Induction of ZCCHC6 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by HNSCC secretions

Identification of a Novel Long Non-coding RNA, lnc-ATMIN-4:2, and its Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance in Advanced Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIM

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as significant regulators of gene expression and a novel promising biomarker for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. This study identified a novel, differentially expressed lncRNA in advanced gastric cancer (AGC), Inc-ATMIN-4:2, and evaluated its clinicopathological and prognostic significance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed lncRNAs in AGC tissue samples. We also analyzed lnc-ATMIN-4:2 expression in 317 patients with AGC using RNA in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

High (>30 dots) lnc-ATMIN-4:2 expression significantly correlated with younger age, poorly differentiated histology, diffuse type, deeper invasion depth, perineural invasion, lymph node metastasis, and higher stage group. In addition, high lnc-ATMIN-4:2 expression was significantly associated with worse overall survival in patients with AGC.

CONCLUSION

This study elucidated the significance of lncRNAs in AGC and indicated the value of lnc-ATMIN-4:2 expression as a predictive biomarker for the overall survival of patients with AGC.

Evaluation of the Erythrocyte Membrane in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a heterogeneous and complex disease, both from a clinical and molecular point of view. The prolonged use of alcohol and tobacco, along with the release of tumor secretions can modulate blood cells, such as erythrocytes. Here, this study was conducted with 24 patients diagnosed with HNSCC and an equal number of healthy individuals are matched by age and gender. The levels of lipid peroxidation were measured using the individual plasma, while for lipid concentrations, identification and quantification Na, K-ATPase activity and osmotic fragility, the red blood cell concentrate were used. The release of TBARS was significantly higher in patients with HNSCC. The lipid profile assays demonstrated a rearrangement of the erythrocyte membrane due to a decrease in total phospholipids and phosphatidylethanolamine followed by an increase in total cholesterol and phosphatidylcholine. Na, K-ATPase activity also increased. Erythrocytes were more fragile in patients with HNSCC than in health individuals. Therefore, the membrane of erythrocytes were rearranged and Na, K-ATPase function altered in the HNSCC patients. Our findings suggests that the alcohol, tobacco and tumor secretion modulate in a specific manner that the erythrocytes membranes of these patients making this system a potential tool for HNSCC biomarker of tumor progression.