Efficacy of chemotherapy containing bevacizumab in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer according to programmed cell death ligand 1

BACKGROUND Bevacizumab,an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)monoclonal antibody,inhibits angiogenesis and reduces tumor growth.Serum VEGF-C,lactate dehydrogenase,and inflammatory markers have been reported as predictive markers related to bevacizumab treatment.Programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)could act upon VEGF receptor 2 to induce cancer cell angiogenesis and metastasis.AIM To investigate the efficacy of bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer(CRC)according to the expression of PD-L1.METHODS This analysis included CRC patients who received bevacizumab plus FOLFOX or FOLFIRI as first-line therapy between June 24,2014 and February 28,2022,at Samsung Medical Center(Seoul,South Korea).Analysis of patient data included evaluation of PD-L1 expression by the combined positive score(CPS).We analyzed the efficacy of bevacizumab according to PD-L1 expression status in patients with CRC.RESULTS A total of 124 patients was included in this analysis.Almost all patients were treated with bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI or FOLFOX as the first-line chemotherapy.While 77%of patients received FOLFOX,23%received FOLFIRI as backbone first-line chemotherapy.The numbers of patients with a PD-L1 CPS of 1 or more,5 or more,or 10 or more were 105(85%),64(52%),and 32(26%),respectively.The results showed no significant difference in progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)with bevacizumab treatment between patients with PDL1 CPS less than 1 and those with PD-L1 CPS of 1 or more(PD-L1<1%vs PD-L1≥1%;PFS:P=0.93,OS:P=0.33),between patients with PD-L1 CPS less than 5 and of 5 or more(PD-L1<5%vs PD-L1≥5%;PFS:P=0.409,OS:P=0.746),and between patients with PD-L1 CPS less than 10 and of 10 or more(PD-L1<10%vs PD-L1≥10%;PFS:P=0.529,OS:P=0.568).CONCLUSION Chemotherapy containing bevacizumab can be considered as first-line therapy in metastatic CRC irrespective of PD-L1 expression.

Effect of perioperative chemotherapy on resection of isolated pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer:A single center experience

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have assessed surgical resection as a standard treatment option for patients with colorectal cancer(CRC)and resectable pulmonary metastases(PM).However,the role of perioperative chemotherapy after complete resection of isolated PM from patients with CRC patients remains controversial.We hypothesize that perioperative chemotherapy does not provide significant survival benefits for patients undergoing resection of PM from CRC.AIM To determine whether perioperative chemotherapy affects survival after radical resection of isolated PM from CRC.METHODS We retrospectively collected demographic,clinical,and pathologic data on patients who underwent radical surgery for isolated PM from CRC.Cancerspecific survival(CSS)and disease-free survival were calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.Inter-group differences were compared using the log-rank test.For multivariate analysis,Cox regression was utilized when indicated.RESULTS This study included 120 patients with a median age of 61.6 years.The 5-year CSS rate was 78.2%,with 36.7% experiencing recurrence.Surgical resection for isolated PM resulted in a 5-year CSS rate of 50.0% for second metastases.Perioperative chemotherapy(P=0.079)did not enhance survival post-resection.Factors associated with improved survival included fewer metastatic lesions[hazard ratio(HR):2.51,P=0.045],longer disease-free intervals(HR:0.35,P=0.016),and wedge lung resections(HR:0.42,P=0.035).Multiple PM predicted higher recurrence risk(HR:2.22,P=0.022).The log-rank test showed no significant difference in CSS between single and repeated metastasectomy(P=0.92).CONCLUSION Perioperative chemotherapy shows no survival benefit post-PM resection in CRC.Disease-free intervals and fewer metastatic lesions predict better survival.Repeated metastasectomy is warranted for eligible patients.

Clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Advanced pancreatic cancer is resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs,resulting in limited treatment efficacy and poor prognosis.Combined administration of the chemotherapeutic gemcitabine and erlotinib is considered a potential first-line treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.However,their comparative benefits and potential risks remain unclear.AIM To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with other chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.METHODS Literature on the clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer was retrieved through an online search.The retrieved literature was subjected to a methodological qualitative assessment and was analyzed using the RevMan 5.3 software.Ten randomized controlled trials involving 2444 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were included in the meta-analysis.RESULTS Compared with chemotherapeutic treatment,erlotinib combined with chemotherapy significantly prolonged the progression-free survival time of pancreatic cancer patients[hazard ratio(HR)=0.78,95%CI:0.66-0.92,P=0.003].Meanwhile,the overall survival(HR=0.99,95%CI:0.72-1.37,and P=0.95)and disease control rate(OR=0.93,95%CI:0.45-0.91,P=0.84)were not significantly favorable.In terms of safety,the erlotinib and chemotherapy combination was associated with a significantly higher risk of diarrhea(OR=3.59,95%CI:1.63-7.90,P<0.05)and rash(OR=3.63,95%CI:1.64-8.01,P<0.05)compared with single-agent chemotherapy.Moreover,the risk of vomiting(OR=1.27,95%CI:0.62-2.59,P=0.51),regurgitation/anorexia(OR=1.61,95%CI:0.25-10.31,P=0.62),and infection(OR=0.72,95%CI:0.28-1.87,P=0.50)were not significant in either group.CONCLUSION Compared with a single chemotherapeutic modality,erlotinib combined with gemcitabine can prolong progression-free survival in pancreatic cancer,but does not improve survival benefit or disease control rate,and can increase the risk of diarrhea and rash.

Development of a clinical nomogram for prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)in advanced gastric cancer(GC)is still a controversial issue.AIM To find factors associated with chemosensitivity to NAC treatment and to provide the optimal therapeutic strategies for GC patients receiving NAC.METHODS The clinical information was collected from 230 GC patients who received NAC treatment at the Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital from January 2016 to December 2020.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression analysis was used to find the possible predictors.A nomogram model was employed to predict the response to NAC.RESULTS In total 230 patients were finally included in this study,including 154 males(67.0%)and 76 females(33.0%).The mean age was(59.37±10.60)years,ranging from 24 years to 80 years.According to the tumor regression grade standard,there were 95 cases in the obvious response group(grade 0 or grade 1)and 135 cases in the poor response group(grade 2 or grade 3).The obvious response rate was 41.3%.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis showed that four risk factors significantly related to the efficacy of NAC were tumor location(P<0.001),histological differentiation(P=0.001),clinical T stage(P=0.008),and carbohydrate antigen 724(P=0.008).The C-index for the prediction nomogram was 0.806.The calibration curve revealed that the predicted value exhibited good agreement with the actual value.Decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram had a good value in clinical application.CONCLUSION A nomogram combining tumor location,histological differentiation,clinical T stage,and carbohydrate antigen 724 showed satisfactory predictive power to the response of NAC and can be used by gastrointestinal surgeons to determine the optimal treatment strategies for advanced GC patients.

Comparative effectiveness of immunotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer stratified by microsatellite instability status

BACKGROUND Immunotherapy have demonstrated promising outcomes in patients with high microsatellite instability(MSI)(MSI-H)metastatic colorectal cancer.However,the comparative effectiveness of Immunotherapy and chemotherapy for patients with low MSI(MSI-L),and microsatellite stable(MSS)metastatic colorectal cancer remains unclear.AIM To investigate immunotherapy vs chemotherapy for treatment of MSI-L/MSS metastatic colorectal cancer,and to evaluate the success of immunotherapy against chemotherapy in managing MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer during a follow-up of 50 months.METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Cancer Database(NCDB)to evaluate the overall survival(OS)of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with immunotherapy or chemotherapy.The study population was stratified by MSI status(MSI-H,MSI-L,and MSS).Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between treatment modality and OS,adjusting for potential confounders.RESULTS A total of 21951 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were included in the analysis,of which 2358 were MSI-H,and 19593 were MSI-L/MSS.In the MSI-H cohort,immunotherapy treatment(n=142)was associated with a significantly improved median OS compared to chemotherapy(n=860).After adjusting for potential confounders,immunotherapy treatment remained significantly associated with better OS in the MSI-H cohort[adjusted hazard ratio(aHR):0.57,95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.43-0.77,P<0.001].In the MSS cohort,no significant difference in median OS was observed between immunotherapy treatment and chemotherapy(aHR:0.94,95%CI:0.69-1.29,P=0.715).CONCLUSION In this population-based study using the NCDB,immunotherapy treatment was associated with significantly improved OS compared to chemotherapy in patients with MSI-H metastatic colorectal cancer,but not in those with MSI-L/MSS metastatic colorectal cancer.Further studies are warranted to determine the optimal therapeutic approach for patients with MSI-L/MSS metastatic colorectal cancer.

