Meiotic nuclear divisions 1 suppresses the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells via regulating H2A.X variant histone

Introduction:Among all malignant tumors of the digestive system,pancreatic carcinoma exhibits the highest mortality rate.Currently,prevention and effective treatment are urgent issues that need to be addressed.Methods:The study focused on meiotic nuclear divisions 1(MND1),integrating data from the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA)database with prognostic survival analysis.Simultaneously,experiments at cellular level were employed to demonstrate the effect of MND1 on the proliferation and migration of PC.The small-molecule inhibitor of MND1 was used to suppress the migration of PC cells by knocking down MND1 using small interfering RNA(siRNA)in Patu-8988 and Panc1 cell lines.Results:The results of Cell Counting Kit-8 indicated that the suppression of MND1 resulted in a decrease in cell proliferation.Wound healing and Transwell assays revealed that MND1 knockdown reduced cell migration and invasion.Flow cytometry revealed that inhibiting MND1 hindered the cell cycle.Furthermore,MND1 could stimulate the proliferation,migration,and invasion of Patu-8988 and Panc1 cells by increasing the expression of MND1.Notably,MND1 had a positive effect on H2AFX expression in PC cells.Elevated MND1 expression suggests the low overall survival rate of individuals diagnosed with PC.Conclusion:These findings suggest that MND1 has the potential to be a gene with the ability to accurately diagnose and treat PC.

Circulating tumor cells as prognostic marker in pancreatic cancer

In this editorial we comment on the article by Zhang et al published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Oncology.Pancreatic cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related mortality and has the lowest survival rate among all solid cancers.It causes 227000 deaths annually worldwide,and the 5-year survival rate is very low due to early metastasis,which is 4.6%.Cancer survival increases with better knowledge of risk factors and early and accurate diagnosis.Circulating tumor cells(CTCs)are tumor cells that intravasate from the primary tumor or metastasis foci into the peripheral blood circulation system spontan-eously or during surgical operations.Detection of CTC in blood is promising for early diagnosis.In addition,studies have associated high CTC levels with a more advanced stage,and more intensive treatments should be considered in cases with high CTC.In tumors that are considered radiologically resectable,it may be of critical importance in detecting occult metastases and preventing unnecessary surgeries.

Verteporfin fluorescence in antineoplastic-treated pancreatic cancer cells found concentrated in mitochondria

