Intensify standardized therapy for esophageal and stomach cancer in tumor hospitals

INTRODUCTIONCancer treatment situation in tumor hospitals inChina has its own unique characteristics which arenot found in other parts of the world. Because ofthe huge population and high incidence rates ofesophageal and stomach cancer[1-5], the number ofcancer patients waiting for admission isinconceivably large.

Radiotherapy of 180 cases of operable esophageal carcinoma

AIM To compare the validity of radiotherapy and surgery for operable esophageal carcinoma in 180 patients with pathologically proved esophageal carcinoma who had been accepted for surgery, but for various reasons, were given radical radiation therapy. METHODS The reasons of abandoning surgery in the patients were: poor cardiac function (21), poor pulmonary function (36), poor general condition (9), senility (aged 69～81 years), 32 and refusal by the patient (82). They were treated either by the isocenter technic alone or anteroposterior plus isocenter irradiation to a total dose of 50～70 Gy/5～7wk. RESULTS The 1 , 3 and 5 year survival rates were 64%, 34% and 23%. The 3 and 5 year survival rates showed that lesions in the upper third did better than those in the middle and lower thirds ( P <0 05). The 5 year survival rate by radiation alone (44 5%) of the upper third lesions was slightly better than by surgery. The effect for lesions in the middle third was slightly inferior, and that for the lower third was even poorer than that of surgery. CONCLUSION The result of radiation alone for the operable esophageal carcinoma was similar to that of surgery.

Role of deubiquitinase JOSD2 in the pathogenesis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a deadly malignancy with limited treatment options.Deubiquitinases(DUBs)have been confirmed to play a crucial role in the development of malignant tumors.JOSD2 is a DUB involved in con-trolling protein deubiquitination and influencing critical cellular processes in cancer.AIM To investigate the impact of JOSD2 on the progression of ESCC.METHODS Bioinformatic analyses were employed to explore the expression,prognosis,and enriched pathways associated with JOSD2 in ESCC.Lentiviral transduction was utilized to manipulate JOSD2 expression in ESCC cell lines(KYSE30 and RESULTS )Preliminary research indicated that JOSD2 was highly expressed in ESCC tissues,which was associated with poor prognosis.Further analysis demonstrated that JOSD2 was upregulated in ESCC cell lines compared to normal esophageal cells.JOSD2 knockdown inhibited ESCC cell activity,including proliferation and colony-forming ability.Moreover,JOSD2 knockdown decreased the drug resistance and migration of ESCC cells,while JOSD2 overexpression enhanced these phenotypes.In vivo xenograft assays further confirmed that JOSD2 promoted tumor proliferation and drug resistance in ESCC.Mechanistically,JOSD2 appears to activate the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.Mass spectrometry was used to identify crucial substrate proteins that interact with JOSD2,which identified the four primary proteins that bind to JOSD2,namely USP47,IGKV2D-29,HSP90AB1,and PRMT5.CONCLUSION JOSD2 plays a crucial role in enhancing the proliferation,migration,and drug resistance of ESCC,suggesting that JOSD2 is a potential therapeutic target in ESCC.

Importance of early detection of esophageal cancer before the tumor progresses too much for effective treatment

This editorial comments on an article by Qu et al published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.It focuses on the importance of early detection of esophageal cancer,including recurrence or secondary malignancy after chemoradiotherapy(CRT).Endoscopic resection is the first choice for treatment for esophageal cancer remaining within the mucous membrane,while surgery or radical CRT are treatment options for advanced stages depending on the patient’s general condition and desire.Although these treatments are potentially curative,they are more invasive than endoscopic resection.Early-stage esophageal cancer is often asymptomatic and difficult to detect.Uniform periodic endoscopy is unrealistic.Although less burdensome tests exist,including liquid biopsy and urinary biomarkers,these have not yet been widely used in clinical practice.Early detection is important after radical CRT because the local recurrence rate is higher than that after surgery.However,endoscopic resection or photodynamic therapy is indicated if detected in the early stages,and positive results have been reported.Early detection of esophageal cancer is crucial.Endoscopy is the main diagnostic method;however,new and less burdensome methods should be established to ensure early treatment for patients with esophageal cancer.

