Atherosis-associated lnc_000048 activates PKR to enhance STAT1-mediated polarization of THP-1 macrophages to M1 phenotype

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202419110-00029/figure1/v/2024-03-08T184507Z/r/image-tiff Our previous study has demonstrated that lnc_000048 is upregulated in large-artery atherosclerotic stroke and promotes atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice. However, little is known about the role of lnc_000048 in classically activated macrophage (M1) polarization. In this study, we established THP-1-derived testing state macrophages (M0), M1 macrophages, and alternately activated macrophages (M2). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to verify the expression of marker genes and the expression of lnc_000048 in macrophages. Flow cytometry was used to detect phenotypic proteins (CD11b, CD38, CD80). We generated cell lines with lentivirus-mediated upregulation or downregulation of lnc_000048. Flow cytometry, western blot, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that down-regulation of lnc_000048 reduced M1 macrophage polarization and the inflammation response, while over-expression of lnc_000048 led to the opposite effect. Western blot results indicated that lnc_000048 enhanced the activation of the STAT1 pathway and mediated the M1 macrophage polarization. Moreover, catRAPID prediction, RNA-pull down, and mass spectrometry were used to identify and screen the protein kinase RNA-activated (PKR), then catRAPID and RPIseq were used to predict the binding ability of lnc_000048 to PKR. Immunofluorescence (IF)-RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) double labeling was performed to verify the subcellular colocalization of lnc_000048 and PKR in the cytoplasm of M1 macrophage. We speculate that lnc_000048 may form stem-loop structure-specific binding and activate PKR by inducing its phosphorylation, leading to activation of STAT1 phosphorylation and thereby enhancing STAT1 pathway-mediated polarization of THP-1 macrophages to M1 and inflammatory factor expression. Taken together, these results reveal that the lnc_000048/PKR/STAT1 axis plays a crucial role in the polarization of M1 macrophages and may be a novel therapeutic target for atherosclerosis alleviation in stroke.

The differences between pure and mixed invasive micropapillary breast cancer: the epithelial-mesenchymal transition molecules and prognosis

PURPOSE

Invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) of the breast is known for its high metastatic potential, but the definition of pure and mixed IMPC remains unclear. This retrospective cohort study aims to investigate the prognostic significance of the micropapillary component ratio and the expression of critical molecules of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including E-cadherin (E-cad), N-cadherin (N-cad), CD44s, and β-catenin (β-cat), in distinguishing between pure and mixed IMPCs.

METHODS

We analyzed 100 cases of locally advanced IMPC between 2000 and 2018 and excluded patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pure IMPC was defined as having a micropapillary component of over 90%. A comprehensive recording of prognostic parameters was conducted. The IMPC areas were analyzed using the immunohistochemical (IHC) staining method on the microarray set for pure and mixed IMPC patients. Pearson's chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and Cox proportional hazards analysis were employed.

RESULTS

The comparative survival analysis of the entire group, based on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), revealed no significant difference between the pure and mixed groups (P = 0.480, HR = 1.474 [0.502-4.325] and P = 0.390, HR = 1.587 [0.550-4.640], respectively). However, in the pure IMPC group, certain factors were found to be associated with a higher risk of short survival. These factors included skin involvement (P = 0.050), pT3&4 category (P = 0.006), a ratio of intraductal component (> 5%) (P = 0.032), and high-level expression of N-cad (P = 0.020). Notably, none of the risk factors identified for short OS in pure IMPC cases were observed as significant risks in mixed cases and vice versa. Furthermore, N-cad was identified as a poor prognostic marker for OS in pure IMPCs (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

The selection of a 90% ratio for classifying pure IMPCs revealed significant differences in certain molecular and prognostic parameters between pure and mixed groups. Notably, the involvement of N-cadherin in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process provided crucial insights for predicting OS and DFS while also distinguishing between the two groups. These findings strongly support the notion that the pure IMPC subgroup represents a distinct entity characterized by unique molecular characteristics and behavioral patterns.

IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway induces prostate apoptosis response protein-4(PAR-4) to stimulate malignant behaviors of hepatocellular carcinoma cells

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Prostate apoptosis response protein-4 (PAR-4) is considered a tumor suppressor. However, the role of PAR-4 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has rarely been reported. The study explores the role of PAR-4 in the malignant behaviors of HCC cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TCGA database was applied to analyze the expression of PAR-4 in HCC. Evaluated PAR-4 relationship with clinical parameters and prognosis by tissue microarray; expression of STAT3, p-STAT3, Src and Ras was detected by Western blotting or laser confocal microscopy. Cell scratch and flow cytometry assays were used to observe IL-6 regulation of the malignant behaviors of HCC cells. The tumorigenic potential of HCC cells in vivo was evaluated in a nude mouse tumor model.

RESULTS

Analysis indicated that the expression of PAR-4 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in normal liver tissues; and PAR-4 interacted with STAT3. KEGG analysis showed that PAR-4 plays a role in the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT signaling pathway. The positive expression rate of PAR-4 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues. Positive correlation between IL-6 and PAR-4 expression in the HCC tissues. Exogenous IL-6 significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of HCC cells and up-regulated the expression of PAR-4 and p-STAT3 in HCC cells. Interference of the expression of PAR-4 could reduce the malignant behaviors of HCC cells and inhibit tumorigenesis in a nude mouse tumor model.

CONCLUSIONS

PAR-4 expression is positively correlated with HCC; PAR-4 promotes malignant behavior of HCC cells mediated by the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Deep survival analysis using pseudo values and its application to predict the recurrence of stage IV colorectal cancer after tumor resection

An improved DeepSurv model is proposed for predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients at stage IV. Our model, called as PseudoDeepSurv, is optimized by a novel loss function, which is the combination of the average negative log partial likelihood and the mean-squared error derived from the pseudo-observations approach. The public BioStudies dataset including 999 patients was utilized for performance evaluation. Our PseudoDeepSurv model produced a C-index of 0.684 and 0.633 on the training and testing dataset, respectively. While for the original DeepSurv model, the corresponding values are 0.671 and 0.618, respectively.

Nanoparticles and bone microenvironment: a comprehensive review for malignant bone tumor diagnosis and treatment

Malignant bone tumors, which are difficult to treat with current clinical strategies, originate from bone tissues and can be classified into primary and secondary types. Due to the specificity of the bone microenvironment, the results of traditional means of treating bone tumors are often unsatisfactory, so there is an urgent need to develop new treatments for malignant bone tumors. Recently, nanoparticle-based approaches have shown great potential in diagnosis and treatment. Nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention due to their versatility, making them highly suitable for applications in bone tissue engineering, advanced imaging techniques, and targeted drug delivery. For diagnosis, NPs enhance imaging contrast and sensitivity by integrating targeting ligands, which significantly improve the specific recognition and localization of tumor cells for early detection. For treatment, NPs enable targeted drug delivery, increasing drug accumulation at tumor sites while reducing systemic toxicity. In conclusion, understanding bone microenvironment and using the unique properties of NPs holds great promise in improving disease management, enhancing treatment outcomes, and ultimately improving the quality of life for patients with malignant bone tumors. Further research and development will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of personalized medicine in the field of bone oncology.

Dynamic Brain Lipid Profiles Modulate Microglial Lipid Droplet Accumulation and Inflammation Under Ischemic Conditions in Mice

Microglia are critically involved in post-stroke inflammation affecting neurological outcomes. Lipid droplet (LD) accumulation in microglia results in a dysfunctional and pro-inflammatory state in the aged brain and worsens the outcome of neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of LD-rich microglia (LDRM) under stroke conditions is unknown. Using in vitro and in vivo stroke models, herein accumulation patterns of microglial LD and their corresponding microglial inflammatory signaling cascades are studied. Interactions between temporal and spatial dynamics of lipid profiles and microglial phenotypes in different post-stroke brain regions are found. Hence, microglia display enhanced levels of LD accumulation and elevated perilipin 2 (PLIN2) expression patterns when exposed to hypoxia or stroke. Such LDRM exhibit high levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β as well as a pro-inflammatory phenotype and differentially expressed lipid metabolism-related genes. These post-ischemic alterations result in distinct lipid profiles with spatial and temporal dynamics, especially with regard to cholesteryl ester and triacylglycerol levels, further exacerbating post-ischemic inflammation. The present study sheds new light on the dynamic changes of brain lipid profiles and aggregation patterns of LD in microglia exposed to ischemia, demonstrating a mutual mechanism between microglial phenotype and function, which contributes to progression of brain injury.

Isobutyric Acid Promotes Immune Evasion in Colorectal Cancer via Increased PD-L1 Expression

INTRODUCTION

Isobutyric acid (IBA), a short-chain fatty acid, has been unequivocally demonstrated to exert significant influence on the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Nevertheless, a comprehensive understanding of its intricate regulatory mechanisms remains elusive.

