analysis of selected genes for the detection of early-stage lung cancer using circulating cell-free DNA.

Objective:To clarify the possible association between the Zika virus (ZIKV) and microcephaly and understand where we are in terms of research and the debate on the causation between mild maternal clinical features and severe fetal microcephaly.Data Sources:We did a comprehensive literature review with the keywords “zika” and/or “microcephaly” from inception to May 27, 2016, with PubMed.Study Selection:Studies were included and analyzed if they met all of the following criteria: “probable or confirmed infant microcephaly” and “probable or confirmed ZIKV infection among mothers or infants”.Results:We emphasize the diagnosis of ZIKV infection, including maternal clinical manifestations, maternal and fetal laboratory confirmation, and possible autopsy if need. Other confounders that may lead to microcephaly should be excluded from the study. We presented the results from clinical manifestations of ZIKV infection, testing methods evolving but the mechanism of microcephaly uncertain, flexible definition challenging the diagnosis of microcephaly, and limited causal reference on pregnant women. We made analog comparison of severe acute respiratory syndrome and chikungunya virus in terms of DNA mutation and global movement to provide further research recommendation. The chance of catch-up growth may decrease the number of pervious “diagnosed” microcephaly.Conclusions:There are some evidence available through mice models and direct isolation of ZIKV in affected pregnancies on kindly causal relationship but not convincible enough. We analyzed and presented the weakness or limitation of published reports with the desire to shed light to further study directions.

Esophageal cancer is a common gastrointestinal cancer, with a very high mortality rate in patients with metastasis. Swainsonine, a cytotoxic fungal alkaloid, has been shown to inhibit cell growth in esophageal cancer. In the present study, we explored the effects of swainsonine on cell invasion and metastasis in esophageal cancer cells. Human esophageal carcinoma cells were treated with different doses of swainsonine, and then cell viability, invasion, and apoptosis were measured. The mRNA and protein expressions of Twist1, apoptosis- and EMT-related factors, and PI3K/AKT pathway factors were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Swainsonine had no effect on esophageal cancer cell viability and apoptosis, but it significantly decreased cell invasion in a dose-dependent manner. Swainsonine increased the expression of E-cadherin but decreased the expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, ZEB1, and snail in a dose-dependent manner, thereby inhibiting EMT. Last, we found that swainsonine inhibits cell invasion and EMT in the esophageal carcinoma cells by downregulation of Twist1 and deactivation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

5040 Background: Patients with advanced metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) who experience disease progression after standard therapy have limited treatment options. Phase I study of toripalimab in subjects with heavily pretreated metastatic UC had demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and promising clinical activity. Here we report the safety and efficacy result of toripalimab in a phase II clinical study (POLARIS-03) in Chinese patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. (Clinical trial ID: NCT03113266). Methods: Metastatic UC Patients receive toripalimab 3 mg/kg Q2W until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity or voluntary withdrawal. Clinical response is assessed every 8 weeks. Tumor PD-L1 expression and other biomarkers will be evaluated for correlation with clinical response. Results: From May 2017 to September 2019, 204 patients were screened and the study enrollment was completed with 151 patients enrolled from 15 participating centers. The median age was 62 years and 66% were male. 87% patients had visceral metastasis. By the cut-off date of Jan 6, 2020, 92.1% (139/151) patients experienced treatment related adverse event (TRAE) and grade 3 and above TRAE occurred in 35.8% (54/151) patients. Most common TRAE included anemia, triglycerides increased, proteinuria, fatigue, and hyperglycemia. Treatment discontinuation due to a TRAE occurred in 6 (4.0%) patients, while dose delay due to a TRAE occurred in 23 (15.2%) patients. Three patients with major protocol deviations were excluded from efficacy analysis. Among 148 patients assessed by IRC per RECISTv1.1, 2 CR, 36 PR, and 30 SD were observed for an ORR of 25.7% and a DCR of 45.9%. The median DOR was 15.7 months. The median PFS was 1.9 months, and the median OS was estimated 20.8 months. PD-L1 expression results were obtained from 141 patients. PD-L1+ patients (n=46) had significant better ORR than PD-L1- patients (n=95), 41.3% versus 16.8% ( p<0.01). Conclusions: Toripalimab has demonstrated encouraging clinical activity in chemo-refractory UC patients with a manageable safety profile. Patients will be continuously monitored for safety and overall survival. Clinical trial information: NCT03113266 .

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