p21 participates in the regulation of anaplastic thyroid cancer cell proliferation by miR-146b

Cell cycle associated miRNAs as target and therapeutics in lung cancer treatment

Lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Limited therapeutic options and resistance to existing drugs are the major hindrances to the clinical success of this cancer. In the past decade, several studies showed the role of microRNA (miRNA) driven cell cycle regulation in lung cancer progression. Therefore, these small nucleotide molecules could be utilized as promising tools in lung cancer therapy. In this review, we highlighted the recent advancements in lung cancer therapy using cell cycle linked miRNAs. By highlighting the roles of the specific cell cycle core regulators affiliated miRNAs in lung cancer, we further outlined how these miRNAs can be explored in early diagnosis and treatment strategies to prevent lung cancer. With the provided information from our review, more medical efforts can ensure a potential breakthrough in miRNA-based lung cancer therapy.

Poorly Differentiated and Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer: Insights into Genomics, Microenvironment and New Drugs

Simple Summary

In the last decades, many researchers produced promising data concerning genetics and tumor microenvironment of poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). They are trying to tear the veil covering these orphan cancers, suggesting new therapeutic weapons as single or combined therapies.

Abstract

PDTC and ATC present median overall survival of 6 years and 6 months, respectively. In spite of their rarity, patients with PDTC and ATC represent a significant clinical problem, because of their poor survival and the substantial inefficacy of classical therapies. We reviewed the newest findings about genetic features of PDTC and ATC, from mutations occurring in DNA to alterations in RNA. Therefore, we describe their tumor microenvironments (both immune and not-immune) and the interactions between tumor and neighboring cells. Finally, we recapitulate how this upcoming evidence are changing the treatment of PDTC and ATC.

C5aR deficiency attenuates the breast cancer development via the p38/p21 axis

Emerging evidence has shown activation of the complement component C5 to C5a in cancer tissues and C5aR expression in breast cancer cells relates to the tumor development and poor prognosis, suggesting the involvement of complement C5a/C5aR pathway in the breast cancer pathogenesis. In this study, we found that as compared to the non-tumoral tissues, both C5aR and MAPK/p38 showed an elevated expression, but p21/p-p21 showed lower expression, in the tumoral tissues of breast cancer patients. Mice deficient in C5aR or mice treated with the C5aR antagonist exhibited attenuation of breast cancer growth and reduction in the p38/p-p38 expression, but increase in p21/p-p21 expression, in the tumor tissues. Pre-treatment of the breast cancer cells with recombinant C5a resulted in reduced p21 expression, and MAPK/p38 inhibitors prevented C5a-induced reduction in p21 expression, suggesting the involvement of the MAPK/p38 signaling pathway in the C5a/C5aR-mediated suppression of p21/p-p21 expression. These results provide evidence that breast cancer development may rely on C5a/C5aR interaction, for which MAPK/p38 pathway participate in down-regulating the p21 expression. Inhibition of C5a/C5aR pathway is expected to be helpful for the treatment of patients with breast cancer.

Epigenetic modifications in poorly differentiated and anaplastic thyroid cancer

Well-differentiated thyroid cancer accounts for the majority of endocrine malignancies and, in general, has an excellent prognosis. In contrast, the less common poorly differentiated thyroid carcinoma (PDTC) and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) are two of the most aggressive human malignancies. Recently, there has been an increased focus on the epigenetic alterations underlying thyroid carcinogenesis, including those that drive PDTC and ATC. Dysregulated epigenetic candidates identified include the Aurora group, KMT2D, PTEN, RASSF1A, multiple non-coding RNAs (ncRNA), and the SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complex. A deeper understanding of the signaling pathways affected by epigenetic dysregulation may improve prognostic testing and support the advancement of thyroid-specific epigenetic therapies. This review outlines the current understanding of epigenetic alterations observed in PDTC and ATC and explores the potential for exploiting this understanding in developing novel therapeutic strategies.

