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Zhao N, Zhang Y, Cheng R, Zhang D, Li F, Guo Y, Qiu Z, Dong X, Ban X, Sun B, Zhao X. Spatial maps of hepatocellular carcinoma transcriptomes highlight an unexplored landscape of heterogeneity and a novel gene signature for survival. Cancer Cell Int 2022; 22:57. [PMID: 35109839 PMCID: PMC8812006 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02430-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often presents with satellite nodules, rendering current curative treatments ineffective in many patients. The heterogeneity of HCC is a major challenge in personalized medicine. The emergence of spatial transcriptomics (ST) provides a powerful strategy for delineating the complex molecular landscapes of tumours. Methods In this study, the heterogeneity of tissue-wide gene expression in tumour and adjacent nonneoplastic tissues using ST technology were investigated. The transcriptomes of nearly 10,820 tissue regions and identified the main gene expression clusters and their specific marker genes (differentially expressed genes, DEGs) in patients were analysed. The DEGs were analysed from two perspectives. First, two distinct gene profiles were identified to be associated with satellite nodules and conducted a more comprehensive analysis of both gene profiles. Their clinical relevance in human HCC was validated with Kaplan–Meier (KM) Plotter. Second, DEGs were screened with The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to divide the HCC cohort into high- and low-risk groups according to Cox analysis. HCC patients from the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) cohort were used for validation. KM analysis was used to compare the overall survival (OS) between the high- and low-risk groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were applied to determine the independent predictors for OS. Results Novel markers for the prediction of satellite nodules were identified and a tumour clusters-specific marker gene signature model (6 genes) for HCC prognosis was constructed. Conclusion The establishment of marker gene profiles may be an important step towards an unbiased view of HCC, and the 6-gene signature can be used for prognostic prediction in HCC. This analysis will help us to clarify one of the possible sources of HCC heterogeneity and uncover pathogenic mechanisms and novel antitumour drug targets. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02430-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yanhui Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Runfen Cheng
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Danfang Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yuhong Guo
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Zhiqiang Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Xueyi Dong
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xinchao Ban
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China.,Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Baocun Sun
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China. .,Department of Pathology, Cancer Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300060, China. .,Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China.
| | - Xiulan Zhao
- Department of Pathology, Tianjin Medical University, No. 22 Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China. .,Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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Huang S, Zhao J, Song J, Li Y, Zuo R, Sa Y, Ma Z, OuYang H. Interferon alpha-inducible protein 27 (IFI27) is a prognostic marker for pancreatic cancer based on comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. Bioengineered 2021; 12:8515-8528. [PMID: 34592906 PMCID: PMC8806992 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1985858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Accurate biomarkers to predict the genesis and progression of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) are needed in the fight against this deadly disease. Here, we combined multiple datasets (GEO, TCGA and GTEx) to conduct a comprehensive analysis of pancreatic cancer. Through an in-depth analysis, we discovered that the expression of the gene encoding interferon alpha-inducible protein 27 (IFI27) was significantly higher in pancreatic cancer tissues than that in normal tissues, and that higher expression of IFI27 was negatively correlated with the overall survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients. The functional annotation of IFI27 demonstrated relationships to cellular immunity and metabolism, especially glycolysis. Analysis of infiltrating immune cells displayed that higher expression of IFI27 expression correlates with decreased CD8 + T cells and increased M2 macrophages in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), then biochemical analyses of a mouse model and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining verified that glycolytic enzymes and M2 macrophages increased significantly in pancreatic cancer tissues. We speculate that IFI27 may affect the tumor microenvironment (TME) of PAAD by regulating cellular immunity and metabolism, thereby promoting the progression of pancreatic carcinoma and worsening the prognosis. These findings of our present study are solid evidence that IFI27 is a potential prognostic biomarker of pancreatic cancer and that it affects the tumor immune microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Huang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Institute of Laboratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jinglin Zhao
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Institute of Laboratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Jianxin Song
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Institute of Laboratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yanqiong Li
- Central Sterile Supply Department, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Rongxia Zuo
- Center for Clinical Medicine Research (Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology), The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yalian Sa
- Center for Clinical Medicine Research (Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology), The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhihui Ma
- Institute of Ageing Research, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongmei OuYang
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China.,Institute of Laboratory Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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Lao M, Zhang X, Ma T, Xu J, Yang H, Duan Y, Ying H, Zhang X, Guo C, Qiu J, Bai X, Liang T. Regulator of calcineurin 1 gene isoform 4 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma regulates the progression of tumor cells. Oncogene 2021; 40:3136-3151. [PMID: 33824473 PMCID: PMC8084734 DOI: 10.1038/s41388-021-01763-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic strategies to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain unsatisfying and limited. Therefore, it is imperative to fully determine the mechanisms underlying PDAC progression. In the present study, we report a novel role of regulator of calcineurin 1, isoform 4 (RCAN1.4) in regulating PDAC progression. We demonstrated that RCAN1.4 expression was decreased significantly in PDAC tissues compared with that in para-cancerous tissues, and correlated with poor prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. In vitro, stable high expression of RCAN1.4 could suppress the metastasis and proliferation and angiogenesis of pancreatic tumor cells. In addition, interferon alpha inducible protein 27 (IFI27) was identified as having a functional role in RCAN1.4-mediated PDAC migration and invasion, while VEGFA play a vital role in RCAN1.4-mediated PDAC angiogenesis. Analysis of mice with subcutaneously/orthotopic implanted xenograft tumors and liver metastasis model confirmed that RCAN1.4 could modulate the growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis of tumors via IFI27/VEGFA in vivo. In conclusion, our results suggested that RCAN1.4 suppresses the growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis of PDAC, functioning partly via IFI27 and VEGFA. Importantly, our results provided possible diagnostic criteria and therapeutic targets for PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyi Lao
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tao Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hanshen Yang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yi Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Honggang Ying
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengxiang Guo
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Qiu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueli Bai
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Tingbo Liang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, Hangzhou, China.
