Depression accelerates the development of gastric cancer through reactive oxygen species‑activated ABL1 (Review)

Double role of depression in gastric cancer: As a causative factor and as consequence

In this editorial we comment on the article "Hotspots and frontiers of the relationship between gastric cancer and depression: A bibliometric study". Gastric cancer (GC) is a common malignancy in the digestive system with increased mortality and morbidity rates globally. Standard treatments, such as gastrectomy, negatively impact patients' quality of life and beyond the physical strain, GC patients face psychological challenges, including anxiety and depression. The prevalence of depression can be as high as 57%, among gastrointestinal cancer patients. Due to the advancements in treatment effectiveness and increased 5-year overall survival rates, attention has shifted to managing psychological effects. However, the significance of managing the depression doesn't lie solely in the need for a better psychological status. Depression leads to chronic stress activating the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis, leading release of catecholamines inducing tumor proliferation, migration, and metastasis, contributing to GC progression. The dysregulation of neurotransmitters and the involvement of various signaling pathways underscore the complex interplay between depression and GC. Comprehensive strategies are required to address the psychological aspects of GC, including region-specific interventions and increased monitoring for depression. Understanding the intricate relationship between depression and GC progression is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies and improving overall outcomes for patients facing this complex disease. In this Editorial we delve into double role of depression in the pathogenesis of GC and as a complication of it.

Hotspots and frontiers of the relationship between gastric cancer and depression: A bibliometric study

BACKGROUND

A significant relationship between gastric cancer (GC) and depression has been found in the last 20 years. However, there is no comprehensive information that helps researchers find popular and potential research directions on GC and depression.

AIM

To determine the research status and hotspots by bibliometric analysis of relevant publications on the relationship between GC and depression.

METHODS

We used the Web of Science Core Collection to search and collate the literature on GC and depression from 2000 to 2022 on 31 May, 2023. Then, visualization analysis was performed using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.19) and the Bibliometrix package in R software.

RESULTS

We retrieved 153 pertinent publications from 2000 to 2022. The annual publication count showed an overall upward trend. China had the most prominent publications and significant contributions to this field (n = 64, 41.83%). Before 2020, most studies focused on "the effect of GC on the development and progression of depression in patients." The latest research trends indicate that "the effect of depression on the occurrence and development of GC and its mechanism" will receive more attention in the future.

CONCLUSION

The study of "the effect of depression on the occurrence and development of GC and its mechanism" has emerged as a novel research theme over the past two years, which may become a research hotspot in this field. This study provides new insights into the hotpots and frontiers of the relationship between GC and depression, potentially guiding researchers toward hot research topics in the future.

Mental Health Conditions, Including Depression and Stress, Are Associated with Increased Odds of Gastric Cancer-Insights into the Role of Diet: A Case-Control Study

Several risk factors, including nutritional/lifestyle ones, play a role in gastric cancer etiology. Further interactions with mental health have also been emphasized. We hypothesized that individuals with mental disorders would exhibit compromised nutrient intake, increasing their risk of gastric cancer. The state of mental health was evaluated in 82 patients with gastric cancer and 95 healthy controls using the 21-item Depression-Anxiety-Stress Scale. The participants' dietary intakes were evaluated by a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Based on fully adjusted logistic regressions, there was a significant association between depression (OR = 1.938, CI 95%: 1.009-3.723) and stress (OR = 2.630, CI 95%: 1.014-6.819) with increased odds of gastric cancer. According to fully adjusted multinomial regressions, vitamins A and B6, beta-carotene, and black tea decreased the odds of depression, based on comparing the control group with cases of depression, while sugar and salt increased its odds. The highest significant association was found for salt intake and anxiety in cases with present anxiety (OR = 4.899, 95% CI: 2.218-10.819), and the highest significant protective effect was found for vitamin B6 and depression in cases with present depression (OR = 0.132, 95% CI: 0.055-0.320). However, considering causal relationships and clarifying the underlying mechanisms is imperative and requires further investigation. Advising healthy dietary patterns, e.g., a Mediterranean diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals such as vitamin A, B6, beta-carotene, and fiber, is expected to reduce the odds of gastric cancer, possibly related to lower levels of anxiety and depression.

