To study the role of apolipoprotein E (APOE) in regulating endometrial cancer metastasis and explore the signaling pathway in the regulatory mechanism.

Objective: To explore the characteristics and correlations of vaginal flora in women with cervical lesions. Methods: A total of 132 women, including 41 women diagnosed with normal cervical (NC), 39 patients with low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 1), 37 patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2/3) and 15 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), who came from the gynecological clinic of Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University during January 2018 to June 2018, were enrolled in this study according to the inclusive and exclusive criteria strictly. The vaginal flora was detected by 16S rDNA sequencing technology. Co-occurrence network analysis was used to investigate the Spearman correlations between different genera of bacteria. Results: The dominant bacteria in NC, CIN 1 and CIN 2/3 groups were Lactobacillus [constituent ratios 79.4% (1 869 598/2 354 098), 63.6% (1 536 466/2 415 100) and 58.3% (1 342 896/2 301 536), respectively], while Peptophilus [20.4% (246 072/1 205 154) ] was the dominant bacteria in SCC group. With the aggravation of cervical lesions, the diversity of vaginal flora gradually increased (Shannon index: F=6.39, P=0.001; Simpson index: F=3.95, P=0.012). During the cervical lesion progress, the ratio of Lactobacillus gradually decreased, the ratio of other anaerobes such as Peptophilus, Sneathia, Prevotella and etc. gradually increased, and the differential bacteria (LDA score >3.5) gradually evolved from Lactobacillus to other anaerobes. The top 10 relative abundance bacteria, spearman correlation coefficient>0.4 and P<0.05 were selected. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that Prevotella, Peptophilus, Porphyrinomonas, Anaerococcus, Sneathia, Atopobium, Gardnerella and Streptococcus were positively correlated in different stages of cervical lesions, while Lactobacillus was negatively correlated with the above anaerobes. It was found that the relationship between vaginal floras in CIN 1 group was the most complex and only Peptophilus was significantly negatively correlated with Lactobacillus in SCC group. Conclusions: The increased diversity and changed correlations between vaginal floras are closely related to cervical lesions. Peptophilus is of great significance in the diagnosis, prediction and early warning of cervical carcinogenesis.

Objective: To explore whether hsa_circ_0000670 promotes the progression of gastric cancer by regulating the miR-515-5p/SIX1 molecular axis. Methods: The gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues of 35 gastric cancer patients admitted to Rugao Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from 2014 to 2015 were collected. The expression levels of circ_0000670, miR-515-5p and Sine oculis homeobox 1 (SIX1) in gastric cancer tissues and cells were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The correlations between circ_0000670 and miR-515-5p, miR-515-5p and SIX1, circ_0000670 and SIX1 were analyzed by the Pearson method. Patients were divided into low circ_0000670 expression group (17 cases) and high circ_0000670 expression group (18 cases) based on the median of circ_0000670 expression level, and Kaplan-Meier was used to analyze the 5-year survival of patients. Cell proliferation was assessed via clone formation assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. Wound healing and Transwell assays were used to detect cell migration and invasion ability. The targeting relationship between miR-515-5p and circ_0000670 or SIX1 was confirmed by the dual luciferase reporter assay. Nude mice were injected into HGC-27 cells transfected with sh-NC or sh-circ_0000670, and the volume and weight of the transplanted tumor were measured, also, the levels of circ_0000670, miR-515-5p and SIX1 in the transplanted tumor tissue were detected. Results: The expression levels of circ_0000670 and SIX1 in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the expression levels of miR-515-5p were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The survival rate of patients in the low circ_0000670 expression group (82.4%) was significantly higher than that in the high circ_0000670 expression group (28.7%, P=0.034). Circ_0000670 was negatively correlated with miR-515-5p (r=-0.846, P<0.001), and miR-515-5p was negatively correlated with SIX1 (r=-0.615, P<0.001), but circ_0000670 was positively correlated with SIX1 (r=0.814, P<0.001). Transfection of si-circ_0000670 or miR-515-5p mimic could significantly reduce the number of clone-forming cells, migration distance, migration and invasion cells (P<0.05), and increase the ratio of G(0)/G(1) phase cells, apoptosis rate and the protein level of E-cadherin (P<0.05), decreased the proportion of S-phase cells and the protein level of Vimentin (P<0.05). The dual luciferase report assay confirmed that circ_0000670 could target miR-515-5p, and miR-515-5p could bind to SIX1. Co-transfection of si-circ_0000670 and miR-515-5p inhibitor could significantly attenuate the effects of si-circ_0000670 on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis (P<0.05). Co-transfection of miR-515-5p mimic and pcDNA-SIX1 could significantly reduce the effects of miR-515-5p mimic on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle and apoptosis (P<0.05). Compared with the sh-NC group [volume=(596.20±125.46) mm(3) and weight=(538.00±114.39) g], the volume and weight of transplanted tumors in the sh-circ_0000670 group [volume=(299.20±47.58) mm 3 and weight=(289.80±48.73 g)] were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the expression levels of circ_0000670 and SIX1 were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and the expression level of miR-515-5p was significantly increased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Knockdown of circ_0000670 could inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion of gastric cancer cells, induce cell cycle arrest in G(0)/G(1) phase and promote cell apoptosis by regulating the miR-515-5p/SIX1 axis.

