Analysis of the efficacy of transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of infusion of gemcitabine(GEM) and fluorouracil(5-FU)through the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery in the treatment of pancreatic carcinoma(PC).Methods:We analyzed 20 patients diagnosed clinically or pathologically with PC,without metastases,who had an estimated survival duration of>3 months in our department from May 2009 to December 2014.Nine patients were treated directly without surgical resection of the tumor,while the other 11 patients were treated after surgery.In all patients,the femoral artery was punctured using the Seldinger technique,and a catheter was placed in the opening of the celiac artery or the superior mesenteric artery.We administered 500 mg/m2 GEM and 500 mg/m2 5-FU.Observational data included data on clinical efficacy and survival rates during the follow-up period of 3-72 months.Results:Twenty patients were treated 85 times with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy(TAI).The survival rates were 80%,40%,35%,20%,10%,and 5% at 3,6,12,24,and 72 months,respectively.Conclusion: TAI chemotherapy with GEM and 5-FU may be a therapeutic option for the treatment of PC.

Neoadjuvant transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and systemic chemotherapy for the treatment of undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in children

BACKGROUND Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver(UESL)is a rare and aggressive mesenchymal tumor in children.Herein,we describe our experience in neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)and subsequent surgery for the treatment of UESL in children.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of NAT and explore a new choice for successful operation of UESL in children.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed six patients newly diagnosed with unresectable UESL who received NAT and then surgery at our center between January 2004 and December 2019.The tumor was considered unresectable if it involved a large part of both lobes of the liver or had invaded the main hepatic vessels or inferior vena cava.The NAT included preoperative transcatheter arterial chemoembol ization(TACE)and systemic chemotherapy.The patients were 4 boys and 2 girls with a mean age of 7 years.The longest tumor at presentation ranged from 8.6 to 14.8 cm(mean,12 cm).Extrahepatic metastases were present in 2 cases.Preoperative systemic chemotherapy was administered 3 wk after TACE.Tumor resection was performed 3 wk after one or two cycles of NAT.The patients received systemic chemotherapy after surgery.RESULTS All patients successfully underwent NAT and complete resection.The tumor volumes decreased by 18.2%–68.7%,with a mean decrease of 36%after 1 cycle of NAT(t=3.524,P=0.017).According to the Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors criteria,4 patients had a partial response and underwent surgery,while 2 had stable disease and received another cycle of NAT before surgery.Massive tumor necrosis was seen on pathological examination of the surgical specimen:>90%necrosis in two,>50%necrosis in three,and 25%necrosis in 1,with an average of 71.8%.Post-NAT complications included fever,nausea and vomiting,and mild bone marrow suppression.Elevated alanine transaminase levels occurred in all patients,which returned to normal within 7–10 d after treatment.No cardiac or renal toxicity,severe hepatic dysfunction,bleeding and nontarget embolization were observed in the patients.The median follow-up period was 8 years with an overall survival of 100%.CONCLUSION NAT effectively reduced tumor volume,cleared the tumor margin,and caused massive tumor necrosis.This may be a promising choice for successful surgery of UESL in children.

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF POSTOPERATVE TRANSCATHETER ARTERIAL OILY CHEMOTHERAPY IN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

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Transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy and embolization for primary lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Although tumors of the lacrimal sac are rare,they represent a potentially lifethreatening situation that can easily be overlooked since patients present with features consistent with chronic dacryocystitis.Lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma is the most common lacrimal sac malignancy,but no definitive treatment is currently available.CASE SUMMARY We describe a 34-year-old unmarried male who presented with a red and swollen right lower eyelid,which gradually developed into a mass of the lower eyelid that obstructed vision in his right eye.He was treated with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy and interventional embolization based on the tumor characteristics,and we also administered intensity-modulated radiotherapy and targeted therapy after tumor shrinkage.The tumor treatment demonstrated good efficacy,and the patient’s condition was stable after 10 mo of follow-up.CONCLUSION To our knowledge,this is the first report of lacrimal sac squamous cell carcinoma treated with transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy and interventional embolization,which might expand clinical treatment options for lacrimal sac carcinoma.

