Effect of radiotherapy on tumor markers and serum immune-associated cells in patients with esophageal cancer

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effect of radiotherapy on serum immune-associated cells and tumor markers in patients with esophageal cancer.Methods A total of 87 patients with esophageal cancer admitted to our hospital between October 2016 and July 2020 were selected as the observation group,and all patients received radiotherapy.A total of 87 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination at our hospital during the same period were selected as the control group in order to compare the changes in serum immune-associated cells and tumor markers between the two groups.Results The levels of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA),cancer antigen(CA)125,CA72-4,C-terminus of cytokeratin(CYFRA)21-1,and squamous cell carcinoma(SCC)antigen in the observation group before radiotherapy were higher than those in the control group,and the differences were significant(P<0.05).The levels of CEA,CA125,CA72-4,CYFRA21-1,and SCC antigen in the research group after radiotherapy were significantly lower than those before radiotherapy,but were still significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The levels of CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+,and natural killer cells in the research group before and after radiotherapy were significantly lower,while the levels of Treg and CD8+cells were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The levels of CD3+,CD4+,and CD4+/CD8+cells in the observation group after radiotherapy were lower,while the levels of CD8+cells were significantly higher than those before radiotherapy(P<0.05).Conclusion Radiotherapy can effectively reduce the level of serum tumor markers in patients with esophageal cancer;these antigens and cells can be used as tumor markers of esophageal cancer in order to determine its prognosis.However,radiotherapy has adverse effects on the immune function of the body.The reasons behind this need to be further studied and analyzed.

Expression Profile of Immune-Associated Genes in the Kidney of Cultured Large Yellow Croaker Larimichthys crocea in the East China Sea Area

To explore the effect of environment conditions on immune activity of fish, eight immune-associated genes responsible for innate immunity were selected from the Gen Bank, i.e. Pgrn-a, Ifit2, P-hepcidin, Lect2, β2m, Irf1, Il25 and Hsp96, and the m RNA expressions of them in the kidney of cultured large yellow croaker Larimichthys crocea in different sea areas in the East China Sea were examined with q PCR techniques. In the contrasts of immune-associated gene expression between areas and populations, significant differences were found, expression levels of these immune-associated genes were lower in the clear water area than in the poor water quantity area, and lower in May than in October. MY was more sensitive to environmental factors than DQ, which was coincident with the water quality in the culturing areas. Differential analyses of the expression levels of these immune-associated genes showed that significant up-regulation could be triggered by poor environmental factors. The expression patterns indicated that the expression levels of these genes were sensitive to ecological changes, thereby the immune-associated genes, especially Pgrn-a, Ifit2, β2m, Il25 and Hsp96, might serve as immediate and sensitive indicators of population immunologic vigor and ecosystem health. But the expression of immunity-associated genes at the level of gene transcription is highly influenced by multiple factors, and the exact causes or influencing factors of the up-regulation or down-regulation of these genes still need further thorough investigation.

Diagnostic and classification value of immune-related lncRNAs in dilated cardiomyopathy

Background:Various physiological mechanisms are linked to dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM)development,including oxidative stress,immune irregularities,inflammation,fibrosis,and genetic changes.However,precise molecular drivers of DCM,especially regarding abnormal immune responses,remain unclear.This study investigates immune-related long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs)in DCM’s diagnostic and therapeutic potential.Methods:GSE141910,GSE135055,and GSE165303 datasets were acquired from the GEO database.LASSO,SVM-RFE,and random forest algorithms identified DCM-associated immune-related lncRNAs.Diagnostic capabilities were assessed by Nomogram and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Multivariate linear regression explored lncRNA correlations with ejection fraction.Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis(ssGSEA)gauged immune cell infiltration/functions.Functional enrichment analyses were performed using Gene set variation analysis(GSVA),gene ontology(GO),and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG).Consensus clustering categorized DCM cases.Results:Ten immune-related lncRNAs emerged:C10orf71-AS1,FHAD1-AS1,SCIRT,FNDC1-AS1,MELTFAS1,LOC101928834,GDNF-AS1,DCXR-DT,C3orf36,and LOC107985323.These lncRNAs,tied to immunomodulation,showed promising DCM diagnostic accuracy.Adjusted for confounders,they independently correlated with ejection fraction.Using lncRNA expression,DCM patients were grouped into subtypes.Subtype C1 displayed a higher level of immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression compared to subtype C2,emphasizing the variations in the immune microenvironment.Conclusion:This study identifies ten immune-related lncRNAs for further exploration in DCM diagnosis and subtyping.Based on expression patterns,we propose two potential DCM subtypes.Notably,findings are preliminary and hypothesis-generating,demanding validation and further investigation.This research provides insights into DCM diagnosis and classification.

Efficacy of artificial liver support system in severe immuneassociated hepatitis caused by camrelizumab:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)can lead to immune-related hepatitis(IRH)and severe liver damage,which is life-threatening in the absence of specific treatment.CASE SUMMARY A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital complaining of loss of appetite,yellow urine,and abnormal liver function for the past 2 wk.Three months prior to admission,he was treated with two rounds of capecitabine in combination with camrelizumab for lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer.Although liver function was normal before treatment,abnormal liver function appeared at week 5.Capecitabine and camrelizumab were discontinued.Ursodeoxycholic acid and methylprednisolone 40 mg daily were administered.Liver function continued to deteriorate.Prothrombin time and international normalized ratio were 19 s and 1.8,respectively.The patient was diagnosed with acute liver failure.A pathological analysis of liver biopsy indicated a strongly positive immunohistochemical staining of T8+cells,thereby suggesting that drug-induced liver injury was related to IRH caused by camrelizumab.Subsequently,we performed sequential dual-molecule plasma adsorption system(DPMAS)treatment with plasma exchange(PE).After two rounds of treatment,the patient's appetite significantly improved,the yellow color of urine reduced,and liver function improved(total bilirubin level decreased)after five rounds of treatment.Liver function normalized 4 wk after discharge.CONCLUSION The use of sequential DPMAS with PE can reduce liver injury and systemic toxic reactions by clearing inflammatory mediators and harmful substances from blood,and regulate immune cell activity,which may be effective in the treatment of severe ICI-induced IRH.