Early-onset gastrointestinal cancer:An epidemiological reality with great significance and implications

During the last few years,epidemiological data from many countries suggest that the incidence and prevalence of many cancers of the digestive system are shifting from the older to the younger ages,the so-called“early-onset cancer”.This is particularly evident in colorectal cancer and secondarily in other malignant digestive neoplasms,mainly stomach and in a lesser degree pancreas,and biliary tract.It should be emphasized that data concerning digestive neoplasms,except for those referring to the colon and stomach,could be characterized as rather insufficient.The exact magnitude of the shift in younger ages is expected to become clearer shortly,as long as relevant epidemiological data from many parts of the world would be available.The most important question concerns the etiology of this phenomenon,since its magnitude cannot be explained solely by the better diagnostic methodology and the preventive programs applied in many countries.The existing data support the assumption that a number of environ-mental factors may play a primary role in influencing carcinogenesis,sometimes from childhood.Changes that have appeared in the last decades related mainly to eating habits,consistency of gut microbiome and an increase of obese people interacting with genetic factors,ultimately favor the process of carcinogenesis.Even these factors however,are not entirely sufficient to explain the age-related changes in the frequency of digestive neoplasms.Studies of the individual effect of each of the already known factors or factors likely to be involved in the etiology of this phenomenon and studies using state-of-the-art technologies to accurately determine the degree of the population exposure to these factors are required.In this article,we attempt to describe the epidemiological data supporting the age-shifting of digestive malignancies and their possible pathogenesis.Finally,we propose some measures regarding the attitude of the scientific community to this alarming phenomenon.

DNA damage response-related immune activation signature predicts the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors: from gastrointestinal cancer analysis to pan-cancer validation

Objective: DNA damage response(DDR) deficiency has emerged as a prominent determinant of tumor immunogenicity. This study aimed to construct a DDR-related immune activation(DRIA) signature and evaluate the predictive accuracy of the DRIA signature for response to immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI) therapy in gastrointestinal(GI) cancer.Methods: A DRIA signature was established based on two previously reported DNA damage immune response assays. Clinical and gene expression data from two published GI cancer cohorts were used to assess and validate the association between the DRIA score and response to ICI therapy. The predictive accuracy of the DRIA score was validated based on one ICI-treated melanoma and three pan-cancer published cohorts.Results: The DRIA signature includes three genes(CXCL10, IDO1, and IFI44L). In the discovery cancer cohort, DRIA-high patients with gastric cancer achieved a higher response rate to ICI therapy than DRIA-low patients(81.8% vs. 8.8%;P < 0.001), and the predictive accuracy of the DRIA score [area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC) = 0.845] was superior to the predictive accuracy of PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, microsatellite instability, and Epstein–Barr virus status. The validation cohort demonstrated that the DRIA score identified responders with microsatellite-stable colorectal and pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received dual PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade with radiation therapy. Furthermore, the predictive performance of the DRIA score was shown to be robust through an extended validation in melanoma, urothelial cancer, and pan-cancer.Conclusions: The DRIA signature has superior and robust predictive accuracy for the efficacy of ICI therapy in GI cancer and pancancer, indicating that the DRIA signature may serve as a powerful biomarker for guiding ICI therapy decisions.

Interleukin-1β:Friend or foe for gastrointestinal cancers

Gastrointestinal(GI)cancer is a malignancy arising in the digestive system and accounts for approximately a third of increasing global cancer-related mortality,especially in the colorectum,esophagus,stomach,and liver.Interleukin-1β(IL-1β)is a leukocytic pyrogen recognized as a tumor progression-related cytokine.IL-1βsecretion and maturation in inflammatory responses could be regulated by nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3,inflammasome formation,and activation of IL-1 converting enzyme.Several studies have documented the pro-tumorigenic effects of IL-1β in tumor microenvironments,promoting proliferation and metastatic potential of cancer cells in vitro and tumorigenesis in vivo.The application of IL-1β inhibitors is also promising for targeted therapy development in some cancer types.However,as a leukocytic pro-inflammatory cytokine,IL-1β may also possess anti-tumorigenic effects and be type-specific in different cancers.This editorial discusses the up-to-date roles of IL-1β in GI cancers,including underlying mechanisms and down-stream signaling pathways.Understanding and clarifying the roles of IL-1β would significantly benefit future therapeutic targeting and help improve therapeutic outcomes in patients suffering from GI cancer.

