Ruguo key genes and tumor driving factors identification of bladder cancer based on the RNA-seq profile

Homeobox Gene Expression Dysregulation as Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Bladder Cancer

Homeobox genes serve as master regulatory transcription factors that regulate gene expression during embryogenesis. A homeobox gene may have either tumor-promoting or tumor-suppressive properties depending on the specific organ or cell lineage where it is expressed. The dysregulation of homeobox genes has been reported in various human cancers, including bladder cancer. The dysregulated expression of homeobox genes has been associated with bladder cancer clinical outcomes. Although bladder cancer has high risk of tumor recurrence and progression, it is highly challenging for clinicians to accurately predict the risk of tumor recurrence and progression at the initial point of diagnosis. Cystoscopy is the routine surveillance method used to detect tumor recurrence. However, the procedure causes significant discomfort and pain that results in poor surveillance follow-up amongst patients. Therefore, the development of reliable non-invasive biomarkers for the early detection and monitoring of bladder cancer is crucial. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic and prognostic potential of homeobox gene expression dysregulation in bladder cancer.

Frontiers in Bladder Cancer Genomic Research

Most of the etiology studies of bladder cancer focus on genetic changes, mainly including mutation and activation of oncogenes, mutation and inactivation of tumor suppressor genes, and rearrangement or heterozygous deletion of chromosomes. Moreover, bladder cancer is highly heterogeneous mainly due to abnormal changes in the genome and proteome of tumor cells. Surgery is the main treatment for bladder cancer, but because the recurrence rate is high after surgery and most of the muscle-invasive bladder cancer acquires distant metastasis. Therefore, there is a need to combine with chemotherapy to consolidate the treatment effect. However, there are differences in chemosensitivity among patients. In this article, we review the up-to-date genomic researches on bladder cancer occurrence, development, metastasis, and chemosensitivity in patients, in order to provide some theoretical support for the diagnosis and treatment strategy for bladder cancer.

Enhanced Efficacy of PEGylated Liposomal Cisplatin: In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

This study aims to evaluate the potency of cisplatin (Cispt)-loaded liposome (LCispt) and PEGylated liposome (PLCispt) as therapeutic nanoformulations in the treatment of bladder cancer (BC). Cispt was loaded into liposomes using reverse-phase evaporation method, and the formulations were characterized using dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscopy, dialysis membrane, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) methods. The results showed that the particles were formed in spherical monodispersed shapes with a nanoscale size (221–274 nm) and controlled drug release profile. The cytotoxicity effects of LCispt and PLCispt were assessed in an in vitro environment, and the results demonstrated that PLCispt caused a 2.4- and 1.9-fold increase in the cytotoxicity effects of Cispt after 24 and 48 h, respectively. The therapeutic and toxicity effects of the formulations were also assessed on BC-bearing rats. The results showed that PLCispt caused a 4.8-fold increase in the drug efficacy (tumor volume of 11 ± 0.5 and 2.3 ± 0.1 mm³ in Cispt and PLCispt receiver rats, respectively) and a 3.3-fold decrease in the toxicity effects of the drug (bodyweight gains of 3% and 10% in Cispt and PLCispt receiver rats, respectively). The results of toxicity were also confirmed by histopathological studies. Overall, this study suggests that the PEGylation of LCispt is a promising approach to achieve a nanoformulation with enhanced anticancer effects and reduced toxicity compared to Cispt for the treatment of BC.

Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with pelvic re-peritonealization: the technique and initial clinical outcomes

Background

Delayed bowel function recovery and postoperative ileus are relatively serious complications of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC). Our study aimed to determine whether performing pelvic re-peritonealization reduces the incidence of these complications.

Methods

Clinical data of 78 patients who had undergone LRC with pelvic re-peritonealization from August 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively collected and compared with those of 92 patients who had undergone LRC alone between January 2013 and July 2015 in our institution. Differences in duration of surgery, estimated blood loss, time to recovery of bowel function, the complications of intestinal and blood vessel injury, and incidence of postoperative ileus between the two groups were analyzed.

Results

Baseline characteristics such as age, sex and BMI were balanced between the two groups. There were no significant differences in duration of surgery (P = 0.072), estimated blood loss (P = 0.717), or incidence of intestinal obstruction (P = 0.225) between the two groups. Interestingly, patients who had undergone pelvic re-peritonealization recovered bowel function more rapidly than those had not (2.79 d vs. 3.72 d, P = 0.001). Additionally, hospitalization stay was significantly shorter for patients with re-peritonealization than for those without (5.46 d vs. 6.68 d, P = 0.029).