BACKGROUND Traditional treatments for pancreatic cancer(PC)are inadequate.Photodynamic therapy(PDT)is non-invasive,and proven safe to kill cancer cells,including PC.However,the mitochondrial concentration of the photosensitizer,such as verteporfin,is key.AIM To investigate the distribution of fluorescence of verteporfin in PC cells treated with antitumor drugs,post-PDT.METHODS Workable survival rates of PC cells(AsPC-1,BxPC-3)were determined with chemotherapy[doxorubicin(DOX)and gemcitabine(GEM)]and non-chemotherapy[sirolimus(SRL)and cetuximab(CTX)]drugs in vitro,with or without verteporfin,as measured via MTT,flow cytometry,and laser confocal microscopy.Reduced cell proliferation was associated with GEM that was more enduring compared with DOX.Confocal laser microscopy allowed observation of GEM-and verteporfin-treated PC cells co-stained with 4’,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole and MitoTracker Green to differentiate living and dead cells and subcellular localization of verteporfin,respectively.RESULTS Cell survival significantly dropped upon exposure to either chemotherapy drug,but not to SRL or CTX.Both cell lines responded similarly to GEM.The intensity of fluorescence was associated with the concentration of verteporfin.Additional experiments using GEM showed that survival rates of the PC cells treated with 10μmol/L verteporfin(but not less)were significantly lower relative to nil verte-porfin.Living and dead stained cells treated with GEM were distinguishable.After GEM treatment,verteporfin was observed primarily in the mitochondria.CONCLUSION Verteporfin was observed in living cells.In GEM-treated human PC cells,verteporfin was particularly prevalent in the mitochondria.This study supports further study of PDT for the treatment of PC after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Thymoquinone affects hypoxia-inducible factor-1αexpression in pancreatic cancer cells via HSP90 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer(PC)is associated with some of the worst prognoses of all major cancers.Thymoquinone(TQ)has a long history in traditional medical practice and is known for its anti-cancer,anti-inflammatory,anti-fibrosis and antioxidant pharmacological activities.Recent studies on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)and PC have shown that HIF-1αaffects the occurrence and development of PC in many aspects.In addition,TQ could inhibit the development of renal cancer by decreasing the expression of HIF-1α.Therefore,we speculate whether TQ affects HIF-1αexpression in PC cells and explore the mechanism.AIM To elucidate the effect of TQ in PC cells and the regulatory mechanism of HIF-1αexpression.METHODS Cell counting kit-8 assay,Transwell assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect the effects of TQ on the proliferative activity,migration and invasion ability and apoptosis of PANC-1 cells and normal pancreatic duct epithelial(hTERTHPNE)cells.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were performed to detect the expression of HIF-1αmRNA and protein in PC cells.The effects of TQ on the HIF-1αprotein initial expression pathway and ubiquitination degradation in PANC-1 cells were examined by western blot assay and co-immunoprecipitation.RESULTS TQ significantly inhibited proliferative activity,migration,and invasion ability and promoted apoptosis of PANC-1 cells;however,no significant effects on hTERT-HPNE cells were observed.TQ significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of HIF-1αin PANC-1,AsPC-1,and BxPC-3 cells.TQ significantly inhibited the expression of the HIF-1αinitial expression pathway(PI3K/AKT/mTOR)related proteins,and promoted the ubiquitination degradation of the HIF-1αprotein in PANC-1 cells.TQ had no effect on the hydroxylation and von Hippel Lindau protein mediated ubiquitination degradation of the HIF-1αprotein but affected the stability of the HIF-1αprotein by inhibiting the interaction between HIF-1αand HSP90,thus promoting its ubiquitination degradation.CONCLUSION The regulatory mechanism of TQ on HIF-1αprotein expression in PC cells was mainly to promote the ubiquitination degradation of the HIF-1αprotein by inhibiting the interaction between HIF-1αand HSP90;Secondly,TQ reduced the initial expression of HIF-1αprotein by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Dietary Green Tea Extract and Antioxidants Improve Insulin Secretory Functions of Pancreatic β-Cells in Mild and Severe Experimental Rodent Model of Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a progressive inflammatory disorder of the pancreas. It is predominantly idiopathic (with an unknown cause) in India and mostly due to alcohol in the West. Diabetes that occur secondary to chronic pancreatitis (T3c Diabetes) is often brittle, and is difficult to attain normoglycemia with conventional treatment requiring multiple doses of insulin. Mild and severe model of CP was induced in mice by repeated intraperitoneal injections of cerulein and L-arginine respectively with an intent to study islet dysfunction and develop therapeutic strategy in animal models of CP. Dietary intervention of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) was tested in both the models of CP for its beneficial effects on insulin secretory functions. Pancreata collected upon euthanasia were used to study alterations in the morphology of pancreatic parenchyma and inflammation by staining with H&E and fibrotic changes by Masson’s trichrome and picrosirius staining. Insulin secretory functions of islets were evaluated to test the efficacy of the dietary intervention on β-cell functions. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed to monitor the glucose homeostasis before and after the dietary intervention. Both the models resulted in CP with dispersed acini, inflammation and fibrosis. The loss of acini and extent of fibrosis was more in L-arginine model. 2-fold improvement in glucose-stimulated insulin secretory functions of islets was observed with 0.5% EGCG dietary intervention in cerulein model of CP and 1.6-fold in L-arginine model of CP. A further improvement in insulin secretion by 3.2-fold was observed with additional dietary supplements like N-acetyl cysteine, curcumin in combination with EGCG. Our results thus demonstrate and highlight the therapeutic potential of dietary green tea (EGCG) supplementation in reversing islet dysfunction and improving glucose homeostasis in experimental chronic pancreatitis in mice.