A bibliometric and visual analysis of research trends and hotspots of myocardial apoptosis: A review

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have found that cardiomyocyte apoptosis is closely associated with the pathophysiological development of various cardiovascular diseases, for example chronic heart failure and myocardial infarction. At present, there are many researches in this field, such as pharmacological research, traditional Chinese medicine intervention research and pathway research. However, the relevant research is fragmented, with few comprehensive analysis and systematic combing.

METHODS

The relevant literature on cardiomyocyte apoptosis was downloaded from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and PubMed databases. Citespace 6.1.R2 software Microsoft Excel 2019 and VOSviewer1.6.18.0 were used for bibliometric and visual analysis of publication volume, countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords.

RESULTS

Since 1996, there are 1881 research articles and reviews related to cardiomyocyte apoptosis published by 10,313 researchers from 1648 institutions in 58 countries or regions were included. The number of annual publications showed an upward trend, especially in recent years. Countries participating in this research area include China, the United States, and Japan. Capital Medical University, Harbin Medical University are the key research institution, and other institutions also have substantial contribution on the project as to cardiomyocyte apoptosis. The journal EUR REV MED PHARMACO has a large number of publications, whereas CIRCULATION has the highest number of co-citations. Keywords analysis showed that apoptosis, expression and oxidative stress had higher frequencies, leading to 8 clusters.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is a hot research field in recent years. Through visualization and bibliometric analysis, it is found that this field focus on hotspots like clinical manifestations including heart failure or myocardial infarction, and microscopic mechanisms such as oxidative stress and inflammation.

An omics approach to delineating the molecular mechanisms that underlie the biological effects of physical plasma

The use of physical plasma to treat cancer is an emerging field, and interest in its applications in oncology is increasing rapidly. Physical plasma can be used directly by aiming the plasma jet onto cells or tissue, or indirectly, where a plasma-treated solution is applied. A key scientific question is the mechanism by which physical plasma achieves selective killing of cancer over normal cells. Many studies have focused on specific pathways and mechanisms, such as apoptosis and oxidative stress, and the role of redox biology. However, over the past two decades, there has been a rise in omics, the systematic analysis of entire collections of molecules in a biological entity, enabling the discovery of the so-called "unknown unknowns." For example, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics have helped to uncover molecular mechanisms behind the action of physical plasma, revealing critical pathways beyond those traditionally associated with cancer treatments. This review showcases a selection of omics and then summarizes the insights gained from these studies toward understanding the biological pathways and molecular mechanisms implicated in physical plasma treatment. Omics studies have revealed how reactive species generated by plasma treatment preferentially affect several critical cellular pathways in cancer cells, resulting in epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-translational changes that promote cell death. Finally, this review considers the outlook for omics in uncovering both synergies and antagonisms with other common cancer therapies, as well as in overcoming challenges in the clinical translation of physical plasma.

Etomidate elicits anti-tumor capacity by disrupting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading malignancy of the digestive system, especially in China. Although radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and transarterial chemoembolization have achieved tremendous success, surgical resection remains the primary treatment for HCC patients. Recent studies have shown that intravenous anesthetic drugs may affect the malignant behaviors of tumor cells, ultimately leading to differences in the postoperative prognosis of patients. Etomidate is one of the most widely used intravenous anesthetic drugs for the induction and maintenance of anesthesia in tumor patients undergoing surgery. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of etomidate on HCC cells have not yet been characterized. Our study indicated that etomidate significantly impedes the malignant progression of HCC cells. Mechanistically, etomidate inhibits phosphorylation and, ultimately, the activity of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) by competing with ATP for binding to the ATP-binding pocket of JAK2. Thus, it suppresses the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in HCC cells to exert its anti-tumor efficacy. Herein, we provide preclinical evidence that etomidate is the optimal choice for surgical treatment of HCC patients.

