Median Survival Time Research Articles

Risk and impacts of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) due to immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) on overall survival in patients with newly diagnosed cancer: A retrospective cohort study.

12049 Background: The risk and impact of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) due to ICI treatment on newly diagnosed cancer patients have not been fully investigated. This study aims to assess the incidence and impact of ICI related DILI on overall survival. Methods: We included patients with newly diagnosed cancer treated with ICIs between 01/2012 and 12/2020 at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. DILI was defined using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for abnormal results of liver function, acute hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury, or toxic liver disease. History of Liver Disease (HLD) before ICI infusion was defined using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes for any liver disease, including primary and secondary liver malignant neoplasms. To examine the causal effects of ICI-related DILI, patients who developed hepatocellular carcinoma or metastatic liver disease were excluded. Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate DILI risk post-ICI infusion in patients with and without HLD. Crude and Adjusted Cox proportional models were used to examine the association between DILI, modeled as time-dependent, and overall survival. Results: A total of 2,816 patients were included in the study, with a median age of 62 years, 58% male, and 90% white non-Hispanics. An estimated 11% of patients developed DILI during follow-up. The median (interquartile range) follow-up time from ICI infusion to DILI was 8.7 (3.0–20.1) months. The overall risk of DILI was 25.3%, which was significantly higher in patients with HLD than in those without HLD (17.8% vs. 30.8%, Log-Rank P <0.001). The median (interquartile range) survival time was 10.4 (3.7–22.7) months. During follow-up, a total of 1390 (49.4%) patients died. DILI was significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in all regression models. The crude risk of all-cause mortality was 40% higher in patients with DILI than in those without DILI [HR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.15–1.70]. In the fully adjusted models, DILI was associated with a 63% higher risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted HR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.34–1.99]. DILI's effects on the overall survival risk remained significant when we further adjusted for HLD status [HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.29–1.93]. Conclusions: The findings from this retrospective cohort study highlight the significant risk and detrimental impact of DILI on overall survival in patients treated with ICIs. Notably, the incidence of DILI was significantly higher among patients with HLD, underscoring the elevated vulnerability of this subgroup. Furthermore, DILI was a significant predictor of increased all-cause mortality regardless of HLD status. These results underscore the need for vigilant monitoring and management of liver function in patients receiving ICIs, particularly in those with pre-existing liver conditions, to mitigate the risk of DILI and improve survival outcomes.

The impacts of area-level social deprivation on overall survival in patients receiving immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) treatments: A retrospective cohort study.

1613 Background: Despite recent advancements in ICI therapy, disparities in treatment outcomes persist, potentially influenced by social factors. We investigated the association between Area-level social deprivation (ALSD) and overall survival in patients treated with ICIs, aiming to uncover the potential socioeconomic barriers to effective cancer care. Methods: The study included newly diagnosed solid or liquid tumor patients treated with ICIs between 2012 and 2020 at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. Socioeconomic deprivation was defined using the Social Deprivation Index (SDI), a validated measure of disadvantage across small areas using seven components related to demographic and household characteristics. A high ALSD was defined as an SDI score above the sample’s third quartile. Crude and Adjusted Cox proportional models with robust variance to account for group clustering were used to examine the association between overall survival and ALSD. We also examined the relationship between all-cause mortality and each of the seven components of ALSD. Results: A total of 3,317 patients were included in the study with a median age of 62 years, 59.1% males and 89% White non-Hispanics. An estimated 30.7% of patients had lung cancer, 16.3% melanoma, and 10.8% head and neck cancer. Type of cancer was significantly associated with deprivation states (P <0.001). The median (interquartile range) survival time for all participants was 10.3 (3.7–22.3) months. The high ALSD group had 440/800 (55.0%) deaths over 10,999.0 person-years reported, while the low ALSD group had 1275/2517 (50.7%) deaths over 40,994.8 person-years reported – risk ratio of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.15–1.43). High ALSD was significantly associated with a higher risk of all-cause: the crude risk of all-cause mortality was 21% higher for patients in the high vs. low ALSD groups [HR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.08–1.36]. In the fully adjusted models, high ALSD was associated with an 18% higher risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.06–1.33] compared to low ALSD. In a sub-analysis, we limited our cohort to patients undergoing immunotherapy as first-line treatment, and low ALSD remained a significant predictor of increased risk of all-cause mortality. Area-level poverty and residing in areas with higher percentages of rented housing were the main drivers of the increased risk of all-cause mortality in patients residing in high ALSD areas. Conclusions: Patients from areas with higher levels of social deprivation had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with their counterparts in less deprived areas. Addressing adverse social factors could expand the benefits of ICIs for everyone and help reduce disparities in cancer care. Future strategies should consider social interventions to advance equitable healthcare outcomes for all cancer patients.

