Downregulation of miR-146a promotes tumorigenesis of cervical cancer stem cells via VEGF/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway

MiR-150 and miR-155 expression predicts survival of cervical cancer patients: a translational approach to novel prognostic biomarkers

INTRODUCTION

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is the aetiological agent of cervical cancer, which remains the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. K14-HPV16 transgenic mice are a model for HPV-induced cancers, which undergo multistep squamous carcinogenesis at the skin, that is histologically and molecularly similar to carcinogenesis of the human cervix. Previous screens of differentially regulated microRNAs (miRs) using K14-HPV16 mice showed a role for miR-21, miR-155, miR-150, miR-146a, miR-125b and miR-223 during carcinogenesis.

METHODS

We now aim to translate these observations into the clinical setting, using data provided by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to explore whether those microRNAs can influence the survival of cervical cancer patients.

RESULTS

Results showed that low miR-150, miR-155 and miR-146a expression levels in primary tumours were associated with poor overall survival. However, only miR-150 and miR-155 were found to be independent predictors, increasing the risk of death. When patients were stratified by clinical stage, low miR-150, miR-155, miR-146a and miR-125b were associated with poor survival for clinical stages I and II. Only low miR-150 expression increased the death risk.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that miR-150 and miR-155 may be potentially applied as prognostic biomarkers in cervical cancer patients. However, further investigation is required to determine their applicability.

Serum cell division cycle 42 reflects the treatment response and survival in patients with advanced cervical cancer who receive immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment

Cell division cycle 42 (CDC42) regulates immune escape, which predicts immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment response in several types of cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of serum CDC42 in predicting the ICI treatment outcome in patients with advanced cervical cancer. A total of 46 patients with advanced cervical cancer who received ICI treatment with or without antiangiogenic agents were enrolled. Serum CDC42 was detected in all patients before treatment (baseline) and following two treatment cycles by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CDC42 at baseline was elevated in patients with target lesion size ≥5 cm (P=0.020), pelvis metastasis (P=0.031) and lung metastasis (P=0.043). Following treatment, the objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR) were 30.4 and 78.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, the median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 5.8 and 13.1 months. CDC42 at baseline was decreased in patients achieving ORR (P=0.042) but not DCR (P=0.055). PFS (P=0.006) and OS (P=0.019) were decreased in patients with baseline CDC42 ≥600 pg/ml. After two treatment cycles, CDC42 was generally reduced (P<0.001). CDC42 following two treatment cycles was more significantly decreased in patients with ORR (P=0.032) and DCR (P=0.019). Multivariate Cox's regression analysis showed that CDC42 ≥600 pg/ml following two treatment cycles was associated with the shorter PFS (P=0.022, hazard ratio=2.469) and OS (P=0.013, hazard ratio=4.166). Serum CDC42 was reduced after treatment; high expression following treatment reflected a lower possibility of achieving treatment response and poorer survival in patients with advanced cervical cancer.

Catalpol Regulates Oligodendrocyte Regeneration and Remyelination by Activating the GEF-Cdc42/Rac1 Signaling Pathway in EAE Mice

The main obstacle to remyelination in demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, is the inability of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to differentiate into mature oligodendrocytes (OLs) in the demyelinating region. Consequently, promoting OL differentiation and myelin remodeling is a key goal in the search for treatments. Rho GTPases play diverse and important roles throughout the development of neuronal axons and the formation of the myelin sheath. The current study aimed to investigate the direct protective effects of catalpol on demyelination damage induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) immunization and to explore whether the GEF-Cdc42/Rac1 signaling pathway contributes to the regeneration effect induced by catalpol. In the MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of demyelination, we observed that catalpol significantly promoted OL development by enhancing the expression of glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) in the affected brain. By Luxol fast blue staining and myelin basic protein (MBP) expression assessment, catalpol was found to increase MBP expression and promote myelin repair. Furthermore, catalpol promoted OL differentiation associated with the upregulation of Cdc42/Rac1 expression and activation in vivo. In addition, PAK1/MRCKα, proteins downstream of Cdc42/Rac1, was positively regulated by catalpol. We also found that catalpol alleviated clinical neurological dysfunction, inhibited inflammatory infiltration, increased the proportion of Treg cells, and suppressed demyelination. Overall, our study is the first to reveal that catalpol can promote OL generation and myelination and contributes to the crucial regulatory process of GEF-Cdc42/Rac1 signaling expression and activation. Therefore, catalpol is a promising drug candidate for the potential treatment of demyelinating diseases.

