Male Cancer Patients Research Articles

IMMU-64. SEX-SPECIFIC ROLES OFYAP1 AND CD276/B7-H3 IN MEDULLOBLASTOMA IMMUNE SUPPRESSION

Abstract The molecular mechanism governing sex disparities in cancer prevalence, progression, and treatment outcomes represents an important yet understudied area of research with significant implications for cancer treatment. Medulloblastoma (MB), the most prevalent pediatric brain malignancy, exhibits a notable sex bias in incidence and survival rates. Males have a higher incidence rate across all age groups and have worse prognoses than their females for age groups over three years old. Here, we report an unanticipated sex-biased role of the oncogene Yap1 in SHH medulloblastoma. Our results reveal that Yap1 deletion significantly prolongs survival in male, but not female mice with SmoM2-driven SHH MB. Employing an integrated multi-omics approach, we demonstrate that YAP1 is required to maintain cancer stem cells simultaneously activating stemness genes (such as Sox2) and repressing differentiation genes (such as Neurod1 and Zic1/2) in both sexes. In contrast, Yap1 plays a more critical role in immune evasion in males than in females. Specifically, YAP1 regulates the expression of the immune checkpoint molecule Cd276/B7-H3, which suppresses cytotoxic T cell function. In males, CD276 blockade or Yap1 deletion in MB cells is enough to reverse T cell suppression effectively. In females, neither CD276 blockade nor Yap1 deletion alone in MB cells can reverse T cell suppression. Furthermore, YAP1’s direct transcriptional target gene signatures, including CD276, predict survival across multiple human cancers in male patients. These findings suggest broader implications of our findings beyond medulloblastoma and indicate a highly conserved mechanism across species. Our study provides compelling evidence for the male-biased efficacy of Yap1 or CD276 inhibitors and presents novel insights into sex-specific mechanisms of cancer immune evasion.

Androgen Receptor Promotes Lung Cancer Metastasis by Modifying the miR23a-3p/EPHB2 Pathway.

This study aimed to investigate the reasons behind the lower survival rates in male lung cancer patients than in female lung cancer patients. Through various techniques, such as Argonaute immunoprecipitation, luciferase assays, and ChIP, this study confirmed the positive effects of androgen receptor (AR) on lung cancer cell invasion across different in vitro cell lines and in vivo mouse models. The findings suggest that AR enhanced the invasion of lung cancer cells by modifying EPHB2 signals at the protein expression level, which in turn required changes in miRNA-23a-3p. Restoring miRNA-23a-3p could counteract the intensified invasion of lung cancer cells mediated by AR. This study revealed that AR may facilitate the lung cancer matastasis by modulating miRNA-23a-3p/EPHB2 signaling and that targeting this signaling pathway could provide new approaches to inhibit lung cancer metastasis.

Nme8 is essential for protection against chemotherapy drug cisplatin-induced male reproductive toxicity in mice.

Cisplatin (CP), a chemotherapy drug commonly used in cancers treatment, causes serious reproductive toxicity. With younger cancer patients and increasing survival rates, it is important to preserve their reproductive capacity. NME8 is highly expressed in testis and contains thioredoxin and NDPK domains, suggesting it may be a target against the CP-induced reproductive toxicity. We deleted exons 6-7 of the Nme8 in mice based on human mutation sites and observed impaired transcript splicing. In mice, Nme8 was not essential for spermatogenesis, possibly due to functional compensation by its paralog, Nme5. Nme8 expression was elevated and translocated to the nucleus in response to two weeks of CP treatment. Under CP treatment, Nme8 deficiency further impaired antioxidant capacity, induced lipid peroxidation and increased ROS level, and failed to activate autophagy, resulting in aggravated DNA damage in testes and sperm. Consequently, the proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonia and the meiosis of spermatocyte were almost completely halted, and sperm motility was impaired. Our research indicates that NME8 protects against CP-induced testis and sperm damage. This may provide new insights into the physiological functions of the Nme family and potential targets for preserving fertility in young male cancer patients.

Simultaneous integrated boost-intensity modulated radiation therapy (SIBIMRT) planning for pelvic tumours: dose coverage to target volume and normal tissue sparing.