Study on the value of serum miR-106b for the early diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM

To analyze the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a population that underwent health checkups and had high serum miR-106b levels.

METHODS

A total of 335 subjects who underwent checkups in the Digestive and Liver Disease Department of our hospital were randomly selected. RT-PCR was used to detect the level of miR-106b in serum samples. Laboratory and imaging examinations were carried out to confirm the HCC diagnosis in patients who had a > 2-fold change in miR-106b levels. Ultrasound-guided biopsy was also used for HCC diagnosis when necessary. On this basis, the clinical data of these subjects, including history of hepatitis virus infection, obesity, long-term history of alcohol use and stage of HCC, were collected. Then, the impact of these factors on the level of miR-106b in serum was analyzed. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of miR-106b for HCC.

RESULTS

A total of 35 subjects had abnormal serum miR-106b levels, of which 20 subjects were diagnosed with HCC. t-test revealed that the difference in serum miR-106b level in terms of sex, age, history of hepatitis virus infection, obesity and long-term history of alcohol use was not statistically significant. However, serum miR-106b levels in patients with advanced HCC (stage III/IV) was higher than in patients with early HCC (stage I/II), and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.000). Moreover, the ROC curve revealed that the area under the curve value for miR-106b was 0.885, which shows that serum miR-106b level has a certain clinical value for HCC diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

The random sampling survey shows that serum miR-106b level is a valuable diagnostic marker for HCC. However, the diagnostic threshold value needs to be further researched.

miRNA-200c enhances radiosensitivity of esophageal cancer by cell cycle arrest and targeting P21

Esophageal squamous cancer is one of the most fatal malignancies and often suffer recurrence after radiotherapy. Downregulation of miRNA-200c is associated with radiotolerance. We aim to investigate the role of miRNA-200c in radiosensitivity and develop a systemic treatment strategy for esophageal squamous cancer. Overexpression of miRNA-200c by transfection was determined by RT-PCR. Radiosensitizing effect of miRNA-200c on esophageal squamous cancer cells was determined by clonogenic assay and xenograft model. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry. The levels of Cyclin B1, cyclin D1, cyclin E1, CDK2, CDK4, Cdc2 and P21 protein expressions were detected by western blotting. The results of our study revealed that miRNA-200c enhanced the radiosensitivity significantly in esophageal squamous cancer cell line in vitro and in vivo. miRNA-200c induced G2/M and sub-G1 phase arrest and reduced S phase rate of the irradiated Eca-109 cells and downregulated expression levels of Cyclin B1, cdc2 and upregulated P21 expression level. Present results demonstrate that downregulation of miRNA-200c is associated with radiotolerance. miRNA-200c increases radiosensitivity by G2/M and sub-G1 phase arrest through modulating Cyclin B1, cdc2 and P21 expression levels.

MicroRNA-146b: A Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Human Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common tumor subtype of thyroid cancer. However, not all PTCs are responsive to current surgical and radioiodine treatment. The well-established clinical prognostic factors include tumor size, lymph node/distal metastasis, and extrathyroidal invasion. The RET/PTC-RAS-BRAF linear molecular signaling cascade is known to mediate PTC pathogenesis. However, whether presence of BRAF mutation, the most common genetic alteration in PTC, can affect PTC behavior and prognosis is controversial. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been labeled as promising molecular prognostic markers in several tumor types. Our recent studies demonstrated that microRNA-146b (miR-146b) deregulation is associated with PTC aggressiveness and prognosis. Here we summarize the current knowledge related to the functional roles, regulated target genes, and clinical applications of miR-146b in PTC and discuss how these studies provide insights into the key role of miR-146b as an oncogenic regulator promoting cellular transformation as well as a prognosis marker for tumor recurrence in PTC. In conjunction with the current perspectives on miRNAs in a wide variety of human cancers, this review will hopefully translate these updated findings on miR-146b into more comprehensive diagnostic or prognostic information regarding treatment in PTC patients before surgical intervention and follow up strategies.