Muscle strength deficits are associated with low bone mineral density in young pediatric cancer survivors:The iBoneFIT project

Background Pediatric cancer survivors are at increased risk of muscle weakness and low areal bone mineral density(aBMD).However,the prevalence of muscle strength deficits is not well documented,and the associations of muscle strength with aBMD are unknown in this population.Therefore,this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of upper-and lower-body muscle strength deficits and to examine the associations of upper-and lower-body muscle strength with age-,sex,and race-specific aBMD Z-scores at the total body,total hip,femoral neck,and lumbar spine.Methods This cross-sectional study included 116 pediatric cancer survivors(12.1±3.3 years old,mean±SD;42.2%female).Upper-and lower-body muscle strength were assessed by handgrip and standing long jump test,respectively.Dual‑energy X‑ray absorptiometry was used to measure aBMD(g/cm2).Associations between muscle strength and aBMD were evaluated in multivariable linear regression models.Logistic regression was used to evaluate the contribution of muscle strength(1-decile lower)to the odds of having low aBMD(Z-score≤1.0).All analyses were adjusted for time from treatment completion,radiotherapy exposure,and body mass index.Results More than one-half of survivors were within the 2 lowest deciles for upper-(56.9%)and lower-body muscle strength(60.0%)in comparison to age-and sex-specific reference values.Muscle strength deficits were associated with lower aBMD Z-scores at all sites(B=0.133–0.258,p=0.001–0.032).Each 1-decile lower in upper-body muscle strength was associated with 30%–95%higher odds of having low aBMD Z-scores at all sites.Each 1-decile lower in lower-body muscle strength was associated with 35%–70%higher odds of having low aBMD Z-scores at total body,total hip,and femoral neck.Conclusion Muscle strength deficits are prevalent in young pediatric cancer survivors,and such deficits are associated with lower aBMD Z-scores at all sites.These results suggest that interventions designed to improve muscle strength in this vulnerable population may have the added benefit of improving aBMD.

The Alternative Therapeutic in Pediatric Cancer: What We Know?

Scientific research has brought about enormous national advancements in cancer management. Currently, Morocco provides several therapeutic tools for cancer, among them chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. In Morocco, there is not enough published data on the use of alternative medicine in pediatric oncology. Owing to the increased interest and lack of data on this practice, we conducted this study. It aims to evaluate the uptake, the types of therapies used, the factors influencing, the reasons for this choice and the cost of AM used by patients. An investigation through a questionnaire was carried out on thirty-four children following for cancer within the pediatric hematology and oncology department (PHO) of Marrakech. The survey was conducted over a period of one month and a half between July 25 and September 5, 2022. Data were collected through a questionnaire. From the medical files, we collected data regarding type of cancer, date of admission to PHO department and the treatment received. We asked about the type of AM used: herbs, honey, spiritual AM, zamzam water (water from a “sacred” source in Mecca). Using alternative therapies is a common practice in pediatric oncology with various reasons, among them, the declining socioeconomic level, the diversity, the cultural background, the psychological and the functional status of patients and sometimes the dissatisfaction with conventional medicine.

Digestive and breast cancer patients managed during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic:Short and middle term outcomes