To evaluate the better radiotherapy plan for pelvic tumours that may achieve a high target coverage dose and low normal tissue tolerance dose using simultaneous integrated boost-intensity-modulated radiation therapy technique. The analytical, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted from October 2020 to March 2021 at Al- Amal National Hospital for Cancer Treatment, Baghdad, Iraq, and comprised male pelvic cancer patients aged 50-80 years. Computed tomography scans were randomly selected. For each patient, 4 treatment plans (phases Ι and Π) were generated using the simultaneous integrated boost-intensity-modulated radiation therapy technique while keeping all parameters constant except the number of beams, which were 5, 7, 9 and 11. The optimal and safe dose was defined as the one to cover 95% planning target volume. Homogeneity and conformity indices were used to assess the uniformity of dose distribution in the target volume, and various treatment plans in the same patient were compared. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. There were 15 males with mean age 67.12±2.84 years. There was a significant variance in the target volume dose and organ at risk in the 4 different plans generated using the simultaneous integrated boost-intensitymodulated radiation therapy technique (p<0.05). The 9-beam treatment plan was the best for coverage of tumours and protection of healthy organs assessed through homogeneity and conformity indices (p<0.05). The 9-beam treatment plan showed significant tumour coverage, homogeneity and conformity values, and sparing dose for organs at risk.

CN3 Existential distress in head-and-neck male cancer patients: A comprehensive study of demographic factors

CN3 Existential distress in head-and-neck male cancer patients: A comprehensive study of demographic factors

Chemotherapy delays among cancer patients in Iran during COVID-19 pandemic

Background and objectivesFollowing the outbreak of COVID-19, a set of restrictions, health advice, and limitations were put in place to reduce the spread of the virus. These restrictions, together with fear and anxiety of the population, limited people’s access to public services such as health care services. Cancer patients during this era are a significant concern due to being at high risk for COVID-19 infection and also being exposed to delays in their diagnosis, treatment, and follow-ups. Delays in the treatment of cancer could lead to a poorer prognosis. In this study, we attempted to determine the magnitude of delays in chemotherapy and factors associated with delays during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodAll patients diagnosed with colorectal, lung, gastric cancer, and lymphoma who had chemotherapy at teaching hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) between February 20, 2020, and March 20, 2022, were included. Age, gender, cancer type, having metastatic cancer, and date of each chemotherapy session were included for each patient individually. Every session with delays longer than two days was recorded. A three to six-day delay was considered a moderate delay, and a seven-day or longer delay was considered a severe delay in receiving each chemotherapy session. Additionally, each patient’s total number of delays in the entire course was calculated. Logistic regression was used to examine the impact of pandemic waves on delays. On the other hand, Poisson regression was used to evaluate the number of delays in the entire course of chemotherapy.ResultsThe research findings indicated an association between the male gender and having metastasis with a higher likelihood of a moderate delay in the treatment regimen. Regarding cancer type, colorectal cancer was associated with higher rates of moderate delays (IRR = 1.88, P < 0.001), but gastric (IRR = 0.75, P = 0.001) and lung cancer (IRR = 0.59, P = 0.002) were associated with reduced rates of severe and moderate delays, respectively. Compared to the COVID-19 pandemic plateau periods, the first (OR = 2.08, P < 0.001), third, and fifth waves of the pandemic were associated with increased delays.ConclusionWe found an association between the male gender, colorectal cancer, metastatic disease and higher rates of moderate delays. The initial COVID-19 pandemic wave was associated with increased severe delays in the chemotherapy course. According to the findings of this study, male cancer patients and those with metastatic cancer are at risk of poorer prognosis due to lower adherence to treatment. These findings can assist policymakers in developing targeted strategies to lessen the delay rates in the more vulnerable population.

Association of marital status with cardiovascular death risk in patients with lung cancer: A population-based study

