Histone modification inhibitors: An emerging frontier in thyroid Cancer therapy

Thyroid cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine cancer and is a serious health concern due to its aggressiveness and high incidence. Histone modifications affect DNA accessibility and gene transcriptional activity by altering the structure of chromatin. Abnormal histone modifications may affect genome stability and disrupt gene expression patterns, leading to many diseases, including cancer. A growing body of research suggests that histone modifications and TC progression are inextricably linked. This article discusses the impact of aberrant histone modification patterns on TC. By targeting specific histone-modifying enzymes, it may be possible to regulate gene expression and inhibit the growth of TC. Finally, we summarize the relevant histone modification inhibitors to better understand the development stage of the use of these drugs to inhibit histone-modifying enzymes in cancer treatment.

Clinicopathological characteristics and long-term outcomes of adult patients with proliferative lupus nephritis

BACKGROUND

Proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN) is the most severe form of lupus nephritis (LN). There are limited data available on renal outcomes of PLN from developing countries.

AIM

To determine the clinicopathological characteristics and long-term outcomes in terms of remission, requirement of kidney replacement therapy (KRT), and patient survival.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on biopsy-proven focal or diffuse PLN cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2019 at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation and followed up at the renal clinic for a minimum of 5 years. All patients were induced with a combination of intravenous cyclophosphamide and corticosteroids for 6 months, followed by maintenance treatment with azathioprine (AZA) or mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 22.0. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

The mean age at the onset of systemic lupus erythematosus was 24.12 years ± 8.89 years, and at LN onset, 26.63 years ± 8.61 years. There was a female predominance of 184 (88.9%) cases. Among baseline characteristics, reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate, presence of hypertension, requirement of KRT, and underlying renal histology (International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society class IV than class III) were significantly associated with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and mortality. The renal outcomes were negatively correlated with age, duration of symptoms, and 24-hour urinary protein excretion. The overall remission rate was 89.8% at the end of induction therapy. At 5 years, 141 (68.11%) patients were in complete and partial remission (94 [45.4%] and 47 [22.7%], respectively). In total, 19 (9.2%) patients required KRT on presentation, and at 5 years, 38 (18.4%) patients developed ESKD, and 28 (13.5%) patients died. Thirty-four (16.4%) patients had a renal relapse, more with AZA than MMF (30 [88.2%] vs 4 [11.76%], respectively; P = 0.04). Renal survival at 6 months was 89.8%, while at 5 years, it was 68.11%, showing a significant improvement in patients who did not need KRT at the time of presentation (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Baseline renal functions, requirement of KRT, and diffuse proliferative disease were the most relevant prognostic factors for kidney survival among this cohort. Short-term renal outcomes were good. Long-term outcomes were poorer with AZA-based maintenance therapy than with MMF, with more ESKD and mortality.

NS3 of hepatitis C virus drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression through a novel RNA-interference pathway

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a severe consequence of hepatitis C virus infection, is significantly influenced by the virus's non-structural protein 3 (NS3). This study employed transcriptome sequencing to explore the role of NS3 in promoting HCC progression by comparing gene expression profiles between HCV-infected HCC tissues and healthy liver controls. Key genes regulated by NS3 were identified and validated with quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot analyses. Functionality assays, including CCK-8, BrdU, and Transwell migration and invasion tests, were performed to evaluate the effects of NS3 on HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Further investigation through a dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays revealed that NS3 specifically upregulates circ_0001175. This circular RNA interacts with and inhibits miR-130a-5p, diminishing its regulatory impact on P53 by modulating the MDM4 pathway, thereby promoting oncogenic characteristics. The findings highlight the NS3-induced circ_0001175/miR-130a-5p/MDM4/P53 pathway as a potential therapeutic target, offering promising directions for treatment strategies in HCV-related HCC.

PARP-1 gene promoter region may be associated with progression in multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a leading cause of disability among young adults. Most cases begin with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and can transition to secondary progressive MS (SPMS) over time. It is known that the inflammatory status of the central nervous system changes during the progression of MS. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is an enzyme involved in several cellular processes. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between MS and the PARP-1 gene. We analyzed the PARP-1 gene's missense polymorphism rs1136410, promoter region polymorphism rs7527192, and 3'UTR polymorphism rs8679 in 123 MS patients and 168 healthy controls using the PCR-RFLP method. We examined genotype and allele frequency distributions among case-control groups and clinical subgroups. We observed that the CC genotype of rs7527192 polymorphism was increased in SPMS patients compared to controls. We also found that the CC genotype and C allele frequency were increased in the EDSS score > 3-6 group compared to healthy controls. The C allele frequency was increased in EDSS score > 3-6 compared to those with ≤ 3 and ≥ 6. When the results observed in our study are evaluated with the known effect of PARP-1 on the inflammasome pathway, we suggest that rs7527192 may be effective in the progression process through the activity of the PARP-1 inflammasome pathway.

Tumor-associated long non-coding RNAs show variable expression across diffuse gliomas and effect on cell growth upon silencing in glioblastoma

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been recently recognized as critical components of cancer biology linked to oncogenic processes. Certain lncRNAs are known to act as oncogenes, and the disease-specific expression of many lncRNAs makes them informative biomarkers. We identified 22 uncharacterized lncRNAs from RNA-seq data of 169 glioblastoma (GBM) tumor samples sequenced by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) consortium and studied their expression in TCGA diffuse glioma cohort including also IDH-mutant astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas as well as in normal brain samples from the Genotype-Tissue Expression cohort. All of the 22 lncRNAs were clearly upregulated in diffuse gliomas samples compared to the normal brain. Interestingly, 20 (91%) of these lncRNAs had significant expression differences between tumor grades and/or entities, and 14 (64%) were associated with overall patient survival. All 22 lncRNAs were expressed in at least one of the studied GBM cell lines and 10 (45%) were expressed in all four. When six of the lncRNAs were silenced in the SNB19 GBM cell line, the knock-down was associated with reduced growth and colony formation for three lncRNAs: TCONS_l2_00001282, lnc-GBMT-6, and lnc-NBN-1. In conclusion, the studied lncRNAs are associated with survival in patients with diffuse glioma and have functional relevance in GBM.

Immune modulation for the patterns of epithelial cell death in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory disease of the intestine whose primary pathological presentation is the destruction of the intestinal epithelium. The intestinal epithelium, located between the lumen and lamina propria, transmits luminal microbial signals to the immune cells in the lamina propria, which also modulate the intestinal epithelium. In IBD patients, intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) die dysfunction and the mucosal barrier is disrupted, leading to the recruitment of immune cells and the release of cytokines. In this review, we describe the structure and functions of the intestinal epithelium and mucosal barrier in the physiological state and under IBD conditions, as well as the patterns of epithelial cell death and how immune cells modulate the intestinal epithelium providing a reference for clinical research and drug development of IBD. In addition, according to the targeting of epithelial apoptosis and necroptotic pathways and the regulation of immune cells, we summarized some new methods for the treatment of IBD, such as necroptosis inhibitors, microbiome regulation, which provide potential ideas for the treatment of IBD. This review also describes the potential for integrating AI-driven approaches into innovation in IBD treatments.

METTL3 Mediates Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of 16HBE Cells Induced by Beryllium Sulphate

Beryllium (Be) is a recognised environmental toxicant associated with pulmonary fibrosis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a critical process in cell phenotype conversion, plays a key role in its pathophysiology. Methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), a major N6-methyladenosine methyltransferase, regulates gene expression and cellular functions. However, its role in Be-induced EMT remains unclear. In this study, human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE cells) were exposed to varying concentrations of beryllium sulphate (BeSO4) to assess changes in METTL3 expression. METTL3 overexpression vectors were constructed, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to detect METTL3, EMT markers and Wingless/Integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin pathway proteins. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor ICG-001 was also employed to explore the role of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in BeSO4-induced EMT. The study demonstrated that BeSO4 suppressed METTL3 expression, induced EMT and activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in 16HBE cells. Both METTL3 overexpression and ICG-001 pretreatment mitigated BeSO4-induced EMT and Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation. These findings suggest that METTL3 inhibits BeSO4-induced EMT by suppressing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, offering novel mechanistic insights into beryllium toxicity and a potential therapeutic target for Be-related pulmonary fibrosis.

Genetic variants of m1A modification genes and the risk of neuroblastoma: novel insights from a Chinese case-control study

BACKGROUND

The N1-adenosine methylation (m1A) modification plays a significant role in various cancers. However, the functions of m1A modification genes and their variants in neuroblastoma remain to be elucidated.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study involving 402 neuroblastoma patients and 473 cancer-free controls from China via the TaqMan genotyping method to evaluate m1A modification gene polymorphisms. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Additionally, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis utilizing the Genotype-Tissue Expression database was performed to investigate the impacts of significant polymorphisms on gene expression. The relationships between gene expression and the risk and prognosis of neuroblastoma patients were further examined via publicly available datasets by using the R2 platform.