BACKGROUND The first wave of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic in Spain lasted from middle March to the end of June 2020.Spanish population was subjected to lockdown periods and scheduled surgeries were discontinued or reduced during variable periods.In our centre,we managed patients previously and newly diagnosed with cancer.We established a strategy based on limiting perioperative social contacts,preoperative screening(symptoms and reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction)and creating separated in-hospital COVID-19-free pathways for non-infected patients.We also adopted some practice modifications(surgery in different facilities,changes in staff and guidelines,using continuously changing personal protective equipment…),that supposed new inconveniences.AIM To analyse cancer patients with a decision for surgery managed during the first wave,focalizing on outcomes and pandemic-related modifications.METHODS We prospectively included adults with a confirmed diagnosis of colorectal,oesophago-gastric,liver-pancreatic or breast cancer with a decision for surgery,regardless of whether they ultimately underwent surgery.We analysed short-term outcomes[30-d postoperative morbimortality and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection]and outcomes after 3 years(adjuvant therapies,oncological events,death,SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination).We also investigated modifications to usual practice.RESULTS From 96 included patients,seven didn’t receive treatment that period and four never(3 due to COVID-19).Operated patients:28 colon and 21 rectal cancers;laparoscopy 53.6%/90.0%,mortality 3.57%/0%,major complications 7.04%/25.00%,anastomotic leaks 0%/5.00%,3-years disease-free survival(DFS)82.14%/52.4%and overall survival(OS)78.57%/76.2%.Six liver metastases and six pancreatic cancers:no mortality,one major complication,three grade A/B liver failures,one bile leak;3-year DFS 0%/33.3%and OS 50.0%/33.3%(liver metastases/pancreatic carcinoma).5 gastric and 2 oesophageal tumours:mortality 0%/50%,major complications 0%/100%,anastomotic leaks 0%/100%,3-year DFS and OS 66.67%(gastric carcinoma)and 0%(oesophagus).Twenty breast cancer without deaths/major complications;3-year OS 100%and DFS 85%.Nobody contracted SARS-CoV-2 postoperatively.COVID-19 pandemic–related changes:78.2%treated in alternative buildings,43.8%waited more than 4 weeks,two additional colostomies and fewer laparoscopies.CONCLUSION Some patients lost curative-intent surgery due to COVID-19 pandemic.Despite practice modifications and 43.8%delays higher than 4 weeks,surgery was resumed with minimal changes without impacting outcomes.Clean pathways are essential to continue surgery safely.

Treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer and de novo neuroendocrine prostate cancer:Identification,prognosis and survival,genetic and epigenetic factors

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer(NEPC)shows an aggressive behavior compared to prostate cancer(PCa),also known as prostate adenocarcinoma.Scanty foci in PCa can harbor genetic alternation that can arise in a heterogeneity of prostate cancer.NEPC may arise de novo or develop following androgen deprivation therapy(ADT).NEPC that arise following ADT has the nomenclature“treatmentemerging/induced NEPC(t-NEPC)”.t-NEPC would be anticipated in castration resistant prostate cancer(CRPC)and metastatic PCa.t-NEPC is characterized by low or absent androgen receptor(AR)expression,independence of AR signaling,and gain of neuroendocrine phenotype.t-NEPC is an aggressive metastatic tumor,develops from PCa in response to drug induced ADT,and shows very short response to conventional therapy.t-NEPC occurs in 10%-17%of patients with CRPC.De novo NEPC is rare and is accounting for less than 2%of all PCa.The molecular mechanisms underlying the trans-differentiation from CRPC to t-NEPC are not fully elucidated.Sphingosine kinase 1 plays a significant role in t-NEPC development.Although neuroendocrine markers:Synaptophysin,chromogranin A,and insulinoma associated protein 1(INSM1)are expressed in t-NEPC,they are non-specific for diagnosis,prognosis,and follow-up of therapy.t-NEPC shows enriched genomic alteration in tumor protein P53(TP53)and retinoblastoma 1(RB1).There are evidences suggest that t-NEPC might develop through epigenetic evolution.There are genomic,epigenetic,and transcriptional alterations that are reported to be involved in development of t-NEPC.Knock-outs of TP53 and RB1 were found to contribute in development of t-NEPC.PCa is resistant to immunotherapy,and at present there are running trials to approach immunotherapy for PCa,CRPC,and t-NEPC.

Spatiotemporal switching signals for cancer stem cell activation in pediatric origins of adulthood cancer:Towards a watch-and-wait lifetime strategy for cancer treatment

Pediatric origin of cancer stem cell hypothesis holds great promise and potential in adult cancer treatment, however; the road to innovation is full of obstacles as there are plenty of questions left unanswered. First, the key question is to characterize the nature of such stem cells (concept). Second, the quantitative imaging of pediatric stem cells should be implemented(technology). Conceptually, pediatric stem cell origins of adult cancer are based on the notion that plasticity in early life developmental programming evolves local environments to cancer. Technologically, such imaging in children is lacking as all imaging is designed for adult patients. We postulate that the need for quantitative imaging to measure space-time changes of plasticity in early life developmental programming in children may trigger research and development of the imaging technology. Such quantitative imaging of pediatric origin of adulthood cancer will help develop a spatiotemporal monitoring system to determine cancer initiation and progression. Clinical validation of such speculative hypothesis-that cancer originates in a pediatric environment-will help implement a wait-andwatch strategy for cancer treatment.

