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MicroRNA (miR), a class of small non-coding RNA, function as key regulators in gene expression through directly binding to the 3' untranslated region of their target mRNA, which further leads to translational repression or mRNA degradation. miR-19a, a member of miR-17-92 cluster, has an oncogenic role in a variety of malignant tumors. However, the exact role of miR-19a in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not previously been studied. The present study aimed to investigate the function and mechanism of miR-19a in regulating the viability and invasion of NPC cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) data indicated that the expression levels of miR-17-92 cluster members (miR-17, miR-18a, miR-19a and miR-20a) were frequently increased in NPC tissues compared to the normal tissues. It was also demonstrated that miR-19a was significantly upregulated in NPC C666-1 cells compared to NP69 cells (P<0.01). Knockdown of miR-19a led to a significant decrease in the viability and invasion of NPC C666-1 cells (P<0.01), and induced increased protein expression levels of transforming growth factor β receptor 2 (TGFβR2), which was further identified as a direct target gene of miR-19a by using a luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of TGFβR2 also suppressed the viability and invasion of C666-1 cells, similar to the effects of miR-19a inhibition. Furthermore, knockdown of TGFβR2 reversed the suppressive effects of miR-19a inhibition on C666-1 cell viability and invasion, suggesting that the role of miR-19a in mediating cell viability and invasion is through directly targeting TGFβR2 in NPC cells. In addition, RT-qPCR data demonstrated that the mRNA expression level of TGFβR2 was markedly reduced in NPC tissues and C666-1 cells. In summary, the present study demonstrated an oncogenic role of miR-19a in NPC via mediation of TGFβR2. Therefore, miR-19a may be a potential therapeutic target for NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most malignant types of tumor. It is important to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of pancreatic tumorigenesis and to identify novel biomarkers as therapeutic targets of pancreatic cancer. In the present study, the protein expression levels of Wnt inhibitory factor 1 (WIF1) and receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 2 (ROR2) were examined in a collection of pancreatic ductal carcinoma and benign pancreatic lesion tissue samples using immunohistochemistry. The positive expression rate of WIF1 protein in pancreatic ductal carcinoma was demonstrated to be significantly decreased compared with that of the paracancerous tissue, benign lesions and wild-type pancreatic tissue (P=0.002, P<0.0001, P=0.001, respectively). The positive expression rate of ROR2 protein in pancreatic ductal carcinoma was demonstrated to be significantly increased compared with that of the paracancerous tissue, benign lesions and wild-type pancreatic tissue (P<0.0001). There was a negative association between WIF1 and ROR2 expression in the pancreatic ductal carcinoma samples (P=0.004). The survival period of patients with negative WIF1 and positive ROR2 protein expression was demonstrated to be significantly decreased compared with that of patients with positive WIF1 and negative ROR2 protein expression (P<0.0001). The expression levels of WIF1 and ROR2 protein reflected the incidence, development, clinical and biological behavior, and prognosis of pancreatic ductal carcinoma. Patients with negative WIF1 and positive ROR2 protein expression had poor prognosis. The results indicate that WIF1 and ROR2 are important biomarkers in pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary mediastinal seminoma is a rare extragonadal germ cell tumour that mainly occurs in males. The present study reports the case of a 27-year-old woman that presented with superior vena cava syndrome and a large mass in the mediastinum, which was diagnosed as primary female mediastinal seminoma. The patient received 6 cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy [4 cycles BEP chemotherapy (120 mg cisplatin, 0.45 g etoposide and 60 mg bleomycin, once every 3 weeks); 2 cycles IEP chemotherapy (120 mg cisplatin, 100 mg epirubicin and 6 g ifosfamide, once every 3 weeks)] and the patient showed an increase in the size of the mediastinal mass and hydropericardium, indicating a resistance to chemotherapy. Radiotherapy to the mediastinum (50 Gy over 18 fractions) and pericardium (30 Gy over 18 fractions) was performed. Following radiotherapy, the patient was considered to have a complete response to the treatment, and subsequent to a 5-year follow-up, no recurrence or metastasis was identified. To the best of our knowledge, no similar cases have been reported in the literature at