The oncogene ABL1 regulates the inflammatory response of innate immunity via mediating TRAF6 ubiquitination

The oncogene ABL1 plays an important role in various cancers, while its roles remain unclear in pneumonia. This study aims to investigate the roles of ABL1 in pneumonia and the underlying mechanisms. RNA sequencing was used to determine the expressions of multiple kinases in the PBMCs. A series of overexpression and knockout cell lines were constructed. Besides, an intranasal lung infection mouse model was pre-treated with asciminb. ELISAs and qPCR were used to determine the levels of target genes. In addition, STRING Interaction Network and Immunoblotting assays were used to determine the interaction between target proteins. An elevation in ABL1 was observed in the infant with Ecoli pneumonia. ABL1 was positively correlated to the levels of inflammatory cytokines and the activation of the NF-kB pathways. In vivo data demonstrated that the inhibition of ABL1 suppressed the inflammatory cytokines, reduced the lung bacterial burden, and ameliorated the lung injury score. ABL1 inhibited the phosphorylation of IκBα and p38 and regulated the ubiquitination of TRAF6. ABL1 regulates the inflammatory response in pneumonia in part by the regulation of MAPK and NF-κB pathways and TRAF6 ubiquitination.

The Role of Prehabilitation in Modern Esophagogastric Cancer Surgery: A Comprehensive Review

Simple Summary

Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment option for esophagogastric cancer. Although esophagectomy/gastrectomy remains associated with major surgical trauma and significant morbidity. Prehabilitation has emerged as a novel strategy to improve postoperative outcomes by preparing patients for a surgery-associated physiological challenge. We discuss current knowledge and the results of studies on the role of prehabilitation in esophagogastric cancer surgery.

Abstract

Esophagogastric cancer is among the most common malignancies worldwide. Surgery with or without neoadjuvant therapy is the only potentially curative treatment option. Although esophagogastric resections remain associated with major surgical trauma and significant postoperative morbidity. Prehabilitation has emerged as a novel strategy to improve clinical outcomes by optimizing physical and psychological status before major surgery through exercise and nutritional and psychological interventions. Current prehabilitation programs may be unimodal, including only one intervention, or multimodal, combining the benefits of different types of interventions. However, it still is an investigational treatment option mostly limited to clinical trials. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the current evidence for the role of prehabilitation in modern esophagogastric cancer surgery. The available studies are very heterogeneous in design, type of interventions, and measured outcomes. Yet, all of them confirm at least some positive effects of prehabilitation in terms of improved physical performance, nutritional status, quality of life, or even reduced postoperative morbidity. However, the optimal interventions for prehabilitation remain unclear; thus, they cannot be standardized and widely adopted. Future studies on multimodal prehabilitation are necessary to develop optimal programs for patients with esophagogastric cancer.

Atrial Fibrillation and Depression: A Bibliometric Analysis From 2001 to 2021

Background

The control of diseases related to atrial fibrillation (AF) may reduce the occurrence of AF, delay progression, and reduce complications, which is beneficial to the prevention and treatment of AF. An increasing number of studies have shown that AF is associated with depression. However, to date, there has not been a bibliometric analysis to examine this field systematically. Our study aimed to visualize the publications to determine the hotspots and frontiers in research on AF and depression and provide guidance and reference for further study.

Methods

Publications about AF and depression between 2001 and 2021 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database. CiteSpace 5.8. R1, VOSviewer 1.6.16, and Excel 2019 software tools were used to conduct this bibliometric study.

Results

In total, 159 articles and reviews were analyzed. The number of publications has been increased sharply since 2018. David D. McManus had the largest number of publications. The most prolific country was the USA with 54 publications but the centrality was <0.1. The most prolific institution was Northeastern University. Three clusters were formed based on keywords: The first cluster was composed of atrial fibrillation, depression, anxiety, symptoms, ablation, and quality of life, et al. The second cluster were risk, prevalence, mortality, heart failure, association, et al. While the third cluster included anticoagulation, impact, stroke, management, warfarin, et al. After 2019, stroke and prediction are the keywords with strongest citation bursts.

Conclusion

Research on AF and depression is in its infancy. Cooperation and exchanges between countries and institutions must be strengthened in the future. The effect of depression on prevalence and mortality in AF, depression on ablation in AF, and impact of depression on anticoagulation treatment in AF have been the focus of current research. Stroke prevention (including anticoagulant therapy) is the research frontier, which may still be the focus of research in the future.

