Cancer-associated fibroblasts-derived exosomal miR-3656 promotes the development and progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via the ACAP2/PI3K-AKT signaling pathway

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal tumors, accounting for almost half a million deaths per year. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the major constituent of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and dramatically impact ESCC progression. Recent evidence suggests that exosomes derived from CAFs are able to transmit regulating signals and promote ESCC development. In this study, we compared different the component ratios of miRNAs in exosomes secreted by CAFs in tumors and with those from normal fibroblasts (NFs) in precancerous tissues. The mRNA level of hsa-miR-3656 was significantly upregulated in the former exosomes. Subsequently, by comparing tumor cell development in vitro and in vivo, we found that the proliferation, migration and invasion capabilities of ESCC cells were significantly improved when miR-3656 was present. Further target gene analysis confirmed ACAP2 was a target gene regulated by miR-3656 and exhibited a negative regulatory effect on tumor proliferation. Additionally, the downregulation of ACAP2 triggered by exosomal-derived miR-3656 further promotes the activation of the PI3K/AKT and β-catenin signaling pathways and ultimately improves the growth of ESCC cells both in vitro and in xenograft models. These results may represent a potential therapeutic target for ESCC and provide a new basis for clinical treatment plans.     

LncRNA ZNF667-AS1靶向miR-31-5p对食管癌细胞增殖、迁移和凋亡的机制研究

目的 探究长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)ZNF667-AS1通过靶向miR-31-5p对食管癌细胞增殖和迁移的影响及潜在的机制.方法 采用实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)技术检测ZNF667-AS1在食管癌细胞Eca109、EC1、TE1和正常食管上皮细胞Het-1A的表达水平,并选择表达差异最大的细胞株进行后续实验....     

Sex differences in the proportion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cases attributable to tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption

Objective: Alcohol and tobacco are the two major established environmental factors associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (ESCC). However, the prevalence of these exposures differs substantially between men and women. Moreover, the prevalence of smoking has declined in recent years, whereas per capita consumption of alcohol has remained steady in both sexes. Quantifying the burden of ESCC attributable to these causal factors is necessary to inform potential preventive strategies. Methods: We estimated the population attributable fraction (PAF) of ESCC due to smoking and alcohol, using data from an Australian population based case–control study (305 ESCC cases, 1554 controls). Results: Estimated PAF for ESCC were 49% (95% CI: 38–60) and 32% (95% CI: 25–40) due to smoking and heavy alcohol consumption respectively. More than 75% of the ESCC burden in men could be attributed to smokers with heavy alcohol consumption. The highest burden was among ≥30 pack years smokers who also consumed alcohol heavily (>17 drinks/week); this differed significantly between men (PAF 36%, 95% CI 29–44) and women (PAF 5%, 95% CI 2–10). Among women only, low intakes of fruit and vegetables accounted for about 9% of the ESCC burden. Conclusion: The burden of ESCC attributable to smoking combined with heavy alcohol consumption is remarkably high in men. In women, the burden of ESCC due to these factors is lower, and poor nutrition may also play a role.     

Ultrastructure of esophageal glands and their secretory granules in the root-knot nematodeMeloidogyne incognita

Summary The dorsal and subventral esophageal glands and their secretory granules in the root-knot nematodeMeloidogyne incognita changed during parasitism of plants. The subventral esophageal glands shrank and the dorsal gland enlarged with the onset of parasitism. While secretory granules formed by both types of glands were spherical, membrane-bound, and Golgi derived, the granules differed in morphology and size between the two types of glands. Subventral gland extensions in preparasitic second-stage juveniles were packed with secretory granules which varied in diameter from 700–1,100 nm and had a finely granular matrix. Within the matrix of each subventral gland granule was an electron-transparent core that contained minute spherical vesicles. The size and position of the core varied within different granules. Few granules were present in the dorsal gland extension in preparasitic juveniles. The matrix of dorsal gland secretory granules formed during parasitism was homogeneous and more electron-dense than the matrix of subventral gland granules. Subventral gland secretory granules of parasitic juveniles and adult females appeared degenerate.     

Patient education-level affects treatment allocation and prognosis in esophageal- and gastroesophageal junctional cancer in Sweden

BackgroundLow socioeconomic status and poor education elevate the risk of developing esophageal- and junctional cancer. High education level also increases survival after curative surgery. The present study aimed to investigate associations, if any, between patient education-level and treatment allocation after diagnosis of esophageal- and junctional cancer and its subsequent impact on survival.MethodsA nation-wide cohort study was undertaken. Data from a Swedish national quality register for esophageal cancer (NREV) was linked to the National Cancer Register, National Patient Register, Prescribed Drug Register, Cause of Death Register and educational data from Statistics Sweden. The effect of education level (low; ≤9 years, intermediate; 10–12 years and high >12 years) on the probability of allocation to curative treatment was analyzed with logistic regression. The Kaplan-Meier-method and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the effect of education on survival.ResultsA total of 4112 patients were included. In a multivariate logistic regression model, high education level was associated with greater probability of allocation to curative treatment (adjusted OR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.08–2.03, p = 0,014) as was adherence to a multidisciplinary treatment-conference (adjusted OR: 3.13, 95% CI: 2.40–4.08, p < 0,001). High education level was associated with improved survival in the patients allocated to curative treatment (HR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.69–0.99, p = 0,036).DiscussionIn this nation-wide cohort of esophageal- and junctional cancer patients, including data regarding many confounders, high education level was associated with greater probability of being offered curative treatment and improved survival.     

