Evaluation of MicroRNA-99a and MicroRNA-205 Expression Levels in Bladder Cancer

Down-regulated expression of miR-99a is associated with lymph node metastasis and predicts poor outcome in stage IB cervical squamous cell carcinoma: a case-control study

Background

Lymph node metastasis (LNM) accounts for the most important route of metastasis for cervical cancer. Yet, the status of LNM is different in patients with similar clinico-pathological variables. It has been revealed that microRNAs are widely involved in the occurrence and development of various malignancies, and the tumor-suppressive or promoting effects of microRNA-99 (miR-99) family have been previously reported. This study sought to investigate the predictive value of miR-99a for lymphogenous spread and its effect on the survival of patients with early-stage cervical squamous cell cancer (CSCC).

Methods

Patients with stage IB squamous cervical cancer who were treated surgically between October 2015 and November 2018 were enrolled. A total of 21 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of pathologically confirmed positive lymph nodes were retrieved, and an additional 21 tissues of negative lymph nodes from patients well-matched on baseline characteristics were collected as the control group. TaqMan real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to examine the expression levels of miR-99a in the samples. Differential expression levels of miR-99a were compared between the 2 groups using independent sample t-test. Furthermore, the associations between miR-99a expression level and clinico-pathological parameters of these 42 patients was evaluated by Chi-square test or Fisher's exact-probability method, and their effects on survival were assessed using Kaplan-Meier product-limit method.

Results

There were no significant differences in baseline clinico-pathological parameters between the 2 groups (P>0.05). The expression levels of miR-99a in the node-positive group and control group were 1.61±3.09 and 16.77±30.40, respectively (P=0.029). Downregulated expression of miR-99a was closely related to depth of invasion (DOI) and lymph-vascular space invasion (P<0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that downregulated miR-99a and deeper DOI were associated with worse 5-year disease-free survival, while multivariate analysis showed that only the expression level of miR-99a was an independent factor for disease-free survival (HR =0.120; 95% CI: 0.015-0.979; P=0.048). Patients with downregulated miR-99a tended to have more unfavorable overall survival, but the difference did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

MiR-99a plays an inhibitory role in the pathogenesis of lymph node metastasis and may serve as a novel prognostic biomarker for patients with CSCC.

Renal Oncocytoma: The Diagnostic Challenge to Unmask the Double of Renal Cancer

Renal oncocytoma represents the most common type of benign neoplasm that is an increasing concern for urologists, oncologists, and nephrologists due to its difficult differential diagnosis and frequent overtreatment. It displays a variable neoplastic parenchymal and stromal architecture, and the defining cellular element is a large polygonal, granular, eosinophilic, mitochondria-rich cell known as an oncocyte. The real challenge in the oncocytoma treatment algorithm is related to the misdiagnosis due to its resemblance, at an initial radiological assessment, to malignant renal cancers with a completely different prognosis and medical treatment. Unfortunately, percutaneous renal biopsy is not frequently performed due to the possible side effects related to the procedure. Therefore, the majority of oncocytoma are diagnosed after the surgical operation via partial or radical nephrectomy. For this reason, new reliable strategies to solve this issue are needed. In our review, we will discuss the clinical implications of renal oncocytoma in daily clinical practice with a particular focus on the medical diagnosis and treatment and on the potential of novel promising molecular biomarkers such as circulating microRNAs to distinguish between a benign and a malignant lesion.

MicroRNA as a Biomarker for Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Purpose in Urinary Tract Cancer

The incidence of urologic cancers, including kidney, upper tract urothelial, and bladder malignancies, is increasing globally, with a high percentage of cases showing metastasis upon diagnosis and low five-year survival rates. MicroRNA (miRNA), a small non-coding RNA, was found to regulate the expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in several tumors, including cancers of the urinary system. In the current review, we comprehensively discuss the recently reported up-or down-regulated miRNAs as well as their possible targets and regulated pathways involved in the development, progression, and metastasis of urinary tract cancers. These miRNAs represent potential therapeutic targets and diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers that may help in efficient and early diagnosis in addition to better treatment outcomes.