METHODS

Employing advanced techniques such as western blot, RT-qPCR, and flow cytometry, we systematically investigated the impact of IBA on the expression of PD-L1 in CRC cells. Concurrently, employing RNA silencing technology and small-molecule inhibitors, we delved into the molecular intricacies underlying the regulatory axis of IBA involving ROCK1/c-Myc/PD-L1. Furthermore, through flow cytometry analysis, we examined the alterations in the tumor immune microenvironment following anti-PD-L1 antibody therapy in a murine tumor model treated with IBA.

RESULTS

Elevated levels of IBA were found to robustly activate PD-L1 expression in CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo, concomitantly reshaping the tumor immune microenvironment. Subsequent mechanistic investigations unveiled that IBA, through its interaction and activation of ROCK1, promotes the activation of c-Myc, thereby enhancing the transcription of PD-L1. Silencing of ROCK1 and application of ROCK1 inhibitors effectively reversed the regulatory effects of IBA on PD-L1. Additionally, IBA inhibited the activity of infiltrating CD8+ T cells, resulting in diminished antitumor immunity and attenuating the sensitivity to anti-PD-L1 therapy.

CONCLUSION

Our study elucidates a novel mechanism by which IBA inhibits the sensitivity of CRC to anti-PD-L1 antibody therapy. Emphasizing IBA and its downstream pathways as potential therapeutic targets for immune therapy resistance mechanisms, our findings provide a novel theoretical foundation for overcoming immune therapy resistance.

WDR77 in Pan-Cancer: Revealing expression patterns, genetic insights, and functional roles across diverse tumor types, with a spotlight on colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Despite its involvement in regulating various cellular functions, the expression and role of WD repeat-containing protein 77 (WDR77) in cancer remain elusive. This study aims to explore the expression and potential roles of WDR77 across multiple cancers, with a particular focus on its relevance in colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODS

We obtained WDR77 RNA-seq data, mutations, CNVs, and DNA methylation data from the TCGA, GTEx, and GEO databases to investigate its expression patterns and prognostic value. Additionally, we examined the correlation between WDR77 expression and somatic mutations, copy number variations, DNA methylation, and mRNA modifications. We utilized GSVA, GSEA algorithms, and CRISPR KO data from the Dependency Map database to explore WDR77's potential biological functions. The association between WDR77 and the tumor immune microenvironment was investigated using ESTIMATE and IOBR algorithms. Finally, we assessed WDR77 expression in CRC and its impact on cell proliferation through qRT-PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, CCK8, colony formation, and EdU assays.

RESULTS

WDR77 was upregulated in various tumors and correlated with poor patient prognosis. Its high expression positively correlated with pathways related to cell proliferation and negatively correlated with immune-related pathways. In CRC, WDR77 expression was associated with specific clinical features, genomic alterations, and immune microenvironment characteristics. Experimental validation confirmed upregulated WDR77 expression in CRC tissues and cells, with WDR77 knockdown significantly inhibiting CRC cell proliferation.

CONCLUSION

WDR77 holds potential as an oncogene and biological marker in various cancers, particularly CRC.

Metabolic interactions of host-gut microbiota: New possibilities for the precise diagnosis and therapeutic discovery of gastrointestinal cancer in the future-A review

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer continues to pose a significant global health challenge. Recent advances in our understanding of the complex relationship between the host and gut microbiota have shed light on the critical role of metabolic interactions in the pathogenesis and progression of GI cancer. In this study, we examined how microbiota interact with the host to influence signalling pathways that impact the formation of GI tumours. Additionally, we investigated the potential therapeutic approach of manipulating GI microbiota for use in clinical settings. Revealing the complex molecular exchanges between the host and gut microbiota facilitates a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms that drive cancer development. Metabolic interactions hold promise for the identification of microbial signatures or metabolic pathways associated with specific stages of cancer. Hence, this study provides potential strategies for the diagnosis, treatment and management of GI cancers to improve patient outcomes.

GBM immunotherapy: Exploring molecular and clinical frontiers

GBM is the most common, aggressive, and intracranial primary brain tumor; it originates from the glial progenitor cells, has poor overall survival (OS), and has limited treatment options. In this decade, GBM immunotherapy is in trend and preferred over several conventional therapies, due to their better patient survival outcome. This review explores the clinical trials of several immunotherapeutic approaches (immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs), CAR T-cell therapy, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy) with their efficacy and safety. Despite significant progress, several challenges (viz., immunosuppressive microenvironment, heterogeneity, and blood-brain barrier (BBB)) were experienced that hamper their immunotherapeutic potential. Furthermore, these challenges were clinically studied to be resolved by multiple combinatorial approaches, discussed in the later part of the review. Thus, this review suggests the clinical use and potential of immunotherapy in GBM and provides the holistic recent knowledge and future perspectives.

Unveiling the impact of circulating tumor cells: Two decades of discovery and clinical advancements in solid tumors

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) enumeration and molecular profiling hold promise in revolutionizing the management of solid tumors. Their understanding has evolved significantly over the past two decades, encompassing pivotal biological discoveries and clinical studies across various malignancies. While for some tumor types, such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer, CTCs are ready to enter clinical practice, for others, additional research is required. CTCs serve as versatile biomarkers, offering insights into tumor biology, metastatic progression, and treatment response. This review summarizes the latest advancements in CTC research and highlights future directions of investigation. Special attention is given to concurrent evaluations of CTCs and other circulating biomarkers, particularly circulating tumor DNA. Multi-analyte assessment holds the potential to unlock the full clinical capabilities of liquid biopsy. In conclusion, CTCs represent a transformative biomarker in precision oncology, offering extraordinary opportunities to translate scientific discoveries into tangible improvements in patient care.

Copper homeostasis and cuproptosis-related genes: Therapeutic perspectives in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, has become the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Recently, the discovery of cuproptosis, a newly identified mode of cell death, further highlighted the importance of copper in maintaining metabolic homeostasis. An increasing number of studies have confirmed that liver copper metabolism is closely related to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. However, the relationship between NAFLD and copper metabolism, especially cuproptosis, remains unclear. In this review, we aim to summarize the current understanding of copper metabolism and its dysregulation, particularly the role of copper metabolism dysregulation in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. More importantly, this review emphasizes potential gene-targeted therapeutic strategies, challenges and the future of cuproptosis-related genes in the treatment of NAFLD. This review aims to provide innovative therapeutic strategies for NAFLD.

COPZ1 regulates ferroptosis through NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy in lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Ferroptosis, a type of autophagy-dependent cell death, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). This study aimed to investigate the involvement of coatomer protein complex I subunit zeta 1 (COPZ1) in ferroptosis and ferritinophagy in LUAD.

METHODS

Publicly available human LUAD sample data were obtained from the TCGA database to analyze the association of COPZ1 expression with LUAD grade and patient survival. Clinical samples of LUAD and para-carcinoma tissues were collected. COPZ1-deficient LUAD cell model and xenograft model were established. These models were analyzed to evaluate tumor growth, lipid peroxidation levels, mitochondrial structure, autophagy activation, and iron metabolism.

RESULTS

High expression of COPZ1 was indicative of malignancy and poor overall survival. Clinical LUAD tissues showed increased COPZ1 expression and decreased nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) expression. COPZ1 knockdown inhibited xenograft tumor growth and induced apoptosis. COPZ1 knockdown elevated the levels of ROS, Fe2+ and lipid peroxidation. COPZ1 knockdown also caused mitochondrial shrinkage. Liproxstatin-1, deferoxamine, and z-VAD-FMK reversed the effects of COPZ1 knockdown on LUAD cell proliferation and ferroptosis. Furthermore, COPZ1 was directly bound to NCOA4. COPZ1 knockdown restricted FTH1 expression and promoted NCOA4 and LC3 expression. NCOA4 knockdown reversed the regulation of iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial structure induced by COPZ1 knockdown. COPZ1 knockdown induced the translocation of ferritin to lysosomes for degradation, whereas NCOA4 knockdown disrupted this process.

CONCLUSION

This study provides novel evidence that COPZ1 regulates NCOA4-mediated ferritinophagy and ferroptosis. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis and potential treatment of LUAD.

HIF1A/PCDH7 axis mediates fatty acid synthesis and metabolism to inhibit lung adenocarcinoma anoikis

BACKGROUND

Aberrantly expressed PCDH7 participates in the malignant progression of many cancers. PCDH7 has been newly discovered as a risk factor in lung cancer, but its functional study in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) has not been conducted yet. This study aimed to investigate the functional role of PCDH7 in LUAD.