Perioperative chemotherapy improves survival of patients with locally advanced diffuse gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Whether patients with diffuse gastric cancer,which is insensitive to chemo-therapy,can benefit from neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy has long been controversial.AIM To investigate whether perioperative chemotherapy can improve survival of patients with locally advanced diffuse gastric cancer.METHODS A total of 2684 patients with locally advanced diffuse gastric cancer from 18 population-based cancer registries in the United States were analyzed.RESULTS Compared with surgery alone,perioperative chemotherapy improved the prognosis of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer.Before stabilized inverse probability of treatment weighting(IPTW),the median overall survival(OS)times were 40.0 months and 13.0 months(P<0.001),respectively.After IPTW,the median OS times were 33.0 months and 17.0 months(P<0.001),respectively.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy did not improve the prognosis of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer compared with adjuvant chemotherapy after IPTW.After IPTW,the median OS times were 38.0 months in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and 42.0 months in the adjuvant chemotherapy group(P=0.472).CONCLUSION Patients with diffuse gastric cancer can benefit from perioperative chemotherapy.There was no significant difference in survival between patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and those who received adjuvant chemotherapy.

Evaluating the effect and mechanism of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction combined with FLOT regimen neoadjuvant chemotherapy for the patients with locally advanced gastric cancer:protocol for a prospective,double-arm,randomized controlled clinical trial

Background:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plays a vital role in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer(GC),however,optimizing its effectiveness remains an important research focus.Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),a promising adjunctive therapy,has shown enhanced clinical outcomes when combined with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.Therefore,this study is designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy FLOT in the treatment of advanced GC.Methods:This study is a prospective,double-arm,randomized controlled trial.It involves a total of 260 patients diagnosed with advanced GC,who will be randomly assigned to two groups-a TCM treatment group and a control group,each comprising 130 patients.All patients will receive standard FLOT chemotherapy,and patients in the TCM treatment group will additionally receive TCM treatment with Yiqi Huayu Jiedu decoction.After four cycles of chemotherapy,GC D2 radical surgery will be performed.The primary objective is to evaluate the postoperative pathological response rate of the tumor.The secondary objectives include evaluating the perioperative nutritional status,the efficacy of TCM syndrome,and adverse events associated with both chemotherapy and surgery.Discussion:Currently,no trials have investigated the impact of TCM in combination with neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the preoperative treatment in patients with advanced GC.Accordingly,it is imperative to conduct this prospective study to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of this regimen,meanwhile providing high-level clinical evidence for TCM combined with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and introducing an innovative regimen for preoperative comprehensive treatment of GC.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with anti-angiogenesis agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)has been proven to be an ideal choice for treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(uHCC).HAIC-based treatment showed great potential for treating uHCC.However,large-scale studies on HAIC-based treatments and meta-analyses of first-line treatments for uHCC are lacking.AIM To investigate better first-line treatment options for uHCC and to assess the safety and efficacy of HAIC combined with angiogenesis inhibitors,programmed cell death of protein 1(PD-1)and its ligand(PD-L1)blockers(triple therapy)under real-world conditions.METHODS Several electronic databases were searched to identify eligible randomized controlled trials for this meta-analysis.Study-level pooled analyses of hazard ratios(HRs)and odds ratios(ORs)were performed.This was a retrospective single-center study involving 442 patients with uHCC who received triple therapy or angiogenesis inhibitors plus PD-1/PD-L1 blockades(AIPB)at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2018 to April 2023.Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed to balance the bias between the groups.The Kaplan-Meier method and cox regression were used to analyse the survival data,and the log-rank test was used to compare the suvival time between the groups.RESULTS A total of 13 randomized controlled trials were included.HAIC alone and in combination with sorafenib were found to be effective treatments(P values for ORs:HAIC,0.95;for HRs:HAIC+sorafenib,0.04).After PSM,176 HCC patients were included in the analysis.The triple therapy group(n=88)had a longer median overall survival than the AIPB group(n=88)(31.6 months vs 14.6 months,P<0.001)and a greater incidence of adverse events(94.3%vs 75.4%,P<0.001).CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggests that HAIC-based treatments are likely to be the best choice for uHCC.Our findings confirm that triple therapy is more effective for uHCC patients than AIPB.

