Transcriptomic identification of miR-205 target genes potentially involved in metastasis and survival of cutaneous malignant melanoma

Cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm and is responsible for the majority of skin cancer deaths. Several miRNAs are involved in melanoma tumor progression. One of them is miR-205, the loss of which contributes to the development of melanoma metastasis. We evaluated whole-genome mRNA expression profiling associated with different miR-205 expression levels in melanoma cells. Differential expression analysis identified 243 differentially expressed transcripts including inositol polyphosphate 5′-phosphatase-like protein-1 (INPPL1) and BTB/POZ Domain-Containing Protein 3 (BTBD3). INPPL1 and BTBD3 were downregulated when melanoma cells expressed miR-205, indicating that these genes are potential miR-205 targets. Additionally, the target prediction algorithm TargetScan revealed that INPPL1 and BTBD3 genes had predicted target sites of miR-205 in their 3′UTRs and functional analysis demonstrated that these genes were directly linked to miR-205. Interestingly, our clinical data showed that INPPL1 was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis-free survival (LNMFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and melanoma specific survival (MSS). This study supports INPPL1 as a miR-205 target gene and, therefore, that the involvement of miR-205 in the metastatic dissemination of malignant melanoma is, at least in part, via INPPL1.

P690Incidence of events between vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants in patients with cancer

Background

Balance between embolic and bleeding risk is challenging in patients with cancer. There is a lack of specific recommendations for the use of antithrombotic therapy in oncologic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) within patients with breast cancer. We also compared the embolic and bleeding risk, the preventive management and the incidence of events between patients with and without cancer.

Methods

It is an ambispective observational multicentric study that analysed patients with non-valvular AF treated in Oncology and Cardiology Departments in Spain in the period 2011–2018. A total of 1237 female patients with AF were enrolled: 637 with breast cancer and 599 without cancer. The incidence of thromboembolic and major bleeding events according to the antithrombotic strategy with VKAs or DOACs was evaluated in the cohort of 637 patients with cancer. Analysis were conducted using SPSS software V.22.0 and R V.3.5.1, with a two-tailed significance value of 0.05.

Results

Mean follow-up was 3.1 years. Both groups were similar in age, CHA2DS2-VASc and HASB-LED scores. There was no evidence that the incidence of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism differed between patients with cancer treated with AVK and DOAC after CHA2DS2-VASc adjustment: HR 0.91 (95% CI, 0.42–1.99). In addition, no significant differences in the incidence of major bleeding events were found between DOACs and VKA after adjustment for HAS-BLED score: HR 1.53 (95% CI, 0.93–2.53) (Figure 3). Gastrointestinal bleeding was the main source of haemorrhages in both groups (45% of bleedings among patients treated with DOACs and, 37% in VKAs group). Metastatic disease or active chemotherapy were studied as potential covariates but none of them posed any relevant change in the result.

Kaplan-Meier analysis

Conclusions

Cancer patients treated with DOACs did not differ versus those treated with VKAs with regards to stroke or systemic embolism in a model adjusted for CHA2DS2-VASc. Neither significant differences were found for bleeding events in a model adjusted for baseline HASBLED.

Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 supplementation restores altered vascular function in an experimental model of obese mice

Aims.Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 improves metabolic and immunological altered functions in high fat fed mice, however little is known about the effects of potential probiotics on vascular reactivity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a potential probiotic strain, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765, on vascular response in obese mice. Methods. Aorta samples were obtained from mice, which were divided into three groups: a control group, receiving a standard diet; an obese group, receiving a high-fat diet; and an obese group receiving high-fat diet and a daily dose of B. pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 by oral gavage. Aortic rings were suspended in organ baths for isometric recording of tension. mRNA expression of eNOS was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results. Contractions induced by KCl, noradrenaline and thromboxane analogue were 33%, 30% and 45% lower respectively in aortic rings from obese mice. Bifidobacteria administration reversed this effect. eNOS inhibition increased the response to noradrenaline in the three groups with a significant lower magnitude in aortic rings from obese mice receiving bifidobacteria supplement. Acetylcholine caused a greater vasodilation in aorta from obese group (46±3% for control and 69±4% for obese group; p<0.05) and bifidobacteria reversed it (57±5%). Response to sodium nitroprusside was displaced 2.9 times to the left in a parallel manner in obese group. Relaxation to sodium nitroprusside remained unchanged in the bifidobacteria fed group. There was about five-fold decreased mRNA expression of eNOS in aortic segments from the group receiving bifidobacteria. Conclusion.Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 restores the obesity-induced altered vascular function mainly by reducing nitric oxide release.

Risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation: accuracy of the alpha-fetoprotein model in a single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis after a liver transplantation (LT) is a major concern, and a strict Milan criteria selection of candidates does not accurately discriminate the relapse rate after LT.

PURPOSE

This study sought to analyze the risk factors affecting tumor recurrence after LT for related cirrhosis HCC and the application of the French prognostic model (preLT alpha-fetoprotein [AFP], size, number) in a single center.

METHODS

In a retrospective observational study of LT for HCC and cirrhosis, clinicopathological features were analyzed. Also, the preoperative and postoperative AFP model score was calculated with a cutoff of 2.

RESULTS

Of 480, 109 patients underwent cadaveric LT for HCC. Eight of them had a relapse (7%). High AFP level, AFP model score >2, high pathological tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) stage, poor differentiation, macrovascular-microvascular invasion, infiltration, and R1 margin were statistically significant (P < .05) for recurrence. Also, in the preoperative model, AFP score >2 was a predictor of worse survival (1-, 3-, 5-, 10-year survival of 81%, 51%, 30%, 30% vs 90%, 76%, 73%, 69% in ≤2, with P = .005). Regarding the postoperative model, similar results were found (1-, 3-, 5-, 10-year survival of 84%, 47%, 37%, 37% vs 90%, 78%, 73%, 52%, P = .028) between AFP model score >2 and ≤2, respectively. However, Milan and up-to-7 criteria were not accurate in recurrence nor in survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The French AFP model has proven to be a more discerning prognostic tool than other established criteria in the prediction of recurrence and survival. Also, in postoperative prognosis, pathological risk factors for relapse such as pTNM, differentiation grade, macrovascular-microvascular invasion, infiltration, and R1 margin have been predictors of recurrence.

Erratum to: 56 SINGLE LAYER CENTRIFUGATION THROUGH PURESPERM® 80 IMPROVES QUALITY OF CRYOPRESERVED DOG SPERMATOZOA

Density gradient centrifugation with PureSperm® (PureSperm® 40+PureSperm® 80; Nidacon International, Mölndal, Sweden) has been satisfactorily used to enhance the quality of dog semen samples; however, no studies have been performed on the effect of single layer centrifugation (SLC) with PureSperm® on frozen–thawed dog semen. The aim of this study was to investigate if SLC with PureSperm® 80 can improve the post-thaw semen quality of dog. Semen from 5 dogs was collected by digital manipulation. Two ejaculates from each dog were centrifuged with Tris-based extender, supernatant was removed, and sperm pellet was suspended to a final concentration of 300–400×106spermmL–1 with CaniPROTM Freeze A plus 20% egg yolk at 22°C. Extended semen was cooled to 5°C within an hour and then diluted to a final concentration of 150–200×106spermmL–1 in CaniPROTM Freeze B plus 20% egg yolk at 5°C, loaded in 0.5-mL plastic straws and frozen horizontally in ranks placed 4cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen vapors for 10min, after which they were directly placed in liquid nitrogen. After 24 to 48h of storage, straws were thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 30s. After thawing, semen samples were divided in 2 aliquots: one of them was used as control and the other one was processed by SLC PureSperm® 80. Assessment of sperm motility (assessed by computerized-assisted semen analysis), morphology (Diff-Quick staining), and viability [triple fluorescent stain of propidium iodine/isothiocyanate-labeled peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin/Rhodamine 123] were evaluated in control and treated semen samples. Data were studied by ANOVA. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. Significant (P&lt;0.001) differences were found between SLC-treated and control semen for sperm motility (percentage of total motile spermatozoa: 93.65±0.05 v. 83.79±0.13; percentage of progressive motile spermatozoa: 79.38±6.66 v. 54.61±16.11), morphology (86.45±0.01 v. 83.51±0.01), and viability (percentage of viable sperm with an intact acrosome: 58.32±0.04 v. 36.50±0.17; percentage of viable sperm with an acrosome reaction: 2.81±0.01 v. 9.74±0.21). Based on our results, we can conclude that SLC with PureSperm® 80 is an alternative and successful method for improving the quality of frozen–thawed dog spermatozoa, selecting good-quality spermatozoa (motile, morphologically normal, viable, and acrosome intact spermatozoa) from the rest of the semen sample.

