in 11 of 39 human nasopharyngeal carcinoma specimens. Because BCSC-1 expression was as rich as that in normal cells in the rest of the carcinoma specimens and was poor in CNE-2L2 cells, HNE-1 human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells with rich BCSC-1 expression were used as a control in the study. No effect of BCSC-1 transfection on growth of the cells was observed. The data suggest that BCSC-1 suppression might play roles in tumorigenesis of some nasopharyngeal carcinomas and that BCSC-1 might be a potential gene therapy target in nasopharyngeal carcinomas with poor BCSC-1 expression. Enhanced aggregation of cells together with increased E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression and reduced Wnt signaling might be involved in the mechanisms of tumor suppressor function of BCSC-1.