Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine carcinoma with increasing incidence worldwide and anaplastic subtypes are frequently associated with cancer related death. Radioresistance of thyroid cancer often leads to therapy failure and cancer-related death. In this study, we found that melatonin showed potent suppressive roles on NF-κB signaling via inhibition of p65 phosphorylation and generated redox stress in thyroid cancer including the anaplastic subtypes. Our data showed that melatonin significantly decreased cell viability, suppressed cell migration and induced apoptosis in thyroid cancer cell lines in vitro and impaired tumor growth in the subcutaneous mouse model in vivo. By contrast, irradiation of thyroid cancer cells resulted in elevated level of phosphorylated p65, which could be reversed by cotreatment with melatonin. Consequently, melatonin synergized with irradiation to induce cytotoxicity to thyroid cancer, especially in the undifferentiated subgroups. Taken together, our results suggest that melatonin may exert anti-tumor activities against thyroid carcinoma by inhibition of p65 phosphorylation and induction of reactive oxygen species. Radio-sensitization by melatonin may have clinical benefits in thyroid cancer.

Calcium activated Chloride Channel A4 (CLCA4), as a tumor suppressor, was reported to contribute to the progression of several malignant tumors, yet little is known about the significance of CLCA4 in invasion and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CLCA4 expression was negatively correlated with tumor size, vascular invasion and TNM stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that CLCA4 was an independent predictor for overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR). In addition, CLCA4 status could act as prognostic predictor in different risk of subgroups. Moreover, combination of CLCA4 and serum AFP could be a potential predictor for survival in HCC patients. Furthermore, CLCA4 may inhibit cell migration and invasion by suppressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via PI3K/ATK signaling. Knockdown of CLCA4 significantly increased the migration and invasion of HCC cells and changed the expression pattern of EMT markers and PI3K/AKT phosphorylation. An opposite expression pattern of EMT markers and PI3K/AKT phosphorylation was observed in CLCA4-transfected cells. Additionally, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR results further confirmed this correlation. Taken together, CLCA4 contributes to migration and invasion by suppressing EMT via PI3K/ATK signaling and predicts favourable prognosis of HCC. CLCA4/AFP expression may help to distinguish different risks of HCC patients after hepatectomy.

Accumulating evidence have suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to regulate diverse tumorigenic processes. Recently, a novel lncRNA LINC01939 was underexpressed and emerged as a tumor suppressive lncRNA in gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we aimed to investigate the biological function and molecular mechanism of LINC01939 in GC. We found that LINC01939 expression was significantly downregulated in GC tissues and cell lines. Low expression of LINC01939 was correlated with tumor metastasis and shorter survival in GC patients. Functionally, LINC01939 overexpression remarkably inhibited the invasion and migration of GC cells in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, LINC01939 regulated the expression of early growth response 2 (EGR2) protein by competitively binding to miR-17-5p. Upregulation of miR-17-5p reversed GC metastasis and EMT process caused by LINC01939 by rescue analysis. Taken together, these results suggested that LINC01939 repressed GC invasion and migration by functioning as a ceRNA for miR-17-5p to regulate EGR2 expression. Our findings provided a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for GC patients.

Despite the high effectiveness of HPV vaccines in preventing infection, vaccine hesitancy remains a concern, particularly in China. This study aimed to explore college students' attitudes toward HPV vaccination and identify associated factors. Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaires in four cities from May to June 2022. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors. Additionally, an integrated structural equation model (SEM) based on the 3Cs (confidence, convenience, complacency) was developed to understand underlying factors contributing to hesitancy. The results from 2261 valid questionnaires were enlightening. A significant 89.47% (59.4% for females) considered HPV vaccination necessary, with 9.82% remaining neutral and only 0.71% deeming it unnecessary. Factors like higher education, being a medical student, residing in urban areas, having medical insurance, more extraordinary living expenses, a family history of tumors, and a solid understanding of HPV played a role in perceiving the vaccine as necessary. Among the 1438 female respondents, 84.36% had no hesitancy toward HPV vaccination, 13.53% expressed hesitancy, and 2.11% refused vaccination. Factors like age, understanding of HPV, medical staff recommendations, living expenses, and family history influenced hesitancy levels. SEM revealed that the 3Cs significantly affected vaccine hesitancy. Factors like price, booking process, vaccination times, trust in vaccines, medical staff recommendations, efficiency, and risk perception collectively influenced hesitancy. In conclusion, this study found high acceptance of HPV vaccination but acknowledged the complexity of hesitancy factors. It recommends medical staff disseminate scientific knowledge, offer recommendations, simplify booking procedures, and expand vaccination sites to address vaccine hesitancy effectively.