Objective: To explore the effect of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 on the proliferation and apoptosis of retinoblastoma cells and its possible mechanism. Methods: The tumor tissues of 31 patients with retinoblastoma admitted to Henan Provincial Eye Hospital from February to June 2020 and their corresponding normal tissues adjacent to the cancer were collected. The expression levels of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 and miR-200b-5p in retinoblastoma tissues and normal adjacent tissues were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Human retinal epithelial cell ARPE-19, human retinoblastoma cell Y-79 and WERI-Rb-1 were cultured in vitro. The expression levels of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 and miR-200b-5p were detected by qRT-PCR. Y-79 cells were randomly divided into si-con group, si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 group, miR con group, miR-200b-5p group, si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1+ anti-miR con group, and si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1+ anti-miR-200b-5p group. The proliferation, cloning and apoptosis of cells in each group were detected by tetramethylazol blue method, plate cloning test and flow cytometry, respectively. The targeting relationship between lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 and miR-200b-5p was detected by double luciferase report test, and the expression level of cleaved-caspase-3 protein was detected by western blot. Results: Compared with the adjacent tissues, the expression of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 in retinoblastoma tissues was increased (P<0.05), while the expression of miR-200b-5p was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with ARPE-19 cells, the expression of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 in Y-79 and WERI-Rb-1 cells was increased (P<0.05), while the expression of miR-200b-5p was decreased (P<0.05). Compared with the si-con group, the cell viability of the si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 group was reduced (1.06±0.09 vs 0.53±0.05, P<0.05), the number of cell clone formation was reduced (114.00±8.03 vs 57.00±4.13, P<0.05), while the apoptosis rate [(7.93±0.68)% vs (25.43±1.94)%] and the protein level of cleaved-caspase-3 were increased (P<0.05). Compared with the miR-con group, the cell viability of the miR-200b-5p group was decreased (1.05±0.08 vs 0.57±0.05, P<0.05), the number of cell clone formation was decreased (118.00±10.02 vs 64.00±5.13, P<0.05), while the apoptosis rate [(7.89±0.71)% vs (23.15±1.62)%] and the protein level of cleaved-caspase-3 were increased (P<0.05). lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 could target the expression of miR-200b-5p. Compared with the si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1+ anti-miR-con group, cell viability of the si-lncRNA ADPGK-AS1+ anti-miR-200b-5p group was increased (0.53±0.04 vs 1.25±0.10, P<0.05), and the number of cell clones was increased (54.00±4.39 vs 125.00±10.03, P<0.05), while the rate of apoptosis [(25.38±1.53)% vs (9.76±0.71)%] and the protein level of cleaved-caspase-3 were decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion: Interfering with the expression of lncRNA ADPGK-AS1 could inhibit the proliferation and clone formation and induce apoptosis of retinoblastoma cells by targeting the expression of miR-200b-5p.