A Randomized Clinical Study on Combination of Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy and Thalidomide for Middle-Late Esophageal Cancer

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the response rate and tolerance of patients with middle-late esophageal carcinoma, who were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy （CCRT） plus thalidomide.METHODS Sixty-five eligible patients with local middle-late esophageal carcinoma were randomly assigned to the treatment group （TG） and the control group （CG）. The 33 patients from the TG were treated with CCRT plus thalidomide （a 60-70 Gy of radiation dose, and 5-FU plus cisplatin; oral administration of thalidomide at a dose of 100 mg/d on the first week and 200 mg/d on the second. Both were taken with water, at bedtime until completion of the radiotherapy. In the CG, 32 patients received CCRT only. The clinical effects and tolerance to the CCRT between the 2 groups were compared.RESULTS The response rates of the therapeutic combination in the TG and CG were 87.9% and 68.7%, respectively. There were no statistical differences in comparing the response rates between the 2 groups （P 〉 0.05）; the local control rates in the TG and CG were 93% and 91%, respectively, and there were no statistical differences between the 2 groups （P 〉 0.05）; the 1-year survival rates of the patients in the TG and CG were 74.0% and 63.0%, respectively, without statistical differences between the 2 groups （P 〉 0.05）. The improvement rates of KPS scoring in the TG and CG were 57.6% and 31.3%, respectively. There were significant differences in comparing the improvement rates between the 2 groups （P 〈 0.05）. The incidence rates of nausea and vomiting were lower in the TG compared to the CG, with a statistical significance between the 2 groups （P 〈 0.05）. However, the incidence rates of constipation, lethargy and fatigue were higher in the TG than in CG, showing a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION CCRT combined with thalidomide in treating esophageal carcinoma may improve the quality of life of the patients, the treatment may also raise patients＇ compliance to chemoradiotherapy, and possibly increase their long-term survival rate. Further studies related to this topic are needed.

Personalized targeted therapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma continues to heavily burden clinicians worldwide. Researchers have discovered the genomic landscape of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, which holds promise for an era of personalized oncology care. One of the most pressing problems facing this issue is to improve the understanding of the newly available genomic data, and identify the driver-gene mutations, pathways, and networks. The emergence of a legion of novel targeted agents has generated much hope and hype regarding more potent treatment regimens, but the accuracy of drug selection is still arguable. Other problems, such as cancer heterogeneity, drug resistance, exceptional responders, and side effects, have to be surmounted. Evolving topics in personalized oncology, such as interpretation of genomics data, issues in targeted therapy, research approaches for targeted therapy, and future perspectives, will be discussed in this editorial.

Experimental study on effect of recombinant human growth hormone combined with chemotherapy on stomach neoplasms implanted in nude mice

Objective: To investigate the effect of different doses of recombined growth hormone (rhGH) on stomach neo- plasms implanted in nude mice, and its efficacy in combining with chemotherapy (flurouracil, 5-FU). Methods: Human stom- ach neoplasms model was established in nude mice. The nude mice were divided into control group, moderate-dose of rhGH group, low-dose rhGH group, 5-FU group, moderate-dose rhGH/5-FU group, and low-dose rhGH/5-FU group. The results of each group were observed after ten days. Results: After therapy, the body mass of rhGH groups was significantly increased compared with control group (P<0.05), the body mass of rhGH/5-FU groups was significantly increased compared with 5-FU group (P<0.05), but it was no significant difference between rhGH/5-FU groups and control group (P>0.05). The average tumor mass and volume of rhGH groups were not significantly increased compared with control group (P>0.05), but they were significantly reduced in 5-FU group and rhGH/5-FU groups (P<0.05). They were no significant difference between rhGH/5- FU groups and 5-FU group (P>0.05). After treatment, the percentages of S, G0/G1 and G2/M phases and proliferation index (PI) were not significantly changed in rhGH groups compared with control group (P>0.05), and the same with rhGH/5-FU groups compared with 5-FU group (P>0.05). The difference caused by dose of rhGH was not significant. Conclusion: rhGH enhances body mass, does not stimulate tumor growth, and has no adverse effects on tumor bearing nude mice. Combined with flurouracil, rhGH does not influence the efficacy of chemotherapy, and has no effect on tumor cell cycle kinetics.

