Role of miRNA-21 in radiation-induced heart disease

Radiation-induced heart disease(RIHD)is a potentially fatal clinical complication of chest radiotherapy(RT).RIHD is detrimental to the long-term health of post-RT survivors and limits the dose and intensity of RT required to effectively kill tumor cells.However,the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain largely unknown.MicroRNAs(miRNAs)are highly conserved,non-coding,single-stranded,small molecular RNAs that regulate gene expression and participate in cellular proliferation,apoptosis,differentiation,and disease development.Micro RNA-21(miRNA-21)has become one of the most intensively studied miRNAs in the fields of cancer and cardiovascular disease in recent years.miRNA-21 plays an important role in RIHD progression.This article reviews the origin and function of miRNA-21 in the cardiovascular system and its role in RIHD pathogenesis.In addition,the potential role of miRNA-21 as a new target for predicting and treating RIHD is also discussed.

Comparable outcomes but higher risks of prolonged viral RNA shedding duration and secondary infection in cancer survivors with COVID-19: A multi-center, matched retrospective cohort study

Results Sixty-one cancer survivors and 183 matched non-cancer patients were screened from 2,828 COVID-19 infected patients admitted to 4 hospitals in Wuhan,China.The median ages of the cancer survivor cohort and non-cancer patient cohort were 64.0(55.0–73.0)and 64.0(54.0–73.5),respectively(P=0.909).Cancer survivors reported a higher incidence of symptom onset than non-cancer patients.Fever(80.3%vs.65.0%;P=0.026)was the most prevalent symptom,followed by cough(65.6%vs.37.7%;P<0.001),myalgia,and fatigue(45.9%vs.13.6%;P<0.001).The risks of the development of severe events(adjusted hazard ratio[AHR]=1.25;95%confidence interval[CI]:0.76–2.06;P=0.378)and mortality(relative risk[RR]=0.90,95%CI:0.79–1.04;P=0.416)in the cancer survivor cohort were comparable to those of the matched non-cancer patient cohort.However,the cancer survivor cohort showed a higher incidence of secondary infection(52.5%vs.30.1%;RR=1.47,95%CI:1.11–1.95;P=0.002)and a prolonged viral RNA shedding duration(32 days[IQR 26.0–46.0]vs.24.0 days[IQR 18.0–33.0];AHR=0.54;95%CI:0.38–0.80;P<0.05).Conclusion Compared to non-cancer patients,cancer survivors with COVID-19 exhibited a higher incidence of secondary infection,a prolonged period of viral shedding,but comparable risks of the development of severe events and mortality.It is helpful for clinicians to take tailored measures to treat cancer survivors with COVID-19.