Impact of sleep on gastrointestinal cancer

Sleep problems have become a significant public health concern,affecting a large portion of the global population and have been linked to increased morbidity and mortality.The incidence of gastrointestinal(GI)cancers continues to rise,posing a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide.This editorial aims to delve into the impact of sleep on GI cancers,including esophageal,gastric,colorectal,hepatobiliary,and pancreatic cancer.Recent literature investigating the potential connections between GI cancers and sleep was reviewed.We considered aspects such as sleep duration,sleep disorders,and circadian rhythmicity,in order to explore the underlying mechanisms that can contribute to the development of GI cancers and propose avenues for future research.

Inflammatory response in gastrointestinal cancers:Overview of six transmembrane epithelial antigens of the prostate in pathophysiology and clinical implications

Chronic inflammation is known to increase the risk of gastrointestinal cancers(GICs),the common solid tumors worldwide.Precancerous lesions,such as chronic atrophic inflammation and ulcers,are related to inflammatory responses in vivo and likely to occur in hyperplasia and tumorigenesis.Unfortunately,due to the lack of effective therapeutic targets,the prognosis of patients with GICs is still unsatisfactory.Interestingly,it is found that six transmembrane epithelial antigens of the prostate(STEAPs),a group of metal reductases,are significantly associated with the progression of malignancies,playing a crucial role in systemic metabolic homeostasis and inflammatory responses.The structure and functions of STEAPs suggest that they are closely related to intracellular oxidative stress,responding to inflammatory reactions.Under the imbalance status of abnormal oxidative stress,STEAP members are involved in cell transformation and the development of GICs by inhibiting or activating inflammatory process.This review focuses on STEAPs in GICs along with exploring their potential molecular regulatory mechanisms,with an aim to provide a theoretical basis for diagnosis and treatment strategies for patients suffering from these types of cancers.

Organ and function preservation in gastrointestinal cancer: Current and future perspectives on endoscopic ablation

The escalating prevalence of gastrointestinal cancers underscores the urgency for transformative approaches.Current treatment costs amount to billions of dollars annually,combined with the risks and comorbidities associated with invasive surgery.This highlights the importance of less invasive alternatives with organ preservation being a central aspect of the treatment paradigm.The current standard of care typically involves neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by surgical resection.There is a growing interest in organ preservation approaches by way of minimizing extensive surgical resections.Endoscopic ablation has proven to be useful in precursor lesions,as well as in palliative cases of unrese-ctable disease.More recently,there has been an increase in reports on the utility of adjunct endoscopic ablative techniques for downstaging disease as well as contributing to non-surgical complete clinical response.This expansive field within endoscopic oncology holds great potential for advancing patient care.By addressing challenges,fostering collaboration,and embracing technological advancements,the gastrointestinal cancer treatment paradigm can shift towards a more sustainable and patient-centric future emphasizing organ and function preservation.This editorial examines the evolving landscape of endoscopic ablation strategies,emphasizing their potential to improve patient outcomes.We briefly review current applications of endoscopic ablation in the esophagus,stomach,duodenum,pancreas,bile ducts,and colon.

Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1:A novel antitumor target in gastrointestinal cancers

Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1(ROR1)is a member of the type I receptor tyrosine kinase family.ROR1 is pivotal in embryonic development and cancer,and serves as a biomarker and therapeutic target.It has soluble and membrane-bound subtypes,with the latter highly expressed in tumors.ROR1 is conserved throughout evolution and may play a role in the development of gastrointestinal cancer through multiple signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms.Studies suggest that overexpression of ROR1 may increase tumor invasiveness and metastasis.Additionally,ROR1 may regulate the cell cycle,stem cell characteristics,and interact with other signaling pathways to affect cancer progression.This review explores the structure,expression and role of ROR1 in the development of gastrointestinal cancers.It discusses current antitumor strategies,outlining challenges and prospects for treatment.