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with PD-1 inhibitors and Lenvatinib for hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients complicated with portal vein tumor thrombus(PVTT)exhibit poor prognoses and treatment responses.AIM To investigate efficacies and safety of the combination of PD-1 inhibitor,transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and Lenvatinib in HCC subjects comorbid with PVTT.METHODS From January 2019 to December 2020,HCC patients with PVTT types Ⅰ-Ⅳ were retrospectively enrolled at Beijing Ditan Hospital.They were distributed to either the PTL or TACE/Lenvatinib(TL)group.The median progression-free survival(mPFS)was set as the primary endpoint,while parameters like median overall survival,objective response rate,disease control rate(DCR),and toxicity level served as secondary endpoints.RESULTS Forty-one eligible patients were finally recruited for this study and divided into the PTL(n=18)and TL(n=23)groups.For a median follow-up of 21.8 months,the DCRs were 88.9%and 60.9%in the PTL and TL groups(P=0.046),res-pectively.Moreover,mPFS indicated significant improvement(HR=0.25;P<0.001)in PTL-treated patients(5.4 months)compared to TL-treated(2.7 months)patients.There were no treatment-related deaths or differences in adverse events in either group.CONCLUSION A triplet regimen of PTL was safe and well-tolerated as well as exhibited favorable efficacy over the TL regimen for advanced-stage HCC patients with PVTT types Ⅰ-Ⅳ.

Nomogram predicting the prognosis of primary liver cancer after radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

BACKGROUND The incidence and mortality rates of primary hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)are high,and the conventional treatment is radiofrequency ablation(RFA)with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE);however,the 3-year survival rate is still low.Further,there are no visual methods to effectively predict their prognosis.AIM To explore the factors influencing the prognosis of HCC after RFA and TACE and develop a nomogram prediction model.METHODS Clinical and follow-up information of 150 patients with HCC treated using RFA and TACE in the Hangzhou Linping Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to December 2022 was retrospectively collected and recorded.We examined their prognostic factors using multivariate logistic regression and created a nomogram prognosis prediction model using the R software(version 4.1.2).Internal verification was performed using the bootstrapping technique.The prognostic efficacy of the nomogram prediction model was evaluated using the concordance index(CI),calibration curve,and receiver operating characteristic RESULTS Of the 150 patients treated with RFA and TACE,92(61.33%)developed recurrence and metastasis.Logistic regression analysis identified six variables,and a predictive model was created.The internal validation results of the model showed a CI of 0.882.The correction curve trend of the prognosis prediction model was always near the diagonal,and the mean absolute error before and after internal validation was 0.021.The area under the curve of the prediction model after internal verification was 0.882[95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.820-0.945],with a specificity of 0.828 and sensitivity of 0.656.According to the Hosmer-Lemeshow test,χ^(2)=3.552 and P=0.895.The predictive model demonstrated a satisfactory calibration,and the decision curve analysis demonstrated its clinical applicability.CONCLUSION The prognosis of patients with HCC after RFA and TACE is affected by several factors.The developed prediction model based on the influencing parameters shows a good prognosis predictive efficacy.

