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Nucleobindin 2 (NUCB-2) is a multifunctional protein that contains several functional domains and is associated with a wide variety of biological processes, such as food intake and energy homeostasis. NUCB-2 has been demonstrated to be associated with worse malignant outcomes and cell migration in breast and prostate cancer. However, to the best of our knowledge, its clinical and biological significance in renal cell carcinoma remains unknown. In the present study, tissue specimens from 68 patients with renal cell carcinoma and 10 normal controls were collected for NUCB-2 mRNA and protein assays. The NUCB-2 level in the patients with renal cell cancer was significantly increased compared with the normal control patients. NUCB-2-knockout in the renal cancer cell line SK-RC-52 inhibited migration and invasion. In addition, the expression levels of molecules associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), including E-cadherin, β-catenin, Slug and Twist, were affected by NUCB-2 suppression and the zinc finger E-box binding to homeobox 1 (ZEB1)-dependent pathway. The AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK)/target of rapamycin complex (mTORC) 1 signaling pathway participates in the regulation of NUCB-2-mediated metastasis and EMT. Suppression of NUCB-2 also inhibited tumor nodule formation in a murine renal cell carcinoma tumor model. In summary, NUCB-2 increased migration, invasion and EMT in renal cell carcinoma cells through the AMPK/TORC1/ZEB1 pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Tropomyosin-1 (TPM1), a widely expressed actin-binding protein, is downregulated in many tumors and associated with cancer progression. A previous study from our group suggested that TPM1 could be involved in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) apoptosis, but the mechanisms and details remained unknown. The present study aimed to further examine the proapoptotic effects of TPM1 and investigate the underlying mechanisms in RCC cell lines. Results from cell viability, DAPI staining and apoptosis assays demonstrated that TPM1 upregulation inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in both 786-O and ACHN RCC cell lines. However, TPM1 knockdown in the two RCC cell lines did not result in the opposite effects on cell proliferation or cell apoptosis. Comet assay and western blotting results demonstrated that TPM1 overexpression induced DNA damage and decreased the expression levels of the antiapoptotic factor BCL2 apoptosis regulator, while increasing the expression levels of the proapoptotic factors BCL2 associated X, Caspase-3 and p53 in 786-O and ACHN cells. The present findings suggest that TPM1 overexpression in RCC cell lines can induce tumor cell apoptosis via the p53-mediated mitochondrial pathway. Further studies are needed to fully elucidate the potential of TPM1 as a candidate for RCC targeted therapy in the future.

The optimal post-operative adjuvant treatment for completely resected gastric cancer with D2 lymphadenectomy remains controversial. The present study was a phase II trial on post-operative chemoradiotherapy in 30 patients with gastric cancer. Patients with stage II to IV (M0) gastric cancer received two cycles of chemotherapy prior to and following chemoradiotherapy. The chemotherapy consisted of a 2-h infusion of oxaliplatin (100 mg/m2) and folinic acid (100 mg/m2), which was followed by a 46-h continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; 2,400 mg/m2) through a portable pump, repeated every 3 weeks. The chemoradiotherapy consisted of 45 Gy of radiotherapy for 5 weeks and 5-FU continuous infusion (350 mg/m2/day). In total, 30 patients were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent the chemoradiotherapy treatment as planned. A total of 10 (33.3%) patients relapsed; two (6.7%) locoregional relapses and mediastinum metastases, four (13.3%) peritoneal relapses, and four (13.3%) distant metastases. The three-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 72.7 and 65%, respectively. The toxicities of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, consisting of neutropenia, nausea and hand-foot syndrome, were observed. In conclusion, post-operative chemoradiotherapy following complete resection of gastric cancer with D2 lymphadenectomy is feasible in a significant subset of patients.

Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy has recently emerged as a minimally invasive treatment for small- to moderate-sized renal tumors. Renal artery pseudoaneurysms (RAPs) have been well-reported in patients with renal trauma or who have undergone percutaneous urological procedures, including biopsy, nephrostomy and percutaneous nephroureterolithotomy. However, RAP following laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for central renal tumor is a rare but serious, potentially life-threatening complication. In total, two patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Hangzhou, China) for central renal tumors that had developed gross hematuria several weeks following the surgical procedures. The formation of RAPs was confirmed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans. Superselective embolizations of the renal artery branches were successfully performed to treat these two patients. In the current report, the etiology, diagnosis and management of RAPs are discussed.