Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), which is a kind of noncoding RNA, is generally characterized as being more than 200 nucleotide transcripts in length. LncRNAs exhibit many biological activities, including, but not limited to, cancer development. In this review, a search of the PubMed database was performed to identify relevant studies published in English. The term “lncRNA or long non-coding RNA” was combined with a range of search terms related to the core focus of the review: mechanism, structure, regulation, and cancer. The eligibility of the retrieved studies was mainly based on the abstract. The decision as to whether or not the study was included in this review was made after a careful assessment of its content. The reference lists were also checked to identify any other study that could be relevant to this review. We first summarized the molecular mechanisms of lncRNAs in tumorigenesis, including competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanisms, epigenetic regulation, decoy and scaffold mechanisms, mRNA and protein stability regulation, transcriptional and translational regulation, miRNA processing regulation, and the architectural role of lncRNAs, which will help a broad audience better understand how lncRNAs work in cancer. Second, we introduced recent studies to elucidate the structure of lncRNAs, as there is a link between lncRNA structure and function and visualizing the architectural domains of lncRNAs is vital to understanding their function. Third, we explored emerging evidence for regulators of lncRNA expression, lncRNA turnover, and lncRNA modifications (including 5-methylcytidine, N6-methyladenosine, and adenosine to inosine editing), highlighting the dynamics of lncRNAs. Finally, we used autophagy in cancer as an example to interpret the diverse mechanisms of lncRNAs and introduced clinical trials of lncRNA-based cancer therapies.

Background The interferon (IFN)-free regimen of sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 24 weeks was recently approved to treat chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV), genotype-1 (GT-1) infection for interferon-ineligible patients . However, sofosbuvir/ribavirin therapy is associated with treatment relapse in 15-30% of HCV GT-1 study subjects. Neither the mechanism of relapse nor the optimal retreatment strategy for these subjects is defined. Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir in chronic HCV GT-1 infected subjects who relapsed following sofosbuvir/ribavirin therapy. Design Phase 2a, open-label study (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01805882). Setting Single U.S site. Subjects Fourteen HCV, GT-1 subjects who relapsed following treatment with 24 weeks of sofosbuvir/ribavirin were treated with 12 weeks of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir. Measurments HCV RNA concentration and population sequencing to detect NS5B S282T mutations. Results All 14 subjects treated with sofosbuvir/ledipasvir for 12 weeks achieved a sustained virologic response, including seven with advanced liver disease (HAI-fibrosis 3-4) and one with a detectable NS5B S282T mutation post sofosbuvir/ribavirin therapy. Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir was well tolerated with few adverse events. Four grade 3 events (elevated serum creatinine in a subject with baseline renal insufficiency, hypercholesterolemia and hypophosphatemia (n=2)) occurred. There were no grade 4 events or treatment discontinuations. Limitations Small sample size. Conclusions The fixed-dose combination of sofosbuvir/ledipasvir was efficacious in a small cohort of subjects with HCV GT-1 infections who relapse following sofosbuvir/ribavirin therapy, even in the setting of advanced liver disease. Larger studies are needed to confirm these preliminary efficacy results. Primary Funding Source National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Cancer Institute and Clinical Center Intramural Program and a Collaborative Research And Development Agreement between NIAID and Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Among hundreds of thousands of signal receptors contributing to oncogenic activation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis, the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor-also called tyrosine kinase MET-is a promising target in cancer therapy as its axis is involved in several different cancer types. It is also associated with poor outcomes and is involved in the development of therapeutic resistance. Several HGF/MET-neutralizing antibodies and MET kinase-specific small molecule inhibitors have been developed, resulting in some context-dependent progress in multiple cancer treatments. Nevertheless, the concomitant therapeutic resistance largely inhibits the translation of such targeted drug candidates into clinical application. Until now, numerous studies have been performed to understand the molecular, cellular, and upstream mechanisms that regulate HGF/METtargeted drug resistance, further explore novel strategies to reduce the occurrence of resistance, and improve therapeutic efficacy after resistance. Intriguingly, emerging evidence has revealed that, in addition to its conventional function as an oncogene, the HGF/MET axis stands at the crossroads of tumor autophagy, immunity, and microenvironment. Based on current progress, this review summarizes the current challenges and simultaneously proposes future opportunities for HGF/MET targeting for therapeutic cancer interventions.

