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Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, ranks as the fifth most common cancer and has been the second most frequent cause of cancer-related death. RNA binding proteins (RBPs) are proteins that interact with different classes of RNA and are commonly detected in cells.Methods: We used RNA sequencing data from TCGA to display dysfunctional RBPs microenvironments and provide potential useful biomarkers for HCC diagnosis and prognosis.Results: 330 differently expressed RBPs (208 upregulated and 122 downregulated) were identified. KEGG were mainly enriched in RNA degradation, Influenza A, Hepatitis C, RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, Herpes simplex virus 1 infection and RNA transport. CBioPortal results demonstrated that these genes were altered in 50 samples out of 357 HCC patients (14%) and the amplification of BRCA1 was the largest frequent copy-number alteration.Conclusion: Based on the online database, we identified novel RBPs markers for the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Circulating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells appear not to be overly utilizing aerobic glycolysis. However, recurrent contact with CLL cells in a stromal microenvironment leads to increased aerobic glycolysis and the cells’ overall glycolytic capacity, which promotes cell survival and proliferation. TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) has been directly implicated in cellular metabolism in the control of glycolysis. TIGAR inhibits glycolysis and protects cells from intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS)-associated apoptosis. Methods TIGAR mRNA expression was investigated by quantitative PCR in 102 newly diagnosed CLL patients. Furthermore, the relationship between the expression of TIGAR and its clinical characteristics and prognosis were investigated. Moreover, we also investigated the correlation between TIGAR expression and apoptosis in primary CLL cells. Results Our data revealed that TIGAR overexpression was correlated with the protection from spontaneous apoptosis in CLL cells, and is strongly associated with advanced Binet stage, unmutated immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable region ( IGHV ) status, CD38 positivity, β2-microglobulin and p53 aberrations. Higher expression of TIGAR was associated with shorter treatment-free survival (median: three months vs. 51 months, P = 0.0108), worse overall survival (median: 74 months vs. not reached, P = 0.0242), and the diverse responses to fludarabine-based chemotherapy. TIGAR expression in patients resistant to chemotherapy was significantly higher than in patients sensitive to chemotherapy (mean: 0.3859 ± 0.1710 vs. 0.0974 ± 0.0291, P = 0.0290). Conclusion Taken together, our findings revealed that high TIGAR expression is closely correlated with worse clinical outcome in CLL patients, and depicted how bioenergetic characteristics could be therapeutically exploited in CLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with various nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutations are controversial in the prognosis. This study aimed to investigate the prognosis of patients according to types of NPM1 mutations (NPM1mut). Methods: Bone marrow samples of 528 patients newly diagnosed with AML, were collected for morphology, immunology, cytogenetics, and molecular biology examinations. Gene mutations were detected by next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Results: About 25.2% of cases exhibited NPM1mut. 83.5% of cases were type A, while type B and D were respectively account for 2.3% and 3.0%. Furthermore, 15 cases of rare types were identified, of which 2 cases have not been reported. Clinical characteristics were similar between patients with A-type NPM1 mutations (NPM1A − type mut) and non-A-type NPM1 mutations (NPM1non − A−type mut). Event-free survival (EFS) was significantly different between patients with low NPM1non − A−type mut variant allele frequency (VAF) and low NPM1A − type mut VAF (median EFS = 3.9 vs. 8.5 months, P = 0.020). The median overall survival (OS) of the NPM1non − A−type mutFLT3-ITDmut group, the NPM1A − type mutFLT3-ITDmut group, the NPM1non − A−type mutFLT3-ITDwt group, and the NPM1A − type mutFLT3-ITDwt group were 3.9, 10.7, 17.3 and 18.8 months, while the median EFS of the corresponding groups was 1.4, 5.0, 7.6 and 9.2 months (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions: No significant difference was observed in OS and EFS between patients with NPM1A − type mut and NPM1non − A−type mut. However, types of NPM1 mutations and the status of FLT3-ITD mutations may jointly have an impact on the prognosis of AML patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular abnormalities are frequent in core-binding factor (CBF) AMLs, but their prognostic relevance is controversial. Sixty-two patients were retrospectively analyzed and 47 harbored at least one gene mutation with a next-generation-sequencing assay. The most common molecular mutation was KIT mutation (30.6%), followed by NRAS (24.2%) and ASXL1 (14.5%) mutations, which was associated with a higher number of bone marrow blasts (p =.049) and older age (p =.027). The survival analysis showed KIT mutation adversely affected the overall survival (OS) (p =.046). NRAS mutation was associated with inferior OS (p =.016) and RFS (p =.039). Eight patients carried co-mutations of KIT and NRAS and had worse OS (p =.012) and RFS (p =.034). The multivariate analysis showed age ≥60 years and additional chromosomal abnormalities were significant adverse factors for OS. Thus, co-mutations of KIT and NRAS were significantly associated with a poor prognosis and should be taken into account when assessing for prognostic stratification in patients with CBF-AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often presents with abnormal blood cell counts and gene mutations at diagnosis. But, the correlation between blood cell counts and gene mutations and the clinical effects on AML is unclear. 