The activation of adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase inhibits the migration of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting Claudin-1 via epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Background:The role of Claudin-1 in tongue squamous cell carcinoma(TSCC)metastasis needs further clarification,particularly its impact on cell migration.Herein,our study aims to investigate the role of Claudin-1 in TSCC cell migration and its underlying mechanisms.Methods:36 TSCC tissue samples underwent immunohistochemical staining for Claudin-1.Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses were conducted to evaluate Claudin-1 expression and distribution in TSCC cells.Claudin-1 knockdown cell lines were established using short hairpin RNA transfection.Migration effects were assessed through wound healing assays.Furthermore,the expression of EMTassociated molecules was measured via western blotting.Results:Claudin-1 expression decreased as TSCC malignancy increased.Adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase(AMPK)activation led to increased Claudin-1 expression and membrane translocation,inhibiting TSCC cell migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition(EMT).Conversely,Claudin-1 knockdown reversed these inhibitory effects on migration and EMT caused by AMPK activation.Conclusions:Our results indicated that AMPK activation suppresses TSCC cell migration by targeting Claudin-1 and EMT pathways.

Circulating RNA ZFR promotes hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process through miR-624-3p/WEE1 axis

Background:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),the most common type of primary liver cancer,is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.Previous evidence shows that the expression of circulating RNA ZFR(circZFR)is upregulated in HCC tissues.However,the molecular mechanism of circZFR in HCC is unclear.Methods:Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)was employed to detect the expression of circZFR,microRNA-624-3p(miR-624-3p)and WEE1 in HCC tissues and cells.RNase R assay and actinomycin D treatment assay were used to analyze the characteristics of circZFR.For functional analysis,the capacities of colony formation,cell proliferation,cell apoptosis,migration and invasion were assessed by colony formation assay,5-ethynyl-2-deoxyuridine(EdU)assay,flow cytometry assay and transwell assay.Western blot was used to examine the protein levels of WEE1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)-related proteins.The interactions between miR-624-3p and circZFR or WEE1 were validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation(RIP)assay.Xenograft models were established to determine the role of circZFR in vivo.Results:circZFR and WEE1 were upregulated,while miR-624-3p expression was reduced in HCC tissues and cells.circZFR could sponge miR-624-3p,and WEE1 was a downstream gene of miR-624-3p.Knockdown of circZFR significantly reduced the malignant behaviors of HCC and that co-transfection with miR624-3p inhibitor restored this change.Overexpression of WEE1 abolished the inhibitory effect of miR624-3p mimic on HCC cells.Mechanistically,circZFR acted as a competitive endogenous RNA(ceRNA)to regulate WEE1 expression by targeting miR-624-3p.Furthermore,in vivo studies have illustrated that circZFR knockdown inhibited tumor growth.Conclusions:circZFR knockdown reduced HCC cell proliferation,migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis by regulating the miR-624-3p/WEE1 axis,suggesting that the circZFR/miR-624-3p/WEE1 axis might be a potential target for HCC treatment.

Corrigendum: Research Progress of circRNAs during Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Correction The affiliation in the original publication(https://www.doi.org/10.26689/par.v8i2.6010)is incorrect.The original affiliation was:Yuqing Li1,Cuicui Ren1,Yu Cai2,Chang Tian2,Yuanyuan Jia2,Ge Wu1*1Xi’an Medical University,Xi’an 710000,China 2Faculty Development and Teaching Evaluation Office,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an。

Research Progress of circRNAs during Epithelial- Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma is prone to invasion and metastasis.It often receives a low diagnosis rate in the early stage but has an extremely high mortality rate.Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation(EMT)is a key factor in promoting tumor cell invasion and metastasis.Circular RNA(circRNA)is involved in regulating EMT in hepatocarcinoma cells through multiple pathways,thereby affecting the occurrence and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.This article mainly reviews the research progress of circRNA related to EMT core transcription factors,circRNA that promotes EMT in liver cancer,and circRNA that inhibits EMT in liver cancer.