RESULTS

We found that TRMT10C rs4618204 C > T significantly decreased neuroblastoma risk (CT/TT vs. CC: adjusted OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.56-0.97, P = 0.030). Moreover, polymorphisms of the TRMT10C (rs3762735), TRMT6 (rs451571 and rs236110), and ALKBH3 (rs10768993 and rs2292889) genes were associated with neuroblastoma risk in specific subgroups. Complete linkage disequilibrium and eQTL analysis revealed a significant association between rs4618204 C > T and reduced expression of the TRMT10C gene. Additionally, higher expression levels of the TRMT10C gene were observed to be linked to increased risk, malignancy, and poorer prognosis in neuroblastoma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

TRMT10C rs4618204 C > T was demonstrated to be significantly associated with an increased risk of neuroblastoma and may serve as a potential molecular marker for early diagnosis. Further studies are warranted to fully elucidate the specific molecular mechanisms involved in this effect.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

RAS gene polymorphisms confer the risk of neuroblastoma in Chinese children from Jiangsu province

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the potential association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the RAS gene and neuroblastoma risk, we examined four candidate SNPs within this gene.

METHODS

Our hospital-based case-control study included 402 cases and 473 controls. Four SNPs (rs12587 G > T, rs7973450 A > G, and rs7312175 G > A in KRAS and rs2273267 A > T in NRAS) were genotyped using the TaqMan assay. The association between RAS gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma susceptibility was assessed through odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

None of the four candidate SNPs exhibited a significant attribution to neuroblastoma risk. However, the concurrent presence of 2-3 KRAS risk genotypes significantly conferred an increased susceptibility to neuroblastoma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.33-4.89; P = 0.005). Further stratified analyses indicated that carriers of the KRAS rs12587 TT genotype tended to be more predisposed to neuroblastoma in males and in the subgroup with tumors originating from other sites. Additionally, the co-occurrence of 2-3 KRAS risk genotypes was found to be linked to an increased neuroblastoma risk in subgroups of individuals older than 18 months, males, tumors originating from retroperitoneum, mediastinum, or other sites, and those with tumors at clinical stage III + IV, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, a single KRAS gene polymorphism may be weakly associated with an increased risk of childhood neuroblastoma in Jiangsu province, China, while the presence of more KRAS risk genotypes may increase the contribution to the risk of neuroblastoma.

FOXA1-dependent NSUN2 facilitates the advancement of prostate cancer by preserving TRIM28 mRNA stability in a m5C-dependent manner

RNA epigenetics is gaining increased attention for its role in the initiation, metastasis, and drug resistance of tumors. These studies have primarily focused on m6A modification. However, despite being the second most abundant modification found in RNA, the role of m5C modification in prostate cancer remains largely unexplored. Here, we predict an RNA m5C methyltransferase, NSUN2, as a potential therapeutic target for prostate cancer using various bioinformatics approaches, and verify the potential of NSUN2 as a target through multiple preclinical models. Mechanistically, NSUN2 enhances the stability of TRIM28 mRNA by adding m5C modification, promoting the expression of TRIM28. Concurrently, FOXA1, a prostate cancer lineage-specific transcription factor, transcriptionally activates the expression of NSUN2. Our study confirms the clinical potential of targeting RNA epigenetics for the treatment of prostate cancer and elucidates, mechanistically, how RNA epigenetics participates in the complex biological activities within tumors via the FOXA1-NSUN2-TRIM28 axis.

Correlation study of NF-κB, IER3, and Recurrence of Ovarian Endometrioid Cysts

The study aimed to investigate the expression of nuclear actor-k-gene binding(NF-κB) and immediate early response 3(IER3) in ovarian endometrioid cysts and its correlation with the recurrence of the ovarian endometrioid cyst. From January 2018 to March 2019, a total of 88 patients who underwent laparoscopic ovarian cyst excision due to ovarian endometrioid cyst in Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital were selected. Clinical data of the patients were collected. The patient's Revised American Fertility Society (R-AFS) score, least function(LF) score, and endometriosis fertility index (EFI) were calculated. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of IER3 and NF-κB. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of IER3 and NF-κB expression on postoperative recurrence. Cox regression was fitted to analyze the influencing factors of ovarian endometrioid cyst recurrence. The expression of NF-κB was positively correlated with IER3 (P < 0.001). ROC curve showed that NF-κB combined with IER3 had higher predictive value for disease recurrence. Multivariate Cox regression showed that the IER3 expression intensity > 4.5 (HR = 3.418,95%CI: 1.227 ~ 9.523, P = 0.019) and the NF-κB expression intensity > 4.5 (HR = 5.491,95%CI: 1.600 ~ 18.838, P = 0.007) were independent risk factors for recurrence, and EFI score (HR = 0.791,95%CI: 0.637 ~ 0.983, P = 0.035) was a protective factor for recurrence. Our results suggested that EFI score is a protective factor for recurrence. The expression levels of NF-κB and IER3 > 4.5 are correlated with the recurrence of ovarian endometrioid cysts and independent risk factors for recurrence.

Characterizing miR-20a-3p Expression in the Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Aim:

This study aims to elucidate the role of miR-20a-3p in the inhibition of tumor suppressor genes, thereby enhancing the development and advancement of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by fostering the proliferation and viability of tumor cells. Additionally, the study seeks to evaluate the potential of miR-20a-3p as a prognostic biomarker for more effective treatment strategies in OSCC patients.

Materials and Methods:

This observational, analytical study utilized a convenience sampling method, involving a total of 63 OSCC biopsy samples and corresponding nontumor oral tissues from the same patients. The expression levels of miR-20a-3p were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Clinical information, including tumor stage, and grade was obtained. Statistical analysis included unpaired Student’s t tests to compare miR-20a-3p expression levels between normal and OSCC samples, and one-way ANOVA to compare expression across different grades and stages of the tumor, using SPSS version 19.

Results:

Our findings demonstrate that miR-20a-3p expression was significantly downregulated in OSCC samples compared to healthy controls ( p < .001). Additionally, we observed a correlation between miR-20a-3p downregulation and OSCC histological grade and staging. miR-20a-3p expression levels were significantly different across different grades of OSCC, particularly between well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC) and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDSCC) ( p < .006) and moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma and PDSCC ( p < .008). There was a significant difference in miR-20a-3p expression between normal tissues and Stage II ( p < .006) and Stage IV ( p < .001) OSCC.

Conclusion:

The study confirms that miR-20a-3p acts as a tumor suppressor in OSCC and holds potential as a biomarker for prognosis and personalized treatment strategies. miR-20a-3p expression is significantly reduced in OSCC tissues compared to normal tissues, and its levels vary with tumor grade and stage. These findings underscore the importance of further research into miRNAs as therapeutic targets.

Circ-NMNAT1 Drives Tumor Progression in Bladder Cancer by Modulating the miR-370-3p/ATXN2L Axis

The relationship between circular RNAs (circRNAs) and tumor growth and metastasis is increasingly well-established. In this study, we sought to shed light on circ-NMNAT1's potential molecular mechanisms in bladder cancer (BCa). circ-NMNAT1, miR-370-3p, and ATXN2L expression profiles were explored using RT-qPCR and/or Western blot techniques. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT and colony formation assay. Transwell assay was used to detect the migration and invasion ability of cells. Western Blot was used to detect the protein expression level of ATXN2L. The targeting relationship between miR-370-3p and circ-NMNAT1 or ATXN2L was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter gene and RIP assay. A xenograft tumor model was created to investigate circ-NMNAT1's function in BCa in vivo. The high expression of circ-NMNAT1 was measured in BCa. circ-NMNAT1 bound competitively to miR-370-3p and downregulated miR-370-3p expression. After knocking down circ-NMNAT1, the proliferation ability of EJ cells was significantly inhibited, and the number of cell colonies was (80.00 ± 7.10). The number of migrated and invaded cells was significantly reduced by (35.49 ± 0.05)% and (59.00 ± 0.04)%, respectively, after silencing circ-NMNAT1. In addition, downregulation of circ-NMNAT1 also significantly increased the apoptosis rate of EJ cells by (23.55 ± 2.95)%. Knockdown of miR-370-3p or overexpression of ATXN2L reduced the effect of circ-NMNAT1 silencing on BCa cells. The promoting effect of circ-NMNAT1 on BCa progression was further validated in vivo tumor models. The weight and volume of the tumor were significantly inhibited after circ-NMNAT1 knockdown, which were (87.50 ± 20.40) mg and (238.90 ± 21.38) mm3, respectively. Circ-NMNAT1 is highly expressed in BCa and promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BCa cells by regulating the miR-370-3p/ATXN2L axis, thereby accelerating the progression of BCa. Our results suggest that circ-NMNAT1 may be a new therapeutic target for BCa.

