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Omes C, Conti A, Benedetti L, Tomasoni V, De Marchi D, Nappi RE, Cusella De Angelis MG, Ceccarelli G. Expression of miRNA from spent pre-implantation embryos culture media. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100847. [PMID: 38776743 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
This study examines the expression of three microRNAs (hsa-miR-661, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-372-5p) in spent pre-implantation embryos culture media to identify possible new non-invasive biomarkers of embryo competence, predictive of development to the blastocyst stage. A preliminary analysis on 16 patients undergoing IVF cycles was performed by collecting and stored spent culture media on the fifth/sixth day of embryo culture. Expression of miRNAs was evaluated according to the embryos' fate: 1) NE/DG: non-evolved or degenerate embryos; 2) BLOK: embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. Preliminary results revealed a higher miRNAs expression in NE/DG spent media. To elucidate the roles of these miRNAs, we employed a robust bioinformatics pipeline involving: 1) in-silico miRNA Target Prediction using RNAHybrid, which identified the most-likely gene targets; 2) Construction of a Protein-Protein Interaction network via GeneMania, linking genes with significant biological correlations; 3) application of modularity-based clustering with the gLay app in Cytoscape, resulting in three size-adapted subnets for focused analysis; 4) Enrichment Analysis to discern the biological pathways influenced by the miRNAs. Our bioinformatics analysis revealed that hsa-miR-661 was closely associated with pathways regulating cell shape and morphogenesis of the epithelial sheet. These data suggest the potential use of certain miRNAs to identify embryos with a higher likelihood of developing to the blastocyst stage. Further analysis will be necessary to explore the reproducibility of these findings and to understand if miRNAs here investigated can be used as biomarkers for embryo selection before implantation into the uterus or if they may be reliable predictors of IVF outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Omes
- Center for Reproductive Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 2, Woman and Child Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Alice Conti
- Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Benedetti
- Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Veronica Tomasoni
- Center for Reproductive Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 2, Woman and Child Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Davide De Marchi
- Centre for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Rossella E Nappi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine - Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit 2, Woman and Child Health Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy; Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - M Gabriella Cusella De Angelis
- Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Centre for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ceccarelli
- Human Anatomy Unit, Department of Public Health, Experimental Medicine and Forensic, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; Centre for Health Technologies (CHT), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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Vieira de Sousa T, Guedes de Pinho P, Pinto J. Metabolomic Signatures of Treatment Response in Bladder Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17543. [PMID: 38139377 PMCID: PMC10743932 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BC) stands as one of the most prevalent urological malignancies, with over 500 thousand newly diagnosed cases annually. Treatment decisions in BC depend on factors like the risk of recurrence, the type of tumor, and the stage of the disease. While standard therapeutic approaches encompass transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, radical cystectomy, and chemo- or immunotherapy, these methods exhibit limited efficacy in mitigating the aggressive and recurrent nature of bladder tumors. To overcome this challenge, it is crucial to develop innovative methods for monitoring and predicting treatment responses among patients with BC. Metabolomics is gaining recognition as a promising approach for discovering biomarkers. It has the potential to reveal metabolic disruptions that precisely reflect how BC patients respond to particular treatments, providing a revolutionary method to improve accuracy in monitoring and predicting outcomes. In this article, we present a comprehensive review of studies employing metabolomics approaches to investigate the metabolic responses associated with different treatment modalities for BC. The review encompasses an exploration of various models, samples, and analytical techniques applied in this context. Special emphasis is placed on the reported changes in metabolite levels derived from these studies, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for personalized medicine in BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Vieira de Sousa
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paula Guedes de Pinho
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Pinto
- Associate Laboratory i4HB–Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- UCIBIO–Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, Laboratory of Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