Carcinoma-associated fibroblast-derived lysyl oxidase-rich extracellular vesicles mediate collagen crosslinking and promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition via p-FAK/ p-paxillin/YAP signaling

Carcinoma-associated fibroblasts(CAFs)are the main cellular components of the tumor microenvironment and promote cancer progression by modifying the extracellular matrix(ECM).The tumor-associated ECM is characterized by collagen crosslinking catalyzed by lysyl oxidase(LOX).Small extracellular vesicles(sEVs)mediate cell-cell communication.However,the interactions between sEVs and the ECM remain unclear.Here,we demonstrated that sEVs released from oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)-derived CAFs induce collagen crosslinking,thereby promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).CAF sEVs preferably bound to the ECM rather than being taken up by fibroblasts and induced collagen crosslinking,and a LOX inhibitor or blocking antibody suppressed this effect.Active LOX(αLOX),but not the LOX precursor,was enriched in CAF sEVs and interacted with periostin,fibronectin,and bone morphogenetic protein-1 on the surface of sEVs.CAF sEV-associated integrinα2β1 mediated the binding of CAF sEVs to collagen I,and blocking integrinα2β1 inhibited collagen crosslinking by interfering with CAF sEV binding to collagen I.CAF sEV-induced collagen crosslinking promoted the EMT of OSCC through FAK/paxillin/YAP pathway.Taken together,these findings reveal a novel role of CAF sEVs in tumor ECM remodeling,suggesting a critical mechanism for CAF-induced EMT of cancer cells.

HSP90AA1 promotes lymphatic metastasis of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Lymphatic metastasis(LM)emerges as an independent prognostic marker for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(HSPSCC),chiefly contributing to treatment inefficacy.This study aimed to scrutinize the prognostic relevance of HSP90AA1 and its potential regulatory mechanism of concerning LM in HPSCC.Methods:In a preceding investigation,HSP90AA1,a differential gene,was discovered through transcriptome sequencing of HPSCC tissues,considering both the presence and absence of LM.Validation of HSP90AA1 expression was accomplished via qRT-PCR,western-blotting(WB),and immunohistochemistry(IHC),while its prognostic significance was assessed employing Kaplan–Meier survival analysis(KMSA),log-rank test(LR),and Cox’s regression analysis(CRA).Bioinformatics techniques facilitated the prediction and analysis of its plausible mechanisms in LM,further substantiated by in vitro and in vivo experiments utilizing FaDu cell lines.Results:HSP90AA1 is substantially upregulated in HPSCC with LM and is identified as an independent prognostic risk determinant.The down-regulation of HSP90AA1 can achieve inhibition of tumor cell proliferation,migration and invasion.Both in vivo experiments and Bioinformatics exploration hint at promoting LM by Epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),regulated by HSP90AA1.Conclusions:HSP90AA1,by controlling EMT,can foster LM in HPSCC.This finding sets the foundation for delving into new therapeutic targets for HPSCC.

Eriocitrin inhibits proliferation and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transition

Objective:To investigate the effects of Eriocitrin on the proliferation and migration of Lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)cells A549 and H1299,and the mechanism of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition(EMT).Methods:The effects of different Eriocitrin on the proliferation of LUAD cells A549 and H1299 were examined by CCK8 method.EMT-associated epithelial calmodulin(E-cadherin and N-cadherin),vimentin,ferroptosis-associated protein SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH were detected by Western Blot and expression of mRNA of EMT marker molecules E-cadherin,N-cadherin,Snail were detected by qRT-PCR.Effects of saccharomyces cerevisiae suberin on ferroptosis in LUAD cells as observed by lipid reactive oxygen species(ROS)assay.Results:Eriocitrin could significantly inhibit the proliferative behavior of LUAD cells A549 and H1299 and showed a certain dose-and time-dependence.Compared with the control group,different concentrations of Eriocitrin could significantly reduce the scratch healing rate after 24 and 48 h of action,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).The expression of ROS is increased,EMT-related protein E-cadherin was increased in LUAD cells A549 and H1299 compared with the control group after the intervention with Eriocitrin.N-cadherin and Vimentin expression was decreased.E-cadherin mRNA expression was increased,and N-cadherin,Snail mRNA expression was decreased,expression of ferroptosis-associated protein SLC7A11,GPX4,FTH was decreased,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:Eriocitrin may inhibit the proliferation and migration of LUAD cells by regulating the EMT pathway and has potential application in LUAD prevention and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Surgery in platinum-resistant recurrent epithelial ovarian carcinoma

BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer is one of the three most common malignant tumors of the female reproductive tract and ranks first in terms of mortality among gynecological tumors.Epithelial ovarian carcinoma(EOC)is the most common ovarian malignancy,accounting for 90%of all primary ovarian tumors.The clinical value of cytoreductive surgery in patients with platinum-resistant recurrent EOC remains largely unclear.AIM To evaluate the feasibility of secondary cytoreductive surgery for treating platinum-resistant recurrent EOC.METHODS This was a retrospective study of the clinical data of patients with platinumresistant EOC admitted to the Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences between September 2012 and June 2018.Patient baseline data were obtained from clinical records.Routine follow-up of disease progression was performed as follows.CA125 assessment and physical examination were performed every 3 wk during treatment,including gynecological examination.Imaging assessment was carried out every 12 wk by B-mode ultrasound,computed tomography,or magnetic resonance imaging.The primary outcome was progression-free survival(PFS).Secondary outcomes included overall survival(OS),chemotherapy-free interval(CFI),and complications.Follow-up ended on April 15,2019.RESULTS A total of 38 patients were included.R0 resection was achieved in 25(65.8%) patients and R1/2 in 13 (34.2%). Twenty-five (65.8%) patients required organ resection. Nine(23.7%) patients had operative complications, 36 (94.7%) received chemotherapy, and five (13.2%)had targeted therapy. Median PFS and OS were 10 (95%CI: 8.27-11.73) months and 28 (95%CI:12.75-43.25) months, respectively;median CFI was 9 (95%CI: 8.06-9.94) months. R0 resection andpostoperative chemotherapy significantly prolonged PFS and OS (all P < 0.05), and R0 resectionalso significantly prolonged CFI (P < 0.05). Grade ≥ 3 complications were observed, includingrectovaginal fistula (n = 1), intestinal and urinary fistulas (n = 1), and renal failure-associated death(n = 1). Except for the patient who died after surgery, all other patients with complications weresuccessfully managed. Two patients developed intestinal obstruction and showed improvementafter conservative treatment.CONCLUSIONSecondary cytoreductive surgery is feasible for treating platinum-resistant recurrent EOC. Thesefindings provide important references for the selection of clinical therapeutic regimens.

FoxM1 overexpression promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression of forkhead box protein M1(Fox M1) in the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) and its role in metastasis.METHODS: Fox M1 and E-cadherin expression in HCC tissue microarray specimens was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining,and statistical methods were applied to analyze the correlation between FoxM 1 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT).KaplanMeier analysis of the correlation between the Fox M1 expression level and recurrence or overall survival of HCC patients was performed.The expression of FoxM 1,E-cadherin and snail homologue 1(SNAI1) in HCC cell lines was evaluated by real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction and Western blot.Hepatocyte growth factor(HGF) was used to induce EMT and stimulate cell migration in HCC cells.The expression of Fox M1 and SNAI1 was regulated by transfection with plasmids pc DNA3.1 and si RNAs in vitro.The occurrence of EMT was evaluated by Transwell assay,morphologic analysis and detection of the expression of EMT markers(E-cadherin and vimentin).Luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to evaluate whether SNAI1 is a direct transcriptional target of FoxM 1.RESULTS: FoxM 1 expression was increased significantly in HCC compared with para-carcinoma(10.7 ± 0.9 vs 8.2 ± 0.7,P < 0.05) and normal hepatic(10.7 ± 0.9 vs 2.7 ± 0.4,P < 0.05) tissues.Overexpression of Fox M1 was correlated with HCC tumor size,tumor number,macrovascular invasion and higher TNM stage,but was negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression in microarray specimens and in cell lines.Fox M1 overexpression was correlated significantly with HCC metastasis and EMT.In vitro,we found that FoxM 1 plays a key role in HGF-induced EMT,and overexpression of Fox M1 could suppress E-cadherin expression and induce EMT changes,which were associated with increased HCC cell invasiveness.Next,we confirmed that FOXM1 directly binds to and activates the SNAI1 promoter,and we identified SNAI1 as a direct transcriptional target of FOXM1.Moreover,inhibiting the expression of SNAI1 significantly inhibited FoxM 1-mediated EMT.CONCLUSION: Fox M1 overexpression promotes EMT and metastasis of HCC,and SNAI1 plays a critical role in FoxM 1-mediated EMT.

