Tumors Of Gastrointestinal Tract Research Articles

Gastrointestinal Tract Tumors with Microsatellite Instability: A Single-Center Experience

Введение. Развитие микросателлитной нестабильности в результате герминативной или спорадической мутации в генах системы репарации ошибочно спаренных нуклеотидов (MMR) является ключевым звеном в запуске механизмов канцерогенеза посредством формирования опухолевых неоантигенов, представляющих собой мишени для Т-лимфоцитов, что, в конечном счете, обусловливает высокую иммуногенность данных опухолей и их чувствительность к ингибиторам контрольных точек иммунитета. Цель. Определение клинико-морфологических особенностей опухолей желудка, ободочной и прямой кишки с выявленной микросателлитной нестабильностью. Материалы и методы. В ретроспективный анализ было включено 76 пациентов с установленным dMMR (36 пациентов больных колоректальным раком и 42 пациента со злокачественными новообразованиями желудка). Результаты. Общими характеристиками для вышеописанных опухолей являются: местно-распространенный характер процесса (T3-T4, N2-N3), осложненное течение заболевания, превалирующее при иммуногистохимическом (ИГХ) тестировании выпадение белков РМS2, МLH1, прогрессирование и низкая частота достижения объективного ответа на фоне проводимой полихимиотерапией (ПХТ), высокая эффективность иммунотерапии (ИТ) в монорежиме или в комбинации с ПХТ (уровень контроля над заболеванием (65 % и 73,68 % для опухолей желудка и КРР соответственно)), медиана выживаемости без прогрессирования у пациентов, завершивших лечение ингибиторами контрольных точек, не достигнута как в группе рака желудка, так и в группе колоректального рака.

Prognostic impact and reasons for variability by tumor location in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a highly prevalent gastrointestinal tract tumor. Several trials have demonstrated that the location of GC can affect patient prognosis. However, the factors determining tumor location remain unclear. To investigate the tumor location of patients, we went on to study the influencing factors that lead to changes in the location of GC. A retrospective evaluation was carried out on 3287 patients who underwent gastrectomy for GC in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. The patients were followed up post-diagnosis and post-gastrectomy. The clinicopathological variables and overall survival of the patients were recorded. By analyzing the location of GC, the tumor location was divided into four categories: "Upper", "middle", "lower", and "total". Statistical software was utilized to analyze the relationship of each variable with the location of GC. A total of 3287 patients were included in this study. The clinicopathological indices of gender, age, serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA19-9) and CA72-4 levels, were significantly associated with tumor location in patients with GC. In addition, there was a strong correlation between GC location and the prognosis of postoperative patients. Specifically, patients with "lower" and "middle" GC demonstrated a better prognosis than those with tumors in other categories. The five clinicopathological indices of gender, age, CEA, CA19-9 and CA72-4 levels exhibit varying degrees of influence on the tumor location. The tumor location correlates with patient prognosis following surgery.

Standardizing Nutritional Care for Cancer Patients: Implementation and Evaluation of a Malnutrition Risk Screening.

Cancer-related malnutrition is a highly prevalent, yet often overlooked concern in clinical practice. Although cancer-related management guidelines recommend standardized nutritional care, its implementation is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and the medical need for nutrition counseling in cancer patients employing a novel standardized nutritional management program (containing malnutrition risk screening, nutritional assessment, and counseling). Furthermore, differences of malnutrition parameters in different cancer patient cohorts were examined. Cancer patients were screened for malnutrition using the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment Short Form (PG-SGA SF) on the first day of their inpatient admission to the internal oncology or hematology wards. PG-SGA total score and classification into the three PG-SGA nutrition stages (A, B, C) were used to determine nutritional status. In case of a positive screening, nutritional assessment and individualized counseling by a nutritionist followed. For group comparisons, patients were divided into different groups (e.g., age, gender, tumor entity) and were evaluated accordingly. A total of 1,100 inpatients were included. 56.8% of the patients had suspected or already existing malnutrition. The most common nutrition impact symptom was loss of appetite (26.7%), followed by fatigue (16.5%) and pain (16.0%). Female (p < 0.001), elderly (p < 0.001), and patients with upper gastrointestinal tract tumors (p < 0.001) showed an unfavorable nutritional status and higher need for counseling. Despite suffering from malnutrition, patients had body mass indices within the upper end of the normal range. This study shows a high prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized cancer patients and highlights the need for a standardized nutritional management in the clinical setting. Therefore, it is recommended to provide a malnutrition risk screening for all cancer patients and a following adequate assessment and personalized nutritional care if needed.

