BackgroudAccumulating evidences indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs), a class of non-coding RNAs, play important roles in tumorigenesis. However, the function of circRNAs in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is largely unknown.MethodsWe performed circRNA microarrays to identify circRNAs that are aberrantly expressed in HCC tissues. Expression levels of a significantly upregulated circRNA, circFBLIM1, was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in HCC cell lines and tissues. Then, we examined the functions of circFBLIM1 in HCC by cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and mouse xenograft assay. In addition, luciferase assay and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay were used to explore the miRNA sponge function of circFBLIM1 in HCC.ResultsMicroarray analysis and qRT-PCR verified a circRNA termed circFBLIM1 that was upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of circFBLIM1 inhibited proliferation, invasion and promoted apoptosis in HCC. Via luciferase reporter assays, circFBLIM1 and FBLIM1 were observed to directly bind to miR-346. Subsequent experiments showed that circFBLIM1 and FBLIM1 regulated the expression of each other by sponging miR-346.ConclusionsTaken together, we conclude that circFBLIM1 may function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to regulate FBLIM1 expression through sponging miR-346 to exert regulatory functions in HCC. circFBLIM1 may be a diagnostic biomarker and potential target for HCC therapy.

Background: Thyroid cancer is an endocrine malignancy that is growing in incidence worldwide. Despite progress in diagnostics and treatment of thyroid cancer, prognosis remains poor. Emerging research has shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) have crucial regulatory roles in cancers. However, the possible functions and mechanisms of hsa_ circ_0011385 remain undetermined. Materials and methods: Expression levels of hsa_circ_0011385 and miR-361-3p were evaluated by qRT-PCR assay. The interaction between hsa_circ_0011385 and miR-361-3p was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Effects of hsa_circ_0011385 or miR-361-3p on cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration and invasion were confirmed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), carboxyfluoresceinsuccinimidyl ester (CFSE), flow cytometry, and Transwell assays in vitro. The effect of hsa_circ_0011385 on thyroid cancer progression was also determined by in vivo tumor formation assay. Target genes of miR-361-3p were predicted by gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and the expression of apoptosis-and metastasis-related proteins were assessed by Western blot assay. Results: Hsa_circ_0011385 upregulated in thyroid cancer; hsa_circ_0011385 knockdown inhibited thyroid cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, hsa_circ_0011385 could negatively regulate miR-361-3p by functioning as a sponge. Hsa_circ_0011385 promoted thyroid cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion and suppressed cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by targeting miR-361-3p in vitro. We also found that hsa_circ_0011385 knockdown dramatically inhibited thyroid cancer growth in vivo. Furthermore, hsa_circ_0011385 regulated expression of apoptosis and metastasis-related proteins in thyroid cancer. Conclusions: Hsa_circ_0011385facilitated thyroid cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and inhibited thyroid cancer cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by targeting miR-361-3p, suggesting that the hsa_circ_0011385/miR-361-3p axis might be a promising therapeutic target for thyroid cancer.

Background: The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) functions as a regulator of initiation, progression, and metastasis of thyroid carcinomas. lncRNA OTUD6B antisense RNA 1 (OTUD6B-AS1) is a tumor-suppressive noncoding RNA in clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The role of OTUD6B-AS1 in thyroid carcinomas has not been reported yet. We aim to investigate the expression and biological functions of OTUD6B-AS1 in thyroid carcinomas. Methods:The expression level of OTUD6B-AS1 was measured in 60 paired human thyroid carcinoma tissues and corresponding adjacent normal thyroid tissues. The correlations between the OTUD6B-AS1 expression levels and clinicopathological features were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney test. The effects of OTUD6B-AS1 on thyroid carcinoma cells were determined via the MTT and transwell assays. The potential targets of OTUD6B-AS1 were screened using the online programs OncomiR and StarBase 3.0, and the LncBase Predicted v.2. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the interactions between OTUD6B-AS1 and its potential targets.Results: OTUD6B-AS1 was downregulated in thyroid carcinoma tissue samples. The expression of OTUD6B-AS1 correlated with tumor size, clinical stage, and lymphatic metastasis of thyroid carcinoma. Overexpression of OTUD6B-AS1 significantly decreased the viability, migration, and invasion of thyroid carcinoma cells. Online programs predicted miR-183-5p and miR-21 as potential targets of OTUD6B-AS1. Luciferase reporter assays showed miR-183-5p and miR-21 bound to OTUD6B-AS1. Moreover, overexpression of miR-183-5p and miR-21 compromised the inhibitory effects of OTUD6B-AS1 on viability, migration, and invasion of thyroid carcinoma cells.Conclusions: Taken together, our findings present in vitro evidence of lncRNA OTUD6B-AS1 as a tumor suppressor in thyroid carcinomas. OTUD6B-AS1 inhibits viability, migration, and invasion of thyroid carcinoma by targeting miR-183-5p and miR-21.

Background: Currently, no randomized controlled trial has been performed to investigate the safety profiles, economic benefit and mental health of ambulatory thyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: Patients diagnosed with PTC were enrolled in this study and were randomly assigned to ambulatory group and control group. The safety profiles, economic benefit and mental health were investigated. Results: Four hundred and eleven patients completed the study. There was no significant difference in demographic or tumor index. The incidence of complications was not significantly different (P = .631). The economic cost was significantly lower (P < .001) and hospitalization was significantly shorter (P < .001) in ambulatory group. No significant difference was shown in depression (P = .758) and stress disorder (P = .390). However, the ambulatory group showed a higher point of anxiety (P < .001). Conclusion: The ambulatory thyroidectomy is safe in patients with PTC, with significant benefits of economic cost and hospitalization.

Thyroid cancer (TC) has the highest incidence among endocrine malignancies. Thus, it is essential to achieve a deep understanding of various mechanisms of development and progression of TC. circRNAs are recognized by multiple studies as being dysregulated in TC. Accumulating evidences have revealed that circRNAs serve as regulatory molecules involved in various biological processes in TC, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion/migration, metabolism, and chemoresistance. Furthermore, circRNA can also serve as an effective tool in TC researches of diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments. Thus, this review is to outline the characteristics of circRNAs, generalize their categories and functions, and highlight the expression of circRNAs in TC. Meanwhile, we are expecting to achieve a comprehensive understanding of new therapies based on circRNAs in treating or preventing TC.