Clinical Features and Prognosis of Patients with CD5+ Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients with CD5+ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The clinical data of 161 newly treated DLBCL patients in Gansu Provincial Hospital from January 2013 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to CD5 expression, the patients were divided into CD5+ group and CD5- group. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of the two groups were statistically analyzed. The median age of patients in CD5+ group was 62 years, which was higher than 56 years in CD5- group (P =0.048). The proportion of women in CD5+ group was 62.96%, which was significantly higher than 41.79% in CD5- group (P =0.043). The proportion of patients with IPI score > 2 in CD5+ group was 62.96%, which was higher than 40.30% in CD5- group (P =0.031). Survival analysis showed that the median overall survival and progression-free survival time of patients in CD5+ group were 27(3-77) and 31(3-76) months, respectively, which were both shorter than 30(5-84) and 32.5(4-83) months in CD5- group (P =0.047, P =0.026). Univariate analysis showed that advanced age, positive CD5 expression, triple or double hit at initial diagnosis, high IPI score and no use of rituximab during chemotherapy were risk factors for the prognosis of DLBCL patients. Further Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that these factors were also independent risk factors except for advanced age. CD5+ DLBCL patients have a worse prognosis than CD5- DLBCL patients. Such patients are more common in females, with advanced age and high IPI score, which is a special subtype of DLBCL.

Independent Risk Factors of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis with Vertebral Fracture After Spinal Long Fusion: Survivorship Analysis of Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Patients

ObjectiveThis study aimed to identify risk factors for postoperative proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) with vertebral fracture in adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients. We performed a survival analysis considering various factors, including osteoporosis. MethodsThis single-center retrospective study included 101 ASD patients (mean age: 67.2 years, mean follow-up: 8.1 years). We included patients aged ≥ 50 years with abnormal radiographic variables undergoing corrective long spinal fusion. The main outcome measure was PJK with vertebral fracture, analyzed based on patient data, radiographic measurements, sagittal parameters, bone mineral density, and osteoporosis medication. ResultsPJK occurred in 37.6% of patients, with vertebral fracture type 2 accounting for 65% of these cases. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated a median PJK-free survival time of 60.7 months. Existing vertebral fracture (grade 1 or higher or grade 2 or higher) was a significant risk factor for PJK with vertebral fracture, with hazard ratios of 4.58 and 5.61, respectively. The onset time of PJK with vertebral fracture was 1.5 months postoperatively, with 44% of these cases occurring within 1 month and 64% within 2 months. ConclusionsPJK with vertebral fracture affected 25% of ASD patients, emphasizing the importance of osteoporosis evaluation. Existing vertebral fracture emerged as a significant independent risk factor, surpassing bone mineral density. This study provides valuable insights for spine surgeons, highlighting the need to provide osteoporosis treatment and emphasize potential postoperative complications during discussions with patients.

Predictive value of positive lymph node ratio in patients with locally advanced gastric remnant cancer.

e16119 Background: Traditional lymph node stage (N stage) has limitations in advanced gastric remnant cancer (GRC)patients; therefore, establishing a new predictive stage is necessary.To explore the predictive value of positive lymph node ratio (LNR) according to clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of locally advanced GRC. Methods: Seventy-four patients who underwent radical gastrectomy and lymphadenectomy for locally advanced GRC were retrospectively reviewed. The relationship between LNR and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. The survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and Cox regression model. Results: Number of metastatic LNs, tumor diameter, depth of tumor invasion, Borrmann type, serum tumor biomarkers, and tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage were correlated with LNR stage and N stage. Univariate analysis revealed that the factors affecting survival included tumor diameter, anemia, serum tumor biomarkers, vascular or neural invasion, combined resection, LNR stage, N stage, and TNM stage (all P < 0.05). The median survival time for those with LNR0, LNR1, LNR2 and LNR3 stage were 61, 31, 23 and 17 mo, respectively, and the differences were significant ( P = 0.000). Anemia, tumor biomarkers and LNR stage were independent prognostic factors for survival in multivariable analysis (all P < 0.05). Conclusions: The new LNR stage is uniquely based on number of metastatic LNs, with significant prognostic value for locally advanced GRC, and could better differentiate overall survival, compared with N stage.