Alkannin Induces G2/M-Phase Arrest, Apoptosis, and Inhibition of Invasion by Targeting GSK3β in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the upper gastrointestinal tract, characterized by high mortality and poor prognosis. There is an urgent need for the development of more effective drugs. Alkannin has been shown to inhibit the progression of various cancers, but its inhibitory effects on ESCC remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of Alkannin on ESCC and elucidate its potential targets and molecular mechanisms. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, colony formation assays, Hoechst 33342 staining, wound healing assays, Transwell migration assays, flow cytometry, and Western blotting were used to investigate the therapeutic effects of Alkannin on ESCC in vitro. Transcriptome sequencing and network pharmacology were employed to analyze the potential targets and pathways affected by Alkannin treatment. The anticancer effects of Alkannin in vivo were assessed in a nude mouse model. Alkannin suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and induced ESCC cell apoptosis. Mechanistic studies indicated that Alkannin inhibits ESCC by inducing G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest by targeting Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β (GSK3β). Consistently, in vivo administration of Alkannin significantly reduced the growth of ESCC tumors in nude mice. This study is the first to demonstrate that Alkannin, by targeting GSK3β, induces G2/M-phase arrest in ESCC cells, thereby inhibiting migration, invasion, and inducing apoptosis, suggesting that Alkannin may be a promising antitumor agent for treating ESCC.

Application of small-sized magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy in upper gastrointestinal diseases screening in asymptomatic individuals.

To explore the application of small-sized magnetically controlled capsule gastroscopy (MCCG) in upper gastrointestinal diseases screening in asymptomatic individuals. A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 2163 asymptomatic individuals who underwent small-sized MCCG at our center from September 2022 to December 2023. The detection of submucosal tumors, polyps and ulcers in the upper gastrointestinal tract, the tolerance and safety of the subjects were statistically analyzed. Suspected submucosal tumors in the upper gastrointestinal tract were detected in 34 (1.57%) of 2136 subjects, with a higher incidence in females and no observed age difference. Polyps were detected in 328 subjects (15.16%), with a higher incidence in females and an increased detection rate with increasing age. Ulcers were detected in 27 subjects (1.25%), with a higher incidence in males and no observed age difference. There was no significant discomfort in all subjects, and no adverse event or capsule retention occurred. Small-sized MCCG can be used for focal lesion screening in the upper gastrointestinal tract and is comfortable and safe, making it a safe and efficient method for examining upper gastrointestinal diseases in the physical examination population.

Perioperative medication therapy for Muslim patients in Germany undergoing oncological surgery: a retrospective study

PurposeEngagement of healthcare professionals with patients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds is crucial in our multicultural society, where miscommunication and errors in medical history taking can lead to incorrect treatment. In particular, Muslim patients may present unique considerations due to their specific cultural and religious beliefs, which can significantly impact treatment outcomes. This study focuses on perioperative medication therapy for patients undergoing upper and lower gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic tumor surgery, specifically examining whether Islamic beliefs were duly considered in medication selection compared to a matching patient cohort.Materials and methodsData from January 2004 to July 2023 were analyzed. Muslim patients were identified using the onomastic method and matched with non-Muslim patients at a 1:3 ratio based on age, gender, and procedure. Analysis included examination of subcutaneous, oral, and intravenous medications, with attention to ingredients and compatibility with Islamic principles.ResultsAmong 5272 patients, only 5 met the study’s inclusion criteria as Muslim patients, undergoing procedures such as anterior rectum resection, gastrectomy, and pancreatic head resection. Their religious affiliations were not documented in the admission records. According to the matched-pair analysis, consistent treatment was performed regardless of religious beliefs. All patients received subcutaneous medication, primarily enoxaparin, instead of fondaparinux, an Islam-compliant alternative. Intravenous heparin was used once for short period. Contrary to Islamic dietary restrictions and the availability of alternatives, capsules containing animal-derived gelatin and other non-compliant medications were administered orally.ConclusionThis study underscores the importance of acknowledging Muslim patients’ cultural and religious backgrounds in the perioperative setting, as failure to do so may lead healthcare professionals to overlook their potential alternative medication needs, which are essential for providing tailored medical care in modern societies. Integration of diversity-related topics into medical curricula is essential for better preparing physicians for clinical practice and ensuring patient-centered care.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic subserosal dissection treatment for gastrointetinal submucosal tumors in the upper gastrointestinal tract

