Yang Li

Minimally Invasive, Label-Free, Point-of-Care Histopathological Diagnostic Platform of Malignant Tumors of the Female Reproductive System Based on Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Based Detection of EMT-Related Targets in Endometrial Cancer: Potential for Diagnosis and Prognostic Prediction

Epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) is one of the important mechanisms of malignancy in endometrial cancer, and detection of EMT targets is a key challenge to explore the mechanism of endometrial carcinoma (EC) malignancy and discover novel therapeutic targets. This study attempts to use surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), a highly sensitive, ultrafast, and highly specific analytical technology, to rapidly detect microRNA-200a-3p and ZEB1 in endometrial cancer cell lines. The silver nanoparticles were decorated with iodine and calcium ions, can capture the SERS fingerprints of microRNA-200a-3p and ZEB1 protein, and effectively avoid the interference of impurity signals. At the same time, the method has high sensitivity for the detection of the above EMT targets, and the lowest detection limits for microRNA-200a-3p and ZEB1 are 4.5 pmol/mL and 10 ng/mL, respectively. At the lowest detection concentration, the method still has high stability. In addition, principal component analysis can not only identify microRNA-200a-3p and ZEB1 protein from a variety of EMT-associated microRNA and proteins but also identify them in the total RNA and total protein of endometrial cancer cell lines and normal endometrial epithelial cell lines. This study modified silver nanoparticles with iodine and calcium ions and for the first time captured the fingerprints of EMT-related targets microRNA-200a-3p and ZEB1 at the same time without label, and the method has high sensitivity and stability. This SERS-based method has immense potential for elucidating the molecular mechanisms of EMT-related EC, as well as identifying biomarkers for malignant degree and prognosis prediction.

Molecular profile-based recommendations for postoperative adjuvant therapy in early endometrial cancer with high-intermediate or intermediate risk: a Chinese randomized phase III trial (PROBEAT)

The use of molecular categorisation is shifting paradigm towards the use of molecular information to refine risk stratification in endometrial cancer (EC). To date, evidence to support molecular-guided therapies is limited to retrospective studies and secondary molecular analyses of patients receiving standard treatment. The PROBEAT study is the first randomized phase III trial to evaluate tailored adjuvant treatment based on WHO-endorsed molecular classification in Chinese EC patients. It is expected to provide a clinical decision-making tool for adjuvant treatment of patients with high-intermediate risk (HIR) or intermediate risk (IR) EC to better optimise and personalise patient care and increase relapse-free survival. The PROBEAT trial is a prospective, multicentre study led by Women's Hospital of Zhejiang University Gynaecologic Oncology Group. Recruitment started on January 24, 2022, and 590 patients with HIR or IR endometrioid EC are expected to be recruited from 13 clinical centres in China. All tumor tissues will be classified into four molecular subtypes ( ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05179447.

Knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination: A survey among 961 college students in Hangzhou, China

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is the primary prevention for cervical cancer, which has not yet been added to the planned immunization in our country. However, the attitude and perceptions of college students towards HPV vaccination are unknown. We investigated the knowledge of and attitude towards HPV vaccination and cervical cancer among college students aged 18 years and older. A total of 961 college students in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province voluntarily participated in our study by filling out a self-administered questionnaire on HPV vaccination and knowledge of cervical cancer prevention. The age of all the college students was 24.69 ± 4.59 years, including 394 males (41%) and 567 females (59%). A logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the injection of the HPV vaccine among 961 college students. A total of 96.15% (924/961) of the college students said they had heard of the HPV vaccine, 84.60% (813/961) of the college students were willing to receive the HPV vaccine, and 56.08% (318/567) of the female college students had HPV vaccination. Logistic regression analysis showed that major, educational level, place of household registration, and mother’s education significantly influenced HPV vaccination (P < .05). Increasing the knowledge and the coverage of HPV vaccine is important for cervical cancer prevention. Adding courses on the HPV vaccine in high schools and colleges, increasing HPV vaccine consultation clinics in community hospitals, developing more HPV vaccines and reducing the costs may be effective measures.

Associations of Pap test utilisation with comorbidity and functional impairment among middle-aged non-Hispanic black women in the USA: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2018 BRFSS data

Objectives Limited evidence exists on the association of Pap test utilisation with comorbidity and functional impairment among middle-aged non-Hispanic black (NHB) women in the USA. We aimed to assess whether middle-aged NHB women with a higher burden of comorbidity and functional impairment have a lower rate of Pap test utilisation. Design Nationwide cross-sectional survey in the USA. Setting 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Participants 6359 middle-aged NHB women. Exposures and outcome The primary exposures were comorbidity and functional impairment. The outcome of interest was whether a woman reported having a Pap test in the last 3 years. Data analysis We fit unadjusted and multivariable logistic regression models to calculate ORs and 95% CI for comorbidity and functional impairment. Sensitivity analysis was restricted to women without a history of hysterectomy or cancer. We added interaction terms between exposures and age, as well as lifestyle indicators. Results Of the 6359 women, 4141 (65.1%) had comorbidity and 2429 (38.2%) had functional impairment. Middle-aged NHB women with comorbidity (≥2 vs 0, aOR=0.72, 95% CI=0.61 to 0.85, p trend<0.01) or functional impairment (≥2 vs 0, aOR=0.69, 95% CI=0.57 to 0.83, p trend<0.01) had a lower rate of Pap test utilisation compared with healthier counterparts, regardless of histories of hysterectomy and prior cancer. The analyses for age and lifestyle indicators subgroup difference indicated no statistically significant effect (p interaction>0.05). However, the magnitude of these associations was stronger among women with adverse lifestyle factors (eg, comorbidity ≥2 v.s. 0, aOR=0.53, 95% CI=0.40, to 0.71; functional impairment ≥2 v.s. 0, aOR=0.35, 95% CI=0.16, to 0.72 among binge drinkers). Conclusion Comorbidity or functional impairment could be a potential barrier to Pap test utilisation among middle-aged NHB women in the USA. Our study highlights the importance of implementing targeted intervention programmes and prioritised health resource allocation to promote Pap test utilisation. Cohort studies with clear temporality and indicators reflecting disease severity will be essential for further understanding this association.

FLOT2 Promotes the Proliferation and Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition of Cervical Cancer by Activating the MEK/ERK1/2 Pathway

As prevalent cancer in women, approximately 569,847 cases of cervical cancer occur every year. This study aimed to explore the role of FLOT2 and its related mechanism in the development of cervical cancer. Cell culture study and animal experimentation. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to evaluate the expression of FLOT2. Flow cytometry was applied for the evaluation of cell apoptosis. Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation were utilized for proliferation measurement. Cervical cancer mice model was employed to measure the role of FLOT2 in vivo. FLOT2 mRNA and protein levels were dramatically elevated ( FLOT2 aggravates the proliferation and epithelialmesenchymal transition of cervical cancer by activating the MEK/ ERK1/2 and AKT pathways.

PROfiling Based Endometrial Cancer Adjuvant Therapy

This is a prospective, multicenter, randomized phase III trial among women with endometrioid adenocarcinoma with high-intermediate and intermediate risk features to investigate the role of integrated genomic-pathologic classification to determine if participants should receive no adjuvant therapy, vaginal brachytherapy, external beam radiotherapy or chemo-radiation therapy based on molecular features as compared to standard radiation therapy.