From macroautophagy to mitophagy:Unveiling the hidden role of mitophagy in gastrointestinal disorders

In this editorial,we comment on an article titled“Morphological and biochemical characteristics associated with autophagy in gastrointestinal diseases”,which was published in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastroenterology.We focused on the statement that“autophagy is closely related to the digestion,secretion,and regeneration of gastrointestinal cells”.With advancing research,autophagy,and particularly the pivotal role of the macroautophagy in maintaining cellular equilibrium and stress response in the gastrointestinal system,has garnered extensive study.However,the significance of mitophagy,a unique selective autophagy pathway with ubiquitin-dependent and independent variants,should not be overlooked.In recent decades,mitophagy has been shown to be closely related to the occurrence and development of gastrointestinal diseases,especially inflammatory bowel disease,gastric cancer,and colorectal cancer.The interplay between mitophagy and mitochondrial quality control is crucial for elucidating disease mechanisms,as well as for the development of novel treatment strategies.Exploring the pathogenesis behind gastrointestinal diseases and providing individualized and efficient treatment for patients are subjects we have been exploring.This article reviews the potential mechanism of mitophagy in gastrointestinal diseases with the hope of providing new ideas for diagnosis and treatment.

Tata-box-binding protein-associated factor 15 as a new potential marker in gastrointestinal tumors

In this editorial,the roles of tata-box-binding protein-associated factor 15(TAF15)in oncogenesis,tumor behavior,and as a therapeutic target in cancers in the context of gastrointestinal(GI)tumors are discussed concerning the publication by Guo et al.TAF15 is a member of the FET protein family with a comprehensive range of cellular processes.Besides,evidence has shown that TAF15 is involved in many diseases,including cancers.TAF15 contributes to carcinogenesis and tumor behavior in many tumors.Besides,its relationship with the mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPK)signaling pathway makes TAF15 a new target for therapy.Although,the fact that there is few studies investigating the expression of TAF15 constitutes a potential limitation in GI system,the association of TAF15 expression with aggressive tumor behavior and,similar to other organ tumors,the influence of TAF15 on the MAPK signaling pathway emphasize that this protein could serve as a new molecular biomarker to predict tumor behavior and target therapeutic intervention in GI cancers.In conclusion,more studies should be performed to better understand the prognostic and therapeutic role of TAF15 in GI tumors,especially in tumors resistant to therapy.

Effect of music therapy on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in gastrointestinal cancer:A systematic review and metaanalysis

BACKGROUND Chemotherapy is the primary treatment for patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer,but it has many adverse reactions,particularly nausea and vomiting.Music therapy can reduce anxiety symptoms,avoid the response to the human body under various stress conditions through psychological adjustment,and improve the adverse reactions of chemotherapy.AIM To investigate the impact of music therapy on relieving gastrointestinal adverse reactions in chemotherapy for patients with digestive tract cancer by metaanalysis.METHODS EMBASE,PubMed,OVID,WoS,CNKI,CBM,and VIP database were all used for searching relevant literature,and the efficacy after treatment was combined for analysis and evaluation.RESULTS This study included seven articles.The results of meta-analysis indicated that music therapy could reduce the nausea symptom score of patients after chemotherapy[mean difference(MD)=-3.15,95%confidence interval(CI):-4.62 to-1.68,Z=-4.20,P<0.0001].Music therapy could reduce the vomiting symptom score of patients after chemotherapy(MD=-2.28,95%CI:-2.46 to-2.11,Z=-25.15,P<0.0001).Furthermore,music therapy could minimize the incidence of grade I and above nausea or vomiting in patients after chemotherapy(odds ratio=0.38,95%CI:0.26-0.56,Z=-4.88,P<0.0001).Meta-regression analysis found that publication year was not a specific factor affecting the combined results.There was no significant publication bias(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Music therapy can significantly improve the scores of nausea and vomiting symptoms in patients with digestive system cancer during chemotherapy and reduce the incidence of grade I and above nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy,making it an effective psychological intervention method worthy of clinical promotion.