Primary pancreatic peripheral T-cell lymphoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Primary pancreatic lymphoma(PPL)is an exceedingly rare tumor with limited mention in scientific literature.The clinical manifestations of PPL are often nonspecific,making it challenging to distinguish this disease from other panc-reatic-related diseases.Chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for these individuals.CASE SUMMARY In this case study,we present the clinical details of a 62-year-old woman who initially presented with vomiting,abdominal pain,and dorsal pain.On further evaluation through positron emission tomography-computed tomography,the patient was considered to have a pancreatic head mass.However,subsequent endoscopic ultrasonography-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)revealed that the patient had pancreatic peripheral T-cell lymphoma,not otherwise specified(PTCL-NOS).There was a substantial decrease in the size of the pancreatic mass after the patient underwent a cycle of chemotherapy comprised of brentuximab vedotin,decitabine,and oxaliplatin(brentuximab vedotin and Gemox).The patient had significant improvement in radiological findings at the end of the first cycle.CONCLUSION Primary pancreatic PTCL-NOS is a malignant and heterogeneous lymphoma,in which the clinical manifestations are often nonspecific.It is difficult to diagnose,and the prognosis is poor.Imaging can only be used for auxiliary diagnosis of other diseases.With the help of immunostaining,EUS-FNA could be used to aid in the diagnosis of PPL.After a clear diagnosis,chemotherapy is still the first-line treatment for such patients,and surgical resection is not recommended.A large number of recent studies have shown that the CD30 antibody drug has potential as a therapy for several types of lymphoma.However,identifying new CD30-targeted therapies for different types of lymphoma is urgently needed.In the future,further research on antitumor therapy should be carried out to improve the survival prognosis of such patients.

Programmed cell death 1 inhibitor sintilimab plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Pancreatic adenocarcinoma,a malignancy that arises in the cells of the pancreas,is a devastating disease with unclear etiology and often poor prognosis.Locally advanced pancreatic cancer,a stage where the tumor has grown significantly but has not yet spread to distant organs,presents unique challenges in treatment.This article aims to discuss the current strategies,challenges,and future directions in the management of locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma(LAPC).AIM To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of programmed cell death 1(PD-1)inhibitor sintilimab plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for LAPC.METHODS Eligible patients had LAPC,an Eastern cooperative oncology group performance status of 0 or 1,adequate organ and marrow functions,and no prior anticancer therapy.In the observation group,participants received intravenous sintilimab 200 mg once every 3 wk,and received concurrent chemoradiotherapy(concurrent conventional fractionated radiotherapy with doses planning target volume 50.4 Gy and gross tumor volume 60 Gy in 28 fractions and oral S-140 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 of a 21-d cycle and intravenous gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 of a 21-d cycle for eight cycles until disease progression,death,or unacceptable toxicity).In the control group,participants only received concurrent chemoradiotherapy.From April 2020 to November 2021,64 participants were finally enrolled with 34 in the observation group and 30 in the control group.RESULTS Thirty-four patients completed the scheduled course of chemoradiotherapy,while 32(94.1%)received sintilimab plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy with 2 patients discontinuing sintilimab in the observation group.Thirty patients completed the scheduled course of chemoradiotherapy in the control group.Based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors guidelines,the analysis of the observation group revealed that a partial response was observed in 11 patients(32.4%),stable disease was evident in 19 patients(55.9%),and 4 patients(11.8%)experienced progressive disease;a partial response was observed in 6(20.0%)patients,stable disease in 18(60%),and progressive disease in 6(20%)in the control group.The major toxic effects were leukopenia and nausea.The incidence of severe adverse events(AEs)(grade 3 or 4)was 26.5%(9/34)in the observation group and 23.3%(7/30)in the control group.There were no treatment-related deaths.The observation group demonstrated a significantly longer median overall survival(22.1 mo compared to 15.8 mo)(P<0.05)and progression-free survival(12.2 mo vs 10.1 mo)(P<0.05)in comparison to the control group.The occurrence of severe AEs did not exhibit a statistically significant difference between the observation group and the control group(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Sintilimab plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy was effective and safe for LAPC patients,and warrants further investigation.