present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMLBCL) is unclear. In the present study, a retrospective analysis of 63 patients with PMLBCL treated with or without RT was performed to evaluate the role of RT. Clinical outcomes were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and were compared between patients who did and did not receive RT, using the log-rank test. A multivariate analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards model. After chemotherapy, 35 patients received RT, and RT was found to be associated with significantly improved 5-year overall survival (OS) (87 vs. 58%; P=0.001) and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) (75 vs. 39%; P=0.001) rates compared with patients without RT. The subgroup analysis on 35 patients who received rituximab plus chemotherapy showed that RT did not improve the 5-year OS (88 vs. 92%; P=0.814) or the 5-year PFS (78 vs. 65%; P=0.511) rates compared with patients without RT. On multivariate analysis, RT and the addition of rituximab were predictive of increased OS [RT: Hazard ratio (HR), 0.157; P=0.018; rituximab: HR, 0.156; P=0.009] and PFS (RT: HR 0.111, P=0.001; Rituximab: HR 0.231, P=0.002) rates. However, the role of RT in PMLBCL in the rituximab era is unclear. Further investigation of the role of RT in the era of targeted therapy is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of downregulation of the c-Met gene on signal transduction and apoptosis in gastric cancer MKN-45 cells; furthermore, the study aimed to determine whether altered c-Met gene expression affected MKN-45 sensitivity to gefitinib. Three c-Met-specific small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were synthesized and transfected into MKN-45 cells. Messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of c-Met and its downstream signaling molecules [phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT] were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis 48 h following transfection. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using Annexin-V/propidium iodide double staining and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. An MTT assay was performed in order to measure the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of gefitinib on MKN-45 cells. The results of the present study demonstrated that 48 h post-transfection with c-Met siRNA, MKN-45 cells showed significantly downregulated expression of c-Met mRNA and protein as well as an increased rate of apoptosis (P<0.05). In addition, following c-Met siRNA transfection mRNA and protein levels of PI3K and AKT were not significantly altered in MKN-45 cells (P>0.05); however, a marked decrease in the expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-PI3K and p-AKT was observed (P<0.05). Furthermore, the IC50 of gefitinib in MKN-45 cells was not significantly decreased. In conclusion, knockdown of the c-Met gene promoted gastric cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited downstream p-PI3K and p-AKT; however, the sensitivity of MKN-45 cells to gefitinib was not increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is a subtype of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and is a rare disease manifestation in the adrenal gland, which is difficult to be diagnosed and treated. In the present study, we report a case of primary adrenal NLPHL in a 36-year-old male patient. The patient was without specific clinical signs and the definitive diagnosis was achieved by histological study. The patient underwent a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy and chemotherapy regimen of doxorubicin, bleomycin, vinblastine and dacarbazine (ABVD). There is no standard treatment for adrenal NLPHL and therefore, treatment is based on that for other types of NLPHL, which includes radiotherapy and ABVD chemotherapy. Given the rarity of this disease, there are limited experiences with regard to its diagnosis and treatment. This study is useful for the differential diagnosis and treatment of adrenal masses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L-asparaginase (L-Asp)-associated pancreatitis (AAP) occurs occasionally; however, this side-effect has predominantly been observed among pediatric patients. Usually, it is not life-threatening and generally responds to intensive medical therapy. The present study presents a rare case of lethal AAP in an adult. The patient was recently diagnosed with extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type, and the chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and was receiving L-Asp as part of a chemotherapy regimen. Severe acute pancreatitis occurred and the patient succumbed 72 h after completion of chemotherapy. The HBV infection and lipid disorders may have been potential risk factors for the development of severe acute pancreatitis in the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]