Methyltransferase-like enzyme 14 exacerbates retinal ganglion cell damage and diabetic retinopathy through N6-methyladenosine-dependent upregulation of pleckstrin homology domain and leucine rich repeat protein phosphatase 2

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of pleckstrin homology domain and leucine rich repeat protein phosphatase 2 (PHLPP2), mediated by methyltransferase-like enzyme 14 (METTL14), plays a critical role in regulating PHLPP2 expression across various pathological conditions. This study aims to ascertain whether METTL14 influences m6A methylation of PHLPP2 in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to delineate the precise function of the METTL14/PHLPP2 axis in disease progression. METTL14 levels were observed to be elevated in retinas of DR rats and in HG-stimulated RGCs, coinciding with an increase in PHLPP2 m6A modification. Knockdown of METTL14 resulted in significant reductions in PHLPP2 expression and its m6A modification. Silencing METTL14 mitigated HG-induced damage in RGCs, which was linked to the inhibition of apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation. This protective effect could be negated through the restoration of PHLPP2. METTL14 knockdown modulated the AKT/GSK-3β/Nrf2 signal cascade through PHLPP2. Silencing METTL14 resulted in the downregulation of METTL14 and PHLPP2 in the retinas of DR rats, ameliorated visual function impairment and reduced the pathological alterations. These protective effects of METTL14 silencing against DR were also weakened when PHLPP2 was restored. Overall, these results suggest that suppressing METTL14 improves HG-induced damage in RGCs and protects against DR by downregulating PHLPP2 through m6A modification.

Emerging Trends in Neuroblastoma Diagnosis, Therapeutics, and Research

This review explores the current understanding and recent advancements in neuroblastoma, one of the most common extracranial solid pediatric cancers, accounting for ~ 15% of childhood cancer-related mortality. The hallmarks of NBL, including angiogenesis, metastasis, apoptosis resistance, cell cycle dysregulation, drug resistance, and responses to hypoxia and ROS, underscore its complex biology. The tumor microenvironment's significance in disease progression is acknowledged in this study, along with the pivotal role of cancer stem cells in sustaining tumor growth and heterogeneity. A number of molecular signatures are being studied in order to better understand the disease, with many of them serving as targets for the development of new therapeutics. This includes inhibitor therapies for NBL patients, which notably concentrate on ALK signaling, MDM2, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Wnt, and RAS-MAPK pathways, along with regulators of epigenetic mechanisms. Additionally, this study offers an extensive understanding of the molecular therapies used, such as monoclonal antibodies and CAR-T therapy, focused on both preclinical and clinical studies. Radiation therapy's evolving role and the promise of stem cell transplantation-mediated interventions underscore the dynamic landscape of NBL treatment. This study has also emphasized the recent progress in the field of diagnosis, encompassing the adoption of artificial intelligence and liquid biopsy as a non-intrusive approach for early detection and ongoing monitoring of NBL. Furthermore, the integration of innovative treatment approaches such as CRISPR-Cas9, and cancer stem cell therapy has also been emphasized in this review.

Pediatric adrenocortical carcinoma complicated by uric acid nephrolithiasis: a unique case report

BACKGROUND

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an exceedingly rare malignancy in children, typically presenting with Cushing's syndrome due to excessive hormone secretion. The occurrence of uric acid nephrolithiasis in pediatric ACC patients is exceptionally uncommon.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 5-year-old boy who exhibited symptoms of Cushing's syndrome over a period of 10 months, including rapid weight gain, moon face, and increased chest and back hair growth. Laboratory tests revealed elevated cortisol, 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and testosterone levels. Imaging studies identified a 6.6 × 5.6 cm mass in the left adrenal gland, which was confirmed as ACC through biopsy and immunohistochemistry. One day prior to the scheduled adrenalectomy, the patient developed renal colic due to multiple kidney stones, as evidenced by emergency CT scans showing bilateral nephrolithiasis and a stone in the left upper ureter with mild hydronephrosis. Postoperatively, the patient spontaneously expelled brick-red uric acid stones. With glucocorticoid replacement therapy, his hormonal levels and clinical symptoms normalized within a year. A four-year follow-up revealed no recurrence of ACC or urolithiasis, and his hormonal parameters remained within normal ranges.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the rare association between ACC and uric acid nephrolithiasis in children. The spontaneous passage of uric acid stones provides insights into the link between stone formation and metabolic disorders, emphasizing the need for comprehensive endocrine and metabolic assessments in pediatric ACC management.

The METTL14-YTHDF1-SAP30 Axis Promotes Glycolysis and Oxaliplatin Resistance in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma via m6A Modification

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent cancer with a poor prognosis, especially in advanced metastatic stages. This study identifies SAP30 as a significantly upregulated gene in COAD, linking high SAP30 expression to reduced overall survival. Experimental validation revealed elevated SAP30 levels in CRC cell lines (SW480, RKO, HT29, and HCT15), with the highest expression in oxaliplatin-resistant sublines (HT29-OxR and HCT15-OxR). SAP30 knockdown in oxaliplatin-resistant cells reduced glycolytic activity, glucose consumption, and glycolytic enzyme expression (LDHA, HK1, HK2, GLUT1, and GLUT4), while SAP30 overexpression enhanced glycolysis, partially reversed by the GLUT1 inhibitor WZB117. SAP30 also promoted cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis, and enhanced migration and invasion in resistant CRC cells. Mechanistically, METTL14, an m6A methyltransferase, upregulates SAP30 mRNA via m6A modification, stabilized by the m6A reader protein YTHDF1. This METTL14-YTHDF1-SAP30 axis sustains SAP30 expression, promoting glycolysis and oxaliplatin resistance. In vivo studies confirmed that SAP30 knockout impairs tumor growth and reduces proliferation and glycolysis markers. This study highlights the METTL14-YTHDF1-SAP30 axis in glycolysis and chemoresistance in CRC, suggesting SAP30 as a potential target to overcome oxaliplatin resistance and improve patient outcomes.

Immunotherapy may promote the occurrence of radiation-induced brain injury in NSCLC patients with brain metastases undergoing radiotherapy: a retrospective propensity score-matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting study

PURPOSE

The combination of radiotherapy (RT) and immunotherapy can significantly improve the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. However, concerns about whether the synergistic effect may increase the risk of radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) remain controversial. This study aims to explore the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on the occurrence of RIBI in patients with NSCLC brain metastases (BMs).

METHODS

This study retrospectively enrolled NSCLC patients with BMs undergoing RT between January 2017 and December 2023. Patients were stratified into groups based on PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, administration, with confounding factors controlled via propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). Final cohorts included an RT-only group (n = 54) and an RT + ICIs group (n = 28). RIBI incidence and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between groups.

RESULTS

After 1:1 PSM analysis, the incidence of RIBI in the RT + ICIs group was significantly higher than that in the RT-only group (17.9% vs 42.9%, P = 0.042). Further IPTW analysis showed that the incidence of RIBI in the RT + ICIs group was significantly higher than that in the RT-only group (24.8% vs 47.8%, P = 0.033). Regarding the impact on PFS, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in both PSM and IPTW (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Immunotherapy combined with RT may increase the occurrence of RIBI in patients with NSCLC BMs. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon requires further investigation.

A novel variant of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) associated with risk of glioma in a Korean population

Among central nervous system (CNS) tumors, gliomas are the most prevalent type of tumor. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene have been identified as risk loci for gliomas by previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We examined association between TERT variants and glioma risk in a Korean population. For a case-control study, a total of 32 TERT SNPs from 317 patients with glioma and 480 population-based controls were genotyped. Logistic regression was used for statistical analysis of the link between TERT SNPs and risk of glioma. In this study, eight TERT variants, including four glioma-associated variants reported in previous studies, showed significant association with the risk of glioma. Conditional and stepwise analyses were conducted to validate independent associations in the group of the eight variants. Both analyses identified an intronic variant (rs56345976) as the causal variant among the eight variants. Glioma subgroup analyses indicate that rs56345976 variant is associated with the risk of WHO grade 4, glioblastoma, isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) wild-type, and 1p/19q non-codeletion glioma. This study presents a profound comprehension of the relationship between TERT variants and the risk of glioma. Further studies of this variant are required to investigate its effect on glioma susceptibility.