Screening of Myocardial Cardiotoxicity Induced by Anticancer Chemotherapy and the Importance of Global Longitudinal Strain

Introduction: The improvement of survival in patients with cancer and the expansion of therapeutic options have led to the emergence of a new profile of cardiotoxicity, specifically associated with antimitotic agents. Our study aimed to assess the incidence of chemotherapy-induced myocardial toxicity in patients with cancer. Patients and Methods: We conducted a looking-forward longitudinal cohort study including all patients admitted to the Cardiology departments of Aristide le Dantec Hospital and Dalal Jamm National Hospital Centre for apre-chemotherapy check-up. The included patients did not undergo any pre-existing cardiopathy. Results: Over a period of two years ranging from January 2019 to December 2021, a total of 37 patients were included in the study. Notably, there was a female predominance (92%) with an average age of 49.7 years ± 13.69. Breast cancer accounted for 70% of the neoplasms. Laboratory findings revealed moderate anemia in 19 patients (51%). At inclusion, the left ventricle (LV) was of normal size (LV diastole at 44.46 ± 4.97 mm). The systolic function of the left ventricle was normal in all patients, with an average ejection fraction (EF) of 63.1% ± 5.80 and a mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) of −20.4% ± 2.58. The most commonly used agents were anthracyclines. During follow-up, 3 patients (8.1%) developed clinical symptoms of left heart failure, and LV dysfunction on echocardiography was observed in 5 (13.5%) patients, with a significant decrease in EF Conclusion: The incidence of cardiac toxicity is not negligible, hence the importance of early screening. Strain imaging is an essential tool that should be performed as part of the assessment before chemotherapy and re-evaluated during treatment.

Shenqi Fuzheng injection alleviates chemotherapy-induced cachexia by restoring glucocorticoid signaling in hypothalamus

Chemotherapy-induced cachexia(CIC)is a debilitating condition characterized by weight loss,muscle atrophy,and anorexia[1].While peripheral mechanisms of cachexia have been extensively studied,the involvement of the central nervous system(CNS)in CIC is often overlooked.Chemotherapeutic drugs cause stress responses and inflammation,which may impact the hypothalamus and disrupt systemic energy and neuroendocrine functions.Understanding hypothalamic roles in regulating these processes can provide insights into CIC's mechanisms and aid in developing novel therapies.

Transcatheter Closure of Postoperative Residual Atrial or Ventricular Septal Shunts in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

Background:Transcatheter closure(TCC)has emerged as the preferred treatment for selected congenital heart disease(CHD).While TCC offers benefits for patients with postoperative residual shunts,understanding its mid-and long-term efficacy and safety remains crucial.Objective:This study aims to assess the mid-and long-term safety and efficacy of TCC for patients with residual atrial or ventricular septal shunts following CHD correction.Methods:In this consecutive retrospective study,we enrolled 35 patients with residual shunt who underwent TCC or surgical repair of CHD between June 2011 to October 2022.TCC candidacy was determined based on established criteria.Echocardiography and electrocardiogram were conducted during the perioperative period and continued as part of long-term follow-up.Results:Among the patients,5(14.3%)exhibited interatrial shunt-ing,while 30(85.7%)had interventricular shunting.TCC was successfully implemented in 33 of 35 patients,with exceptions in two cases of post-ventricular septal defect repair due to anatomical challenges involving the shape and aortic angulation.This resulted in a TCC success rate of 94.3%.Trace residual shunt was detected in two interventricular shunting cases and a mild residual shunt in one interventricular shunting case;all resolved by the three-month follow-up after TCC.Minor complications included one hematoma at the puncture site and one transient junctional rhythm during the perioperative period.During a median follow-up of 73 months,there were no instances of residual shunt,device embolization,occluder displacement,valve insufficiency,malignant arrhythmia,infective endocarditis,death,or other serious complications.Conclusion:TCC is an effective and safe therapy for patients with residual atrial or ventricular septal shunts following CHD correction.Thesefindings support the consideration of TCC as the preferred treatment option for appropriate patient populations.