Proteinase-activated receptor 2 promotes tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by inducing epithelialmesenchymal transition and predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM To clarify the role of proteinase-activated receptor 2(PAR2) in hepatocellular carcinoma, especially in the process of metastasis.METHODS PAR2 expression levels were assessed by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry(IHC) in patient tissues and in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines SMMC-7721 and Hep G2. Cell proliferation and metastasis were assessed both in vitro and in vitro. Immunoblotting was carried out to monitor the levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers.RESULTS The prognosis was significantly poorer in patients with high PAR2 levels than in those with low PAR2 levels. Patients with high PAR2 levels had advanced tumor stage(P = 0.001, chi-square test), larger tumor size(P = 0.032, chi-square test), and high microvascular invasion rate(P = 0.037, chi-square test). The proliferation and metastasis ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells was increased after PAR2 overexpression, while knockdown of PAR2 decreased the proliferation and metastasis ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells. Knockdown of PAR2 also inhibited hepatocellular carcinoma tumor cell growth and liver metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistically, PAR2 increased the proliferation ability of SMMC-7721 and Hep G2 cells via ERK activation. Activated ERK further promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of these cells, which endowed them with enhanced migration and invasion ability. CONCLUSION These data suggest that PAR2 plays an important role in the proliferation and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, targeting PAR2 may present a favorable target for treatment of this malignancy.

Six2 is negatively correlated with prognosis and facilitates epithelial-mesenchymal transition via TGF-β/Smad signal pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Increasing evidence indicates that Six2 contributes to tumorigenesis in various tumor in- cluding hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to determine the role of Six2 in HCC and to elucidate the association of Six2 with clinical pathological characteristics. Methods: The expressions of Six2 in HCC tumor, para-tumor tissue and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) were detected by tissue microarray technique, immunohistochemistry, real-time RT-PCR and West- ern blotting. Chi-square and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used to analyze the correlation between Six2 expression and prognosis of HCC patients. Lentivirus mediated Six2 knockdown, spheroid formation as- say, proliferation assay and subcutaneous tumor implantation were performed to determine the function of Six2. Results: In 274 HCC samples, Six2 was strongly expressed. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that high ex- pression of Six2 was correlated with a shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). More- over, Six2 expression was associated with sex, alpha-fetoprotein, tumor size and portal vein invasion. Six2 was highly expressed in PVTT. Six2 knockdown inhibited HCC cell lines proliferation, migration, and self-renewal in vitro and in vivo. In addition, low-expression of Six2 weakened TGF-β induced Smad4 activation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HCC cell lines. Conclusions: Elevated Six2 expression in HCC tumor patients was associated with negative prognosis. Upregulated Six2 promoted tumor growth and facilitated HCC metastasis via TGF-β/Smad signal pathway.

