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Wang Y, Qi G, Yang Y, Yang H. Clinical features of thymoma with and without myasthenia gravis. Pak J Med Sci 2024; 40:1384-1390. [PMID: 39092039 PMCID: PMC11255815 DOI: 10.12669/pjms.40.7.8698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore the clinical features of thymoma with and without myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods This was a retrospective study. Two hundred and thirty-three patients with mediastinal masses who were initially diagnosed in People's Hospital of Shijiazhuang, China, between January 2014 and June 2022 and had complete clinical data and underwent surgical treatment at People's Hospital of Shijiazhuang were retrospectively analyzed. Result The age of patients with thymoma alone was significantly older than that of thymoma patients complicated with MG. The number of female patients was slightly more than males for both groups. Proportions of type A, AB, B1, B2, and B3 thymomas in Group-A were 0.77, 11.54, 11.51, 33.85, and 31.54%, respectively, and the proportions in Group-B were 9.68, 22.58, 12.90, 32.26, and 22.58%. The size of tumors in patients with thymoma alone was larger than that of patients with thymoma complicated with MG. The proportion of patients with tumor size of more than 10 cm in the thymoma alone group was significantly higher than that in the MG group. There were no relapses in patients with type A disease and relapses were noted in a few patients with type B1, B2 and B3 diseases. The same survival rates were reported for the two groups. Conclusion MG rarely occurs in type A and type C diseases. The prognosis of thymoma with MG is similar to that of thymoma alone. The main causes of death may be myasthenia crisis in thymoma patients with MG and advanced tumor stage in patients with thymoma alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxuan Wang
- Yaxuan Wang, Department of Oncology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Guoyan Qi
- Guoyan Qi, Department of Oncology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China. Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Myasthenia Gravis, Shijiazhuang 050030, Hebei, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Ying Yang, Center of Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis, People’s Hospital of Shijiazhuang Affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
| | - Hongxia Yang
- Hongxia Yang, Center of Treatment of Myasthenia Gravis, People’s Hospital of Shijiazhuang Affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, Hebei, China
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Pan Y, Deng H, Yang C, Lin L, Cai Q, He J. A new gene signature associated with disulfidptosis that forecasts myasthenia gravis and suggests infiltration of immune microenvironment in thymoma patients. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29650. [PMID: 38660242 PMCID: PMC11040115 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The mechanism of thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (TAMG) is currently unknown, although patients with TAMG experience more severe myasthenic symptoms and have worse prognoses compared to regular thymoma patients. The objective of this research is to create a transcriptome map of TAMG using genes linked to disulfidptosis, detect possible biomarkers, and examine the disparities in the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) among different thymoma patients. The findings will offer valuable knowledge for personalized treatment alternatives. Methods Thymoma samples' RNA-seq data, along with their corresponding clinical data, were acquired from the TCGA database using methods. Next, genes and disulfidptosis-related lncRNAs(DRLs) were chosen through correlation analysis. Then, a prediction model of TAMG was established by LASSO regression. Subsequent to that, an analysis of the mutation data, the tumor mutational burden (TMB), and the assessment of immune and stromal elements within the tumor microenvironment were conducted. Results A total of 87 patients diagnosed with thymoma were included in the study, with 29 of them having TAMG. We discovered a group of 325 lncRNAs in this sample that showed significant associations with genes related to disulfidptosis, with 25 of them displaying significantly altered expression. Moreover, utilizing LASSO regression, we constructed a predictive model incorporating 11 DRLs. The analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.934 (CI 0.879-0.989), a cut-off value of 0.797, along with a sensitivity of 82.8 % and specificity of 93.1 %. Furthermore, we examined the TIME in both the high-risk and low-risk groups, and observed noteworthy disparities in B cells, T cells, and APC among the two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion This research offers the initial examination of genes associated with disulfidptosis and TAMG through genomic and transcriptomic analysis. Furthermore, a strong risk forecasting model was created and the significance of TIME in TAMG was also clarified. The discoveries offer significant understanding into the molecular processes of TAMG and present possible indicators for categorizing risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Pan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.151, Yanjiang Road, 510120, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, No. 9 XingDaoHuanBei Road, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, 510005, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Hongsheng Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.151, Yanjiang Road, 510120, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Laboratory, No. 9 XingDaoHuanBei Road, Guangzhou International Bio Island, Guangzhou, 510005, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.151, Yanjiang Road, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixuan Lin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.151, Yanjiang Road, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Cai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.151, Yanjiang Road, 510120, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianxing He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery and Oncology, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No.151, Yanjiang Road, 510120, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang MQ, Yang BZ, Wang ZQ, Guo S. Fatty acid metabolism-related lncRNAs are potential biomarkers for survival prediction in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e37207. [PMID: 38394500 PMCID: PMC11309608 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Metabolic reprogramming of energy is a newly recognized characteristic of cancer. In our current investigation, we examined the possible predictive importance of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated to fatty acid metabolism in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). We conducted an analysis of the gene expression data obtained from patients diagnosed with ccRCC using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the ArrayExpress database. We performed a screening to identify lncRNAs that are differentially expressed in fatty acid metabolism. Based on these findings, we developed a prognostic risk score model using these fatty acid metabolism-related lncRNAs. We then validated this model using Cox regression analysis, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and principal-component analysis (PCA). Furthermore, the prognostic risk score model was successfully validated using both the TCGA cohort and the E-MTAB-1980 cohort. We utilized gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to determine the correlation between fatty acid metabolism and the PPAR signaling pathway in patients with ccRCC at various clinical stages and prognoses. We have discovered compelling evidence of the interaction between immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and tumor cells, which leads to immune evasion and resistance to drugs. This was achieved by the utilization of advanced techniques such as the CIBERSORT method, ESTIMATE R package, ssGSEA algorithm, and TIMER database exploration. Ultimately, we have established a network of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) that is related to fatty acid metabolism. The findings of our study suggest that medicines focused on fatty acid metabolism could be clinically significant for individuals with ccRCC. The utilization of this risk model, which is centered around the lncRNAs associated with fatty acid metabolism, could potentially provide valuable prognostic information and hold immunotherapeutic implications for patients with ccRCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Qing Zhang
- Department of Urology, Weifang Pepole’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Bai-Zhi Yang
- Department of Urology, Shouguang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shouguang, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Urology, Shouguang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shouguang, China
| | - Shanchun Guo
- RCMI Cancer Research Center, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
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Zhang X, Zhang P, Cong A, Feng Y, Chi H, Xia Z, Tang H. Unraveling molecular networks in thymic epithelial tumors: deciphering the unique signatures. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1264325. [PMID: 37849766 PMCID: PMC10577431 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1264325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are a rare and diverse group of neoplasms characterized by distinct molecular signatures. This review delves into the complex molecular networks of TETs, highlighting key aspects such as chromosomal abnormalities, molecular subtypes, aberrant gene mutations and expressions, structural gene rearrangements, and epigenetic changes. Additionally, the influence of the dynamic tumor microenvironment on TET behavior and therapeutic responses is examined. A thorough understanding of these facets elucidates TET pathogenesis, offering avenues for enhancing diagnostic accuracy, refining prognostic assessments, and tailoring targeted therapeutic strategies. Our review underscores the importance of deciphering TETs' unique molecular signatures to advance personalized treatment paradigms and improve patient outcomes. We also discuss future research directions and anticipated challenges in this intriguing field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Pengpeng Zhang
- Department of Lung Cancer Surgery, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ansheng Cong
- Division of Nephrology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanlong Feng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Chi
- School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhijia Xia
- Department of General, Visceral, and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hailin Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
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Epigenetics of Thymic Epithelial Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:cancers15020360. [PMID: 36672310 PMCID: PMC9856807 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15020360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) arise from the epithelial cells of the thymus and consist in the 1% of all adult malignancies, despite the fact that they are the most common lesions of the anterior mediastinum. TETs can be divided mainly into thymomas, thymic carcinomas, and the rarest ad aggressive neuroendocrine forms. Despite the surgical resection is quite resolving, the diagnosis of TETs is complicated by the absence of symptoms and the clinical presentation aggravated by several paraneoplastic disorders, including myasthenia gravis. Thus, the heterogeneity of TETs prompts the search for molecular biomarkers that could be helpful for tumor characterization and clinical outcomes prediction. With these aims, several researchers investigated the epigenetic profiles of TETs. In this manuscript, we narratively review the works investigating the deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms in TETs, highlighting the need for further studies combining genetic, epigenetic, and expression data to better characterize the different molecular subtypes and identify, for each of them, the most relevant epigenetic biomarkers of clinical utility.