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Background: The utility of the proposed alternative fistula risk score (a-FRS) for predicting risk of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has not been validated widely. Methods: This retrospective analysis included data of patients undergoing open and laparoscopic PD during March 2012-May 2018 in our institution. The predictive abilities of a-FRS and original-FRS were compared. Risk factors for CR-POPF were also evaluated by multivariate regression analysis. Results: Of the 370 patients, 80 (21.62%) developed CR-POPF. The incidences of CR-POPF in patients classified as low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk by a-FRS were 5.88%, 24.38%, and 57.69%, respectively (R2 = 0.97). The incidences of CR-POPF in patients classified as negligible risk, low risk, intermediate risk, and high-risk by original-FRS were 0%, 8.62%, 21.51%, and 52.50%, respectively (R2 = 0.92). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.74 for a-FRS vs. 0.70 for original-FRS. The a-FRS performed better than original-FRS for prediction of CR-POPF in open PD patients (AUC: 0.74 vs. 0.69) and was comparable with original-FRS in laparoscopic PD patients (AUC: 0.70 vs. 0.72).

The perinuclear theca (PT) is a cytoskeletal element encapsulating the sperm nucleus; however, physiological roles of PT in sperm are largely uncertain. Here, we revealed that ACTRT1, ACTRT2, ACTL7A, and ACTL9 proteins interact to form a multimeric complex and localize to the subacrosomal region of spermatids. Furthermore, we engineered Actrt1-knockout (KO) mice to define the functions of ACTRT1. Despite the normal sperm count and motility, Actrt1-KO males were severely subfertile due to a deficiency in fertilization. Loss of ACTRT1 caused a high incidence of malformed heads and detachment of acrosomes from sperm nuclei, which were caused by the loosened acroplaxome structure during spermiogenesis. Furthermore, Actrt1-KO sperm showed reduced ACTL7A and PLCζ protein content as a potential cause of fertilization defects. Moreover, we revealed that ACTRT1 anchors developing acrosomes to the nucleus, likely by interacting with the inner acrosomal membrane protein SPACA1 and the nuclear envelope proteins PARP11 and SPATA46. Loss of ACTRT1 weakened the interaction between ACTL7A and SPACA1. Our study and recent findings of ACTL7A/ACTL9-deficient sperm together reveal that the sperm PT-specific ARP complex mediates the acrosome-nucleus connection.

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BACKGROUND Surgical site infections (SSI) remain a major cause of morbidity after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). AIM To identify the risk factors associated with SSI, and develop a nomogram to predict SSI among patients undergoing hepatectomy. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients diagnosed with HCC undergoing hepatectomy at two academic institutions in China, and evaluated the occurrence of SSI. Independent risk factors for SSI were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses. Based on these independent risk factors, a nomogram was established using the data of patients in the first institution, and was validated using data from an external independent cohort from the second institution. RESULTS The nomogram was established using data from 309 patients, whereas the validation cohort used data from 331 patients. The operation duration, serum albumin level, repeat hepatectomy, and ASA score were identified as independent risk factors. The concordance index (C-index) of the nomogram for SSI prediction in the training cohort was 0.86; this nomogram also performed well in the external validation cohort, with a C-index of 0.84. Accordingly, we stratified patients into three groups, with a distinct risk range based on the nomogram prediction, to guide clinical practice. CONCLUSION Our novel nomogram offers good preoperative prediction for SSIs in patients undergoing hepatectomy.