IL-37b suppresses epithelial mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting IL-6/STAT3 signaling

Background: Interleukin-37 b(IL-37 b), a vital negative regulator of the innate immune system, has been reported to be a tumor inhibitor in different type of cancers. However, little is known about the relationship between IL-37 b and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). The present study aimed to investigate the potential roles of IL-37 b in HCC progression. Methods: Subjects( n = 237) were recruited, and serum IL-37 b was measured using ELISA. The tumorsuppressive capacity and underlying mechanisms of IL-37 b in HCC were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Results: Compared to healthy controls, serum IL-37 b levels were elevated in chronic hepatitis B(CHB) patients but decreased significantly in HBV-HCC patients, especially for those with portal venous tumor thrombus. Low level serum IL-37 b in HBV-HCC patients correlated with high HCC stage and poor overall survival and disease-free survival. In vitro and in vivo, recombinant human IL-37 b inhibited proliferation and metastasis in HCC cells. Furthermore, IL-37 b inhibited epithelial mesenchymal transition in HCC cells in vitro by downregulating IL-6, pSTAT3(Y705), N-cadherin, and vimentin expression and by upregulating E-cadherin expression. These effects were partially reversed by transfection of adenovirus encoding human IL-6. Conclusions: IL-37 b inhibits HCC growth, metastasis and epithelial mesenchymal transition by regulating IL-6/STAT3 signaling. Serum IL-37 b may be a biomarker for HBV-HCC and its staging.

FBW7 increases chemosensitivity in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition

BACKGROUND: FBW7 is a tumor suppressor which regulates a network of proteins with central roles in cell division, cell growth and differentiation. This study aimed to evaluate the role of FBW7in chemosensitivity and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in different hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and to investigate the relevant underlying mechanisms.METHODS: Different human HCC cell lines (Hep3B, Huh-7,and SNU-449) were cultured. The cell viability was evaluated by cell counting kit-8, and FBW7 mRNA transcription and protein expression were quantitated by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Expressions of vimentin (mesenchymal biomarker)and E-cadherin (epithelial biomarker) were evaluated by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. Cell invasion was assayed by Transwell migration, and FBW7 plasmid or siRNA was used to evaluate the effect of FBW7 overexpression or silencing on cell chemosensitivity.RESULTS: FBW7 expression affected tumor cell chemosensitivity to doxorubicin and tumor cell invasive capacity in different HCC cell lines. FBW7hi (high FBW7 expression) Hep3B and FBW7mi (median FBW7 expression) Huh-7 cells were more sensitive to doxorubicin and lower in invasive capacity than FBW7lo (low FBW7 expression) SNU-449 cells. Silencing of FBW7in Huh-7 and Hep3B cells induced the resistance to doxorubicin and enhanced cell invasion, whereas overexpression of FBW7in SNU-449 cells restored the sensitivity to doxorubicin andsignificantly reduced invasive capacity. Furthermore, doxorubicin induced EMT toward mesenchyme in HCC cells. Downregulation of FBW7 in Huh-7 and Hep3B cells or upregulation of FBW7 in SNU-449 cells altered the direction of EMT.CONCLUSIONS: The level of FBW7 expression impacted the tumor resistance to doxorubicin and the invasion capability of HCC cells. FBW7 therefore may be a potential target for the chemotherapy of HCC through the regulation of EMT.

Hyperthermia inhibits hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells

AIM:To investigate the effect of hyperthermia on hy-poxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and its mechanism. METHODS:Cells were treated with hyperthermia at 43 ℃ for 0.5 h, followed by incubation under hypoxic or normoxic conditions for 72 h. Cell morphology was observed. Expressions of E-cadherin and vimentin were determined by immunofluorescence assay or Western blot. The protein and mRNA expressions of Snail were also determined by Western blot and reverse transcrip-tion-polymerase chain reaction. Cell migratory capacity was evaluated. RESULTS:Hypoxia induced EMT in HepG2 cells, which was evidenced by morphological, molecular and func-tional changes, including the formation of a spindle shape and the loss of cell contact. The expression of E-cadherin was decreased but the expression of vimentin was increased; also, the migratory capability was increased by 2.2 ± 0.20-fold as compared with normoxia. However, those effects were inhibited by hyperthermia pretreatment. Furthermore, protein synthesis and mRNA expression of Snail in the cells were enhanced by hy-poxia as compared with normoxia, and also significantly inhibited by hyperthermia pretreatment. CONCLUSION:Hyperthermia may inhibit hypoxia-induced EMT in HepG2 HCC cells, and the mechanism may involve inhibition of induced expression of Snail.