Current Status and Research Progress of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumours worldwide, with a high degree of malignancy and a poor prognosis. While early gastric cancer can be cured by surgical treatment, locally advanced gastric cancer requires neoadjuvant therapy to shrink the tumour, suppress potential metastases, achieve down-staging, and provide patients with the opportunity for radical surgery to prolong their survival. This article reviews the current status and progress of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced gastric cancer.

Efficacy of continuous gastric artery infusion chemotherapy in relieving digestive obstruction in advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Obstruction or fullness after feeding is common in gastric cancer(GC)patients,affecting their nutritional status and quality of life.Patients with digestive obstruction are generally in a more advanced stage.Existing methods,including palliative gastrectomy,gastrojejunostomy,endoluminal stent,jejunal nutrition tube and intravenous chemotherapy,have limitations in treating these symptoms.AIM To analyze the efficacy of continuous gastric artery infusion chemotherapy(cGAIC)in relieving digestive obstruction in patients with advanced GC.METHODS This study was a retrospective study.Twenty-nine patients with digestive obstruction of advanced GC who underwent at least one cycle of treatment were reviewed at The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine.The oxaliplatin-based intra-arterial infusion regimen was applied in all patients.Mild systemic chemotherapy was used in combination with local treatment.The clinical response was evaluated by contrast-enhanced computed tomography using Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors(RECIST)criteria.Digestive tract symptoms and toxic effects were analyzed regularly.A comparison of the Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score and Stooler’s Dysphagia Score before and after therapy was made.Univariate survival analysis and multivariate survival analysis were also performed to explore the key factors affecting patient survival.RESULTS All patients finished cGAIC successfully without microcatheter displacement,as confirmed by arteriography.The median follow-up time was 24 mo(95%CI:20.24-27.76 mo).The overall response rate was 89.7%after cGAIC according to the RECIST criteria.The postoperative Stooler’s Dysphagia Score was significantly improved.Twentytwo(75.9%)of the 29 patients experienced relief of digestive obstruction after the first two cycles,and 13(44.8%)initially unresectable patients were then considered radically resectable.The median overall survival time(mOS)was 16 mo(95%CI:9.32-22.68 mo).Patients who received radical surgery had a significantly longer mOS than other patients(P value<0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that radical resection after cGAIC,intravenous chemotherapy after cGAIC,and immunotherapy after cGAIC were independent predictors of mOS.None of the patients stopped treatment because of adverse events.CONCLUSION cGAIC was effective and safe in relieving digestive obstruction in advanced GC,and it could improve surgical conversion possibility and survival time.

Short-term efficacy and influencing factors of conventional chemotherapy combined with irinotecan in patients with advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with a 5-year survival rate of only 20%. The age of onset of gastric cancer is in line with the general rule of cancer. Most of them occur after middle age, mostly between 40and 60 years old, with an average age of about 50 years old, and only 5% of patients are under 30 years old. The incidence of male is higher than that of female.AIM To investigate the short-term efficacy and influencing factors of chemotherapy combined with irinotecan in patients with advanced gastric cancer.METHODS Eighty patients with advanced gastric cancer who were treated in our hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were selected. The patients were divided into an observation group(n = 40) and control group(n = 40) by the envelope method.The control group was given preoperative routine chemotherapy. The observation group was treated with irinotecan in addition to the chemotherapy given to the control group. The short-term efficacy of treatment in the two groups, as well as tumor marker levels and quality of life before and after treatment were evaluated.RESULTS The short-term treatment effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group(P < 0.05), and the total effective rate was 57.50%. The age and proportion of tumor node metastasis(TNM) stage IV patients with ineffective chemotherapy in the observation group were(65.12 ± 5.71) years and 52.94%,respectively, which were notably higher than those of patients with effective chemotherapy(P < 0.05), while the Karnofsky Performance Scale score was(67.70± 3.83) points, which was apparently lower than that of patients with effective chemotherapy(P <0.05). After 3 mo of treatment, the SF-36 scale scores of physiological function, energy, emotional function, and mental health in the observation group were 65.12 ± 8.14, 54.76 ± 6.70, 47.58 ± 7.22,and 66.16 ± 8.11 points, respectively, which were considerably higher than those in the control group(P < 0.05). The incidence rates of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ diarrhea and grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ thrombocytopenia in the observation group were 32.50% and 25.00%, respectively, which were markedly higher than those in the control group(P < 0.05).CONCLUSION Chemotherapy combined with irinotecan in patients with advanced gastric cancer has a good short-term efficacy and can significantly reduce serum tumor markers and improve the quality of life of patients. The efficacy may be affected by the age and TNM stage of the patients, and its long-term efficacy needs further study.