O-GlcNAcylation in Endocrinology: The Sweet Link

O-GlcNAcylation is a dynamic posttranslational modification that involves the addition of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to the serine and threonine residues of proteins. Over the past 4 decades, this modification has become increasingly recognized as having a critical influence in the field of endocrinology. The carefully controlled hormonal input for regulating sleep, mood, response to stress, growth, development, and metabolism are often associated with O-GlcNAc-dependent signaling. As protein O-GlcNAcylation patterns are heavily dependent on environmental glucose concentrations, hormone-secreting cells sense the changes in local environmental glucose concentrations and adjust hormone secretion accordingly. This ability of cells to sense nutritional cues and fine-tune hormonal production is particularly relevant toward maintaining a functional and responsive endocrine system, therefore emphasizing the importance of O-GlcNAc in the scope and application of endocrinology. This review examines how O-GlcNAcylation participates in hormonal homeostasis in different endocrine tissues and systems, from the pineal gland to the placenta, and underscores the significance of O-GlcNAc in the field of endocrinology.

The phenotypic and genetic association between endometriosis and immunological diseases

STUDY QUESTION

Is there an increased risk of immunological diseases among endometriosis patients, and does a shared genetic basis contribute to this risk?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Endometriosis patients show a significantly increased risk of autoimmune, autoinflammatory, and mixed-pattern diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, coeliac disease, osteoarthritis, and psoriasis, with genetic correlations between endometriosis and osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, and a potential causal link to rheumatoid arthritis.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

The epidemiological evidence for an increased risk of immunological diseases among women with endometriosis is limited in scope and has varied in robustness due to the opportunity for biases. The presence of a biological basis for increased comorbidity across immunological conditions has not been investigated. Here we investigate the phenotypic and genetic association between endometriosis and 31 immune conditions in the UK Biobank.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Phenotypic analyses between endometriosis and immune conditions (17 classical autoimmune, 10 autoinflammatory, and 4 mixed-pattern diseases) were conducted using two approaches (8223 endometriosis, 64 620 immunological disease cases): (i) retrospective cohort study design to incorporate temporality between diagnoses and (ii) cross-sectional analysis for simple association. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and meta-analyses for those immune conditions that showed phenotypic association with endometriosis (1493-77 052 cases) were conducted.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Comprehensive phenotypic association analyses were conducted in females in the UK Biobank. GWAS for immunological conditions were conducted in females-only and sex-combined study populations in UK Biobank and meta-analysed with existing largest available GWAS results. Genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses were conducted to investigate potential causal relationships. Those immune conditions with significant genetic correlation with endometriosis were included in multi-trait analysis of GWAS to boost discovery of novel and shared genetic variants. These shared variants were functionally annotated to identify affected genes utilizing expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from GTEx and eQTLGen databases. Biological pathway enrichment analysis was conducted to identify shared underlying biological pathways.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

In both retrospective cohort and cross-sectional analyses, endometriosis patients were at significantly increased (30-80%) risk of classical autoimmune (rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, coeliac disease), autoinflammatory (osteoarthritis), and mixed-pattern (psoriasis) diseases. Osteoarthritis (genetic correlation (rg) = 0.28, P = 3.25 × 10-15), rheumatoid arthritis (rg = 0.27, P = 1.5 × 10-5) and multiple sclerosis (rg = 0.09, P = 4.00 × 10-3) were significantly genetically correlated with endometriosis. MR analysis suggested a causal association between endometriosis and rheumatoid arthritis (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.02-1.33). eQTL analyses highlighted genes affected by shared risk variants, enriched for seven pathways across all four conditions, with three genetic loci shared between endometriosis and osteoarthritis (BMPR2/2q33.1, BSN/3p21.31, MLLT10/10p12.31) and one with rheumatoid arthritis (XKR6/8p23.1).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

We conducted the first female-specific GWAS analyses for immune conditions. Given the novelty of these analyses, the sample sizes from which results were derived were limited compared to sex-combined GWAS meta-analyses, which limited the power to use female-specific summary statistics to uncover the shared genetic basis with endometriosis in follow-up analyses. Secondly, the 39 genome-wide significant endometriosis-associated variants used as instrumental variables in the MR analysis explained approximately 5% of disease variation, which may account for the nominal or non-significant MR results.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Endometriosis patients have a moderately increased risk for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and to a lesser extent, multiple sclerosis, due to underlying shared biological mechanisms. Clinical implications primarily involve the need for increased awareness and vigilance. The shared genetic basis opens up opportunities for developing new treatments or repurposing therapies across these conditions.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

We thank all the UK Biobank and 23andMe participants. Part of this research was conducted using the UK Biobank Resource under Application Number 9637. N.R. was supported by a grant from the Wellbeing of Women UK (RG2031) and the EU Horizon 2020 funded project FEMaLe (101017562). A.P.M. was supported in part by Versus Arthritis (grant 21754). H.F. was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant 32170663). N.R., S.A.M., and K.T.Z. were supported in part by a grant from CDMRP DoD PRMRP (W81XWH-20-PRMRP-IIRA). K.T.Z. and C.M.B. reported grants in 3 years prior, outside the submitted work, from Bayer AG, AbbVie Inc., Volition Rx, MDNA Life Sciences, PrecisionLife Ltd., and Roche Diagnostics Inc. S.A.M. reports grants in the 3 years prior, outside this submitted work, from AbbVie Inc. N.R. is a consultant for Endogene.bio, outside this submitted work. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

N/A.

PAK5 promotes the trastuzumab resistance by increasing HER2 nuclear accumulation in HER2-positive breast cancer

Nuclear HER2 (N-HER2) predicts resistance to HER2-targeted therapy and poor prognosis of breast cancer patients, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that high expression of p21-activated kinase 5 (PAK5) is associated with HER2-targeted therapy resistance and poor outcomes of breast cancer patients. Excitingly, we find an increase in N-HER2 protein expression in patients with high PAK5 expression, who demonstrate resistance to trastuzumab treatment. PAK5 phosphorylates methyltransferase METTL14 on serine 399 to enhance m6A modification of lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), leading to increased MALAT1 stability. The stabilized MALAT1 inhibits ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of the N-HER2 by affecting the interaction of deubiquitinase USP8 and N-HER2, thereby promoting N-HER2 accumulation. Moreover, HER2 upregulates the expression of PAK5 and MALAT1, activating the HER2-MALAT1 positive feedback loop. Importantly, PAK5 promotes the therapeutic resistance of HER2-positive breast cancer cells by increasing N-HER2 protein both in vitro and vivo. These findings highlight PAK5 as a therapeutic target for combating trastuzumab resistance in HER2-positive breast cancer.

Significance of GSTM1 and GSTT1 Gene Deletions in Glioma Patients in Polish Population: Pilot Study

Background

Detoxification enzymes of the glutathione S-transferase (GST) family are cytosolic phase II detoxification enzymes and play an important role in the normal functioning of the human antioxidant system. When the normal function of GST is disturbed or absent, there can be disturbances in cell metabolism, proliferation, and apoptosis. Deletions in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes have been observed in several different diseases as well as in the development of cancer. There is a need to analyze the relationship between glioma and GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletion to better understand the relationship between brain tumors and GST polymorphisms, which is crucial for adopting a multidisciplinary approach to prognosis and treatment of brain tumors.

Methods

In a cross-sectional clinical-laboratory study, gene deletions were examined in 34 patients with brain tumors originating from glial cells-gliomas and 88 healthy individuals. All participants were of Polish nationality and were not related.

Results

An increase in GSTM1 and GSTT1 gene deletions was observed in glioma patients compared with the control group. The greatest increase showing a marked rise of 10 times (11.8% vs 1.14%, P < .05) is in the null genotype of both genes (GSTM1-/GSTT1) [odds ratio [OR] = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.09-0.802] but less in the genotype with deletion of 1 GST gene (GSTM1-/GSTT1+ and GSTM1+/GSTT1-). In addition, the findings indicated a decrease in the non-deletion genotype of both genes (GSTM1+/GSTT1+) in healthy individuals. This study showed a higher frequency of GST gene deletion in glioma patients in the studied population.

Conclusions

Based on the obtained findings, it can be said that the examination of the selected detoxification enzymes can be a useful marker in the diagnosis of glioblastoma.