Cervical squamous cell carcinoma is the most common cancer in female reproductive system. This study aims to explore the effect of microRNA-9-5p (miR-9-5p) on the migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of cervical squamous cells.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the common malignant tumors. However, the detection of biomarkers can't meet the clinical needs for the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC now. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a highly tumor-specific DNA molecule that exists in the blood circulation. It is part of Circulating cell free DNA (cfDNA) and originates from the primary tumor or metastasis of cancer patients. Now, with the developing of next-generation sequencing technology and a full understanding of HCC genetics or epigenetic changes, we can analyze ctDNA mutations and methylation more comprehensively. Through continuous exploration of ctDNA mutations and methylation and continuous innovation of detection methods, HCC diagnosis and prognosis can be greatly improved in terms of specificity and sensitivity.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the long-non-coding RNA LINC00342 expression and the clinicopathological parameters of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the biological function of LINC00342 in HNSCC cells. Methods: The expression level of LINC00342 in the HNSCC was analyzed using transcriptome sequencing data from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database, and the expressions of LINC00342 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissues (LSCC) of 27 patients in the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University were detected by transcriptome sequencing. The expression levels of LINC00342 in human embryonic lung diploid cells 2BS, HNSCC cell lines FD-LSC-1, CAL-27 and Detroit562 were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RNAi (RNA interference) was used for LINC00342 knockdown in HNSCC cell lines, and the changes of malignant phenotype in the tumor cells after LINC00342 knockdown were examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, flow cytometry, transwell invasion and migration assays. Bioinformatics analysis was performed to construct a LINC00342-centered competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network, and GO (Gene Ontology) enrichment analysis was performed. Statistical analysis and graphing were performed using SPSS 25.0 software and GraphPad Prism 6 software. Results: Mean LINC00342 levels in HNSCC tissues and TCGA database were higher than that in normal control tissues, but with no significantly statistical difference (P=0.522). LINC00342 expression levels were positively correlated with cervical lymph node metastasis and pathological grade in patients with HNSCC, with higher expression in male patients than in female patients (P<0.05). Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that mean expression level of LINC00342 in LSCC tissues of 27 patients was significantly higher than that in the paired adjacent normal mucosa tissues (t=1.56, P=0.036). LINC00342 expression was significantly upregulated in HNSCC cell lines FD-LSC-1, CAL-27 and Detroit562 (t-values of -12.17, -23.26 and -388.57, respectively; all P<0.001). Knockdown of LINC00342 by transfecting si-LINC00342-1 and si-LINC00342-2 inhibited HNSCC cell proliferation (t-values of 8.95 and 4.84, 2.70 and 5.55, 2.02 and 3.70, respectively), colony formation (t-values of 6.66 and 6.17, 7.38 and 11.65, 4.90 and 5.79, respectively), migration (t-values of 8.21 and 7.19, 5.76 and 6.46, 6.28 and 9.92, respectively) and invasion abilities (t-values of 9.29 and 10.25, 11.30 and 11.36, 8.02 and 8.66, respectively), but promoting apoptosis in cell lines FD-LSC-1 and CAL-27 (t-values of -2.21 and -5.83, -3.05 and -5.25 respectively) (all P-values<0.05). The LINC00342-centered ceRNA network consists of 10 downregulated microRNA and 647 upregulated mRNA nodes. GO analysis results indicated that LINC00342-regulated mRNAs were enriched in 22 biological processes, 32 molecular functions, and 12 cellular components. Conclusion: High level of LINC00342 is associated with the malignant progression of HNSCC. LINC00342 promotes the proliferation, migration, invasion, and antagonizes apoptosis of HNSCC cells, which serves as a potential molecular marker in HNSCC.