Tumor Suppressor miR-584-5p Inhibits Migration and Invasion in Smoking Related Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by Targeting YKT6

Simple Summary

Cigarette smoke is a major carcinogen that causes lung cancer and induces DNA methylation. DNA methylation regulates the expression of microRNA (miRNAs), which are important regulators of cancer biology. However, the association between smoking and miRNAs has not been fully elucidated in smoking-related lung carcinogenesis. In this study, we found that miR-584-5p expression was downregulated with cancer progression using a lung carcinogenesis model cell line. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR-584-5p is downregulated by the methylation of its promoter region and that it suppresses migration and invasion by targeting YKT6 in smoking-related non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells. Our results provide a better understanding of the underlying changes in miRNA expression in smoking-related lung carcinogenesis and suggest that miR-584-5p is a potential molecular biomarker for smoking-related NSCLC.

Abstract

Cigarette smoke (CS) affects the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), which are important regulators of gene expression by inducing DNA methylation. However, the effects of smoking on miRNA expression have not been fully elucidated in smoking-related lung carcinogenesis. Therefore, in this study, to investigate the change of miRNA expression pattern and to identify tumor suppressor miRNAs by smoking in lung carcinogenesis, we used lung carcinogenesis model cell lines that, derived from a murine xenograft model with human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), exposed CS or not. The microarray analysis revealed that miR-584-5p expression was downregulated with cancer progression in lung carcinogenesis model cell lines. We confirmed by pyrosequencing that the methylation level of the miR-584-5p promoter increased with cancer progression. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed that miR-584-5p suppressed migration and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells by targeting YKT6. Furthermore, we showed that high level of YKT6 was associated with a poor survival rate in NSCLC patients with a history of smoking. These results suggest that miR-584-5p acts as a tumor suppressor and is a potential molecular biomarker for smoking-related NSCLC.

Circular RNA La-related RNA-binding protein 4 correlates with reduced tumor stage, as well as better prognosis, and promotes chemosensitivity to doxorubicin in breast cancer

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to evaluate the correlation of circular RNA La-related RNA-binding protein 4 (circ-LARP4) with tumor characteristics and prognosis, and its effect on chemosensitivity in breast cancer.

METHODS

Circ-LARP4 from tumor and adjacent tissues of 283 female breast cancer patients underwent resection was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Tumor features, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were recorded. In vitro, circ-LARP4 in human normal mammary epithelial cells (HMEC) and breast cancer cell lines was detected by RT-qPCR. MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with circ-LARP4 overexpression plasmid (as OE-Circ group) and control overexpression plasmid (as OE-Control group). Relative cell viability under different concentrations of doxorubicin was measured.

RESULTS

Circ-LARP4 was decreased in tumor tissues than adjacent tissues (P < .001). Tumor circ-LARP4 negatively correlated with tumor size (P = .001), T stage (P = .009), N stage (P = .006), and TNM stage (P < .001), whereas positively correlated with DFS (P = .004) and OS (P < .001). In vitro, circ-LARP4 was decreased MCF-7, BT474, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468 cell lines than HMEC (all P < .001). Relatively cell viability of MCF-7 cells (at 20 nmol/L [P < .05], 40 nmol/L [P < .01], 80 nmol/L [P < .05] of doxorubicin) and MDA-MB-231 cells (at 120 nmol/L [P < .05], 240 nmol/L [P < .05] of doxorubicin) was decreased in OE-Circ group than OE-Control group. IC50 value of doxorubicin was decreased in OE-Circ group than OE-Control group in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines (both P < .01).

CONCLUSION

Circ-LARP4 was a potential prognostic biomarker, which might improve the management of breast cancer.

Genetic and molecular biology of bladder cancer among Iranian patients

Background

Bladder cancer (BC) is the sixth common cancer among Iranians. Various risk factors such as smoking, body mass index, chronic infection, age, and genetic factors are associated with BC progression.

Methods

It has been shown that a significant ratio of patients have tumors with muscle bladder layer invasion and poor prognosis at the time of diagnosis. Therefore, the early detection of tumors is required to reduce the mortality rate of BC cases. Since there is a wide geographical incidence variation in BC in Iran, it seems that the ethnic and genetic factors can be the main risk factors among Iranian BC patients.