The Effect of Tuberculosis Infection on Pancreatic Beta-Cell Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate how individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus’ pancreatic β-cell function index and insulin resistance index are affected by tuberculosis infection. Methods: The study group consisted of 89 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and tuberculosis infection who were admitted to Jingzhou Chest Hospital between March 2019 and March 2021. Gender and duration of diabetes were matching conditions. The control group was made up of 89 patients with type 2 diabetes who were admitted to Jingzhou Central Hospital’s endocrinology department during the same period. The two patient groups provided general information such as gender, age, length of diabetes, and blood biochemical indexes such as glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting glucose (FPG), and fasting C-peptide (FC-P). The HOMA calculator was used to calculate the HOMA-β and the HOMA-IR, and intergroup comparisons and correlation analyses were carried out. Results: Regarding gender, age, disease duration, FC-P, and HbA1c, the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). However, BMI, FPG, HOMA-β, and HOMA-IR showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). In comparison to the control group, the study group’s HOMA-β was lower and its HOMA-IR was greater. According to Spearman’s correlation analysis, HOMA-β had a negative association (P th FPG, HbA1c, and the length of the disease, and a positive correlation with BMI and FC-P. A positive correlation was found between HOMA-IR and BMI, FPG, and FC-P (P < 0.01), as well as a correlation with the length of the disease (P > 0.05) and HbA1c. Conclusions: In type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with tuberculosis infection, the patients had higher FPG levels and lower FC-P levels, the secretory function of pancreatic β-cells was more severely impaired, and insulin resistance was more obvious.

Erlotinib combination with a mitochondria-targeted ubiquinone effectively suppresses pancreatic cancer cell survival

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.Increased activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR)is often observed in pancreatic cancer,and the small molecule EGFR inhibitor erlotinib has been approved for pancreatic cancer therapy by the food and drug administration.Nevertheless,erlotinib alone is ineffective and should be combined with other drugs to improve therapeutic outcomes.We previously showed that certain receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors can increase mitochondrial membrane potential(Δψm),facilitate tumor cell uptake ofΔψm-sensitive agents,disrupt mitochondrial homeostasis,and subsequently trigger tumor cell death.Erlotinib has not been tested for this effect.AIM To determine whether erlotinib can elevateΔψm and increase tumor cell uptake ofΔψm-sensitive agents,subsequently triggering tumor cell death.METHODSΔψm-sensitive fluorescent dye was used to determine how erlotinib affectsΔψm in pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PDAC)cell lines.The viability of conventional and patient-derived primary PDAC cell lines in 2D-and 3D cultures was measured after treating cells sequentially with erlotinib and mitochondria-targeted ubiquinone(MitoQ),aΔψm-sensitive MitoQ.The synergy between erlotinib and MitoQ was then analyzed using SynergyFinder 2.0.The preclinical efficacy of the twodrug combination was determined using immune-compromised nude mice bearing PDAC cell line xenografts.RESULTS Erlotinib elevatedΔψm in PDAC cells,facilitating tumor cell uptake and mitochondrial enrichment ofΔψm-sensitive agents.MitoQ triggered caspase-dependent apoptosis in PDAC cells in culture if used at high doses,while erlotinib pretreatment potentiated low doses of MitoQ.SynergyFinder suggested that these drugs synergistically induced tumor cell lethality.Consistent with in vitro data,erlotinib and MitoQ combination suppressed human PDAC cell line xenografts in mice more effectively than single treatments of each agent.CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that a combination of erlotinib and MitoQ has the potential to suppress pancreatic tumor cell viability effectively.

