Objective Gene microarray technology was used to investigate the differential gene expression of apoptosis related genes in NB4 cells induced by arsenic trioxide. Methods The databases of Evntrez and Human IPI were searched with "apoptosis or apoptotic" as the key words, and 1384 apoptosis related genes were found after the redundant genes were eliminated by chromosomal localization. The probes of these genes were designed using OligoArray 2.0, and then analyzed by BLAST. All the probes were immobilized on the glass slide, which were used as oligonucleotide microarray. After NB4 cells were treated with 2umol/L As2O3 for 48h, the total RNA were extracted. cDNAs of control group and test group were fluorescently labeled with Cy3 and Cy5, respectively, by RT-PCR. The fluorescent samples were hybridized with an oligonucleotide microarray containing 1384 apoptosis related genes to search for the differentially expressed genes in the cells with or without As2O3 treatment. The hybridization signals were scanned by oligonucleotide microarray, and then the fluorescent intensity of Cy3 and Cy5 and the ratio of two fluoresceins were analyzed using certain software. Then the differential expressed genes were analyzed after As2O3 treatment, in which the most distinctly differential expressed genes were chosen as targets, and through PCR amplification and gel electrophoresis the above genes were verified. Results There are 4 genes up-regulated and 12 genes down-regulated in expression in NB4 cells after 48h treatment with 2umol/L As2O3, which were in accordance with the results of RT-PCR and oligonucleotide microarray. Conclusion Differential gene expression in NB4 cells was induced by As2O3 treatment. These differentially expressed genes, with relation to signal transduction, transcription regulation, cell cycles, oxidation response, protein translation and cell differentiation, may play an important role in NB4 cell apoptosis.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of venetoclax (VEN) combined with azacitidine (AZA) versus CAG regimen combined with decitabine (DAC) in elderly patients with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML).Methods:From January 2018 to August 2020, the clinical data of forty-five elderly patients with relapse AML at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively analyzed, including 31 males and 14 females. The median age was 66 (60-80) years old. Eighteen patients were administrated with VEN and AZA, while the other 27 were in CAG with DAC. The complete remission (CR) rate, partial remission (PR) rate, total remission rate (ORR), adverse events and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups.Results:At the end of the treatment, the ORR in VEN with AZA group was 77.8% (14/18); including 11 CR and 3 PR. In CAG with DAC group, the ORR was 37.0% (10/27); including 8 CR and 2 PR ( P=0.007). Subgroup analysis suggested that VEN with AZA had a higher ORR in patients stratified as intermediate and poor-risk ( P=0.013) or with DNA methylation mutations ( P=0.007). Main adverse events in both groups were bone marrow suppression, infections, nausea and vomiting, anorexia and fatigue. Grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ cytopenia developed in lower incidence of VEN with AZA group, such as leukopenia (66.7% vs. 100%, P=0.002), anemia (50.0% vs. 92.6%, P=0.002), thrombocytopenia (72.2% vs. 96.3%, P=0.031) and neutropenia (61.1% vs. 92.6%, P=0.014). In addition, less grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ infections occurred in VEN with AZA group (66.7% vs. 33.3%, P=0.028), as well as grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ gastrointestinal events (40.7% vs. 11.1%, P=0.032), grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ fatigue (55.6% vs.11.1%, P=0.003) compared with CAG with DAC group. The 1-year OS in VEN with AZA group versus CAG with DAC group was 42.9% and 31.6% respectively ( P=0.150). Conclusion:VEN combined with AZA proves favorable efficacy and tolerablity in elderly patients with relapsed AML.

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and bone metastasis (BM) suffer from greatly reduced life quality and a dismal prognosis. However, BM in HCC has long been overlooked possibly due to its relatively low prevalence in previous decades. To date, no consensus or guidelines have been reached or formulated for the prevention and management of HCC BM. Our narrative review manifests the increasing incidence of HCC BM to sound the alarm for additional attention. The risk factors, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic approaches of HCC BM are detailed to provide a panoramic view of this disease to clinicians and specialists. We further delineate an informative cancer bone metastatic cascade based on evidence from recent studies and point out the main factors responsible for the tumor-associated disruption of bone homeostasis and the formation of skeletal cancer lesions. We also present the advances in the pathological and molecular mechanisms of HCC BM to shed light on translational opportunities. Dilemmas and challenges in the treatment and investigation of HCC BM are outlined and discussed to encourage further endeavors in the exploration of underlying pathogenic and molecular mechanisms, as well as the development of novel effective therapies for HCC patients with BM.
Bone Neoplasms/secondary* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/therapy* ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/therapy* ; Prognosis