Expression and clinical significance of mTOR in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer tissues: a case control study

miR-181 regulates cisplatin-resistant non-small cell lung cancer via downregulation of autophagy through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway

A number of miRNAs have been found to be abnormally expressed or mutated in numerous cancers and thus, are considered to act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of miR-181 on cisplatin-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients with cisplatin-resistant NSCLC, miR-181 expression was found to be markedly decreased. In addition, in the cisplatin-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549/DDP, miR-181 downregulation promoted cell growth and metastasis and inhibited cell apoptosis, whereas miR-181 overexpression exerted the opposite effects. Furthermore, miR-181 downregulation suppressed LC3 and ATG5 protein expression in A549/DDP cells through suppression of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, whereas miR-181 overexpression recovered LC3 and ATG5 protein expression by promoting PTEN/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. In turn, PTEN inhibitors reduced the anticancer effects of miR-181 overexpression on A549/DDP cell growth via the regulation of autophagy through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Therefore, miR-181 may be a novel and important regulator of cisplatin-resistant NSCLC by serving a role in the regulation of apoptosis, as an established rate-limiting miRNA target.

Endpoint of cancer treatment: targeted therapies

Nowadays there are several limitations in cancer treatment. One of these is the use of conventional medicines which not only target cancer cells and thus also cause high toxicity precluding effective treatment. Recent elucidation of mechanisms that cause cancer has led to discovery of novel key molecules and pathways which have have become successful targets for the treatments that eliminate only cancer cells. These so-called targeted therapies offer new hope for millions of cancer patients, as briefly reveiwed here focusing on different types of agents, like PARP, CDK, tyrosine kinase, farnysyl transferase and proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies and antiangiogenic agents.

Analysis of ICU treatment on resection of giant tumors in the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to assess prognosis after resection of giant tumors (including lobectomy or pneumonectomy) in the mediastinum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with resection of a giant tumor in the mediastinum of the thoracic cavity received ICU treatment including dynamic monitoring of vital signs, arterial blood pressure and CVP detection, determination of hemorrhage, pulmonary function and blood gas assay, treatment of relevant complications, examination and treatment with fiber optic bronchoscopy, transfusion and hemostasis as well as postoperative removal of ventilators by invasive and non-invasive sequential mechanical ventilation technologies.

RESULTS

Six patients were rehabilitated successfully after ICU treatment with controlled postoperative errhysis and pulmonary infection by examination and treatment with fiber optic bronchoscopy without second application of ventilators and tubes after sequential mechanical ventilation technology. One patient died from multiple organ failure under ICU treatment due to postoperative active hemorrhage after second operative hemostasis.

CONCLUSIONS

During peri-operative period of resection of giant tumor (including lobectomy or pneumonectomy) in mediastinum of the thoracic cavity, the ICU plays an important role in dynamic monitoring of vital signs, treatment of postoperative stress state, postoperative hemostasis and successful removal of ventilators after sequential mechanical ventilation.