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Dyrskjøt L, Hansel DE, Efstathiou JA, Knowles MA, Galsky MD, Teoh J, Theodorescu D. Bladder cancer. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2023; 9:58. [PMID: 37884563 PMCID: PMC11218610 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-023-00468-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Bladder cancer is a global health issue with sex differences in incidence and prognosis. Bladder cancer has distinct molecular subtypes with multiple pathogenic pathways depending on whether the disease is non-muscle invasive or muscle invasive. The mutational burden is higher in muscle-invasive than in non-muscle-invasive disease. Commonly mutated genes include TERT, FGFR3, TP53, PIK3CA, STAG2 and genes involved in chromatin modification. Subtyping of both forms of bladder cancer is likely to change considerably with the advent of single-cell analysis methods. Early detection signifies a better disease prognosis; thus, minimally invasive diagnostic options are needed to improve patient outcomes. Urine-based tests are available for disease diagnosis and surveillance, and analysis of blood-based cell-free DNA is a promising tool for the detection of minimal residual disease and metastatic relapse. Transurethral resection is the cornerstone treatment for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer and intravesical therapy can further improve oncological outcomes. For muscle-invasive bladder cancer, radical cystectomy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care with evidence supporting trimodality therapy. Immune-checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated benefit in non-muscle-invasive, muscle-invasive and metastatic bladder cancer. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach that considers patient characteristics and molecular disease characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Dyrskjøt
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Donna E Hansel
- Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jason A Efstathiou
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Margaret A Knowles
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research at St James's, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Matthew D Galsky
- Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jeremy Teoh
- S.H. Ho Urology Centre, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dan Theodorescu
- Department of Urology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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Jeong SH, Ku JH. Clinical guidelines for diagnosis of hematuria. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2023; 66:343-347. [DOI: 10.5124/jkma.2023.66.6.343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Hematuria is a common condition caused by various factors, including infections, inflammations, stone diseases, and anatomical abnormalities. While hematuria can be mistaken for other conditions, its significance should not be overlooked, as studies have shown that some patients with hematuria are diagnosed with urological cancers.Current Concepts: Experts agree on the need for specific diagnostic tests such as cystoscopy, upper urinary tract imaging, and urine cytology for visible hematuria. However, opinions differ when it comes to microscopic hematuria. Delays in diagnosing bladder cancer can significantly impact mortality rates. Therefore, objective diagnostic criteria, as well as guidelines to reduce excessive evaluations, costs, and side effects, are required. As of 2020, the American Urological Association has released new guidelines for the diagnosis and management of microscopic hematuria, that focus on assessing the risk of urological malignancies in individual patients and recommend tailored evaluations based on risk levels. This article provides an overview of these guidelines, discussing diagnostic criteria, initial evaluations, risk stratification, and recommended evaluations of the urinary tract.Discussion and Conclusion: Guidelines on hematuria aim to reduce unnecessary invasive procedures, provide appropriate follow-up strategies to patients with persistent or recurrent microscopic hematuria, and improve patient outcomes while minimizing unnecessary tests and procedures.
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Sequeira-Antunes B, Ferreira HA. Urinary Biomarkers and Point-of-Care Urinalysis Devices for Early Diagnosis and Management of Disease: A Review. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041051. [PMID: 37189669 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Biosensing and microfluidics technologies are transforming diagnostic medicine by accurately detecting biomolecules in biological samples. Urine is a promising biological fluid for diagnostics due to its noninvasive collection and wide range of diagnostic biomarkers. Point-of-care urinalysis, which integrates biosensing and microfluidics, has the potential to bring affordable and rapid diagnostics into the home to continuing monitoring, but challenges still remain. As such, this review aims to provide an overview of biomarkers that are or could be used to diagnose and monitor diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, the different materials and techniques for the fabrication of microfluidic structures along with the biosensing technologies often used to detect and quantify biological molecules and organisms are reviewed. Ultimately, this review discusses the current state of point-of-care urinalysis devices and highlights the potential of these technologies to improve patient outcomes. Traditional point-of-care urinalysis devices require the manual collection of urine, which may be unpleasant, cumbersome, or prone to errors. To overcome this issue, the toilet itself can be used as an alternative specimen collection and urinalysis device. This review then presents several smart toilet systems and incorporated sanitary devices for this purpose.
