Prostate cancer (PCa) is a widespread urinary neoplasm and one of the most prevalent and second most frequent malignancies diagnosed in males worldwide. This study aimed to identify a candidate marker and explore its molecular mechanism in PCa. Methods: Gene expression datasets, GSE55945 (n=21) and GSE46602 (n=50), were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Bioinformatic approaches were applied to identify potential markers. Effects of the candidate marker on proliferation, migration, invasion, and ferroptosis (ferrous iron and malondialdehyde (MDA)) in PCa cells and its mechanism were assessed after performing cell transfection. Results: A total of 1435 common differentially expressed genes were identified in GSE55945 and GSE46602. Five key gene modules were listed based on a protein-protein interaction network, containing five hub genes. Pannexin 2 (PANX2), a candidate marker was identified, and findings revealed substantial upregulation of its expression levels in PCa cell lines. Blocking expression of PANX2 resulted in suppression of proliferation, migration, and invasion in PCa cells, while increasing ferrous iron and MDA levels. However, these effects were rescued by Nrf2 activator, oltipraz. The Nrf2 signaling pathway was consequently applied to determine underlying mechanism of PANX2 in PCa cells. We established that silencing PANX2 remarkably reduced protein expression levels in members of Nrf2 signaling pathway (Nrf2, HO-1, and FTH1). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that PANX2 is implicated in the pathogenesis of PCa, which regulates malignant phenotypes and ferroptosis through Nrf2 signaling pathway, and maybe a potential therapeutic target for PCa.

Sarcopenia, a concept reflecting the loss of skeletal muscle mass, was reported to be associated with the prognosis of several tumors. However, the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cancer remains unclear. We carried out this metaanalysis and systematic review to evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cell carcinomas. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 2018. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled together. A total of 5 studies consisting of 771 patients were enrolled in this quantitative analysis, 347 (45.0%) of which had sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia (HR=1.76; 95%CI, 1.35-2.31; P <0.001). In the subgroup of patients with localized and advanced/metastatic diseases, sarcopenia was also associated with poor OS (HR=1.48, P=0.039; HR=2.14, P <0.001; respectively). With a limited sample size, we did not observe difference of PFS between two groups (HR=1.56, 95% CI, 0.69-3.50, P=0.282). In the present meta-analysis, we observed that patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia in RCC. Larger, preferably prospective studies, are needed to confirm and update our findings.

To compare the clinical feasibility and oncological outcome of different surgical techniques for inguinal lymphadenectomy (ILND) in patients suffering from penile cancer. This study included data from 109 cN0–2 patients diagnosed with penile cancer who received ILND. 80 laparoscopic ILND were performed on 40 patients, while 138 open surgeries were performed on 69 patients. Perioperative complications and prognosis were compared between different surgical techniques. Compared with the open surgery group, the laparoscopy group had a shorter hospital stay (8.88 ± 7.86 days vs. 13.94 ± 10.09 days, P = 0.004), and a lower wound healing delay rate (8.75% vs. 22.46%, P = 0.017), but also had longer drainage time (10.91 ± 9.66 vs. 8.70 ± 4.62, P = 0.002). There were no significant differences in terms of other intraoperative parameters, complications, and survival between open and laparoscopic group. Compared with saphenous vein ligated subgroup, preserved subgroup showed no significant reducing of complication rate. There was no significant difference among complication between different open surgery subgroup. Immediate ILND showed no prognostic advantage over delayed ILND regardless of clinical lymph node status. Compared with open surgery, the minimally invasive ILND technique has similar oncological efficiency and a lower complication rate. Saphenous vein preservation has limited value in reducing complications. Delayed lymphadenectomy might be a more reasonable option for ILND.