BackgroundTo investigate the association of marital status on cardiovascular death risk in lung cancer patients. MethodsUsing data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database in the United States from 2011 to 2015 (N = 118,293), the association between marital status and cardiovascular death (CVD) risk in patients with lung cancer was assessed by competing-risks regression models. ResultsUnmarried status was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular death in lung cancer patients [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.398, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.268–1.542], which remained significant even after adjusting for potential covariates (HR = 1.407, 95 % CI: 1.276–1.551). Further unmarried subgroups analysis showed that the different unmarried status were associated with increased cardiovascular death risk as follows: single (HR = 1.397, 95 % CI: 1.236–1.1.580), separated (HR = 1.630, 95 % CI: 1.153–2.305), divorced (HR = 1.318, 95 % CI: 1.158–1.500), and widowed (HR = 1.561, 95 % CI: 1.393–1.749). Further subgroup analysis by sex revealed that compared to male lung cancer patients with married, CVD risk was significant increased in their counterparts with widowed (adjusted HR = 1.509, 95 % CI: 1.291–1.764, P<0.001), single (adjusted HR = 1.361, 95 % CI: 1.168–1.585, P<0.001) and divorced (adjusted HR = 1.353, 95 % CI: 1.177–1.555, P<0.001) rather than those with separated. However, similar phenomena was only observed in female lung cancer patients with widowed (adjusted HR = 1.414, 95 % CI: 1.220–1.640, P<0.001) and single (adjusted HR = 1.438, 95 % CI: 1.195–1.730, P<0.001). ConclusionUnmarried status was associated with increased cardiovascular death risk in patients with lung cancer, which highlighted that more attention and humanistic/supportive care should be offered to unmarried lung cancer patients for improving the prognosis.

Cobalt Serum Level as a Biomarker of Cause-Specific Survival among Prostate Cancer Patients.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men and the second leading cause of death in male cancer patients. The WHO suggests that cobalt is involved in the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. There are, however, no studies associating cobalt levels and prostate cancer patient survival. In this study, 261 Polish prostate cancer (n = 261) patients were recruited into a prospective cohort between 2009 and 2015. Serum cobalt levels were measured using ICP-MS after prostate cancer diagnosis and before treatment. All study participants were assigned into quartiles (QI-QIV) based on the distribution of serum cobalt levels among censored patients. Univariable and multivariable COX regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for each serum cobalt level quartile. We found a significant relationship between high serum cobalt levels and poor prostate cancer patient total survival (HR = 2.60; 95% CI: 1.17-5.82; p = 0.02). In relation to prostate cancer patients who died as a result of other non-cancer causes, the association with high levels of cobalt was even stronger (HR = 3.67; 95% CI: 1.03-13.00; p = 0.04). The impact of high serum cobalt levels on overall survival of prostate cancer-specific-related deaths was not statistically significant.

P-344 Systematic review of the gonadotoxicity and risk of infertility of soft tissue sarcoma chemotherapies in pre- and postpubertal females and males

Abstract Study question What is the gonadotoxicity of soft tissue sarcoma chemotherapies to better counsel females and males about the risk of infertility? Summary answer Limited data about the gonadotoxicity indicate a rather high risk with an average suspected infertility in females of 71% and in males of 54%. What is known already There is increasing awareness of the need to counsel young female and male cancer patients about the gonadotoxicity of chemotherapies and the risk of infertility. In addition, fertility preservation measures are offered in most countries. However, our knowledge of the gonadotoxicity of most cancer diseases and chemotherapies is still limited making it difficult to indicate fertility preservation measures. Soft tissue and mesothelial cancer are such a types of cancer for which data is very poor. The gonadotoxicity and risk of infertility of soft tissue and mesothelial cancer has not yet been systematically reviewed. Study design, size, duration This review is part of the FertiTOX project (www.fertitox.com) which aims to close the gap of data regarding gonadotoxicity of cancer therapies to enable more accurate counselling regarding fertility preservation. A systematic literature search considering papers on gonadotoxicity of treatment of soft tissue sarcoma and mesothelial cancer was performed. A total of 2801 records were identified for abstract screening. The review was performed from December 2022 until October 2023. Participants/materials, setting, methods A literature search of papers published in the databases of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library since 2000 was performed. Only females and males without metastases or recurrent disease were considered. Due to limited infertility data the outcome parameter “Suspected infertility” was defined based on reported low ovarian reserve parameters, low inhibin B, high gonadotropin concentration, gonadal dysfunction, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, azoospermia or oligozoospermia. Main results and the role of chance The database search yielded a total of 2801 abstracts, 136 of which were included in the full-text analysis. Of these, 7 studies, each on soft tissue sarcomas, could be included in the review. Studies on mesothelial cancer could not be identified. Two of the 7 soft tissue sarcoma studies were retrospective and 5 were prospective. Of the 7 studies, 3 provided data on women, 3 on men and 1 on both genders. A total of 28 women and 50 men, a total of 78, were included. The pubertal status could not be determined for all patients. Suspected infertility was found in 20 of 28 (71.4%, range 0-100%) of females (4 studies) and in 27 of 50 (54%, range 34.8-100%) of males (4 studies) soft tissue sarcoma patients. Limitations, reasons for caution The weakness is the inclusion of prepubertal and pubertal females and males, and the unknown pubertal status in some cases. A further weakness is the heterogenous spectrum of infertility markers and the limited number of studies which required to define for the analysis the rather vague outcome parameter “suspected infertility”. Wider implications of the findings Our data suggest a high risk of infertility due to chemotherapies in soft tissue sarcomas. This appears to be more pronounced in females than in males, although precise information cannot be given due to limited data. However, even though the study emphasizes the importance to consider fertility preservation measures. Trial registration number PROSPERO (Registry number CRD42023385402)

