The role of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene promoter mutations in the aggressiveness of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains to be further investigated. Here we examined the relationship of TERT promoter mutations and BRAF V600E with the clinicopathological features of PTC in 653 patients. Sanger sequencing of genomic DNA from primary PTC tumors was performed for mutation detection and genotype-clinicopathological correlation of the tumor was analyzed. BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations were found in 63.7% (416 of 653) and 4.1% (27 of 653) of patients, respectively; the latter became 9.8% when only tumors ≥ 1.5 cm were analyzed. TERT promoter mutations occurred more frequently in BRAF mutation-positive cases compared to wild-type cases, being 5.3% in the former versus 2.1% in the latter (P = 0.050). BRAF and TERT promoter mutations were each significantly associated with high-risk clinicopathological features of PTC, such as old patient age, large tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, capsular invasion, and advanced disease stages. Coexistence of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations was particularly associated with high-risk clinicopathological features, as exemplified by extrathyroidal invasion seen in 54.5% (12/22) of patients harboring both mutations versus 9.9% (23/232) of patients harboring neither mutation (P < 0.001). Thus, this study, the largest on TERT mutation so far, demonstrates a significant role of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations in the aggressiveness of PTC, which is particularly robust and cooperative when the two mutations coexist. These results, together with previous studies, establish a significant role of these mutations in the aggressiveness of PTC.

BackgroundHuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2)-enriched subtype breast cancer is associated with a more aggressive phenotype and shorter survival time. Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have essential roles in tumorigenesis and occupy a central place in cancer progression. Notably, few studies have focused on the dysregulation of LncRNAs in the HER-2-enriched subtype breast cancer. In this study, we analyzed the expression profile of LncRNAs and mRNAs in this particular subtype of breast cancer.MethodsSeven pairs of HER-2-enriched subtype breast cancer and normal tissue were sequenced. We screened out differently expressed genes and measured the correlation of the expression levels of dysregulated LncRNAs and HER-2 by Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis. Gene ontology analysis and pathway analysis were used to understand the biological roles of these differently expressed genes. Pathway act network and coexpression network were constructed.ResultsMore than 1,300 LncRNAs and 2,800 mRNAs, which were significantly differently expressed, were identified. Among these LncRNAs, AFAP1-AS1 was the most dysregulated LncRNA, while ORM2 was the most dysregulated mRNA. LOC100288637 had the highest positive correlation coefficient of 0.93 with HER-2, while RPL13P5 had the highest negative correlation coefficient of −0.87. The pathway act network showed that MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, metabolic pathways, cell cycle, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton were highly related with HER-2-enriched subtype breast cancer. Coexpression network recognized LINC00636, LINC01405, ADARB2-AS1, ST8SIA6-AS1, LINC00511, and DPP10-AS1 as core genes.ConclusionThese results analyze the functions of LncRNAs and provide useful information for exploring candidate therapeutic targets and new molecular biomarkers for HER-2-enriched subtype breast cancer.

IL-27, a new member of the IL-12 family, has been found to have antitumor effects in colorectal cancer (CRC); therefore, polymorphisms of this protein may modulate CRC carcinogenesis. So, we studied the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the IL-27 gene with the risk of CRC occurrence using a case–control using 600 CRC patients and matched healthy controls. The IL-27 rs153109 polymorphism was analyzed with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing methods. Data indicate that GG, GA, and combined A-variant genotypes (GG + GA) conferred significantly greater risk of CRC (P=0.034, 0.002, and 0.001, respectively), and that G alleles were associated with higher susceptibility to CRC (P=0.001). However, no correlation was found between the IL-27 rs153109 polymorphism and particular clinical features. In conclusion, our data demonstrated a clear association of IL-27 rs153109 polymorphism and the risk of CRC development.

Context Pain is one of the most common and intolerable symptoms in cancer patients. But cancer pain control is still negative in China. Objectives This paper explores the application of quality control circle in the treatment of cancer pain in inpatients to improve the quality of life of patients with cancer pain. Method Established a quality control circle group to analyze the current status of cancer pain control in inpatients with moderate cancer pain, set goals, formulate corresponding countermeasures and implement and review them in stages. The plan-do-check-act method was cyclically applied. The Brief Pain Inventory was used to evaluate the cancer pain status of patients with cancer pain hospitalized before (January to April 2016) and after (September to December 2016) the implementation of quality control circle activities. Results The pain control effect of the observation group was significantly better than that of the control group. The mean (standard deviation) of pain severity and pain interference in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (6.21 [2.86] vs 4.31 [2.25], 10.54 [4.10] vs 7.25 [3.77]). There was significant difference after the implementation of quality control circle (P &lt; 0.01). Conclusion Quality control circle activities are used to manage patients with cancer pain, to improve the situation of pain control and to improve the quality of life of patients. This management tool and method is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

ObjectiveIn order to avoid the misdiagnosis of thyroid diseases, we need to discuss the clinical features and diagnostic methods of cervical esophageal cancer and Zenker’s diverticulum.MethodsThe clinical and laboratory data of seven cases were reviewed retrospectively, and in all cases, esophageal-related diseases were misdiagnosed as thyroid diseases preoperatively. Among them, two cases were cervical esophageal cancer metastasized to thyroids but initially, they were misdiagnosed as thyroid cancer. The other five cases were Zenker’s diverticulum, but were originally diagnosed as nodular goiter, and two out of the five cases were found with calcification. They were all detected by ultrasound examination without any clinical feature of esophageal diseases. Previous literatures only reported five cases of thyroid metastasis and three cases of Zenker’s diverticulum.ResultsIn both cases where cervical esophageal cancer metastasized to thyroid, anterior cervical neoplasm biopsy and surgical removal were performed followed by postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Both patients died from esophageal cancers in 7 and 15 months postoperatively. All five cases of Zenker’s diverticulum received excision and repair without any postoperative complication or recurrence in the following 2 to 7 years.ConclusionsCervical esophageal cancer and Zenker’s diverticulum may be misdiagnosed as thyroid disease. Careful and comprehensive diagnostic tests would be required to avoid misdiagnosis.