Is the combination of immunotherapy with conventional chemotherapy the key to increase the efficacy of colorectal cancer treatment?

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is among the most prevalent and deadly neoplasms worldwide. According to GLOBOCAN predictions, its incidence will increase from 1.15 million CRC cases in 2020 to 1.92 million cases in 2040. Therefore, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in CRC development is necessary to improve strategies focused on reducing the incidence, prevalence,and mortality of this oncological pathology. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the main strategies for treating CRC. The conventional chemotherapeutic agent utilized throughout the last four decades is 5-fluorouracil, notwithstanding its low efficiency as a single therapy. In contrast, combining 5-fluorouracil therapy with leucovorin and oxaliplatin or irinotecan increases its efficiency. However, these treatments have limited and temporary solutions and aggressive side effects. Additionally, most patients treated with these regimens develop drug resistance, which leads to disease progression. The immune response is considered a hallmark of cancer;thus, the use of new strategies and methodologies involving immune molecules, cells, and transcription factors has been suggested for CRC patients diagnosed in stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ. Despite the critical advances in immunotherapy, the development and impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors on CRC is still under investigation because less than 25% of CRC patients display an increased 5-year survival. The causes of CRC are diverse and include modifiable environmental factors(smoking, diet, obesity, and alcoholism), individual genetic mutations, and inflammation-associated bowel diseases. Due to these diverse causes, the solutions likely cannot be generalized. Interestingly, new strategies, such as single-cell multiomics, proteomics, genomics, flow cytometry, and massive sequencing for tumor microenvironment analysis, are beginning to clarify the way forward. Thus,the individual mechanisms involved in developing the CRC microenvironment, their causes, and their consequences need to be understood from a genetic and immunological perspective. This review highlighted the importance of altering the immune response in CRC. It focused on drugs that may modulate the immune response and show specific efficacy and contrasted with evidence that immunosuppression or the promotion of the immune response is the answer to generating effective treatments with combined chemotherapeutic drugs.

Comparison between upfront surgery and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a major health concern worldwide.Surgical resection and chemotherapy is the mainstay treatment for gastric carcinoma,however,the optimal approach remains unclear and should be different in each individual.Chemotherapy can be administered both pre-and postoperatively,but a multidisciplinary approach is preferred when possible.This is particularly relevant for locally advanced GC(LAGC),as neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAT)could potentially lead to tumor downsizing thus allowing for a complete resection with curative intent.Even though the recent progress has been impressive,European and International guidelines are still controversial,thus attenuating the need for a more standardized approach in the management of locally advanced cancer.AIM To investigate the effects of NAT on the overall survival(OS),the disease-free survival(DFS),the morbidity and the mortality of patients with LAGC in comparison to upfront surgery(US).METHODS For this systematic review,a literature search was conducted between November and February 2023 in PubMed,Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.gov for studies including patients with LAGC.Two independent reviewers conducted the research and extracted the data according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses was used to form the search strategy and the study protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews.RESULTS Eighteen studies with 4839 patients with LAGC in total were included in our systematic review.Patients were separated into two groups;one receiving NAT before the gastrectomy(NAT group)and the other undergoing upfront surgery(US group).The OS ranged from 41.6%to 74.2%in the NAT group and from 30.9%to 74%in the US group.The DFS was also longer in the NAT group and reached up to 80%in certain patients.The complications related to the chemotherapy or the surgery ranged from 6.4%to 38.1%in the NAT group and from 5%to 40.5%in the US group.Even though in most of the studies the morbidity was lower in the NAT group,a general conclusion could not be drawn as it seems to depend on multiple factors.Finally,regarding the mortality,the reported rate was higher and up to 5.3%in the US group.CONCLUSION NAT could be beneficial for patients with LAGC as it leads to better OS and DFS than the US approach with the same or even lower complication rates.However,patients with different clinicopathological features respond differently to chemotherapy,therefore currently the treatment plan should be individualized in order to achieve optimal results.