Addressing disparities and enhancing accessibility in fertility preservation for male cancer patients in China.

Addressing disparities and enhancing accessibility in fertility preservation for male cancer patients in China.

Global status of research on fertility preservation in male patients with cancer: A bibliometric and visual analysis

BackgroundRecently, male fertility preservation before cancer treatment has become more prevalent. The research in this field has progressed over time, with some studies having a major impact and providing guidance for further research. However, the trends and hotspots of research on fertility preservation in male cancer patients may have changed; exploring them is essential for relevant research progress. DesignWe extracted relevant studies from the Web of Science Core Collection database, capturing information on the countries of study, affiliations, authors, keywords, as well as co-citations of references and journals. To identify publication trends, research strengths, key subjects, prominent topics, and emerging areas, we conducted a bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace. ResultsWe included 3201 articles on fertility preservation in male cancer patients published over January 1999 to December 2023 were included. Although the relevant research growth rate was slow initially, the number of publications increased annually. Of all study countries, the United States, Germany, and Japan reported the earliest studies; the United States published the highest number of relevant studies. The US institutions remained at the forefront for all 25 years, and the US researcher Ashok Agarwal published the most articles. Literature co-citation analyses indicated a transformation in the study participants; they comprised a younger demographic (i.e., a large number of adolescent male patients underwent fertility preservation); moreover, fertility preservation techniques evolved from sperm cryopreservation to testicular tissue cryopreservation. Research on reproductive outcomes of sperm cryopreservation was the recent hotspot in male fertility preservation research, and the impact of immunotherapy and checkpoint inhibitors on male fertility requires further research. ConclusionsMale fertility preservation will be a major future research focus, with closer connections and collaborations between countries and organizations. Our results present the historical data on the development of research on male fertility preservation in cancer patients, providing relevant insights for future research and development in this study area.

Relative risk of second malignant neoplasms highest among young adult cancer patients - a population-based registry study in Finland.

The objective of this study was to explore the incidence of second malignant neoplasms (SMNs) among adult cancer patients in Finland diagnosed with their first primary cancer (FPC) in 1992-2021. The study used data from the population-based Finnish Cancer Registry (FCR). Risk estimates were calculated using the standardised incidence ratio (SIR), the ratio of observed second cancers compared to the expected numbers assuming the same cancer incidence as the corresponding sex-age-calendar year -split of the general population. A total of 573,379 FPCs were diagnosed during 1992-2021. During the follow-up, 60,464 SMNs were diagnosed. Male cancer patients had neither a decreased nor an increased risk (SIR 1.00 [95% CI, 0.99-1.01]) and female patients had an 8% increased risk (SIR 1.08 [95% CI, 1.06-1.09]) of developing any SMN compared to a FPC in the general population. The highest SIR of any SMN was observed in patients aged 20-39 -years at FPC diagnosis, and the SIR decreased by increasing age at diagnosis. Patients with lymphoid and haematopoietic tissue neoplasms, cancers of the mouth and pharynx, endocrine glands, respiratory and intrathoracic organs, skin, and urinary organs had the highest SIRs, while patients with cancers of the male genital organs and the female breast had the lowest SIRs. Elevated SIRs were observed in cancer patients diagnosed at an early age and for FPCs known to be in large part attributable to lifestyle factors, which highlights the importance of monitoring and encouraging lifestyle changes.