Nutritional Supplement Ocoxin® Combined with Gemcitabine-Based Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Background: the quality of life (QoL) of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with its limited survival, can be affected by chemotherapy-induced toxicity. The main objective was to evaluate the effect of introducing ocoxin oral solution (OOS) in combination with standard therapy on quality of life. Methods: Thirty patients were enrolled in an exploratory, prospective, single-centre clinical trial in the oncology department of “Hermanos Ameijeiras” University Hospital in Havana, Cuba. Quality of life was measured using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and toxicity was assessed using the NCI-CTC-AE classification version 5.0. Results: There was stability in the scores over time for overall QoL and the functional scale criteria, while in terms of symptoms, fatigue, pain and loss of appetite were reduced. No grade 3 - 4 adverse events (AEs) were recorded, and only 14.9% of toxicities were classified as grade 2, and these were considered to be unrelated to OOS. Biochemical and nutritional parameters were normalised at 12 months compared to the baseline values. Conclusions: This clinical study is the first report of the use of OOS in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer, and demonstrates that it is able to maintain optimal quality of life with reduced severity of toxicity during and after combination treatment with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy.

Effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of esophageal adenocarcinoma:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant therapy is an essential modality for reducing the clinical stage of esophageal cancer;however,the superiority of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(nCT)or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT)is unclear.Therefore,a discussion of these two modalities is necessary.AIM To investigate the benefits and complications of neoadjuvant modalities.METHODS To address this concern,predefined criteria were established using the PICO protocol.Two independent authors performed comprehensive searches using predetermined keywords.Statistical analyses were performed to identify significant differences between groups.Potential publication bias was visualized using funnel plots.The quality of the data was evaluated using the Risk of Bias Tool 2(RoB2)and the GRADE approach.RESULTS Ten articles,including 1928 patients,were included for the analysis.Significant difference was detected in pathological complete response(pCR)[P<0.001;odds ratio(OR):0.27;95%CI:0.16-0.46],30-d mortality(P=0.015;OR:0.4;95%CI:0.22-0.71)favoring the nCRT,and renal failure(P=0.039;OR:1.04;95%CI:0.66-1.64)favoring the nCT.No significant differences were observed in terms of survival,local or distal recurrence,or other clinical or surgical complications.The result of RoB2 was moderate,and that of the GRADE approach was low or very low in almost all cases.CONCLUSION Although nCRT may have a higher pCR rate,it does not translate to greater long-term survival.Moreover,nCRT is associated with higher 30-d mortality,although the specific cause for postoperative complications could not be identified.In the case of nCT,toxic side effects are suspected,which can reduce the quality of life.Given the quality of available studies,further randomized trials are required.

Influence of transcatheter arterial embolization on symptom distress and fatigue in liver cancer patients

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a prevalent malignancy,and transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)has emerged as a pivotal therapeutic modality.How-ever,TAE may induce symptom distress and fatigue,adversely affecting the quality of life of patients.AIM To investigate symptom distress,fatigue,and associated factors in HCC patients undergoing TAE.METHODS We used a cross-sectional design and purposive sampling to enroll HCC patients who underwent TAE at our institution from January to December 2022.Question-naires were utilized to collect data on symptom distress and fatigue scores from the first to the third day after TAE.RESULTS Our study revealed a significant reduction in fatigue and symptom distress among patients after TAE.Pain,fatigue,insomnia,fever and abdominal dis-tension were the most common symptoms troubling patients during the first 3 d post-TAE.Marital status,presence of family support,physical functional status,age,and symptom distress were identified as predictors of fatigue in patients.CONCLUSION Healthcare professionals should educate HCC patients on symptom distress and INTRODUCTION Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)ranks as the fifth most prevalent cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally.Surgical intervention remains the cornerstone of HCC treatment;however,due to the challenges associated with early diagnosis and the lack of specific diagnostic markers,a considerable proportion of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages,rendering them ineligible for surgical interventions.Transcatheter arterial embolization(TAE)is an interventional therapeutic approach involving the insertion of a fine catheter via the femoral artery to reach the vasculature near the tumor site.TAE aims to obstruct the arterial supply to the tumor by deploying embolic agents,thereby inducing necrosis in cancer cells.This procedure is suitable for patients with good liver function and overall health,particularly those with large HCCs that have not invaded the portal vein[1,2].Nonetheless,following TAE,hepatocytes incur variable degrees of damage,leading to the development of a constel-lation of symptoms reminiscent of acute hepatitis.These symptoms include fatigue and systemic discomfort,such as nausea,vomiting,fever,abdominal pain,as well as transient elevations in aspartate aminotransferase(AST)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT),collectively referred to as postembolization syndrome[3,4].These symptoms may arise due to ischemia of the liver and gallbladder,temporary liver enlargement,and peritoneal irritation.While many studies have explored fatigue and symptom distress in cancer patients both nationally and internationally,with some focusing on symptom distress following transcatheter arterial chemoembolization,there has been limited in-depth investigation into the fatigue and symptom distress resulting from TAE treatment[5-8].Fatigue and pain are both subjective experiences,typically arising from the gradual depletion of energy reserves during the course of illness[9].Fatigue is particularly prevalent among cancer patients,with rates soaring as high as 90%.Despite extensive research exploring cancer-related fatigue and its influencing factors,a unanimous consensus remains elusive.Hence,the primary objective of this study was to investigate the symptom distress and fatigue experienced by liver cancer patients following TAE treatment and to analyze potential contributing factors.

