BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert pivotal roles in fostering chemoresistance across diverse tumors. Nevertheless, the precise involvement of lncRNAs in modulating chemoresistance within the context of gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains obscure. This study aimed to uncover how lncRNAs regulate chemoresistance in gallbladder cancer, offering potential targets to overcome drug resistance. METHODS: To elucidate the relationship between gemcitabine sensitivity and small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 ( SNHG1 ) expression, we utilized publicly available GBC databases, GBC tissues from Renji Hospital collected between January 2017 and December 2019, as well as GBC cell lines. The assessment of SNHG1, miR-23b-3p, and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) expression was performed using in situ  hybridization, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to quantify the cell viability. Furthermore, a GBC xenograft model was employed to evaluate the impact of SNHG1 on the therapeutic efficacy of gemcitabine. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were executed to assess the specificity and sensitivity of SNHG1. RESULTS: Our analyses revealed an inverse correlation between the lncRNA SNHG1 and gemcitabine resistance across genomics of drug sensitivity in cancer (GDSC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets, GBC cell lines, and patients. Gain-of-function investigations underscored that SNHG1 heightened the gemcitabine sensitivity of GBC cells in both in vitro and in vivo  settings. Mechanistic explorations illuminated that SNHG1 could activate PTEN -a commonly suppressed tumor suppressor gene in cancers-thereby curbing the development of gemcitabine resistance in GBC cells. Notably, microRNA (miRNA) target prediction algorithms unveiled the presence of miR-23b-3p binding sites within SNHG1 and the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of PTEN . Moreover, SNHG1 acted as a sponge for miR-23b-3p, competitively binding to the 3'-UTR of PTEN , thereby amplifying PTEN expression and heightening the susceptibility of GBC cells to gemcitabine. CONCLUSION The SNHG1/miR-23b-3p/PTEN axis emerges as a pivotal regulator of gemcitabine sensitivity in GBC cells, holding potential as a promising therapeutic target for managing GBC patients.
Humans ; Deoxycytidine/pharmacology* ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase/genetics* ; Gemcitabine ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Animals ; Mice ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics* ; Mice, Nude ; Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

Biliary tract cancers (BTC), a heterogeneous disease with poor prognosis, including gallbladder cancer (GBC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC). Although surgery is currently the primary regimen to treat BTC, most BTC patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage and miss the opportunity of surgical eradication. As a result, non-surgical therapy serves as the main intervention for advanced BTC. In recent years, immunotherapy has emerged as one of the most promising therapies in a number of solid cancers, and it includes immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) monotherapy or combined therapy, tumor vaccines, oncolytic virus immunotherapy, adoptive cell therapy (ACT), and cytokine therapy. However, these therapies have been practiced in limited clinical settings in patients with BTC. In this review, we focus on the discussion of latest advances of immunotherapy in BTC and update the progress of multiple current clinical trials with different immunotherapies.

Background::Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) is relatively rare and comprises a spectrum of invasive tumors arising from the biliary tree. The prognosis is extremely poor. The incidence of BTC is relatively high in Asian countries, and a high number of cases are diagnosed annually in China owing to the large population. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the epidemiology and high-risk factors for BTC in China. The signs associated with BTC are complex, often require collaborative treatment from surgeons, endoscopists, oncologists, and radiation therapists. Thus, it is necessary to develop a comprehensive Chinese guideline for BTC.Methods::This clinical practice guideline (CPG) was developed following the process recommended by the World Health Organization. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to assess the certainty of evidence and make recommendations. The full CPG report was reviewed by external guideline methodologists and clinicians with no direct involvement in the development of this CPG. Two guideline reporting checklists have been adhered to: Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) and Reporting Items for practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT).Results::The guideline development group, which comprised 85 multidisciplinary clinical experts across China. After a controversies conference, 17 clinical questions concerning the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of BTC were proposed. Additionally, detailed descriptions of the surgical principles, perioperative management, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiotherapy, and endoscopic management were proposed.Conclusions::The guideline development group created a comprehensive Chinese guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of BTC, covering various aspects of epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment. The 17 clinical questions have important reference value for the management of BTC.

BACKGROUND: Biliary tract carcinomas (BTCs) are relatively rare but lethal primary malignant tumors derived from the biliary tract system. The burden of BTCs varies according to sex, age, region, and country, but limited attention has been paid to the burden of BTCs. We sought to explore the up-to-date data from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) and expand findings by accessing the demographic features of BTC disease burden. METHODS: Using the latest data from the GBD 2021, we evaluated and analyzed the distributions and patterns of BTC disease burden in various age groups, sexes, regions, and countries. RESULTS: The number of incident cases, deaths, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) tended to increase and peaked at 216,770 (95% uncertainty interval [UI]: 181,890-245,240), 171,960 (95% UI: 142,350-194,240), and 3,732,100 (95% UI: 3,102,900-4,317,000) person-years, respectively, in 2021. However, the average global age-standardized rates (ASRs) of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs shrunk by -11.46% (95% UI: -21.91 to 3.35%), -24.09% (95% UI: -33.19 to 16.88%), and -26.25% (95% UI: -35.53 to 18.36%), respectively, from 1990 to 2021. Meanwhile, the male/female ratio (male per 100 female) of incidence, deaths, and DALYs changed from 76.40, 75.41, and 74.72 to 86.89, 79.11, and 82.29, respectively. In 2021, the highest number of incident cases, deaths, and DALYs occurred in East Asia. The top three highest incidences, deaths, and DALYs were observed in China, India, and Japan, and the highest ASRs were observed in Chile in 2021. Analysis of the Human Development Index along with disease burden estimates of BTCs also suggests that the burden of the disease is related to the level of comprehensive development of the society. CONCLUSION This study provided a comprehensive comparison of differences in the burden of disease across populations and over time, and further presented evidence concerning the formulation of prevention and control policies and etiologic studies for BTCs and proposed logical hypotheses to investigate.
Humans ; Global Burden of Disease ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Adult ; Incidence ; Aged, 80 and over ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Cost of Illness

