The present study aimed to improve the understanding of non-uterine leiomyosarcoma (NULMS) prognostic genes through system biology approaches. This cancer is heterogeneous and rare. Moreover, gene interaction networks have not been reported in NULMS yet. The datasets were obtained from the public gene expression databases. Seven co-expression modules were identified from 5000 most connected genes; using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Using Cox regression, the modules showed favorable (HR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4–0.89, P = 0.0125), (HR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.44–0.98, P = 0.04) and poor (HR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.06–2.27, P = 0.025) prognosis to the overall survival (OS) (time = 3740 days). The first one was significant in multivariate HR estimates (HR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.28–0.69, P = 0.0004). Enriched genes through the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) revealed significant immune-related pathways; suggesting immune cell infiltration as a favorable prognostic factor. The most significant protective genes were ICAM3, NCR3, KLRB1, and IL18RAP, which were in one of the significant modules. Moreover, genes related to angiogenesis, cell–cell adhesion, protein glycosylation, and protein transport such as PYCR1, SRM, and MDFI negatively affected the OS and were found in the other related module. In conclusion, our analysis suggests that NULMS might be a good candidate for immunotherapy. Moreover, the genes found in this study might be potential candidates for targeted therapy.

Background Primary malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the kidney (MFH) is an extremely rare tumor which is indistinguishable from its’ mimics in particular renal cell carcinoma (RCC) by clinical features and preoperative imaging evaluation. Due to its high predilection to local recurrence and distant metastases, early diagnosis has great value. Case presentation Herein, we describe a 62 year-old man with a 3-month history of abdominal discomfort and a palpable right loin mass whom computerized tomography (CT) showed a large heterogeneous solid mass in the right kidney. With the suspicious to RCC; the patient underwent radical nephrectomy. However, histopathological report revealed pleomorphic-storiform malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Immunohistochemistry study was also confirmed the diagnosis of MFH. Six month follow up showed no evidence of any recurrence. Conclusions The therapeutic options for MFH differ from other renal tumors, hence histopathology and immunohistochemistry studies are required to establish a definite diagnosis of the disease. Despite of progress made in clinical studies and advances in diagnostic modalities, early diagnosis of MFH has not achieved yet. Further studies and accumulated experience with renal MFH are required to determine the approach to prolong survival in selected cases along with management and prognostic factors of such tumors.

Introduction: HER2-enriched subtype of breast cancer has a worse prognosis than luminal subtypes. Recently, the discovery of targeted therapies in other groups of breast cancer has increased patient survival. The aim of this study was to identify genes that affect the overall survival of this group of patients based on a systems biology approach.Methods: Gene expression data and clinical information on 58 patients with HER2-enriched cancer were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Co-expression modules were identified using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The Cox regression was used to determine the modules that had a significant relationship with the overall survival (OS) endpoint. Single-gene survival analysis was performed within the selected module. Finally, functional annotation to explore the significance of genes was performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID).Results: Of the six identified co-expression modules, two had significantly poor prognoses. Single-gene survival analysis showed that 39% of genes in the selected modules were identified as significant. The genes were mainly related to the biological pathways such as Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and RNA degradation. CHAMP1, PPP1R26, PRRC2B, KANSL3, and ANAPC2 were identified as the 5 most important genes associated with reduced OS, in order of significance. Conclusion:The systems biology approach can provide appropriate results relate to patient survival analysis. In this study, some genes were identified to be used as prognostic biomarkers in experimental studies related to the OS in the HER2-enriched subgroup. These genes can be considered potential candidates for therapeutic targets in this group of patients.