Effect of modified ShengYangYiwei decoction on painless gastroscopy and gastrointestinal and immune function in gastric cancer patients

BACKGROUND Painless gastroenteroscopy is a widely developed diagnostic and treatment technology in clinical practice.It is of great significance in the clinical diagnosis,treatment,follow-up review and other aspects of gastric cancer patients.The application of anesthesia techniques during manipulation can be effective in reducing patient fear and discomfort.In clinical work,the adverse drug reactions of anesthesia regimens and the risk of serious adverse drug reactions are increased with the increase in propofol application dose application dose;the application of opioid drugs often causes gastrointestinal reactions,such as nausea,vomiting and delayed gastrointestinal function recovery,after examination.These adverse effects can seriously affect the quality of life of patients.AIM To observe the effect of modified ShengYangYiwei decoction on gastrointestinal function,related complications and immune function in patients with gastric cancer during and after painless gastroscopy.METHODS A total of 106 patients with gastric cancer,who were selected from January 2022 to September 2022 in Xiamen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital for painless gastroscopy,were randomly divided into a treatment group(n=56)and a control group(n=50).Before the examination,all patients fasted for 8 h,provided their health education,and confirmed if there were contraindications to anesthesia and gastroscopy.During the examination,the patients were placed in the left decubitus position,the patients were given oxygen through a nasal catheter(6 L/min),the welling needle was opened for the venous channel,and a multifunction detector was connected for monitoring electrocardiogram,oxygen saturation,blood pressure,etc.Naporphl and propofol propofol protocols were used for routine anesthesia.Before anesthesia administration,the patients underwent several deep breathing exercises,received intravenous nalbuphine[0.nalbuphine(0.025 mg/kg)],followed by intravenous propofol[1.propofol(1.5 mg/kg)]until the palpebral reflex disappeared,and after no response,gastroscopy was performed.If palpebral reflex disappeared,and after no response,gastroscopy was performed.If any patient developed movement,frowning,or hemodynamic changes during the operation(heart rate changes during the operation(heart rate increased to>20 beats/min,systolic blood pressure increased to>20%of the base value),additional propofol[0.propofol(0.5 mg/kg)]was added until the patient was sedated again.The patients in the treatment group began to take the preventive intervention of Modified ShengYangYiwei decoction one week before the examination,while the patients in the control group received routine gastrointestinal endoscopy.The patients in the two groups were examined by conventional painless gastroscopy,and the characteristics of the painless gastroscopies of the patients in the two groups were recorded and compared.These characteristics included the total dosage of propofol during the examination,the incidence of complications during the operation,the time of patients'awakening,the time of independent activities,and the gastrointestinal function of the patients after examination,such as the incidence of reactions such as malignant vomiting,abdominal distension and abdominal pain,as well as the differences in the levels of various immunological indicators and inflammatory factors before anesthesia induction(T0),after conscious extubation(T1)and 24 h after surgery(T2).RESULTS There was no difference in the patients’general information,American Society of Anesthesiologist classification or operation time between the two groups before treatment.In terms of painless gastroscopy,the total dosage of propofol in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05),and the time of awakening and autonomous activity was significantly faster than that in the control group(P<0.05).During the examination,the incidence of hypoxemia,hypotension and hiccups in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.01).In terms of gastrointestinal function,the incidences of nausea,vomiting,abdominal distension and abdominal pain in the treatment group after examination were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).In terms of immune function,in both groups,the number of CD4+and CD8+cells decreased significantly(P<0.05),and the number of natural killer cells increased significantly(P<0.05)at T1 and T2,compared with T0.The number of CD4+and CD8+cells in the treatment group at the T1 and T2 time points was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05),while the number of natural killer cells was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).In terms of inflammatory factors,compared with T0,the levels of interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in patients in the two groups at T1 and T2 increased significantly and then decreased(P<0.05).The level of IL-6 at T1 and T2 in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The preoperative use of modified ShengYangYiwei decoction can optimize the anesthesia program during painless gastroscopy,improve the gastrointestinal function of patients after the operation,reduce the occurrence of examination-related complications.

Roles of cancer stem cells in gastrointestinal cancers

Cancer stem cells(CSCs)are the main cause of tumor growth,invasion,metastasis and recurrence.Recently,CSCs have been extensively studied to identify CSCspecific surface markers as well as signaling pathways that play key roles in CSCs self-renewal.The involvement of CSCs in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal(GI)cancers also highlights these cells as a priority target for therapy.The diagnosis,prognosis and treatment of GI cancer have always been a focus of attention.Therefore,the potential application of CSCs in GI cancers is receiving increasing attention.This review summarizes the role of CSCs in GI cancers,focusing on esophageal cancer,gastric cancer,liver cancer,colorectal cancer,and pancreatic cancer.In addition,we propose CSCs as potential targets and therapeutic strategies for the effective treatment of GI cancers,which may provide better guidance for clinical treatment of GI cancers.