ObjectiveTo investigate the safety and efficacy of endoscopic subserosal dissection for patients with submucosal tumors in the upper gastrointestinal tract.MethodsThis retrospective single-center study included 16 patients who underwent ESSD. All patients were enrolled from July 2018 to Dec 2021. Parameters such as demographics, size, resection margin, complications, pathological features, procedure time and follow-up were investigated and analyzed.ResultsOur study achieved 100% en bloc resection and 100% R0 resection. The most common location was the corpus with a mean tumor size of 2.78 ± 1.56 cm. The mean age, procedure time, were 53.4 ± 10.3 years, 85.31 ± 46.64 min respectively. Acocording to National Institutes of Health classification, 7 (13, 53.85%), 5 (13, 38.46%) ,and 1 (13, 7.69%) objects belonged to the very low, low, and intermediate classification, respectively. Immunohistochemistry results showed a 100% positive rate of CD34, DOG-1, CD117, and Ki67. A mean follow-up of 9.3 ± 2.5 months showed no recurrence or metastasis.ConclusionsESSD is effective and safe surgical procedure for curative removal of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and it can be preferred for patients with no metastasis.

Prognostic and predictive significance of p53 and ATRX in neuroendocrine neoplasms of GIT and pancreas and their utility as an adjunct to accurate diagnosis-An eight-year retrospective study.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms of gastrointestinal tract (GIT)and pancreas are heterogenous tumors. World Health Organization (WHO)2019 classification introduced Grade (G)3 neuroendocrine tumor (NET) distinct from neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), based on molecular differences and to triage the patients for appropriate therapy. This distinction largely relies on morphology, which can be challenging at times. Genomic profiling has revealed TP53andRB1mutations in NECs, while death domain-associated protein 6 (DAXX) and alpha-thalassemia/mental retardation X-linked (ATRX),in G3NET. Their role as biological markers in differentiating these entities and their significance as prognostic markers are not yet established. This study aims at analyzing the diagnostic and prognostic role of p53 and ATRX in neuroendocrine neoplasms of GIT and pancreas. A single-centre, eight-year retrospective study of neuroendocrine neoplasm of GIT and pancreas comprised G2NET, G3NET and NEC. Tumor slides were stained by immunohistochemistry for p53 and ATRX. Strong nuclear staining of > 50% of tumor cells for p53 was considered mutated. Nuclear staining of ATRX in < 5% of tumor cells was considered ATRX loss. Expression of p53 and ATRX was analyzed and correlated with tumor grades and patient survival. Fifty-five patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm were studied, comprising G2NET (58%), G3NET (16%) and NEC (26%). Median age of diagnosis was 59years with male predominance. The pancreas was the most common site followed by the small bowel. NEC showed lower survival compared to G3 and G2NET. Mutated p53 immunohistochemical expression was more frequent among NEC than G3NET. Patients with mutated p53 had significantly lower survival irrespective of the grade (p = 0.001). There was no association of ATRX loss with grade or survival. G3NETs are genetically different from NECs. Use of immunohistochemistry for p53 in addition to histomorphology may facilitate accurate categorization of NEC and G3NET. Mutated p53 may also be used as an independent prognostic marker in neuroendocrine tumors of GIT and pancreas.

Immunotherapy of gastrointestinal malignancies (gastroesophageal and colorectal carcinoma)

esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal tract tumors, immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, anti-PD-1/L1 antibodies, anti-CTLA4 antibodies, microsatellite instability.