Serum basic fibroblast growth factor and interleukin-1βpredict the effect of first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND The incidence and mortality rates of gastric cancer in China are the second-highest in the world,and most patients with gastric cancer lose their chance of surgery by the time of their diagnosis.AIM To explore the predictive potential of serum basic fibroblast growth factor and interleukin-1βlevels for the effect of first-line chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.METHODS From the gastric cancer patients admitted to our hospital from May 2019 to April 2023,84 patients were selected and randomly and equally assigned to the experimental or control group.The FLOT group received the FLOT chemotherapy regimen(composed of oxaliplatin+calcium folinate+fluorouracil+paclitaxel),while the SOX group received the SOX chemotherapy regimen(composed of oxaliplatin+tiga capsules).The clinical efficacy,tumor marker levels,adverse reactions,and survival rates of the two groups were compared 7 days after the end of the relevant treatments.RESULTS The target effective rate of the FLOT group was 54.76%,which was much higher than that of the SOX group(33.33%;P<0.05).After treatment,both the groups demonstrated lower levels of cancer antigen(CEA),carbohydrate antigen 199(CA199),and peptide tissue antigen(TPS).For several patients before treatment(P<0.05).Third and fourth grades.In terms of adverse reactions,the level of white blood cells in both the groups was lower.Moreover,the incidence of hand-foot skin reactions in these two study groups was lower(P<0.05),while those of peripheral neuritis,vomiting,diarrhea,and abnormal liver function were significant(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was noted between the two groups(P<0.05).The 1-year survival rate was higher in the FLOT group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The FLOT regimen was effective in reducing the serum CEA,CA199,and TPS levels as well as in improving the 1-year survival rate of patients with good tolerability,making it worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Effect and safety of Kanglaite injection combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer:a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Kanglaite injection combined with chemotherapy and chemotherapy alone in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.Methods:PubMed,Cochrane library,CNKI,VIP,Wanfang database were systematically searched by inputting keywords to explore the efficacy of Kanglaite injection combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.A random-effects model was selected to evaluate the treatment outcomes.The screening of literature,the extraction of data and the assessment of methodology were independently undertaken by two reviewers.Meta analysis was performed using Revman5.3 software and stata15.0 software.Results:A total of 12 RCTs were included,with 792 cases.Compared with chemotherapy alone,Metaanalysis suggested that Kanglaite injection combined with chemotherapy can improve clinical efficiency(RR=1.45,95%CI:1.21-1.74,P<0.0001)and improve patients'quality of life(RR=1.55,95%CI:1.32-1.82,P<0.00001),improve the patient's immune function(CD3+cells:SWD=1.42,95%CI:1.11-1.73;CD4+/CD8+cell ratio:SWD=0.95,95%CI:0.66-1.25;NK cell activity:SWD=3.24,95%CI:2.81-3.66,P<0.00001);Leukopenia rate(RR=0.63,95%CI:0.54-0.74,P<0.0001),incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions(RR=0.56,95%CI:0.48-0.66,P<0.00001),incidence of peripheral neurotoxicity(RR=0.79,95%CI:0.65-0.96,P=0.02)were lower than the chemotherapy alone group,the difference was statistically significant.In improving the hand-foot syndrome and oral mucositis after chemotherapy,there was some difference between the Kanglaite injection combined with chemotherapy group and the chemotherapy alone group,but the difference was not significant.Puber bias detection and sensitivity analysis were performed with clinically effective relative risk(RR)as indicators.The results suggested that the publication bias was not obvious.The results of this study are stable.Conclusion:Compared with chemotherapy alone group in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer,Kanglaite injection combined with chemotherapy can improve the effective rate,quality of life,immune function of patients and reduce the incidence of leukopenia after chemotherapy,gastrointestinal adverse reactions and peripheral neurotoxicity.