MIPD: Molecules, Imagings, and Clinical Phenotype Integrated Database

Due to tumor heterogeneity, a subset of patients fails to benefit from current treatment strategies. However, an integrated analysis of imaging features, genetic molecules, and clinical phenotypes can characterize tumor heterogeneity, enabling the development of more personalized treatment approaches. Despite its potential, cross-modal databases remain underexplored. To address this gap, we established a comprehensive database encompassing 9965 genes, 5449 proteins, 1121 metabolites, 283 pathways, 854 imaging features, and 73 clinical factors from colorectal cancer patients. This database identifies significantly distinct molecules and imaging features associated with clinical phenotypes and provides survival analysis based on these features. Additionally, it offers genetic molecule annotations, comparative expression levels between tumor and normal tissues, imaging features linked to genetic molecules, and imaging-based models for predicting gene expression levels. Furthermore, the database highlights correlations between genetic molecules, clinical factors, and imaging features. In summary, we present MIPD (Molecules, Imaging, and Clinical Phenotype Correlation Database), a user-friendly, interactive, and specialized platform accessible at http://corgenerf.com. MIPD facilitates the interpretability of cross-modal data by providing query, browse, search, visualization, and download functionalities, thereby offering a valuable resource for advancing precision medicine in colorectal cancer. Database URL: http://corgenerf.

Crosstalk patterns of necroptosis signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome in the colonic epithelium and its initial role in colitis

Inflammation-mediated epithelial damage, including necroptosis of the intestinal epithelia, can lead to subsequent immune responses, but the molecular mechanisms of inflammation in the initial stages are not well understood. Based on cellular experiments and mouse models, we investigated the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome under necroptotic conditions, and its contribution to the inflammatory response in colitis. Our results showed that, under inflammatory conditions, intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) undergo phosphor-MLKL-dependent necroptosis with subsequent activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome for caspase-1 activation and IL-1β maturation. Mechanisms investigation revealed that components of the inflammasome were primed through the NF-κB signaling pathway and ASC-NLRP3 organization was dependent on mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), which could be promoted by necroptosis signaling. In addition, we found that Tempol, a kind of compound for ROS neutralization, could effectively reduce intestinal inflammation in mice by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 pathway in epithelia. Taken together, our research suggests that the necroptosis-triggered NLRP3 inflammasome in IECs plays an important role in the initiation of epithelial shedding and further inflammatory response in colitis. Our results provide a novel insight into the use of the ROS inhibitor Tempol as a treatment for the prevention of immune response and inflammation-induced tissue damage in the intestinal epithelium and thus as a potential therapeutic target for IBD.

Combating Methotrexate Resistance in Cancer Treatment: A Review on Navigating Pathways and Enhancing Its Efficacy With Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Methotrexate (MTX), a potent analogue and antagonist of folic acid, is a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, IBD and cancer. The development of MTX resistance contributes to the reduced efficacy and development of adverse reactions, forcing clinicians to withdraw treatment early. This drawback requires combinational approaches to combat the resistance and enhance the efficacy and safety of MTX. To provide a brief overview of MTX resistance and strategies to mitigate its aftereffects in cancer therapy, a literature-based search was conducted using keywords such as cancer pathology, MTX mechanism and resistance, S100A4, folate uptake, folate efflux, P-glycoprotein, beta-catenin and anticancer properties of Vitamins A, D, E and K. Investigations encompassing in vitro studies, in vivo studies and clinical trials were reviewed to identify the mechanisms of resistance induced by MTX and the potential benefits of coadministering fat-soluble vitamins with existing anticancer drugs. Derivates of Vitamin A could target cancer stem cells and increase chemotherapy sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer. Similarly, calcitriol and cytotoxic medications exhibit additive or synergistic effects. Existing research revealed that fat-soluble vitamins can inhibit drug transporters, such as P-glycoprotein, which inhibit drug efflux, improving chemotherapy efficacy in cancer. As personalised medicine continues to evolve, incorporating combination approaches with MTX and fat-soluble vitamins holds promise for enhancing treatment efficacy, which can counteract MTX resistance via multiple pathways and improve the safety profile.

PRC1 promotes ovarian cancer progression by binding to RPL4 and increasing MDM2-mediated p53 ubiquitination

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most fatal gynecological carcinomas, causing significant detriment to women's health. Protein regulator of cytokinesis 1 (PRC1) is a microtubule-associated protein that is found to be highly expressed in many different cancers. Despite this, the exact way in which PRC1 stimulates the growth of OC has yet to be completely understood. Our research demonstrated that PRC1 expression was increased in OC, which was closely related to poor prognosis. Moreover, PRC1 exhibited noteworthy efficacy in enhancing the proliferation and migration capacities of OC cells, as well as affecting the cell cycle in OC cells. Silencing PRC1 significantly suppressed OC growth in vivo. Mechanically, PRC1 could interact with RPL4, which caused a decrease in RPL4/MDM2 complex formation, resulting in the enhanced ubiquitination of p53 and a reduction of p53 proteins. These findings revealed that PRC1 was involved in the RPL4-MDM2-p53 pathway thus playing a tumorigenic role on OC.

Genetic variants in m6A regulator genes confer susceptibility and progression of HCC in a Northern Chinese population

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally. While m6A regulators are implicated in cancer progression, the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in m6A regulator genes in HCC susceptibility remains underexplored. Here, we evaluated 31 candidate SNPs across eight dysregulated m6A regulator genes in a case-control study comprising 800 HCC patients and 800 healthy controls from Northeast China. Genotyping revealed three SNPs significantly associated with elevated HCC risk: rs2736158 C allele (PRRC2A; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.295, 95% [CI] = 1.039-1.615, p = 0.021), rs9366785 A allele (PRRC2A; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.312, 95% [CI] = 1.011-1.704, p = 0.041), and rs274054 C allele (IGF2BP3; adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.224, 95% [CI] = 1.040-1.440, p = 0.015). Comparison of genotype frequency of three SNPs under given genetic models further linked rs274054 CC (IGF2BP3), rs2736158 CC (PRRC2A), and rs9366785 AA + AG (PRRC2A) genotypes to higher HCC risk. Subgroup analyses identified associations between specific genotypes (e.g., rs9906944 TT/TC in IGF2BP1) and adverse clinicopathological features, including vascular invasion and liver cirrhosis. Haplotype analysis highlighted the CACA haplotype (PRRC2A: rs280801, rs2736171, rs2736158, rs2736157) as a high-susceptibility marker (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.297, 95% [CI] = 1.041-1.616, p = 0.020). Our findings suggest that m6A regulator SNPs contribute to HCC susceptibility and progression, offering insights into genetic biomarkers for risk stratification in Northeast Chinese populations.

The emerging significance of the METTL family as m6A-modified RNA methyltransferases in head and neck cancer

RNA epigenetic modifications are crucial in tumor development, with N6-methyladenosine (m6A) being the most prevalent epigenetic modification found in all eukaryotic messenger RNAs. Accumulating evidence indicates that m6A modifications significantly influence the progression of various malignancies, including head and neck cancer (HNC). The Methyltransferase-like (METTL) family proteins, a group of methyltransferases identified in recent years, function as the "writers" of m6A modifications. These proteins affect RNA stability, translation efficiency, splicing, and localization, thereby regulating diverse cellular functions and promoting tumorigenesis in multiple cancers through their methylation domains. This review aims to summarize existing literature on the METTL family of m6A-modified RNA to elucidate their roles in HNC, providing a theoretical foundation for their potential use as therapeutic targets.

Discovery of Potent and Balanced Dual RIPK2 and 3 Inhibitors as a New Strategy for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 2 (RIPK2) and RIPK3 have been demonstrated to be promising targets for treating multiple inflammatory diseases, including inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Due to the complexity of IBD pathogenesis, on the basis of synergy strategies, we herein describe the discovery and optimization of a series of N,7-diaryl-quinazolin-4-amine derivatives as dual RIPK2 and RIPK3 inhibitors. Based on a step-by-step process involving three rounds of structural modifications, compound 29 was identified as the most one, exhibiting balanced potency against RIPK2 (IC50 = 12 nM) and RIPK3 (IC50 = 18 nM), as well as demonstrating good selectivity over other kinase targets. Further biological evaluation confirmed that compound 29 could bind directly to RIPK2 and RIPK3, effectively suppressing NOD-induced cytokine production and cellular necroptosis. Notably, compound 29 displayed significant therapeutic effects in a DSS-induced colitis mouse model, with no detectable toxicity, indicating its promising therapeutic potential as RIPK2/RIPK3 dual inhibitors for treatment of IBD.