Erratum to: 56 SINGLE LAYER CENTRIFUGATION THROUGH PURESPERM® 80 IMPROVES QUALITY OF CRYOPRESERVED DOG SPERMATOZOA

Density gradient centrifugation with PureSperm® (PureSperm® 40 + PureSperm® 80; Nidacon International, Mölndal, Sweden) has been satisfactorily used to enhance the quality of dog semen samples; however, no studies have been performed on the effect of single layer centrifugation (SLC) with PureSperm® on frozen–thawed dog semen. The aim of this study was to investigate if SLC with PureSperm® 80 can improve the post-thaw semen quality of dog. Semen from 5 dogs was collected by digital manipulation. Two ejaculates from each dog were centrifuged with Tris-based extender, supernatant was removed, and sperm pellet was suspended to a final concentration of 300–400 × 106 sperm mL–1 with CaniPROTM Freeze A plus 20% egg yolk at 22°C. Extended semen was cooled to 5°C within an hour and then diluted to a final concentration of 150–200 × 106 sperm mL–1 in CaniPROTM Freeze B plus 20% egg yolk at 5°C, loaded in 0.5-mL plastic straws and frozen horizontally in ranks placed 4 cm above the surface of liquid nitrogen vapors for 10 min, after which they were directly placed in liquid nitrogen. After 24 to 48 h of storage, straws were thawed in a water bath at 37°C for 30 s. After thawing, semen samples were divided in 2 aliquots: one of them was used as control and the other one was processed by SLC PureSperm® 80. Assessment of sperm motility (assessed by computerized-assisted semen analysis), morphology (Diff-Quick staining), and viability [triple fluorescent stain of propidium iodine/isothiocyanate-labeled peanut (Arachis hypogaea) agglutinin/Rhodamine 123] were evaluated in control and treated semen samples. Data were studied by ANOVA. Results are expressed as mean ± SEM. Significant (P < 0.001) differences were found between SLC-treated and control semen for sperm motility (percentage of total motile spermatozoa: 93.65 ± 0.05 v. 83.79 ± 0.13; percentage of progressive motile spermatozoa: 79.38 ± 6.66 v. 54.61 ± 16.11), morphology (86.45 ± 0.01 v. 83.51 ± 0.01), and viability (percentage of viable sperm with an intact acrosome: 58.32 ± 0.04 v. 36.50 ± 0.17; percentage of viable sperm with an acrosome reaction: 2.81 ± 0.01 v. 9.74 ± 0.21). Based on our results, we can conclude that SLC with PureSperm® 80 is an alternative and successful method for improving the quality of frozen–thawed dog spermatozoa, selecting good-quality spermatozoa (motile, morphologically normal, viable, and acrosome intact spermatozoa) from the rest of the semen sample.

Immunophenotypic analysis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia

Immunophenotyping has become an essential tool for diagnosis of hematological malignancies. By contrast, for diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) immunophenotyping is used only occasionally. From 150 patients with a IgM monoclonal gammopathy we have selected 60 cases with (1) morphological lymphoplasmocytoid bone marrow (BM) infiltration (>20%); (2) IgM paraprotein (>10g/L); and (3) absence of features of other lymphoma types. Immunophenotypic analysis was based on the use of the triple or quadruple monoclonal antibody (MoAb) combinations. To increase the sensitivity of the analysis of antigen expression, selected CD19(+)CD20(+) B cells were targeted. We have also explored the antigenic characteristics of both the plasma cell (PC) and mast cell (MC) compartments present in the BM from 15 WM patients. Clonal WM lymphocytes were characterized by the constant expression of pan-B markers (CD19, CD20, CD22, CD24) together with sIg, predominantly kappa (5:1, kappa:lambda ratio). A high proportion of cases (75%) were positive for FMC7 and CD25, but in contrast to hairy cell leukemia (HCL), these lymphocytes were always negative for CD103 and CD11c. CD10 antigen was also absent in all WM patients and less than one fifth of patients were positive for CD5 and CD23, while CD27, CD45RA, and BCL-2 were present in most malignant cells. In two cases, the coexistence of two different clones of B lymphocytes was identified, and in eight additional cases, intraclonal phenotypic heterogeneity was observed. As far as PCs are concerned, in most patients (85%) the number of PCs was within the normal range (median, 0.36%). The antigenic profile of these PCs differed from that observed in normal and myelomatous PC (CD38(++)CD19(++/-)CD56(-)CD45(++)CD20(+)). In three cases, PCs showed aberrant expression for CD5, CD22, or FMC7. Finally, the number of mast cells was significantly higher (0.058 +/- 0.13) as compared to normal BM (0.019 +/- 0.02) (P <.01), although they were immunophenotypically normal (CD117(+)CD2(-)CD25(-)).