METHODS

Bioinformatics analyzed the expression of PCDH7 and HIF1A in LUAD tissues, predicted the binding sites between the two, analyzed the clinicopathological relevance of PCDH7 and examined the pathway enrichment of PCDH7. Expression of PCDH7 and HIF1A in LUAD cells was analyzed by RT-qPCR. A nude mouse transplantation tumor model was constructed to analyze the effect of PCDH7 on tumor growth in vivo. The binding relationship between PCDH7 and HIF1A was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments and the dual-luciferase assay. Cell viability was detected with Cell Counting Kit-8. Triglyceride content and Caspase3 activity were measured using corresponding reagent kits. FASN and ACC1 expression was determined utilizing western blot.

RESULTS

PCDH7 was highly expressed in LUAD and correlated with patients' overall survival time and N stage. In vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed that PCDH7 could promote LUAD growth and anoikis resistance. Moreover, overexpression of PCDH7 markedly increased the content of triglycerides in cells and promoted the expression of FASN and ACC1 proteins to inhibit LUAD cell anoikis. Cell rescue experiment confirmed that HIF1A activated PCDH7 to suppress LUAD anoikis by promoting fatty acid (FA) synthesis and metabolism.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrated that the HIF1A/PCDH7 axis suppressed LUAD anoikis by promoting FA synthesis and metabolism. The FA synthesis pathway might be a key pathway regulated by PCDH7 in LUAD anoikis.

Unleashing the antitumor power of cyclophosphamide by arabinogalactan and aptamer conjugation

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) (2-oxo-2-di(β-chloroethyl)amino tetrahydro-2,1,3-phosphoxazine) is an alkylating cytostatic compound with a broad spectrum of antitumor activity. Despite its efficacy, the clinical application of CPA is hindered by the significant occurrence of adverse side effects. To address these limitations, a promising approach involves the mechanochemical treatment of CPA with arabinogalactan (AG) to facilitate the dispersion of the drug within the AG matrix. AG stands out from other polymers due to its uniformity, low molecular weight, water solubility, and ability to form drug conjugates, thereby enhancing their therapeutic potency. Moreover, AG possesses immune-modulating properties that have the potential to counteract the immunosuppressive effects induced by CPA. By means of mechanical treatment, we successfully obtained CPA-AG complexes with a CPA:AG ratio of 1:10. These complexes were further modified with As42 aptamers that specifically target Erlich ascites cells. Aptamers, a novel class of oligonucleotide ligands obtained through SELEX technology, possess high affinity and specificity for binding to various receptors. An ascitic form of Ehrlich carcinoma was chosen as an in vitro and in vivo tumor model due to its notable drug resistance. In vitro and in vivo evaluations were conducted to compare the antitumor activity of both the CPA-AG and CPA-AG-As42 complexes with pure CPA. In vitro experiments revealed that the CPA-AG complex displayed superior antitumor activity compared to pure CPA, leading to complete tumor cell death primarily through necrosis. Notably, no toxic effects were observed with the CPA-AG and CPA-AG-As42 complexes, and they significantly prolonged the lifespan of tumor-bearing mice by more than 3.5 times. Histological studies further supported the antitumor efficacy of these complexes. These results underscore the potential of utilizing CPA-AG mechanocomposites, functionalized with aptamers, for the targeted delivery of CPA to tumors.

Analysis of Factors Influencing Hospitalization Expenses of Patients With Gastric Cancer in Shanghai, 2014-2021: Based on Grey Relational Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed the basic condition and the influencing factors of hospitalization costs of patients with gastric cancer in Shanghai from 2014 to 2021, so as to provide a scientific reference for promoting the reform of the medical and healthcare system.

METHODS

The study data were obtained from the electronic medical record system of Shanghai Hospital. The grey relational analysis was applied to analyze the correlation strength of various expenses with hospitalization costs. The structural equation modeling was constructed to analyze the influences of factors on the hospitalization expenses, as well as the relationship between each factor.

RESULTS

A total of 23 335 study subjects were included. The results of grey relational analysis showed that the total cost of drugs had the strongest correlation with hospitalization expenses, followed by material expenses and surgery cost, whereas those of others were lower. The results of the structural equation modeling showed that age had the greatest influence on hospitalization expenses with a path coefficient of 0.618. Other influencing factors included surgery history, length of stay, hospital level, gender, and medical insurance.

CONCLUSIONS

The total cost of drugs had the strongest correlation with hospitalization expenses. Factors such as gender, age, and hospital level all affect the hospitalization expenses. In the future, it is necessary to take further measures to control the cost of drugs and constantly optimize the structure of hospitalization costs. Meanwhile, the reform of the medical and healthcare system should be deepened to reasonably regulate the medical behaviors and reduce the financial burden of patients.

Engineering Sonosensitizer-Derived Nanotheranostics for Augmented Sonodynamic Therapy

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT), featuring noninvasive, deeper penetration, low cost, and repeatability, is a promising therapy approach for deep-seated tumors. However, the general or only utilization of SDT shows low efficiency and unsatisfactory treatment outcomes due to the complicated tumor microenvironment (TME) and SDT process. To circumvent the issues, three feasible approaches for enhancing SDT-based therapeutic effects, including sonosensitizer optimization, strategies for conquering hypoxia TME, and combinational therapy are summarized, with a particular focus on the combination therapy of SDT with other therapy modalities, including chemodynamic therapy, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, starvation therapy, gas therapy, and immunotherapy. In the end, the current challenges in SDT-based therapy on tumors are discussed and feasible approaches for enhanced therapeutic effects are provided. It is envisioned that this review will provide new insight into the strategic design of high-efficiency sonosensitizer-derived nanotheranostics, thereby augmenting SDT and accelerating the potential clinical transformation.

Ferroptosis in Cancer: A new perspective on T cells

T cells occupy a pivotal position in the immune response against cancer by recognizing and eliminating cancer cells. However, the tumor microenvironment often suppresses the function of T cells, leading to immune evasion and cancer progression. Recent research has unveiled novel connections among T cells, ferroptosis, and cancer. Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death that relies iron and reactive oxygen species and is distinguished by the proliferation of lipid peroxides. Emerging scientific findings underscore the potential of ferroptosis to modulate the function and survival of T cells in the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, T cells or immunotherapy can also affect cancer by modulating ferroptosis in cancer cells. This review delved into the intricate crosstalk between T cells and ferroptosis in the context of cancer, highlighting the molecular mechanisms involved. We also explored the therapeutic potential of targeting ferroptosis to enhance the anticancer immune response mediated by T cells. Understanding the interplay among T cells, ferroptosis, and cancer may provide new insights into developing innovative cancer immunotherapies.

Targeting catalase in cancer

Healthy cells have developed a sophisticated network of antioxidant molecules to prevent the toxic accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by diverse environmental stresses. On the opposite, cancer cells often exhibit high levels of ROS and an altered levels of antioxidant molecules compared to normal cells. Among them, the antioxidant enzyme catalase plays an essential role in cell defense against oxidative stress through the dismutation of hydrogen peroxide into water and molecular oxygen, and its expression is often decreased in cancer cells. The elevation of ROS in cancer cells provides them proliferative advantages, and leads to metabolic reprogramming, immune escape and metastasis. In this context, catalase is of critical importance to control these cellular processes in cancer through various mechanisms. In this review, we will discuss the major progresses and challenges in understanding the role of catalase in cancer for this last decade. This review also aims to provide important updates regarding the regulation of catalase expression, subcellular localization and discuss about the potential role of microbial catalases in tumor environment. Finally, we will describe the different catalase-based therapies and address the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations associated with modulating catalase therapeutically in cancer treatment.

A mini-review-cancer energy reprogramming on drug resistance and immune response

With the growing interest to harness cancer metabolism and energy reprogramming, this mini review aimed to explain the metabolic programming revealing the mechanisms regarding the treatment resistance. This mini review summarized the prominent cancer metabolic reprogramming on macromolecules. In addition, metabolic reprogramming explaining immune response and treatment resistance as well as energy reprogramming mechanisms are briefly discussed. Finally, some prospects in MR for reversing cancer drug resistance are highlighted.