- Zhejiang Provincial Innovation Center for the Study of Pancreatic Diseases, Hangzhou, China.
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Identification of pathogenic genes and transcription factors in respiratory syncytial virus. BMC Pediatr 2021; 21:27. [PMID: 33419394 PMCID: PMC7796524 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-020-02480-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory infections in children, especially bronchiolitis. Our study aimed to identify the key genes and upstream transcription factors in RSV. METHODS To screen for RSV pathogenic genes, an integrated analysis was performed using the RSV microarray dataset in GEO. Functional annotation and potential pathways for differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were further explored by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. We constructed the RSV-specific transcriptional regulatory network to identify key transcription factors for DEGs in RSV. RESULTS From three GEO datasets, we identified 1059 DEGs (493 up-regulated and 566 down-regulated genes, FDR < 0.05 and |Combined.ES| > 0.8) between RSV patients and normal controls. GO and KEGG analysis revealed that 'response to virus' (FDR = 7.13E-15), 'mitochondrion' (FDR = 1.39E-14) and 'Asthma' (FDR = 1.28E-06) were significantly enriched pathways for DEGs. The expression of IFI27, IFI44, IFITM3, FCER1A, and ISG15 were shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of RSV. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that IFI27, IFI44, IFITM3, FCER1A, and ISG15 may play a role in RSV. Our finding may contribute to the development of new potential biomarkers, reveal the underlying pathogenesis and also identify novel therapeutic targets for RSV.
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Avobenzone suppresses proliferative activity of human trophoblast cells and induces apoptosis mediated by mitochondrial disruption. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 81:50-57. [PMID: 29981360 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Avobenzone is widely used in various personal care products, is present in swimming pools, and is toxic to aquatic organisms. However, it is unclear how avobenzone affects human trophoblast cells. Results of the present study demonstrated that avobenzone inhibited the proliferation of HTR8/SVneo cells, the immortalized human trophoblast cell line, and inhibited the expression of PCNA. In addition, avobenzone increased the activity of AKT and ERK1/2 in HTR8/SVneo cells. When LY294002 (AKT inhibitor) and U0126 (ERK1/2 inhibitor) were treated with avobenzone, the anti-proliferative effect of avobenzone was alleviated. Moreover, avobenzone promoted Ca2+ overload into the mitochondria and induced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane. Expression of IFI27, which is located in the mitochondria, was elevated by avobenzone via inhibition of expression through siRNA transfection against IFI27, but did not alter cell properties. This study suggests that avobenzone induces mitochondrial dysfunction-mediated apoptosis leading to abnormal placentation during early pregnancy.