Alterations in Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins Induced by Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Osteosarcoma around the Knee Joint:A Retrospective Analysis

Objective To investigate the serum lipid profiles of patients with localized osteosarcoma around the knee joint before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Methods After retrospectively screening the data of 742 patients between January 2007 and July 2020,50 patients aged 13 to 39 years with Enneking stage II disease were included in the study.Serum lipid levels,including total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),lipoprotein-α[Lp(a)],and apolipoprotein A1,B,and E(ApoA1,ApoB,and ApoE),and clinicopathological characteristics were collected before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Results The mean levels of TC,TG,and ApoB were significantly increased following neoadjuvant chemotherapy(16%,38%,and 20%,respectively,vs.pretreatment values;P<0.01).The mean levels of LDL-C and ApoE were also 19%and 16%higher,respectively(P<0.05).No correlation was found between the pretreatment lipid profile and the histologic response to chemotherapy.An increase in Lp(a)was strongly correlated with the Ki-67 index(R=0.31,P=0.023).Moreover,a trend toward longer disease-free survival(DFS)was observed in patients with decreased TG and increased LDL-C following chemotherapy,although this difference was not statistically significant(P=0.23 and P=0.24,respectively).Conclusion Significant elevations in serum lipids were observed after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with localized osteosarcoma.There was no prognostic significance of pretreatment serum lipid levels on histologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.The scale of increase in serum Lp(a)might have a potential prognostic role in osteosarcoma.Patients with increased LDL-C or reduced TG after chemotherapy seem to exhibit a trend toward favorable DFS.

Effectiveness of a theory-based tailored mHealth physical activity intervention for women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer:A quasi-experimental study

Objectives:This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of the theory-based tailored mHealth physical activity(PA)intervention among patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.Methods:A quasi-experimental study design was adopted.A total of 60 breast cancer patients were selected from two tertiary hospitals in Shanghai and Hangzhou City from September 2019 to August 2021.According to the admission order,30 patients werefirst included in the control group,followed by 30 patients in the intervention group.A smartphone application(app)named“Breast Care”was developed based on social cognitive theory,self-efficacy theory,and the theory of planned behavior.The app integrated various functions,including information browsing,PA monitoring and feedback,symptom reporting,and social interaction.Patients in the intervention group received three months of personalized online PA guidance in addition to routine care.The control group received routine care.Baseline and post-intervention investigations after three months were conducted in two groups using the Short Form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire,the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale,and the Functional Assessment of Cancer TherapydBreast cancer.Results:After three months of intervention,compared to the control group,breast cancer patients in the intervention group showed significant improvements in walking,moderate PA,and overall PA(P<0.05).Compared to the baseline data,breast cancer patients in the intervention group had significant improvements in walking and overall PA after three months(P<0.05),whereas the control group experienced significant declines in walking,moderate PA,and overall PA after three months(P<0.05).There were statistically differences between the two groups in scores for anxiety,overall quality of life,and its dimensions,such as physical well-being,emotional well-being,and additional breast cancer well-being(P<0.05).Conclusions:The theory-based tailored mHealth PA intervention has demonstrated a positive impact on promoting PA behavior change and emotional management among breast cancer patients.The‘Breast Care’app integrated various practical behavior change strategies,offering valuable guidance for personalized remote rehabilitation support for cancer patients.