miR-146a suppresses the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and inflammatory responses in diabetic retinopathy

This study was designed to explore the role of miR-146a in diabetic retinopathy (DR). 30 healthy control (HC), 50 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 48 DR patients were enrolled. Blood was collected and levels of miR-146a expression, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and three inflammatory cytokines (NF-κB, IL-1β, and TNF-α) were detected. Moreover, ARPE-19 cells were treated with miR-146a mimic or inhibitor in the presence of high glucose to evaluate its effect in vitro. DR patients had the lowest level of miR-146a and the highest level of VEGF as well as the most severe inflammation among the three groups. In addition, the miR-146a level was negatively correlated with the expression of VEGF and three inflammatory cytokines, respectively in DR patients. Moreover, VEGF expression was positively correlated with these three inflammatory cytokines in DR patients. In summary, miR-146a could inhibit VEGF expression and inflammation in DR.

Emerging Roles and Potential Applications of Non-Coding RNAs in Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is a preventable disease using proven interventions, specifically prophylactic vaccination, pervasive disease screening, and treatment, but it is still the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. Patients with advanced or metastatic CC have a very dismal prognosis and current therapeutic options are very limited. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of metastasis and discovering new therapeutic targets are crucial. New sequencing tools have given a full visualization of the human transcriptome's composition. Non-coding RNAs (NcRNAs) perform various functions in transcriptional, translational, and post-translational processes through their interactions with proteins, RNA, and even DNA. It has been suggested that ncRNAs act as key regulators of a variety of biological processes, with their expression being tightly controlled under physiological settings. In recent years, and notably in the past decade, significant effort has been made to examine the role of ncRNAs in a variety of human diseases, including cancer. Therefore, shedding light on the functions of ncRNA will aid in our better understanding of CC. In this review, we summarize the emerging roles of ncRNAs in progression, metastasis, therapeutics, chemo-resistance, human papillomavirus (HPV) regulation, metabolic reprogramming, diagnosis, and as a prognostic biomarker of CC. We also discussed the role of ncRNA in the tumor microenvironment and tumor immunology, including cancer stem cells (CSCs) in CC. We also address contemporary technologies such as antisense oligonucleotides, CRISPR-Cas9, and exosomes, as well as their potential applications in targeting ncRNAs to manage CC.

Angioregulatory role of miRNAs and exosomal miRNAs in glioblastoma pathogenesis

Glioblastoma (GB) is a highly aggressive cancer of the central nervous system, occurring in the brain or spinal cord. Many factors such as angiogenesis are associated with GB development. Angiogenesis is a procedure by which the pre-existing blood vessels create new vessels that play an essential role in health and disease, including tumors. Also, angiogenesis is one of the significant factors thought to be responsible for treatment resistance in many tumors, including GB. Hence, an improved understanding of the molecular processes underlying GB angiogenesis will pave the way for developing potential new treatments. Recently, it has been found that microRNAs (miRNAs) and exosomal miRNAs have a crucial role in inducing or inhibiting the angiogenesis process in GB development. A better knowledge of the miRNA's regulation pathway in the angiogenesis process in cancer offers unique mechanistic insight into the mechanism of tumor-associated neovascularization. Because of advancements in miRNA characterization and delivery methods, miRNAs can also be employed in clinical settings as potential biomarkers for anti-angiogenic treatment response as well as therapies targeting tumor angiogenesis. The recent finding and insights about miRNAs' angioregulatory role and exosomal miRNAs in GB are provided throughout the review. Also, we discuss the new concept of miRNAs-based therapies for GB in the future.

NR2F1-AS1 Promotes Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Progression Through Competing Endogenous RNA Regulatory Network Constructed by Sponging miRNA-146a-5p/miRNA-877-5p