Cullin 4A is associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition and poor prognosis in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma

AIM To explore the functional role of cullin 4A(CUL4A), a core subunit of E3 ubiquitin ligase, in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma(PHCC).METHODS The expression of CUL4 A in PHCC cell lines was evaluated by Western blot and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) was adopted to investigate the relationship between CUL4 A expression and clinicopathological characteristics of PHCC. Univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis were performed to analyze the risk factors related to overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) of PHCC patients. Wound healing, Transwell and Matrigel assays were utilized to explore the function of CUL4 A in PHCC metastasis. Furthermore, expression of epithelial to mesenchymal transition(EMT) markers was verified in cells with CUL4 A knockdown or overexpression. The relationship between CUL4 A expression and E-cadherin expression was also analyzed by IHC assay. Finally, the role of ZEB1 in regulating CUL4 A mediated PHCC was detected by IHC, Western blot, Transwell and Matrigel assays.RESULTS CUL4 A overexpression was detected in PHCC cell lines and clinical specimens. Clinicopathological analysis revealed a close correlation between CUL4 A overexpression and tumour differentiation, T, N and TNM stages in PHCC. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that high CUL4 A expression was correlated with poor OS and PFS of PHCC patients. Univariate analysis identified the following four parameters as risk factors related to OS rate of PHCC: T, N, TNM stages and high CUL4 A expression; as well as three related to PFS: N stage, TNM stage and high CUL4 A expression. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis identified high CUL4 A expression as the only independent prognostic factor for PHCC. Moreover, CUL4 A silencing in PHCC cell lines dramatically inhibited metastasis and the EMT. Conversely, CUL4 A overexpression promoted these processes. Mechanistically, ZEB1 was discovered to regulate the function of CUL4 A in promoting the EMT and metastasis.CONCLUSION CUL4 A is an independent prognostic factor for PHCC, and it can promote the EMT by regulating ZEB1 expression. CUL4 A may be a potential therapeutic target for PHCC.

CYTOGENETIC STUDY ON A NEW EPITHELIAL CELL LINE, HNE-1,DERIVED FROM NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA

The cytogenetics of HNE- 1 cell line derived from the biopsy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma of a 27- year- old Chinese male has been investigated by chromosomal banding technique. A karyotypic characterization of subteraploid and a modal number of 74 - 77 have been revealed in this cell line. All cells contained a series of non- random chromosomal rearrangements. 18 of them, including 5 isochromosomes. were present in all metaphases and 3 of them in a few one. These findings indicated that the severe DNA damage and increase of gene copies may be occurred in genome of HNE- 1 cells.

P16 GENE EXPRESSION IN OVARIAN EPITHELIAL CYSTADENOCARCINOMA

P16 gene expression was measured by immnohistochemical method in poor differentiated serous cystadenocarcinoma cell line, xenograft of highly metastasizing human ovarian carcinoma in nude mice and paramn embedded tissues from 69 patients with ovarian carcinoma. The result showed that P16 gene was positive expression in HO-8910 cell of mother line,HO8910PM cell line and xenograft of highly mcatstasizing human ovarian carcinoma in nude mice. However, P16gene in the metastatic cell had a weaker expression. P16gene positive expression were also found in sl cases of 69cases (73.9%) in the ovarian epithelial carcinoma paramn embedded tissues. Comparative studies showed that the positive rate of P16 gene expression markedly reduced with the increase of pathologic grade and clinical stage,metastasis in the lymph node and decrease of 5-year survival (P<0.05, p<0.01).P16 gene is not only a controller of cytokerastic cycle, but also a key member of tumorigenic suppresser:its absence and expression degree are also correlated with the ovarian carcinoma genesis and development,especially with the metastasis of the ovarian cancer.