Combination of circulating tumor cells, lncRNAs and DNA methylation for the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is one of the most common gynecological malignant neoplasms, the prognosis of which is strongly related to the time of diagnosis, with an earlier diagnosis leading to a better prognosis. Therefore, effective diagnostic indicators and methods are needed to ensure early detection. The present study explored the following in EC: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs); the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) RP4-616B8.5, RP11-389G6.3 and carboxy-terminal domain (CTD)-2377D24.6; and the methylation of cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1) and CUGBP Elav-like family member 4 (CELF4). In total, 85 patients, including 71 with EC, and 14 without EC (NO-EC) but with uterine fibroids or polyps, were included in the present study. In total, 46 patients with EC and 8 NO-EC patients underwent CTC detection. In the evaluation of the EC vs. NO-EC groups, the results showed that the CTC-positive rate of the EC group was 80.43% and that the area under the curve (AUC) value of CTCs was 0.8872 (P=0.0098). A total of 35 patients with EC and 14 NO-EC patients underwent detection of the RP4-616B8.5, RP11-389G6.3 and CTD-2377D24.6 lncRNAs. When the levels of the three lncRNAs RP4-616B8.5, RP11-389G6.3 and CTD-2377D24.6 were compared between the EC and NO-EC groups, they were higher in the EC group; the P-values were 0.0002, 0.0001 and <0.0001, respectively, and the AUC values were 0.8184, 0.8347 and 0.8265, respectively. In addition, a total of 35 patients with EC and 8 NO-EC patients underwent CDO1 and CELF4 DNA methylation analysis. The positive rates of the methylated genes CDO1 and CELF4 were 20% (7/35) and 5.71% (2/35), and the P-values of the comparisons between the EC and NO-EC groups were 0.1748 and 0.5004, respectively; the AUC values were 0.6000 and 0.5286. Furthermore, the combination of CTCs, and lncRNAs RP4-616B8.5, RP11-389G6.3 and CTD-2377D24.6 exhibited high performance in the detection of EC (AUC=0.9375).

Propofol attenuates prostate cancer progression by upregulating TRHDE-AS1 expression, and METTL14 could mediate its m6A modification

Propofol has become a microtubule-stabilizing drug for prostate cancer (PC) therapy, but propofol resistance impairs the therapeutic effect. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of propofol in the pathogenesis of PC through mechanisms involving N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. The changes in PC cell malignancy were evaluated by means of transwell, cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), western blotting and tumour xenograft model assays. Long noncoding RNA TRHDE-AS1 and m6A methyltransferase METTL14 expression levels were determined via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The m6A modification of TRHDE-AS1 which was mediated by METTL14 was confirmed by conducting methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assay. We observed that propofol (200 μM) inhibited PC cell malignancy in vivo and in vitro, elucidating that it impaired cell proliferation, migration and tumour growth but induced apoptosis. TRHDE-AS1 expression was observed to be lower in PC cells and tissues, and propofol induced TRHDE-AS1 upregulation in PC cells. Propofol was capable of reversing the tumour-promoting effect of TRHDE-AS1 knockdown in PC cells. Additionally, METTL14 was upstream of TRHDE-AS1 to induce m6A modification of TRHDE-AS1 in PC cells. Collectively, our results show that propofol prevents PC progression by upregulating TRHDE-AS1 expression and METTL14 is involved in the m6A modification of TRHDE-AS1. These findings suggest that TRHDE-AS1 may be a potential therapeutic target for the improvement of propofol's therapeutic effect.

A rigorous multi-laboratory study of known PDAC biomarkers identifies increased sensitivity and specificity over CA19-9 alone

A blood test that enables surveillance for early-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an urgent need. Independent laboratories have reported PDAC biomarkers that could improve biomarker performance over CA19-9 alone, but the performance of the previously reported biomarkers in combination is not known. Therefore, we conducted a coordinated case/control study across multiple laboratories using common sets of blinded training and validation samples (132 and 295 plasma samples, respectively) from PDAC patients and non-PDAC control subjects representing conditions under which surveillance occurs. We analyzed the training set to identify candidate biomarker combination panels using biomarkers across laboratories, and we applied the fixed panels to the validation set. The panels identified in the training set, CA19-9 with CA199.STRA, LRG1, TIMP-1, TGM2, THSP2, ANG, and MUC16.STRA, achieved consistent performance in the validation set. The panel of CA19-9 with the glycan biomarker CA199.STRA improved sensitivity from 0.44 with 0.98 specificity for CA19-9 alone to 0.71 with 0.98 specificity (p < 0.001, 1000-fold bootstrap). Similarly, CA19-9 combined with the protein biomarker LRG1 and CA199.STRA improved specificity from 0.16 with 0.94 sensitivity for CA19-9 to 0.65 with 0.89 sensitivity (p < 0.001, 1000-fold bootstrap). We further validated significantly improved performance using biomarker panels that did not include CA19-9. This study establishes the effectiveness of a coordinated study of previously discovered biomarkers and identified panels of those biomarkers that significantly increased the sensitivity and specificity of early-stage PDAC detection in a rigorous validation trial.

Efficacy and Safety of Biosimilar SCT510 Compared with Bevacizumab for the First-Line Treatment of Advanced Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Study

INTRODUCTION

SCT510 is a biosimilar to bevacizumab (Avastin) reference product (RP) that is approved for various metastatic cancers. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the equivalence of SCT510 and bevacizumab in terms of efficacy, safety, immunogenicity and pharmacokinetics (PK) in patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODS

Patients with non-squamous NSCLC were randomized equally to the SCT510 group (comprising SCT510, paclitaxel, and carboplatin) and the bevacizumab group (comprising bevacizumab, paclitaxel, and carboplatin) for 4-6 cycles, followed by maintenance monotherapy with SCT510. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) at week 12. Secondary endpoints included 18-week ORR, disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and 1-year survival rate, as well as assessments of safety, immunogenicity, and multi-dose PK analysis.

RESULTS

Between March 29, 2019, and April 27, 2021, 989 patients were screened and 567 eligible patients were randomly assigned to the SCT510 group (285 patients) and the bevacizumab group (282 patients). The ORR at week 12 was 52.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 46.66-58.55%] in the SCT510 group and 52.5% (95% CI 46.47-58.47%) in the bevacizumab group. The ORR at week 18 was 55.4% (95% CI 49.46-61.30%) for SCT510 and 55.7% (95% CI 49.68-61.62%) for bevacizumab. The ORR risk ratio (RR) at weeks 12 and 18 was 0.99 (90% CI 0.873-1.133) and 0.99 (90% CI 0.872-1.114), respectively, both within the pre-specified equivalence margin of 0.75-1.33. There were no differences between the two groups in relation to other secondary endpoints, specifically DCR, DOR, PFS, OS, and 1-year survival rate. The overall safety findings were similar between the two treatment groups, and both SCT510 and bevacizumab RP exhibited low immunogenicity.

CONCLUSIONS

SCT510 is similar to bevacizumab in clinical efficacy, safety, immunogenicity, and PK in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC. The totality of the evidence supports the clinical equivalence of SCT510 and bevacizumab.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03792074.

Sociodemographic reporting in videomics research: a review of practices in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery

OBJECTIVE

To assess reporting practices of sociodemographic data in Upper Aerodigestive Tract (UAT) videomics research in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS).

STUDY DESIGN

Narrative review.

METHODS

Four online research databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles on videomics and UAT endoscopy in OHNS, published since January 1, 2017. Title and abstract search, followed by a full-text screening was performed. Dataset audit criteria were determined by the MINIMAR reporting standards for patient demographic characteristics, in addition to gender and author affiliations.

RESULTS

Of the 57 studies that were included, 37% reported any sociodemographic information on their dataset. Among these studies, all reported age, most reported sex (86%), two (10%) reported race, and one (5%) reported ethnicity and socioeconomic status. No studies reported gender. Most studies (84%) included at least one female author, and more than half of the studies (53%) had female first/senior authors, with no significant differences in the rate of sociodemographic reporting in studies with and without female authors (any female author: p = 0.2664; first/senior female author: p > 0.9999). Most studies based in the US reported at least one sociodemographic variable (79%), compared to those in Europe (24%) and in Asia (20%) (p = 0.0012). The rates of sociodemographic reporting in journals of different categories were as follows: clinical OHNS: 44%, clinical non-OHNS: 40%, technical: 42%, interdisciplinary: 10%.

CONCLUSIONS

There is prevalent underreporting of sociodemographic information in OHNS videomics research utilizing UAT endoscopy. Routine reporting of sociodemographic information should be implemented for AI-based research to help minimize algorithmic biases that have been previously demonstrated.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Development of machine learning-based personalized predictive models for risk evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis patients with low levels of serum alpha-fetoprotein

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China is an urgent issue, necessitating early diagnosis and treatment. This study aimed to develop personalized predictive models by combining machine learning (ML) technology with a demographic, medical history, and noninvasive biomarker data. These models can enhance the decision-making capabilities of physicians for HCC in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis patients with low serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 6,980 patients treated between January 2012 and December 2018 were included. Pre-treatment laboratory tests and clinical data were obtained. The significant risk factors for HCC were identified, and the relative risk of each variable affecting its diagnosis was calculated using ML and univariate regression analysis. The data set was then randomly partitioned into validation (20 %) and training sets (80 %) to develop the ML models.