Linking in with advice and supports for men impacted by metastatic cancer: The LIAM Mc trial (NCT05946993).

TPS1646 Background: Multidisciplinary supportive care interventions are key to preventing and managing adverse effects of cancer and its treatment for patients, reducing symptom and psychological burdens and enhancing quality of life (QoL). However, the optimal composition of these interventions for men with genitourinary (GU) cancers is poorly understood. The LIAM Mc Trial is an enhanced supportive care programme, funded by the Irish Cancer Society and designed with the input of patient representatives who highlighted the unmet needs of cancer survivors. An important aspect of the trial is to demonstrate how to improve the survivorship supports and services for underserved communities of men who experience disparities in cancer incidence, prognosis, outcome and QoL, and have not traditionally been the focus of such initiatives. Methods: Using an embedded mixed-method process evaluation this prospective trial aims to assess the feasibility and impact of a holistic 12-week survivorship programme amongst men with advanced GU cancers at an Irish Cancer Centre. The programme involves twice-weekly sessions with input from a dedicated physiotherapist, dietitian, and nurse specialist, along with education sessions from medical social worker and psycho-oncology specialists, and programme oversight provided by medical oncologists. Outcomes are measured at three timepoints; pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention and at 6 months post intervention, and will include EORTC QoL; muscle strength; body composition through bioelectrical impedance analysis and ultrasound; diet quality; cancer related symptom control; cancer related fatigue scores; feasibility outcomes, qualitative interviews and a process evaluation. Any man with a locally advanced or metastatic GU cancer who has recently completed a course of treatment or is stable on active anti-cancer treatment is eligible for the programme. Over the two-year study period the sample size target is 72 participants. The primary endpoint of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of introducing an enhanced supportive care programme as part of routine management for male cancer patients with metastatic disease. Acceptability, satisfaction with the programme and QoL changes are key secondary endpoints. Barriers to participation are also a key outcome under investigation. The study was activated in May 2023 with the first participants enrolled in June 2023. To date 17 men have enrolled with accrual completion anticipated in June 2025. Clinical trial information: NCT05946993 .

Sex Differences in Anxiety and Depression Conditions among Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

(1) Background: Evidence suggested inconsistent results in anxiety and depression scores among female and male cancer patients. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess how anxiety and depression conditions among cancer patients vary according to sex. (2) Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA). The protocol was registered in PROSPERO with id no. CRD42024512553. The search strategy involved combining keywords using Boolean operators, including "Anxiety", "Cancer", and "Depression", across several databases: Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The outcomes were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). (3) Results: Data were collected from five studies, enrolling a total of 6317 cancer patients, of whom 2961 were females and 3356 males. For each study, HADS-A and HADS-D scores were considered, also differentiating HADS scores according to cancer typology, and then three different meta-analyses were performed. Generally, females reported significantly higher levels of depression scores than males and, conversely, males reported significantly greater levels of anxiety than females. (4) Conclusions: Previous studies suggested higher rates of depression and anxiety conditions in females than in males, but the present data highlighted controversial findings, since males reported significantly higher levels of anxiety than females. In this scenario, the theoretical approach justified females being more open than males to expressing anxiety or depression conditions. It would be necessary for healthcare professionals to improve effective measures purposed at assessing and mitigating depressive symptoms in cases of advanced cancer, thereby improving their mental health, given the high rates of depression in advanced cancer patients, due to the difficulty level of performing their daily living activities, which deteriorate further over time.

Music from Noise-Canceling Headphones Is Beneficial against Anxiety in Male Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Follow-Up Cystoscopy: A Prospective Randomized Trial

