Correlation Analysis Between Preoperative Serum Iron Level and Prognosis as Well as Recurrence of HCC After Radical Resection

TGF-β-regulated different iron metabolism processes in the development and cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer

The impact of different iron metabolism processes (DIMP) on ovarian cancer remains unclear. In this study, we employed various gene chips and databases to investigate the role of DIMP in the initiation and development of ovarian cancer. cBioPortal was used to determine mutations in DIMP-associated genes in ovarian cancer. Kaplan-Meier plotter was used to examine the influence of DIMP on the prognosis of ovarian cancer. By analyzing 1669 serous ovarian cancer cases, we identified a range of mutations in iron metabolism genes, notably in those coding for the transferrin receptor (19%), melanotransferrin (19%), and ceruloplasmin (10%) in the iron import process, and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (9%), hepcidin antimicrobial peptide (9%), metal regulatory transcription factor 1 (8%), and bone morphogenetic protein 6 (8%) in the iron regulation process. Compared to the unaltered group, the group with gene alterations exhibited a higher tumor mutation burden count (43 vs. 54) and more advanced histologic grade (78.19% vs. 87.90%). Compared to the normal ovarian counterparts, a reduction in expression was observed in 9 out of the 14 genes involved in iron utilization and 4 out of the 5 genes involved in iron export in ovarian cancer; in contrast, an increase in expression was observed in 2 out of the 3 genes involved in iron storage in ovarian cancer. Furthermore, in cisplatin-resistant cells compared to cisplatin-sensitive ones, the expression of all genes in iron storage and 13 out of 14 genes in iron import was decreased, while that of 8 out of the 10 genes in iron utilization was increased. In addition, survival curve analysis indicated that a higher expression in the majority of genes in the iron import process (12/21), or a reduced expression in most genes in the iron export process (4/5) correlated with poor progression-free survival. Additionally, TGF-β could regulate the expression of most iron metabolism-associated genes; particularly, expression of genes involved in the iron storage process (2/2) was inhibited after TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 treatment. In conclusion, DIMP plays multifaceted roles in the initiation, chemo-resistance, and prognosis of ovarian cancer. Therapeutically targeting DIMP may pave the way for more tailored treatment approaches for ovarian cancer.

Serum Iron Level and 10-Year Survival after Melanoma

The malignant melanoma of the skin is a very aggressive tumor. The determination of prognostic biomarkers is important for the early detection of recurrence, and for the enrollment of the patients into different treatment regimens. An evaluation of a cohort of 375 Polish MM cases revealed that a low serum iron concentration (i.e., below 893.05 µg/L) was associated with increased mortality. The study group was followed up from the date of melanoma diagnosis until death or 2020. Patients were assigned to one of four categories in accordance with increasing iron level (I-IV quarters). Patients with a low iron level of below 893.05 µg/L (I quarter) had a significantly lower survival rate when compared to the subgroup with the highest iron level, above 1348.63 µg/L (IV quarter; HR = 4.12; p = 0.028 and HR = 4.66; p = 0.019 for uni- and multivariable models, respectively). Multivariable analysis took into account the following factors: iron levels, Clark, sex, and age. Future studies based upon the examination of a larger number of cases should be conducted to confirm our findings.

A novel nutritional risk score and prognosis of oral cancer patients: A prospective study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prognostic performance of a novel nutritional risk score based on serum iron, hemoglobin, and body mass index (BMI) in oral cancer patients, and to predict the response to chemotherapy in patients with different nutritional status.

METHODS

X-tile analysis was performed to determine the optimal cutoff values of serum iron, hemoglobin, and BMI. A nutritional risk score was established by using the HR values of serum iron, hemoglobin, and BMI. Kaplan-Meier curve and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the prognostic value of the nutritional risk score in overall survival (OS) and oral cancer-specific survival (OCSS).

RESULTS

Serum iron, hemoglobin, and body mass index were all inversely related to the prognosis of oral cancer. The adjusted HR of serum iron, hemoglobin, and BMI were 1.562, 1.886, and 1.465 for OS, and 1.653, 1.865, and 1.443 for OCSS. Patients with higher nutritional risk score had a poorer OS and OCSS. Additionally, chemotherapy was only associated with improved OCSS in patients with the lowest nutritional risk score, but not in patients with higher one.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutritional risk score is of prognostic value in oral cancer patients. Favorable response to chemotherapy may only be observed in well-nourished oral cancer patients with lower nutritional risk score.