Covered nitinol stents for the treatment of esophageal strictures and leaks

AIM:To compare 2 different types of covered esophageal nitinol stents(Ultraflex and Choostent) in terms of efficacy,complications,and long-term outcome.METHODS:A retrospective review of a consecutive series of 65 patients who underwent endoscopic placement of an Ultraflex stent(n = 33) or a Choostent(n = 32) from June 2001 to October 2009 was conducted.RESULTS:Stent placement was successful in all patients without hospital mortality.No significant differences in patient discomfort and complications were observed between the Ultraflex stent and Choostent groups.The median follow-up time was 6 mo(interquartile range 3-16 mo).Endoscopic reintervention was required in 9 patients(14%) because of stent migration or food obstruction.No significant difference in the rate of reintervention between the 2 groups was observed(P = 0.8).The mean dysphagia score 1 mo after stent placement was 1.9 ± 0.3 for the Ultraflex stent and 2.1 ± 0.4 for the Choostent(P = 0.6).At 1-mo follow-up endoscopy,the cover membrane of the stent appeared to be damaged more frequently in the Choostent group(P = 0.34).Removal of the Choostent was possible up to 8 wk without difficulty.CONCLUSION:Ultraflex and Choostent proved to be equally reliable for palliation of dysphagia and leaks.Removal of the Choostent was easy and safe under mild sedation.

Metastases of esophageal carcinoma to skeletal muscle:Single center experience

Metastases of esophageal carcinoma to the skeletal muscle are rare,but the incidence may be increasing because of better diagnosis resulting from widespread use of positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT).A cohort of 205 patients with esophageal carcinoma treated at our center who had PET/CT between 2006 and 2010 was retrospectively evaluated for the presence of skeletal muscle metastases.Four patients had skeletal muscle metastases of esophageal carcinoma,including two patients with squamous cell carcinoma.In another patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and synchronous skeletal muscle metastases,muscle metastases were subsequently shown to be related to second primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma.In all cases,skeletal muscle metastases were the first manifestation of systemic disease.In three patients palliation was obtained with the combination of external beam radiation therapy,systemic chemotherapy or surgical resection.Skeletal muscle metastases are a rare complication of esophageal carcinoma.

Oesophageal surgery

INTRODUCTIONThe origins of oesophageal surgery ,like most surgical treatments ,are based in the treatment of traumatic injury .The Smith Surgical Papyrus describes the examination, diagnosis and treatment of 'a gaping wound of throat, penetrating the gullet' [1].

Esophageal tuberculosis complicated with intestinal tuberculosis: A case report

BACKGROUND Although the overall incidence of tuberculosis in underdeveloped areas has increased in recent years, esophageal tuberculosis(ET) is still rare. Intestinal tuberculosis(ITB) is relatively more common, but there are few reports of ET complicated with ITB. We report a case of secondary ET complicated with ITB in a previously healthy patient.CASE SUMMARY A 27-year-old female was hospitalized for progressive dysphagia, retrosternal pain, acid regurgitation, belching, heartburn, and nausea. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a mid-esophageal ulcerative hyperplastic lesion. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a homogeneous hypoechoic lesion, with adjacent enlarged lymph nodes. Biopsy histopathology showed inflammatory exudation,exfoliated epithelial cells and interstitial granulation tissue proliferation.Colonoscopy revealed a rat-bite ulcer in the terminal ileum and a superficial ulcer in the ascending colon, near the ileocecal region. The ileum lesion biopsy showed focal granulomas with caseous necrosis. Polymerase chain reaction for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive in the esophageal and ileum lesion biopsies. The T-cell spot tuberculosis test was also positive. The patient was diagnosed with secondary ET infiltrated by mediastinal lymphadenopathy and complicated with ITB, possibly from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis-infected esophageal lesion. After 2 mo of anti-tuberculosis therapy, her symptoms improved significantly, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed healing ulcers.CONCLUSION When dysphagia or odynophagia occurs in patients at high-risk for tuberculosis,ET should be considered.