Objective: To explore the reasonable time of prophylactic thyroidectomy for RET gene carriers in multiple endocrine neoplasia(MEN) 2A/2B families. Methods: From May 2015 to August 2021, RET gene carriers in MEN2A/MEN2B families were dynamically followed up at the Department of Thyroid Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital of Capital Medical University. The high-risk patients were encouraged to undergo prophylacitc total thyroidectomy according to the principle of "graded early warning system", namely the evaluation of gene detection, calcitonin value and ultrasound examination successively. Seven cases underwent the surgery, including 3 males and 4 females, aged from 7 to 29 years. According to the risk stratification listed in the guidelines of the American Thyroid Association in 2015, there were 2 cases of the highest risk, 2 cases of the high risk and 3 cases of the modest risk. Calcitonin index remained within the normal range in 3 cases and elevated in 4 cases before operation. All 7 patients underwent thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection of the level Ⅵ performed in 4 patients. Results: The time from suggestion to operation was 2 to 37 months, with an average of 15.1 months. The 6 patients were medullary thyroid carcinoma and 1 case with C-cell hyperplasia. The follow-up time was 2 to 82 months, with an average of 38.4 months. Postoperative serum calcitonin levels of all cases decreased to normal level, with biochemical cure. There was no sign of recurrence on ultrasound examination. All 7 patients had no serious complications, no obvious thyroid dysfunction. Their height, weight and other indicators of pediatric patients were similar to those of their peers, with normal growth and development. Conclusion: For healthy people with MEN2A/MEN2B family history, prophylactic thyroidectomy can be carried out selectively based on the comprehensive evaluation of "graded early warning system" with strict screening and close monitoring.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of circ_0092315 in the proliferation and invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells. Methods The expression of circ_0092315 in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells was examined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.The proliferation and invasion of TPC-1 cells was assessed by CCK-8 and Transwell assays.The protein level of high mobility group A2 (HMGA2) was determined by Western blotting.The regulatory relationship of circ_0092315,microRNA-1256 (miR-1256),and HMGA2 was explored by bioinformatics tools,dual-luciferase reporter assay,real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR,and Western blotting. ++++Results circ_0092315 was overexpressed in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells (all P<0.001).circ_0092315 promoted the proliferation and invasion of TPC-1 cells (all P<0.001).The transfection of si-circ_0092315 up-regulated the expression of miR-1256 (P<0.001),and miR-1256 inhibitor up-regulated the protein level of HMGA2 (P<0.001). ++++Conclusion circ_0092315 is overexpressed in TPC-1 cells and it promotes the proliferation and invasion of TPC-1 cells by regulating the miR-1256/HMGA2 axis.

To evaluate the effects of CLEC5A expression level on cell proliferation, migration and invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore the role of CLEC5A in the tumorigenesis and progression of HCC.

To investigate the inhibitory effect of miR-125b-5p on proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma and the role of RAB3D in mediating this effect.

To investigate the correlation of the potential functional microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA regulatory network with recurrence of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) and its biological significance.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) has been implicated in tumor progress and chemosensitivity. Ovarian cancer brings a great threat to the health of women with a significant feature of high mortality and poor prognosis. However, the potential significance of matrix stiffness in the pattern of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) expression and ovarian cancer drug sensitivity is still largely unkown. Here, based on RNA-seq data of ovarian cancer cell cultured on substrates with different stiffness, we found that a great amount of lncRNAs were upregulated in stiff group, whereas SNHG8 was significantly downregulated, which was further verified in ovarian cancer cells cultured on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) hydrogel. Knockdown of SNHG8 led to an impaired efficiency of homologous repair, and decreased cellular sensitivity to both etoposide and cisplatin. Meanwhile, the results of the GEPIA analysis indicated that the expression of SNHG8 was significantly decreased in ovarian cancer tissues, which was negatively correlated with the overall survival of patients with ovarian cancer. In conclusion, matrix stiffening related lncRNA SNHG8 is closely related to chemosensitivity and prognosis of ovarian cancer, which might be a novel molecular marker for chemotherapy drug instruction and prognosis prediction.