Upregulation of α-ENaC induces pancreatic β-cell dysfunction,ER stress,and SIRT2 degradation

Islet beta cells(β-cells)produce insulin in response to high blood glucose levels,which is essential for preserving glucose homeostasis.Voltage-gated ion channels inβ-cells,including Na+,K+,and Ca2+channels,aid in the release of insulin.The epithelial sodium channel alpha subunit(α-ENaC),a voltage-independent sodium ion channel,is also expressed in human pancreatic endocrine cells.However,there is no reported study on the function of ENaC in theβ-cells.In the current study,we found thatα-ENaC was expressed in human pancreatic glandule and pancreatic isletβ-cells.In the pancreas of db/db mice and high-fat diet-induced mice,and in mouse isletβ-cells(MIN6 cells)treated with palmitate,α-ENaC expression was increased.Whenα-ENaC was overexpressed in MIN6 cells,insulin content and glucose-induced insulin secretion were significantly reduced.On the other hand,palmitate injured isletβ-cells and suppressed insulin synthesis and secretion,but increasedα-ENaC expression in MIN6 cells.However,α-ENaC knockout(Scnn1a−/−)in MIN6 cells attenuatedβ-cell disorder induced by palmitate.Furthermore,α-ENaC regulated the ubiquitylation and degradation of sirtuin 2 inβ-cells.α-ENaC also modulatedβ-cell function in correlation with the inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha/X-box binding protein 1(IRE1α/XBP1)and protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase/C/EBP homologous protein(PERK/CHOP)endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways.These results suggest thatα-ENaC may play a novel role in insulin synthesis and secretion in theβ-cells,and the upregulation ofα-ENaC promotes isletβ-cell dysfunction.In conclusion,α-ENaC may be a key regulator involved in isletβ-cell damage and a potential therapeutic target for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Shedding light on pancreatic metastasis of clear cell sarcoma:An exceptional journey

This editorial comments on the study by Liu et al investigating pancreatic metastasis of clear cell sarcoma(CCS)published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases.CCS is a rare and aggressive melanocytic tumor,that typically arises from tendons and aponeuroses of the limbs,and metastasizes to the lungs,bones,and brain.However,pancreatic metastasis has rarely been reported,presenting unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.Elucidating the clinical characteristics,imaging features,prognostic factors,and treatment outcomes of patients with pancreatic CCS metastasis is crucial.Surgery remains an effective management strategy for CCS.However,the high recurrence rate and low effectiveness of traditional adjuvant treatments necessitate a shift towards more personalized and targeted treatment plans.Research is needed to investigate and validate novel therapeutic approaches specifically tailored to the distinct genetic and molecular characteristics of rare malignancies like CCS.Additionally,the development of late metastases after a long disease-free interval is common in CCS patients.Therefore,routine postoperative surveillance for metastasis using computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,bone scans,and positron emission tomography scans is crucial.Moving forward,enhanced collaboration,investigation,and creative thinking among scientists,medical professionals,and legislators are essential to gain a deeper understanding of these rare presentations.

T cells in pancreatic cancer stroma:Tryptophan metabolism plays an important role in immunoregulation

Several studies have shown that the immune system is highly regulated by tryptophan metabolism,which serves as an immunomodulatory factor.The indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1(IDO1),as an intracellular enzyme that participates in metabolism of the essential amino acid tryptophan in the kynurenine pathway,is an independent prognostic marker for pancreatic cancer(PC).First,overexpression of IDO1 inhibits the maturation of dendritic cells and T-cell proliferation in the liver and spleen.Second,the high expression of kynurenine induces and activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor,resulting in upregulated programmed cell death protein 1 expression.Third,the induction of IDO1 can lead to loss of the T helper 17 cell/regulatory T cell balance,mediated by the proximal tryptophan catabolite from IDO metabolism.In our study,we found that overexpression of IDO1 upregulated CD8+T cells and reduced natural killer T cells in pancreatic carcinoma in mice.Hence,it may be essential to pay more attention to tryptophan metabolism in patients,especially those who are tolerant to immunotherapy for PC.