Expanding the Spectrum of GLI1-rearranged Neoplasms of the Gastrointestinal Tract to Include Monophasic Keratin-positive Epithelial Neoplasms.

GLI1-altered tumors form a diverse group occurring in various anatomic locations. In the alimentary tract, the most established are gastroblastoma, a biphasic epithelial-mesenchymal neoplasm of the stomach, and plexiform fibromyxoma, a pure spindle cell neoplasm. The spectrum of GLI1-rearranged gastrointestinal tumors has recently expanded with reports of cases in other parts of the GI tract, some exhibiting gastroblastoma-like features and others being pure mesenchymal neoplasms. These tumors often display a nonspecific immunophenotype, with only CD56 and cyclin D1 expression being common. Biphasic GLI1-altered tumors show diffuse keratin positivity in the epithelial component only, and GLI1-altered mesenchymal tumors typically lack or show only focal keratin expression. This study details 2 GLI1-rearranged gastrointestinal tract tumors with diffuse keratin and CD56 expression, composed entirely of epithelial cells with a nested growth pattern and finely stippled monotonous nuclei, leading to an initial suspicion of neuroendocrine tumor in both cases, despite lack of synaptophysin and chromogranin expression. Diffuse strong nuclear cyclin D1 expression was seen in both cases, and conversely, strong cyclin D1 staining was only seen in 5.4% (4/74) of well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors tested. These 2 GI tract neoplasms highlight a widened spectrum of GLI1-rearranged tumors, now including monophasic epithelial neoplasms with diffuse keratin expression.

Feasibility and safety of endoscopic full-thickness resection for submucosal tumors in the upper gastrointestinal tract, including predominantly extraluminal submucosal tumors (with video).

Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) for submucosal tumors (SMTs) has been technically challenging. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of EFTR for upper gastrointestinal (GI) SMTs, including extraluminal lesions. We retrospectively investigated 232 patients with SMTs who underwent EFTR from January 2014 to August 2023. Clinicopathologic characteristics, procedure-related parameters, adverse events (AEs), and follow-up outcomes were assessed in all patients. The en-bloc resection and en-bloc with R0 resection rates were 98.7% and 96.1%, respectively. The average endoscopic tumor size measured 17.2 ± 8.7 mm, ranging from 6 to 50 mm. The resection time and suture time were 49.0 ± 19.4 min and 22.5 ± 11.6 min, respectively. In all, 39 lesions (16.8%) exhibited predominantly extraluminal growth. Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) were the predominant pathology, accounting for 78.4% of the cases. Twenty-one patients (9.1%) encountered complications, including pneumothorax (1/232, 0.43%), hydrothorax (1/232, 0.43%), localized peritonitis (3/232, 1.29%), and fever (16/232, 6.9%). Although the incidence of postoperative fever was notably higher in the predominantly extraluminal group (7/39, 17.9%) compared to the predominantly intraluminal group (9/193, 4.7%, P = 0.008), there were no significant differences in outcomes of the EFTR procedure. No instances of recurrence were observed during the mean follow-up period of 3.7 ± 2.3 years. EFTR was found to be feasible, safe, and effective for resecting upper GI SMTs, including lesions with predominantly extraluminal growth. Further validation in a prospective study is warranted.

Features of the microbiota for various malignant neoplasms

The development of omics technologies and sequencing has significantly expanded the understanding of the role of microorganisms that inhabit various human organs and collectively make up its microbiota in the development of cancer. The extensive literature of recent years devoted to various aspects of the participation of the microbiota in carcinogenesis substantiates the relevance of analyzing the impact of its features on the processes of carcinogenesis in various human organs. Purpose of the study. Analysis of literature data on the key issues of the relationship between the human microbiome and the risk of cancer and explore possible prospects for its use in the diagnosis, therapy and prevention of cancer. Materials and methods. A literature search was carried out in the databases NCBI MedLine (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, based on an extended list of keywords that included all the localizations of malignant neoplasms (MNs) considered in the review. Original studies, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and reviews published in recent years were used. Results. Recent studies using omics technologies have shown significant differences in the composition of microbial communities of healthy and tumor tissues and have made it possible to characterize the potential tumor microbiota in some types of cancer. The microbiota present in the various organs of the human body forms a network through which it interacts via migration or by forming metabolic axes between organs. Dysbiosis plays an important role in carcinogenesis, and its presence in one organ can negatively affect the condition of other distant organs and contribute to the development of pathological conditions in them. Conclusion. Numerous studies conducted over the past decade have revealed a complex relationship between microorganisms, tumors, and the host, reflecting the diverse effects of the microbiota on various organ- specific types of MNs. Gastrointestinal tract tumors, as well as sites outside it with significant bacterial associations, have been identified for a better understanding of the multifaceted mechanisms by which the microbiota influences cancer. The data obtained so far complement the emerging possibilities of using the microbiota in clinical practice, which represents a new approach to the prevention and treatment of malignant neoplasms.