Simultaneous whole body ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography magnetic resonance imaging for evaluation of pediatric cancer: Preliminary experience and comparison with ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomogra

AIM: To describe our preliminary experience with simultaneous whole body ^(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose(^(18)F-FDG)positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging(PET-MRI) in the evaluation of pediatric oncology patients.METHODS: This prospective, observational, singlecenter study was Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-compliant, and institutional review board approved. To be eligible, a patient was required to:(1) have a known or suspected cancer diagnosis;(2) be under the care of a pediatric hematologist/oncologist; and(3) be scheduled for clinically indicated ^(18)F-FDG PETCT examination at our institution. Patients underwent PET-CT followed by PET-MRI on the same day. PET-CT examinations were performed using standard department protocols. PET-MRI studies were acquired with an integrated 3 Tesla PET-MRI scanner using whole body T1 Dixon, T2 HASTE, EPI diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI) and STIR sequences. No additional radiotracer was given for the PET-MRI examination. Both PET-CT and PETMRI examinations were reviewed by consensus by two study personnel. Test performance characteristics of PETMRI, for the detection of malignant lesions, including FDG maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax) and minimum apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCmin), were calculated on a per lesion basis using PET-CT as a reference standard.RESULTS: A total of 10 whole body PET-MRI exams were performed in 7 pediatric oncology patients. The mean patient age was 16.1 years(range 12-19 years) including 6 males and 1 female. A total of 20 malignant and 21 benign lesions were identified on PET-CT. PET-MRI SUVmax had excellent correlation with PET-CT SUVmax for both benign and malignant lesions(R = 0.93). PETMRI SUVmax > 2.5 had 100% accuracy for discriminating benign from malignant lesions using PET-computed tomography(CT) reference. Whole body DWI was also evaluated: the mean ADCmin of malignant lesions(780.2 + 326.6) was significantly lower than that of benign lesions(1246.2 + 417.3; P = 0.0003; Student's t test). A range of ADCmin thresholds for malignancy were evaluated, from 0.5-1.5 × 10^(-3) mm^2/s. The 1.0 × 10^(-3) ADCmin threshold performed best compared with PETCT reference(68.3% accuracy). However, the accuracy of PET-MRI SUVmax was significantly better than ADCmin for detecting malignant lesions compared with PET-CT reference(P < 0.0001; two-tailed Mc Nemar's test).CONCLUSION: These results suggest a clinical role for simultaneous whole body PET-MRI in evaluating pediatric cancer patients.

Alteration of Taste Acuity in Pediatric Cancer Patients after Treatment Completion: A Cross-Sectional Study Using a Filter-Paper Disc Method

Taste acuity of adult patients undergoing cancer treatment has been well investigated;however, studies of taste acuity after completion of cancer treatment are limited, particularly in children. This study aimed to assess taste acuity in pediatric cancer patients after treatment completion. Seventy-three patients who had completed cancer treatment (median age, 13 years;range, 7 - 18 years) and had not received any further treatment for at least 6 months were enrolled. Eighty-one healthy children (median age, 10 years;range, 8 - 19 years) served as controls. We determined the thresholds for four tastes (sweet, salty, sour, and bitter) using the filter-paper disc method. There was no significant difference in the thresholds of taste acuity for the four test solutions between the patient and control groups. The duration since treatment completion (<5 years vs. ≥5 years) had no significant impact on taste acuity for the four test solutions. The threshold for tasting salt was significantly higher in the group that had received chemotherapy + radiation and/or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation than that in the group that had received chemotherapy-only. Our results indicated that taste acuity after treatment completion in pediatric cancer patients was the same as that in healthy children. However, some treatment modalities were correlated with an impaired ability to taste salt. Gustatory test results should be considered while deciding nutritional support modalities after treatment completion in pediatric cancer patients.