The Role of Post-Translational Modifications in Necroptosis

Necroptosis, a distinct form of regulated necrosis implicated in various human pathologies, is orchestrated through sophisticated signaling pathways. During this process, cells undergoing necroptosis exhibit characteristic necrotic morphology and provoke substantial inflammatory responses. Post-translational modifications (PTMs)-chemical alterations occurring after protein synthesis that critically regulate protein functionality-constitute essential regulatory components within these complex signaling cascades. This intricate crosstalk between necroptotic pathways and PTM networks presents promising therapeutic opportunities. Our comprehensive review systematically analyzes the molecular mechanisms underlying necroptosis, with particular emphasis on the regulatory roles of PTMs in signal transduction. Through systematic evaluation of key modifications including ubiquitination, phosphorylation, glycosylation, methylation, acetylation, disulfide bond formation, caspase cleavage, nitrosylation, and SUMOylation, we examine potential therapeutic applications targeting necroptosis in disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, we synthesize current pharmacological strategies for manipulating PTM-regulated necroptosis, offering novel perspectives on clinical target development and therapeutic intervention.

Genetic associations of prostate cancer in China: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer (PCa) in China, highlighting it as a significant public health issue. This study aimed to investigate the genetic association of PCa in China to better inform national disease management and medical resource allocation.

METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted using 5 English databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus) and 1 Chinese database (CNKI) to identify articles published from database inception to October 8, 2022, which reported the genetic associations of PCa in China.

RESULTS

Of the 11,195 articles retrieved, 41 were included in the review. A total of 116 different polymorphisms (including single nucleotide polymorphisms, deletions, insertions, and repeat lengths) in 58 genes were studied in Chinese populations. Among these, 37 out of 51 polymorphisms in 28 candidate genes such as BIRC5, C2orf43, COX-2, CYR61 (IGFBP10), DNMT1, DNMT3B, EXO1, FOXP4, and 7 unmapped SNPs were found to have either a positive or negative effect on PCa risk. However, 18 variants in 5 genes remain controversial across different studies. Additionally, 23 SNPs in 16 genes were reported to be associated with disease stage, Gleason score, PSA levels, PCa risk, and clinicopathological characteristics of PCa in China.

CONCLUSION

In Chinese populations, PCa risk and clinical features may result from individual genes, gene-gene interactions, and gene-environment interactions. These findings provide important insights into the relationship between genetic susceptibility and PCa risk in Chinese men.

The association of rs25487 of the XRCC1 gene and rs13181 of the ERCC2 gene polymorphisms with the ovarian cancer risk

Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological cancer worldwide. DNA damage plays an important role in cancer development, and the proteins encoded by XRCC1 and ERCC2 are important components of the DNA repair system. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the rs25487 XRCC1 and rs13181 ERCC2 polymorphisms and the risk of OC development in women from the Moscow region. DNA was isolated from the blood of 129 healthy donors and tissues and blood samples from 125 patients with OC and studied using real-time PCR. An increase in odds ratios (OR) was obtained for OC tissue and blood for both T (OR = 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22-1.76, P = 0.00005), and for T/T of rs25487 XRCC1. The most significant OR values were found for the T/T genotype using the codominant model (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.44-3.07, P = 0.00006) and dominant model (OR = 3.13, 95% CI = 1.44-6.79, P = 0.0025) for the pooled blood and tissue groups. For rs13181 ERCC2, differences were observed for the T/G genotype in OC tissues (OR = 0.69, 95% CI = 0.51-0.92, P = 0.011) in the codominant model. In this study, the association of allele T and genotypes of rs25487 XRCC1 and T/G of rs13181 ERCC2 with OC was shown. Our results indicate that these polymorphisms may be involved in the pathogenesis of OC and are promising for further studies on therapeutic applications in OC.

Regulation of cellular senescence in tumor progression and therapeutic targeting: mechanisms and pathways

Cellular senescence, a stable state of cell cycle arrest induced by various stressors or genomic damage, is recognized as a hallmark of cancer. It exerts a context-dependent dual role in cancer initiation and progression, functioning as a tumor suppressor and promoter. The complexity of senescence in cancer arises from its mechanistic diversity, potential reversibility, and heterogeneity. A key mediator of these effects is the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), a repertoire of bioactive molecules that influence tumor microenvironment (TME) remodeling, modulate cancer cell behavior, and contribute to therapeutic resistance. Given its intricate role in cancer biology, senescence presents both challenges and opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Strategies targeting senescence pathways, including senescence-inducing therapies and senolytic approaches, offer promising avenues for cancer treatment. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulatory mechanisms governing cellular senescence in tumors. We also discuss emerging strategies to modulate senescence, highlighting novel therapeutic opportunities. A deeper understanding of these processes is essential for developing precision therapies and improving clinical outcomes.

Tumor‑associated neutrophils: Critical regulators in cancer progression and therapeutic resistance (Review)

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among humans worldwide. Despite remarkable improvements in cancer therapies, drug resistance remains a significant challenge. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is intimately associated with therapeutic resistance. Tumor‑associated neutrophils (TANs) are a crucial component of the TME, which, along with other immune cells, play a role in tumorigenesis, development and metastasis. In the current review, the roles of TANs in the TME, as well as the mechanisms of neutrophil‑mediated resistance to cancer therapy, including immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy, were summarized. Furthermore, strategies for neutrophil therapy were discussed and TANs were explored as potential targets for cancer treatment. In conclusion, the need to explore the precise roles, recruitment pathways and mechanisms of action of TANs was highlighted for the purpose of developing therapies that precisely target TANs and reverse drug resistance.

Key epigenetic enzymes modulated by natural compounds contributes to tumorigenicity

Dysregulation of epigenetic regulation is observed in numerous tumor cells. The therapeutic effects of natural products on tumors were investigated through a comprehensive analysis of active ingredients derived from various structured natural products. The analysis focuses on regulating key enzymes involved in epigenetic control. To study the modulation of these enzymes for tumor treatment, the structural characteristics of natural products that impact tumorigenesis were identified. The presence of specific patterns suggests that compounds sharing structural similarities can potentially induce therapeutic effects on identical tumors through modulation of distinct modifying enzymes. Structurally analogous natural products can likewise achieve therapeutic effects across diverse tumor types via their interaction with a common epigenetic enzyme. There exist numerous flavonoids with the capability to modulate METTL3, thereby influencing the development of various tumors. The normalization process was implemented to account for a common phenomenon, wherein structurally distinct compounds effectively target the same tumor by modulating a shared key enzyme. By summarizing, valuable insights into the role of compound-epigenetic enzymes in tumor development have been obtained. This discovery establishes a crucial scientific foundation for the prevention and treatment of tumor development through the utilization of structurally similar natural active ingredients.

N6-Methyladenosine-Modified circSMAD4 Prevents Lumbar Instability Induced Cartilage Endplate Ossification

Lumbar instability causes cartilage endplate ossification and intervertebral disc degeneration. In this study, it is determined that circSMAD4, a Yap1-related circRNA, is stably downregulated under abnormal stress. In vitro, circSMAD4 knockdown resulted in Yap1 mRNA degradation, whereas circSMAD4 overexpression increased Yap1 mRNA expression and nuclear translocation. Hence, the stabilization of circSMAD4 is essential for maintaining the homeostasis of endplate cartilage under abnormal stress. Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis revealed that METTL14-mediated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification can stabilize circSMAD4 expression. Moreover, circSMAD4 is shown to regulate Yap1 mRNA through the m6A reader IGF2BP1. The IGF2BP1 functions to translocate Yap1 mRNA into the nucleus, which protects endplate chondrocytes from degeneration. Finally, local injection of an AAV5-containing circSMAD4 overexpression plasmid successfully rescued LSI-induced cartilage endplate degeneration, which wasn't observed in Yap1 knockout mice. These findings suggest that m6A-modified circSMAD4 can stabilize Yap1 mRNA expression and translocation, thus preventing degeneration of the cartilage endplate under abnormal stress. Hence, circSMAD4 may become a potential therapeutic tool for managing instability-induced intervertebral disc degeneration.

Astragaloside IV confers neuroprotection against radiation-induced neuronal senescence via the ERK pathway

Various factors and mechanisms, including radiation, initiate cellular senescence and are concurrent with the progression of various neurodegenerative diseases. Radiation-induced chromosomal aberrations and DNA integrity damage impact the processes of cellular growth, maturation, and aging. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) has been documented to display significant neuroprotective effects on inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular apoptosis; however, the precise neuroprotective mechanism of AS-IV against neuronal aging remains unclear. In this study, radiation-induced senescence models in C57BL/6 mice, PC12 cells, and primary neuronal cells were established. SA-β-gal histochemistry, flow cytometric analysis, immunofluorescence technique, and Western blotting analysis were employed to investigate the underlying mechanism of AS-IV in mitigating the aging of the brain cells caused by exposure to radiation. Our findings revealed that radiation exposure may activate the ERK pathway, leading to an increase in SA-β-gal-positive cells, elevated p21 levels, and the arrest of neuronal cells in the G1/S phase. However, AS-IV has been observed to mitigate the radiation-driven proliferation of senescent cells, by downregulating p-ERK and CDK2 expression and upregulating p21 and RB expression in treatment, thereby alleviating the aging and cognitive impairment caused by radiation. Additionally, evidence of U0126 treatment further supports these findings. In summary, our study showed that AS-IV could protect mice from radiation-induced cognitive impairment and reduce cellular senescence by regulating the ERK pathway.