Dynamic monitoring of carcinoembryonic antigen,CA19-9 and inflammation-based indices in patients with advanced colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy

BACKGROUND The roles of carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA)and carbohydrate antigen(CA19-9)in monitoring the patient response to chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer(mCRC)are not clearly defined,and inflammatory indices,including the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio(LMR),platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)and systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),have been sparsely investigated for this purpose.AIM To aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the kinetics of CEA,CA19-9,NLR,LMR,PLR and SII in serum and patient response to chemotherapy estimated by computed tomography(CT)in patients with unresectable mCRC.METHODS Patients with mCRC treated with a 1st-line and 2nd-line chemotherapy underwent at least 3 whole-body spiral CT scans during response monitoring according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumour 1.1(RECIST 1.1),and simultaneous determination of CEA,CA19-9,neutrophil,lymphocyte,platelet and monocyte levels was performed.The kinetics of changes in the tumour markers and inflammatory indices were calculated as the percentage change from baseline or nadir,while receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to select the thresholds to define patients with progressive or responsive disease with the highest sensitivity(Se)and specificity(Sp).The correlation of tumour marker kinetics with inflammatory index changes and RECIST response was determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis and the clinical utility index(CUI).RESULTS A total of 102 patients with mCRC treated with chemotherapy were included.Progressive disease(PD),defined as a CEA increase of 25.52%,resulted in an Se of 80.3%,an Sp of 84%,a good CUI negative[CUI(Ve-)]value of 0.75 and a good fraction correct(FC)value of 81.2;at a CEA cut-off of-60.85%with an Se of 100%and an Sp of 35.7%for PD,CT could be avoided in 25.49%of patients.The 21.49%CA19-9 cut-off for PD had an Se of 66.5%,an Sp of 87.4%,an acceptable CUI(Ve-)value of 0.65 and an acceptable FC value of 75.An NLR increase of 11.5%for PD had an Se of 67%and an Sp of 66%;a PLR increase of 5.9%had an Se of 53%and an Sp of 69%;an SII increase above-6.04%had an Se of 72%and an Sp of 63%;and all had acceptable CUI(Ve-)values at 0.55.In the univariate logistic regression analysis,CEA(P<0.001),CA19-9(P<0.05),NLR(P<0.05),PLR(P<0.05)and SII(P<0.05)were important predictors of tumour progression,but in the multivariate logistic regression analysis,CEA was the only independent predictor of PD(P<0.05).CONCLUSION CEA is a useful marker for monitoring the chemotherapy response of patients with unresectable mCRC and could replace a quarter of CT examinations.CA19-9 has poorer diagnostic characteristics than CEA but could be useful in some clinical circumstances,particularly when CEA is not increased.Dynamic changes in the inflammatory indices NLR,PLR and SII could be promising for further investigation as markers of the chemotherapy response.

Predictive and prognostic implications of 4E-BP1, Beclin-1, and LC3for cetuximab treatment combined with chemotherapy in advanced colorectal cancer with wild-type KRAS: Analysis from real-world data