SURGICAL TREATMENT OF PRIMARY ESOPHAGEALADENOCARCINOMA

Objective: To study the biocharacteristics of primary esophageal adenocarcinoma (PEAC) and factors influencing patients’ prognosis and to find rational surgical indications and combined therapy. Methods: To analyze the clinical material of 106 patients with PEAC and compared with that of patients with esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC). Results: The overall resectability, morbidity and 30-day mortality rates of PEAC were 92.5%, 23.5% and 2.8% respectively, similar to those of ESCC. The TNM staging, lymph node metastasis, extraesophageal invasion and the nature of operation were major determinants influencing long-term prognosis. The 5-year survival rate of PEAC was 21.0%, which was lower than that of ESCC (P<0.01). Metastasis or recurrence remained to be the cause of death in 82.4% of patients who lived longer than 5 years, which was higher than that of ESCC (P<0.01). Adjuvant radiation did not influence survival of the patients with lymph node metastasis, but appeared helpful to the patients with no lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: compared with ESCC, PEAC is a malignant disease with poor prognosis. Surgical resection is the first and chief choice of treatment. Surgical indications include patients in stage 0, I, II and some in stage III and even in stage IV of PEAC. Early detection, early diagnosis and early treatment as well as radical operation could improve prognosis. Adjuvant radiotherapy appears helpful only to the patients without lymph node metastasis.

Postoperative chemoradiotherapy with capecitabine and oxaliplatin vs.capecitabine for pathological stage N2 rectal cancer

Objective:Several studies have been conducted on the effects and toxicity of adding oxaliplatin to fluorouracilbased or capecitabine-based chemoradiotherapy(CRT)regimens as significantly increasing the toxic response without benefit to survival.In this study,we further explored the role of these two postoperative CRT regimens in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.Methods:This study was a subgroup analysis of a randomized clinical trial.A total of 180 patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer were eligible,85 received capecitabine with radiotherapy(RT),and 95 received capecitabine and oxaliplatin with RT.Patients in both groups received adjuvant chemotherapy[capecitabine and oxaliplatin(XELOX);or fluorouracil,leucovorin,and oxaliplatin(FOLFOX)]after CRT.Results:At a median follow-up of 59.2[interquartile range(IQR),34.0−96.8]months,the three-year diseasefree survival(DFS)was 53.3%and 64.9%in the control group and the experimental group,respectively[hazard ratio(HR),0.63;95%confidence interval(95%CI),0.41−0.98;P=0.04].There was no significant difference between the groups in overall survival(OS)(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.37−1.05;P=0.07),the incidence of locoregional recurrence(HR,0.62;95%CI,0.24−1.64;P=0.33),the incidence of distant metastasis(HR,0.67;95%CI,0.42−1.06;P=0.09)and grade 3−4 acute toxicities(P=0.78).For patients with survival longer than 3 years,the conditional overall survival(COS)was significantly better in the experimental group(HR,0.39;95%CI,0.16−0.96;P=0.03).Conclusions:Our results indicated that adding oxaliplatin to capecitabine-based postoperative CRT is safe and effective in patients with pathological stage N2 rectal cancer.

Prevention of metastasis to liver by using 5-FU intraperitoneal chemotherapy in nude mice inoculated with human colonic cancer cells

AIMS Using a new approach of regional adjuvant chemotherapy to prevent cancer cells hepatic metasta- sis after radical surgery of large bowel cancer. METHODS A model of liver with metastasis of hu- man colonic cancer (HCC) cells in nude mice was used to observe the effect in prevention of metastasis of HCC cells inoculated via spleen applied with early postoper- ative intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy using large dose of 5-FU. RESULTS The incidence of metastasis to liver was decreased by 40%,the mean number of metastatic liv- er nodules in each animal was reduced by 50.89% and the mean survival times of each animal was prolonged by 48.21% by using 5-FU 40 mg/NS 40 ml/kg IP for two consecutive days as compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS IP is a new and more effective re- gional adjuvant chemotheraputic approach in the pre- vention of liver metastasis HCC cells after radical surgery of large bowel cancer.