Epigenetic and epitranscriptomic role of lncRNA in carcinogenesis (Review)

Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are key players in the regulation of gene expression by mediating epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modification. Dysregulation of lncRNAs is implicated in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. lncRNAs modulate chromatin structure and gene transcription by recruiting epigenetic regulators, including DNA‑ or histone‑modifying enzymes. Additionally, lncRNAs mediate chromatin remodeling and enhancer‑promoter long‑range chromatin interactions to control oncogene expression by recruiting chromatin organization‑associated proteins, thereby promoting carcinogenesis. Furthermore, lncRNAs aberrantly induce oncogene expression by mediating epitranscriptomic modifications, including RNA methylation and RNA editing. The present study aimed to summarize the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in cancer to unravel the complex interplay between lncRNAs and epigenetic/epitranscriptomic regulators in carcinogenesis. The present review aimed to provide a novel perspective on the epigenetic and epitranscriptomic roles of lncRNAs in carcinogenesis to facilitate identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The role of hydrogen sulfide in the regulation of necroptosis across various pathological processes

Necroptosis is a programmed cell death form executed by receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1, RIPK3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), which assemble into an oligomer called necrosome. Accumulating evidence reveals that necroptosis participates in many types of pathological processes. Hence, clarifying the mechanism of necroptosis in pathological processes is particularly important for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. For over 300 years, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been widely known in the scientific community as a toxic and foul-smelling gas. However, after discovering the important physiological and pathological functions of H2S, human understanding of this small molecule changed, believing that H2S is the third gas signaling molecule after carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO). H2S plays an important role in various diseases, but the related mechanisms are not yet fully understood. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that H2S regulation of necroptosis is involved in various pathological processes. Herein, we focus on the recent progress on the role of H2S regulation of necroptosis in different pathological processes and profoundly analyze the related mechanisms.

Impact of METTL3/14/16 Gene Polymorphisms on Risk of Breast Cancer in Chinese Women

OBJECTIVES

Methyltransferase-like 3/14/16 (METTL3/14/16) presents the regulating valve in N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, involved in carcinogenesis. We addressed elucidating the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the METTL3/14/16 gene and breast cancer (BC) susceptibility.

STUDY DESIGN

A case-control study included 680 BC patients and 680 healthy controls, individually matched for age (±2 years).

METHODS

7 SNPs were screened by bioinformatics tools. Conditional Logistic analysis was used to explore the association between SNPs and BC susceptibility. SNPs-reproductive factors interaction was assessed. qRT-PCR was conducted to detect the METTL3/14/16 expression of different SNPs. The potential biomechanism was explored using bioinformatics tools.

RESULTS

Among the 7 analyzed SNPs, METTL3 rs1061026 T>G exhibited a significant association with reduced susceptibility to BC. The TC+CC genotype of METTL14 rs428409 elevated BC risk, while the AG+GG genotype of METTL14 rs3087958 restrained BC risk. The stratified analysis further identified the protective effect of rs1061026 T>G and rs3087958 T>G, and the detrimental effect of rs428409 T>G in specific subgroups. Haplotype analysis revealed that haplotypes Grs1061026Crs1061027 and Grs368669Trs428409Grs3087958 were protective for BC. BC patients who carried the C allele in METTL14 rs428409 were more likely to be HER-2 positive. Individuals with age at menarche ≥14, number of pregnancies >1, and G allele in rs1061026 had a 47.7% decreased risk of BC. There were considerable multiplicative interactions between SNPs and reproductive factors. The relative expression of METTL3/14 was altered due to rs1061026 T>G, rs428409 T>C, and rs3087958 A>G. These three SNPs might interfere with the m6A modification and the expression level of BC-related genes.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggested that rs1061026 T>G, rs428409 T>C, and rs3087958 A>G might be associated with the risk of BC.

Circulating non-coding RNAs as a tool for liquid biopsy in solid tumors

Solid tumors are significant causes of global mortality and morbidity. Recent research has primarily concentrated on finding pathology-specific molecules that can be acquired non-invasively and that can change as the disease progresses or in response to treatment. The focus of research has moved to RNA molecules that are either freely circulating in body fluids or bundled in microvesicles and exosomes because of their great stability in challenging environments, ease of accessibility, and changes in level in response to therapy. In this context, there are many non-coding RNAs that can be used for this purpose in liquid biopsies. Out of these, microRNAs have been extensively studied. However, there has been an increase of interest in studying long non-coding RNAs, piwi interacting RNAs, circular RNAs, and other small non-coding RNAs. In this article, an overview of the most researched circulating non-coding RNAs in solid tumors will be reviewed, along with a discussion of the significance of these molecules for early diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets. The publications analyzed were extracted from the PubMed database between 2008 and June 2024.

EZH2-H3K27me3-Mediated Epigenetic Silencing of DKK1 Induces Nucleus Pulposus Cell Pyroptosis in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Activating NLRP3 and NAIP/NLRC4

Nucleus pulposus (NP) cell pyroptosis is crucial for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, the precise mechanisms underlying pyroptosis in IDD remain elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how dickkopf-1 (DKK1) influences NP cell pyroptosis and delineate the regulatory mechanisms of IDD. Behavioral tests and histological examinations were conducted in rat IDD models to assess the effect of DKK1 on the structure and function of intervertebral discs. Detected pyroptosis levels using Hoechst 33,342/propidium iodide (PI) double staining, and determined pyroptosis-related protein expression via western blotting. The cellular mechanisms of DKK1 in pyroptosis were explored in interleukin (IL)-1β-induced NP cells transfected with or without DKK1 overexpression plasmids (oe-DKK1). In addition, IL-1β-treated NP cells transfected with sh-EZH2 and/or sh-DKK1 were utilized to clarify the interplay between the enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) and DKK1 in pyroptosis. Additionally, the epigenetic regulation of DKK1 by EZH2 was explored in NP cells treated with the EZH2 inhibitors GSK126/DZNep. DKK1 expression decreased in IDD rats. Transfection with oe-DKK1 reduced pro-inflammatory factors and extracellular matrix markers in IDD rats. In IL-1β-induced NP cells, DKK1 overexpression suppressed pyroptosis and inhibited the NLRP3 and NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasome activation. EZH2 knockdown increased DKK1 expression and reduced pyroptosis-related proteins. Conversely, DKK1 downregulation reversed the inhibitory effects of EZH2 knockdown on pyroptosis. Furthermore, EZH2 suppressed DKK1 expression via H3K27 methylation at the DKK1 promoter. EZH2 negatively regulates DKK1 expression via H3K27me3 methylation, promoting NP cell pyroptosis in IDD patients. This regulatory effect involves the activation of NLRP3 and NAIP/NLRC4 inflammasomes.

METTL3-mediated m6A modification of MT1G inhibits papillary thyroid carcinoma cell growth and metastasis via Wnt/β-catenin pathway

BACKGROUND

Downregulation of metallothionein 1 G (MT1G) has been demonstrated in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) tissues. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of MT1G in PTC progression need to be further explored.

METHODS

MT1G and methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) mRNA levels were tested by quantitative real-time PCR. The protein levels of MT1G, METTL3, Wnt3A and β-catenin were measured by western blot. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration were measured by cell counting kit 8 assay, colony formation assay, EdU assay, flow cytometry, transwell assay and wound healing assay. MeRIP analysis was used to detect the MT1G methylation. The interaction between METTL3 and MT1G was evaluated using RIP assay and dual-luciferase reporter assay. A mouse xenograft model was also constructed to explore the roles of METTL3 and MT1G in vivo.

RESULTS

MT1G expression was downregulated in PTC, and its overexpression suppressed PTC cell growth, invasion and migration. METTL3-regulated m6A modification enhanced MT1G mRNA stability. Overexpression of METTL3 repressed PTC cell growth and metastasis, and this effect was reversed by MT1G knockdown. Besides, METTL3/MT1G axis could inhibit the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Meanwhile, METTL3 enhanced MT1G expression to suppress PTC tumor growth through Wnt/β-catenin pathway in vivo.