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer(CRC) is one of the main causes of cancer-related deaths in China and around the world. Advanced CRC(ACRC) patients suffer from a low cure rate though treated with targeted therapies. The response rate is about 50% to chemotherapy and cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody targeting epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) and used for ACRC with wild-type KRAS. It is important to identify more predictors of cetuximab efficacy to further improve precise treatment. Autophagy, showing a key role in the cancer progression, is influenced by the EGFR pathway. Whether autophagy can predict cetuximab efficacy in ACRC is an interesting topic.AIM To investigate the effect of autophagy on the efficacy of cetuximab in colon cancer cells and ACRC patients with wild-type KRAS.METHODS ACRC patients treated with cetuximab plus chemotherapy, with detailed data and tumor tissue, at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 1, 2005,to October 1, 2015, were studied. Expression of autophagy-related proteins[Beclin1, microtubule-associated protein 1 A/B-light chain 3(LC3), and 4 Ebinding protein 1(4 E-BP1)] was examined by Western blot in CRC cells and by immunohistochemistry in cancerous and normal tissues. The effect of autophagy on cetuximab-treated cancer cells was confirmed by MTT assay. The associations between Beclin1, LC3, and 4 E-BP1 expression in tumor tissue and the efficacy of cetuximab-based therapy were analyzed.RESULTS In CACO-2 cells exposed to cetuximab, LC3 and 4 E-BP1 were upregulated, and P62 was downregulated. Autophagosome formation was observed, and autophagy increased the efficacy of cetuximab. In 68 ACRC patients,immunohistochemistry showed that Beclin1 levels were significantly correlated with those of LC3(0.657, P < 0.001) and 4 E-BP1(0.211, P = 0.042) in ACRC tissues.LC3 was significantly overexpressed in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues(P < 0.001). In 45 patients with wild-type KRAS, the expression levels of these three proteins were not related to progression-free survival; however, the expression levels of Beclin1(P = 0.010) and 4 E-BP1(P = 0.005), pathological grade(P = 0.002), and T stage(P = 0.004) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival(OS).CONCLUSION The effect of cetuximab on colon cancer cells might be improved by autophagy.LC3 is overexpressed in tumor tissues, and Beclin1 and 4 E-BP1 could be significant predictors of OS in ACRC patients treated with cetuximab.

Anti-Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy-Induced Diarrhoea: Current Treatments and Side-Effects

Chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea (CID) is a common side-effect experienced by patients being treated with a variety of antineoplastic agents. Approximately 80% of patients undergoing chemotherapeutic treatment for colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers present with CID;moreover, about 5% of early deaths associated with combination anti-cancer chemotherapy are due to CID. Chronic post-treatment diarrhoea amongst cancer survivors can persist for more than 10 years greatly effecting long-term quality of life. Gastrointestinal toxicities such as diarrhoea and vomiting are amongst the primary contributors to dose reductions and delays throughout anti-cancer treatment, presenting a significant hurdle in clinical management of anti-cancer regimes and often result in sub-optimum treatment. However, little is known about pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CID. This work provides a review of chemotherapy-induced diarrhoea, current management guidelines, and shortcomings of current treatments as well as emerging and already existing anti-diarrhoeal treatments potentially suitable for CID.

Comparison of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy regimens for treatment of peritoneal-metastasized colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND Cytoreductive surgery(CRS)in combination with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy(HIPEC)improves patient survival in colorectal cancer(CRC)with peritoneal carcinomatosis(PC).Commonly used cytotoxic agents include mitomycin C(MMC)and oxaliplatin.Studies have reported varying results,and the evidence for the choice of the HIPEC agent and uniform procedure protocols is limited.AIM To evaluate therapeutic benefits and complications of CRS+MMC vs oxaliplatin HIPEC in patients with peritoneal metastasized CRC as well as prognostic factors.METHODS One hundred and two consecutive patients who had undergone CRS and HIPEC for CRC PC between 2007 and 2019 at the Medical Center of the University Freiburg regarding interdisciplinary cancer conference decision were retrospectively analysed.Oxaliplatin and MMC were used in 68 and 34 patients,respectively.Each patient’s demographics and tumour characteristics,operative details,postoperative complications and survival were noted.Complications were stratified and graded using Clavien/Dindo analysis.Prognostic outcome factors were identified using univariate and multivariate analysis of survival.RESULTS The two groups did not differ significantly regarding baseline characteristics.We found no difference in median overall survival between MMC and oxaliplatin HIPEC.Regarding postoperative complications,patients treated with oxaliplatin HIPEC suffered increased complications(66.2%vs 35.3%;P=0.003),particularly intestinal atony,intraabdominal infections and urinary tract infection,and had a prolonged intensive care unit stay compared to the MMC group(7.2 d vs 4.4 d;P=0.035).Regarding univariate analysis of survival,we found primary tumour factors,nodal positivity and resection margins to be of prognostic value as well as peritoneal cancer index(PCI)-score and the completeness of cytoreduction regarding peritoneal carcinomatosis.Multivariate analysis of survival confirmed primary distant metastasis and primary tumour resection status to have a significant impact on survival and likewise peritoneal cancer index-scoring regarding peritoneal carcinomatosis.CONCLUSION In this single-institution retrospective review of patients undergoing CRS with either oxaliplatin or MMC HIPEC,overall survival was not different,though oxaliplatin was associated with a higher postoperative complication rate,indicating treatment favourably with MMC.Further studies comparing HIPEC regimens would improve evidence-based decision-making.

