BGL3 inhibits papillary thyroid carcinoma progression via regulating PTEN stability

Ubiquitin-modifying enzymes in thyroid cancer：Mechanisms and functions

Thyroid cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the endocrine system, and evidence suggests that post-translational modifications (PTMs) and epigenetic alterations play an important role in its development. Recently, there has been increasing evidence linking dysregulation of ubiquitinating enzymes and deubiquitinases with thyroid cancer. This review aims to summarize our current understanding of the role of ubiquitination-modifying enzymes in thyroid cancer, including their regulation of oncogenic pathways and oncogenic proteins. The role of ubiquitination-modifying enzymes in thyroid cancer development and progression requires further study, which will provide new insights into thyroid cancer prevention, treatment and the development of novel agents.

Progress in long non-coding RNAs as prognostic factors of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is generally recognized as a slow-growing tumor. However, a small subset of patients may still experience relapse or metastasis shortly after therapy, leading to a poor prognosis and raising concerns about excessive medical treatment. One major challenge lies in the inadequacy of effective biomarkers for accurate risk stratification. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are closely related to malignant characteristics and poor prognosis, play a significant role in the genesis and development of PTC through various pathways. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary of the biological functions of lncRNAs in PTC, identify prognosis-relevant lncRNAs, and explore their potential mechanisms in drug resistance to BRAF kinase inhibitors, tumor dedifferentiation, and lymph node metastasis. By doing so, this review aims to offer valuable references for both basic research and the prediction of PTC prognosis.

Nomograms based on sonographic and clinicopathological characteristics to predict lateral lymph node metastasis in classic papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) has been considered a risk factor of recurrence in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Preoperative detecting LLNM accurately is difficult. Solitary lateral lymph node metastasis is a special type of LLNM. We aimed to develop nomograms for predicting LLNM and multiple lateral lymph node metastasis (MLLNM).

METHODS

We retrospectively retrieved 528 classic PTC patients that underwent surgery between March 2019 and May 2020. Sonographic and clinicopathological features were collected. Risk factors of LLNM and MLLNM were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Nomograms for predicting LLNM and MLLNM were developed.

RESULTS

LLNM was independently associated with tumor size, the number of foci, location, margin, central lymph node metastasis, and lymph node ratio. Independent predictors of MLLNM were age, margin, and the number of metastatic lymph nodes in central compartment. By using above variables, we constructed nomograms for predicting LLNM and MLLNM, with area under curves of 0.864 and 0.748, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Through these accurate and easy-to-use nomograms, we can detect the risk of residual LLNM postoperatively for classic PTC patients who did not receive lateral neck dissection and provide an individualized plan for postoperative management of classic PTC patients.

HLA complex P5 upregulation is correlated with poor prognosis and tumor progression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly malignant tumor that threatens human health. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is widely expressed in eukaryotes and is closely associated with human disease progression. However, its role in ESCC remains incompletely understood. In this study, we analyzed the results of three gene expression omnibus (GEO) databases containing lncRNA expression data of ESCC and normal tissues. The results showed that HCP5 was significantly overexpressed in ESCC tissues, which was further verified in our collected ESCC samples. The functional study suggested that HCP5 knockdown inhibited ESCC cell proliferation and invasion. Regarding the mechanism, HCP5 was able to directly interact with YTHDF1, a N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A) reader, enhancing the binding of YTHDF1 to m⁶A-modified HK2 mRNA, leading to increasing HK2 stability, thereby promoting the Warburg effect (aerobic glycolysis) of ESCC cells. The nude mice model showed that the knockdown of HCP5 in vivo remarkably reduced tumor size. Clinically, high HCP5 was positively correlated with larger tumor volume, higher TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. Moreover, ESCC patients with high HCP5 exerted shorter survival time than patients with low HCP5. These findings uncover the importance of HCP5 in human ESCC progression; the turbulence of HCP5/YTHDF1/HK2 axis may be responsible for ESCC carcinogenicity.

A novel tumor suppressor ASMTL-AS1 regulates the miR-1228-3p/SOX17/β-catenin axis in triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a special type of breast cancer that lacks effective therapeutic targets. There is a significant need to clarify its pathogenesis, so as to bring new targeted approaches for TNBC management. Here, we identified a long-non coding RNA (lncRNA) ASMTL-AS1 that linked to TNBC development and progression.

METHODS

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot assays were used to test gene and protein levels, respectively. The regulatory axis of miR-1228-3p/SOX17/β-catenin was determined by luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. In vivo assay was conducted by using the nude mice model via subcutaneous transplantation of tumor cells.

RESULTS

ASMTL-AS1 was significantly downregulated in TNBC tissues compared to normal tissues, which was closely associated with aggressive clinical features and unfavorable prognosis. Lentivirus-mediated ASMTL-AS1 overexpression evidently reduced the ability of TNBC cell colony formation, activity and invasion by more than 2.5 times. RNA pull-down and luciferase reporter assays revealed that miR-1228-3p directly bound to ASMTL-AS1, ASMTL-AS1 increased SOX17 expression via sponging and repressing miR-1228-3p. Subsequently, the upregulated SOX17 trans-suppressed β-catenin expression, resulting in the inactivation of carcinogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling, thereby restraining TNBC cell growth and dissemination. Importantly, the xenograft tumor model showed that the ASMTL-AS1 overexpression significantly retarded tumor growth, and negatively regulated Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data characterize a novel tumor suppressor in TNBC, restoration of ASMTL-AS1 may be a candidate therapeutic intervention for TNBC patients.