Association Study between Polymorphisms in DNA Methylation-Related Genes and Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Risk

Subgrouping testicular germ cell tumors based on immunotherapy and chemotherapy associated lncRNAs

Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are the most common reproductive system malignancies in men aged 15-44 years, accounting for 95 % of all testicular tumors. Our previous studies have been shown that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), such as LINC00313, TTTY14 and RFPL3S, were associated with development of TGCT. Subgrouping TGCT according to differential expressed lncRNAs and immunological characteristics is helpful to comprehensively describe the characteristics of TGCT and implement precise treatment. In this study, the TGCT transcriptome data in The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) database was used to perform consensus clustering analysis to construct a prognostic model for TGCT. TGCT was divided into 3 subtypes C1, C2, and C3 based on the differentially expressed lncRNAs. C1 subtype was sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, while the C2 subtype was not sensitive to chemotherapy drugs, and C3 subtype may benefit from immunotherapy. We defined the C1 subtype as epidermal progression subtype, the C2 subtype as mesenchymal progression subtype, and the C3 subtype as T cell activation subtype. Subgrouping based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and immunological characteristics is helpful for the precise treatment of TGCT.

Breaking the Mold: Epigenetics and Genomics Approaches Addressing Novel Treatments and Chemoresponse in TGCT Patients

Testicular germ-cell tumors (TGCT) have been widely recognized for their outstanding survival rates, commonly attributed to their high sensitivity to cisplatin-based therapies. Despite this, a subset of patients develops cisplatin resistance, for whom additional therapeutic options are unsuccessful, and ~20% of them will die from disease progression at an early age. Several efforts have been made trying to find the molecular bases of cisplatin resistance. However, this phenomenon is still not fully understood, which has limited the development of efficient biomarkers and precision medicine approaches as an alternative that could improve the clinical outcomes of these patients. With the aim of providing an integrative landscape, we review the most recent genomic and epigenomic features attributed to chemoresponse in TGCT patients, highlighting how we can seek to combat cisplatin resistance through the same mechanisms by which TGCTs are particularly hypersensitive to therapy. In this regard, we explore ongoing treatment directions for resistant TGCT and novel targets to guide future clinical trials. Through our exploration of recent findings, we conclude that epidrugs are promising treatments that could help to restore cisplatin sensitivity in resistant tumors, shedding light on potential avenues for better prognosis for the benefit of the patients.

Comparison of the perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic and open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for low-stage (stage I/II) testicular germ cell tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Comparison of the perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (L-RPLND) and open retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (O-RPLND) for low-stage (stage I/II) testicular germ cell tumors.

METHODS

The authors performed a systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis of the primary outcomes of interest according to PRISMA criteria, and the quality assessment of the included studies followed the AMSTAR guidelines. Four databases were searched, including Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The search period was from the creation of each database to October 2022. The statistical analysis software uses Stata17.

RESULTS

There were nine studies involving 579 patients. Compared with O-RPLND, L-RPLND was associated with shorter length of stay [weighted mean difference (WMD)=-3.99, 95% CI: -4.80 to -3.19, P <0.05], less estimated blood loss (WMD=-0.95, 95% CI: -1.35 to -0.54, P <0.05), shorter time to oral intake after surgery (WMD=-0.77, 95% CI: -1.50 to -0.03, P <0.05), and lower overall complications (odds ratio=0.58, 95% CI: 0.38-0.87, P <0.05). Subgroup analysis found that the complication rate of Clavien-Dindo grade II was lower in L-RPLND (odds ratio=0.24, 95% CI: 0.11-0.55, P <0.05). Interestingly, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of operation time, lymph node yields, and recurrence rate during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

L-RPLND is superior to O-RPLND and is worthy of clinical promotion.

The Cellular and Molecular Immunotherapy in Prostate Cancer

In recent history, immunotherapy has become a viable cancer therapeutic option. However, over many years, its tenets have changed, and it now comprises a range of cancer-focused immunotherapies. Clinical trials are currently looking into monotherapies or combinations of medicines that include immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), CART cells, DNA vaccines targeting viruses, and adoptive cellular therapy. According to ongoing studies, the discipline should progress by incorporating patient-tailored immunotherapy, immune checkpoint blockers, other immunotherapeutic medications, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Despite significantly increasing morbidity, immunotherapy can intensify the therapeutic effect and enhance immune responses. The findings for the immunotherapy treatment of advanced prostate cancer (PCa) are compiled in this study, showing that is possible to investigate the current state of immunotherapy, covering new findings, PCa treatment techniques, and research perspectives in the field’s unceasing evolution.