Liang Chen

Tumor Small Extracellular Vesicle‐Transmitted LncRNA CATED Promotes Platinum‐Resistance in High‐Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer

AbstractHigh‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most lethal type of gynecological cancer, and platinum‐resistance is a serious challenge in its treatment. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical regulatory roles in the occurrence and development of cancers. Here, using RNA sequencing of tumor small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from HGSOC patients, the lncRNA CATED is identified as significantly upregulated in both tumors and tumor‐derived sEVs in platinum‐resistant HGSOC, and low CATED levels correlate with good prognosis. Functionally, CATED enhances cisplatin resistance by promoting cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. These effects could be transferred via CATED‐overexpressing sEVs from donor cells and HGSOC tumor sEVs. Mechanistically, CATED binds to and upregulates DHX36 via PIAS1‐mediated SUMOylation at the K105 site, and elevated DHX36 levels increase downstream RAP1A protein levels by enhancing RAP1A mRNA translation, consequently activating the MAPK pathway to promote platinum‐resistance in HGSOC. Antisense oligonucleotide mediated knockdown of CATED reverse platinum‐resistance in sEV‐transmitted mouse models via the DHX36‐RAP1A‐MAPK pathway. This study newly identifies a sEV‐transmitted lncRNA CATED in driving HGSOC platinum‐resistance and elucidates the mechanism it regulates the interacting protein through SUMOylation. These findings also provide a novel strategy for improving chemotherapy in HGSOC by targeting CATED.

Ascites exosomal lncRNA PLADE enhances platinum sensitivity by inducing R-loops in ovarian cancer

Uterus didelphys complicated with endometrial carcinoma

Abstract Rationale: The incidence of uterine malformations is low (4%–7%). Currently, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines in oncology recommend minimally invasive surgery for early endometrial cancer. Minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of uterine didelphys with endometrial cancer is rare due to the large size of the uterus. To date, only 2 such patients have been reported to have undergone laparoscopy. Whether such patients can be treated with minimally invasive surgery needs to be further explored. Patient concerns: A 40-year-old woman with uterine didelphys was hospitalized for menorrhagia in the past 2 months. Diagnosis: Endometrial adenocarcinoma was found in both the uterus and cervix using fractional dilation and curettage. Interventions: The patient underwent laparoscopic surgery. Postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were administered. Outcomes: There was no sign of recurrence during routine follow-up. Lessons: The use of a uterine manipulator to lift either side of the uterus could help to expose the narrow ipsilateral para-uterine field. It is difficult to remove the uterus entirely through the vagina, making it necessary to select appropriate cases wherein screening is performed to check if the vagina is loose, and the uterus is of appropriate size. Minimally invasive surgery may be feasible for suitable patients.

lncRNA PART1 and MIR17HG as ΔNp63α direct targets regulate tumor progression of cervical squamous cell carcinoma

AbstractCervical cancer (CC) remains one of the leading causes of mortality of female cancers worldwide, with more than 90% being cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). ΔNp63α is the predominant isoform expressed in cervical epithelial tissues and exerts its antitumor function in CSCC. In this study, we have identified 39 long noncoding RNAs as ΔNp63α targets in CSCC through RNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing, in which we further confirmed and focused on the two tumor‐related long noncoding RNAs, PART1 (lncPART1) and MIR17HG (lncMIR17HG). Experiments from stable overexpression/knockdown cell lines revealed that lncPART1 and lncMIR17HG regulated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In vivo experiments further showed that lncPART1 suppresses tumor growth in CSCC‐derived tumors. Examinations of clinical tissues indicated that the expression of lncPART1 was positively correlated with ΔNp63α expression, while lncMIR17HG was negatively correlated with ΔNp63α expression, suggesting that ΔNp63α plays a central role via regulating its direct targets in the progression of CSCC. These findings provide novel insights in targeted therapy of cervical cancers.