Application of G-quadruplex targets in gastrointestinal cancers:Advancements,challenges and prospects

Genomic instability and inflammation are considered to be two enabling characteristics that support cancer development and progression.G-quadruplex structure is a key element that contributes to genomic instability and inflammation.G-quadruplexes were once regarded as simply an obstacle that can block the transcription of oncogenes.A ligand targeting G-quadruplexes was found to have anticancer activity,making G-quadruplexes potential anticancer targets.However,further investigation has revealed that G-quadruplexes are widely distributed throughout the human genome and have many functions,such as regulating DNA replication,DNA repair,transcription,translation,epigenetics,and inflammatory response.G-quadruplexes play double regulatory roles in transcription and translation.In this review,we focus on G-quadruplexes as novel targets for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.We summarize the application basis of G-quadruplexes in gastrointestinal cancers,including their distribution sites,structural characteristics,and physiological functions.We describe the current status of applications for the treatment of esophageal cancer,pancreatic cancer,hepatocellular carcinoma,gastric cancer,colorectal cancer,and gastrointestinal stromal tumors,as well as the associated challenges.Finally,we review the prospective clinical applications of G-quadruplex targets,providing references for targeted treatment strategies in gastrointestinal cancers.

Synchronous occurrence of gastric cancer and gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND To evaluate the clinicopathological features and prognosis of gastric cancer(GC)occurring synchronously with gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST).CASE SUMMARY We report 19 patients with concurrent GC and GIST(17 male and 2 female,median age 62 years).GC was most often located in the lower third of the stomach.GIST was diagnosed preoperatively in four patients.GIST was most often located in the gastric body(n=8,42%).The most common growth pattern in GIST was extraluminal(n=12,63%).The positive expression rates of CD117 and CD34 in GIST were 100% and 95%,respectively.Most patients with GIST(n=17,89%)were very low or low risk.There was no recurrence of GIST during follow-up.The 3-year cumulative survival rate was 73.9%,and the 5-year cumulative survival rate was 59.2%.The combined analysis of this study and literature reports(47 reports,157 patients)found that GC and GIST were usually located in the lower third(42%)and middle third(51%)of the stomach.GC was usually early(stage I:42%),poorly differentiated(42%)intestinal-type adenocarcinoma(51%).GISTs were primarily small in diameter(median:1.2 cm)and very low or low risk(89%).CONCLUSION Synchronous GC and GIST may not be rare.They have specific clinicopathological characteristics,and may have mutual inhibition in pathogenesis and progression.

Early esophagus cancer segmentation from gastrointestinal endoscopic images based on U-Net++model

Automatic segmentation of early esophagus cancer(EEC)in gastrointestinal endoscopy(GIE)images is a critical and challenging task in clinical settings,which relies primarily on labor-intensive and time-consuming routines.EEC has often been diagnosed at the late stage since early signs of cancer are not obvious,resulting in low survival rates.This work proposes a deep learning approach based on the U-Net++method to segment EEC in GIE images.A total of 2690 GIE images collected from 617 patients at the Digestive Endoscopy Center,West China Hospital of Sichuan University,China,have been utilized.The experimental result shows that our proposed method achieved promising results.Furthermore,the comparison has been made between the proposed and other U-Net-related methods using the same dataset.The mean and standard deviation(SD)of the dice similarity coefficient(DSC),intersection over union(IoU),precision(Pre),and recall(Rec)achieved by the proposed framework were DSC(%)=94.62±0.02,IoU(%)=90.99±0.04,Pre(%)=94.61±0.04,and Rec(%)=95.00±0.02,respectively,outperforming the others.The proposed method has the potential to be applied in EEC automatic diagnoses.