The value of postoperative hepatic regional chemotherapy in prevention of recurrence after radical resection of primary liver cancer

INTRODUCTIONIn China,primary liver cancer (PLC) ranks secondin cancer mortality since the 1990s.In the field ofPLC treatment,surgical resection remains the best,which includes large PLC resection,small PLCresection,re-resection of subclinical recurrence,aswell as cytoreduction and sequential resection forunresectable PLC.However,recurrence

A study of preoperative methionine-depleting parenteral nutrition plus chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients

AIM To investigate the interference ofmethionine.free parenteral nutrition plus 5-Fu（-MetTPN+5-Fu）in gastric cancer cell kineticsand the side effects of the regimen.METHODS Fifteen patients with advancedgastric cancer were randomly divided into twogroups,7 patients were given preoperatively aseven-day course of standard parenteralnutrition in combination with a five-day courseof chemotherapy（sTPN+5-Fu）,while the other8 patients were given methionine-deprivedparenteral nutrition and 5-Fu（-MetTPN+5-Fu）.Cell cycles of gastric cancer and normal mucosawere studied by flow cytometry（FCM）.Bloodsamples were taken to measure the serumprotein,methionine（Met）and cysteine（Cys）levels,and liver and kidney functions.RESULTS As compared with the resultsobtained before the treatment,the percentage ofG0/G1 tumor cells increased and that of S phasedecreased in the-MetTPN+5-Fu group,while thecontrary was observed in the sTPN+5-Fu group.Except that the ALT,AST and AKP levels wereslightly increased in a few cases receiving-MetTPN+5-Fu,all the other biochemicalparameters were within normal limits.Serum Cys level decreased slightly after the treatmentin both groups.Serum Met level of patientsreceiving sTPN+5-Fu was somewhat higher aftertreatment than that before treatment;however,no significant change occurred in the -MetTPN+5-Fu group,nor operative complications in bothgroups.CONCLUSION -MetTPN+5-Fu exerted asuppressive effect on cancer cell proliferation,probably through a double mechanism ofcreating a state of'Met starvation'adverse tothe tumor cell cycle,and by allowing 5-Fu to killspecifically cells in S phase.Preoperative short-term administration of -MetTPN+5-Fu had littleundesirable effect on host metabolism.

A clinical and long-term follow-up study of perioperative sequential triple therapy for gastric cancer

INTRODUCTIONAlthough the long-term postoperative survival rateof gastric cancer(GC) patients has been improvedsignificantly since the local dissection of lymph nodewas widely used in China,yet the low curativeresection rate and the high recurrence rate fromperitoneal and hepatic metastases hinder it fromfurther improvement.To alter the currentunsatisfactory status of GC treatment,a

Early prediction of pathological outcomes to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients using automated breast ultrasound

Objective： Early assessment of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy （NAC） for breast cancer allows therapy to be individualized. The optimal assessment method has not been established. We investigated the accuracy of automated breast ultrasound （ABUS） to predict pathological outcomes after NAC. Methods： A total of 290 breast cancer patients were eligible for this study. Tumor response after 2 cycles of chemotherapy was assessed using the product change of two largest perpendicular diameters （PC） or the longest diameter change （LDC）. PC and LDC were analyzed on the axial and the coronal planes respectively. Receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curves were used to evaluate overall performance of the prediction methods. Youden＇s indexes were calculated to select the optimal cut-off value for each method. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values （PPV and NPV） and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） were calculated accordingly.Results： ypT0/is was achieved in 42 patients （14.5%） while ypT0 was achieved in 30 patients （10.3%） after NAC. All four prediction methods （PC on axial planes, LDC on axial planes, PC on coronal planes and LDC on coronal planes） displayed high AUCs （all〉0.82）, with the highest of 0.89 [95% confidence interval （95% CI）, 0.83-0.95] when mid-treatment ＆BUS was used to predict final pathological complete remission （pCR）. High sensitivities （85.7%-88.1%） were observed across all four prediction methods while high specificities （81.5%-85.1%） were observed in two methods used PC. The optimal cut-off values defined by our data replicate the WHO and the RECIST criteria. Lower AUCs were observed when mid-treatment ABUS was used to predict poor pathological outcomes. Conclusions：ABUS is a useful tool in early evaluation of pCR after NAC while less reliable when predicting poor pathological outcomes.