Nursing of advanced colorectal cancer patients treated with Cetuximab combined with chemotherapy

Cetuximab is a new medication that has recently been approved for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. To date we have had little experience in using this targeted agent. Eleven patients in our hospital with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with cetuximab and chemotherapy. Based on the curative effect of this combination therapy, we have concluded that the following nursing practices make an important contribution to the patients＇ prognosis and wellbeing： to establish a good nurse-patient relationship, to increase patient understanding of the side effects, to standardize the medications, to observe and to deal with the side effects of the medications（for example skin reaction, neutropenia, and diarrhea）, and to provide continuous mental health care support and education.

Efficacy of continuous arterial perfusion chemotherapy combined with transarterial chemoembolization regional arterial thermal perfusion in the treatment of pancreatic cancer with liver metastases

Background:The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of continuous transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis.Methods:Sixty patients with advanced pancreatic cancer and liver metastases were enrolled in this study.In the treatment group,31patients underwent continuous transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with TACE regional arterial thermal perfusion,whereas 29 patients included in the control group received intravenous chemotherapy with gemcitabine and S-1.All patients received maintenance chemotherapy with S-1 after 4 cycles of the study regimen.Treatment efficacy,quality of life,survival,and toxicity were evaluated.Results:Efficacy was better in the treatment group than in the control group,as reflected by the objective remission,partial remission,and disease progression rates(all P<0.05).The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group and Numerical Rating Scale pain scores were also higher in the treatment group(both P<0.05).In survival analysis,the 1-year overall survival rates in the treatment and control groups were64.516%and 10.345%,respectively,whereas the median overall survival times were 16 and 6 months,respectively(both P<0.05).The6-month progression-free survival rates in the treatment and control groups were 77.419%and 13.790%,respectively,and the median progression-free survival times were 12 and 3 months,respectively(both P<0.05).The rates of hematological and nonhematological toxicological adverse effects were also lower in the treatment group(both P<0.05).Although the rate of liver dysfunction was higher in the treatment group,this finding had no adverse effects on prognosis.Conclusions:Continuous transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with TACE regional arterial perfusion chemotherapy resulted in better efficacy and safety outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer and liver metastasis,suggesting its utility as a reference method for the clinical treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

The short-time effects of chemotherapy with combinations of hydroxycamptothecine and oxaliplatin in treatment of advanced colorectal cancer

Objective: Although 5-fluarouracil-based chemotherapy has become a standard regimen for treatment of ad- vanced colorectal cancer, the efficacy, as second line therapy, is not high. It is necessary to find a new regimen as a substitute for these patients. The study was to evaluate the short-time effects and toxicity of combination of HCPT plus L-OHP regimen in treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. Methods: Forty-seven patients with pathological evidence of advanced colorectal cancer were enrolled and were treated with HCPT plus L-OHP regimen for 86 cycles. All patients were treated with L-OHP 130 mg/m2 day 1 and HCPT 6 mg/m2 day 1–4, the chemotherapy was repeated every 3 weeks as a cycle. The Short-time efficats and side effects were evaluated after 2 cycles for each patient. Results: 38 cases can be evaluated to short-time effects and achieved the overall response rate (CR+PR) was 36.8%. KPS improved in 20 cases (52.6%). In the total 86 cycles, the leuco- penia occurred in 59 cycles (68.6%),18 cycles (30.5%) in grade III and IV and the diarrhea occurred in 48 cycles (55.8%), 18 cycles (37.5%) in grade III and IV. Conclusion: A satisfied response rate was obtained in advanced colorectal cancer patients treated by HCPT plus L-OHP regimen, especially who were the failure of first-line chemotherapy with 5-FU. The limited-dose toxicity was leucopenia and diarrhea.