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is the most common malignant tumor of biliary tract. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL) is a natural compound with chalcone structure extracted from the roots of licorice and other plants. Relevant studies have shown that ISL has a strong anti-tumor ability in various types of tumors. However, the research of ISL against GBC has not been reported, which needs to be further investigated. METHODS: The effects of ISL against GBC cells in vitro and in vivo were characterized by cytotoxicity test, RNA-sequencing, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, lipid peroxidation detection, ferrous ion detection, glutathione disulphide/glutathione (GSSG/GSH) detection, lentivirus transfection, nude mice tumorigenesis experiment and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: ISL significantly inhibited the proliferation of GBC cells in vitro . The results of transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis showed that ferroptosis was the main pathway of ISL inhibiting the proliferation of GBC, and HMOX1 and GPX4 were the key molecules of ISL-induced ferroptosis. Knockdown of HMOX1 or overexpression of GPX4 can reduce the sensitivity of GBC cells to ISL-induced ferroptosis and significantly restore the viability of GBC cells. Moreover, ISL significantly reversed the iron content, ROS level, lipid peroxidation level and GSSG/GSH ratio of GBC cells. Finally, ISL significantly inhibited the growth of GBC in vivo and regulated the ferroptosis of GBC by mediating HMOX1 and GPX4 . CONCLUSION ISL induced ferroptosis in GBC mainly by activating p62-Keap1-Nrf2-HMOX1 signaling pathway and down-regulating GPX4 in vitro and in vivo . This evidence may provide a new direction for the treatment of GBC.
Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma in Situ ; Chalcones/pharmacology* ; Ferroptosis ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/genetics* ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1 ; Mice, Nude ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Humans

Objective:To explore the predictive values of preoperative CT and MRI features in intraoperative liquefaction degrees of hematoma in patients with chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH).Methods:Sixty-nine patients (83 sides) with CSDH, admitted to Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were chosen; preoperative CT and/or MRI were performed in all patients. According to hematoma density in CT images, hematoma was divided into high-density, medium density and low-density hematoma; according to the proportion of hematoma part enjoying uniform signal in MRI images, hematoma was divided into heterogeneous signal hematoma and homogenized signal hematoma. The liquefaction degrees of hematoma in patients with different densities of hematoma, and heterogeneous signal hematoma and homogenized signal hematoma were compared, and the liquefaction degrees of hematoma in patients with special-shaped hematoma were summarized.Results:A total of 58 patients (69 sides) with CSDH completed preoperative CT examination; the intraoperative liquefaction degrees of hematoma in patients with different hematoma densities in CT images were significantly different ( P<0.05); the liquefaction degree of hematoma in patients with medium density hematoma was better than that of high-density hematoma and low-density hematoma (average rank: 40.71, 34.67 and 25.27). A total of 50 patients (63 sides) with CSDH completed preoperative MRI examination; the intraoperative liquefaction degrees of hematoma in patients with homogenized signal hematoma was better than that of heterogeneous signal hematoma, with significant difference (average rank: 46.53 and 17.00, P<0.05). The hematoma with soapy signs on preoperative CT or MRI images had blood clots mainly. Hematoma with fluid-fluid levels and fluid gradual changes had good liquefaction. Conclusion:Preoperative CT and(or) MRI images can effectively help to predict the intraoperative liquefaction degrees of hematoma in CSDH patients.

Objective:To establish donor liver quality related risk factors for the loss of function of transplanted liver.Methods:The data of donors and recipients of liver transplantation at the Organ Donation and Transplantation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from Nov 2011 to Dec 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to evaluate and screen the data of donors and recipients, in order to balance the covariates.Results:Of the organ donation, there were 70 males and 20 females , aging (40.6±16.3) years. Of the liver transplantation recipients, there were 70 males and 20 females , aging (41.8±20.3) years. Liver dysfunction after transplantation was significantly correlated with the following variables: the donor's CPR time( t=0.429, P=0.000), 15-minute retention rate of indocyanine green ( χ2=67.151, P=0.000), liver function grading ( χ2=54.154, P=0.000), bullae fatty liver grading ( χ2=8.120, P=0.017), vesicular fatty liver grading ( χ2=16.000, P=0.001), ICU stay time ( χ2=14.900, P=0.001)and serum creatinine level ( χ2=44.685, P=0.000). The donor scoring system was established in our studying. For the 90 organ donation cases, the donated liver quality were classified into four levels,which were of good correspondence to the prognosis of the recipients. Conclusion:This donor scoring system and grading standards established by analyzing the high-risk factors of liver dysfunction after transplantation helps evaluate the quality of donor liver in China.

