MicroRNAs play key roles in tumor metastasis. Here, we describe the regulation and function of miR-218 in gastric cancer (GC) metastasis. miR-218 expression is decreased along with the expression of one of its host genes, Slit3 in metastatic GC. However, Robo1, one of several Slit receptors, is negatively regulated by miR-218, thus establishing a negative feedback loop. Decreased miR-218 levels eliminate Robo1 repression, which activates the Slit-Robo1 pathway through the interaction between Robo1 and Slit2, thus triggering tumor metastasis. The restoration of miR-218 suppresses Robo1 expression and inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our results describe a Slit-miR-218-Robo1 regulatory circuit whose disruption may contribute to GC metastasis. Targeting miR-218 may provide a strategy for blocking tumor metastasis.

These findings suggest that reactivated CD133 positive cells are frequently present in HCC. Additionally, increased CD133 expression corresponds with higher stage tumours in HCC, thus indicating a poor prognosis for patients. These data support the CSC hypothesis.

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the only curative therapy of HCC with underlying cirrhosis, but due to HCC metastasis and recurrence, its benefit is limited to a small population who meet the strict selection criteria. We previously reported that Licartin ([ 131 I]mAb HAb18G/CD147) was safe and effective in treating HCC patients, and its antigen, HAb18G/ CD147, was closely related to HCC invasion and metastasis. Here, we reported a randomized controlled trial to assess the post-OLT antirecurrence efficacy of Licartin in advanced HCC patients. We randomized 60 post-OLT patients with HCC, who were at tumor stage 3/4 and outside the Milan criteria before OLT, into 2 groups. Three weeks after OLT, the treatment group received 15.4 MBq/kg of Licartin, while the control group received placebo intravenously for 3 times with an interval of 28 days. At 1-year follow-up, the recurrence rate significantly decreased by 30.4% (P ‫؍‬ 0.0174) and the survival rate increased by 20.6% (P ‫؍‬ 0.0289) in the treatment group, compared with those in the control group. For the control group versus the treatment group, the hazard ratio for recurrence H epatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer and ranks sixth among cancers as a cause of death worldwide. 1 It is a highly malignant tumor characterized by rapid progression, poor prognosis, and frequent tumor recurrence. It has an annual incidence rate of 564,000 cases, and 55% of those are in China. 2 The mean natural survival time was reported to be only 3-6 months due to the rapid progression of tumor, especially the spread and metastasis. 3,4 Surgery is the preferred treatment, but less than 20% of patients have the chance to be treated surgically Abbreviations: AFP, alpha fetoprotein; CI, confidence interval; DBIL, direct bilirubin; mAb, monoclonal antibody; OLT, orthotopic liver transplantation; TNM, tumor-nodes-metastasis. From the