Anxiety and depression in recurrent gastric cancer: Their prevalence and independent risk factors analyses

Various anxiety and depression-related risk factors have been reported in cancer patients. However, little is known about the anxiety and depression-related risk factors in recurrent gastric cancer patients. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for anxiety and depression in recurrent gastric cancer patients.Totally 82 recurrent gastric cancer patients were consecutively recruited, and their clinical features were collected from hospital's electronic medical records. Besides, 80 newly diagnosed gastric cancer patients and 80 healthy controls were enrolled. Their anxiety and depression status was assessed using Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).The HADS-anxiety score (9.1 ± 3.4, 7.2 ± 3.0, 4.8 ± 2.7, respectively) and the percentage of anxiety patients (52.4%, 33.8%, 11.3%, respectively) were increased in recurrent gastric cancer patients compared to newly diagnosed gastric cancer patients and healthy controls; Also, the HADS-depression score (7.9 ± 3.1, 6.7 ± 2.6, 4.1 ± 2.8, respectively) and the percentage of depression patients (41.5%, 25.0%, 8.8%, respectively) had similar trends. Forward stepwise multivariate logistic regression revealed that age ≥60 years, diabetes, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage at diagnosis, shorter time to recurrence and distant metastasis at recurrence were independent risk factors for anxiety occurrence, whereas age ≥60 years, diabetes, tumor location at diagnosis (cardia vs gastric antrum) and shorter time to recurrence were independent risk factors for depression occurrence.The prevalence of anxiety and depression is such high, and their relevant risk factors include age ≥60 years, diabetes and shorter time to recurrence in recurrent gastric cancer patients.

Identification and epidemiological evaluation of gastric cancer risk factors: based on a field synopsis and meta-analysis in Chinese population

To summarize and assess the credibility and strength of non-genetic factors and genetic variation on gastric cancer risk, we performed a field synopsis and meta-analysis to identify the risk of gastric cancer in Chinese population. Cumulative evidence was graded according to the Venice criteria, and attributable risk percentage (ARP) and population attributable risk percentage (PARP) were used to evaluate the epidemiological effect. A total of 956 studies included non-genetic (404 studies) and genetic factors (552 studies) were quantified, and data on 1161 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were available. We identified 14 non-genetic factors were significantly associated with gastric cancer risk. For the analysis of time trends, H. pylori infection rate in gastric cancer and population showed a downward trend. Meanwhile 22 variants were identified significantly associated with gastric cancer: 3 (PLCE1 rs2274223, PSCA rs2976392, MUC1 rs4072037) were high and 19 SNPs were intermediate level of summary evidence, respectively. For non-genetic factors, the top three for ARP were 54.75% (pickled food), 65.87% (stomach disease), and 49.75% (smoked and frying). For PARP were 34.22% (pickled food), 34.24% (edible hot food) and 23.66%(H. pylori infection). On the basis of ARP and PARP associated with SNPs of gastric cancer, the top three for ARP were 53.91% (NAT2, rs1799929),53.05% (NAT2 phenotype), and 42.85% (IL-10, rs1800896). For PARP (Chinese Han in Beijing) were 36.96% (VDR, rs731236), 25.58% (TGFBR2, rs3773651) and 20.56% (MUC1, rs4072037). Our study identified non-genetic risk factors and high-quality biomarkers of gastric cancer susceptibility and their contribution to gastric cancer.

Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang ameliorates tumor growth in cancer comorbid depressive symptoms via modulating gut microbiota-mediated TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Depressive symptoms are thought to promote cancer development and depressive remission has been reported to be effective for defeating cancer. The herbal formula Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang (XCHT), that has an anti-depressive efficacy, has been widely utilized in China. However, its anti-cancer effect and underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

PURPOSE

The present study aims to investigate the effects of XCHT on the depression-associated tumor and its potential mechanisms.

METHODS

A placebo-controlled trial was conducted in cancer patients comorbid with depressive symptoms to evaluate the effects of XCHT on depressive scales, tumor-related immune indicators, and gut microbial composition. A xenografted colorectal cancer (CRC) mouse model exposure to chronic restraint stress (CRS) was established to examine XCHT effects on tumorigenesis in vivo. Further, by manipulating gut bacteria with fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) or antibiotics-induced bacterial elimination in CRS-associated xenografted model, gut microbiota-mediated anti-tumor mechanism was explored.