Background::Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (HPD) has been considered the only curative treatment for metastatic cholangiocarcinoma and some locally advanced gallbladder cancers (GBCs). However, HPD has not yet been included in treatment guidelines as a standard surgical procedure in consideration of its morbidity and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of HPD in treating biliary malignancies.Methods::The medical records of 57 patients with advanced biliary cancer undergoing HPD from January 2009 to December 2019 were retrospectively retrieved. A case-control analysis was conducted at our department. Patients with advanced GBC who underwent HPD (HPD-GBC group) were compared with a control group (None-HPD-GBC group). Baseline characteristics, preoperative treatments, tumor pathologic features, operative results, and prognosis were assessed.Results::Thirteen patients with cholangiocarcinoma and 44 patients with GBC underwent HPD at our department. Significant postoperative complications (grade III or greater) and postoperative pancreatic fistula were observed in 24 (42.1%) and 15 (26.3%) patients, respectively. One postoperative death occurred in the present study. Overall survival (OS) was longer in patients with advanced cholangiocarcinoma than in those with GBC (median survival time [MST], 31 months vs. 11 months; P < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis of patients with advanced GBC, multivariate analysis demonstrated that T4 stage tumors ( P = 0.012), N2 tumors ( P = 0.001), and positive margin status ( P = 0.004) were independently associated with poorer OS. Patients with either one or more prognostic factors exhibited a shorter MST than patients without those prognostic factors ( P < 0.001). Conclusion::HPD could be performed with a relatively low mortality rate and an acceptable morbidity rate in an experienced high-volume center. For patients with advanced GBC without an N2 or T4 tumor, HPD can be a preferable treatment option.

Objective To study the expression of MREll-RAD50-NBS1 complex in normal gallbladder tissues,simple cholecystitis,calculous cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma.Methods The expression of MRN complex in different gallbladder lesion tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Western blot,Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the influence of apoptosis and proliferation induced by NBS1.Results The differences between the expression of MRE11,RAD50 and different gallbladder lesion tissues were not statistically significant (respectively x2 =2.724,1.697,all P ＞ 0.05).The expression of NBS1 in GBC tissues [15.3％ (9/59)] was prominently lower than that in the normal gallbladder tissues [84.7％ (50/59)],simple cholecystitis [87.8％ (36/41)],calculous cholecystitis [61.2％ (30/49)] (x2 =87.388,P ＜ 0.01).The Western blot results reveal that NBS1 can mediate apoptosis by up-regulate Bax and down-regulate Bcl-2.The MTT assay results showed that the relative absorbance of treatment and control group after 24,48,72 h were[(1.120 ± 0.006)vs.(1.350±0.009),(1.600±0.004)vs.(1.99±0.01),(1.83±0.01)vs.(2.260±0.003)(F=7.659,P ＜0.01).The apoptosis rate in treatment group(17.23％ ± 0.56％)was higher than that in the control group (4.13％ ± 0.67％) (t =9.133,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion NBS1 is closely related to gallbladder carcinoma.NBS1 can inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of GBC-SD cells.

Objective To study the expressions of Nodal in normal gallbladder,and gallbladders with cholelithiasis,cholecystitis and carcinoma;and to study the impact of inhibiting or promoting Nodal expressions in gallbladder carcinoma on the Smad2/4 pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions and distributions of Nodal protein in 30 normal gallbladders,96 simple cholecystitis/calculous cholecystitis specimens and 42 gallbladder carcinoma specimens.The mRNA and protein expressions of Nodal in normal and malignant gallbladdcr mucosal epithelium cells and breast cancer cells were detected by RT-PCR,western blotting and wound healing tests.The impact of activating agents and inhibitors on the expression levels of Nodal and its signaling pathway Smad2/4 and EMT-related proteins were analyzed.Results Immunohistochemistry showed that the positive rates of Nodal in the gallbladder cancer group was significantly higher than that in the gallbladder stone group and the normal gallbladder group.The results were 83.3％ (35/42),44.8％ (43/96),6.7％ (2/30) respectively (P＜ 0.01).RT-PCR and Western blotting showed the expressions of Nodal in gallbladder carcinoma cells were higher than normal gallbladder cells (P＜0.05).After using rhNodal to up regulate the Nodal expression,the Smad2 protein phosphorylation was promoted and the EMT associated proteins were up-regulated.After using the inhibitor SB431542 to suppress the Nodal expression,the Smad2 protein phosphorylation decreased and the EMT associated proteins were down-regulated.Conclusions The expression of Nodal was closely related to cell proliferation and metastasis in gallbladder carcinoma.Tumor progression was promoted via the smad2/4 pathway through epithelial-mesenchymal transition.