Impact of treatment setting on survival outcomes in undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.

e16333 Background: Undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas is a rare and highly aggressive form of pancreatic cancer, characterized by its low degree of cellular differentiation. The prognosis for this condition remains poor, with median survival times typically not exceeding one year. While existing research indicates that treatment at academic institutions may lead to improved survival outcomes compared to non-academic settings, there is scant research on this topic in the context of undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas. Addressing this research gap, this study analyzes data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to compare long-term survival rates between patients treated at academic institutions and those at other facilities. Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients diagnosed with undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas from 2004 to 2019 using the histology code 8020 as assigned by the Commission on Cancer Accreditation program. Kaplan-Meier, ANOVA, and Chi-Square tests were performed. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 27 and statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: In this analysis of 284 patients, 124 (43.7%) received care at academic centers, while 160 (56.3%) were treated at non-academic institutions. Individuals treated at academic centers had a significantly extended mean overall survival of 27 months compared to 13.9 months for those treated elsewhere (p < 0.05). Additionally, patients at academic centers were more likely to be insured, undergo surgical interventions, receive chemotherapy, and be initially diagnosed at a different facility (p < 0.05). Conversely, patients at non-academic centers were more likely to be white, live closer to their care facility, and exhibit greater metastatic regional lymph nodes (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant association between treatment at academic centers and variables such as median income, cancer grade, and Charlson-Deyo Comorbidity Index (CDCI) (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study revealed that individuals with undifferentiated carcinoma of the pancreas receiving treatment at academic centers exhibit a significantly improved overall survival rate compared to those treated at non-academic centers. This disparity in survival rates might be attributed to the higher prevalence of chemotherapeutic treatments and surgical interventions at academic institutions. While these observations are based on correlational data, they underscore the necessity for further investigation to establish causality.

CT-guided Percutaneous Microwave Ablation Combined with Local Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy of Malignant Pulmonary Tumors.

The study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of CT-guided microwave ablation (MWA) combined with 125I seed implantation or bronchial arterial infusion (BAI) chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant pulmonary tumors. A total of 56 patients who underwent MWA, MWA combined with 125I particle implantation, or MWA combined with BAI chemotherapy for advanced lung cancer or metastatic lung cancer from January 2015 to June 2021 in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled. Among them, 21 patients were treated with MWA (MWA), 18 with MWA combined with 125I seed implantation (MWA+125I), and 17 with MWA combined with BAI chemotherapy (MWA+BAI). The short-term outcomes, complications, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score (Zubrod-ECOG-WHO, ZPS), survival, and factors related to survival were compared between the three groups. The response rate of the MWA group (9.52%) was significantly lower than that of the MWA+125I group (50.00%) and MWA+BAI chemotherapy group (47.06%), and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The incidence of complications in the MWA, MWA+125I, and MWA+BAI chemotherapy groups was 47.62%, 55.56%, and 52.94%, respectively, with no significant difference (p > 0.05). Three months after the treatment, the ZPS of the MWA+125I and MWA+BAI chemotherapy groups was significantly lower than before treatment and significantly lower than that of the MWA group in the same period; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The median survival time of the MWA+125I group was 18 (9.983, 26.017) months and that of the MWA+BAI chemotherapy group was 21 (0.465, 41.535) months, both of which were higher than that of the MWA group [11 (6.686, 15.314) months]; the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Cox regression analysis was performed on the factors related to survival and revealed treatment mode as a protective factor [HR = 0.433, 95% CI = (0.191, 0.984), p = 0.046]. Other factors, such as gender, age, and tumor size, did not independently affect survival. CT-guided MWA combined with 125I seed implantation and MWA combined with BAI chemotherapy are safe and effective for the treatment of advanced lung cancer and metastatic lung cancer, and can control tumor progression and prolong survival time.

An analysis of treatment trends in sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.

