14 Furthermore, in vitro studies suggest that manipulation of microRNA expression may be a potential therapeutic strategy. Inhibition of miR-181 expression by epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) expressing

HCC stem cells impaired colony formation and tumorigenicity.15 Vector-delivered microRNA manufactured against osteopontin, a growth factor commonly overexpressed in HCC, was shown to inhibit HCC cell line proliferation as well as reduce the volume and incidence of lung metastases in a mouse model.16 In the current study, gene therapy with miR-199b exhibited a growth inhibitory effect and resensitized HCC cell lines to the effects of radiation despite hypoxic conditions.3 Taken together, microRNAs exhibit several properties that make them desirable Enzalutamide in vivo as therapeutic targets, diagnostic and prognostic tools in HCC. While the data on microRNAs are certainly intriguing, it may be quite some time before

we will know if and how they are to be integrated into clinical practice. In the meantime, how can we use the data presented in this and other studies to enhance current knowledge, inform future investigations, and hasten the development of clinical biomarkers in addition to new and better therapies? A starting point might be to correlate miR-199b and HIF-1α expression levels with responses to therapies for which induction of hypoxia is a purported mechanism of action. Dorsomorphin cost Anti-angiogenic therapies such as sorafenib and transarterial chemoembolization are part of the routine management of advanced HCC and would be ideal for such correlative investigations. Similar studies could be performed in patients who undergo radiotherapy

for HCC given the relationship between response to radiation and tumor oxygenation status. The authors of the current study reported that low levels of tumor miR-199b expression were associated with significantly worse survival outcomes.3 Although patients were not permitted to have received prior local or systemic treatment for their disease, it would be interesting to know if they went on to receive any therapy following enrollment, and to stratify outcomes according to the kind of therapy received. In conclusion, the data presented by Wang et al. adds to the growing body of evidence indicating Calpain significant potential applications for microRNAs in the oncologic management of HCC. We congratulate them on their elegant work, and look forward to seeing how these findings translate into the clinical realm. “
“Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) was originally isolated from neutrophils and termed neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL). However, the functions of LCN2 and the cell types that are primarily responsible for LCN2 production remain unclear. To address these issues, hepatocyte-specific Lcn2 knockout (Lcn2Hep-/-) mice were generated and subjected to bacterial infection (with Klesbsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli) or partial hepatectomy (PHx).