Rates, predictors, and causes of readmission after transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients with chronic kidney disease

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)is a revolutionary procedure for severe aortic stenosis.The coexistence of chronic kidney disease(CKD)and TAVR introduces a challenge that significantly impacts patient outcomes.AIM To define readmission rates,predictors,and causes after TAVR procedure in CKD stage 1-4 patients.METHODS We used the national readmission database 2018 and 2020 to look into readmission rates,causes and predictors after TAVR procedure in patients with CKD stage 1-4.RESULTS Out of 24758 who underwent TAVR and had CKD,7892(32.4%)patients were readmitted within 90 days,and had higher adjusted odds of being females(adjusted odds ratio:1.17,95%CI:1.02-1.31,P=0.02)with longer length of hospital stay>6 days,and more comorbidities including but not limited to diabetes mellitus,anemia,and congestive heart failure(CHF).CONCLUSION Most common causes of readmission included CHF(18.0%),sepsis,and complete atrioventricular block.Controlling readmission predictors with very close followup is warranted to prevent such high rate of readmission.

Clinical outcomes of second-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma:a real-world study

Objective:Little progress has been made in recent years using first-line chemotherapy,including gemcitabine combined with nab-paclitaxel,FOLFIRINOX,and NALIRIFOX,for advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma(APC).In addition,the optimal second-line chemotherapy regimen has not been determined.This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different types of second-line chemotherapy for APC.Methods:Patients with APC who received first-line treatment from January 2008 to January 2021 were considered eligible for this retrospective analysis.The primary and secondary endpoints were overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS),respectively.Results:Four hundred and thirty-seven and 617 patients were treated with 5-fluorouracil-and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment,respectively.Demographic and clinical features,except age and liver metastasis,were comparable between the two groups(P<0.05).The median OS was 8.8 and 7.8 months in patients who received a 5-fluorouracil-and gemcitabine-based combined regimen for first-line therapy,respectively(HR=1.244,95%CI=1.090–1.419;P<0.001).The median OS was 5.6 and 1.9 months in patients who received second-line chemotherapy and supportive care,respectively(HR=0.766,95%CI=0.677–0.867;P<0.001).The median PFS was not significantly differently between gemcitabine or 5-fluorouracil monotherapy and combination therapy.Conclusions:A 5-fluorouracil-or gemcitabine-based combined regimen was shown to be as effective as a single 5-fluorouracil or gemcitabine regimen as second-line therapy for patients with APC.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine combined with oxaliplatin for mid-low locally advanced rectal cancer with negative mesorectal fascia:Long-term outcomes of a prospective trial(PKUCH-R03 trial)

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NCT)in mid-low locally advanced rectal cancer with negative mesorectal fascia(MRF).Methods:This prospective,single-arm phaseⅡtrial was designed and conducted at Peking University Cancer Hospital.The patients who provided consent received 3 months of NCT(capecitabine and oxaliplatin,CapOX)followed by total mesorectal excision(TME).The primary endpoint was the rate of pathological complete response(pCR).Results:From January 2019 through December 2021,a total of 53 patients were enrolled,7.5%of whom experienced grade 3-4 adverse events during NCT.The pCR rate was 17.0%for the entire cohort,and the overall rate of postoperative complications was 37.7%(1.9%of gradeⅢa patients).The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 91.4%,and 23.5%(12/51)of the patients suffered from major low anterior resection syndrome(LARS).Postoperative complications were independently associated with major LARS.Conclusions:For patients with mid-low rectal cancer with negative MRF,3 months of NCT were found to yield a favorable tumor response with acceptable toxicity.With fair long-term survival,the NCT regimen could be associated with low rates of perioperative complications as well as acceptable anal function.