e23547 Background: Sclerosing Epithelioid Fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a rare, malignant, soft tissue sarcoma found in the arms, legs, head, and neck. Histologically, SEF is characterized by a distinctive architecture composed of cords, nests, and/or sheets of uniform epithelioid cells. Previous studies have demonstrated that surgery with wide surgical margins is associated with superior outcomes in SEF patients. However, on account of the rare nature of SEF, insufficient research has been conducted on the association of treatment types with long-term survival. Using the National Cancer Database (NCDB), this study analyzed the receipt of different types of surgery and adjuvant treatments on the overall survival of patients with SEF. Methods: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was used to identify patients diagnosed with SEF from 2004 to 2020 using histology code 8840 as assigned by the Commission on Cancer Accreditation program. Kaplan-Meier, ANOVA Chi-Square, and Logistic Regression tests were performed, and data were analyzed using SPSS version 29. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: Out of the 1226 patients with SEF, 1088 patients ( 88.7%) received a tumor resection at the primary site. Receipt of surgery was associated with a greater median overall survival compared to not receiving surgery ( 123.6 months vs 45.7 months; p &lt; 0.05). Of the surgical patients, 419 patients received a wedge/segmental resection ( 38.5%) and 609 patients received a lobectomy ( 56%). Wedge/segmental resections and lobectomy had improved outcomes compared to other surgery types ( p &lt; 0.001). In addition to tumor resection, 140 patients ( 12.9%) received adjuvant chemotherapy, 21 patients ( 1.9%) received adjuvant radiation, and 11(1%) patients received adjuvant chemoradiation. Furthermore, the receipt of adjuvant therapies including adjuvant chemo, adjuvant radiation, and adjuvant chemoradiation, was associated with improved overall survival compared to receiving surgery alone ( p = 0.03; p = 0.005; p &lt; 0.001, respectively). Patients who received adjuvant chemoradiation experienced 9.5 months longer median survival time than patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy ( p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions: SEF patients who received tumor resection had a marked increase in overall survival. Receiving wedge/segmental and lobectomy surgery types were associated with improved patient outcomes compared to other surgery types. Furthermore, receiving any adjuvant therapy was associated with improved overall survival compared to receiving surgery alone. Receiving adjuvant chemoradiation was associated with superior outcomes in SEF patients compared to receiving other adjuvant therapies and surgery alone. To improve overall survival in SEF patients, further research is needed to assess what factors influence treatment trends.

Conversion surgery for initially unresectable locally advanced biliary tract cancer: A multicenter collaborative study conducted in Japan and Korea.

Although surgical resection is the only curative treatment for biliary tract cancer, in some cases, the disease is diagnosed as unresectable at initial presentation. There are few reports of conversion surgery after the initial treatment for unresectable locally advanced biliary tract cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of conversion surgery in patients with initially unresectable locally advanced biliary tract cancer. We retrospectively collected clinical data from groups of patients in multiple centers belonging to the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Korean Association of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery. We analyzed two groups of prognostic factors (pretreatment and surgical factors) and their relation to the treatment outcomes. A total of 56 patients with initially unresectable locally advanced biliary tract cancer were enrolled in this study of which 55 (98.2%) patients received chemotherapy, and 16 (28.6%) patients received additional radiation therapy. The median time from the start of the initial treatment to resection was 6.4 months. Severe postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher occurred in 34 patients (60.7%), and postoperative mortality occurred in five patients (8.9%). Postoperative histological results revealed CR in eight patients (14.3%). The median survival time from the start of the initial treatment in all 56 patients who underwent conversion surgery was 37.7 months, the 3-year survival rate was 53.9%, and the 5-year survival rate was 39.1%. Conversion surgery for initially unresectable locally advanced biliary tract cancer may lead to longer survival in selected patients. However, more precise preoperative safety evaluation and careful postoperative management are required.

Mistletoe Extract in Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

Patients with advanced pancreatic cancer have limited survival and few treatment options. We studied whether mistletoe extract (ME), in addition to comprehensive oncological treatment and palliative care, prolongs overall survival (OS) and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The double-blind, placebo-controlled MISTRAL trial was conducted in Swedish oncology centers. The main inclusion criteria were advanced exocrine pancreatic cancer and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-2. The subjects were randomly assigned to ME (n=143) or placebo (n=147) and were stratified by study site and by eligibility (yes/no) for palliative chemotherapy (June 2016-December 2021). ME or placebo was injected subcutaneously three times a week for nine months. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); one of the secondary endpoints was the HRQoL dimension global health/QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30), as assessed at seven time points over nine months. Trial registration: EudraCT 2014-004552-64, NCT02948309. No statistically significant benefit of adding ME to standard treatment was seen with respect to either OS or global health/ QoL. The adjusted hazard ratio for OS was 1.13 [0.89; 1.44], with a median survival time of 7.8 and 8.3 months for ME and placebo, respectively. The figures for the HRQoL dimension "global health/QoL" were similar in the two groups (p=0.86). The number, severity, and outcome of the reported adverse events were similar as well, except for more common local skin reactions at ME injection sites (66% vs. 1%). ME is unlikely to have a clinically significant effect on OS or the HRQoL dimension global health/QoL when administered in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in addition to comprehensive cancer care.