Predictive value of frailty assessment tools in patients undergoingsurgery for gastrointestinal cancer: An observational cohort study

BACKGROUND Few studies have simultaneously compared the predictive value of various frailty assessment tools for outcome measures in patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery.Therefore,it is difficult to determine which assessment tool is most relevant to the prognosis of this population.AIM To investigate the predictive value of three frailty assessment tools for patient prognosis in patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery.METHODS This single-centre,observational,prospective cohort study was conducted at the Affiliated Lianyungang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from August 2021 to July 2022.A total of 229 patients aged≥18 years who underwent surgery for gastrointestinal cancer were included in this study.We collected baseline data on the participants and administered three scales to assess frailty:The comprehen-sive geriatric assessment(CGA),Fried phenotype and FRAIL scale.The outcome measures were the postoperative severe complications and increased hospital RESULTS The prevalence of frailty when assessed with the CGA was 65.9%,47.6%when assessed with the Fried phenotype,and 34.9%when assessed with the FRAIL scale.Using the CGA as a reference,kappa coefficients were 0.398 for the Fried phenotype and 0.291 for the FRAIL scale(both P<0.001).Postoperative severe complications and increased hospital costs were observed in 29(12.7%)and 57(24.9%)patients,respectively.Multivariate logistic analysis confirmed that the CGA was independently associated with increased hospital costs(odds ratio=2.298,95%confidence interval:1.044-5.057;P=0.039).None of the frailty assessment tools were associated with postoperative severe complications.CONCLUSION The CGA was an independent predictor of increased hospital costs in patients undergoing surgery for gastro-intestinal cancer.

Emergency exploratory laparotomy and radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer combined with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a prevalent malignant tumor worldwide and ranks as the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality.Upper gastrointestinal bleeding(UGIB)is a frequent complication of GC.Radical gastrectomy and palliative therapy are widely used surgical procedures in the clinical management of GC.This study intends to probe the clinical efficacy and safety of radical gastrectomy and palliative therapy on the basis of exploratory laparotomy in patients with GC combined with UGIB,hoping to provide valuable information to aid patients in selecting the appropriate surgical intervention.AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of exploratory laparotomy^(+)radical gastrectomy and palliative therapy in patients with GC and UGIB combined.METHODS A total of 89 GC patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of South China between July 2018 and July 2020 were selected as participants for this study.The 89 patients were divided into two groups:radical resection group(n=46)treated with exploratory laparotomy^(+)radical gastrectomy and Palliative group(n=43)treated with palliative therapy.The study compared several variables between the two groups,including surgical duration,intraoperative blood transfusion volume,postoperative anal exhaust time,off-bed activity time,length of hospitalization,and incidence of complications such as duodenal stump rupture,anastomotic obstruction,and postoperative incision.Additionally,postoperative immune function indicators(including CD3^(+),CD4^(+),CD8^(+),CD4^(+)/CD8^(+),and CD3^(+)/HLADR^(+)),immunoglobulin(IgG and IgM),tumor markers(CEA,CA199,and CA125),and inflammatory factors(IL-6,IL-17,and TNF-α)were assessed.The surgical efficacy and postoperative quality of life recovery were also evaluated.The patients were monitored for survival and tumor recurrence at 6 mo,1 year,and 2 years post-surgery.RESULTS The results indicated that the duration of operation time and postoperative hospitalization did not differ between the two surgical procedures.However,patients in the radical resection group exhibited shorter intraoperative blood loss,anus exhaust time,off-bed activity time,and inpatient activity time than those in the Palliative group.Although there was no substantial difference in the occurrence of postoperative complications,such as duodenal stump rupture and anastomotic obstruction,between the radical resection group and Palliative group(P>0.05),the radical resection group exhibited higher postoperative immune function indicators(including CD3^(+),CD4^(+),CD8^(+),etc.)and immunoglobulin levels(IgG,IgM)than the Palliative group,while tumor markers and inflammatory factors levels were lower than those in the radical resection group.Additionally,surgical efficacy,postoperative quality of life,and postoperative survival rates were higher in patients who underwent radical gastrectomy than in those who underwent palliative therapy.Moreover,the probability of postoperative tumor recurrence was lower in the radical gastrectomy group compared to the palliative therapy group,and these differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Compared to palliative therapy,exploratory laparotomy^(+)radical gastrectomy can improve immune function,reduce the levels of tumor markers and inflammatory factors,improve surgical efficacy,promote postoperative quality of life recovery,enhance survival rates,and attenuate the probability of tumor recurrence.