The role of NR2F1-AS1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the biological mechanism of NR2F1-AS1 in PDAC. The expression of NR2F1-AS1 was measured by using microarray data and real-time PCR. The effects of NR2F1-AS1 knockdown on proliferation, cell cycle progression, invasion in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo were investigated. The mechanism of competitive endogenous RNAs was determined from bioinformatics analyses and validated by a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Potential target mRNAs from TargetScan 7.2 were selected for subsequent bioinformatics analysis. Key target mRNAs were further identified by screening hub genes and coexpressed protein-coding genes (CEGs) of NR2F1-AS1. NR2F1-AS1 was highly expressed in PDAC, and the overexpression of NR2F1-AS1 was associated with overall survival and disease-free survival. The knockdown of NR2F1-AS1 impaired PDAC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis. NR2F1-AS1 competitively sponged miR-146a-5p and miR-877-5p, and low expression of the two miRNAs was associated with a poor prognosis. An integrative expression and survival analysis of the hub genes and CEGs demonstrated that the NR2F1-AS1–miR-146a-5p/miR-877-5p–GALNT10/ZNF532/SLC39A1/PGK1/LCO3A1/NRP2/LPCAT2/PSMA4 and CLTC ceRNA networks were linked to the prognosis of PDAC. In conclusion, NR2F1-AS1 overexpression was significantly associated with poor prognosis. NR2F1-AS1 functions as an endogenous RNA to construct a novel ceRNA network by competitively binding to miR-146a-5p/miR-877-5p, which may contribute to PDAC pathogenesis and could represent a promising diagnostic biomarker or potential novel therapeutic target in PDAC.

A Novel ZIP4-HDAC4-VEGFA Axis in High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

Simple Summary

Despite tremendous research efforts, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains one of the most difficult cancers to detect early and treat successfully for >5-year survival. We have recently shown that ZIP4, a zinc transporter, is a novel cancer stem cell (CSC) marker and a therapeutic target for EOC. The current work focuses on developing new strategies to target ZIP4 and inhibit its CSC activities in EOC. We found that cells expressing high levels of ZIP4 were supersensitive to a group of inhibitors called HDACis. One of the major targets of these inhibitors is a protein called HDAC4. We revealed the new molecular bases for the ZIP4-HDAC4 axis and tested the efficacies of targeting this axis in the lab and in mouse models. Our study provides a new mechanistic-based targeting strategy for EOC.

Abstract

We have recently identified ZIP4 as a novel cancer stem cell (CSC) marker in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). While it converts drug-resistance to cisplatin (CDDP), we unexpectedly found that ZIP4 induced sensitization of HGSOC cells to histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis). Mechanistically, ZIP4 selectively upregulated HDAC IIa HDACs, with little or no effect on HDACs in other classes. HDAC4 knockdown (KD) and LMK-235 inhibited spheroid formation in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo, with hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF1α) and endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) as functional downstream mediators of HDAC4. Moreover, we found that ZIP4, HDAC4, and HIF1α were involved in regulating secreted VEGFA in HGSOC cells. Furthermore, we tested our hypothesis that co-targeting CSC via the ZIP4-HDAC4 axis and non-CSC using CDDP is necessary and highly effective by comparing the effects of ZIP4-knockout/KD, HDAC4-KD, and HDACis, in the presence or absence of CDDP on tumorigenesis in mouse models. Our results showed that the co-targeting strategy was highly effective. Finally, data from human HGSOC tissues showed that ZIP4 and HDAC4 were upregulated in a subset of recurrent tumors, justifying the clinical relevance of the study. In summary, our study provides a new mechanistic-based targeting strategy for HGSOC.

miR-29a-3p inhibits endometrial cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting VEGFA/CD C42/PAK1

Background

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of miR-29a-3p in regulating endometrial cancer (EC) progression.

Methods

A total of 72 EC patients were enrolled. EC cells were transfected. Cells proliferation, cloning ability, migration and invasion were researched by MTT assay, colony formation experiment, cell scratch test and Transwell experiment respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed. Xenograft experiment was conducted using nude mice. miR-29a-3p, VEGFA, CDC42, PAK1 and p-PAK1 expression in cells/tissues was investigated by qRT-PCR and Western blot.

Results

miR-29a-3p expression was aberrantly reduced in EC patients, which was associated with poor outcome. miR-29a-3p inhibited EC cells proliferation, cloning formation, migration and invasion (P <  0.05 or P <  0.01 or P <  0.001). miR-29a-3p inhibited CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway activity in EC cells (P <  0.01). VEGFA expression was directly inhibited by miR-29a-3p. miR-29a-3p suppressed EC cells malignant phenotype in vitro and growth in vivo by targeting VEGFA/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

Conclusion

miR-29a-3p inhibits EC cells proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting VEGFA/CDC42/PAK1 signaling pathway.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08506-z.

Long non-coding RNA LINC01116 is activated by EGR1 and facilitates lung adenocarcinoma oncogenicity via targeting miR-744-5p/CDCA4 axis

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) is one of the most frequently diagnosed pathological categories of human lung cancer. Nevertheless, the link between long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC01116 and LAD remains poorly investigated.