Conclusions

Compared with LRC alone, LRC with pelvic re-peritonealization as described in the present study had comparable perioperative complications, but was associated with more rapid gastrointestinal recovery and shorter hospitalization stay.

Identifying a panel of genes/proteins/miRNAs modulated by arsenicals in bladder, prostate, kidney cancers

Arsenic and arsenic-derivative compounds, named as arsenicals, represent a worldwide problem for their effect on the human health and, in particular, for their capability to increase the risk of developing cancer such as kidney, bladder and prostate cancer. The main source of arsenical exposure is drinking water. Nowadays, it is well known that the chronic exposure to arsenicals leads to a series of epigenetic alterations that have a role in arsenic-induced effects on human health including cancer. Based on these observations, the aim of our study was to select by network analysis the genes/proteins/miRNAs implicated in kidney, bladder and prostate cancer development upon arsenical exposure. From this analysis we identified: (i) the nodes linking the three molecular networks specific for kidney, bladder and prostate cancer; (ii) the relative HUB nodes (RXRA, MAP3K7, NR3C1, PABPC1, NDRG1, RELA and CTNNB1) that link the three cancer networks; (iii) the miRNAs able to target these HUB nodes. In conclusion, we highlighted a panel of potential molecules related to the molecular mechanisms of arsenical-induced cancerogenesis and suggest their utility as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Laparoscopic versus open radical cystectomy for patients with bladder cancer over 75-year-old: a prospective randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to compare the morbidity, mortality, oncological results and quality of life between laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and open radical cystectomy (ORC) in the elderly patients over 75 years old. Between January 2012 and January 2015, 60 patients were recruited into this study, who were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either LRC or ORC group. Baseline patient characteristics, pathological factors, operative and postoperative characteristics, postoperative complications and survival data were retrospectively collected, analyzed and compared between the two groups. Patients in LRC group and ORC group had comparable baseline characteristics and pathological factors (all P > 0.05). LRC group required longer operative time (408.2 ± 76.9 vs. 311.7 ± 65.3 min, P = 0.000) and had less EBL (621.6 ± 100.7 vs. 1088.5 ± 109.4 ml, P = 0.000) compared with ORC group. The incidence of infection and ileus within 90 days after surgery in ORC group was significantly higher than LRC group(6.9% vs. 28.6%, P = 0.041; 3.4% vs. 25%, P = 0.025). At a median follow-up of 28 months (range 12–48 months), the survival analysis showed that there were no significant differences between the LRC and ORC groups in overall survival (log-rank χ² = 0.122; P = 0.726), or progress-free survival (log-rank χ² = 0.153; P = 0.696). In conclusion, this study confirmed that LRC could achieve similar tumor treatment efficacy compared to ORC, with fewer perioperative complications and less blood loss. We suggest that LRC should be considered as the primary intervention for patients aged over 75 years old with muscle invasive bladder cancer or non-muscle invasive bladder cancer with high risk factors.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides inhibit proliferation and migration of bladder cancer cell lines BIU87 by suppressing Pi3K/AKT pathway

The aim of this study was to verify whether Lycium barbarum polysaccharides inhibits proliferation and migration of BIU87 cells through Pi3K/AKT pathway. Different concentrations of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides were used to incubate with BIU87cells. LY-294002 and IGF-1 were used to inhibit and activate Pi3K/AKT pathway respectively. MTT were used to investigate the proliferation of BIU87cells. Transwell chambers and wound healing were used to test the migratory ability of BIU87cells. Western blotting were used to investigate the expressions of P21,P27,MMP-2, MMP-9, AKT and p-AKT in BIU87cells. Compared with the control group, the proliferation and migration of BIU87cells and the expression of p-AKT were significantly decreased in the study group; the inhibitory effect of the downregulation of p-AKT by LY-294002on the induction of BIU87cells proliferation and migration was identical to that of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides; upregulation of p-AKT by IGF-1 reversed the Lycium barbarum polysaccharides-induced inhibition of BIU87cells dedifferentiation. In conclusion, LBP inhibits the proliferation and migration of BIU87 cells by suppressing Pi3K/AKT signaling pathway.