RESULTS

In cancer patients comorbid with depressive symptoms, XCHT showed substantial effects on improvement of depressive scales, system inflammatory levels and gut dysbiosis. In vivo, XCHT inhibited tumor growth and prolonged survival time in addition to showing anti-depressive effect. Similarly, in our clinical trial, XCHT partially reversed gut dysbiosis, particularly through reducing abundances of Parabacteroides, Blautia and Ruminococcaceae bacterium. Manipulation of gut bacteria in CRS-associated xenografted model further proved that the inhibition of XCHT on tumor progression was mediated by gut microbiota and that the underlying mechanism involves in downregulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that gut microbiota mediates the anti-tumor action of the formula XCHT in cancer patients and models that were comorbid with depressive symptoms. This study implies a novel clinical significance of anti-depressive herbal medicine in the cancer treatment and clarifies the important role of gut microbiota in treating cancer accompanied by depressive symptoms.

VNTR polymorphism in the breakpoint region of ABL1 and susceptibility to bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

ABL1 is primarily known as a leukemia-related oncogene due to translocation, but about 2.2% of ABL1 mutations have been identified in bladder cancer, and high expression in solid cancer has also been detected.

METHODS

Here, we used the NCBI database, UCSC genome browser gateway and Tandem repeat finder program to investigate the structural characterization of the ABL1 breakpoint region and to identify the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR). To investigate the relationship between ABL1-MS1 and bladder cancer, a case-controlled study was conducted in 207 controls and 197 bladder cancer patients. We also examined the level of transcription of the reporter gene driven by the ABL1 promoter to determine if the VNTR region affects gene expression.

RESULTS

In our study, one VNTR was identified in the breakpoint region, the intron 1 region of ABL1, and was named ABL1-MS1. In the control group, only two common alleles (TR13, TR15) were detected, but an additional two rare alleles (TR14, TR16) were detected in bladder cancer. A statistically significant association was identified between the rare ABL1-MS1 allele and bladder cancer risk: P = 0.013. Investigating the level of transcription of the reporter gene driven by the ABL1 promoter, VNTR showed inhibition of ABL1 expression in non-cancer cells 293 T, but not in bladder cancer cells. In addition, ABL1-MS1 was accurately passed on to offspring according to Mendelian inheritance through meiosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, the ABL1-MS1 region can affect ABL1 expression of bladder cancer. This study provides that ABL1-MS1 can be used as a DNA fingerprinting marker. In addition, rare allele detection can predict susceptibility to bladder cancer.

Characterization of the signature of peripheral innate immunity in women with later-life major depressive disorder

The prevalence of depression in later life is higher in women than in men. However, the sex difference in the pathophysiology of depression in elderly patients is not fully understood. Here, we performed gene expression profiling in leukocytes of middle-aged and elderly patients with major depressive disorder, termed later-life depression (LLD) in this context, and we characterized the sex-dependent pathophysiology of LLD. A microarray dataset obtained from leukocytes of patients (aged ≥50 years) with LLD (32 males and 39 females) and age-matched healthy individuals (20 males and 24 females) was used. Differentially expressed probes were determined by comparing the expression levels between patients and healthy individuals, and then functional annotation analyses (Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, Reactome pathway analysis, and cell-type enrichment analysis) were performed. A total of 1656 probes were differentially expressed in LLD females, but only 3 genes were differentially expressed in LLD males. The differentially expressed genes in LLD females were relevant to leukocyte extravasation signaling, Tec kinase signaling and the innate immune response. The upregulated genes were relevant to myeloid lineage cells such as CD14⁺ monocytes. In contrast, the downregulated genes were relevant to CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. Remarkable innate immune signatures are present in the leukocytes of LLD females but not males. Because inflammation is involved in the pathophysiology of depression, the altered inflammatory activity may be involved in the pathophysiology of LLD in women. In contrast, abnormal inflammation may be an uncommon feature in LLD males.

