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Background/Aims. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are often used for tumor diagnosis and treatment owing to their high stability, high expression abundance, and strong tissue specificity. The role of hsa_circ_0051908, a newly reported circRNA, in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. Materials and Methods. Hsa_circ_0051908 expression was determined using RT-qPCR. HCC cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion, and migration were assessed using CCK-8 assay, EdU staining, TUNEL staining, flow cytometry, and transwell assay. The molecular mechanism was analyzed using western blotting. In addition, the role of hsa_circ_0051908 in tumor growth was evaluated in vivo. Results. Hsa_circ_0051908 expression was increased in both HCC tissues and cell lines. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells were significantly decreased after hsa_circ_0051908 knockdown, while cell apoptosis was notably increased. Furthermore, we found that hsa_circ_0051908 silencing downregulated vimentin and Snail and upregulated E-cadherin. In vivo, hsa_circ_0051908 silencing significantly inhibited the growth of the tumor. Conclusions. Our data provide evidence that hsa_circ_0051908 promotes HCC progression partially by mediating the epithelial–mesenchymal transition process, and it may be used for HCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hsa_circ_0028861, a newly discovered serum exosome circular RNA (circRNA), is greatly reduced in the serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the exact role of hsa_circ_0028861 in the progression of liver cancer is still unknown. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with HCC were enrolled in this study. Hsa_circ_0028861 expression was explored via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The influence of curcumol on HCC cells were tested using CCK-8 assay, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, cell wound healing assay, and migration assay, respectively. The related mechanism was determined by Western blot. A xenograft tumor model was constructed, and mice were administrated with curcumol. Results: The expression of hsa_circ_0028861 in tumor tissues was elevated of patients with HCC and in HCC cells. Curcumol treatment decreased the expression of hsa_circ_0028861 in HCC cells. Curcumol treatment could largely suppress the viability, proliferation, and migration of HCC cells by reducing hsa_circ_0028861 expression and mediating the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. Curcumol also effectively restrained tumor growth in the HCC mice model. Conclusions: Curcumol exerted an inhibitory role in HCC progression by downregulating hsa_circ_0028861 expression and mediating the EMT process, which provides evidence for screening new therapeutic targets and drug therapies for HCC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has been reported to effectively control peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) in various patient populations, but there is a lack of real-world data. This study aimed to examine the safety and effectiveness of HIPEC in patients with PC in a real-world setting. Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients with PC treated with the high-precision BR-TRG-I type HIPEC device between December 2006 and December 2016. Vital signs during HIPEC and adverse events were recorded. Effectiveness was evaluated by total objective remission rate (ORR), which was based on ascites' remission 4 weeks after HIPEC. Results: A total of 1,200 patients were included. There were 518 males and 682 females, with a mean age of 58.6 ± 6.5 years (range, 32–76 years). Among the patients, 93.6% of the patients (1123/1200) successfully received the three sessions of HIPEC, 158 had massive ascites. The changes of vital signs during HIPEC were within acceptable ranges, and patients only had a transient fever and abdominal distension. Regarding the HIPEC-related complications, hemorrhage was observed in seven (0.6%) patients, anastomotic leakage in four (0.5%), and intestinal obstruction in eight (0.7%). Nine (0.8%, 9/1200) patients had CTCAE grade IV bone marrow suppression, and three (0.3%, 3/1200) patients had severe renal failure (SRF), which were considered to be drug-related. The ORR of malignant ascites was 95.6% (151/158). Conclusion: This real-world study strongly suggests that HIPEC was safe in treating PC patients with a low rate of adverse events and leads to benefits in PC patients with massive malignant ascites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective removal of CO2 impurities from C2H2 is important but extremely difficult due to their very similar physical properties and almost identical kinetic diameters. In this work, a hydro-stable 3D porous thulium(III)–organic framework, {[Tm2(OH-bdc)2(μ3-OH)2(H2O)2]·11H2O}n (1) (OH-H2bdc = 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic), functionalized with hydroxyl groups and aqua ligands with an ecu topology is constructed. The activation of 1 at different temperatures realizes two novel porous MOFs (1a and 1a′) with channels of 6.2 × 9.3 and 6.3 × 9.3 Å2 and 6.3 × 10.6 and 9.3 × 12.2 Å2, respectively. 1a and 1a′ show distinctly different ability to separate a CO2/C2H2 mixture. As compared with the poor CO2/C2H2 separation performance of 1a′, 1a shows an excellent capability to selectively capture CO2 from CO2/C2H2 based on the results of single-component adsorption isotherm and breakthrough experiments. The CO2 and C2H2 uptakes on 1a are 5.83 mmol g−1 and 2.01 mmol g−1 at 298 K and 1 bar, respectively. More importantly, 1a achieves a high selectivity for CO2 over C2H2 with an IAST selectivity of 17.5 at 298 K and 1 bar. Furthermore, 1a exhibits good reusability in CO2/C2H2 separation. To the best of our knowledge, 1a represents the first example of lanthanide-based MOFs for CO2/C2H2 separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) is the current standard therapy procedure for patients with advanced ovarian cancer (OC), but numerous patients with OC are complicated with ascites. The aim of the present study was to assess whether massive ascites affect the rate of complete CRS and prognosis for patients with primary OC treated with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC). Between December 2006 and December 2015, 1,293 patients with primary OC from the Intracelom Hyperthermic Perfusion Therapy Center of the Cancer Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University prospective database were treated with CRS combined with HIPEC. A total of 1,225 patients were without malignant ascites or small amounts of ascites and 68 had massive malignant ascites. The rate of complete CRS, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and resolution of ascites for patients with massive ascites were analyzed between patients without/small ascites, and with massive ascites. Complete CRS was successful in 86.8% (1,063/1,225) of patients without/small ascites, and 85.3% (58/68) of patients with massive ascites. No statistical differences were identified in complete CRS success between patients with ascites and patients without/small ascites (P=0.080). For patients with massive ascites, all symptoms exhibited regression; the total objective remission rate was 100% (68/68), even for patients