SEVEN CASES OF EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CARCINOMA WITH BRAIN METASTASIS

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of brain metastasis in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Metbods Retrospective analysis was conducted in 7 cases of brain metastases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma from January 1986 to March 2007 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital for summarizing therapy results and prognosisaffecting factors. Results Incidence of brain metastases of epithelial ovarian carcinoma was about 0. 66% （7/1 055 ）. Serous adenocarcinoma was the predominant pathological type in 4 cases and the subsequent was adenocarcinoma in 3 cases. All the patients were diagnosed at late stage, 6 cases with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics （HGO） stage Ⅲc and 1 with FIGO stage IV. The mean duration from diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma to brain metastasis was 32.7 ± 20. 0 months （range, 23-73 months）. Single metastasis focus occurred in 43% of cases and multiple metastases in 57% of cases. Fifty-seven percent of patients presented extracranial metastasis. Serum CA125 played a role in monitoring reoccur- rence and brain metastases. The average survival time was about 12 months. Better treatment with prolonged survival could be achieved by combination of operation and chemotherapy or combination of radiotherapy with chemotherapy. Concltusions As a rare condition, brain metastasis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma is rising in incidence with improved treatment of ovarian carcinoma and prolonged survival. However, brain metastasis indicates bad prognosis which can be improved by combined therapy.

Role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic cancer(PC)is the seventh leading cause of cancer death worldwide.The vast majority of patients who have PC develop metastases,resulting in poor treatment effects.Although great progress in therapeutic approaches has been achieved in recent decades,extensive drug resistance still persists,representing a major hurdle to effective anticancer therapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC).Therefore,there is an urgent need to better understand the drug resistance mechanisms and develop novel treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes.Numerous studies suggest that chemoresistance is closely related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of PDAC cells.Thus,this article summarizes the impact of EMT on PDAC from the perspective of chemotherapy resistance and discusses the possible novel applications of EMT inhibition to develop more effective drugs against PDAC.

Correlation between Expression Differences of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in Cholangiocarcinoma Tissue

Background: By studying the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulators in cholangiocarcinoma and intrahepatic duct stones, the correlation between the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition regulators and cholangiocarcinoma was revealed. Objective: The objective is to investigate the correlation between the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EC) regulatory factors and cholangiocarcinoma in patients with intrahepatic duct stones and cholangiocarcinoma, to investigate the relationship between clinicopathological features and prognosis, and to observe the expression of molecular markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in intrahepatic duct stones and bile duct carcinoma. Methods: Twenty cases of primary cholangiocarcinoma, 20 cases of intrahepatic cholangiolithiasis complicated with cholangiocarcinoma, and 20 cases of intrahepatic cholangiolithiasis specimens were collected from the Fourth People’s Hospital and the friendly medical unit of Haikou. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression differences of EMT-related molecular markers Twisit1, Twisit2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin in paraffin sections of normal intrahepatic bile duct tissues and patients with intrahepatic duct stones and cholangiocarcinoma. Results: Immunohistochemical staining revealed epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissue, intrahepatic cholangiolithiasis with cholangiocarcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiolithiasis with normal intrahepatic cholangiolithiasis, such as Sit1, Twisit2, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Vimentin proteins were different. The expression of E-cadherin was decreased in cholangiocarcinoma tissue and intrahepatic cholangiolithiocarcinoma combined with cholangiocarcinoma (P < 0.05), while the expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin was up-regulated (P < 0.05). The expression of Twisit1 and Twisit2 had no difference (P > 0.05). There was no difference in the expression of intrahepatic bile duct stones and EMT (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The expression of E-cadherin, the molecular marker of EMT, was down-regulated, while the expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin was up-regulated. Age, gender, depth of tumor invasion, degree of tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis were correlated with the expression of EMT in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.