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Iaiza A, Tito C, Ganci F, Sacconi A, Gallo E, Masciarelli S, Fontemaggi G, Fatica A, Melis E, Petrozza V, Venuta F, Marino M, Blandino G, Fazi F. Long Non-Coding RNAs in the Cell Fate Determination of Neoplastic Thymic Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:867181. [PMID: 35529877 PMCID: PMC9073009 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.867181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic Epithelial Tumors (TETs) arise from epithelial cells of the thymus and are very rare neoplasms comprising Thymoma, Thymic carcinoma, and Thymic Neuroendocrine tumors that still require in-depth molecular characterization. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as relevant gene expression modulators involved in the deregulation of several networks in almost all types of human cancer, including TETs. LncRNAs act at different control levels in the regulation of gene expression, from transcription to translation, and modulate several pathways relevant to cell fate determination under normal and pathological conditions. The activity of lncRNAs is strongly dependent on their expression, localization, and post-transcriptional modifications. Starting from our recently published studies, this review focuses on the involvement of lncRNAs in the acquisition of malignant traits by neoplastic thymic epithelial cells, and describes the possible use of these molecules as targets for the design of novel therapeutic approaches specific for TET. Furthermore, the involvement of lncRNAs in myasthenia gravis (MG)-related thymoma, which is still under investigation, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Iaiza
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Tito
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Ganci
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Sacconi
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Gallo
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Masciarelli
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Histology and Embryology Unit, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Fontemaggi
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Fatica
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology ‘Charles Darwin’, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Melis
- Thoracic Surgery, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Petrozza
- Pathology Unit, ICOT, Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Latina, Italy
| | - Federico Venuta
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mirella Marino
- Department of Pathology, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesco Fazi, ; Giovanni Blandino, ; Mirella Marino,
| | - Giovanni Blandino
- Oncogenomic and Epigenetic Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesco Fazi, ; Giovanni Blandino, ; Mirella Marino,
| | - Francesco Fazi
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopedic Sciences, Section of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesco Fazi, ; Giovanni Blandino, ; Mirella Marino,
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Thymic Epithelial Neoplasms: Focusing on the Epigenetic Alterations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23074045. [PMID: 35409405 PMCID: PMC8999627 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23074045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic Epithelial Neoplasms (TENs) represent the most common tumors of the thymus gland. Epigenetic alterations are generally involved in initiation and progression of various cancer entities. However, little is known about the role of epigenetic modifications in TENs. In order to identify relevant studies, a literature review was conducted using the MEDLINE and LIVIVO databases. The search terms thymoma, thymic carcinoma, thymic epithelial neoplasm, epigenetics, DNA methylation, HDAC and miRNA were employed and we were able to identify forty studies focused on TENs and published between 1997 and 2021. Aberrant epigenetic alterations seem to be involved in the tumorigenesis of thymomas and thymic carcinomas, with numerous studies reporting on non-coding RNA clusters and altered gene methylation as possible biomarkers in different types of TENs. Interestingly, Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors have shown potent antitumor effects in clinical trials, thus possibly representing effective epigenetic therapeutic agents in TENs. Additional studies in larger patient cohorts are, nevertheless, needed to verify the clinical utility and safety of novel epigenetic agents in the treatment of patients with TENs.
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