Insulin-like growth factor 2 targets IGF1R signaling transduction to facilitate metastasis and imatinib resistance in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are typical gastrointestinal tract neoplasms. Imatinib is the first-line therapy for GIST patients. Drug resistance limits the long-term effectiveness of imatinib. The regulatory effect of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) has been confirmed in various cancers and is related to resistance to chemotherapy and a worse prognosis. AIM To further investigate the mechanism of IGF2 specific to GISTs. METHODS IGF2 was screened and analyzed using Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO: GSE225819) data. After IGF2 knockdown or overexpression by transfection, the phenotypes (proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis) of GIST cells were characterized by cell counting kit 8, Transwell, and flow cytometry assays. We used western blotting to evaluate pathway-associated and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins. We injected transfected cells into nude mice to establish a tumor xenograft model and observed the occurrence and metastasis of GIST. RESULTS Data from the GEO indicated that IGF2 expression is high in GISTs, associated with liver metastasis, and closely related to drug resistance. GIST cells with high expression of IGF2 had increased proliferation and migration, invasiveness and EMT. Knockdown of IGF2 significantly inhibited those activities. In addition, OE-IGF2 promoted GIST metastasis in vivo in nude mice. IGF2 activated IGF1R signaling in GIST cells, and IGF2/IGF1R-mediated glycolysis was required for GIST with liver metastasis. GIST cells with IGF2 knockdown were sensitive to imatinib treatment when IGF2 overexpression significantly raised imatinib resistance. Moreover, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (a glycolysis inhibitor) treatment reversed IGF2 overexpression-mediated imatinib resistance in GISTs. CONCLUSION IGF2 targeting of IGF1R signaling inhibited metastasis and decreased imatinib resistance by driving glycolysis in GISTs.

Use of SATB2 and CDX2 Immunohistochemistry to Characterize and Diagnose Colorectal Cancer.

SATB2 has been reported to be highly specific for lower gastrointestinal tract tumors. On the basis of its ileum-colon conversion effects, which involve the activation of colonic genes in cooperation with CDX2 and HNF4A, we hypothesized that SATB2 and CDX2 might define the characteristics of colorectal cancers (CRCs). In the present study, the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of 269 CRCs were analyzed according to SATB2 and CDX2 expression. CRCs with SATB2- and/or CDX2- phenotypes showed associations with poorly differentiated histotypes ( P <0.00001), mucus production ( P =0.0019), and mismatch repair-deficient phenotypes ( P <0.00001). SATB2-/CDX2- CRCs were significantly associated with CK20-negativity, with or without CK7 expression ( P <0.00001), as well as with MUC5AC-positivity ( P <0.00001), and CD10-negativity ( P =0.00047). Negativity for SATB2 or CDX2 was associated with the expression of PD-L1 in both all CRC ( P <0.00001) and mismatch repair-proficient CRC ( P =0.000091). Multivariate Cox hazard regression analysis identified negativity for SATB2 and/or CDX2 as potential independent risk factors for patients with CRC. Regarding the diagnostic utility of SATB2, all of the 44 CRC metastases could be diagnosed as colorectal in origin if the immunohistochemical phenotypes (including CK7, CK20, and p53) of the primary lesions and patient history were considered. Among the other 684 tumors, we were unable to distinguish a case of CK7-/CK20+/CDX2+/SATB2+ ovarian mucinous cystadenocarcinoma from metastatic CRC without the patient history and clinical information.