Time to initiation of antenatal care and its predictors among pregnant women who delivered in Arba Minch town public health facilities, Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia, 2023: a retrospective follow-up study

BackgroundEarly antenatal care visit is important for optimal care and health outcomes for women and children. In the study area, there is a lack of information about the time to initiation of antenatal care. So, this study aimed to determine the time to initiation of antenatal care visits and its predictors among pregnant women who delivered in Arba Minch town public health facilities.MethodsAn institution-based retrospective follow-up study was performed among 432 women. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select the study participants. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to estimate the survival time. A Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model was fitted to identify predictors of the time to initiation of antenatal care. An adjusted hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to assess statistical significance.ResultsThe median survival time to antenatal care initiation was 18 weeks (95% CI = (17, 19)). Urban residence (AHR = 2.67; 95% CI = 1.52, 4.71), Tertiary and above level of education of the women (AHR = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.28, 2.81), having pregnancy-related complications in a previous pregnancy (AHR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.08, 2.16), not having antenatal care for previous pregnancy (AHR = 0.39; 95% CI = 0.21, 0.71) and unplanned pregnancy (AHR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.48, 0.91) were statistically significant predictors.ConclusionHalf of the women initiate their antenatal care visit after 18 weeks of their pregnancy which is not in line with the recommendation of the World Health Organization. Urban residence, tertiary and above level of education of the women, having pregnancy-related complications in a previous pregnancy, not having previous antenatal care visits and unplanned pregnancy were predictors of the time to initiation of antenatal care. Therefore, targeted community outreach programs including educational campaigns regarding antenatal care for women who live in rural areas, who are less educated, and who have no previous antenatal care experience should be provided, and comprehensive family planning services to prevent unplanned pregnancy are needed.

Early outcomes of MR-guided SBRT for patients with recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BackgroundLocal treatment options for locally recurrent pancreatic adenocarcinoma (LR-PAC) are limited, with median survival time (MST) of 9–13 months (mos) following recurrence. MRI-guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (MRgSBRT) provides the ability to dose escalate while sparing normal tissue. Here we report on the early outcomes of MRgSBRT for LR-PAC.MethodsPatients with prior resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma with local recurrence treated with MRgSBRT at a single tertiary referral center from 5-2021 to 2-2023 were identified from our prospective database. MRgSBRT was delivered to 40–50 Gy in 4–5 fractions with target and OAR delineation per institutional standards. Endpoints included local control per RECIST v1.1, distant failure, overall survival (OS), and acute and chronic toxicities per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, v5.ResultsFifteen patients with LR-PAC were identified with median follow-up of 10.6 mos (2.8–26.5 mos) from MRgSBRT. There were 8 females and 7 males, with a median age of 69 years (50–83). One patient underwent neoadjuvant radiation for 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions followed by resection, and one underwent adjuvant radiation for 45 Gy in 25 fractions prior to recurrence. MRgSBRT was delivered a median of 18.8 mos (3.5–52.8 mos) following resection. OS following recurrence at 6 and 12 mos were 87% and 51%, respectively, with a median survival time of 14.1 mos (3.2–27.4 mos). Three patients experienced local failure at 5.9, 7.8, and 16.6 months from MgSBRT with local control of 92.3% and 83.9% at 6 and 12 months. 10 patients experienced distant failure at a median of 2.9 mos (0.3–6.7 mos). Grade 1–2 acute GI toxicity was noted in 47% of patients, and chronic GI toxicity in 31% of patients. No grade > 3 toxicities were noted.ConclusionsThis is the first report on toxicity and outcomes of MRgSBRT for LR-PAC in the literature. MRgSBRT is a safe, feasible treatment modality with the potential for improved local control in this vulnerable population. Future research is necessary to better identify which patients yield the most benefit from MRgSBRT, which should continue to be used with systemic therapy as tolerated.Trial Registration: Jefferson IRB#20976, approved 2/17/21.

Proton Beam Therapy for Treating Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Major Portal Vein Tumor Invasion: A Single Center Retrospective Study.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) has a poor prognosis and is generally not indicated for surgery. Proton beam therapy (PBT) may offer an alternative treatment. In this study, long-term outcomes were examined in 116 patients (median age 66 years, 100 males) with HCC with advanced PVTT (Vp3 or Vp4) who received PBT from April 2008 to March 2018. Of these patients, 63 received PBT as definitive treatment and 53 as palliative treatment. The representative dose was 72.6 Gy (RBE) in 22 fractions. Eight patients died in follow-up, including 72 due to tumor progression. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 18.0% (95% CI 9.8-26.2%) and the 5-year local control (LC) rate was 86.1% (74.9-97.3%). In multivariate analyses, performance status and treatment strategy were significantly associated with OS. The median follow-up period for survivors with definitive treatment was 33.5 (2-129) months, and the 5-year OS rate was 25.1% (12.9-37.3%) in these cases. The median survival time after definitive irradiation was >20 months. The 5-year OS rate was 9.1% (0-19.7%) for palliative irradiation. These results compare favorably with those of other therapies and suggest that PBT is a useful option for cases of HCC with advanced PVTT that cannot undergo surgery, with an expected survival benefit and good local control. Determining the optimal indication for this treatment is a future challenge.