279 AML patients with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3(FLT3) mutations were selected. Patients with FLT3 mutations were counted by PCR amplification products direct sequencing and second-generation sequencing (NGS), and blood cell counts at the time of initial diagnosis. The relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) and the influence of the clinical characteristics of patients on the prognosis in different groups were analyzed. The median of platelet (PLT) count was higher in the TET2 non-mutation group than mutation group and higher in the IDH1/2 mutation group than non-mutation group. The median of white blood cell (WBC) count was reduced in the poor prognosis group. The differences in levels of WBC and PLT count varied among the four groups binding sequence (JM-B), switching sequence (JM-S), zipper sequence (JM-Z), and high chain region (JM-H). The differences in PLT count varied between the insertion length ≥39 bp and <39 bp, and between ≥ 50 bp and <50 bp; The OS and RFS in 10 < WBC (×109/L) < 100 group and in the 30 ≤ PLT (×109/L)<80 group were better. In AML patients with FLT3 mutations, the location of FLT3 mutations and the type of co-mutated genes may be correlated with blood cell counts, and different blood cell counts may have an impact on the prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although forkhead box protein M1 (FOXM1) is markedly upregulated in human premalignant and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissues and cultured cells, the association of FOXM1 expression with OSCC prognosis is not well understood. The present study investigated the possible association of FOXM1 expression in patients with OSCC with their clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcomes. The expression of FOXM1 protein in OSCC tissues from 119 patients was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and the results demonstrated that FOXM1 overexpression in patients with OSCC was associated with tumour recurrence and poor prognosis. To study the in vitro effects of FOXM1, its expression was decreased by small interfering RNA (siRNA) in OSCC cell lines, and FOXM1 knockdown decreased the proliferative, migratory and invasive capacities of cells. FOXM1 inhibition by siRNA gave rise to reduced expression of vimentin and increased expression of E-cadherin. The present study reported FOXM1 as a novel predictor of tumour recurrence in patients with OSCC and its potential involvement in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in OSCC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction is presented to the article "Clinical prognostic value of different NPM1 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia patients" published in a previous issue of the periodical.

Purpose: The objective of our study was to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics and prognostic factors in patients with pulmonary acinar cell carcinoma (PACC). Methods: PACC patients diagnosed between 1975 and 2016 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The trend in PACC incidence was assessed using joinpoint regression software. Overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to identify the independent prognostic factors for OS and DSS. Nomograms to predict survival possibilities were constructed based on the identified independent prognostic factors. Results: A total of 2918 patients were identified with PACC. The mean age was 65.2 ± 8.95 years with a female to male of 1.6:1. The incidence of PACC steadily increased by an annual percentage change (APC) of 3.2% (95% CI 2.1–4.4, p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that age, gender, race, stage, grade, tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes, surgery, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for survival. Nomograms specifically for PACC were constructed to predict 1‐ and 5‐year OS and DSS possibility, respectively. The concordance index (C‐index) and calibration plots showed the established nomograms had robust and accurate performance. Conclusion: PACC was rare but the incidence has been steadily increasing over the past four decades. Survival has improved in recent years. Surgery or chemotherapy could provide better OS and DSS. The established nomograms specifically for PACC were robust and accurate in predicting 1‐ and 5‐year OS and DSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While the epidemiologic association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is established, little is known about the pathological characteristics and outcome of DLBCL arising in patients with HBV infection. Methods: We retrospectively studied a cohort of 420 patients with DLBCL for the incidence of HBV infection, and the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients in China, a hepatitis B endemic area. Results: In our study, 127 (30.2%) patients were HBsAg-positive. HBsAg-positive DLBCL displayed a younger median onset age (50 vs. 54 years, P = 0.002), more frequent involvement of the spleen (19.7% vs. 6.1%, P < 0.001), less frequent involvement of the small and large intestine (2.3% vs. 11.2%, P = 0.003), more advanced disease (stage III/IV: 56.7% vs. 45.1%, P = 0.028), and lower expression rate of MYC (49.1% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.026). The median follow-up time was 61.9 months. Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between HBsAg-negative and -positive DLBCL (P = 0.577). In the HBsAg-positive DLBCL subgroup, age older than 60 years, advanced disease, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), spleen involvement, B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss), and double expressers of MYC and BCL2 had a significantly worse outcome, and patients treated with R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) had a better prognosis. Multivariate analysis further confirmed that spleen involvement and rituximab use were independent prognostic factors in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients. Conclusions: Our study indicates that HBsAg-positive DLBCL has unique clinicopathological features and independent prognostic factors. Moreover, under antiviral prophylaxis, the survival of DLBCL patients with HBV infections was comparable to that of HBV-negative patients, and the use of rituximab significantly improved OS in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma is closely associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. However, the prognostic value of EBV-DNA in extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma remains unclear. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to estimate its prognostic significance. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were used to search for studies conducted until June 12, 2017. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment EBV-DNA on the overall survival of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Seven eligible studies on 356 patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma were pooled for this meta-analysis. Results suggested that the pretreatment EBV-DNA positivity was significantly correlated with the overall survival of extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (pooled HR =3.78, 95% CI: 1.52-9.40, p=0.004; heterogeneity test: I2=52%, p=0.05). Subgroup analyses stratified by sample type, survival analysis mode, and HR origin showed that patients with positive pretreatment EBV-DNA had poorer prognosis than those with negative pretreatment EBV-DNA. Moreover, the cut-off value (HR =1.66; 95% CI: 0.73-3.73; p=0.22) might account for the heterogeneity. No significant publication bias was observed. Pretreatment EBV-DNA positivity can predict poor prognosis for patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma. Future large-scale studies based on prognostic significance of EBV-DNA for patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma are necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To better manage patients with de novo metastatic NPC (mNPC) including easily identifying individuals' survival outcomes and accurately choosing the most suitable treatment. Materials and methods Three independent cohorts of mNPC patients (a training set of n = 462, an internal prospective validation set of n = 272 and an external prospective validation set of n = 243) were studied. The radiological characteristics of distant metastases, including number of metastatic locations, number of metastatic lesions and size of metastatic lesions, were carefully defined based on imaging data. These three factors and other potential prognostic factors were comprehensively analysed and were further integrated into new subdivisions of stage M1 using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results We successfully subdivided the M1 stage into three categories: M1a, oligo metastasis without liver involvement; M1b, multiple metastases without liver involvement; and M1c, liver involvement irrespective of metastatic lesions. The 3-year overall survival ranged from 54.5% to 72.8%, from 34.3% to 41.6% and from 22.6.0%–23.6% for M1a, M1b and M1c, respectively ( P < 0.001). Systemic chemotherapy combined with radical loco-regional radiotherapy may benefit patients in M1a and M1b, not in M1c. Further aggressive treatment of metastatic lesions based on systemic chemotherapy and definitive loco-regional radiotherapy showed no survival benefit, even for patients in M1a ( P > 0.05). Conclusion The subdividing of M1 provided promising prognostic value and could aid clinicians in choosing the most suitable treatment for de novo mNPC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To evaluate the survival benefit of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) compared with conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy (2D-CRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using a large cohort with long follow-up. Methods We retrospectively analysed 7081 non-metastatic NPC patients who received curative IMRT or 2D-CRT from February 2002 to December 2011. Results Of the 7081 patients, 2245 (31.7%) were administered IMRT, while 4836 (68.3%) were administered 2D-CRT. At 5 years, the patients administered IMRT had significantly higher local relapse-free survival (LRFS), loco-regional relapse-free survival (LRRFS), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) (95.6%, 92.5%, 82.1% and 87.4%, respectively) than those administered 2D-CRT (90.8%, 88.5%, 76.7% and 84.5%, respectively; p < 0.001). The distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) was higher for IMRT than 2D-CRT, with borderline significance (87.6% and 85.7%, respectively; p = 0.056). However, no difference was observed between IMRT and 2D-CRT in nodal relapse-free survival (NRFS; 96.3% and 97.4%, respectively; p = 0.217). Multivariate analyses showed that IMRT was an independent protective prognostic factor for LRFS, LRRFS and PFS, but not NRFS, DMFS or OS. Conclusions IMRT provided an improved LRFS, LRRFS and PFS in both the early and advanced T classifications and overall stage for non-disseminated NPC compared with 2D-CRT. However, no significant advantage was observed in NRFS, DMFS or OS when IMRT was