Risk Stratification Treatment of Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma: South Egypt Cancer Institute Experience

Risk stratification allows tailoring of treatment protocol using, for selected patients, reduced total chemotherapy exposure, including decreases in alkylator therapy and avoidance of agents with recognized risk of late complications (anthracyclines), elimination of irradiation and reduction of radiotherapy dose. Patients and Methods: Twenty-nine newly diagnosed pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma patients attended the pediatric oncology department between January 2008 and May 2011. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to age, stage, group, pathology and site of the tumor. Treatment protocol tailored according to risk group. Results: Twenty-nine newly diagnosed pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma patients were evaluated. Seven patients had low risk, Intermediate risk included 12 patients, and 10 patients had high risk. After three years median follow up, event free survival was 51.7% for all patients however it was 86%, 67% and 10% for low, intermediate and high risk respectively (P = 0.0002). There was statistical difference for survival among different sites, histology, clinical group and stage as risk factors within each risk group, no statistically survival significance of any of these factors within the same risk group. Conclusion: Risk stratification is the best single predictor factor for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma and allows tailoring of the treatment protocol. For selected patients, reductions in total chemotherapy exposure, elimination of irradiation in selected low risk patients and reduction of radiotherapy dose according to postoperative margin and nodal status is safe.

Prognostic Significance of Absolute Lymphocytic Count Recovery in Pediatric Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at South Egypt Cancer Institute

Background: Leukemia is the most common cause of disease-related death in childhood despite significant improvement in survival and modern risk stratification. Prognostic significance of absolute lymphocytic count (ALC) recovery was studied in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia?(ALL). Methods: One hundred twenty one patients newly diagnosed asALL ≤ 18 yearstreated at pediatric oncology department, South Egypt Cancer Institute from 2011 to 2015 were enrolled. Age, sex, initial total leucocytic count, immunophenotyping, central nervous system (CNS) involvement, mediastinal mass, bone marrow (BM) response on day fifteen and after finishing induction remission were compared to ALC recovery on day 15 (ALC-15) and day 29 (ALC-29) of induction response. Also, prognostic impact of ALC recovery on event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) was evaluated. Results: ALC didn’t show any significant relation to known patients’ prognostic factors. Patients with low ALC didn’t show significant lower response on day 15 and post induction evaluation from those with high ALC (p = 0.74, 0.6 respectively). ALC-15 ≥ 500 cells/uL showed a prognostic significance as patients with ALC-15 500 cells/uL had a poorer outcome (4- EFS 47.8% ± 0.12%) than patients with ALC-15 ≥ 500 cells/uL who carried a better outcome (4-EFS 66.3% ± 0.05%). Neither ALC-500 (day 29) nor ALC-350 (day 15 & day 29) had impact on OS or EFS. In multivariate analysis, ALC-15 500 cells/uL still had a poor impact on outcome (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.27 - 5.14) with d15-BM response (OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.35 - 6.61) and age 10 (OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.01 - 3.69). Conclusions: ALC-15 has an independent prognostic impact on outcome as well as simple, inexpensive, and easy to interpret. Although, it’s utility in risk stratification of ALL still need a confirmation through a multicenter study with uniform variables, large cohort and long duration of follow up.

Treatment Outcome and Prognostic Factors for Pediatric Medulloblastoma Patients: The Egyptian National Cancer Institute Experience