CONCLUSION

METTL3-mediated m6A modification of MT1G inhibited PTC cell growth and metastasis via inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

CircNF1 modulates the progression and immune evasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through dual regulation of PD-L1

BACKGROUND

Tumor immune escape is a pivotal gateway for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) development. Immune checkpoint-blocking therapies, represented by programmed cell death receptor-1/ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) inhibitors, have achieved remarkable breakthroughs in ESCC treatment. However, not all patients with ESCC receive satisfactory clinical benefit. Therefore, identifying novel biomarkers for predicting the efficacy of immunotherapy in ESCC is of great importance.

METHODS

CircNF1 was screened from the circRNAs microarray, and its expression was measured by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays in ESCC tissues and serum. Functional experiments were conducted to demonstrate the role of circNF1 in ESCC proliferation, metastasis, and tumor evasion. High-throughput RNA sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP), and chromatin isolation by RNA purification-mass spectrometry (ChIRP-MS) were performed to clarify the underlying mechanisms of circNF1-mediated tumor progression.

RESULTS

The upregulation of circNF1 was closely associated with the response of anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy. Functionally, circNF1 promoted ESCC cell malignant phenotypes and regulated CD8+ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, circNF1 drove the IL-6-induced oncogenic activation of the JAK-STAT3 pathway, which stimulated p-STAT3 binding of the promoter regions of PD-L1. Furthermore, circNF1 physically interacted with annexin A1 (ANXA1), blocking the ANXA1 deubiquitination induced by ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7), resulting in increased interaction between USP7 and PD-L1 and augmented PD-L1 stability.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings provide novel insights into the specific regulatory mechanism of PD-L1 in ESCC cells, which offer a new strategy for synergizing with anti-PD-L1 therapy.

Personalized prediction of esophageal cancer risk based on virtually generated alcohol data

BACKGROUND

Esophageal cancer (EC) presents a significant public health challenge globally, particularly in regions with high alcohol consumption. Its etiology is multifactorial, involving both genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors.

METHODS

This study aimed to develop a personalized risk prediction model for EC by integrating genetic polymorphisms (rs671 and rs1229984) with virtually generated alcohol consumption data, utilizing advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques. We analyzed data from 86,845 individuals, including 763 diagnosed EC patients, sourced from the Taiwan Biobank. Eight machine learning models were employed: Bayesian Network, Decision Tree, Ensemble, Gradient Boosting, Logistic Regression, LASSO, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machines (SVM). A unique aspect of our approach was the virtual generation of alcohol consumption data, allowing us to evaluate risk profiles under both consuming and non-consuming scenarios.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed that individuals with the genotypes rs671 = AG and rs1229984 = CC exhibited the highest probabilities of developing EC, with values ranging from 0.2041 to 0.9181. Notably, abstaining from alcohol could decrease their risk by approximately 16.29-49.58%. The Ensemble model demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9577 and a sensitivity of 0.9211. This transition from consumption to abstinence indicated a potential risk reduction of nearly 50% for individuals with high-risk genotypes.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings highlight the importance of integrating virtually generated alcohol data for more precise personalized risk assessments for EC.

A comprehensive systematic review of studies on the potential of A49T and V89L polymorphism in SRD5AR2 as high susceptibility gene association with benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Being the most common disease in aged men, the etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not fully defined. Recent studies have reported that the association between BPH and metabolic genes is still inconsistent. A gene connected with BPH is SRD5AR2, whose polymorphisms, A49T and V89L, have distinct enzyme activity. This systematic review examines SRD5AR2 polymorphisms within two alleles (A49T and V89L), assessing their roles as prognostic indicators of malignancy, and response to medication.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a search on six different databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Wiley, ProQuest, Cochrane Central, and Science Direct using as string of keywords (BPH) AND [(rs523349) OR (V89L)] AND [(rs9282858) OR (A49T)]. We finally selected seven articles to be extracted. Quality appraisal of clinical trials was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Approach for systematic reviews.

RESULTS

We sorted nine clinical studies from various countries examining SRDA52 polymorphism and its association of BPH and prostate cancer. About V89L we found that the "LL" genotype, indicating reduced 5α-reductase activity, is linked to a lower BPH risk, while the "VV" genotype may slightly increase BPH risk. About A49T, compared to "AA" genotype, "AT" tends to be associated to higher risk in developing prostate cancer. A49T polymorphism does not show any effect on medical treatment while V89L showed a protective effect on the clinical progression of BPH when treated with 5a-reductase inhibitors, aadrenergic receptor antagonists, and alpha blockers.

CONCLUSIONS

SRD5A2 polymorphisms could be a good indicator for prognostic malignancy and a potential tool for personalized medicine of BPH. The findings strongly support the recommendation for further study about SRD5AR2 to enhance its use for screening and prevention and to optimize the medical treatment of BPH.

Helicobacter pylori promotes YTHDF2-mediated SRA1 m6A modification and promotes the occurrence and development of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is known to be linked to gastric cancer development, but its precise carcinogenic mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the function and mechanism of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in H. pylori-associated gastric cancer, and to elucidate its regulatory network, offering novel insights and potential therapeutic targets for gastric cancer management.

METHODS

Western blotting and quantitative PCR (q-PCR) will be used to assess the expression of YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 2 (YTHDF2) and Steroid Receptor RNA Activator 1 (SRA1), and the impact of YTHDF2 overexpression/knockdown on SRA1 expression. The m6A MAZF enzyme digestion method, luciferase reporter assay, and RNA stability assay will be used to assess YTHDF2's role in H. pylori-mediated SRA1 upregulation through m6A modification.

RESULTS

After H. pylori infection, SRA1 expression rises in mRNA and protein, boosting gastric mucosal and gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration, while YTHDF2 has an opposing impact. We demonstrate that H. pylori increases the m6A level of the SRA1 mRNA 3' untranslated regions by inhibiting the m6A reader protein YTHDF2, upregulates SRA1 expression, and activates the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway, thereby inducing malignant transformation in gastric mucosal epithelial cells and gastric cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

Our findings confirm that H. pylori upregulates SRA1 via m6A modification to enhance the malignant progression of gastric cancer, and provide important insights into the activation of the NF-κB pathway, which triggers the onset and progression of gastric cancer. This implies that SRA1 could be a promising therapeutic target for preventing gastric cancer.

The Role of M6A LncRNA Modification in Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid Cancer (TC) is the most common endocrine cancer, of which papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), a well-differentiated type of TC, accounts for 80-90%. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which comprise non-protein-coding segments of the genome, have been found to play a crucial role in various biological processes, including cancer development. The activity of lncRNAs is modified through epigenetic modifications, with N6-Methyladenosine (m6A) modifications implicated in the progression of several malignancies. The activity of m6A is further regulated by modifying enzymes classified as "readers", writers", and "erasers", of which specific enzymes have been found to play a role in various aspects of PTC. Recent research has highlighted the significance of m6A modification in regulating the expression and function of lncRNAs associated with PTC pathogenesis. Dysregulation of this process implicates tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis, with subsequent impact on prognosis. Therefore, understanding the interplay between m6A modification and lncRNAs provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying PTC progression. This narrative review aims to explore the established role of several prominent m6A modifying enzymes and lncRNAs on cancer pathogenesis and seeks to clarify the function of these enzymes in PTC pathogenesis.

Risk factors and prevalence of medical device-related pressure injuries in pediatric intensive care

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to determine the incidence of pressure injuries (PI) in patients connected to medical devices during their treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), the risk factors, and the most accurate scale that assesses PI.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study adhering to STROBE guidelines. It was carried out with 70 children connected to medical devices during their treatment in the PICU between 12.01.2023 and 06.30.2024. The PI development risk statuses of the patients associated with medical devices were evaluated using the Braden Q Scale, the BUCH Scale, the Glamorgan Pediatric PI Risk Assessment Scale, and an Injury Monitoring Form.

RESULTS

The incidence of medical device-related pressure injuries (MDPI) in the PICU was 12.8 %. MDPI developed the most frequently in the nasal and oral regions, and 61.5 % of these injuries were Stage 1. The equipment with the highest rates of contribution to PI included nasogastric tubes, orogastric feeding equipment, and oral intubation tubes. The Braden Q, BUCH, and Glamorgan Scales had AUC values of 0.91, 0.83, and 0.80, sensitivity values of 77 %, 77 %, and 66 %, and specificity values of 82 %, 69 %, and 62 %, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study highlight that medical devices used to support the recovery of critically ill children in the PICU pose a significant risk for PI development.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE

Determining incidence and risk factors is important to prevent PI. Appropriate protocols, interventions, and strategies can be developed to manage the identified MDPI risk factors.