Survival and disease burden analyses of occupational pneumoconiosis during 1958–2021 in Huangshi city, China: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundPneumoconiosis, a chronic disease stemming from prolonged inhalation of dust particles, stands as a significant global burden of occupational diseases. This study aims to investigate the survival outcomes of pneumoconiosis patients in Huangshi city, China, while also evaluating the disease burden on afflicted patients.MethodsData for this study were sourced from the Huangshi Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Survival analyses of pneumoconiosis patients were conducted employing life tables and the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards models were deployed to identify factors influencing pneumoconiosis patients’ survival duration. Competing risks models were employed to confirm the validity of the model outcomes. Additionally, in the disease burden assessment, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were computed for various demographic groups and time frames.ResultsA total of 5,641 pneumoconiosis cases, diagnosed in Huangshi City, Hubei Province between 1958 and 2021, were incorporated into the cohort analysis. The probability of mortality and the risk ratio increased with advancing age. Notably, the median survival time of stage III pneumoconiosis patients was significantly shorter compared with those in stages I and II. The Cox proportional hazards model and competing risks analyses underscored several significant factors influencing survival time, including dust exposure duration (HR = 1.197, 95% CI: 1.104–1.298), age at first diagnosis (HR = 3.149, 95% CI: 2.961–3.349), presence of silicosis (HR = 1.378, 95% CI: 1.254–1.515), and stage II-III pneumoconiosis (HR = 1.456, 95% CI: 1.148–1.848). Cumulatively, DALYs amounted to 7,974.35 person-years, with an average of 1.41 person-years. The period between 2000 and 2019 witnessed the highest disease burden.ConclusionOur findings highlight the urgent need for improved prevention, earlier detection, and more effective management strategies for the occupational pneumoconiosis population. This study not only underscores the persistent issue of pneumoconiosis in industrial environments but also serves as a crucial call to action for policymakers and healthcare providers.

High expression of BTN3A1 is associated with clinical and immunological characteristics and predicts a poor prognosis in advanced human gliomas.

Gliomas represent the most prevalent and aggressive tumors within the central nervous system. Despite the current standard treatments, the median survival time for glioblastoma patients remains dismal, hovering around 14 months. While attempts have been made to inhibit the PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4/CD80-CD86 axes through immunotherapy, the outcomes have yet to demonstrate significant efficacy. The immune checkpoint Butyrophilin 3A1 (BTN3A1) can either be involved in advantageous or detrimental function depending on the cancer type. In our study, we utilized a Moroccan cohort to delve into the role of BTN3A1 in gliomas. A transcriptomic analysis was conducted on 34 patients, which was then corroborated through a protein analysis in 27 patients and validated using the TCGA database (n = 667). Our results revealed an elevated expression of BTN3A1 in glioblastoma (grade 4), as evidenced in both the TCGA database and our cohort of Moroccan glioma patients. Within the TCGA cohort, BTN3A1 expression was notably higher in patients with wild-type IDH. We observed a positive correlation between BTN3A1 expression and immune infiltration of B cells, CD8+ T cells, naive CD4+ T cells, and M2 macrophages. Patients exhibiting increased BTN3A1 expression also presented elevated levels of TGF-β, IL-10, and TIM-3 compared to those with reduced BTN3A1 expression. Notably, patients with high BTN3A1 expression were associated with a poorer prognosis than their counterparts with lower expression. Our findings suggest that BTN3A1 might promote the establishment of an immunosuppressive microenvironment. Consequently, targeting BTN3A1 could offer novel therapeutic avenues for the management of advanced gliomas.

Assessing the survival time of hospitalized patients in Eastern Ethiopia during 2019-2020 using the Bayesian approach: A retrospective cohort study.