Results

For the first time, in present review we have summarized all of the reported genes among Iranian BC patients until now which were significantly associated with tumorigenesis. Moreover, we categorized all of the reported genes based on their cell and molecular functions to clarify the genetic and molecular biology of BC among Iranian population.

Conclusion

This review paves the way of determination of a population‐based genetic panel markers for the early detection of BC in this population.

Molecular Mechanisms of the Anti-Cancer Effects of Isothiocyanates from Cruciferous Vegetables in Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) is a representative of urological cancer with a high recurrence and metastasis potential. Currently, cisplatin-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors are used as standard therapy in patients with advanced/metastatic BC. However, these therapies often show severe adverse events, and prolongation of survival is unsatisfactory. Therefore, a treatment strategy using natural compounds is of great interest. In this review, we focused on the anti-cancer effects of isothiocyanates (ITCs) derived from cruciferous vegetables, which are widely cultivated and consumed in many regions worldwide. Specifically, we discuss the anti-cancer effects of four ITC compounds—allyl isothiocyanate, benzyl isothiocyanate, sulforaphane, and phenethyl isothiocyanate—in BC; the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-cancer effects; current trends and future direction of ITC-based treatment strategies; and the carcinogenic potential of ITCs. We also discuss the advantages and limitations of each ITC in BC treatment, furthering the consideration of ITCs in treatment strategies and for improving the prognosis of patients with BC.

MicroRNAs as Urinary Biomarker for Oncocytoma

The identification of benign renal oncocytoma, its differentiation from malignant renal tumors, and their eosinophilic variants are a continuous challenge, influencing preoperative planning and being an unnecessary stress factor for patients. Regressive changes enhance the diagnostic dilemma, making evaluations by frozen sections or by immunohistology (on biopsies) unreliable. MicroRNAs (miRs) have been proposed as novel biomarkers to differentiate renal tumor subtypes. However, their value as a diagnostic biomarker of oncocytoma in urines based on mechanisms known in oncocytomas has not been exploited. We used urines from patients with renal tumors (oncocytoma, renal cell carcinoma: clear cell, papillary, chromophobe) and with other urogenital lesions. miRs were extracted and detected via qRT-PCR, the respective tumors analyzed by immunohistology. We found isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 upregulated in oncocytoma and oncocytic chromophobe carcinoma, indicating an increased Krebs cycle metabolism. Since we had shown that all renal tumors are stimulated by endothelin-1, we analyzed miRs preidentified by microarray after endothelin-1 stimulation of renal epithelial cells. Four miRs are proposed as presurgical urinary biomarkers due to their known regulatory mechanism in oncocytoma: miR-498 (formation of the oncocytoma-specific slice-form of vimentin, Vim3), miR-183 (associated with increased CO₂ levels), miR-205, and miR-31 (signaling through downregulation of PKC epsilon, shown previously).

MicroRNAs in Smoking-Related Carcinogenesis: Biomarkers, Functions, and Therapy

Long-term heavy cigarette smoking is a well-known high-risk factor for carcinogenesis in various organs such as the head and neck, lungs, and urinary bladder. Furthermore, cigarette smoking can systemically accelerate aging, and as the result, promoting carcinogenesis via changing the host microenvironment. Various inflammatory factors, hormones, and chemical mediators induced by smoking mediate carcinoma-related molecules and induce carcinogenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of short noncoding RNA molecules that bind to mRNAs and inhibit their expression. Cigarette smoke induces the expression of various miRNAs, many of which are known to function in the post-transcriptional silencing of anticancer molecules, thereby leading to smoking-induced carcinogenesis. Analysis of expression profiles of smoking-induced miRNAs can help identify biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of smoking-related cancers and prediction of therapeutic responses, as well as revealing promising therapeutic targets. Here, we introduce the most recent and useful findings of miRNA analyses focused on lung cancer and urinary bladder cancer, which are strongly associated with cigarette smoking, and discuss the utility of miRNAs as clinical biomarkers.