Hakan Aytan

‘Investigation of miRNAs That Affect the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Endometrial Cancer’

Endometrial cancer is a prevalent type of cancer among women worldwide. The irregularity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway plays a role in the pathogenesis of many cancer types. MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of different cancer types. MicroRNAs target many key components of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in human tumors. In this study the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was affected in endometrial cancer, and the expression levels of miR-7, miR-17, miR-145, miR-155, miR-206, miR-221, miR-222 were determined. In addition, in silico analyses were examine the molecular interactions between miRNAs and target genes. Identifying dysregulated miRNA expression in endometrial cancer is important for developing miRNA-based therapeutic strategies. In our study, Grade 1 (n = 16), Grade 2 (n = 16), Grade 3 (n = 16), tissues diagnosed with endometrioid adeno carcinoma, control 1 (n = 16) secretory phase and control 2 (n = 16) proliferative phase healthy endometrial tissues without endometrial cancer were included. miRNA expression analysis was performed using the real-time PCR. In our study, the expression of miR-7-5p, miR-145-5p, and miR-206 decreased, whereas the expression of miR-17-5p, miR-221-3p, and miR-222-3p increased in endometrial cancer (p < 0,05). Statistically significant results were not obtained to for the expression levels of miR-21-5p and miR-155-5p. miR-7-5p targets PIK3CD, PIK3R3, PIK3CB and AKT3, miR-17-5p targets PIK3R1 and AKT3, miR-21-5p target PIK3R1, miR-145-5p target AKT3, miR-155-5p targets PIK3CA and PIK3R1, miR-206 target PIK3C2A, miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p target PIK3R1 as identified via in silico analysis. These results can shed light on the development of molecular-targeted therapy strategies. Treatment strategies can be developed by designing ASOs, LNAs, miRNA antagomirs, or miRNA sponges for upregulated miR-17-5p, miR-221-3p, and miR-222-3p, and miRNA mimics for downregulated miR-7-5p, miR-145-5p, and miR-206.

Does adenomyosis influence tumor characteristics and survival in endometrioid-type endometrial cancer??

The coexistence of adenomyosis and cancer of the endometrium has attracted heightened scrutiny, leading to inquiries regarding their possible interactions and clinical ramifications. This study sought to assess the influence of adenomyosis on tumor features and survival outcomes in patients with endometrioid-type endometrial carcinoma. A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on 422 patients who underwent surgical intervention for endometrioid-type endometrial carcinoma. The cohort was categorized into two groups according to the presence or absence of adenomyosis. Clinical and pathological data were gathered and evaluated to compare tumor features and survival outcomes between the two cohorts. Adenomyosis was present in 144 (34.1%) patients. Patients in the adenomyosis group demonstrated significantly higher gravidity and parity compared to those without adenomyosis. Lymphovascular space invasion was detected in 8.3% of the adenomyosis group compared to 17.6% in the non-adenomyosis group (a 53% reduction, p = 0.010). Similarly, rates of myometrial invasion (81.3% vs. 65.5%, p = 0.001), cervical stromal invasion (9.0% vs. 14.1%, p = 0.005), and lymph node metastasis (4.2% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.001) were significantly lower in patients with adenomyosis. The five-year overall survival rate was 90.8% in the adenomyosis group and 87.1% in the non-adenomyosis group, although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.689). This study demonstrates that adenomyosis is associated with a significant reduction in aggressive tumor characteristics such as myometrial invasion, lymphovascular space involvement, and lymph node metastasis in patients with endometrioid-type endometrial cancer. These findings emphasize that adenomyosis may be a potential protective factor in endometrial cancer prognosis and should be considered in clinical risk assessment. Prospective studies with larger cohorts are needed to confirm the long-term effects of adenomyosis on survival.