Methods

QRT-PCR and western blot were applied for quantifying the expression of RNAs and proteins. Both functional experiments assays in vitro and xenografts model in vivo were implemented for analyzing LINC01116 function in LAD while molecular relationship among RNAs was investigated via mechanism experiments.

Results

LINC01116 was expressed at an abnormally high level in LAD, which was induced by transcription activator EGR1. LINC01116 depletion restrained proliferation, migration and invasion, yet facilitated apoptosis of LAD cells. MiR-744-5p could bind to LINC01116. MiR-744-5p inhibitor reversed the inhibitory effects of silencing LINC01116 on LAD malignant behaviors. In addition, cell division cycle-associated protein 4 (CDCA4) shared binding sites with miR-744-5p. Silencing LINC01116 elicited decline in CDCA4 mRNA and protein levels. Moreover, CDCA4 up-regulation could counteract the biological effects of LINC01116 knockdown on LAD cells.

Conclusion

Our data revealed that LINC01116 promoted malignant behaviors of LAD cells by targeting miR-744-5p/CDCA4 axis, implying the theoretical potential of LINC01116 as a novel target for LAD treatment.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-01994-w.

MiR-139 Modulates Cancer Stem Cell Function of Human Breast Cancer through Targeting CXCR4

Elevated expression of C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) correlates with chemotaxis, invasion, and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties within several solid-tumor malignancies. Recent studies reported that microRNA (miRNA) modulates the stemness of embryonic stem cells. We aimed to investigate the role of miRNA, via CXCR4-modulation, on CSC properties in breast cancer using cell lines and xenotransplantation mouse model and evaluated miR-193 levels in 191 patients with invasive ductal carcinoma. We validated miR-139 directly targets the 3'-untranslated region of CXCR4. Hoechst 33342 fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and sphere-forming assay were used to identify CSCs. MiR-139 suppressed breast CSCs with mesenchymal traits; led to decreased migration and invasion abilities through down-regulating CXCR4/p-Akt signaling. In lung cancer xenograft model of nude mice transplanted with human miR-139-carrying MDA-MB-231 cells, metastatic lung nodules were suppressed. Clinically, microdissected breast tumor tissues showed miR-139 reduction, compared to adjacent non-tumor tissues, that was significantly associated with worse clinicopathological features, including larger tumor size, advanced tumor stage and lymph node metastasis; moreover, reduced miR-139 level was predominately occurred in late-stage HER2-oreexpression tumors. Collectively, our findings highlight miR-139-mediated suppression of CXCR4/p-Akt signaling and thereby affected mesenchymal stem-cell genesis, indicating its potential as a therapeutic target for invasive breast cancer.

CDC42EP3 promotes colorectal cancer through regulating cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and cell migration

Background

Nowadays, colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignant tumors worldwide, the incidence rate of which is still increasing year by year. Herein, the objective of this study is to investigate whether CDC42EP3 has regulatory effects in CRC.

Methods

First, CDC42EP3 knockdown cell model based on HCT116 and RKO cell lines was successfully constructed, which was further used for constructing mouse xenotransplantation models. Importantly, effects of CDC42EP3 knockdown on proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, and migration of CRC were accessed by MTT assay, EdU staining assay, colony formation assay, Flow cytometry, and Transwell assay.

Results

As the results, we showed that CDC42EP3 was significantly upregulated in CRC, and its high expression was associated with tumor progression. Furthermore, knockdown of CDC42EP3 could inhibit proliferation, colony formation and migration, and promote apoptosis of CRC cells in vitro. In vivo results further confirmed knockdown of CDC42EP3 attenuated tumor growth in CRC. Interestingly, the regulation of CRC by CDC42EP3 involved not only the change of a variety of apoptosis-related proteins, but also the regulation of downstream signaling pathway.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the role of CDC42EP3 in CRC was clarified and showed its potential as a target of innovative therapeutic approaches for CRC.