Introduction: Bladder cancer, with a greater incidence in males than in females, requires frequent cystoscopies. We aimed to evaluate the effect of music played through noise-canceling headphones on male bladder cancer patients during follow-up cystoscopy. Methods: A total of 160 male bladder cancer patients undergoing follow-up flexible cystoscopy were randomly divided into the noise-canceling headphones without music group and the noise-canceling headphones with music group (groups 1 and 2, respectively; n = 80 per group). The patients’ clinical characteristics were examined, and objective and subjective measurements were compared before and after cystoscopy. The primary outcomes that were evaluated included the visual analog scale (VAS, 0–10) and the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI, 20–80). Other outcomes, including vital signs and scores for assessing satisfaction and the willingness to repeat the procedure, were also examined. Results: The characteristics of the patients in groups 1 and 2, and their pre-cystoscopy status, did not differ significantly. Although post-cystoscopy vital signs for the objective parameters and VAS pain scores were similar between the groups, subjective parameters were not. When compared with group 1, post-cystoscopy STAI-state scores were significantly lower in group 2, whereas patients’ satisfaction scores and the willingness to repeat the procedure were significantly higher in group 2 (p = 0.002, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). Additionally, in group 2, STAI-state scores changed significantly after the procedure when compared with before the procedure (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Providing music to male bladder cancer patients through noise-canceling headphones was found to reduce anxiety during cystoscopy and to improve patient satisfaction and willingness to undergo repeat cystoscopy.

The state of cancer care in Russia: liver cancer - (From 22). Age-related features of the observed and relative one-year and five-year survival of patients. (clinical and population-based study). Part 2.

Survival rate calculations for liver cancer patients at the federal level in the Russian Federation are only conducted in the North-Western Federal District and a few other individual administrative territories. In the first part of our study, we presented a detailed analysis of the prevalence of liver cancer, noting that the levels of standardized incidence and mortality rates in Russia and the North-Western Federal District are virtually identical, allowing us to consider the results of our study as nationally representative. The conducted research confirmed the seriousness of the issue of liver cancer among the population. However, certain advancements in patient treatment were recorded, with a significant increase in survival rates, primarily for one-year survival. For example, in the North-Western Federal District, one-year survival increased from 13.6% in 2000 to 23.1% in 2022, representing a 69.8% increase. At the same time, five-year survival rates remained largely unchanged. Increases in survival rates were observed in most age groups. A significant deficiency in the initial patient record-keeping was identified - insufficiently accurate determination of the stage of liver cancer. One-year survival rates for male and female liver cancer patients (22.7% and 22.1%) were nearly equal, as were the survival rates for liver cancer patients residing in urban and rural areas. Therefore, further improvement in the outcomes of treatment for this complex patient group can only be achieved through the implementation of regional and federal screening and epidemiological surveillance programs among populations at high and extremely high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma.

Self-disclosure, perceived social support, and reproductive concerns among young male cancer patients in China: A mediating model analysis

ObjectiveMany young male cancer patients experience reproductive concerns. Self-disclosure might be able to improve patients’ perceived social support and reproductive concerns. Nevertheless, these relationships have not yet been confirmed among young male cancer patients. This study aims to investigate the level of reproductive concerns and to identify the mediating role of perceived social support between self-disclosure and reproductive concerns among young male cancer patients in China by developing a structural model. MethodsThis study was a quantitative, cross-sectional design. We used the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement guidelines to report this study. A total of 369 young male cancer survivors were recruited by convenience sampling from two tertiary hospitals in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. Data were collected using a “general data questionnaire”, “distress disclosure index” (DDI), “perceived social support scale” (PSSS), and “reproductive concerns after cancer-male” (RCAC-M) via the WeChat mini program “Questionnaire Star” and paper questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses, and structural equation models were adopted to analyze the data. ResultsReproductive concerns were at moderate levels and negatively associated with self-disclosure (r = −0.619, P < 0.01) and perceived social support (r = −0.599, P < 0.01). Self-disclosure indirectly influenced reproductive concerns (−0.328∼–0.159, P < 0.001) through perceived social support. ConclusionsSelf-disclosure and perceived social support are closely associated with reproductive concerns in young male cancer patients, and perceived social support is a mediator between self-disclosure and reproductive concerns. Healthcare providers could reduce reproductive concerns by enhancing self-disclosure and improving perceived social support. Trial registrationThis study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on June 13, 2023 (NCT05914181).

Fertility preservation in males with cancer of trends, region development, and efficacy in mainland China from 16 regions Chinese sperm banks.