β‐Carotene Induces Apoptosis in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines via the Cav‐1/AKT/NF‐κB Signaling Pathway

β‐carotene, a type of terpenoid, has many metabolic and physiological functions. In particular, β‐carotene has an antitumor effect. However, the efficacy of β‐carotene against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. In our study, β‐carotene inhibited the growth of ESCC cells and downregulated expression of the Caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) protein. Cav‐1 protein was expressed only in ESCC cells, not in Het‐1A cells. Moreover, β‐carotene triggered apoptosis, induced cell cycle G0?G1 phase arrest, and inhibited cell migration. To explore the mechanism involved in these processes, we further examined the effect of β‐carotene on the Cav‐1‐mediated AKT/NF‐κB pathway. The results showed that the level of AKT and NF‐κB phosphorylation was dramatically inhibited, which led to an increase in the Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio. Correspondingly, the activity of Caspase‐3 was also enhanced. These data suggest that β‐carotene has an antiproliferative role in ESCC cells and may be a promising chemotherapeutic agent for use against ESCC cells.     

内镜与药物治疗肝硬化伴食管静脉曲张破裂出血的疗效比较

目的:比较内镜与药物治疗肝硬化伴食管静脉曲张破裂出血(EVB)的疗效。方法:选择2012年1月-2013年8月我院收治的肝硬化伴EVB患者70例,依据随机数字表法将所有患者分为对照组和观察组,各35例。两组患者入院后均给予纠正贫血、扩充血容量治疗,观察组待患者病情稳定后,在咽部麻醉下行内镜下食管静脉曲张套扎疗法(EVL),对照组患者应用生长抑素3mg+50 m L生理盐水泵入,兰索拉唑40 mg+100 m L生理盐水静脉滴注治疗。比较两种治疗方法的临床总有效率、复发率以及不良反应发生率。结果:观察组治疗总有效率91.43%,显著高于对照组71.43%(P0.05);观察组的出血复发率仅为5.71%,低于对照组的22.86%(P0.05);观察组食管溃疡、发热和胸骨后疼痛发生率均低于对照组,但差异未见统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论:EVL治疗肝硬化伴EVB疗效显著,减少复发率和不良发应发生率,效果优于单纯药物治疗,值得在临床上推广。     

H2-Calponin 在食管鳞癌中的表达及其与食管磷癌预后的关系

目的:探讨H_2-Calponin在食管磷癌组织中的表达及其与食管磷癌患者临床病理特征及预后的相关性。方法:利用免疫组织化学染色技术检测73例食管磷癌及相应癌旁组织中H_2-Calponin的表达情况,并分析其与食管磷癌患者临床病理参数及预后的关系。结果:H_2-calponin在食管磷癌组织中的阳性表达率为95.8%(70/73),显著高于癌旁组织(35.8%,24/67),差异具有统计学意义(p0.0001)。H_2-calponin的表达与食管癌患者的性别、年龄、肿瘤大小、浸润深度及淋巴结转移均无显著相关性,但与AJCC分期显著相关(P0.05)。H_2-calponin的表达水平影响食管癌患者预后及生存期。结论:H_2-Calponin在食管磷癌组织中呈高表达并可预示食管磷癌预后不良。     

FOXP3 在食管癌中表达规律研究

目的:研究FOXP3在食管癌中表达规律。方法:选择2010年1月~2010年10月在我院接受手术治疗的食管鳞癌患者48例,选取所有患者肿瘤组织及正常食管黏膜组织进行免疫组化分析,观察FOXP3在食管癌细胞系Eca-109、正常食管黏膜细胞系Eca-109、人食管癌组织、正常食管黏膜组织的表达,FOXP3在不同年龄、性别、肿瘤分化程度、肿瘤直径、淋巴结转移上的表达。结果:FOXP3在食管癌组织中阳性表达率(85.42%)显著高于正常食管黏膜组织(14.58%),P0.05。FOXP3在正常细胞系表达为阴性,在食管癌细胞系Eca-109中的表达阳性,FOXP3在正常食管黏膜组织中表达阴性,在食管癌组织中表达阳性。在食管癌组织中,FOXP3阳性表达率和食管癌患者的性别、年龄等不同临床病理特征均无关联(P0.05),和T分期、TNM分期、肿瘤直径、淋巴结转移、远处转移等存在关联(P0.05)。结论:食管癌细胞能够表达FOXP3,且其表达水平和食管癌的进展关系密切,可以作为临床诊断及治疗食管癌的重要参考指标。     

奈达铂联合5 氟尿嘧啶对晚期食管癌患者CEA及SCC 水平的影响及其临床疗效

目的:探讨奈达铂联合5-氟尿嘧啶对食管癌晚期患者CEA,SCC及临床疗效的影响。方法:收集我院收治的食管癌晚期患者60例,随机分为对照组和实验组,每组各30例,对照组患者给予顺铂+5-氟尿嘧啶的化疗方案,实验组患者给予奈达铂+5-氟尿嘧啶方案化疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后血清CEA及SCC水平的变化情况、毒副反应发生率以及临床疗效。结果:与治疗前相比,两组患者治疗后CEA及SCC水平均降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组相比,实验组患者治疗后CEA及SCC水平较低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组比较,实验组患者毒副反应发生率较低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组比较,实验组患者治疗有效率较高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:奈达铂联合5氟尿嘧啶能够降低食管癌晚期患者CEA、SCC以及毒副反应发生率,提高治疗效果。