[Treatment of gastric cancer]

CircCOL1A2 Sponges MiR-1286 to Promote Cell Invasion and Migration of Gastric Cancer by Elevating Expression of USP10 to Downregulate RFC2 Ubiquitination Level

Gastric cancers (GC) are generally malignant tumors, occurring with high incidence and threatening public health around the world. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in modulating various cancers, including GC. However, the functions of circRNAs and their regulatory mechanism in colorectal cancer (CRC) remain largely unknown. This study focuses on both the role of circCOL1A2 in CRC progression as well as its downstream molecular mechanism. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot were adopted for gene expression analysis. Functional experiments were performed to study the biological functions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and subcellular fraction assays were employed to detect the subcellular distribution. Luciferase reporter, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation (RIP), co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), RNA pull-down, and immunofluorescence (IF) and immunoprecipitation (IP) assays were used to explore the underlying mechanisms. Our results found circCOL1A2 to be not only upregulated in GC cells, but that it also propels the migration and invasion of GC cells. CircCOL1A2 functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) by sequestering microRNA-1286 (miR-1286) to modulate ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10), which in turn spurs the migration and invasion of GC cells by regulating RFC2. In sum, CircCOL1A2 sponges miR-1286 to promote cell invasion and migration of GC by elevating the expression of USP10 to downregulate the level of RFC2 ubiquitination. Our study offers a potential novel target for the early diagnosis and treatment of GC.

Prognostic significance of mRNA expression of CASPs in gastric cancer

Current studies suggest that the cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (caspase/CASP) family may be closely associated with apoptosis. Scientists have suggested that caspases may be a key to the development of more effective anti-cancer therapies. However, the prognostic value of CASP expression in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. Using a Kaplan-Meier plotter online database, the predictive prognostic significance of the expression of 12 CASPs genes (CASP1, CASP2, CASP3, CASP4, CASP5, CASP6, CASP7, CASP8, CASP9, CASP10, CASP12 and CASP14) to overall survival (OS) in different clinicopathological features, including Lauren classification, pathological stages, therapies employed and differentiation in gastric cancer patients was explored. The present study revealed that higher CASP1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 mRNA expression was associated with better OS, whereas higher expression of CASP9, 10, 12 and 14 showed an unfavorable OS in all GC patients. Moreover, CASP1 to 8 were all associated with favorable OS in intestinal type and diffuse type classified by Lauren classification. Therefore, the results of the present study suggested that the CASP family may function as new prognostic indicators in GC and may be helpful in making treatment decisions.

[Neoadjuvant therapy for tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract : Complication management]

Recent studies could demonstrate that neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiochemotherapy for esophageal and gastric cancer do not significantly increase the risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality as compared to surgery alone. With respect to patient safety and effectiveness of neoadjuvant concepts, quality assured performance of each treatment modality and close interdisciplinary cooperation play an important role. The majority of potential side effects and complications, which might occur during neoadjuvant therapy can be adequately controlled by correct prophylaxis and professional medical complication management. Complications before, during and after neoadjuvant therapy of upper gastrointestinal tract tumors can also be caused by the tumor itself or by medicinal therapy. These comprise bleeding, fistulas, perforations and stenoses. Modern endoscopic techniques are the therapy of choice in these situations. Preoperative conditioning during the period of neoadjuvant therapy opens the possibility of reduced postoperative complications to patients with tumors of the upper gastrointestinal tract.