The present study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological significance of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC). PD-L1 and PD-1 expression was detected by immunohistochemical methods in 70 ECC formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens and 50 para-carcinoma tissue specimens. The associations of PD-L1 and PD-1 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of ECC patients were explored. Positive rates of PD-L1 and PD-1 expression were increased in ECC tissues compared with those in the corresponding para-carcinoma tissues. Besides, the expression of PD-L1 was correlated with the expression of PD-1 (P<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed that the expression of PD-L1 and PD-1 in ECC tissues exhibited no correlation with patient age, sex or histological grade, but was significantly correlated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and lymphatic metastasis. Univariate analysis demonstrated that PD-L1 expression, PD-1 expression, TNM stage and lymphatic metastasis were significantly associated with the survival time of patients. Further multivariate analysis revealed the PD-L1 expression was an independent prognostic factor of patients with ECC. These preliminary results suggested that PD-L1 or PD-1 immunodetection may be a valuable prognostic marker for ECC patients, and that PD-L1 immunodetection may be used as an independent factor to evaluate the prognosis of ECC patients.

PurposeProgrammed death 1 (PD-1) receptor and its ligand, programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1), play critical roles in the immune invasion of various tumors. This study aimed to explore the clinical significance of PD-L1/PD-1 expression in the progression of pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs).MethodsThe expression of PD-L1 and PD-1 in 80 patients diagnosed with PNETs were investigated. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on 80 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from PNETs and 20 corresponding cancer-adjacent tissue specimens.ResultsTissues from PNETs had higher levels of PD-L1 (58.8%) and PD-1 (51.3%) compared to the cancer-adjacent tissues (25% and 20%, respectively). Meanwhile, PD-L1 expression was associated with PD-1 expression (P=0.007). PD-L1 expression was significantly associated with histological type (P=0.014) and tumor stage (P=0.014). Univariate analyses showed that the overall survival time of PNETs patients was significantly associated with PD-L1 expression in cancer cells (P=0.003), PD-1 expression in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (P=0.001), tumor node metastasis stage (P<0.05), and distant metastasis (P<0.001). Additionally, multivariate analysis revealed that PD-L1 expression, PD1 expression, and distant metastasis of PNETs were independently associated with survival time. Moreover, Kaplan–Meier survival curves analysis revealed that patients with negative PD-L1 and PD-1 expression had better prognoses.ConclusionData suggested that PD-L1 and PD-1 can be useful prognostic biomarkers for survival and can pave the way toward new immunotherapy regimens against PNETs through targeting the PD-L1/PD-1 pathway.

clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRcc) is the most representative subtype of renal cancer. circRnA acts as a kind of ceRnA to play a role in regulating microRnA (miRnA) in many cancers. However, the potential pathogenesis role of the regulatory network among circRnA/miRnA/mRnA is not clear and has not been fully explored. CircRNA expression profile data were obtained from GEO datasets, and the differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) were identified through utilizing R package (Limma) firstly. Secondly, miRNAs that were regulated by these circRNAs were predicted by using Cancerspecific circRNA database and Circular RNA Interactome. Thirdly, some related genes were identified by intersecting targeted genes, which was predicted by a web tool (miRWalk) and differentially expressed genes, which was obtained from TCGA datasets. Function enrichment was analyzed, and a PPI network was constructed by Cytoscape software and DAVID web set. Subsequently, ten hub-genes were screened from the network, and the overall survival time in patients of ccRcc with abnormal expression of these hub-genes were completed by GEPIA web set. In the last, a circRNA/miRNA/ mRnA regulatory network was constructed, and potential compounds and drug which may have the function of anti ccRCC were forecasted by taking advantage of CMap and PharmGKB datasets. Six DECs (hsa_circ_0029340, hsa_circ_0039238, hsa_circ_0031594, hsa_circ_0084927, hsa_circ_0035442, hsa_circ_0025135) were obtained and six miRNAs (miR-1205, miR-657, miR-587, miR-637, miR-1278, miR-548p) which are regulated by three circRNAs (hsa_circ_0084927, hsa_circ_0035442, hsa_ circ_0025135) were also predicted. Then 497 overlapped genes regulated by these six miRNAs above had been predicted, and function enrichment analysis revealed these genes are mainly linked with some regulation functions of cancers. Ten hub-genes (PTGER3, ADCY2, APLN, CXCL5, GRM4, MCHR1, NPY5R, CXCR4, ACKR3, MTNR1B) have been screened from a PPI network. PTGER3, ADCY2, CXCL5, GRM4 and APLN were identified to have a significant effect on the overall survival time of patients with ccRCC. Furthermore, one compound (josamycin) and four kinds of drugs (capecitabine, hmgcoa reductase inhibitors, ace Inhibitors and bevacizumab) were confirmed as potential therapeutic options for ccRcc by cMap analysis and pharmacogenomics analysis. this study implies the potential pathogenesis of the regulatory network among circRnA/miRnA/mRnA and provides some potential therapeutic options for ccRcc. Renal cancer is common cancer, and the incidence rates in males and females are 5% and 3%, respectively 1. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounts for 70-80% of renal cancer, which is the most representative

