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Altınönder İ, Kaya M, Yentür SP, Çakar A, Durmuş H, Yegen G, Özkan B, Parman Y, Sawalha AH, Saruhan-Direskeneli G. Thymic gene expression analysis reveals a potential link between HIF-1A and Th17/Treg imbalance in thymoma associated myasthenia gravis. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:126. [PMID: 38734662 PMCID: PMC11088784 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03095-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an immune-mediated disease frequently associated with thymic changes. Increased T helper 17 (Th17) cell activity and dysfunctional regulatory T (Treg) cells have been demonstrated in subgroups of MG. On the other hand, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has been shown to regulate the Th17/Treg balance by inducing Th17 differentiation while attenuating Treg development. To identify the underlying mechanisms of different thymic pathologies in MG development, we evaluated thymic samples from thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG), MG with hyperplasia (TFH-MG) and thymoma without MG (TOMA) patients. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that TAMG and TFH-MG cells are associated with different functional pathways. A higher RORC/FOXP3 ratio provided evidence for Th17/Treg imbalance in TAMG potentially related to increased HIF1A. The hypoxic microenvironment in thymoma may be a driver of TAMG by increasing HIF1A. These findings may lead to new therapeutic approaches targeting HIF1A in the development of TAMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- İlayda Altınönder
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Kaya
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Sibel P Yentür
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Arman Çakar
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Hacer Durmuş
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Gülçin Yegen
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Berker Özkan
- Department of Pathology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Yeşim Parman
- Department of Neurology, Istanbul Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, 34093, Turkey
| | - Amr H Sawalha
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Al Shammari A, Saad A, Saif LT, Othman SA, Ghosheh MJ, Khdeir GM, Alashgar O, Abu-Rayya MA, Ahmed MH, AlKattan K, Saleh W. Clinicodemographic characteristics and prognostic role of myasthenia gravis in thymoma: Experience from a Saudi population. Ann Thorac Med 2023; 18:211-216. [PMID: 38058787 PMCID: PMC10697300 DOI: 10.4103/atm.atm_61_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of the study were to determine the clinicodemographic characteristics and the prognostic role of myasthenia gravis (MG) in thymoma. METHODS The records of patients who underwent surgical resection of thymoma at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in the past 23 years were reviewed. Seventy thymoma patients were finally included and were then categorized based on MG status into the MG group (39 patients) and the non-MG group (31 patients). Collected data included patients' demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, and postoperative clinical outcomes. All analyses were conducted using SPSS. The comparison between both groups was tested using the Student t-test and Chi-square test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. A P = 0.05 or less indicated statistical significance. RESULTS Patients' age ranged from 11 to 76 years, and female predominance was observed (55.7%). Compared to the non-MG group, no difference in patients' gender was observed (P = 0.058); however, MG patients had a younger age (39.30 vs. 48.77, P = 0.0095). No difference was noted between both groups based on the World Health Organization classification (P = 0.398), but MG patients tended to present with less-advanced tumors based on the TNM classification (P = 0.039) and lower stage based on the MASAOKA staging system (P = 0.017). No significant change in tumor size (P = 0.077), resectability (P = 0.507), and adjuvant therapy (P = 0.075) were observed. MG was not significantly associated with postoperative complications, morbidity, or mortality. However, it exhibited a prognostic protective role in terms of lower recurrence (2.56% vs. 35.48%, P = 0.0001) and longer survival duration (18.62 vs. 10.21 years, P < 0.001) as compared to non-MG patients. CONCLUSIONS MG occurrence in thymoma patients is more likely to occur at a younger age, higher TNM classification, and advanced MASAOKA stage. Although no significant association was noted between MG and complications and mortality, MG exhibited a protective role in thymoma by providing a lower recurrence rate and longer survival duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Shammari
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aida Saad
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lama Tareq Saif
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Safy A. Othman
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad J. Ghosheh
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghadir M. Khdeir
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omniyah Alashgar
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | | | - Khaled AlKattan
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waleed Saleh
- King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Analysis on the Clinical Effect of High-Dose Glucocorticoids Combined with Immunosuppressants on Patients with Myasthenia Gravis Undergoing Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5854056. [PMID: 34912892 PMCID: PMC8668280 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5854056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective The purpose of the study was to investigate the clinical effect of high-dose glucocorticoids (GCS) combined with immunosuppressants on the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). Methods A total of 106 MG patients admitted to the neurology department of our hospital from February 2016 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects and divided into experimental group (n = 53) and control group (n = 53). The patients in the control group underwent VATS, while the patients in the experimental group were treated with high-dose GCS combined with immunosuppressants on the basis of VATS treatment. The clinical efficacy of different MG treatment methods was analyzed. Results No significant differences were observed in visual analogue score (VAS) at T1 between the two groups (P > 0.05), while VAS scores at T2, T3, and T4 in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001). In the experimental group, the overall response rate was significantly higher than the control group (P < 0.05). Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) level in regulatory T (Treg) cells in experimental groups after treatment was significantly higher, compared to that in before treatment and the control group (P < 0.05). Similar results of each quantitative MG score were displayed in both groups after treatment, compared to before treatment and the control group (P < 0.05). Clinical performance of patients with lower incidence of adverse reactions in the experimental groups after treatment was significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion GCS combined with immunosuppressants can effectively relieve patients' clinical symptoms and improve their quality of life, with significant clinical efficacy and high safety, which is worthy of application and promotion.
