Expression and clinical significance of serum MMP-7 and PTEN levels in patients with acute myeloid leukemia

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases in Neuroblastoma: Emerging Roles as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets

Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer intimately related with early development and differentiation of neuroendocrine cells, and constitutes one of the pediatric cancers with higher incidence and mortality. Protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are key regulators of cell growth and differentiation by their direct effect on tyrosine dephosphorylation of specific protein substrates, exerting major functions in the modulation of intracellular signaling during neuron development in response to external cues driving cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. We review here the current knowledge on the role of PTPs in neuroblastoma cell growth, survival, and differentiation. The potential of PTPs as biomarkers and molecular targets for inhibition in neuroblastoma therapies is discussed.

miR-141-3p is Poorly Expressed in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Correlates with Glucose and Lipid Metabolism

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy with high prevalence. miR-141-3p downregulation was reported in PCOS rats. This study intended to investigate miR-141-3p expression in serum of PCOS patients and its correlation with glucose and lipid metabolism. A total of 100 PCOS patients and 100 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Clinical parameters and glucose and lipid indexes were analyzed. A 3-month fat reduction intervention was conducted to PCOS-obese patients. Expressions of miR-141-3p and PTEN were detected. WHR and levels of TG, HDL-C, FBG, FINS, HOMA-β, and HOMA-IR showed significant differences in PCOS patients. miR-141-3p was downregulated in PCOS patients. Area under ROC curve of miR-141-3p diagnosing PCOS-obese patients was 0.985 with specificity 95.35% and flexibility 93.33%. Levels of glucose and lipid metabolism indexes were increased while HDL-C level was decreased in miR-141-3p low expression group. Indexes of PCOS-obese patients were improved and miR-141-3p was upregulated after fat reduction intervention. PTEN was upregulated in PCOS patients and negatively correlated with miR-141-3p. In conclusion, miR-141-3p was downregulated in PCOS patients and had higher diagnostic value on PCOS and associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. miR-141-3p might play a role in glucose and lipid metabolism in PCOS-obese patients by targeting PTEN.

Identification of an Immune-Related Gene Signature Based on Immunogenomic Landscape Analysis to Predict the Prognosis of Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematopoietic malignancy characterized by highly heterogeneous molecular lesions and cytogenetic abnormalities. Immune disorders in AML and impaired immune cell function have been found to be associated with abnormal karyotypes in AML patients. Immunotherapy has become an alternative therapeutic method that can improve the outcomes of AML patients. For solid tumors, the expression patterns of genes associated with the immune microenvironment provide valuable prognostic information. However, the prognostic roles of immune genes in AML have not been studied as yet. In this study, we identified 136 immune-related genes associated with overall survival in AML patients through a univariate Cox regression analysis using data from TCGA-AML and GTEx datasets. Next, we selected 24 hub genes from among the 136 genes based on the PPI network analysis. The 24 immune-related hub genes further underwent multivariate Cox regression analysis and LASSO regression analysis. Finally, a 6 immune-related gene signature was constructed to predict the prognosis of AML patients. The function of the hub IRGs and the relationships between hub IRGs and transcriptional factors were investigated. We found that higher levels of expression of CSK, MMP7, PSMA7, PDCD1, IKBKG, and ISG15 were associated with an unfavorable prognosis of AML patients. Meanwhile, patients in the TCGA-AML datasets were divided into a high risk score group and a low risk score group, based on the median risk score value. Patients in the high risk group tended to show poorer prognosis [P = 0.00019, HR = 1.89 (1.26–2.83)]. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.6643. Multivariate Cox Regression assay confirmed that the 6 IRG signature was an independent prognostic factor for AML. The prognostic role of the immune related-gene signature was further validated using an independent AML dataset, GSE37642. In addition, patients in the high risk score group in the TCGA dataset were found to be of an advanced age, IDH mutation, and M5 FAB category. These results suggested that the proposed immune related-gene signature may serve as a potential prognostic tool for AML patients.

Association of phosphatase and tension homologue deleted on chromosome ten polymorphism rs1903858, but not serum levels with the risk of non-small-cell lung cancer: A case-control study

Background

To investigate the association between phosphatase and tension homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) gene polymorphisms and non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and further identify whether these polymorphisms influence serum PTEN levels.

Methods

A total of 152 NSCLC patients and 124 healthy controls were included in the study. PTEN gene rs11202586 (T > C) and rs1903858 (A > G) polymorphisms were detected using the multiple single‐base extension technique (SNaPshot). The serum PTEN levels were determined using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.

Results

The rs1903858 AG, GG genotypes, and G allele were associated with a higher risk of NSCLC (odds ratio (OR) =2.079, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.087‐3.974, P = .027; OR = 1.897, 95%CI = 1.053‐3.419, P = .033; OR = 1.505, 95%CI = 1.065‐2.126, P = .020). Stratified analysis reveal that the rs1903858 GG genotype and G allele were associated with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (OR = 3.226, 95%CI = 1.075‐9.678, P = .037; OR = 1.873, 95%CI = 1.092‐3.212, P = .023). Among smokers, the rs1903858 G allele carriers have an increased risk of NSCLC (OR = 1.916, 95%CI = 1.023‐3.589, P = .042), but a decreased risk of NSCLC was found with the AT haplotype. With respect to the serum PTEN levels, no significant difference was noted between NSCLC patients and healthy controls in this study.

Conclusions

The study indicated that the rs1903858 gene polymorphism is associated with increased risk of NSCLC, particularly in SCC and smoker, and the haplotype AT was a protective factor for NSCLC. The serum PTEN levels were not associated with NSCLC.