used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Recurrent tumour, node and metastasis (rTNM) stage system does not have an outstanding prognostic value for survival outcome of patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC) and it cannot aid the clinicians to choose the most suitable treatment for these patients. Methods In total, 894 rNPC patients were consecutively enroled. All recurrent (r) tumour (T) stages (rT) and node (N) stages (rN) were stratified as resectable and unresectable based on the imaging data of the head and neck. These stages were re-subdivided into surgical T stages (sT) and surgical N stages (sN) with similar clinical characteristics and death risks and were re-integrated into a new ‘surgical’ stage using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 72.0%, 55.1%, 21.1% and 10.1% in ‘surgical’ stages I, II, III and IV, respectively ( P < 0.001). The ‘surgical’ stage was a significant independent prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.78, P < 0.001) and exhibited enhanced prognostic value compared with the rTNM staging system (area under receiver operating characteristics 0.68 versus 0.63, P < 0.001). Endoscopic nasopharyngectomy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy were significant independent positive prognostic factors for the OS of patients with primary lesions in ‘surgical’ stage I/II and ‘surgical’ stage III, respectively ( P < 0.05). A combination of aggressive treatments for loco-regional lesions exhibited a beneficial trend for OS of patients with ‘surgical’ stage IV ( P > 0.05). Conclusions Compared with the rTNM stage system, the ‘surgical’ staging system exhibited enhanced prognostic value for rNPC patient survival and could aid clinicians in choosing the most suitable treatment for rNPC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective We previously reported the five-year results of a randomised trial that compared induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (IC + CCRT) with induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (IC + RT) in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The aim of this study was to report the ten-year results and to explore potential prognostic factors. Methods From August 2002 to April 2005, 408 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were randomly assigned to receive either IC (carboplatin and floxuridine) + CCRT (carboplatin) or IC + RT. The survival rates were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify valuable prognostic factors. Results The ten-year overall survival, failure-free survival, locoregional failure-free survival and distant failure-free survival rates for the entire patient cohort were 49.5%, 48.0%, 80.8% and 66.9%, respectively. No significant survival differences were found between the IC + CCRT and IC + RT arms. By 3 years from the date of randomisation, 62.5% of the relapses had been detected; no recurrence occurred after 8 years. Within 3 years after randomisation, 77.0% of the metastases were detected; 0.8% was identified after 8 years. Age, Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) N-stage, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and body mass index (BMI) were independent prognostic factors that predicted death. Smoking status and total radiotherapy dose were independent prognostic factors that predicted locoregional recurrence. UICC N-stage, LDH and BMI were independent prognostic factors that predicted distant metastasis. Conclusions Concurrent carboplatin chemotherapy did not significantly improve the long-term survival after inductive carboplatin and floxuridine chemotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In addition to patient and tumour characteristics, LDH, BMI and smoking status were important baseline prognostic factors for tumour recurrence or distant metastasis; these are worthy of further prognostic investigation in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Loss of cylindromatosis gene ( CYLD) expression has been observed in various cancers, including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). As a deubiquitination enzyme, CYLD regulates the proliferation, development and activation of lymphoid cells. Here we determined the CYLD mRNA expression by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 125 patients with CLL. CYLD was considerably down-regulated in CLL cells compared to normal B cells. Low CYLD expression was associated with unmutated status of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain variable-region ( IGHV) gene ( p = 0.0018) and CD38 positivity ( p = 0.0499). Patients with high CYLD expression showed a trend toward improved overall survival (OS) (10-year OS: CYLD high: 94.74%, CYLD low: 52.71%; p = 0.0534). For patients with mutated IGHV gene, high CYLD was also associated with better OS (10-year OS: CYLD high: 100%, CYLD low: 66.67%; p = 0.0547). In conclusion, low CYLD expression identifies a subgroup of patients with CLL with inferior outcome, indicating the role of CYLD as a tumor suppressor in the pathogenesis of CLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the relationship between the pretreatment body mass index (BMI) and the clinical outcomes in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Methods: From August 2002 to April 2005, 400 patients with stage III or stage IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma were recruited for a randomised clinical trial of induction chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The patients were divided into four groups of underweight (BMI<18.5kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5–22.9kg/m2), overweight (BMI 23.0–27.4kg/m2) or obese (BMI⩾27.5kg/m2) according to the World Health Organization classifications