Small Non-Coding-RNA in Gynecological Malignancies

Gynecologic malignancies, which include cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus, vulva, vagina, and fallopian tube, are among the leading causes of female mortality worldwide, with the most prevalent being endometrial, ovarian, and cervical cancer. Gynecologic malignancies are complex, heterogeneous diseases, and despite extensive research efforts, the molecular mechanisms underlying their development and pathology remain largely unclear. Currently, mechanistic and therapeutic research in cancer is largely focused on protein targets that are encoded by about 1% of the human genome. Our current understanding of 99% of the genome, which includes noncoding RNA, is limited. The discovery of tens of thousands of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), possessing either structural or regulatory functions, has fundamentally altered our understanding of genetics, physiology, pathophysiology, and disease treatment as they relate to gynecologic malignancies. In recent years, it has become clear that ncRNAs are relatively stable, and can serve as biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, as well as guide therapy choices. Here we discuss the role of small non-coding RNAs, i.e., microRNAs (miRs), P-Element induced wimpy testis interacting (PIWI) RNAs (piRNAs), and tRNA-derived small RNAs in gynecological malignancies, specifically focusing on ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancer.

Ivermectin, a potential anticancer drug derived from an antiparasitic drug

Ivermectin is a macrolide antiparasitic drug with a 16-membered ring that is widely used for the treatment of many parasitic diseases such as river blindness, elephantiasis and scabies. Satoshi ōmura and William C. Campbell won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of the excellent efficacy of ivermectin against parasitic diseases. Recently, ivermectin has been reported to inhibit the proliferation of several tumor cells by regulating multiple signaling pathways. This suggests that ivermectin may be an anticancer drug with great potential. Here, we reviewed the related mechanisms by which ivermectin inhibited the development of different cancers and promoted programmed cell death and discussed the prospects for the clinical application of ivermectin as an anticancer drug for neoplasm therapy.

Elevated microRNA-130b-5p or silenced ELK1 inhibits self-renewal ability, proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities, and promotes apoptosis of cervical cancer stem cells

Cervical cancer (CC) is the most familiar gynecological malignancy. With the poor prognosis of CC patients, this study explored the effect of microRNA (miR)-130b-5p targeting ELK1 expression on self-renewal ability and stemness of CC stem cells. The tissues of patients with CC or cervical benign lesions were collected. MiR-130b-5p and ELK1 expression was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Human CC cell line Hela was cultured and the induced CC stem cells were introduced with miR-130b-5p mimic or silenced ELK1 to figure their roles in self-renewal ability, stemness, colony formation, proliferation, migration, invasion abilities, and apoptosis of CC stem cells. Tumor growth was detected in nude mice in vivo. The targeting relationship between miR-130b-5p and ELK1 was analyzed using bioinformatic prediction and dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Decreased miR-130b-5p and elevated ELK1 existed in CC tissues of patients. Up-regulated miR-130b-5p decreased ELK1 expression in CC stem cells. Elevated miR-130b-5p or silenced ELK1 inhibited self-renewal ability and stemness, colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion abilities, promoted apoptosis of CC stem cells, as well as decreased the weight and volume of tumor in nude mice. ELK1 was found to be targeted by miR-130b-5p. Overexpression ELK1 effectively reversed the cellular phenotypic changes and tumor formation in vivo caused by up-regulation of miR-130b-5p. We conclude that up-regulated miR-130b-5p or silenced ELK1 inhibits CC stem cell growth.

Rho GTPases in cancer radiotherapy and metastasis

Despite treatment advances, radioresistance and metastasis markedly impair the benefits of radiotherapy to patients with malignancies. Functioning as molecular switches, Rho guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) have well-recognized roles in regulating various downstream signaling pathways in a wide range of cancers. In recent years, accumulating evidence indicates the involvement of Rho GTPases in cancer radiotherapeutic efficacy and metastasis, as well as radiation-induced metastasis. The functions of Rho GTPases in radiotherapeutic efficacy are divergent and context-dependent; thereby, a comprehensive integration of their roles and correlated mechanisms is urgently needed. This review integrates current evidence supporting the roles of Rho GTPases in mediating radiotherapeutic efficacy and the underlying mechanisms. In addition, their correlations with metastasis and radiation-induced metastasis are discussed. Under the prudent application of Rho GTPase inhibitors based on critical evaluations of biological contexts, targeting Rho GTPases can be a promising strategy in overcoming radioresistance and simultaneously reducing the metastatic potential of tumor cells.

Association between miRNA-146a polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility: A meta-analysis involving 6506 cases and 6576 controls

OBJECTIVE

We sought to analyze the association between miR-146a rs2910164 G > C polymorphism and susceptibility to lung cancer using a meta-analysis of case-control studies.

METHODS

We systematically searched for studies reporting on the relationship between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. We then calculated pooled odds ratios (ORs), at 95% confidence interval (CI) to assess the aforementioned relationship. All the data were analyzed using statistical packages implemented in R version 3.6.2 (R Project for Statistical Computing), run in RStudio version 1.2.5033.