Correlation of Clinicopathological Characteristics of Breast Carcinoma and Depression

The prevalence of depression among women with breast cancer (BC) is extremely variable in research studies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depressive disorder in women suffering from BC as well as to examine its relationship with clinical–pathological and immunophenotypic characteristics of BC. The study included 194 patients with BC who were diagnosed with the disease between 2009 and 2015 in the Clinical Center Kragujevac, Serbia. Pathohistological and immunohistochemical analyses was used on the material obtained after the surgical removal of breast tumors, determining all significant clinical and morphological parameters. The level of depression among the examinees confirmed that the differences in the level of depression between the histological grades were statistically significant. According to the univariate binary logistic regression, the depression of a patient correlates with the category of molecular tumor subtype/Luminal A (p < 0.0005), PR expression (p = 0.050) and lymphatic invasion (p = 0.025). Multivariate binary logistic regression showed that the onset of depression associated with the present molecular subtype of the tumor of a worse prognostic character (p = 0.019). Depression is a common disorder in women with breast cancer. The level of depression is correlates with some of the clinicоmorphological and immunophenotypic characteristics of BC.

Reactive Oxygen Species Are Involved in the Development of Gastric Cancer and Gastric Cancer-Related Depression through ABL1-Mediated Inflammation Signaling Pathway

Background

The mechanisms of crosstalk between depression and gastric cancer (GC) remain ill defined. Given that reactive oxygen species (ROS) is involved in the pathophysiology of both GC and depression, we try to explore the activities of ROS in the development of GC and GC-related depression.

Methods

110 patients with newly diagnosed GC were recruited in our study. The clinical characteristics of these patients were recorded. Inflammation and oxidative stress markers were detected by ELISA. The depression status of patients with GC was assessed during follow-up. The association between ROS, ABL1, and inflammation factors was evaluated in H₂O₂-treated GC cell lines and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The effect of ABL1 on inflammation was detected with Imatinib/Nilotinib-treated GC cell lines. A chronic mild stress- (CMS-) induced patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice model was established to assess the crosstalk between depression and GC.

Results

Depression was correlated with poor prognosis of patients with GC. GC patients with depression were under a high level of oxidative status as well as dysregulated inflammation. In the CMS-induced GC PDX mice model, CMS could facilitate the development of GC. Additionally, tumor bearing could induce depressive-like behaviors of mice. With the treatment of ROS, the activities of ABL1 and inflammatory signaling were enhanced both in vitro and in vivo, and blocking the activities of ABL1 inhibited inflammatory signaling.

Conclusions

ROS-activated ABL1 mediates inflammation through regulating NF-κB1 and STAT3, which subsequently leads to the development of GC and GC-related depression.

miR-30b-5p acts as a tumor suppressor microRNA in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

To study miR-30b-5p expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by comparisons between tumor tissues and matched adjacent non-cancerous tissues to elucidate the correlation between miR-30b-5p expression and ESCC clinical parameters, and to explore the signaling pathways associated with miR-30b-5p and key target genes.

Methods

Clinical data, cancer tissues, and adjacent non-cancerous tissues of 32 patients diagnosed with ESCC were collected from Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province. The expression levels of miR-30b-5p were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). mRNA data for ESCC tissues and normal tissues, and clinical materials of patients with ESCC were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Associations between miR-30b-5p expression and clinical features of patients with ESCC and overall survival were explored. A bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine the pathways and key miR-30b-5p targets associated with ESCC. Additionally, a cytological experiment was performed to evaluate the biological functions of miR-30b-5p. Finally, correlations between miR-30b-5p and key targets involved in PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were validated by western blotting.

Results

The expression level of miR-30b-5p in the 32 ESCC tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent normal tissues (P<0.01) and was significantly disparate in the T stage, with higher expression in T1 than in T2 (P<0.05). Among the patients with higher expression levels of miR-30b-5p in ESCC tissues than in adjacent normal tissues, patients with higher expression of miR-30b-5p had a better prognosis (P<0.05). An analysis of gene chip data from the GEO database showed similar results. A gene enrichment analysis indicated a series of pathways that may be associated with the downregulation of miR-30b-5p, including focal adhesion, ECM-receptor interaction, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Seven key target genes (PDGFRB, VIM, ITGA5, ACTN1, THBS2, SERPINE1, and RUNX2) were identified; these were found to be upregulated in ESCC tissues and were negatively correlated with miR-30b-5p. Functional experiments showed that miR-30b-5p attenuated migration (P<0.01) and invasion (P<0.05) in the Eca109 cell line. Moreover, the levels of ITGA5, PDGFRB, p-PI3K, and p-AKT, which are involved in the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, were decreased in the miR-30b-5p-overexpressing Eca109 cell line.