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Savu C, Melinte A, Gibu A, Hallabrin I, Zafiu A, Tudor VA, Diaconu C, Gherghiceanu F, Furtunescu F, Radavoi D, Balescu I, Bacalbasa N. A Large Thymoma Resected via Left Antero-lateral Thoracotomy. CANCER DIAGNOSIS & PROGNOSIS 2021; 1:363-370. [PMID: 35403149 PMCID: PMC8988950 DOI: 10.21873/cdp.10048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Thymomas are a rare type of mediastinal tumors with a slow growth rate. Because of this, they are well tolerated and patients usually present with large masses, which can extend in either of the thoracic cavities. The surgical approach for such tumors is dictated by the size and localization of the mass. CASE REPORT We present the case of a patient with a large thymoma, resected through surgery performed by left antero-lateral thoracotomy. The patient presented in our clinic with a persistent cough, dyspnea, chest pain and tightness. Standard thoracic X-ray revealed a bilateral increase in size of the mediastinal shadow, mainly on the left side, with well-defined margins and subcostal intensity. A thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan discovered a tumoral mass within the antero-superior mediastinum, with compression of the mediastinal organs; presentation being suggestive for a thymoma. Surgery was performed, removing a 15/13/10 cm thymoma with a weight of 1126 g. Pathological examination as well as immunohistochemistry confirmed our diagnosis of type AB thymoma, stage I Masaoka-Koga. CONCLUSION In conclusion, surgical treatment remains the main therapeutic option in thymomas, but it is often difficult to perform due to tumor size and local invasion. However, even in large thymomas of stages I and II, surgery can be performed using an antero-lateral thoracotomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornel Savu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, "Marius Nasta" National Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Melinte
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, "Marius Nasta" National Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Gibu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, "Marius Nasta" National Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ionut Hallabrin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, "Marius Nasta" National Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Alexandru Zafiu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, "Marius Nasta" National Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Vasilica-Adrian Tudor
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, "Marius Nasta" National Institute of Pneumology, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Camelia Diaconu
- Department of Internal Medicine, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Emergency Hospital of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florentina Gherghiceanu
- Department of Marketing and Medical Technology, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Florentina Furtunescu
- Department of Public Health and Management University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania
| | - Daniel Radavoi
- Department of Urology, "Prof. Dr. Th. Burghele" Clinical Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Urology, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Irina Balescu
- Department of Surgery, "Ponderas" Academic Hospital, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Nicolae Bacalbasa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Visceral Surgery, Center of Excellence in Translational Medicine "Fundeni" Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
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Benitez JC, Besse B. Narrative review of immunotherapy in thymic malignancies. Transl Lung Cancer Res 2021; 10:3001-3013. [PMID: 34295693 PMCID: PMC8264314 DOI: 10.21037/tlcr-20-1222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Thymomas and thymic carcinomas (TCs) (also known as Thymic Epithelial Tumors or TETs) are rare cancers and the most frequent masses of the anterior mediastinum. These tumors appear in the epithelial component of the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ, and they have reported a high risk of auto-immunity due to a unique biology. Indeed, up to 30% of patients with TETs could present an autoimmune disorder (AID), the most frequent being Myasthenia Gravis (MG). Moreover, AIDs have been reported not only at tumor diagnosis but before and during the follow-up. These tumors have a lack of specific therapeutic targets for metastatic setting. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) may defeat cancer cells' capacity to evade the immune system and proliferate. The long-term benefit of ICIs in the metastatic setting in several tumors, such as melanoma or non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), let to evaluate ICI approaches in TETs. The high rate of AIDs and distribution of autoimmune events among TET's histological subtypes may have an influence on the decision regarding a treatment based on ICI due to the increased risk of toxicity. We summarize the current evidence for the efficacy of ICI in thymoma and TC and discuss several unresolved challenges and concerns for the use of this agents in TETs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin Besse
- Gustave Roussy, Department of Cancer Medicine, Villejuif, France.,Université Paris-Saclay, Orsay, France