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Wang H, Qiu X, Lin S, Chen X, Wang T, Liao T. Knockdown of IFI27 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma. World J Surg Oncol 2018; 16:64. [PMID: 29580248 PMCID: PMC5870725 DOI: 10.1186/s12957-018-1371-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) involves genetic mutations, epigenetic gene expression modification, and other processes. It has been reported that IFI27 is upregulated in OSCC, but its function is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of IFI27 on OSCC cell proliferation and invasion. Methods The protein level of IFI27 in OSCC tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. In the OSCC cell model, we designed the IFI27 siRNA to downregulate the expression of IFI27; gene and protein of IFI27 in those models were then detected by Q-PCR and Western blot. MTT assay was used to detect the effect of -IFI27 knockdown on cell proliferation; Annexin V-PI staining flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of IFI27 downregulation on apoptosis of cancer cells. The effect of IFI27 downregulation on oral cancer cell invasion was detected using Transwell assay. Results IFI27 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues by immunohistochemical assay. In the OSCC cell model, IFI27 siRNA could downregulate the mRNA and protein expression level of IFI27. As showed in MTT assay, Annexin V-PI assay, and Transwell assay, through the downregulation of IFI27, TSCCA and TCA8113 cell proliferation were inhibited, OSCC cell apoptosis was promoted, and its migration and invasion were inhibited. Conclusion IFI27 is involved in the development and progression of OSCC. Its high expression promotes cell proliferation and invasion and reduces apoptosis. These findings may provide new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for OSCC diagnosis and clinical treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Wang
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Xiuhua Road NO.19, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China.
| | - Xunding Qiu
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Xiuhua Road NO.19, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
| | - Shigeng Lin
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Xiuhua Road NO.19, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
| | - Xubin Chen
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Xiuhua Road NO.19, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Xiuhua Road NO.19, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
| | - Tianan Liao
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hainan General Hospital, Xiuhua Road NO.19, Xiuying District, Haikou, 570311, Hainan, China
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IFI27 Is a Useful Genetic Marker for Diagnosis of Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy and Membranous Nephropathy Using Peripheral Blood. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153252. [PMID: 27100186 PMCID: PMC4839700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) depends primarily on renal biopsy, which is expensive and requires hospitalization, creating a demand for noninvasive diagnostic method for this disease. We used DNA microarray analysis to search for genes whose expression levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) could distinguish between patients with CGN and healthy volunteers (HVs). We selected immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and membranous nephropathy (MN) as typical forms of CGN. The mRNA level of the gene encoding interferon (IFN)-alpha-inducible protein 27, IFI27, which is preferentially expressed in podocytes of glomeruli, was lower in PBMCs of IgAN and MN patients than in those of HVs. This result was confirmed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the IFI27 mRNA level was reduced in PBMCs of patients with other types of chronic glomerulonephritis. IFI27 immunohistochemical staining of biopsied specimens also confirmed reduced expression of IFI27 protein in IgAN and MN patients. Based on these results, we propose that IFI27 could serve as a noninvasive diagnostic marker for CGNs using peripheral blood.
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Segars JH, Parrott EC, Nagel JD, Guo XC, Gao X, Birnbaum LS, Pinn VW, Dixon D. Proceedings from the Third National Institutes of Health International Congress on Advances in Uterine Leiomyoma Research: comprehensive review, conference summary and future recommendations. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 20:309-33. [PMID: 24401287 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmt058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uterine fibroids are the most common gynecologic tumors in women of reproductive age yet the etiology and pathogenesis of these lesions remain poorly understood. Age, African ancestry, nulliparity and obesity have been identified as predisposing factors for uterine fibroids. Symptomatic tumors can cause excessive uterine bleeding, bladder dysfunction and pelvic pain, as well as associated reproductive disorders such as infertility, miscarriage and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Currently, there are limited noninvasive therapies for fibroids and no early intervention or prevention strategies are readily available. This review summarizes the advances in basic, applied and translational uterine fibroid research, in addition to current and proposed approaches to clinical management as presented at the 'Advances in Uterine Leiomyoma Research: 3rd NIH International Congress'. Congress recommendations and a review of the fibroid literature are also reported. METHODS This review is a report of meeting proceedings, the resulting recommendations and a literature review of the subject. RESULTS The research data presented highlights the complexity of uterine fibroids and the convergence of ethnicity, race, genetics, epigenetics and environmental factors, including lifestyle and possible socioeconomic parameters on disease manifestation. The data presented suggest it is likely that the majority of women with uterine fibroids will have normal pregnancy outcomes; however, additional research is warranted. As an alternative to surgery, an effective long-term medical treatment for uterine fibroids should reduce heavy uterine bleeding and fibroid/uterine volume without excessive side effects. This goal has not been achieved and current treatments reduce symptoms only temporarily; however, a multi-disciplined approach to understanding the molecular origins and pathogenesis of uterine fibroids, as presented in this report, makes our quest for identifying novel targets for noninvasive, possibly nonsystemic and effective long-term treatment very promising. CONCLUSIONS The Congress facilitated the exchange of scientific information among members of the uterine leiomyoma research and health-care communities. While advances in research have deepened our knowledge of the pathobiology of fibroids, their etiology still remains incompletely understood. Further needs exist for determination of risk factors and initiation of preventive measures for fibroids, in addition to continued development of new medical and minimally invasive options for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Segars
- Program in Reproductive and Adult Endocrinology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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