This study aimed to investigate the correlation of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) taurine-upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) with clinicopathological feature and prognosis, and to explore its effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as the relevant target genes in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). LncRNA TUG1 expression was detected in bone marrow samples from 186 AML patients and 62 controls. Blank mimic, lncRNA TUG1 mimic, blank inhibitor, and lncRNA TUG1 inhibitor lentivirus vectors were transfected in KG-1 cells. Rescue experiment was performed by transfection of lncRNA TUG1 inhibitor and aurora kinase A (AURKA) mimic lentivirus vectors. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, RNA, and protein expressions were determined by CKK-8, annexin V-FITC-propidium iodide, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western blot assays. LncRNA TUG1 expression was higher in AML patients compared to controls and correlated with higher white blood cell counts, monosomal karyotype, FLT3-ITD mutation, poor-risk stratification, and poor prognosis, which independently predicted worse event-free survival and overall survival. In vitro, lncRNA TUG1 expression was higher in AML cell lines (KG-1, MOLM-14, HL-60, NB-4, and THP-1 cells) compared to controls. LncRNA TUG1 mimic promoted cell proliferation and decreased cell apoptosis rate, while lncRNA TUG1 inhibitor repressed cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis rate. Rescue experiment showed that AURKA attenuated the influence of lncRNA TUG1 on AML cell proliferation and apoptosis. In conclusion, lncRNA TUG1 associates with advanced disease and worse prognosis in adult AML patients, and it induces AML cell proliferation and represses cell apoptosis via targeting AURKA.

BackgroundBladder cancer (BC) is the most common cancer of the urinary bladder and upper tract, in which the clinical management is limited. AURKA (aurora kinase A) has been identified as an oncogene in cancer development; however, its potential role and underlying mechanisms in the progression of BC remain unknown.ResultsIn this study, we evaluated Aurora kinase A (AURKA) expression in patient samples by performing gene expression profiling, and found that AURKA expression levels were significantly higher in BC tissues than in normal tissues. Increased AURKA in BC was strongly associated with stage and grade. Moreover, BC patients with elevated AURKA achieved poor overall survival rates. The experiments in vitro comprehensively validated the critical role of AURKA in promoting BC cell proliferation using the methods of gene overexpression and gene silencing. Furthermore, we proved that AURKA inhibitor MLN8237 arrested BC cell growth and induced apoptosis.ConclusionsThese findings implicate AURKA acting as an effective biomarker for BC detection and prognosis, as well as therapeutic target.

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Background We aimed to investigate the correlation of Circ-SMARCA5 with disease severity and prognosis in multiple myeloma (MM), and its underlying mechanisms in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Methods Bone marrow samples from 105 MM patients and 36 healthy controls were collected for Circ-SMARCA5 expression measurement. And the correlation of Circ-SMARCA5 expression with patients’ characteristics and survival was determined. In vitro, the effect of Circ-SMARCA5 on MM cell proliferation and apoptosis was evaluated by altering Circ-SMARCA5 expression through transfection. Rescue experiments and luciferase assay were further performed to explore the mechanism of Circ-SMARCA5 as well as its potential target miR-767-5p in regulating MM cell activity. Results Circ-AMARCA5 was downregulated in MM and presented a good value in distinguishing MM patients from controls and it was also negatively correlated with Beta-2-microglobulin (β2-MG) level and International Staging System (ISS) stage. Additionally, Circ-SMARCA5 high expression was associated with higher CR as well as better PFS and OS. As for in vitro experiments, Circ-SMARCA5 expression was lower in MM cell lines compared with normal cells, and Circ-SMARCA5 overexpression inhibited cell proliferation but promoted cell apoptosis in RPMI8226 cells. Rescue experiments disclosed that the effect of Circ-SMARCA5 on cell activity was attenuated by miR-767-5p, and luciferase reporter assay revealed direct binding between Circ-SMARCA5 and miR-767-5p. Conclusions Circ-SMARCA5 is downregulated and correlated with lower β2-MG level and ISS stage as well as better prognosis in MM patients, and it inhibits proliferation but promotes apoptosis of MM cells via directly sponging miR-767-5p.

Clinical trials have confirmed that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies are revolutionizing approaches for treating several relapsed or refractory hematological tumors. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an adverse event with high incidence during CAR-T treatment. A further understanding of the characteristics and related risk factors of CRS is important for effective management. A total of 142 patients with relapsed or refractory acute lymphocyte leukemia (ALL), lymphoma, or multiple myeloma (MM) received lymphodepletion chemotherapy followed by infusion of CAR-T cells. The characteristics of CRS at different time points after treatment were monitored and risk factors were analyzed. The incidence of CRS for ALL, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma were 82%, 90%, and 90% respectively. Fever was observed on a median of day 3 for ALL, day 1 for lymphoma, and day 8.5 for MM after CAR-T cell infusion, and the duration was different between grade 1–2 CRS and grade 3–5 CRS. Disease types, peak concentration of IL-6, and CRP were associated with CRS. For patients with ALL, numbers of lymphoblast in bone marrow before lymphodepletion, peak concentration of IL-6, and CRP were independent risk factors of CRS. Clinical stage of lymphoma patients and high tumor burden in marrow of MM patients were independent risk factors of CRS. In conclusion, the characteristics and risk factors of CRS in different B-cell hematological tumors are different and should be managed individually during CAR-T cell therapy.