Chun Meng Wang

Sox17 regulates proliferation and cell cycle during gastric cancer progression

Sox17, a transcription factor, was considered as an antagonist to inhibit canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling in several malignant tumors. Extremely little is known about Sox17 in gastric cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the vital role of Sox17 in the tumorigenesis and progression of gastric cancer. Real time PCR was used to detect the expression of Sox17 in gastric cancer tissue. Furthermore, a series of function assays, utilizing small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of Sox17 expression in MKN45 gastric cancer cells, have been performed in this study, including proliferation assay, clonogenic assay, cell-cycle evaluation, apoptosis detection as well as western blot assay. Sox17 expression were low in gastric cancer tissues as compared to normal tissue (P=0.013). Knockdown of Sox17 by Sox17-siRNA markedly enhanced the proliferation ability of MKN45 cells when compared with negative siRNA-infected cells and mock group (P<0.05). Down-regulation of Sox17 contributed to increasing cloning efficiency and activating cell cycle of MKN45 cells (P<0.05). However, there was no significantly statistical difference in terms of apoptosis rate between Sox17-siRNA group and Negative or mock group. Western blot assay revealed that the expression of CyclinD1 observably increased while p27(Kip1) expression remarkably decreased in MKN45 cells with Sox17-siRNA transfection. Furthermore, apoptosis-related molecules, Caspase3 and Bcl-xl, have no dramatically discrepant expression when knockdown of Sox17 in MKN45 cells. Sox17 prominently contributes to gastric cancer progression through regulating proliferation and cell cycle, indicating a novel diagnosis and prognosis biomarker as well as a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 regulates proliferation and antiapoptosis during gastric cancer progression

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) belongs to the tyrosine kinase receptor family. Little is known about the effect of FGFR4 on gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, the objective of the current study was to elucidate the role of FGFR4 in the tumorigenesis and progression of GC.

Prognostic factors influencing event-free survival and treatments in desmoid-type fibromatosis: analysis from a large institution

BACKGROUND Prognostic factors and optimal management of desmoid tumors have been discussed for decades. The authors present the results of a large series of patients with desmoid tumors treated at a single institution to investigate the prognostic factors influencing event-free survival (EFS) and suitable treatments for these rare tumors. METHODS Two hundred fourteen patients with desmoid tumors admitted to the surgical department were included, of whom 20 were recommended for a policy of watchful waiting. The following clinical parameters were studied: admission status, age, sex, tumor site, tumor size, margin status, and therapeutic strategy. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed for EFS. RESULTS Forty-two patients had local recurrence. One patient died of intra-abdominal disease. The 5-year and 10-year EFS rates were 78.8% and 77.9%, respectively. In univariate analysis, admission status, tumor site, tumor size, and group (R0 vs R1 and R0 vs R2) had significant impacts on EFS. EFS discrepancy was not significant between R1 and R2 or biopsy groups. In multivariate analysis, tumor size and admission status had independent value. The median delay to progression for patients undergoing watchful waiting was comparable with that for the surgical group. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that tumor size and a history of recurrence are independent predictors of EFS. Surgery is warranted if it can be R0 and function sparing. Nonsurgical modalities or a policy of watchful waiting may be a better choice for unresectable disease.

Prognostic analysis of familial gastric cancer in Chinese population.

The aim of this study was firstly to elucidate the prognosis of familial gastric cancer (FGC) in Chinese population.

Reconstruction of extensive thoracic wall defect using the external oblique myocutaneous flap: An analysis on 20 Chinese patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare neoplasms that can occur in the thoracic wall, abdominal wall, extremities, and inguinal region. Wide local resection, with precise histological margin control, results in large skin defects that are challenging to close. Various repair procedures, such as vertical rectus abdominis flaps (VRAM), latissimus dorsi flaps, and tensor fascia lata (TFL) flaps are used to cover broad thoracic wall defects. Although the cosmetic reconstruction results of using these flaps are often excellent, each has significant drawbacks. The external oblique musculocutaneous flap is a simple and safe surgical procedure for covering thoracic wall defects.