Jingwen Huang

Associations of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in miR-146a, miR-196a, miR-149 and miR-499 with Colorectal Cancer Susceptibility

BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of endogenous small non-coding RNAs of 20-25 nucleotides in length that function as negative gene regulators. MiRNAs play roles in most biological processes, as well as diverse human diseases including cancer. Recently, many studies investigated the association between SNPs in miR-146a rs2910164, miR-196a2 rs11614913, miR-149 rs229283, miR-499 rs3746444 and colorectal cancer (CRC), which results have been inconclusive. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI databases were searched with the last search updated on November 5, 2013. For miR-196a2 rs11614913, a significantly decreased risk of CRC development was observed under three genetic models (dominant model: OR = 0.848, 95%CI: 0.735-0.979, P = 0.025; recessive model: OR = 0.838, 95%CI: 0.721-0.974, P = 0.021; homozygous model: OR = 0.754, 95%CI: 0.627-0.907, P = 0.003). In the subgroup analyses, miR-196a2*T variant was associated with a significantly decreased susceptibility of CRC (allele model: OR = 0.839, 95%CI: 0.749-0.940, P = 0.000; dominant model: OR = 0.770, 95%CI: 0.653-0.980, P = 0.002; recessive model: OR = 0.802, 95%CI: 0.685-0.939, P = 0.006; homozygous model: OR = 0.695, 95%CI: 0.570-0.847, P = 0.000). As for miR-149 rs2292832, the two genetic models (recessive model: OR = 1.199, 95% CI 1.028-1.398, P = 0.021; heterozygous model: OR = 1.226, 95% CI 1.039-1.447, P = 0.013) demonstrated increased susceptibility to CRC. On subgroup analysis, significantly increased susceptibility of CRC was found in the genetic models (recessive model: OR = 1.180, 95% CI 1.008-1.382, P = 0.040; heterozygous model: OR = 1.202, 95% CI 1.013-1.425, P = 0.013) in the Asian group. CONCLUSIONS These findings supported that the miR-196a2 rs11614913 and miR-149 rs2292832 polymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility to CRC.

Epstein–Barr virus DNA level as a novel prognostic factor in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A meta-analysis

Background:The plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) DNA level in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) performs as an appealing prognostic factor, but conclusions of its prognostic values from previous studies are inconsistent. In this study, we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of EBV DNA level in patients with NPC. Methods:Published studies were searched in PubMed. The baseline characteristics of patients, overall survival (OS), and other survival outcomes were extracted. Pooled hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI), and P value were calculated to estimate the prognostic value of EBV DNA level. Each cut-off value mentioned in the studies was obtained. Kaplan–Meier curves were used to extract data, and graphical survival plots were extracted for calculating HR when the study did not describe the information directly. Results:This meta-analysis pooled 23 eligible studies including 10,732 patients with NPC. The pooled HR (95% CI) of pretreatment plasma EBV DNA level (pre-DNA) for OS was 2.78 (2.19, 3.55), and the HR (95% CI) of posttreatment plasma EBV DNA level (post-DNA) for OS was 5.43 (2.72, 10.82), suggesting that EBV DNA level was significantly correlated to the outcomes of patients with NPC. Conclusion:High expression levels of EBV DNA predicts poor prognosis in NPC.

Epidermal growth factor receptor could play a prognostic role to predict the outcome of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported to play a prognostic role in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Nevertheless, the effect of EGFR predicting clinical outcomes is still controversial. METHODS Potentially eligible studies were retrieved using PubMed. Basic clinical characteristics of patients and statistical data were collected. Survival data can be got directly or could be calculated if it was available in other resources. Then, we used a meta-analysis model to review the correlation between over-expression of EGFR and survival outcome in NPC patients. RESULTS 15 eligible studies and 1225 patients were yielded in our meta-analysis. The HRs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for OS and DFS/RFS/PFS were 2.11 [1.23, 3.60] and 2.17 [1.41, 3.35], respectively. Histological differentiation stage, race, different cut-off values and the percentage of TNM stage were divided for subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION EGFR could be a fine prognostic factor of NPC, which might be proven by further multicenter clinical trials.

Contrast-enhanced sonography for the identification of benign and malignant thyroid nodules: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

The use of contrast‐enhanced sonography (CEUS) has yielded promising results in the differentiation of thyroid nodules. We conducted this meta‐analysis to assess its performance in identifying and distinguishing between benign and malignant thyroid nodules.