Provision of Fertility Preservation for Young Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, constituting 25% of all cancer diagnoses. Even though it is only affecting 4% - 6% of women under the age of 40, it remains the most common malignancy among younger patients. Advancement in the treatment and earlier detection gives excellent 5 years of survival. However, the standard treatment that comprises surgical-chemo radiation therapy or hormonal treatment often results in an increased incidence of treatment-induced infertility. Therefore, adding fertility preservation to primary cancer treatment may offer the best opportunity for future fertility. However, despite advancements in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), the uptake of fertility services in this group remains low. In this review, we highlighted the effect of all breast cancer treatments on women’s fertility, the effectiveness and safety of ART in breast cancer patients as well as the safety of pregnancy in breast cancer survivors. Our aim is to improve awareness of fertility preservation for breast cancer to ensure all women diagnosed with breast cancer have multidisciplinary approaches with early referral to fertility specialists to discuss regarding potential risks and benefits of fertility preservation to improve the uptake of fertility preservation among this group of patients.

Comprehensive analysis of cell-extracellular matrix protein Ras suppressor-1 in function and prognosis of gastrointestinal cancers

BACKGROUND Ras suppressor 1(RSU1),a highly conserved protein,plays an important role in actin cytoskeleton remodeling and cell-extracellular matrix adhesion.Aberration of RSU1 activity can cause changes in cell adhesion and migration,thereby enhancing tumor proliferation and metastasis.However,the correlation between RSU1 and gastrointestinal cancers(GICs),as well as its prognostic role related to tumor-infiltrating immune cells(TIICs)remains unclear.AIM To shows RSU1 plays a potential promoting role in facilitating tumor immune escape in GIC.METHODS Differential expression of RSU1 in different tumors and their corresponding normal tissues was evaluated by exploring the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA)dataset.The correlation between RSU1 expression and prognosis of GIC cancer patients was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier plotter.Then,RSU1-correlated genes were screened and functionally characterized via enrichment analysis.The correlation between RSU1 and TIICs was further characterized using the Tumor Immune Estimation Resource(TIMER).In addition,the correlation between RSU1 and immune cell surface molecules was also analyzed by TIMER.RESULTS High RSU1 expression was associated with poor overall survival of gastric cancer patients,exhibiting a hazard ratio(HR)=1.36,first progression HR=1.53,and post progression survival HR=1.6.Specifically,high RSU1 Levels were associated with prognosis of gastric cancer in females,T4 and N3 stages,and Her-2-negative subtypes.Regarding immune-infiltrating cells,RSU1 expression level was positively correlated with infiltration of CD4+T cells,macrophages,neutrophils,and dendritic cells(DCs)in colorectal adenocarcinoma and stomach adenocarcinoma.RSU1 expression was also predicted to be strongly correlated with immune marker sets in M2 macrophage,DCs and T cell exhaustion in GICs.CONCLUSION In gastrointestinal cancers,RSU1 is increased in tumor tissues,and predicts poor survival of patients.Increased RSU1 may be involved in promoting macrophage polarization,DC infiltration,and T cell exhaustion,inducing tumor immune escape and the development of tumors in GICs.We suggest that RSU1 is a promising prognostic biomarker reflecting immune infiltration level of GICs,as well as a potential therapeutic target for precision treatment through improving the immune response.

Retrospective Analysis of the Effect of Auricular Acupuncture on Pain and Gastrointestinal Motility Recovery After Laparoscopic Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Objective:To investigate the effect of auricular acupuncture on postoperative pain and gastrointestinal motility recovery after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer in our hospital from April 2020 to December 2021 were collected.Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria,76 patients were included in the retrospective analysis.Depending on whether they received auricular acupuncture or not,the patients were divided into two groups:46 patients in the experimental group(auricular acupuncture)and 30 patients in the control group.The differences between the two groups were analyzed.Results:The time to first flatus of the experimental group was significantly shorter than that of the control group(52.2±7.36 h versus 66.3±7.83 h;P<0.001).Similarly,the time to first defecation of the experimental group was significantly shorter than that of the control group(76.3±7.76 h versus 86.1±10.79 h;P<0.001).The time to first fluid intake of the auricular group was significantly shorter than that of the control group(90.4±8.92 h versus 107.3±9.66 h,P<0.001).Compared with the control group,the experimental group scored significantly lower on the visual analogue scale on postoperative days 2 and 3(P<0.001).Conclusion:Auricular acupuncture is an effective traditional Chinese medicine external treatment method.It can promote gastrointestinal motility recovery in patients after laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer and also reduce postoperative pain and discomfort.Furthermore,this therapy is easy to operate and well-accepted by patients.Therefore,it should be strongly promoted in clinical practice.