Background Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the primary component of tumor stroma in tumor microenvironments, are well-known contributors to the malignant progression of gallbladder cancer (GBC). Thrombospondins (THBSs or TSPs) comprise a family of five adhesive glycoproteins that are overexpressed in many types of cancers. However, the expression and potential roles of TSPs in the crosstalk between CAFs and GBC cells has remained unclear. Methods Peritumoral fibroblasts (PTFs) and CAFs were extracted from GBC tissues. Thrombospondin expression in GBC was screened by RT-qPCR. MTT viability assay, colony formation, EdU incorporation assay, flow cytometry analysis, Transwell assay, tumorsphere formation and western blot assays were performed to investigate the effects of CAF-derived TSP-4 on GBC cell proliferation, EMT and cancer stem-like features. Subcutaneous tumor formation models were established by co-implanting CAFs and GBC cells or GBC cells overexpressing heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) to evaluate the roles of TSP-4 and HSF1 in vivo. To characterize the mechanism by which TSP-4 is involved in the crosstalk between CAFs and GBC cells, the levels of a variety of signaling molecules were detected by coimmunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence staining, and ELISA assays. Results In the present study, we showed that TSP-4, as the stromal glycoprotein, is highly expressed in CAFs from GBC and that CAF-derived TSP-4 induces the proliferation, EMT and cancer stem-like features of GBC cells. Mechanistically, CAF-secreted TSP-4 binds to the transmembrane receptor integrin α2 on GBC cells to induce the phosphorylation of HSF1 at S326 and maintain the malignant phenotypes of GBC cells. Moreover, the TSP-4/integrin α2 axis-induced phosphorylation of HSF1 at S326 is mediated by Akt activation (p-Akt at S473) in GBC cells. In addition, activated HSF1 signaling increased the expression and paracrine signaling of TGF-β1 to induce the transdifferentiation of PTFs into CAFs, leading to their recruitment into GBC and increased TSP-4 expression in CAFs, thereby forming a positive feedback loop to drive the malignant progression of GBC. Conclusions Our data indicate that a complex TSP-4/integrin α2/HSF1/TGF-β cascade mediates reciprocal interactions between GBC cells and CAFs, providing a promising therapeutic target for gallbladder cancer patients.

Anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) therapy has established efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancer, but a significant number of patients do not respond to such treatment. Recently, various biomarkers were reported to be useful in predicting resistance to anti-EGFR. All the potential biomarkers predicting resistance to anti-EGFR are reviewed herein from five aspects. First, upstream molecules, including epiregulin (EREG) and amphiregulin (AREG), might play different roles according to their abnormal levels in tumor tissue and serum. Second, the EGFR amplification and distinct polymorphisms may have roles in identifying patients for initial anti-EGFR mAbs therapy, while rare EGFR mutations have limited predictive values. Third, among the downstream molecularly related factors, rat sarcoma viral oncogene (Ras) has been identified as a successful predictor, while B-Raf proto-oncogene (BRAF) is considered as a prognostic factor rather than a predictor. Fourth, among the molecular bypass pathway components, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) may be potential biomarkers in the future, while activation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/c-Met signaling confers resistance to anti-EGFR therapy. Fifth, many microRNAs and additional molecular biomarkers are promising in predicting the efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy. Applications of multiple biomarkers are more effective than the use of a single biomarker in selecting patients who might benefit from cetuximab- or panitumumab-based treatments. Comprehensive molecular analyses of the EGFR signaling pathways should be considered in the future. Subsequent prospective trials will be required to further confirm the clinical utility of these biomarkers.