Evaluation of menopausal status among breast cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea

Objective： In patients with chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea （CIA）, the menopausal status is ambiguous anddifficult to evaluate. This study aimed to establish a discriminative model to predict and classify the menopausalstatus of breast cancer patients with CIA.Methods： This is a single center hospital-based study from 2013 to 2016. The menopausal age distribution andaccumulated incidence rate of CIA are described. Multivariate models were adjusted for established and potentialconfounding factors including age, serum concentration of estradiol （E2） and follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）,feeding, pregnancy, parity, abortions, and body mass index （BMI）. The odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidenceinterval （95% CI） of different risk factors were estimated.Results： A total of 1,796 breast cancer patients were included in this study, among whom, 1,175 （65.42%） werepremenopausal patients and 621 （34.58%） were post-menopause patients. Five hundred and fifty patients wereincluded in CIA analysis, and a cumulative CIA rate of 81.64% was found in them. Age （OR： 1.856, 95% CI：1.732-1.990）, serum concentration of E2 （OR： 0.976, 95% CI： 0.972-0.980） and FSH （OR： 1.060, 95% CI：1.053-i.066）, and menarche age （OR： 1.074, 95% CI： 1.009-1.144） were found to be associated with the patients＇menopausal status. According to multivariate analysis, the discriminative model to predict the menopausal status isLogit （P）=-28.396＋0.536Age-0.014E2＋0.031FSH. The sensitivities for this model were higher than 85%, and itsspecificities were higher than 89%.Conclusions： The discriminative model obtained from this study for predicting menstrual state is important forpremenopausal patients with CIA. This model has high specificity and sensitivity and should be prudently used.

Pathological response measured using virtual microscopic slides for gastric cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy

BACKGROUND Although pathological response is a common endpoint used to assess the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for gastric cancer, the problem of a low rate of concordance from evaluations among pathologists remains unresolved. Moreover, there is no globally accepted consensus regarding the optimal evaluation. A previous study based on a clinical trial suggested that pathological response measured using digitally captured virtual microscopic slides predicted patients’ survival well. However, the pathological concordance rate of this approach and its usefulness in clinical practice were unknown. AIM To investigate the prognostic utility of pathological response measured using digital microscopic slides in clinical practice. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated pathological specimens of gastric cancer patients who underwent NAC followed by surgery and achieved R0 resection between March 2009 and May 2015. Residual tumor area and primary tumor beds were measured in one captured image slide, which contained the largest diameter of the resected specimens. We classified patients with < 10% residual tumor relative to the primary tumorous area as responders, and the rest as non-responders;we then compared overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) between these two groups. Next, we compared the prognostic utility of this method using conventional Japanese criteria. RESULTS Fifty-four patients were evaluated. The concordance rate between two evaluators was 96.2%. Median RFS of 25 responders and 29 non-responders was not reached (NR) vs 18.2 mo [hazard ratio (HR)= 0.35, P = 0.023], and median OS was NR vs 40.7 mo (HR = 0.3, P = 0.016), respectively. This prognostic value was statistically significant even after adjustment for age, eastern cooperative oncology group performance status, macroscopic type, reason for NAC, and T- and Nclassification (HR = 0.23, P = 0.018). This result was also observed even in subgroup analyses for different macroscopic types (Borrmann type 4/non-type 4) and histological types (differentiated/undifferentiated). Moreover, the adjusted HR for OS between responders and non-responders was lower in this method than that in the conventional histological evaluation of Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma criteria (0.23 vs 0.39, respectively). CONCLUSION The measurement of pathological response using digitally captured virtual microscopic slides may be useful in clinical practice.