RESULTS

Twelve independent risk factors for HCC were identified using Gaussian naïve Bayes, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), random forest, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operation regression models. Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex, age >60 years, alkaline phosphate >150 U/L, AFP >25 ng/mL, carcinoembryonic antigen >5 ng/mL, and fibrinogen >4 g/L were the risk factors, whereas hypertension, calcium <2.25 mmol/L, potassium ≤3.5 mmol/L, direct bilirubin >6.8 μmol/L, hemoglobin <110 g/L, and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase >40 U/L were the protective factors in HCC patients. Based on these factors, a nomogram was constructed, showing an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.746 (sensitivity = 0.710, specificity=0.646), which was significantly higher than AFP AUC of 0.658 (sensitivity = 0.462, specificity=0.766). Compared with several ML algorithms, the XGBoost model had an AUC of 0.832 (sensitivity = 0.745, specificity=0.766) and an independent validation AUC of 0.829 (sensitivity = 0.766, specificity = 0.737), making it the top-performing model in both sets. The external validation results have proven the accuracy of the XGBoost model.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed XGBoost demonstrated a promising ability for individualized prediction of HCC in HBV-related cirrhosis patients with low-level AFP.

Single-cell RNA sequencing elucidated the landscape of breast cancer brain metastases and identified ILF2 as a potential therapeutic target

Distant metastasis remains the primary cause of morbidity in patients with breast cancer. Hence, the development of more efficacious strategies and the exploration of potential targets for patients with metastatic breast cancer are urgently needed. The data of six patients with breast cancer brain metastases (BCBrM) from two centres were collected, and a comprehensive landscape of the entire tumour ecosystem was generated through the utilisation of single-cell RNA sequencing. We utilised the Monocle2 and CellChat algorithms to investigate the interrelationships among each subcluster. In addition, multiple signatures were collected to evaluate key components of the subclusters through multi-omics methodologies. Finally, we elucidated common expression programs of malignant cells, and experiments were conducted in vitro and in vivo to determine the functions of interleukin enhancer-binding factor 2 (ILF2), which is a key gene in the metastasis module, in BCBrM progression. We found that subclusters in each major cell type exhibited diverse characteristics. Besides, our study indicated that ILF2 was specifically associated with BCBrM, and experimental validations further demonstrated that ILF2 deficiency hindered BCBrM progression. Our study offers novel perspectives on the heterogeneity of BCBrM and suggests that ILF2 could serve as a promising biomarker or therapeutic target for BCBrM.

Upregulated DNMT3a coupling with inhibiting p62-dependent autophagy contributes to NNK tumorigenicity in human bronchial epithelial cells

NNK, formally known as 4-(methyl nitrosamine)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanoe, is a potent chemical carcinogen prevalent in cigarette smoke and is a key contributor to the development of human lung adenocarcinomas. On the other hand, autophagy plays a complex role in cancer development, acting as a "double-edged sword" whose impact varies depending on the cancer type and stage. Despite this, the relationship between autophagy and NNK-induced lung carcinogenesis remains largely unexplored. Our current study uncovers a marked reduction in p62 protein expression in both lung adenocarcinomas and lung tissues of mice exposed to cigarette smoke. Interestingly, this reduction appears to be contingent upon the activity of extrahepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP450), revealing that NNK metabolic activation by CYP450 enzyme escalates its potential to induce p62 downregulation. Further mechanistic investigations reveal that NNK suppresses autophagy by accelerating the degradation of p62 mRNA, thereby promoting the malignant transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells. This degradation process is facilitated by the hypermethylation of the Human antigen R (HuR) promoter, resulting in the transcriptional repression of HuR - a key regulator responsible for stabilizing p62 mRNA through direct binding. This hypermethylation is triggered by the activation of ribosomal protein S6, which is influenced by NNK exposure and subsequently amplifies the translation of DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha (DNMT3a). These findings provide crucial insights into the nature of p62 in both the development and potential treatment of tobacco-related lung cancer.

Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses coupled with multiple machine learning to develop a glycosyltransferase associated signature in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aims to identify key glycosyltransferases (GTs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and establish a robust prognostic signature derived from GTs.

METHODS

Utilizing the AUCell, UCell, singscore, ssgsea, and AddModuleScore algorithms, along with correlation analysis, we redefined genes related to GTs in CRC at the single-cell RNA level. To improve risk model accuracy, univariate Cox and lasso regression were employed to discover a more clinically subset of GTs in CRC. Subsequently, the efficacy of seven machine learning algorithms for CRC prognosis was assessed, focusing on survival outcomes through nested cross-validation. The model was then validated across four independent external cohorts, exploring variations in the tumor microenvironment (TME), response to immunotherapy, mutational profiles, and pathways of each risk group. Importantly, we identified potential therapeutic agents targeting patients categorized into the high-GARS group.

RESULTS

In our research, we classified CRC patients into distinct subgroups, each exhibiting variations in prognosis, clinical characteristics, pathway enrichments, immune infiltration, and immune checkpoint genes expression. Additionally, we established a Glycosyltransferase-Associated Risk Signature (GARS) based on machine learning. GARS surpasses traditional clinicopathological features in both prognostic power and survival prediction accuracy, and it correlates with higher malignancy levels, providing valuable insights into CRC patients. Furthermore, we explored the association between the risk score and the efficacy of immunotherapy.

CONCLUSION

A prognostic model based on GTs was developed to forecast the response to immunotherapy, offering a novel approach to CRC management.

Anatomical and dosimetric variations during volumetric modulated arc therapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma after induction therapy: Implications for adaptive radiation therapy

Purpose

To investigate anatomical and dosimetric changes during volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) after induction therapy (IT) and explore characteristics of patients with notable variations.

Materials and methods

From July 2021 to June 2023, 60 LA-NPC patients undergoing VMAT after IT were retrospectively recruited. Adaptive computed tomography (aCT), reconstructed from weekly cone-beam computed tomography(CBCT), facilitates recontouring and planning transplantation. Volume, dice similarity coefficients, and dose to target volumes and organs at risk(OARs) on planning CT(pCT) and aCT were compared to identify changing patterns. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors.

Results

The volumes of PGTVnasopharynx (PGTVp), PGTVnode (PGTVn), ipsilateral and contralateral parotid glands decreased during VMAT, with reductions of 2.25 %, 6.98 %, 20.09 % and 18.00 %, respectively, at 30 fractions from baseline (P < 0.001). After 25 fractions, D99 and D95 of PGTVn decreased by 7.94 % and 4.18 % from baseline, respectively, while the Dmean of ipsilateral and contralateral parotid glands increased by 7.80 % and 6.50 %, marking the peak rates of dosimetric variations (P < 0.001). The dosimetric fluctuations in PGTVp, the brainstem, and the spinal cord remained within acceptable limits. Furthermore, an initial BMI ≥ 23.5 kg/m2 and not-achieving objective response (OR) after IT were regarded as risk factors for a remarkable PGTVn dose reduction in the later stages of VMAT.

Conclusions

Replanning for post-IT LA-NPC patients appears reasonable at 25F during VMAT. Patients with an initial BMI ≥ 23.5 kg/m2 and not-achieving OR after IT should be considered for adaptive radiation therapy to stabilize the delivered dose.

Knock-out of CD73 delays the onset of HR-negative breast cancer by reprogramming lipid metabolism and is associated with increased tumor mutational burden

OBJECTIVE

CD73 (ecto-5'-nucleotidase, NT5E), a cell-surface enzyme converting 5'-AMP to adenosine, is crucial for cancer progression. However, its role in the tumorigenesis process remains mostly obscure. We aimed to demonstrate CD73's role in breast cancer (BC) tumorigenesis through metabolic rewiring of fatty acid metabolism, a process recently indicated to be regulated by BC major prognostic markers, hormone receptors (HR) for estrogen (ER), and progesterone (PR).

METHODS

A murine model of chemically induced mammary gland tumorigenesis was applied to analyze CD73 knock-out (KO)-induced changes at the transcriptome (RNA-seq), proteome (IHC, WB), and lipidome (GC-EI-MS) levels. CD73 KO-induced changes were correlated with scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq data for human breast tissues and BCs from public collections and confirmed at the proteome level with IHC or WB analysis of BC tissue microarrays and cell lines.

RESULTS

CD73 KO delayed the onset of HR/PR-negative mammary tumors in a murine model. This delay correlated with increased expression of genes related to biosynthesis and β-oxidation of fatty acids (FAs) in the CD73 KO group at the initiation stage. STRING analysis based on RNA-seq data indicated an interplay between CD73 KO, up-regulated expression of PR-coding gene, and DEGs involved in FA metabolism, with PPARγ, a main regulator of FA synthesis, as a main connective node. In epithelial cells of mammary glands, PPARγ expression correlated with CD73 at the RNA level. With cancer progression, CD73 KO increased the levels of PUFAn3/6 (polyunsaturated omega 3/6 FAs), known ligands of PPARγ and target for lipid peroxidation, which may lead to oxidative DNA damage. It correlated with the downregulation of genes involved in cellular stress response (Mlh1, Gsta3), PR-or CD73-dependent changes in the intracellular ROS levels and expression or activation of proteins involved in DNA repair or oxidative stress response in mammary tumor or human BC cell lines, increased tumor mutational burden (TMB) and genomic instability markers in CD73 low HR-negative human BCs, and the prolonged onset of tumors in the CD73 KO HR/PR-negative group.