To analyze the correlation between the mutational status of immunoglobulin heavy chain variable (IGHV) gene with the prognosis of patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM).

The data of 1 268 newly diagnosed gliomas from the Fourth Ward of Neurosurgery Department of Beijing Tiantan Hospital between April 2013 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on postoperative pathology, the gliomas were divided into groups: oligodendrogliomas (n=308), astrocytomas (n=337) and glioblastomas (n=623). According to the O6-methylguanine-DNA methyl transferase (MGMT) promoter status defined by the 12% of best cut-off value in previous research results, patients were divided into methylation group (n=763) and non-methylation group (n=505). Methylation level [M (Q1, Q3)] in patients with glioblastoma, astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma was 6% (2%, 24%), 17% (10%, 28%) and 29% (19%, 40%), respectively (P<0.001). Compared with non-methylation patients, the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of glioblastomas patients with methylation of MGMT promoter demonstrated more favorable prognosis [M (Q1, Q3)]) of PFS: 14.0 (6.0, 36.0) months vs 8.0 (4.0, 15.0) months, P<0.001; M (Q1, Q3) of OS: 29.0 (17.0, 60.5) months vs 16.0 (11.0, 26.5) months, P<0.001]. In astrocytomas patients, the PFS was much longer for those with methylation [the median PFS of patients with methylation was not observed at the end of follow-up, but those without methylation showed a median PFS of 46.0 (29.0, 52.0) months] (P=0.001). However, no statistically significant difference was observed in OS [the median OS of patients with methylation was not observed at the end of follow-up, but those without methylation had a median OS of 62.0 (46.0, 98.0) months] (P=0.085). In oligodendrogliomas patients, no statistically significant differences of PFS and OS were observed between patients with methylation and those without methylation. MGMT promoter status was a related factor affecting PFS and OS in glioblastomas (PFS: HR=0.534,95%CI: 0.426-0.668, P<0.001; OS: HR=0.451, 95%CI: 0.353-0.576, P<0.001). Moreover, MGMT promoter status was also a related factor affecting PFS in astrocytomas (HR=0.462, 95%CI: 0.221-0.966, P=0.040), but not for OS (HR=0.664, 95%CI: 0.259-1.690, P=0.389). The methylation level of MGMT promoter differed substantially in different types of gliomas, and the status of MGMT promoter profoundly affected the prognosis of glioblastomas.

To review the research progress of intraspinal solitary fibrous tumor (SFT).

Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) accounts for approximately 30% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases and is the second most common histological type of lung cancer. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive NSCLC accounts for only 2%-5% of all NSCLC cases, and is almost exclusively detected in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. Thus, ALK testing is not routinely performed in the LSCC population, and the efficacy of such treatment for ALK-rearranged LSCC remains unknown. Echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4 (EML4)-ALK (V1) and TP53 co-mutations were identified by next generation sequencing (NGS) in this patient with advanced LSCC. On December 3, 2020, Ensatinib was taken orally and the efficacy was evaluated as partial response (PR). The progression-free survival (PFS) was 19 months. When the disease progressed, the medication was changed to Loratinib. To our knowledge, Enshatinib created the longest PFS of ALK-mutant LSCC patients treated with targeted therapy since literature review. Herein, we described one case treated by Enshatinib involving a patient with both EML4-ALK and TP53 positive LSCC, and the relevant literatures were reviewed for discussing the treatment of this rare disease.
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As one of the most common malignant tumors, lung cancer poses a serious threat to human life and health. The platinum-based drug cisplatin (DDP) is used as the first-line treatment for lung cancer. The poor prognosis of lung cancer is mostly due to developed resistance to cisplatin, which poses a serious treatment challenge. The mechanism of cisplatin resistance is complex and unclear. Numerous studies have shown that DNA methylation plays a crucial role in the emergence of lung cancer cisplatin resistance. DNA hypermethylation results in the deactivation of numerous drug resistance genes and tumor suppressor genes through a change in chromatin conformation. Finding new therapeutic targets and indicators to predict the therapeutic effect can be aided by elucidating the complex mechanism. In order to discover novel strategies to overcome cisplatin resistance in lung cancer, this paper discusses DNA methylation-mediated cisplatin resistance and offers an overview of current demethylation procedures.
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The occurence and development of tumors is a complicated process, which not only depends on the mutation or deletion of genes, but also is affected by epigenetic regulation. Accumulating evidences have shown that epigenetic modifications play fundamental roles in transcriptional regulation, heterochromatin formation, X chromosome inactivation, DNA damage response and tumor development. SET domain containing lysine methyltransferase 7 (SETD7) was initially identified as an important lysine methyltransferase, which methylated histone and non-histone proteins. These modifications play fundamental roles. Once this modification disorders, it can directly lead to cell abnormalities and cause many diseases. Studies have shown that SETD7 is related to the occurence and development of various tumors, but the methylation sites of SETD7 and its regulatory mechanism have not been fully elucidated. This article summarizes the research progress of the role of SETD7 on histone and non-histone methylation modification in tumors and the molecular mechanism, in order to provide new therapeutic targets for tumor pathogenesis and diagnosis.
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Objective: This study aims to investigate the associations between genetic variations of pyroptosis pathway related key genes and adverse events (AEs) of postoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with rectal cancer. Methods: DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood which was collected from 347 patients before CRT. Sequenom MassARRAY was used to detect the genotypes of 43 haplotype-tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) in eight pyroptosis genes, including absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), caspase-1 (CASP1), caspase-4(CASP4), caspase-5 (CASP5), caspase-11 (CASP11), gasdermin D (GSDMD), gasdermin E (GSDME) and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3). The associations between 43 htSNPs and AEs were evaluated by the odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by unconditional logistic regression models, adjusted for sex, age, clinical stage, tumor grade, Karnofsky performance status (KPS), surgical procedure, and tumor location. Results: Among the 347 patients with rectal cancer underwent concurrent CRT with capecitabine after surgery, a total of 101(29.1%) occurred grade ≥ 2 leukopenia. rs11226565 (OR=0.41, 95% CI: 0.21-0.79, P=0.008), rs579408(OR=1.54, 95% CI: 1.03-2.29, P=0.034) and rs543923 (OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.41-0.98, P=0.040) were significantly associated with the occurrence of grade ≥ 2 leukopenia. One hundred and fifty-six (45.0%) had grade ≥ 2 diarrhea, two SNPs were significantly associated with the occurrence of grade ≥ diarrhea, including CASP11 rs10880868 (OR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.33-0.91, P=0.020) and GSDME rs2954558 (OR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.01-2.31, P=0.050). In addition, sixty-six cases (19.0%) developed grade ≥2 dermatitis, three SNPs that significantly associated with the risk of grade ≥2 dermatitis included GSDME rs2237314 (OR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.16-0.83, P=0.017), GSDME rs12540919 (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.27-0.99, P=0.045) and NLRP3 rs3806268 (OR=1.51, 95% CI: 1.03-2.22, P=0.037). There was no significant difference in the association between other genetic variations and AEs of rectal cancer patients (all P>0.05). Surgical procedure and tumor location had great impacts on the occurrence of grade ≥2 diarrhea and dermatitis (all P<0.01). Conclusion: The genetic variants of CASP4, CASP11, GSDME and NLRP3 are associated with the occurrence of AEs in patients with rectal cancer who received postoperative CRT, suggesting they may be potential genetic markers in predicting the grade of AEs to achieve individualized treatment of rectal cancer.