Association between rs11614913 polymorphism in miR-196a2 and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs of 20-22 nucleotides in length, which regulate the translation or degradation of human messenger RNA (mRNA). MiRNAs involve in the regulation of most biological processes, as well as human diverse diseases including cancer. Recently, many studies investigated the association between miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism and colorectal cancer (CRC), which showed inconclusive results. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We conducted a meta-analysis of 6 studies that included 1800 cases and 2329 controls. There was a statistically decreased risk of CRC in dominant model, recessive model and homozygous model. In the Asian group, significantly decreased susceptibility of CRC was found in allele model, dominant model, recessive model and homozygous model. As for the Caucasian group, none of genetic models demonstrates significant association between miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism and susceptibility of CRC. CONCLUSIONS These findings supported that miR-196a2 rs11614913 polymorphism may contribute to the susceptibility of CRC.

Cetuximab concurrent with IMRT versus cisplatin concurrent with IMRT in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A retrospective matched case-control study.

AbstractTo evaluate the treatment efficacies and toxicities of concurrent cetuximab-based bioradiotherapy (BRT) or cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. :Patients with previously untreated locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma were matched into pairs, and enrolled into the study. All patients were given either BRT or CRT. Survival outcomes, toxicities, and prognostic factors were evaluated. :A total of 112 patients were enrolled. The 5-year overall survival was 79.3% and 79.5% in CRT and BRT arm, respectively (P = 0.797) and the 5-year DFS was 73.5% and 74.6%, respectively (P = 0.953). In toxicity analysis, CRT arm had more significant decrease in white blood cell, platelet, hemoglobin, and severe vomiting, while more severe skin reactions and mucositis were shown in BRT arm. :BRT was not less efficacious than traditional CRT. They lead to different aspects of toxicities. If patients cannot stand more severe toxicities caused by CRT, BRT could be an ideal alternative.

Bevacizumab Addition in Neoadjuvant Treatment Increases the Pathological Complete Response Rates in Patients with HER-2 Negative Breast Cancer Especially Triple Negative Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background Neoadjuvant therapy is administered to breast cancer patients as an induction process before surgery or radiotherapy to reduce tumor size. Human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) negative breast cancer lacks effective standard target therapy. Bevacizumab has a controversial role in the treatment of breast cancer and we conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the value of adding bevacizumab in neoadjuvant regimen. Methods Potentially eligible studies were retrieved using PubMed, EMBASE and Medline. Clinical characteristics of patients and statistical data with pathological complete response (pCR) data were collected. Then a meta-analysis model was established to investigate the correlation between administration of bevacizumab in neoadjuvant therapy and pCR rates in HER-2 negative breast cancer. Results Seven eligible studies and 5408 patients were yielded. The pCR rates for “breast” or “breast plus lymph node” were similar. In subgroup analysis, we emphasized on patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In the criterion of “lesions in breast” the pooled ORs was 1.55 [1.29, 1.86], P<0.00001 and regarding to the evaluation criterion of “lesions in breast and lymph nodes”, the pooled ORs was 1.48 [1.23, 1.78], P<0.0001, in favor of bevacizumab administration. Conclusion According to our pooled results, we finally find that bevacizumab addition as a neoadjuvant chemotherapy component, for induction use with limited cycle to improve the pCR rates and patients may avoid long-term adverse event and long-term invalid survival improvement. Especially in subgroup analysis, pCR rates could be improved significantly and physicians could consider bevacizumab with caution. As patients could avoid the adverse event caused by long-term using of bevacizumab, long-term quality of life improvement may be achieved, especially in TNBC.

Can ionization mass spectrometry coupled with ultrasonic scalpel a fine detection method for intraoperative pathological analysis

Ionization mass spectrometry (IMS) has been reported to detect surgical smoke component and analyze the distribution of phospholipids found in the smoke. Based on the previous studies, electrosurgical and laser knife coupled IMS has been reported to assess pathogenic diagnosis such as tumor malignancy and to guide tumor resection such as real-time surgical margin control. In addition, US operation is a more closed space for smoke detection than the others. Thus, in this study we speculate that ultrasonic scalpel (US) generated smoke could also be detected, which might has a better detection effect and the assessment would has a fine application prospect.