Severe acute malnutrition remains a significant health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the survival time of under-five children with severe acute malnutrition. A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a hospital, focusing on under-five children with severe acute malnutrition. The study included 322 inpatients admitted to the Chiro hospital in Chiro, Ethiopia, between September 2019 and August 2020, whose data was obtained from medical records. Survival functions were analysed using Kaplan‒Meier plots and log-rank tests. The survival time of severe acute malnutrition was further analysed using the Cox proportional hazards model and Bayesian parametric survival models, employing integrated nested Laplace approximation methods. Among the 322 patients, 118 (36.6%) died as a result of severe acute malnutrition. The estimated median survival time for inpatients was found to be 2 weeks. Model selection criteria favored the Bayesian Weibull accelerated failure time model, which demonstrated that age, body temperature, pulse rate, nasogastric(NG) tube usage, hypoglycemia, anemia, diarrhea, dehydration, malaria, and pneumonia significantly influenced the survival time of severe acute malnutrition. This study revealed that children below 24 months, those with altered body temperature and pulse rate, NG tube usage, hypoglycemia, and comorbidities such as anemia, diarrhea, dehydration, malaria, and pneumonia had a shorter survival time when affected by severe acute malnutrition under the age of five. To reduce the death rate of children under 5 years of age, it is necessary to design community management for acute malnutrition to ensure early detection and improve access to and coverage for children who are malnourished.

Pulmonary vascular resistance predicts the mortality in patients with bronchiectasis-associated pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension is a severe complication of bronchiectasis, characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) and subsequent right heart failure. The association between PVR and mortality in bronchiectasis-associated pulmonary hypertension has not been investigated previously. In the present study, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 139 consecutive patients diagnosed with bronchiectasis-associated pulmonary hypertension based on right heart catheterization, enrolled between January 2010 and June 2023. Baseline clinical characteristics and hemodynamic assessment were analyzed. The survival time for each patient was calculated in months from the date of diagnosis until the date of death or, if the patient was still alive, until their last visit. Patients with bronchiectasis-associated pulmonary hypertension exhibited estimated survival rates of 89.5, 70, and 52.9 at 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year intervals respectively, with a median survival time of 67 months. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that increased age [(adjusted hazard ratio per year 1.042, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.008-1.076, P = 0.015] and elevated PVR (adjusted HR per 1 Wood Units 1.115, 95% CI 1.015-1.224, P = 0.023) were associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality. In contrast, higher BMI was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause death (adjusted hazard ratio per 1 kg/m 2 0.915, 95% CI 0.856-0.979, P = 0.009). Receiver-operating characteristic analyses identified a cutoff value for PVR at 4 Wood Units as predictive for all-cause death within 3 years [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.624; specificity= 87.5%; sensitivity= 35.8%; P < 0.05]. Patients with a PVR greater than 4 Wood Units had a significantly higher risk of all-cause death compared with those with 4 Wood Units or less (adjusted hazard ratio 2.392; 95% CI 1.316-4.349; P = 0.019). Notably, there were no significant differences in age, sex, BMI, WHO functional class, 6-min walk distance, and NT-proBNP levels at baseline between patients categorized as having 4 Wood Units or less or greater than 4 Wood Units for PVR. Based on these data, PVR could serve as a discriminative marker for distinguishing between nonsevere pulmonary hypertension (PVR ≤ 4 Wood Units) and severe pulmonary hypertension (PVR > 4 Wood Units). The utilization of a PVR cutoff value of 4.0 Wood Units provides enhanced prognostic capabilities for predicting mortality.

Lower mortality following surgical management for distal femur fractures: A cohort study

Introduction Geriatric distal femur fractures pose a difficult problem for orthopaedic surgeons with an aging population. The present study aims to report mortality rates following distal femur fractures from a geriatric population over 60 years old, with a primary emphasis on determining whether surgical management differentially affects mortality rate as compared to conservative management. Methods Patients over 60 years old with distal femur fractures for patients admitted into the New Territories West Cluster from 2012 to 2020 were identified in this retrospective cohort study. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and management characteristics were examined and analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was done to delineate differences in mortality rates between surgical and conservative management. Further analysis was done for patients &gt;80 years old using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to delineate whether surgical intervention still affects the survival in this narrowed geriatric population. Subsequent multivariate cox regression was done to determine variables with significant effect on mortality in this age group. Results Of 168 patients, the 1-year mortality rate is 21.5%. The cumulative median survival time of the surgical group (5.98 years) versus the conservative group (2.32 years). Survival analysis on patients &gt;80 years old revealed age, management type, ambulatory status, place of residence, dementia, chronic pulmonary disease, or chronic kidney disease had statistically different median time of survival. In these patients, a reduction in death hazard by 47% (CI 0.28–1.01, p = 0.05) was seen in those with surgical management. On the other hand, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD) show an increased death hazard by 2.61 times (CI 1.23–5.53, p = 0.01) and 7.17 times (CI 1.47–34.86, p = 0.02), respectively. Conclusion Compared to conservative management, surgical management resulted in higher cumulative survival in geriatric patients with distal femur fractures. Unfavourable factors that may contribute to a lower cumulative survival includes history of COPD and CKD.