RESULTS

A total of fifteen studies, comprising 6506 cases and 6576 controls, were enrolled in this meta-analysis. Significant associations were observed between miR-146a rs2910164 polymorphism and the risk of lung cancer based on overall pooled subjects under the allele, heterozygous, homozygous, dominant, and recessive genetic models (C vs. G: OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.12-1.44; GC vs. GG: OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.03-1.46; CC vs. GG: OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.18-1.93; GC + CC vs. GG: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.10-1.61; CC vs. GG + GC: OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13-1.53). Ethnicity-based subgroup analyses revealed no statistically significant differences in Asians using heterozygous and dominant genetic models.

CONCLUSION

miR-146a rs2910164 G > C polymorphism may be a risk factor of lung cancer. Asian populations exhibiting heterozygous and dominant genotypes need to be further investigated to validate our findings.

Long non-coding RNA LRRC75A-AS1 facilitates triple negative breast cancer cell proliferation and invasion via functioning as a ceRNA to modulate BAALC

As a common female malignancy, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most serious subtype in breast cancer (BC). BAALC binder of MAP3K1 and KLF4 (BAALC) is a common oncogene in acute myelocytic leukemia (AML). We sought to explore the role of BAALC in TNBC. In this study, BAALC was significantly upregulated in TNBC tissues and cells. Then, the results of functional assays disclosed that BAALC facilitated cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, but repressed cell apoptosis in TNBC. Next, miR-380–3p was identified as the upstream of BAALC in TNBC cells. Moreover, LRRC75A-AS1 (also named small nucleolar RNA host gene 29: SNHG29) was verified to act as the sponge of miR-380–3p to elevate BAALC expression in TNBC. Besides, LRRC75A-AS1 could negatively regulate miR-380–3p but positively regulate BAALC expression. Finally, rescue assays elucidated that LRRC75A-AS1 facilitated cell proliferation, invasion, and EMT processes in TNBC by targeting miR-380–3p/BAALC pathway. Taken together, our study revealed a novel ceRNA network of LRRC75A-AS1/miR-380–3p/BAALC in accelerating TNBC development, indicating new promising targets for TNBC treatment.

P21-Activated Kinase 1: Emerging biological functions and potential therapeutic targets in Cancer

The p21-Activated kinase 1 (PAK1), a member of serine-threonine kinases family, was initially identified as an interactor of the Rho GTPases RAC1 and CDC42, which affect a wide range of processes associated with cell motility, survival, metabolism, cell cycle, proliferation, transformation, stress, inflammation, and gene expression. Recently, the PAK1 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer due to its role in many oncogenic signaling pathways. Many PAK1 inhibitors have been developed as potential preclinical agents for cancer therapy. Here, we provide an overview of essential roles that PAK1 plays in cancer, including its structure and autoactivation mechanism, its crucial function from onset to progression to metastasis, metabolism, immune escape and even drug resistance in cancer; endogenous regulators; and cancer-related pathways. We also summarize the reported PAK1 small-molecule inhibitors based on their structure types and their potential application in cancer. In addition, we provide overviews on current progress and future challenges of PAK1 in cancer, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Role of microRNAs in epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathway in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most common disorders in females all around the world. Similar to other types of cancer, several signaling pathways are demonstrated to be involved in the progression of this cancer including ERK/MAPK, PI3K/AKT, apoptotic signaling pathways, Wnt, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Various microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes involved in cervical cancer have been extracted from the kinds of literature of Scopus, Pubmed and Google scholar databases. Regarding the targets, some of them were found to belong in EGFR signaling pathways. The regulation patterns of these miRNA are different in cervical cancer; however, their main aim is to trigger EGFR signaling to proceed with cancer. Moreover, several predicted miRNAs were found to have some interactions with the differentially expressed genes of cervical cancer which are the members of the EGFR signaling pathway by using miRWalk 3.0 (https://mirwalk.umm.uni-heidelberg.de/) and TargetScan 7.1 (https://www.targetscan.org/vert_71/). Also, the microarray data were obtained from the NCBI-Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets of cervical cancer. In the present review, we highlight the miRNAs involved in cervical cancer and the role of their targets in the EGFR signaling pathway. Furthermore, some predicted miRNAs were the candidate to target EGFR signaling pathway members differentially expressed in cervical cancer samples compared to normal samples.