Purpose: To evaluate treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of pediatric Medulloblastoma (MB) patients treated by adjuvant post-operative riskadapted radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CT). Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted based on medical records of pediatric patients with pathologically confirmed MB treated between 2006 and 2013 at the National cancer Institute (NCI), Egypt. Various patients’ and disease characteristics, treatment details and outcome data were reviewed. Results: Fifty patients’ records were included in the analysis with a median age of 6 years at diagnosis (range 3 - 18). According to the Chang staging system;38%, 44%, 4%, and 14% were M0, M1, M2, and M3, respectively. All patients underwent primary surgery;gross total resection (with no residual) in 38%, near total resection (with residual ≤1.5 cm2) in 8%, subtotal resection (with residual > 1.5 cm2) in 34%, and 20% had only biopsy. All patients were treated by riskadapted craniospinal irradiation (CSI);high-risk patients were treated by CSI 36 Gy/20 fractions over 4 weeks followed by posterior fossa (PF) boost 18 Gy/10 fractions over 2 weeks (180 cGy per fraction), while standard-risk patients were treated by CSI 23.4 Gy/13 fractions over 2 and half weeks followed by PF boost 30.6 Gy/17 fractions over 3 and half weeks. Median overall treatment time (OTT) was 52 days. All patients received adjuvant CT;47 patients (94%) received concomitant chemo radiotherapy (CCRT), while 4 patients (8%) only received neoadjuvant CT (NB: only one patient received all neoadjuvant, concomitant and adjuvant CT). With a median follow up time of 32.5 months, ranging from 6 to 104 months, the whole group estimates of the overall survival (OS) at 1, 3, and 5 years were 83%, 70%, and 64%, respectively, while, the progression-free survival (PFS) rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 79%, 62%, and 57% respectively. Four patients relapsed. Neural-axis was the commonest site of relapse (3 patients). Both risk groups were equally represented in relapsed patients (2 standard risk & 2 high risk patients) and relapse took place within 2 years. In univariate analysis, performance status,extent of surgery, and post-operative residual tumor size were significant prognostic factors for OS. On the other hand, factors which affected the PFS included gender, extent of surgery, and post-operative residual tumor. Conclusion: Neural-axis relapse was the commonest site of relapse for pediatric MB patients. Extent of surgical resection, post-operative residual tumor, and gender are powerful prognostic factors. Maximal safe resection is the standard surgical approach for MB patients to achieve cure.

Why is early detection of colon cancer still not possible in 2023?

Colorectal cancer(CRC)screening is a fundamental tool in the prevention and early detection of one of the most prevalent and lethal cancers.Over the years,screening,particularly in those settings where it is well organized,has succeeded in reducing the incidence of colon and rectal cancer and improving the prognosis related to them.Despite considerable advancements in screening technologies and strategies,the effectiveness of CRC screening programs remains less than optimal.This paper examined the multifaceted reasons behind the persistent lack of effect-iveness in CRC screening initiatives.Through a critical analysis of current methodologies,technological limitations,patient-related factors,and systemic challenges,we elucidated the complex interplay that hampers the successful reduction of CRC morbidity and mortality rates.While acknowledging the ad-vancements that have improved aspects of screening,we emphasized the necessity of addressing the identified barriers comprehensively.This study aimed to raise awareness of how important CRC screening is in reducing costs for this disease.Screening and early diagnosis are not only important in improving the prognosis of patients with CRC but can lead to an important reduction in the cost of treating a disease that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.Spending more sooner can mean saving money later.

Fertility preservation in patients with gynecologic cancer

In this editorial we comment on the article by Gu et al.We focus and debate the necessity of fertility sparing surgery in young women’s with gynecologic cancers,specifically on those patients with the desire to conceive.This type of individu-alized treatment options is often very difficult,due to the risk of disease evolution and multiple disparities in fertility preservation services among women in di-fferent countries and societies.For this reason national policy interventions are mandatory in order to ensure equitable access this procedures,in women with cancer.

Dual primary gastric and colorectal cancer:The known hereditary causes and underlying mechanisms

In this editorial,I commented on the paper by Lin et al,published in this issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.The work aimed at analysing the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of synchronous and metachronous cancers in patients with dual primary gastric and colorectal cancer(CRC).The authors concluded the necessity for regular surveillance for metachronous cancer during postoperative follow-up and reported the prognosis is influenced by the gastric cancer(GC)stage rather than the CRC stage.Although surveillance was recommended in the conclusion,the authors did not explore this area in their study and did not include tests used for such surveillance.This editorial focuses on the most characterized gastrointestinal cancer susceptibility syndromes concerning dual gastric and CRCs.These include hereditary diffuse GC,familial adenomatous polyposis,hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer,Lynch syndrome,and three major hamartomatous polyposis syndromes associated with CRC and GC,namely Peutz-Jeghers syndrome,juvenile polyposis syndrome,and PTEN hamartoma syndrome.Careful assessment of these syndromes/conditions,including inheritance,risk of gastric and colorectal or other cancer development,genetic mutations and recommended genetic investigations,is crucial for optimum management of these patients.