Male cancer survivors experience confusion about fertility following cancer treatment. The aims of this study were to evaluate survivors' semen quality in different tumor type groups in China and to analyze the current situation and challenges of male cancer patients with sperm cryopreservation. This was a multicenter retrospective study of male patients with cancer who underwent sperm cryopreservation in 16 regions of the national sperm banks over an 11-year period from 2010 to 2020. The number of male cancer patients with sperm cryopreservation showed an overall upward trend. The development of male cancer fertility preservation (FP) in the eastern, central, and western regions of Chinese displayed imbalance. There are seven tumor types for sperm preservation in the top incidence ten tumor types, including lymphoma, leukemia, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, sarcoma, thyroid cancer, and brain tumor. Moreover, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a high incidence rate in China, which is related to high sperm preservation rate, different from other countries. The most percentage of males receiving sperm cryopreservation in the testicular cancers (15-39years old) of China in 2020 was 5.55%, 1.29% in the lymphoma, and 0.39% in the leukemia. According to the type of cancer, a statistically significant lower pre-sperm density, total sperm output, and post-sperm density was observed in testicular cancers. It is worth noting that the prevalence of azoospermia 22.2% in leukemia patients attribute to urgent treatment before sperm cryopreservation. Disposition of cryopreserved sperm categories included continued storage (47.2%), discarded (9%), death (0.9%), and use (3.7%). This study provides the firstcomprehensive national statistical census and review of fertility preservation in male cancer patients with respect totrends, prevalence, and cancer types. The development of male cancer fertility preservation in China is imbalanced and percentage of males receiving sperm cryopreservation in the adolescent and young adult cancers was low. Sixteen human sperm banks from China analyze current problems and challenges, and then prioritize steps toward the achievement of the FP strategy framework for Healthy China 2030.

The Relationship between miR-5682 and Nutritional Status of Radiotherapy-Treated Male Laryngeal Cancer Patients.

Nutritional deficiencies are frequently observed in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) undergoing radiation therapy. microRNAs (miRNAs) were found to play an important role in the development of metabolic disorders throughout regulation of genes involved in inflammatory responses. This study aimed to explore the correlation between pre-treatment miR-5682 expression and parameters reflecting nutritional deficits in laryngeal cancer (LC) patients subjected to radiotherapy (RT). Expression of miR-5682 was analyzed in plasma samples of 56 male LC individuals. Nutritional status of LC patients was assessed using anthropometric and laboratory parameters, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and clinical questionnaires. A high expression of miR-5682 was associated with significantly lower values of BMI, fat mass, fat-free mass and plasma albumin at selected periods of RT course. miR-5682 allowed us to distinguish between patients classified with both SGA-C and low albumin level from other LC patients with 100% sensitivity and 69.6% specificity (AUC = 0.820; p < 0.0001). Higher expression of studied miRNA was significantly associated with shorter median overall survival (OS) in LC patients (HR = 2.26; p = 0.008). analysis of miR-5682 expression demonstrates a potential clinical utility in selection of LC patients suffering from nutritional deficiencies developing as a consequence of RT-based therapy.

Induction of the Inflammasome Pathway by Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Provides an Actionable Therapeutic Target for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

During the last decade, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) sorafenib and regorafenib have been standard systemic treatments for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous data associated sorafenib with inflammasome activation. However, the role of the inflammasome in sorafenib and regorafenib signaling has not been described in liver cancer patients. For this purpose, we analyzed inflammasome-related transcriptomic changes in a murine HCC model. Our data confirmed inflammasome activation after both TKI treatments, sharing a similar pattern of increased gene expression. According to human database results, transcriptional increase of inflammasome genes is associated with poorer prognosis for male liver cancer patients, suggesting a sex-dependent role for inflammasome activation in HCC therapy. In biopsies of HCC and its surrounding tissue, we detected durable increases in the inflammasome activation pattern after sorafenib or regorafenib treatment in male patients. Further supporting its involvement in sorafenib action, inflammasome inhibition (MCC950) enhanced sorafenib anticancer activity in experimental HCC models, while no direct in vitro effect was observed in HCC cell lines. Moreover, activated human THP-1 macrophages released IL-1β after sorafenib administration, while 3D Hep3B spheres displayed increased tumor growth after IL-1β addition, pointing to the liver microenvironment as a key player in inflammasome action. In summary, our results unveil the inflammasome pathway as an actionable target in sorafenib or regorafenib therapy and associate an inflammasome signature in HCC and surrounding tissue with TKI administration. Therefore, targeting inflammasome activation, principally in male patients, could help to overcome sorafenib or regorafenib resistance and enhance the efficacy of TKI treatments in HCC.