Gene Signatures Induced by Ionizing Radiation as Prognostic Tools in an In Vitro Experimental Breast Cancer Model

Mitochondria-related chemoradiotherapy resistance genes-based machine learning model associated with immune cell infiltration on the prognosis of esophageal cancer and its value in pan-cancer

Esophageal cancer, known for its high incidence and low five-year survival rate, poses significant treatment challenges. A key aspect of this challenge is the close link between mitochondria and resistance to chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Currently, there is a scarcity of biomarkers for predicting CRT response and prognosis in esophageal cancer. Our study addresses this gap by developing a prognostic model that incorporates mitochondria-related CRT resistance (MRCRTR) genes, including CTSL, TBL1X, CLN8, MMP1, PDPN, and MRPL37. Survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier curves reveals that patients with high MRCRTR scores have lower survival rates than those with low scores. Utilizing a nomogram, we successfully predict the one-, two-, and three-year overall survival rates for esophageal cancer patients. Cox regression analysis confirms the MRCRTR score as an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, our single-cell and correlation analyses suggested that MRCRTR genes might influence CRT resistance by modulating the immune microenvironment and impacting angiogenesis. Our pan-cancer analysis also indicates the potential applicability of MRCRTR scores to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The validation of these findings, conducted with samples from Xiang-ya Hospital, aligns closely with our bioinformatics results. Our study not only explores the role of MRCRTR genes in predicting the prognosis of esophageal cancer but also enhances the understanding of the interplay between CRT, mitochondria, and patient outcomes.

Particle Therapy: Clinical Applications and Biological Effects

Particle therapy is a developing area of radiotherapy, mostly involving the use of protons, neutrons and carbon ions for cancer treatment. The reduction of side effects on healthy tissues in the peritumoral area is an important advantage of particle therapy. In this review, we analyze state-of-the-art particle therapy, as compared to conventional photon therapy, to identify clinical benefits and specify the mechanisms of action on tumor cells. Systematization of published data on particle therapy confirms its successful application in a wide range of cancers and reveals a variety of biological effects which manifest at the molecular level and produce the particle therapy-specific molecular signatures. Given the rapid progress in the field, the use of particle therapy holds great promise for the near future.

Interferon-alpha responsible EPN3 regulates hepatitis B virus replication

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a major health problem worldwide, and the current antiviral therapy, including nucleoside analogs, cannot achieve life-long cure, and clarification of antiviral host immunity is necessary for eradication. Here, we found that a clathrin-binding membrane protein epsin3 (EPN3) negatively regulates the expression of HBV RNA. EPN3 expression was induced by transfection of an HBV replicon plasmid, and reduced HBV-RNA level in hepatic cell lines and murine livers hydrodynamically injected with the HBV replicon plasmid. Viral RNA reduction by EPN3 was dependent on transcription, and independent from epsilon structure of viral RNA. Viral RNA reduction by overexpression of p53 or IFN-α treatment, was attenuated by knockdown of EPN3, suggesting its role downstream of IFN-α and p53. Taken together, this study demonstrates the anti-HBV role of EPN3. The mechanism how it decreases HBV transcription is discussed.