Tumor invasion and metastasis are closely associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT refers to epithelial cells under physiological and pathological conditions that are specific to mesenchymal transition. Curcumin inhibits EMT progression via Wnt signaling. The Wnt signaling pathway is a conservative EMT-related signaling pathway that is involved in the development of various tumors. In the present study, MTS assays were employed to analyze the proliferation of curcumin-treated cells. Naked cuticle homolog 2 (NKD2), chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and antibodies associated with EMT were examined in SW620 colorectal cancer cell lines using western blot analysis and real-time qPCR. NKD2 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and CXCR4 expression plasmid was synthesized and transfected into the colorectal cancer cell lines, and NKD2 and CXCR4 expression levels were detected. The results showed that curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells and upregulated the expression of NKD2 in SW620 colorectal cancer cells and in the xenograft, resulting in the downregulation of key markers in the Wnt signaling. In addition, the progression of ETM was inhibited due to the overexpression of E-cadherin as well as the downregulation of vimentin. Curcumin also inhibited tumor metastasis by downregulating the expression of CXCR4 significantly. The results suggested involvement of the NKD2-Wnt-CXCR4 signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells. In addition, curcumin is inhibit this signaling and the development of colorectal cancer.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Malnutrition is common in patients with cancer, which adversely affects the survival and quality of life of cancer patients. However, there is no national data on the prevalence of malnutrition in Chinese cancer patients. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition and quality of life (QOL) of Chinese patients with local regional, recurrent or metastatic cancer, to address the prognostic value of nutritional status and QOL on the survival of cancer patients in China and to validate the patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) questionnaire in Chinese cancer patients.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This is an observational, multi-centered, and hospital-based prospective cohort study. We aimed to recruit 50,000 cancer patients (age 18 and above) over an 8-year period. Data collection will occur within 48 hr after patients are admitted to hospital, 30-days after hospital admission, and the follow-up will be conducted 1-8 years after enrolment. The primary outcome is overall survival, and secondary outcomes are length of hospital stay and hospital costs. Factors measured are demographic characteristics, tumor characteristics, anthropometry measurements, hematological measurement, body composition, PG-SGA scores, Karnofsky performance status scores, and QLQ C30 scores. This protocol was approved by local ethical committees of all the participant hospitals.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This multi-centered, large-scale, long-time follow-up prospective study will help diagnose malnutrition in cancer patients in China, and identify the related risk factors associated with the negative outcomes. The anticipated results will highlight the need for a truly scientific appraisal of nutrition therapy, and help to improve outcomes among cancer patients in China.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Trial Registration: </strong>The trial has been registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1800020329. Registered on 19 December 2018.<strong></strong></p>

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Berberine (BBR) has been reported that it has effects on inhibiting colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the mechanism of BBR on CRC also remains largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the therapeutic effects of BBR on CRC from the perspective of gut microbiota and metabolic alterations, which can provide a holistic view to understand the effects of BBR on CRC. First, azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) mouse was used as CRC animal model, then the degree of colorectal carcinogenesis in AOM/DSS mice with or without BBR administration was measured. The composition and abundance of gut microbiota was investigated by using 16S rRNA. Meanwhile, feces samples were analyzed with 1 H NMR spectroscopy to investigate the metabolic alterations. As a result, BBR significantly reduced intestinal tumor development with lower macroscopic polyps and ki-67 expression of intestinal tissue, and better colonic morphology in mice. Moreover, BBR altered the composition of gut microbiota in AOM/DSS mice obviously, which were characterized by a decrease of Actinobacteria and Verrucomicrobia significantly at the phylum level. At the genus level, it was able to suppress pathogenic species, such as f_Erysipelotrichaceae, Alistipes, and elevate some short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing bacteria, including Alloprevotella, Flavonifractor, and Oscillibacter. Metabolic data further revealed that BBR induced metabolic changes in feces focus on regulating glycometabolism, SCFA metabolism and amino acid metabolism, which also provides evidence for alteration of the microbiota because these feces metabolites are the products of interactions between the host and the microbial community. This study showed that BBR induced alterations in microbiota and metabolic in AOM/DSS mice, which might providing new insight into the inhibition effects of BBR on CRC.