Conclusions

Upregulated miR-30b-5p may inhibit migration and invasion in ESCC by targeting ITGA5, PDGFRB, and signaling pathways, such as PI3K/Akt, involved in ESCC regulation. Our results indicate that miR-30b-5p plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of ESCC and is a potential therapeutic target.

Microarray meta-analysis identifies candidate genes for human spermatogenic arrest

Male infertility affects approximately half of couples who have difficulty becoming pregnant, and its prevalence is continuously rising. Many studies have been performed using animal testes to reveal the mechanisms of male infertility, but few studies have investigated human testes due to various limitations. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene expression profile of impaired human testes through a meta-analysis of microarray data sets, which was accomplished by using 178 human testis samples and 7 microarray data sets. Impaired testes were categorised into four pathological phenotypes or the normal phenotype based on their Johnsen score. Then, a meta-analysis was performed to screen out the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in each phenotype. The DEGs were used in a subsequent bioinformatics analysis. Our results identified several novel hub genes and pathways and suggested that G1 mitotic cell cycle arrest was a remarkable feature in pre-meiotic arrest. Furthermore, fifteen p53-interacting proteins, such as ABL1 and HDAC2, whose roles in spermatogenesis have not been well characterised, were selected from the DEGs through a strict screening procedure.

Risk Factors of Gastric Cancer in High-Risk Region of China: A Population-Based Case-control Study

Background: The reason for the high incidence of gastric cancer (GC) in Xianyou County of China was largely unknown. We aimed to explore the potential sociodemographic risk factors and their associations to GC. Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted during March 2013 and April 2016 in Xianyou County. All newly diagnosed patients of GC were recruited as cases, while controls were selected by matching for cases’ sex, age (± 3 years) and the place of residence. Results: A total of 523 GC cases and 523 matched healthy controls were included in the final analysis with mean age of 66.27±8.81 years for cases and 66.31±8.83 years for controls, respectively. Participants with low socioeconomic status were observed with higher GC risk compared to those in high socioeconomic status (adjusted OR=2.10, 95% CI: 1.13-3.89). Compared to those regularly drink green tea, patients did not have this dietary habit had nearly 3-fold increased GC risk (adjusted OR=2.91, 95% CI: 1.38-6.13). Other dietary habit, including consumption of hard food, omission of breakfast, consumption of pickled vegetables 30 years ago, overeating were all associated with increased risk of GC. Interaction effect were found. Patients in low socioeconomic status and skipped breakfast had 10-fold higher risk of GC compared to reference group in high socioeconomic status and eat breakfast regularly (OR=10.71, 95% CI: 5.19-22.10). Furthermore, patients in low socioeconomic status and consumed pickled vegetable 30 years ago had 6-fold higher risk of GC compared to those in high socioeconomic status but did not intake pickled vegetables 30 years ago (OR=6.11, 95% CI: 3.87-9.66). Conclusion: High incidence of GC risk in Xianyou County might be partly attributed to various sociodemographic factors. Specific prevention effort could be target on population in low socioeconomic status combined with habit of breakfast omission or intake of pickled vegetables.

Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species-Induced Protein Modifications: Implication in Carcinogenesis and Anticancer Therapy

Cancer is a complex disorder extremely dependent on its microenvironment and highly regulated by multiple intracellular and extracellular stimuli. Studies show that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) play key roles in cancer initiation and progression. Accumulation of RONS caused by imbalance between RONS generation and activity of antioxidant system (AOS) has been observed in many cancer types. This leads to alterations in gene expression levels, signal transduction pathways, and protein quality control machinery, that is, processes that regulate cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis. This review focuses on the latest advancements evidencing that RONS-induced modifications of key redox-sensitive residues in regulatory proteins, that is, cysteine oxidation/S-sulfenylation/S-glutathionylation/S-nitrosylation and tyrosine nitration, represent important molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis. The oxidative/nitrosative modifications cause alterations in activities of intracellular effectors of MAPK- and PI3K/Akt-mediated signaling pathways, transcription factors (Nrf2, AP-1, NFκB, STAT3, and p53), components of ubiquitin/proteasomal and autophagy/lysosomal protein degradation systems, molecular chaperones, and cytoskeletal proteins. Redox-sensitive proteins, RONS-generating enzymes, and AOS components can serve as targets for relevant anticancer drugs. Chemotherapeutic agents exert their action via RONS generation and induction of cancer cell apoptosis, while drug resistance associates with RONS-induced cancer cell survival; this is exploited in selective anticancer therapy strategies. Cancer Res; 78(21); 6040-7. ©2018 AACR.