High rates of de novo lipid synthesis have been discovered in certain kinds of tumours, including gallbladder cancer (GBC). Unlike several other tumours, GBC is highly insensitive to standard adjuvant therapy, which makes its treatment even more challenging. Although several potential targets and signalling pathways underlying GBC chemoresistance have been revealed, the precise mechanisms are still elusive. In this study, we found that α‐Mangostin, as a dietary xanthone, repressed the proliferation and clone formation ability, induced cell cycle arrest and the apoptosis, and suppressed de novo lipogenesis of gallbladder cancer cells. The underlying mechanisms might involve the activation of AMPK and, therefore, the suppression of SREBP1 nuclear translocation to blunt de novo lipogenesis. Furthermore, SREBP1 silencing by siRNA or α‐mangostin enhanced the sensitivity of gemcitabine in gallbladder cancer cells. In vivo studies also displayed that MA or gemcitabine administration to nude mice harbouring NOZ tumours can reduce tumour growth, and moreover, MA administration can significantly potentiate gemcitabine‐induced inhibition of tumour growth. Corroborating in vitro findings, tumours from mice treated with MA or gemcitabine alone showed decreased levels of proliferation with reduced Ki‐67 expression and elevated apoptosis confirmed by TUNEL staining, furthermore, the proliferation inhibition and apoptosis up‐regulation were obviously observed in MA combined with gemcitabine treatment group. Therefore, inhibiting de novo lipogenesis via targeting the AMPK/SREBP1 signalling by MA might provide insights into a potential strategy for sensitizing GBC cells to chemotherapy.

G-protein coupled receptor 4 (GPR4) acts as a proton-sensing receptor and plays a role in regulating angiogenesis. Endoglin/CD105 is a marker of cell proliferation in vascular endothelial cells, particularly in tumor vasculature cells. Although there have been several studies investigating angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), none have investigated the association between GPR4 and microvessel density (MVD)-CD105 in this type of cancer. In the present study, CD105 and GPR4 were found to be expressed in benign and malignant liver tissues by immunofluorescence staining and laser confocal microscopy. Compared with levels in benign tissues, CD105 and GPR4 were highly expressed in neoplastic tissues. Furthermore, the average fluorescence intensity of GPR4 and MVD-CD105 was positively correlated. GPR4 and CD105 were found to be co-localized in the vascular endothelium in tumor tissues. Furthermore, the expression of GPR4 was higher in the marginal region of tumor tissues compared with the central region. These findings suggest that the expression of GPR4 in tumor microvessels in HCC may be implicated in tumor angiogenesis and development. Furthermore, the association between the expression of GPR4 and the clinicopathological features of patients with HCC further suggests a role for GPR4 in tumor angiogenesis and growth. Overall, these results suggest the potential of GPR4 as a prognostic factor and as an antiangiogenic target in patients with HCC.

BackgroundThe site-distribution pattern and relative risk of subsequent primary malignancies (SPMs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients remains to be determined.Materials and methodsA population-based cohort of 288,390 CRC patients diagnosed between 1973 and 2012 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was retrospectively reviewed. Standardized incidence ratios were calculated to estimate the relative risk for SPMs.ResultsThe overall risk of SPMs increased in CRC patients (standardized incidence ratio 1.02) in the first 5 years after CRC diagnosis compared with that in the general population, and was negatively related to age at diagnosis. Risk increased significantly for cancers of the small intestine, ureter, colorectum, renal pelvis, endocrine system, and stomach, and decreased significantly for cancers of the gallbladder, liver, myeloma, and brain, as well as lymphoma. Patients with different prior CRC subsites showed specific sites at high risk of SPM. Prior right-sided colon cancer was associated with cancers of the small intestine, ureter, renal pelvis, thyroid, stomach, pancreas, and breast and prior left-sided colon cancer associated with secondary CRC, whereas rectal cancer was associated with cancers of the vagina, urinary bladder, and lung.ConclusionRisk of SPMs increases in CRC survivors, especially in the first 5 years after prior diagnosis. Intensive surveillance should be advocated among young patients, with specific attention to the small intestine, colorectum, renal pelvis, and ureter. The common sites at high risk of SPM originate from the embryonic endoderm. Genetic susceptibility may act as the main mechanism underlying the risk of multiple cancers.