CONCLUSIONS

CD73 has a significant role in tumorigenesis driving the reprogramming of lipid metabolism through the regulatory loop with PR and PPARγ in epithelial cells of mammary glands. Low CD73 expression/CD73 KO might enhance mutational burden by disrupting this regulatory loop, delaying the onset of HR-negative tumors. Our results support combining therapy targeting the CD73-adenosine axis and tumor lipidome against HR-negative tumors, especially at their earliest developmental stage.

Mitochondria: fundamental characteristics, challenges, and impact on aging

As one of the most vital organelles within biological cells, mitochondria hold an irreplaceable status and play crucial roles in various diseases. Research and therapies targeting mitochondria have achieved significant progress in numerous conditions. Throughout an organism's lifespan, mitochondrial dynamics persist continuously, and due to their inherent characteristics and various external factors, mitochondria are highly susceptible to damage. This susceptibility is particularly evident during aging, where the decline in biological function is closely intertwined with mitochondrial dysfunction. Despite being an ancient and enigmatic organelle, much remains unknown about mitochondria. Here, we will explore the past and present knowledge of mitochondria, providing a comprehensive review of their intrinsic properties and interactions with nuclear DNA, as well as the challenges and impacts they face during the aging process.

Spatial tertiary lymphoid structures imply response to anti-PD-1 plus anlotinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Despite breakthroughs of immunotherapy synergistically combined with blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, several patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) experience non-response or followed relapse. Organized lymphoid aggregates, termed tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs), are found to be associated with improved response to immunotherapy. Here, we explore the landscapes of TLSs in tumour tissues from a real-world retrospective study. Our investigation showed that with a median follow-up of 11.2 months, the ORR was 28.6% (18/63, 95% CI 17.9-41.3) and the median PFS was 6.1 (95% CI 5.5-6.6) months in NSCLC patients treated with PD-1 blockade combined with anlotinib. By multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) analysis, spatially, more TLSs and high CD20+ B-cell ratio in TLSs were associated with higher ORR. High density of intratumoral CD8+ T cells showed better ORR and PFS. The numbers of CD8+ T cells with a distance within 20 μm and 20-50 μm between tumour cells were higher in responders than non-responders. But responders had significantly higher TLSs within 20 μm rather than within 20-50 μm of tumour cells than non-responders. The inflamed immunophenotyping occupied higher proportions in responders and was associated with better PFS. Besides, tumour cells in non-responders were found more temporal cell-in-cell structures than responders, which could protect inner cells from T-cell attacks. Taken together, landscape of TLSs and proximity architecture may imply superior responses to PD-1 blockade combined with anlotinib for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Pairwise machine learning-based automatic diagnostic platform utilizing CT images and clinical information for predicting radiotherapy locoregional recurrence in elderly esophageal cancer patients

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of predicting locoregional recurrence (LR) in elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) who underwent radical radiotherapy using a pairwise machine learning algorithm.

METHODS

The 130 datasets enrolled were randomly divided into a training set and a testing set in a 7:3 ratio. Clinical factors were included and radiomics features were extracted from pretreatment CT scans using pyradiomics-based software, and a pairwise naive Bayes (NB) model was developed. The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curve analysis (DCA). To facilitate practical application, we attempted to construct an automated esophageal cancer diagnosis system based on trained models.

RESULTS

To the follow-up date, 64 patients (49.23%) had experienced LR. Ten radiomics features and two clinical factors were selected for modeling. The model demonstrated good prediction performance, with area under the ROC curve of 0.903 (0.829-0.958) for the training cohort and 0.944 (0.849-1.000) for the testing cohort. The corresponding accuracies were 0.852 and 0.914, respectively. Calibration curves showed good agreement, and DCA curve confirmed the clinical validity of the model. The model accurately predicted LR in elderly patients, with a positive predictive value of 85.71% for the testing cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

The pairwise NB model, based on pre-treatment enhanced chest CT-based radiomics and clinical factors, can accurately predict LR in elderly patients with ESCC. The esophageal cancer automated diagnostic system embedded with the pairwise NB model holds significant potential for application in clinical practice.

Regulatory function of glycolysis-related lncRNAs in tumor progression: Mechanism, facts, and perspectives

Altered metabolism is a hallmark of cancer, and reprogramming of energy metabolism, known as the "Warburg effect", has long been associated with cancer. Cancer cells use the process of glycolysis to quickly manufacture energy from glucose, pyruvic acid, and lactate, which in turn accelerates the growth of cancer and glycolysis becomes a key target for anti-cancer therapies. Recent groundbreaking discoveries regarding long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have opened a new chapter in the mechanism of cancer occurrence. It is widely recognized that lncRNAs regulate energy metabolism through glycolysis in cancer cells. LncRNAs have been demonstrated to engage in several cancer processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and chemoresistance, whereas glycolysis is enhanced or inhibited by the dysregulation of lncRNAs. As a result, cancer survival and development are influenced by different signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the roles of lncRNAs in a variety of cancers and describe the mechanisms underlying their role in glycolysis. Additionally, the predictive potential of glycolysis and lncRNAs in cancer therapy is discussed.

Impact of clonal TP53 mutations with loss of heterozygosity on adjuvant chemotherapy and immunotherapy in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to reveal the effect of TP53 status on clinical outcomes and underlying mechanism in gastric cancer (GC) patients.

METHODS

TP53 status was divided into three groups according to genome sequencing, namely clonal mutations with LOH (C-LOH), clonal diploid or subclonal mutations (CD-SC), and wild type (WT). The p53 protein activity was divided into over-expression (OE), Null and WT according to immunohistochemical staining. Four cohorts, including the TCGA, SMC, ZSHS and FUSCC cohort, were analyzed for association between TP53 mutation status and clinical outcomes and the underlying mechanism.

RESULTS

In TCGA cohort, TP53 CD-SC were associated with superior overall survival compared to TP53 C-LOH cases. GC patients could benefit from ACT only in TP53 CD-SC/ p53 OE and TP53/ p53 WT subgroups, and TP53 C-LOH subgroup demonstrated the worst response to pembrolizumab among three subgroups. Genomic and immunophenotypic deconvolution revealed that TP53 C-LOH, CD-SC and WT differed for genomic and immune-related features.

CONCLUSIONS

TP53 C-LOH GCs with genomic instability and immune evasion phenotype have poor clinical outcomes in patients treated with ACT or immunotherapy.

A Novel Time-Aware Deep Learning Model Predicting Myopia in Children and Adolescents

Objective

To quantitatively predict children's and adolescents' spherical equivalent (SE) by leveraging their variable-length historical vision records.

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Participants

Eight hundred ninety-five myopic children and adolescents aged 4 to 18 years, with a complete ophthalmic examination and retinoscopy in cycloplegia prior to spectacle correction, were enrolled in the period from January 1, 2008 to July 1, 2023 at the University Hospital "Sveti Duh," Zagreb, Croatia.

Methods

A novel modification of time-aware long short-term memory (LSTM) was used to quantitatively predict children's and adolescents' SE within 7 years after diagnosis.

Main Outcome Measures

The utilization of extended gate time-aware LSTM involved capturing temporal features within irregularly sampled time series data. This approach aligned more closely with the characteristics of fact-based data, increasing its applicability and contributing to the early identification of myopia progression.

Results

The testing set exhibited a mean absolute prediction error (MAE) of 0.10 ± 0.15 diopter (D) for SE. Lower MAE values were associated with longer sequence lengths, shorter prediction durations, older age groups, and low myopia, while higher MAE values were observed with shorter sequence lengths, longer prediction durations, younger age groups, and in premyopic or high myopic individuals, ranging from as low as 0.03 ± 0.04 D to as high as 0.45 ± 0.24 D.

Conclusions

Extended gate time-aware LSTM capturing temporal features in irregularly sampled time series data can be used to quantitatively predict children's and adolescents' SE within 7 years with an overall error of 0.10 ± 0.15 D. This value is substantially lower than the threshold for prediction to be considered clinically acceptable, such as a criterion of 0.75 D.