Columbianetin acetate inhibits the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer cells by down-regulating the expression of Meiotic nuclear divisions 1

Columbianetin acetate(CE)is one of the effective components of Angelica pubescens.So far,the specific role and molecular mechanism of CE in pancreatic cancer are not clear.Thus,this study aimed to explore the specific mechanism of CE on pancreatic cancer.The target genes combined with CE were predicted through the PharmMapper database and the 3D molecular structure of CE.Then,the Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Cistrome data browser(DB)databases were used to screen Meiotic nuclear divisions 1(MND1)-related genes,transcription factors,and transcription factor data sets,and the intersection of the above data sets.The“limma”package in the R and gene expression profiling interactive analysis(GEPIA)databases were used to analyze the correlation and survival difference between the target genes and MND1 to predict the degree of association between CE and MND1.Western blotting and RT-PCR experiments revealed the regulatory relationship among CE,E2F1,and MND1 at the cellular level.The specific effects of CE on pancreatic cancer cells were explored through CCK8,wound healing,migration,and flow cycle experiments.E2F1,also the predictive transcription factor of MND1,was also the predictive target protein of CE.At the same time,E2F1 and MND1 were closely related in pancreatic tissue.In the cell function experiment,CE and interference with E2F1 expression could reduce the gene and protein expression of MND1,which was closely associated with cell proliferation,migration,and cycle development.Similarly,interfering with the expression of mnd1 can also inhibit the further development of tumor cells.CE may inhibit the development of pancreatic cancer cells by reducing the expression of MND1.This implies that CE may be a potential novel agent for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Circulating tumor cells as potential prognostic biomarkers for earlystage pancreatic cancer:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Pancreatic cancer is difficult to be diagnosed early clinically,while often leads to poor prognosis.If optimal personalized treatment plan can be provided to pancreatic cancer patient at an earlier stage,this can greatly improve overall survival(OS).Circulating tumor cells(CTCs)are a collective term for various types of tumor cells present in the peripheral blood(PB),which are formed by detachment during the development of solid tumor lesions.Most CTCs undergo apoptosis or are phagocytosed after entering the PB,whereas a few can escape and anchor at distal sites to develop metastasis,increasing the risk of death for patients with malignant tumors.AIM To investigate the significance of CTCs in predicting the prognosis of early pancreatic cancer patients.METHODS The PubMed,EMBASE,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,China National Knowledge Infrastructure,China Biology Medicine,and ChinaInfo databases were searched for articles published through December 2022.Studies were considered qualified if they included patients with early pancreatic cancer,analyzed the prognostic value of CTCs,and were full papers reported in English or Chinese.Researches were selected and assessed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale criteria.We used a funnel plot to assess publication bias.RESULTS From 1595 publications,we identified eight eligible studies that collectively enrolled 355 patients with pancreatic cancer.Among these original studies,two were carried out in China;three in the United States;and one each in Italy,Spain,and Norway.All eight studies analyzed the relevance between CTCs and the prognosis of patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer after surgery.A meta-analysis showed that the patients that were positive pre-treatment or post-treatment for CTCs were associated with decreased OS[hazard ratio(HR)=1.93,95% confidence interval(CI):1.197-3.126,P=0.007]and decreased relapse-free/disease-free/progressionfree survival(HR=1.27,95%CI:1.137-1.419,P<0.001)in early-stage pancreatic cancer.Additionally,the results suggest no statistically noticeable publication bias for overall,disease-free,progression-free,and recurrence-free survival.CONCLUSION This pooled meta-analysis shows that CTCs,as biomarkers,can afford reliable prognostic information for patients with early-stage pancreatic cancer and help develop individualized treatment plans.