Clinical outcomes and associated factors in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention: a multicenter study in Ethiopia

Aims This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes and associated factors in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods This five-year retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed data from 241 patients who underwent urgent and primary PCI. Outcome measures included in-hospital mortality, major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), postprocedural complications, and survival rates. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to assess predictors of in-hospital mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the log-rank test were used to assess the overall survival rates and median survival time and to compare the survival probability curves for independent predictors. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented. Results One hundred forty-two patients underwent elective PCI with drug-eluting stent implantation (75.1%) as the reperfusion method. The in-hospital mortality and non-fatal MACCE rates were 3.7% and 24.1%, respectively. The predictors of in-hospital mortality were female sex (AHR = 8.39, 95% CI: 1.20–58.68, p = 0.03), preprocedural obesity (AHR = 6.54, 95% CI: 1.10–40.60, p = 0.04), previous myocardial infarction (AHR = 9.68, 95% CI: 1.66–56.31, p = 0.01), chronic heart failure (AHR = 9.21, 95% CI: 1.38–61.78, p = 0.02), and a previous history of stroke (AHR = 18.99, 95% CI: 1.59–227.58, p = 0.02). Notably, this study reported a high one-year survival rate. Conclusion Urgent and primary PCIs are critical interventions for patients with MI in Ethiopia, showing promising outcomes such as low in-hospital mortality and a high one-year survival rate. These findings underscore the importance of optimising access to PCI and related treatments to improve patient outcomes.

Analysis of sequential chemotherapy efficacy in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma and primary peritoneal carcinoma

Objective: To explore the sequential chemotherapy efficacy of different chemotherapeutic regimens in ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical and pathological data of 100 patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma treated at Peking University Peopel's Hospital from January 1992 to January 2019. All patients underwent staging surgery or cytoreductive surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Based on different postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, patients were divided into the sequential chemotherapy group (70 cases) and the conventional chemotherapy group (30 cases). Clinical and pathological characteristics, chemotherapy efficacy, adverse reactions, and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results: (1) Clinical and pathological characteristics: the age, tumor types (including ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma), pathological types, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, postoperative residual disease size, presence of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and total number of chemotherapy cycles were compared between the sequential chemotherapy group and the conventional chemotherapy group. There were no statistically significant differences observed in these characteristics between the two groups (all P>0.05). (2) Chemotherapy efficacy: the median sum of complete response (CR)+partial response (PR) duration in the sequential chemotherapy group was 80.0 months (range: 39 to 369 months), whereas in the conventional chemotherapy group, it was 28.0 months (range: 13 to 52 months). A statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (Z=-7.82, P<0.001). (3) Chemotherapy adverse reactions: in the sequential chemotherapy group, 55 cases (79%, 55/70) experienced bone marrow suppression and 20 cases (29%, 20/70) had neurological symptoms. In the conventional chemotherapy group, these adverse reactions occurred in 11 cases (37%, 11/30) and 2 cases (7%, 2/30), respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for both bone marrow suppression and neurological symptoms (all P<0.05). For the other chemotherapy adverse reactions compared between the two groups, no statistically significant differences were observed (all P>0.05). (4) Prognosis: during the follow-up period, the recurrence rate in the sequential chemotherapy group was 73% (51/70) and in the conventional chemotherapy group was 100% (30/30). The median sum of recurrence-free interval was 70.5 months (range: 19 to 330 months) in the sequential chemotherapy group and 15.0 months (range: 6 to 40 months) in the conventional chemotherapy group. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for both recurrence rate and median recurrence-free interval (all P<0.01).In the sequential chemotherapy group, the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 84.0 months (range: 34 to 373 months), and the median overall survival (OS) time was 87.0 months (range: 45 to 377 months). In contrast, in the conventional chemotherapy group, the median PFS time was 30.5 months (range: 14 to 60 months), and the median OS time was 37.5 months (range: 18 to 67 months). Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups for both PFS and OS (all P<0.001). In the sequential chemotherapy group, the 3-year, 5-year, and 10-year OS rates were 100% (70/70), 93% (65/70), and 21% (15/70), respectively. In contrast, in the conventional chemotherapy group, the OS rates were 50% (15/30) at 3 years, 3% (1/30) at 5 years, and 0 at 10 years, respectively. The two groups were compared respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Sequential chemotherapy significantly prolongs PFS and OS in patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma. The efficacy is superior to that of the conventional chemotherapy, with manageable adverse reactions. The use of sequential chemotherapy as first-line treatment for patients with ovarian epithelial carcinoma, fallopian tube carcinoma, and primary peritoneal carcinoma is recommended.