Financial Disclosures

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts derived fibronectin extra domain A promotes sorafenib resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by activating SHMT1

Resistance to sorafenib, an effective first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), greatly compromised the prognosis of patients. The extracellular matrix is one of the most abundant components of the tumor microenvironment. Beyond acting as a physical barrier, it remains unclear whether cell interactions and signal transduction mediated by the extracellular matrix contribute to sorafenib resistance. With the analysis of primary HCC organoid RNA-seq data combined with in vivo and in vitro experiments validation, we discovered that fibronectin extra domain A (FN-EDA) derived from cancer-associated fibroblasts played a critical role in sorafenib resistance. Mechanistically, FN-EDA stimulates the up-regulation of the key one-carbon metabolism enzyme SHMT1 in HCC cells via the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby countering the oxidative stress induced by sorafenib. Moreover, we reinforced the clinical significance of our discoveries by conducting in vivo assays with an immunodeficiency subcutaneous xenograft tumor model, which was established using primary cancer-associated fibroblasts derived from clinical HCC tissues, and through the analysis of HCC samples obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Our findings suggest that targeting the FN-EDA/SHMT1 pathway could be a potential strategy to improve sorafenib responsiveness in HCC patients.

The value of the radiological diameter-to-thickness ratio in patients with HER2-positive resectable advanced gastric cancer: implications for long survival and stage migration

PURPOSE

To investigate the clinical significance and stage migration effect of radiological diameter-to-thickness (DT) ratio in HER2-positive resectable advanced gastric cancer (HER2-p RAGC).

METHODS

369 HER2-p RAGC patients were retrospectively enrolled and information on clinical pathological characteristics, radiological DT ratio, and outcomes [i.e., overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS)] was collected. Pearson's Chi-square and Student's t-test were employed to compare baseline characteristics. Clinical outcomes were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were utilized to analyze independent prognostic factors.

RESULTS

HER2-p RAGC patients were stratified into two groups using a DT ratio cutoff value of 4.0 (p < 0.05). Patients with a DT ratio < 4.0 exhibited significantly longer OS (58.0 vs. 31.0 months) and PFS (43.0 vs. 24.0 months) than those with a DT ratio ≥ 4.0. DT ratio significantly predicted prognosis for N0 and II stage patients (p < 0.05). Patients with gastric body and antrum cancers demonstrated longer OS and PFS in the DT ratio < 4.0 group (p = 0.046, 0.017, 0.036 and 0.028). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model identified age, pathological T category, pathological N category, pathological TNM category and DT ratio as independent prognostic factors. Notably, pStage II patients with a DT ratio ≥ 4.0 exhibited a similar prognosis to pStage III patients with a DT ratio < 4.0 (p = 0.418 for OS, 0.867 for PFS).

CONCLUSION

Radiological DT ratio could evaluate the prognosis and detect higher malignant cases in HER2-p RAGC patients. Moreover, DT ratio might guide clinicians make postoperative strategies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Retrospectively registered.

A beginner's guide to supervised analysis for mass cytometry data in cancer biology

Mass cytometry enables deep profiling of biological samples at single-cell resolution. This technology is more than relevant in cancer research due to high cellular heterogeneity and complexity. Downstream analysis of high-dimensional datasets increasingly relies on machine learning (ML) to extract clinically relevant information, including supervised algorithms for classification and regression purposes. In cancer research, they are used to develop predictive models that will guide clinical decision making. However, the development of supervised algorithms faces major challenges, such as sufficient validation, before being translated into the clinics. In this work, we provide a framework for the analysis of mass cytometry data with a specific focus on supervised algorithms and practical examples of their applications. We also raise awareness on key issues regarding good practices for researchers curious to implement supervised ML on their mass cytometry data. Finally, we discuss the challenges of supervised ML application to cancer research.

Licochalcone A decreases cancer cell proliferation and enhances ferroptosis in acute myeloid leukemia through suppressing the IGF2BP3/MDM2 cascade

Licochalcone A (Lico A), a naturally bioactive flavonoid, has shown antitumor activity in several types of cancers. However, few studies have focused on its effect on acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Cell viability and colony formation potential were detected by CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay, respectively. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. Ferroptosis was assessed by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH). Protein expression levels were determined by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC), and mRNA expression was detected by real-time qPCR. The m6A modification of MDM2 mRNA was verified by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP) assay, and the interaction of IGF2BP3 and MDM2 mRNA was analyzed by RIP assay. Actinomycin D was used to evaluate mRNA stability. The efficacy of Lico A in vivo was examined by a murine xenograft model. Lico A suppressed cell proliferation and induced ferroptosis in MOLM-13 and U-937 in vitro, and slowed the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo. IGF2BP3 was highly expressed in human AML specimens and cells, and Lico A suppressed IGF2BP3 expression in AML cells. Lico A exerted the anti-proliferative and pro-ferroptosis effects by downregulating IGF2BP3. Moreover, IGF2BP3 enhanced the stability and expression of MDM2 mRNA through an m6A-dependent manner. Downregulation of IGF2BP3 impeded AML cell proliferation and enhanced ferroptosis via repressing MDM2. Furthermore, Lico A could affect the MDM2/p53 pathway by downregulating IGF2BP3 expression. Lico A exerts the anti-proliferative and pro-ferroptosis activity in AML cells by affecting the IGF2BP3/MDM2/p53 pathway, providing new evidence for Lico A as a promising agent for the treatment of AML.

Neuroscience in peripheral cancers: tumors hijacking nerves and neuroimmune crosstalk

Cancer neuroscience is an emerging field that investigates the intricate relationship between the nervous system and cancer, gaining increasing recognition for its importance. The central nervous system governs the development of the nervous system and directly affects brain tumors, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) shapes the tumor microenvironment (TME) of peripheral tumors. Both systems are crucial in cancer initiation and progression, with recent studies revealing a more intricate role of the PNS within the TME. Tumors not only invade nerves but also persuade them through remodeling to further promote malignancy, creating a bidirectional interaction between nerves and cancers. Notably, immune cells also contribute to this communication, forming a triangular relationship that influences protumor inflammation and the effectiveness of immunotherapy. This review delves into the intricate mechanisms connecting the PNS and tumors, focusing on how various immune cell types influence nerve‒tumor interactions, emphasizing the clinical relevance of nerve‒tumor and nerve‒immune dynamics. By deepening our understanding of the interplay between nerves, cancer, and immune cells, this review has the potential to reshape tumor biology insights, inspire innovative therapies, and improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.

Preoperative CECT-Based Multitask Model Predicts Peritoneal Recurrence and Disease-Free Survival in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Multicenter Study

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Peritoneal recurrence is the predominant pattern of recurrence in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) and portends a dismal prognosis. Accurate prediction of peritoneal recurrence and disease-free survival (DFS) is crucial to identify patients who might benefit from intensive treatment. We aimed to develop a predictive model for peritoneal recurrence and prognosis in AOC.

METHODS

In this retrospective multi-institution study of 515 patients, an end-to-end multi-task convolutional neural network (MCNN) comprising a segmentation convolutional neural network (CNN) and a classification CNN was developed and tested using preoperative CT images, and MCNN-score was generated to indicate the peritoneal recurrence and DFS status in patients with AOC. We evaluated the accuracy of the model for automatic segmentation and predict prognosis.

RESULTS

The MCNN achieved promising segmentation performances with a mean Dice coefficient of 84.3% (range: 78.8%-87.0%). The MCNN was able to predict peritoneal recurrence in the training (AUC 0.87; 95% CI 0.82-0.90), internal test (0.88; 0.85-0.92), and external test set (0.82; 0.78-0.86). Similarly, MCNN demonstrated consistently high accuracy in predicting recurrence, with an AUC of 0.85; 95% CI 0.82-0.88, 0.83; 95% CI 0.80-0.86, and 0.85; 95% CI 0.83-0.88. For patients with a high MCNN-score of recurrence, it was associated with poorer DFS with P < 0.0001 and hazard ratios of 0.1964 (95% CI: 0.1439-0.2680), 0.3249 (95% CI: 0.1896-0.5565), and 0.3458 (95% CI: 0.2582-0.4632).

CONCLUSION

The MCNN approach demonstrated high performance in predicting peritoneal recurrence and DFS in patients with AOC.

Dual electrochemical signal "signal-on-off" sensor based on CHA-Td-HCR and CRISPR-Cas12a for MUC1 detection

Mucin 1 (MUC1) is frequently overexpressed in various cancers and is essential for early cancer detection. Current methods to detect MUC1 are expensive, time-consuming, and require skilled personnel. Therefore, developing a simple, sensitive, highly selective MUC1 detection sensor is necessary. In this study, we proposed a novel "signal-on-off" strategy that, in the presence of MUC1, synergistically integrates catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) with DNA tetrahedron (Td)-based nonlinear hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to enhance the immobilization of electrochemically active methylene blue (MB) on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), marking the MB signal "on". Concurrently, the activation of CRISPR-Cas12a by isothermal amplification products triggers the cleavage of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) at the electrode surface, resulting in a reduction of MgAl-LDH@Fc-AuFe-MIL-101 (containing ferrocene, Fc) on the electrode, presenting the "signal-off" state. Both MB and MgAl-LDH@Fc-AuFe-MIL-101 electrochemical signals were measured and analyzed. Assay parameters were optimized, and sensitivity, stability, and linear range were assessed. Across a concentration spectrum of MUC1 spanning from 10 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL, the MB and MgAl-LDH@Fc-AuFe-MIL-101 signals were calibrated with each other, demonstrating a "signal-on-off" dual electrochemical signaling pattern. This allows for the precise and quantitative detection of MUC1 in clinical samples, offering significant potential for medical diagnosis.