Clinical implications and perspectives of portal venous circulating tumor cells in pancreatic cancer

Despite recent improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer(PC),clinical outcomes remain dismal.Moreover,there are no effective prognostic or predictive biomarkers or options beyond carbohydrate antigen 19-9 for personalized and precise treatment.Circulating tumor cells(CTCs),as a member of the liquid biopsy family,could be a promising biomarker;however,the rarity of CTCs in peripheral venous blood limits their clinical use.Because the first venous drainage of PC is portal circulation,the portal vein can be a more suitable location for the detection of CTCs.Endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal venous sampling of CTCs is both feasible and safe.Several studies have suggested that the detection rate and number of CTCs may be higher in the portal blood than in the peripheral blood.CTC counts in the portal blood are highly associated with hepatic metastasis,recurrence after surgery,and survival.The phenotypic and genotypic properties measured in the captured portal CTCs can help us to understand tumor heterogeneity and predict the prognosis of PC.Small sample sizes and heterogeneous CTC detection methods limit the studies to date.Therefore,a large number of prospective studies are needed to corroborate portal CTCs as a valid biomarker in PC.

Apolipoprotein E2 inhibits mitochondrial apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells through ERK1/2/CREB/BCL-2 signaling

Background: Apolipoprotein E2(ApoE2) is a pleiotropic protein that influences several aspects of cancer metabolism and development. Evading apoptosis is a vital factor for facilitating cancer cell growth. However, the role and mechanism of ApoE2 in regulating cell apoptosis of pancreatic cancer remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we firstly detected the m RNA and protein expressions of ApoE2 in PANC-1 and Capan-2 cells by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. We then performed TUNEL and flow cytometric analyses to explore the role of recombinant human ApoE2, p CMV6-ApoE2 and si ApoE2 in the apoptosis of PANC-1 and Capan-2 cells. Furthermore, we investigated the molecular mechanism through which ApoE2 affected apoptosis in PANC-1 cells using immunofluorescence, immunoprecipitation, Western blotting and co-immunoprecipitation analysis. Results: ApoE2 phosphorylated ERK1/2 and inhibited pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis. In addition, our data showed that ApoE2/ERK1/2 altered the expression and mitochondrial localization of BCL-2 via activating CREB. ApoE2/ERK1/2/CREB also increased the total BCL-2/BAX ratio, inhibited the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore and the depolarization of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, blocked the leakage of cytochrome-c and the formation of the apoptosome, and consequently, suppressed mitochondrial apoptosis. Conclusions: ApoE2 regulates the mitochondrial localization and expression of BCL-2 through the activation of the ERK1/2/CREB signaling cascade to evade the mitochondrial apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells. ApoE2 may be a distinct prognostic marker and a potential therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer.

The effect of miR-129-5p in pancreatic cancer cells on apoptosis through targeted of HMGB1

Objective:To investigate the role of miR-129-5p in regulating HMGB1 expression in pancreatic cancer cell apoptosis.Methods:The untreated pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells were used as the control group.Mimics-NC(empty vector),miR-129-5p mimics,inhibitor-NC(empty vector)and miR-129-5p inhibitor were transfected into SW1990 cells by liposome transfection method as the mimics-NC group,miR-129-5p overexpression group(miR-129-5p mimics group),inhibitor-NC group and miR-129-5p low expression group(miR-129-5p inhibitor group).The binding site of miR-129-5p and HMGB1 was predicted by online target gene prediction website Target genes,and the targeting relationship between miR-129-5p and HMGB1 was verified by dual luciferase gene report experiment.The expression of miR-129-5p in each group was detected by qRT-PCR,and the expression of HMGB1 protein and apoptosis-related proteins Caspase 3 and Bcl-2 by Western blot.Hoechst staining was used to observe the changes of apoptosis.Results:Compared with the mimics-NC group and control group,miR-129-5p mimics transfection significantly up-regulated miR-129-5p level(P<0.01),inhibited HMGB1(P<0.01)and Bcl-2(P<0.05)protein expression,pro-moted Caspase 3 protein expression(P<0.05),and promoted apoptosis;compared with the inhibitor-NC group and control group,miR-129-5p inhibitor transfection significantly down-regulated miR-129-5p level(P<0.05),promoted HMGB1 and Bcl-2 protein expression(all P<0.05),inhibited Caspase 3protein expression(P<0.01),and inhibited apoptosis.The results of dual luciferase reporter gene assay showed that miR-129-5p could inhibit the fluorescence activity of wildtype HMGB1 cells and target the expression of HMGB1.Conclusion:miR-129-5p promotes the apoptosis of pancreatic cancer SW1990 cells by targeting inhibition of HMGB1 expression.

