Nanovesicular Formulations for Cancer Gene Therapy

Integrating 13 Microarrays to Construct a 6 RNA-binding proteins Prognostic Signature for Gastric Cancer patients

Background: It has been confirmed in many tumors that RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) will affect the progress of cancer, but there is still a lack of large-scale research in gastric cancer (GC). Methods: We obtained 13 microarray mRNA expression profiles of the GPL570 platform, and extracted expression from them after integration to analyze the expression differences of RBPs. Enrichment analysis studies the role of these RBPs in GC. Univariate, Lasso and multivariate Cox regression analysis are used to identify independent prognostic hub RBPs, thereby constructing and verifying a prognostic signature. External data and rt-PCR verified the expression of hub RBPs. Results: We have identified 51 dysregulated RBPs in GC. Enrichment analysis shows that it can mainly participate in RNA decomposition, modification, processing, etc. and affect the progress of GC. After multiple statistical analysis, six independent prognostic RBPs of GC were determined and a prognostic signature was developed. According to the median risk value, the training cohort was divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. Considering the clinical characteristics, in training, testing, and complete cohorts, the overall survival rate of the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of the low-risk group, which was confirmed by the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curve. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis of independent prognostic ability of risk score. In addition, we constructed and verified a nomogram based on the prognostic signature, showing accurate prediction performance. rt-PCR and external data verification are consistent with our conclusions. Conclusion: This study analyzed the overall expression of RPBs in GC and explored its mechanism. A new prognostic signature was developed and verified. A nomogram has also been established and verified, which helps to improve the treatment strategy for GC.

Delivery of the Radionuclide 131I Using Cationic Fusogenic Liposomes as Nanocarriers

Liposomes are highly biocompatible and versatile drug carriers with an increasing number of applications in the field of nuclear medicine and diagnostics. So far, only negatively charged liposomes with intercalated radiometals, e.g., ⁶⁴Cu, ^99mTc, have been reported. However, the process of cellular uptake of liposomes by endocytosis is rather slow. Cellular uptake can be accelerated by recently developed cationic liposomes, which exhibit extraordinarily high membrane fusion ability. The aim of the present study was the development of the formulation and the characterization of such cationic fusogenic liposomes with intercalated radioactive [¹³¹I]I^- for potential use in therapeutic applications. The epithelial human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was used as a model for invasive cancer cells and cellular uptake of [¹³¹I]I^- was monitored in vitro. Delivery efficiencies of cationic and neutral liposomes were compared with uptake of free iodide. The best cargo delivery efficiency (~10%) was achieved using cationic fusogenic liposomes due to their special delivery pathway of membrane fusion. Additionally, human blood cells were also incubated with cationic control liposomes and free [¹³¹I]I^-. In these cases, iodide delivery efficiencies remained below 3%.