Sclerosing Mucoepidermoid Cancer: A Unique Entity

Sclerosing mucoepidermoid thyroid cancer (SMECE) is a rare entity with less than 100 cases reported in the literature. Previously considered to have an indolent course, however, recent evidence has reported an aggressive nature ranging from local invasion to distant metastasis. We present a 66-year-old Caucasian female with SMECE who initially presented neck compressive symptoms. A thyroid ultrasound (US) revealed a solid hypoechoic mass replacing the left thyroid lobe. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the nodule resulted in suspicion of Papillary Thyroid Cancer, Bethesda category 5. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy and surgical pathology showed SMECE. Post-therapy whole-body scan following treatment with 150 mCi I-131 showed no residual or metastatic disease. SMECE is more common in females, between the third to eighth decade of life. Preoperative diagnosis may not be accurate given variable cytopathologic features. Differential diagnoses include primary squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid, squamous differentiation of other thyroid malignancies, anaplastic thyroid cancer and nodular sclerosing variety of Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Due to its rarity, treatment of SMECE has ranged from thyroid surgery without or with radioactive iodine therapy, to surgery and external beam radiation and even chemotherapy.

Primary ovarian cancer combined with primary fallopian tube cancer:A case report

BACKGROUND Low grade serous carcinoma of the ovary(LGSOC)is a rare type of epithelial ovarian cancer with a low incidence rate.The origin of ovarian cancer has always been a hot topic in gynecological oncology research,and some scholars believe that the origin of ovarian malignant tumors is the fallopian tubes.Primary fallopian tube cancer is the lowest incidence of malignant tumors in the female reproductive system.There are only a few reports in the literature,but the mortality rate is very high.But in clinical practice,fallopian tube cancer is very common,but in most cases,it is classified as ovarian cancer.CASE SUMMARY We report a 54 years old postmenopausal woman who was hospitalized with a lower abdominal mass and underwent surgical treatment.The final pathological confirmation was low-grade serous carcinoma of the right ovary and low-grade serous carcinoma of the left fallopian tube.No special treatment was performed after the surgery,and the patient was instructed to undergo regular follow-up without any signs of disease progression.CONCLUSION The prognosis of LGSOC is relatively good,over 80%of patients still experience disease recurrence.

Proteogenomics for pediatric brain cancer

Pediatric central nervous system tumors are the most common tumors in children,it constitute 15%–20%of all malignancies in children and are the leading cause of cancer related deaths in children.Proteogenomics is an emerging field of biological research that utilizes a combination of proteomics,genomics,and transcriptomics to aid in the discovery and identification of biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic purposes.Integrative proteogenomics analysis of pediatric tumors identified underlying biological processes and potential treatments as well as the functional effects of somatic mutations and copy number variation driving tumorigenesis.

Three novel rare TP53 fusion mutations in a patient with multiple primary cancers:a case report

As survival rates improve and detection technologies advance,the occurrence of multiple primary cancers(MPCs)has been increasing.Approximately 16%of cancer survivors develop a subsequent malignancy,with lung cancer often developing after esophageal cancer due to potential“field cancerization”effects.Despite this observation,the genetic heterogeneity underlying MPCs remains understudied.However,the recent emergence of genetic testing has expanded the scope of investigations into MPCs to investigate signatures underlying cancer predisposition.This report reveals 3 unprecedented TP53 fusion mutations in a Chinese patient afflicted by MPCs,namely,AP1M2–TP53(A1;T11)fusion,TP53–ILF3(T10;I13)fusion,and SLC44A2–TP53(S5;T11)fusion.This patient exhibited an extended period of survival after diagnosis of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer,which occurred 6 years after the diagnosis of esophageal squamous cell cancer.This unique reportmay provide supplementary data that enhance our understanding of the genetic landscape ofMPCs.