Efficacy of Bee Products(Anzer Honey,Pollen and Propolis)in Detection and Healing of Damage Induced by Antidiabetic Drug Vildagliptin/Metformin Hydrochloride in Healthy Human Pancreatic Cells:Cytotoxic,Genotoxic and Biochemical Studies

Background and Objective Although drugs are powerful therapeutic agents,they have a range of side effects.These side effects are sometimes cellular and not clinically noticeable.Vildagliptin/metformin hydrochloride is one of the most widely used oral antidiabetic drugs with two active ingredients.In this study,we investigated its harmful effects on the metabolic activation system in healthy human pancreatic cells“hTERT-HPNE”,and we aimed to improve these harmful effects by natural products.To benefit from the healing effect,we used the unique natural products produced by the bees of the Anzer Plateau in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey.Methods Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of the drug were investigated by different tests,such as MTT,flow cytometry-apoptosis and comet assays.Anzer honey,pollen and propolis were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(G/C-MS).A total of 19 compounds were detected,constituting 99.9%of the samples.Results The decrease in cell viability at all drug concentrations was statistically significant compared to the negative control(P<0.05).A statistically significant decrease was detected in the apoptosis caused by vildagliptin/metformin hydrochloride with the supplementation of Anzer honey,pollen and propolis in hTERT-HPNE cells(P<0.05).Conclusion This study can contribute to other studies testing the healing properties of natural products against the side effects of oral antidiabetics in human cells.In particular,Anzer honey,pollen and propolis can be used as additional foods to maintain cell viability and improve heal damage and can be evaluated against side effects in other drug studies.

High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed based on changes in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography findings:A case report

BACKGROUND High-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia(PanIN)exhibits no mass and is not detected by any examination modalities.However,it can be diagnosed by pancreatic juice cytology from indirect findings.Most previous cases were diagnosed based on findings of a focal stricture of the main pancreatic duct(MPD)and caudal MPD dilatation and subsequent pancreatic juice cytology using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP).We experienced a case of high-grade PanIN with an unclear MPD over a 20-mm range,but without caudal MPD dilatation on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography(MRCP).CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old female patient underwent computed tomography for a follow-up of uterine cancer post-excision,which revealed pancreatic cysts.MRCP revealed an unclear MPD of the pancreatic body at a 20-mm length without caudal MPD dilatation.Thus,course observation was performed.After 24 mo,MRCP revealed an increased caudal MPD caliber and a larger pancreatic cyst.We performed ERCP and detected atypical cells suspected of adenocarcinoma by serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytology examination.We performed a distal pancreatectomy and obtained a histopathological diagnosis of high-grade PanIN.Pancreatic parenchyma invasion was not observed,and curative resection was achieved.CONCLUSION High-grade Pan-IN may cause MPD narrowing in a long range without caudal MPD dilatation.

Endoscopic intramural cystogastrostomy for treatment of peripancreatic fluid collection: A viewpoint from a surgeon

Percutaneous or endoscopic drainage is the initial choice for the treatment of peripancreatic fluid collection in symptomatic patients.Endoscopic transgastric fenestration(ETGF)was first reported for the management of pancreatic pseu-docysts of 20 patients in 2008.From a surgeon’s viewpoint,ETGF is a similar procedure to cystogastrostomy in that they both produce a wide outlet orifice for the drainage of fluid and necrotic debris.ETGF can be performed at least 4 wk after the initial onset of acute pancreatitis and it has a high priority over the surgical approach.However,the surgical approach usually has a better success rate because surgical cystogastrostomy has a wider outlet(>6 cm vs 2 cm)than ETGF.However,percutaneous or endoscopic drainage,ETGF,and surgical approach offer various treatment options for peripancreatic fluid collection patients based on their conditions.