Single-cell spatial transcriptomics in cardiovascular development, disease, and medicine

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) impose a significant burden worldwide. Despite the elucidation of the etiology and underlying molecular mechanisms of CVDs by numerous studies and recent discovery of effective drugs, their morbidity, disability, and mortality are still high. Therefore, precise risk stratification and effective targeted therapies for CVDs are warranted. Recent improvements in single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics have improved our understanding of the mechanisms and cells involved in cardiovascular phylogeny and CVDs. Single-cell RNA sequencing can facilitate the study of the human heart at remarkably high resolution and cellular and molecular heterogeneity. However, this technique does not provide spatial information, which is essential for understanding homeostasis and disease. Spatial transcriptomics can elucidate intracellular interactions, transcription factor distribution, cell spatial localization, and molecular profiles of mRNA and identify cell populations causing the disease and their underlying mechanisms, including cell crosstalk. Herein, we introduce the main methods of RNA-seq and spatial transcriptomics analysis and highlight the latest advances in cardiovascular research. We conclude that single-cell RNA sequencing interprets disease progression in multiple dimensions, levels, perspectives, and dynamics by combining spatial and temporal characterization of the clinical phenome with multidisciplinary techniques such as spatial transcriptomics. This aligns with the dynamic evolution of CVDs (e.g., "angina-myocardial infarction-heart failure" in coronary artery disease). The study of pathways for disease onset and mechanisms (e.g., age, sex, comorbidities) in different patient subgroups should improve disease diagnosis and risk stratification. This can facilitate precise individualized treatment of CVDs.

Advances in Oral Exfoliative Cytology: From Cancer Diagnosis to Systemic Disease Detection

Oral exfoliative cytology has emerged as a valuable tool in the early detection of oral cancer and other systemic diseases. This review comprehensively examines the current applications and recent advancements in oral exfoliative cytology techniques. We analyzed published literature from the past decade, focusing on methodological improvements, diagnostic accuracy, and emerging applications. Key findings include: (1) Enhanced cell collection and preparation methods have significantly improved sample quality and diagnostic reliability. (2) Integration of molecular markers and DNA analysis with traditional cytomorphological assessment has increased diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for oral cancer detection. (3) Novel applications in systemic disease detection, including diabetes and iron overload disorders, demonstrate the expanding utility of this technique. (4) Computer-assisted analysis and deep learning algorithms show promise in improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in standardization and widespread clinical implementation. This review provides a critical evaluation of oral exfoliative cytology's current status and future potential in oral and systemic disease diagnosis.

Lipid metabolic rewiring in glioma‑associated microglia/macrophages (Review)

Gliomas are the most prevailing brain malignancy in both children and adults. Microglia, which are resident in the central nervous system (CNS), are distributed throughout the brain and serve an important role in the immunity of the CNS. Microglial cells exhibit varying phenotypic and metabolic properties during different stages of glioma development, making them a highly dynamic cell population. In particular, glioma‑associated microglia/macrophages (GAMs) can alter their metabolic characteristics and influence malignancies in response to the signals they receive. The significance of macrophage metabolic reprogramming in tumor growth is becoming increasingly acknowledged in recent years. However, to the best of our knowledge, there is currently a scarcity of data from investigations into the lipid metabolic profiles of microglia/macrophages in the glioma setting. Therefore, the present review aims to provide a thorough review of the role that lipid metabolism serves in tumor‑associated macrophages. In addition, it outlines potential targets for therapy based on lipid metabolism. The present review aims to serve as a reference source for future investigations into GAMs.

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor promote lipid uptake and fatty acid oxidation in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR), a lipid receptor, is associated with cancer progression. However, detailed effects on intracellular metabolism are unclear. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of LSR-mediated lipid metabolism in gastric cancer.

METHODS

We investigated lipid metabolic changes induced by lipoprotein administration in gastric cancer cells and evaluated the significance of LSR expression and lipid droplets formation in gastric cancer patients. The efficacy of inhibiting β-oxidation in gastric cancer cells was also examined in vitro and vivo.

RESULTS

In gastric cancer cells, LSR promoted cellular uptake of lipoprotein and cell proliferation. Furthermore, the inhibition of LSR in gastric cancer cells expressing high levels of LSR counteracted both effects. Immunohistochemical analysis of human gastric cancer tissues showed that the increase in lipid droplets via LSR is a factor that influences prognosis. Lipidomics analysis of LSR-high-expressing gastric cancer cells revealed an increase in β-oxidation. Based on these results, we used etomoxir, a β-oxidation inhibitor, and found that it inhibited cell proliferation as well as the suppression of LSR. Similarly, in a mouse xenograft model of LSR-highly expressing gastric cancer cells, the tumor growth effect of high-fat diet feeding was counteracted by etomoxir, consistent with the Ki-67 labeling index.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that lipids are taken up into gastric cancer cells via LSR and cause an increase in β-oxidation, resulting in the promotion of cancer progression. Controlling LSR-mediated lipid metabolism may be a novel therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.

Efficacy and Safety of Iparomlimab, an Anti-PD-1 Antibody, in Patients with Advanced Solid Tumors: A Phase 1c Study

INTRODUCTION

Iparomlimab (QL1604) is a humanized immunoglobulin G4 mAb against programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1). Here, we report the preliminary efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of iparomlimab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

METHODS

In this open-label, phase 1c study, patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors, either failed or had no standard therapies available, were enrolled and received intravenous iparomlimab at 3 mg/kg once every 3 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the objective response rate (ORR) assessed by the investigator per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1.

RESULTS

Between July 20, 2020, and September 6, 2021, 71 patients were enrolled and received at least one dose of iparomlimab. The ORR was 9.9% (7/71) and disease control rate was 36.6% (26/71). Median duration of response of all responders was 10.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.4-not estimable]. Additionally, the median time to progression, progression-free survival, and overall survival were 1.4 months (95% CI, 1.4-2.8), 1.4 months (95% CI, 1.4-2.7), and 9.7 months (95% CI, 7.2-15.3), respectively. A total of 52 (73.2%) patients experienced treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) (grade ≥ 3, 19.7%). The most common TRAE (≥ 10%) was anemia (18.3%). A total of 20 (28.2%) experienced immune-related adverse events (grade ≥ 3, 7.0%). TRAEs leading to discontinuation of study drug occurred in 4 (5.6%) patients, including immune-mediated myocarditis (2 patients), Guillain-Barré syndrome (1 patient), and diarrhea (1 patient).

CONCLUSIONS

Iparomlimab showed preliminary clinical activity and had a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced solid tumors. These results support further investigation of iparomlimab as monotherapy or in combination therapy in advanced solid tumors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT05801094. Retrospectively registered in 2023-03-24.

METTL3-driven m6A modification of lncRNA FAM230B suppresses ferroptosis by modulating miR-27a-5p/BTF3 axis in gastric cancer

Our previous research revealed the apoptosis-inhibiting effect of lncRNA FAM230B in gastric cancer (GC). While its role on ferroptosis of GC remain unexplored. In this study, the m6A level and RNA stability regulation of METTL3 on FAM230B was detected by m6A quantification, stability assays, MeRIP, and their interaction was confirmed by RIP, and RNA pull-down assays. The level of ferroptosis was detected by flow cytometry, MDA and GSH level assessments, and electron microscopy. Gene expression was detected by quantitative real-time PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. The miR-27a-5p and BTF3 interaction was predicted with TargetScan and confirmed by dual-luciferase assay. Here, elevated levels of METTL3 and FAM230B were observed in GC tissues and cell lines. METTL3 was confirmed to bind with FAM230B RNA. Furthermore, silencing METTL3 reduced FAM230B m6A levels and stability, leading to decreased FAM230B and increased miR-27a-5p expressions. FAM230B knockdown favored ferroptosis and increased BTF3 expression, while its overexpression mitigated erastin-induced ferroptosis in GC cells. Additionally, BTF3 overexpression was found to negate miR-27a-5p's ferroptosis-promoting effects in GC cells. Collectively, our study demonstrates that the m6A modification of FAM230B by METTL3 plays a crucial role in promoting GC progression by reducing ferroptosis, through the modulation of the miR-27a-5p/BTF3 axis.