EnABLing Tumor Growth and Progression: Recent progress in unraveling the functions of ABL kinases in solid tumor cells

Purpose of Review

The goal of this review is to summarize our current knowledge regarding how ABL family kinases are activated in solid tumors and impact on solid tumor development/progression, with a focus on recent advances in the field.

Recent Findings

Although ABL kinases are known drivers of human leukemia, emerging data also implicates the kinases in a large number of solid tumor types where they promote diverse processes such as proliferation, survival, cytoskeletal reorganization, cellular polarity, EMT (epithelial-mesenchymal-transition), metabolic reprogramming, migration, invasion and metastasis via unique signaling pathways. ABL1 and ABL2 appear to have overlapping but also unique roles in driving these processes. In some tumor types, the kinases may act to integrate pro- and anti-proliferative and -invasive signals, and also may serve as a switch during EMT/MET (mesenchymal-epithelial) transitions.

Conclusions

Most data indicate that targeting ABL kinases may be effective for reducing tumor growth and preventing metastasis; however, ABL kinases also may have a tumor suppressive role in some tumor types and in some cellular contexts. Understanding the functions of ABL kinases in solid tumors is critical for developing successful clinical trials aimed at targeting ABL kinases for the treatment of solid tumors.

Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Tumor Microenvironment Transformation: The Mechanism of Radioresistant Gastric Cancer

Radioresistance is one of the primary causes responsible for therapeutic failure and recurrence of cancer. It is well documented that reactive oxygen species (ROS) contribute to the initiation and development of gastric cancer (GC), and the levels of ROS are significantly increased in patients with GC accompanied with abnormal expressions of multiple inflammatory factors. It is also well documented that ROS can activate cancer cells and inflammatory cells, stimulating the release of a variety of inflammatory cytokines, which subsequently mediates the tumor microenvironment (TME) and promotes cancer stem cell (CSC) maintenance as well as renewal and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), ultimately resulting in radioresistance and recurrence of GC.

Antidepressant Flavonoids and Their Relationship with Oxidative Stress

Depression is a serious disorder that affects hundreds of millions of people around the world and causes poor quality of life, problem behaviors, and limitations in activities of daily living. Therefore, the search for new therapeutic options is of high interest and growth. Research on the relationship between depression and oxidative stress has shown important biochemical aspects in the development of this disease. Flavonoids are a class of natural products that exhibit several pharmacological properties, including antidepressant-like activity, and affects various physiological and biochemical functions in the body. Studies show the clinical potential of antioxidant flavonoids in treating depressive disorders and strongly suggest that these natural products are interesting prototype compounds in the study of new antidepressant drugs. So, this review will summarize the chemical and pharmacological perspectives related to the discovery of flavonoids with antidepressant activity. The mechanisms of action of these compounds are also discussed, including their actions on oxidative stress relating to depression.

Potential prognostic value of clinical characteristics, hormone status and major depressive disorder in breast cancer

AIM

To identify independent factors predicting overall survival (OS) of breast cancer (BC) patients.

PATIENTS & METHODS

Two hundred and eighty one women with BC were recruited and clinical characteristics including lymphovascular invasion, clinical stage of Tumor Node Metastasis and positive axillary lymph nodes were documented; immunohistochemistry/fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to examine the expression of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2 and Ki-67; major depressive disorder was assessed with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V.

RESULTS

Multivariable analyses indicated that in BC patients, lymphovascular invasion, Tumor Node Metastasis, pN, Ki-67 and major depressive disorder were significantly negatively correlated with OS; estrogen receptor was significantly positively associated with OS.

CONCLUSION

Early diagnostic approaches and effective psychologic intervention are indispensable for BC patients.