Dual primary gastric and colorectal cancer:A complex challenge in surgical oncology

The intricate interplay of colorectal cancer(CRC)and gastric cancer(GC)as dual primary malignancies presents a significant challenge in surgical oncology.CRC is the most common secondary malignancy in GC patients,and vice versa,evidence highlighted by advances in diagnostic procedures and therapy modalities that impact patient survival.A recent study titled“Features of synchronous and metachronous dual primary gastric and colorectal cancer”explores this enigmatic dual malignancy,uncovering crucial insights into the clinical characteristics and prognostic distinctions between synchronous and metachronous presentations.Notably,metachronous cases with a second primary cancer discovered more than six months after the first diagnosis have a better outcome,emphasizing the importance of early detection and treatment.This study underscores the prognostic role of GC stage in patient outcomes.It also sheds light on the complexities faced by synchronous cases,often presenting with unresectable CRC.Surgery-related procedures,like gastrectomy and colon resection,stand out as important predictors of increased survival,necessitating a reevaluation of current therapeutic approaches.A tailored and patient-centered strategy,considering the health of each patient individually and the feasibility of radical treatments,is essential.Continuous follow-up and monitoring are crucial as most second primary cancers arise within five years.In conclusion,early diagnosis,surgical intervention,and watchful surveillance are pivotal in managing dual primary gastric and colorectal cancer patients.Since the incidence of gastric and colorectal cancers continues to rise,the imperative need for further research,ideally with larger sample sizes,becomes evident in our pursuit of comprehensive insights that will refine clinical approaches for this intricate dual malignancy.

Lipoprotein based drug delivery: Potential for pediatric cancer applications

While survival rates for patients with childhood cancers have substantially improved, the quality of life of the survivors is often adversely impacted by the residual effects of chemo and radiation therapy. Because ofthe existing metabolic and physiological disparities between pediatric and adult patients, the treatment of pediatric cancer patients poses special challenges to oncologists. While numerous clinical trials being conducted, to improve treatment outcomes for pediatric cancer patients, new approaches are required to increase the efficacy and to minimize the drug related toxic side effects. Nanotechnology is a potentially effective tool to overcome barriers to effective cancer therapeutics including poor bioavailability and non-specific targeting. Among the nano-delivery approaches, lipoprotein based formulations have shown particularly strong promise to improve cancer therapeutics. The present article describes the challenges faced in the treatment of pediatric cancers and reviews the potential of lipoprotein-based therapeutics for these malignancies.

Double role of depression in gastric cancer:As a causative factor and as consequence

In this editorial we comment on the article“Hotspots and frontiers of the rela-tionship between gastric cancer and depression:A bibliometric study”.Gastric cancer(GC)is a common malignancy in the digestive system with increased mortality and morbidity rates globally.Standard treatments,such as gastrectomy,negatively impact patients'quality of life and beyond the physical strain,GC patients face psychological challenges,including anxiety and depression.The prevalence of depression can be as high as 57%,among gastrointestinal cancer patients.Due to the advancements in treatment effectiveness and increased 5-year overall survival rates,attention has shifted to managing psychological effects.However,the significance of managing the depression doesn’t lie solely in the need for a better psychological status.Depression leads to chronic stress acti-vating the sympathetic nervous system and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis,leading release of catecholamines inducing tumor proliferation,migration,and metastasis,contributing to GC progression.The dysregulation of neurotrans-mitters and the involvement of various signaling pathways underscore the complex interplay between depression and GC.Comprehensive strategies are required to address the psychological aspects of GC,including region-specific interventions and increased monitoring for depression.Understanding the intricate relationship between depression and GC progression is essential for developing effective therapeutic strategies and improving overall outcomes for patients facing this complex disease.In this Editorial we delve into double role of depression in the pathogenesis of GC and as a complication of it.