Development and interpretation of a multimodal predictive model for prognosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common mesenchymal original tumor in gastrointestinal (GI) tract and is considered to have varying malignant potential. With the advancement of computer science, radiomics technology and deep learning had been applied in medical researches. It’s vital to construct a more accurate and reliable multimodal predictive model for recurrence-free survival (RFS) aiding for clinical decision-making. A total of 254 patients underwent surgery and pathologically diagnosed with GIST in The First Hospital of China Medical University from 2019 to 2022 were included in the study. Preoperative contrast enhanced computerized tomography (CE-CT) and hematoxylin/eosin (H&E) stained whole slide images (WSI) were acquired for analysis. In the present study, we constructed a sum of 11 models while the multimodal model (average C-index of 0.917 on validation set in 10-fold cross validation) performed the best on external validation cohort with an average C-index of 0.864. The multimodal model also reached statistical significance when validated in the external validation cohort (n = 42) with a p-value of 0.0088 which pertained to the recurrence-free survival (RFS) comparison between the high and low groups using the optimal threshold on the predictive score. We also explored the biological significance of radiomics and pathomics features by visualization and quantitative analysis. In the present study, we constructed a multimodal model predicting RFS of GIST which was prior over unimodal models. We also proposed hypothesis on the correlation between morphology of tumor cell and prognosis.

Genetic testing of neoadjuvant therapy patients with esophageal cancer

BackgroundEsophageal cancer (EC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the upper gastrointestinal tract in China, posing a serious threat to public health. Recent advances in cancer therapy have led to the application of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for esophageal cancer. However, the gene mutations in neoadjuvant immunotherapy of esophageal cancer remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the gene mutation landscape in neoadjuvant treatment of esophageal cancer, and to provide more potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for EC. MethodsNext-generation sequencing was performed on tumor tissue and plasma samples from 18 esophageal cancer patients in this study. The mutation profiles of 425 tumor genes were compared between pathological complete response (pCR) and non-pathological complete response (no-pCR) groups after neoadjuvant immunotherapy. The tumor mutational burden (TMB) values in tissue and plasma samples were also measured and the TMB differences between the pCR and no-pCR groups at baseline tissue (T0) were analyzed. ResultsWe found that TP53, NOTCH1 and FAT1 were the top three frequently mutated genes, with frequencies of 77.8 %, 61.1 %, and 44.4 %. Notably, the frequency of FAT1 mutations was significantly higher in the pCR group than in the no-pCR group. The mutation types in T0 and P0 samples were largely concordant, except for copy number variation (CNV). Moreover, the TMB in T0 samples was significantly higher than in P0 samples. While the TMB in the pCR group was higher than in the no-pCR group at T0, but this difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionsOur results revealed a mutational profile in patients with EC after neoadjuvant immunotherapy, and found the FAT1 gene has more significant mutations in pCR patients. We found esophageal cancer with pCR showed a trend toward higher TMB. Our findings may have implications for the subsequent diagnosis or treatment of EC.

A Single Center Experience of Adolescents and Young Adults with Gastrointestinal Tract Cancers

Abstract Background: Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) tumors are predominantly seen among middle-aged and elderly persons. However, there are reports of an increasing incidence among adolescents and young adults. Objective: We sought to describe the morphological characteristics of malignancies involving the GIT among adolescents and young adults in our center. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective review of all histologically diagnosed cases of gastrointestinal malignancies in persons between the ages of 10 and 35, over a 10-year period (2010–2019). Results: There were 79 cases of GIT tumors in adolescents and young adults during the study period amounting to 14.2% of total GIT malignancies. The male: female ratio was 1:1.1. Colonic malignancies predominated, accounting for 75% of cases; these were mostly adenocarcinomas. Gastric cancers showed a female predilection; small intestinal tumors were observed more in males. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal tract tumors affecting adolescents and young adults are not uncommon. Most of these tumors are adenocarcinomas and affect the colon. Gastric cancers showed a female predilection.

TRPS1 function beyond breast: A retrospective immunohistochemical study on non-breast cytology specimens.