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Su P, Zhang M, Kang X. Targeting c-Met in the treatment of urologic neoplasms: Current status and challenges. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1071030. [PMID: 36959792 PMCID: PMC10028134 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1071030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
At present, studies have found that c-Met is mainly involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor tissues in urologic neoplasms. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) combined with c-Met promotes the mitosis of tumor cells, and then induces motility, angiogenesis, migration, invasion and drug resistance. Therefore, c-Met targeting therapy may have great potential in urologic neoplasms. Many strategies targeting c-Met have been widely used in the study of urologic neoplasms. Although the use of targeting c-Met therapy has a strong biological basis for the treatment of urologic neoplasms, the results of current clinical trials have not yielded significant results. To promote the application of c-Met targeting drugs in the clinical treatment of urologic neoplasms, it is very important to study the detailed mechanism of c-Met in urologic neoplasms and innovate c-Met targeted drugs. This paper firstly discussed the value of c-Met targeted therapy in urologic neoplasms, then summarized the related research progress, and finally explored the potential targets related to the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway. It may provide a new concept for the treatment of middle and late urologic neoplasms.
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Hwang C, Lee WJ, Kim SD, Park S, Kim JH. Recent Advances in Biosensor Technologies for Point-of-Care Urinalysis. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:bios12111020. [PMID: 36421138 PMCID: PMC9688579 DOI: 10.3390/bios12111020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Human urine samples are non-invasive, readily available, and contain several components that can provide useful indicators of the health status of patients. Hence, urine is a desirable and important template to aid in the diagnosis of common clinical conditions. Conventional methods such as dipstick tests, urine culture, and urine microscopy are commonly used for urinalysis. Among them, the dipstick test is undoubtedly the most popular owing to its ease of use, low cost, and quick response. Despite these advantages, the dipstick test has limitations in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, reusability, and quantitative evaluation of diseases. Various biosensor technologies give it the potential for being developed into point-of-care (POC) applications by overcoming these limitations of the dipstick test. Here, we present a review of the biosensor technologies available to identify urine-based biomarkers that are typically detected by the dipstick test and discuss the present limitations and challenges that future development for their translation into POC applications for urinalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuljin Hwang
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-June Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Su Dong Kim
- Graduate School of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Sungjun Park
- Electrical and Computer Engineering, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
- Leading Convergence of Healthcare and Medicine, Institute of Science & Technology (ALCHeMIST), Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
| | - Joo Hee Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea
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Applications of Exosomes in Diagnosing Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102027. [PMID: 36297462 PMCID: PMC9607910 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) is a subset of bladder cancer with a significant risk for metastases and death. It accounts for nearly 25% of bladder cancer diagnoses. A diagnostic work-up for MIBC is inclusive of urologic evaluation, radiographic imaging with a CT scan, urinalysis, and cystoscopy. These evaluations, especially cystoscopy, are invasive and carry the risk of secondary health concerns. Non-invasive diagnostics such as urine cytology are an attractive alternative currently being investigated to mitigate the requirement for cystoscopy. A pitfall in urine cytology is the lack of available options with high reliability, specificity, and sensitivity to malignant bladder cells. Exosomes are a novel biomarker source which could resolve some of the concerns with urine cytology, due to the high specificity as the surrogates of tumor cells. This review serves to define muscle invasive bladder cancer, current urine cytology methods, the role of exosomes in MIBC, and exosomes application as a diagnostic tool in MIBC. Urinary exosomes as the specific populations of extracellular vesicles could provide additional biomarkers with specificity and sensitivity to bladder malignancies, which are a consistent source of cellular information to direct clinicians for developing treatment strategies. Given its strong presence and differentiation ability between normal and cancerous cells, exosome-based urine cytology is highly promising in providing a perspective of a patient’s bladder cancer.
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