with incomplete CRS (10/68) (P=0.100). The mean OS was 58 months and the mean DFS was 26 months in patients without/small ascite, vs. 57 months and 28 months in patients with massive ascites. No significant differences were noted in median DFS and median OS between patients with ascites, and patients without/small ascites (All P>0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that ascites does not affect the rate of complete CRS and the prognosis of patients with massive ascites following HIPEC. CRS is suitable for the majority of patients with primary OC and massive ascites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are important factors in the response of cancer cells to thermo‑ and chemotherapy. Transient hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) therapy results in the upregulation of HSP expression, which may compromise the efficacy of additional anticancer treatments. The aim of the present study was to monitor the kinetics of HSP expression in tumor cells and patients with gastric cancer following HIPEC. Thus, in vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the expression of two HSP family members, HSP70 and HSP90. Cells from two gastric tumor strains were subjected to HIPEC‑mimicking treatment, and HSPs expression was analyzed at specific time points up to 48 h. Serum HSP concentrations were analyzed in patients with gastric cancer who had previously received cytoreductive surgery plus HIPEC treatment. The in vitro experiments indicated a significant elevation of HSP90 expression in gastric adenocarcinoma cells following hyperthermic treatment. However, HSP70 expression increased from 4 h up to 20 h post‑exposure and decreased to normal levels 36 h post‑exposure. Analysis of HSPs in serum samples collected from 22 patients with gastric cancer confirmed that serum HSP90 and HSP70 levels increased following HIPEC therapy, peaking at 18 h and returning to normal 24 h post‑exposure. It is therefore advisable to apply the second round of HIPEC or chemotherapy at least 24 h following the first treatment to minimize any potential thermoresistance and chemoresistance of tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malignant ascites, a complication often seen in patients with ovarian cancer (OC), is difficult to treat, but hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has a good efficacy. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with HIPEC for controlling malignant ascites from OC. Materials and Methods: From December 2009 until December 2014, 53 patients with OC and malignant ascites were treated with CRS and HIPEC. Patients in good health condition were treated with CRS followed by HIPEC (CRS + HIPEC), and patients in poor health condition were treated initially with B-mode ultrasound-guided HIPEC followed by delayed CRS upon improvement of their health condition (HIPEC + delayed CRS). Resolution of ascites, complete CRS, overall survival, and disease-free survival were analyzed. Results: All patients showed ascites regression. The total objective remission rate was 100%, even for patients in the poor condition group before CRS. Complete CRS was successful in 30 (88.23%) of 34 patients in the good condition group, and 17 (89.47%) of 19 patients in the poor condition group (P > 0.05). Median disease-free survival and median overall survival were 21 and 39 months in the good condition group, and 22 and 38 months in the poor condition group, respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy is effective at controlling ascites in patients with OC, even for patients in poor condition before CRS, or when complete CRS is not feasible. Furthermore, the regression of ascites appears not to be dependent on complete resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim:Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (HIPEC) is the treatment regime most likely to achieve prolonged survival in patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastroenteric cancer. To date, few publications have focused on the treatment of patients with gastric cancer alone. Several controversies remain unsolved, including the safety and effectiveness of the CRS–HIPEC combination regime, particularly in cases where HIPEC is used as adjuvant treatment after CRS. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of CRS combined with HIPEC in patients with gastric cancer. Method:Data from 231 patients with a median age of 55.1 years treated with the CRS–HIPEC combination regime between January 2009 and December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent the combination therapy (mean of 2.4 cycles per patient, range, 1 to 4 cycles). Results:Median overall survival was 37.0 months, with 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates recorded as 83.4%, 68.5%, and 38.7%, respectively. The serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) were significantly decreased after combination therapy in the completeness of cytoreduction (CCR)-0 and CCR-1 groups, while no significant changes observed in marker levels were observed in the CC ≥2 group. The post-operative morbidity and mortality rates were 6.9% and 0.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed low TNM tumour stage, ascites condition and CCR score as independent predictors for better survival. Conclusion:In view of the acceptable morbidity and mortality rates we propose that CRS combined with HIPEC presents an effective and safe treatment modality for patients with gastric cancer, especially in cases where optimal cytoreduction is achieved before the HIPEC procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: The heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is overexpressed and highly associated with poor prognosis in many malignancies. However, the role of HSP90 in gastric cancer has not been thoroughly elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship of HSP90 expression with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in advanced gastric cancer, and estimate the alteration of HSP90 expression after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. HSP90 and matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) antigen expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 322 advanced gastric carcinoma samples. The relationships between HSP90 and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis were analyzed. The response of HSP90 level was assessed in chemotherapeutic effect in 54 patients received 1–2 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The positive expression of HSP90 was found to be 69.6% in 322 advanced gastric carcinoma samples. HSP90 protein expression was significantly associated with depth invasion (P<0.001), lymph node metastasis (P<0.001) and stage of disease (P<0.001). The positive rates of HSP90 expression were higher in both prominent serosal invasion group (P<0.001) and lymph node metastasis group (P<0.001). Moreover, HSP90 was significantly correlated with MMP-9 among 322 gastric cancer tissues (P<0.001). In univariate and multivariate analyses, HSP90 was an independent prognostic factor for both recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). These results suggested that HSP90 may play an important role on tumor invasion, metastasis and prognosis, and might act as a promising target for prognostic prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]