Trichorhinophalangeal syndrome type 1 (TRPS1) has emerged as a reliable immunohistochemistry (IHC) marker for identifying breast origin in metastatic carcinomas. This study investigates the utility of TRPS1 IHC in non-breast cytology specimens. A retrospective search of our pathology database for the year 2021 identified fluids (pleural and peritoneal) and liver, lung and bone fine needle aspirations (FNAs) with surgical follow-up confirming non-breast metastatic carcinomas. Cell blocks from cases with sufficient neoplastic cells underwent immunostaining using a rabbit polyclonal antibody against human TRPS1. Cases lacking tumor on deeper levels after the original work-up were excluded from the study. Two pathologists independently interpreted the TRPS1 staining. Of 136 cases assessed, 31 (22.79%) exhibited positive TRPS1 staining, while 105 (77.21%) were nonreactive. Positivity rates were observed in tumors of Mullerian cell origin, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), and lung origin at 28.85%, 25%, and 21.57%, respectively. Of the tumors of Mullerian cell origin 10 (66.67%) were serous carcinomas, 4 (26.67%) were endometrioid carcinomas, and one (6.67%) was a clear cell carcinoma. Lung tumors comprised seven (63.64%) squamous cell carcinomas and four (36.36%) adenocarcinomas, while the gastrointestinal tumors consisted of 14 (80%) adenocarcinomas and one (20%) squamous cell carcinoma. Although recognized as a sensitive marker for mammary carcinomas, TRPS1 immunostaining was also detected in Mullerian, lung, and GIT carcinomas. This highlights the significance of being cautious when depending solely on TRPS1 immunostaining to distinguish metastatic breast tumors.

A Review and Update on Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tract Tumors: From the Bench to Clinical Practice

A Review and Update on Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tract Tumors: From the Bench to Clinical Practice

Application of Patient-Reported Outcome Measurements in Adult Tumor Clinical Trials in China: Cross-Sectional Study.

International health policies and researchers have emphasized the value of evaluating patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical studies. However, the characteristics of PROs in adult tumor clinical trials in China remain insufficiently elucidated. This study aims to assess the application and characteristics of PRO instruments as primary or secondary outcomes in adult randomized clinical trials related to tumors in China. This cross-sectional study identified tumor-focused randomized clinical trials conducted in China between January 1, 2010, and June 30, 2022. The ClinicalTrials.gov database and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry were selected as the databases. Trials were classified into four groups based on the use of PRO instruments: (1) trials listing PRO instruments as primary outcomes, (2) trials listing PRO instruments as secondary outcomes, (3) trials listing PRO instruments as coprimary outcomes, and (4) trials without any mention of PRO instruments. Pertinent data, including study phase, settings, geographic regions, centers, participant demographics (age and sex), funding sources, intervention types, target diseases, and the names of PRO instruments, were extracted from these trials. The target diseases involved in the trials were grouped according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, 8th Edition. Among the 6445 trials examined, 2390 (37.08%) incorporated PRO instruments as part of their outcomes. Within this subset, 26.82% (641/2390) listed PRO instruments as primary outcomes, 52.72% (1260/2390) as secondary outcomes, and 20.46% (489/2390) as coprimary outcomes. Among the 2,155,306 participants included in these trials, PRO instruments were used to collect data from 613,648 (28.47%) patients as primary or secondary outcomes and from 74,287 (3.45%) patients as coprimary outcomes. The most common conditions explicitly using specified PRO instruments included thorax tumors (217/1280, 16.95%), breast tumors (176/1280, 13.75%), and lower gastrointestinal tract tumors (173/1280, 13.52%). Frequently used PRO instruments included the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire-30, the visual analog scale, the numeric rating scale, the Traditional Chinese Medicine Symptom Scale, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Over recent years, the incorporation of PROs has demonstrated an upward trajectory in adult randomized clinical trials on tumors in China. Nonetheless, the infrequent measurement of the patient's voice remains noteworthy. Disease-specific PRO instruments should be more effectively incorporated into various tumor disease categories in clinical trials, and there is room for improvement in the inclusion of PRO instruments as clinical trial end points.