for Asian populations. The differences in the long-term survival, of these four BMI groups were analysed. Results: The 5-year failure-free survival rates for the underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese groups were 44%, 61%, 68% and 73%, respectively (p =0.014), and the 5-year overall survival rates were 51%, 68%, 80% and 72% (p =0.001), respectively. BMI was a strongly favoured prognostic factor of overall survival and failure-free survival in a Cox regression model. Conclusions: Pretreatment body mass index was a simple, reliable independent prognostic factor for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic value and differences between the 6th and 7th International Union Against Cancer/American Joint Committee on Cancer staging systems in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: The magnetic resonance imaging scans and medical records of 903 patients with histologically diagnosed non-disseminated nasopharyngeal carcinoma were reviewed retrospectively. Moreover, the extent of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was restaged according to the 6th and 7th editions of the staging systems. Results: Among the 903 patients, the 5-year survival rates were as follows: overall survival (OS), 81 %; local relapse-free survival (LRFS), 90 %; distant metastasis-free survival, 86 %; and disease-free survival, 77 %. Using the 7th edition of the staging system, significant differences in OS between categories T1 and T3, categories T1 and T4, categories T2 and T3, and categories T2 and T4 were achieved ( P < 0.001 for all models). However, LRFS differed only between categories T1 and T3 and categories T1 and T4 ( P = 0.008 and P = 0.003). No statistically significant differences in LRFS were observed among the different groups of anatomic masticator space invasion ( P = 0.781, P = 0.457 and P = 0.696). Significant differences in DMFS were achieved, except between categories N3a and N3b ( P = 0.826). The T category and N category were independent prognostic factors for the major endpoints in the Cox multivariate regression analysis ( P < 0.005). Conclusion: The revisions of the 7th edition of the staging system are acceptable with regard to the distribution of patient classifications and the separation of survival curves. Moreover, this study will help to develop a better classification system and to better identify the appropriate treatment regimens in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To evaluate the long-term treatment outcome in patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with salvage intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Materials and methods: One hundred and fifty one previously irradiation NPC patients with recurrent disease and re-irradiated by IMRT between 2001 and 2006 had been reviewed. The disease was re-stage I in 7, re-stage II in 21, re-stage III in 50 and re-stage IV in 73. Thirty-seven patients received concurrent chemotherapy, 39 had induction chemotherapy and 75 had radiotherapy alone. Results: All patients completed the planned IMRT. The median volume of the recurrent gross target volume of nasopharynx (rGTVnx) was 42.2cm3 (range 1.5–146.3cm3). The median mean re-irradiation dose to the rGTVnx was 70.4Gy (range 62.1–77.6Gy). The median follow-up time after re-irradiation was 40.0months (range 1.9–116.9month). The 5-year local control rate (LCR) and overall survival rate (OS) for re-stage I, II, III, IV were 80.0%, 85.0%, 80.0%, 78.7% and 71.4%, 62.9%, 35.5%, 30.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that rT classification (hazard ratio (HR), 2.02; 95%confidence interval (CI), 1.03–3.97; P =0.04) and the volume of rGTVnx (HR, 2.05; 95%CI, 1.31–3.22; P <0.01) were independent predictors for OS. Patients (39.0%) with re-stage III or IV disease experienced Grade 3 or 4 late toxicities. Conclusion: Re-irradiation by IMRT for recurrent NPC resulted in encouraging local control. The clinical outcome for patients with early re-stage diseases was satisfactory. Further investigations, focus on optimising radiation dose and establishing effective treatment strategies, are warranted for advanced recurrent disease in order to improve overall survival and minimise late toxicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small endogenous RNAs that play important regulatory roles by targeting mRNAs for cleavage or translational repression. Many reports have indicated that miRNAs play a critical role in malignancies, and regulations in the progression of leukemia. However, the miRNAs expression level in Chinese patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and its prognostic value remain elusive. We identified various degrees of down-regulation of miR-15a, miR-16-1, miR-29b, miR-181a and miR-181b in CLL mononuclear cells. Moreover, we have identified miR-29b and miR-181a/b expression significantly correlated with IGHV mutational status. Transcript levels of predicted target genes BCL-2 and TCL-1 were also determined, and the expression levels were significantly upregulated in CLL patients compared with normal controls (P <0.001). Higher expression of TCL-1 was significantly correlated with aggressive disease features. In addition, an inverse correlation was observed in the CLL samples we examined between miRNAs (miR-16-1, miR-181a, miR-181b) and BCL-2 level; furthermore, an inverse correlation was also observed between miRNAs (miR-16-1, miR-181a, miR-181b) and TCL-1, which suggest that these miRNAs may implicate in negatively regulating target mRNA at transcriptional level. These different miRNAs may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CLL and might be applied for the assessment of prognosis in patients with CLL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]