Neuromodulation and the Epidemiology of Magnetic Resonance Utilization for Lung, Breast, Colon, and Prostate Cancer

Clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine for nourishing yin and Replenishing qi in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in the treatment of NSCLC patients: a meta-analysis

To examine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine in conjunction with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for nourishing yin and replenishing qi in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. A systematic search was conducted across seven electronic databases, namely PubMed, Cochrane Library, Excerpt Medica Database, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan-fang Database, to identify eligible studies from 2,000 to 2,023. This study includes a total of 14 randomized controlled clinical trials, with 514 patients in the TCM combo therapy group and 506 patients in the control group. The meta-analysis demonstrated the efficacy of combining TCM in oral and injectable forms with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, with or without chemotherapy, in enhancing objective response rate, disease control rate, and quality of life in patients with NSCLC. Additionally, this combination therapy improved the proportion of CD3 + T cells and CD4 + T cells, as well as the ratio of CD4+/CD8 + T lymphocytes. The group receiving combined treatment with TCM successfully decreased the expression of the tumor marker CYFRA21-1. The group receiving combination therapy with TCM decreased the probability of experiencing adverse effects such as nausea, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and exhaustion in patients. Additionally, this treatment did not place additional strain on the liver and kidney functions. The integration of TCM techniques that nourishing yin and replenishing qi with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors greatly enhances the clinical effectiveness and safety of treating NSCLC. Additionally, the combination of Chinese and Western drugs improves the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in NSCLC patients.

MicroRNA-126-5p Inhibits the Migration of Breast Cancer Cells by Directly Targeting CNOT7

Background:

To assess the effect of microRNA-126-5p (miR-126-5p) on the migration of the breast cancer MCF7 cell line.

Methods:

GSE143564 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo) to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs between breast cancer and adjacent tissues. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to assess miR-126-5p levels in the normal 184A1 breast cell line and the breast cancer MCF7 cell line. The MCF7 cell line was then transfected with miR-126-5p mimics or corresponding negative control (NC-mimic). The proliferation and migration abilities of the MCF7 cell line were measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), Transwell and scratch healing assays. CCR4-NOT transcription complex and subunit 7 (CNOT7) expression levels in the NC-mimic and miR-126-5p mimic groups were measured by Western blot analysis. Bioinformatic analysis and a dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to identify the miR-126-5p target gene.

Results:

One hundred forty-eight differentially expressed miRNAs (downregulated = 55, upregulated = 93) were identified. MiR-126-5p expression in the MCF7 cell line was significantly downregulated relative to that of 184A1 cell line (P < 0.05). Compared with that observed in the control and NC-mimic groups, cell proliferation in the miR-126-5p mimic group was significantly decreased at 48 and 72 h posttransfection (P < 0.05). In addition, the scratch healing rate and number of membrane-piercing cells in the miR-126-5p overexpression group were lower than those detected in the control and NC groups (P < 0.05). Furthermore, miR-126-5p could reduce the luciferase activity for the wild-type CNOT7 gene 3’-untranslated region (UTR) reporter (P < 0.05) but had no effect on the mutant 3’UTR reporter (P > 0.05). Compared with that observed in the NC and control groups, the levels of CNOT7 in the miR-126-5p overexpression group decreased (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Upregulation of miR-126-5p can inhibit the migration of the breast cancer MCF7 cell line, which may involve its direct targeting of the 3’UTR of CNOT7.

Failure of SCS MR-Conditional Modes Due to High Impedance: A Review of Literature and Case Series

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) conditional modes are a novel feature for certain Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved spinal cord stimulation (SCS) devices. However, there is a paucity of literature around the limitation of MRI-conditional modes (“MRI safe”), specifically in clinical scenarios where urgent MRIs may be needed. One such limitation is load impedance, referring to the circuit’s resistance to the current being generated by the system. High impedance can limit the MRI-conditional mode capability, presenting potential harm to a patient undergoing an MRI or make an MRI unable to be completed.

Methods

Three cases were identified, and informed consent was obtained. All information was obtained via retrospective chart review.

Results

In this case series of three patients where MRI-conditional SCS systems were unable to be placed in “MRI safe” settings, preventing timely MRI study completion in the setting of high impedance, all three were required to undergo alternative imaging including CT scans, and two patients ultimately had the system explanted and one chose to be re-implanted after completion of scans.

Conclusion

This case series highlights the need for further investigation of impedance in SCS systems and potential limitations for future MRI usage. The review of literature of impedance in SCS shows both device- and physiologic-related etiologies for changes in impedance that warrant consideration by the implanting physician.