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Lu H, Wang H, Sun P, Wang J, Li S, Xu T. MiR-522-3p inhibits proliferation and activation by regulating the expression of SLC31A1 in T cells. Cytotechnology 2021; 73:483-496. [PMID: 34149179 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-021-00472-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the role of miR-522-3p in thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG), and the mechanism of action in T cells. The miR-522-3p expression in normal serum, non-thymoma MG patient serum and TAMG patient serum and tissues was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. We assessed miR-522-3p expression in Jurkat cells and human CD4+ T cells after activation by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 using qRT-PCR. The viability, proliferation, cycle distribution and the levels of CD25, CD69, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-10 in transfected Jurkat cells were detected by Cell counting kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, respectively. Targeting relationships of miR-522-3p and SLC31A1 were predicted and validated by bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter. The viability, proliferation, cycle distribution and the levels of SLC31A1, CD25, CD69, IL-2 and IL-10 in transfected Jurkat cells were detected by above methods and western blot. The miR-522-3p expression was declined in TAMG and activated T cells. MiR-522-3p inhibitor promoted cell viability, EdU positive cells, cycle progression, and the level of CD25, CD69, IL-2 and IL-10 in Jurkat cells, while the effect of miR-522-3p mimic was the opposite. SLC31A1 was targeted by miR-522-3p, and miR-522-3p inhibited SLC31A1 expression. Overexpressed SLC31A1 reversed the inhibitory effects of miR-522-3p mimic on cell viability, EdU positive cell, cycle progression, and the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 in transfected Jurkat cells. MiR-522-3p expression was down-regulated in TAMG, and miR-522-3p inhibited proliferation and activation by regulating SLC31A1 expression in T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengxiao Lu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weifang People's Hospital, No.151 Guangwen Road, Kuiwen District, Weifang City, 261041 Shangdong Province China
| | - Hao Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weifang People's Hospital, No.151 Guangwen Road, Kuiwen District, Weifang City, 261041 Shangdong Province China
| | - Peidao Sun
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Changle People's Hospital, Weifang, China
| | - Jiang Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weifang People's Hospital, No.151 Guangwen Road, Kuiwen District, Weifang City, 261041 Shangdong Province China
| | - Shuhai Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Tongzhen Xu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Weifang People's Hospital, No.151 Guangwen Road, Kuiwen District, Weifang City, 261041 Shangdong Province China
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Abstract
ABSTRACT This update covers recommendations for myasthenia gravis (MG) in patients with coronavirus 2019 disease as well as reports of the clinical features of patients with MG and coronavirus 2019. Updated advisory committee recommendations for the use of thymectomy in generalized MG are also provided. Other MG topics include lipoprotein receptor-4 and agrin antibody associations, factors influencing conversion of ocular to generalized MG, the use of rituximab for more recent onset disease, immunoglobulins for maintenance therapy, and fatigue and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lacomis
- Departments of Neurology and Pathology (Neuropathology), University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA; and
| | - Gil I Wolfe
- Department of Neurology, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences/SUNY, Buffalo, NY
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Tateo V, Manuzzi L, De Giglio A, Parisi C, Lamberti G, Campana D, Pantaleo MA. Immunobiology of Thymic Epithelial Tumors: Implications for Immunotherapy with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9056. [PMID: 33260538 PMCID: PMC7730788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a group of rare thoracic malignancies, including thymic carcinomas (TC) and thymomas (Tm). Autoimmune paraneoplastic diseases are often observed in TETs, especially Tms. To date, chemotherapy is still the standard treatment for advanced disease. Unfortunately, few therapeutic options are available for relapsed/refractory TETs. In the last few years, the deepening of knowledge on thymus' immunobiology and involved altered genetic pathways have laid the foundation for new treatment options in these rare neoplasms. Recently, the immunotherapy revolution has landed in TETs, showing both a dark and light side. Indeed, despite the survival benefit, the occurrence of severe autoimmune treatment-related adverse events has risen crescent uncertainty about the feasibility of immunotherapy in these patients, prone to autoimmunity for their cancer biology. In this review, after summarizing immunobiology and immunopathology of TETs, we discuss available data on immune-checkpoint inhibitors and future perspectives of this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Tateo
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Lisa Manuzzi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Andrea De Giglio
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Claudia Parisi
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
| | - Giuseppe Lamberti
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Policlinico di Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Via P. Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (V.T.); (L.M.); (A.D.G.); (C.P.)
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Davide Campana
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
| | - Maria Abbondanza Pantaleo
- Oncologia Medica, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, Via Albertoni 15, 40138 Bologna, Italy; (D.C.); (M.A.P.)
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