Poor Prognostic Factor For Overall Survival Research Articles

FLT3 Mutations in Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms and Implications for Targeted Therapies.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous and aggressive form of blood cancer characterized by theuncontrolled proliferation of myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow. It affects individuals of all ages,with incidence increasing notably in those over 65 years old. Despite advancements in treatment, overallsurvival rates remain unsatisfactory, underscoring the need for a deeper understanding of the disease. Among the various genetic alterations implicated in AML pathogenesis, mutations in the FLT3 (Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3) gene haveemerged as significant contributors to leukemogenesis. The FLT3 ​​​​​gene encodes atype III receptor tyrosine kinase crucial in regulating normal hematopoiesis. Approximately one-third ofAML patients carry FLT3 mutations, making it one of the most frequently mutated genes in the disease. FLT3mutations can be classified into internal tandem duplications (ITDs) and point mutations in the tyrosinekinase domain (TKD).FLT3 mutations are associated with adverse clinical features and are independent prognostic factors for pooroverall survival and decreased remission rates in AML patients. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying FLT3 mutations in AML is critical for improving risk stratification, prognosis assessment, and the development of targeted therapies.By reviewing the current literature, this study aims to elucidate the functional consequences of FLT3 mutations in AML pathogenesis, explore the interaction of FLT3 signaling with other oncogenic pathways, and assess the prognostic significance of FLT3 mutations in clinical practice, providing information that can guide future research directions and facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.

Proton beam therapy for extrahepatic biliary tract cancer: Analysis with prospective multi-institutional patients' registration database, Proton-Net.

To examine the role of proton beam therapy (PBT) in the treatment of extrahepatic biliary tract cancer (EBC). We analyzed the data accumulated in the Proton-Net database, which prospectively registered all individual patient data treated with PBT in all Japanese proton institutions from May 2016 to June 2019. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), and the secondary endpoints were local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity. Ninety-three patients with unresectable and/or recurrent EBC were treated with PBT using a median prescribed dose of 67.5Gy (RBE) (range, 50-72.6Gy) in 25 (22-30 fractions). With a median follow-up of 16.3months, the median survival time was 20.1months and the 2-year OS was 37.8%. Two-year PFS and LC rates were 20.6% and 66.5%, respectively. Poor liver function (Child-Pugh B, C), a narrower distance between the tumor and digestive tract (2cm >), and a larger tumor diameter (2cm <) were identified as poor prognostic factors for OS. PBT-related grade 3 ≤ acute and late adverse events occurred in 5.4% and 4.3% of patients, respectively, including one gastrointestinal late toxicity (duodenal ulcer). This is the largest prospectively accumulated series of PBT for EBC, and PBT showed favorable outcomes with acceptable toxicity profiles.

Sınıflandırılamayan akciğer yüksek dereceli nöroendokrin karsinomaların klinik özellikleri ve sağ kalım sonuçları

Background: Differentiating high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas (HGNEC) is difficult. We aimed to assess the clinical features and survival outcomes of unclassified HGNEC (uHGNEC) and to compare it with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). &#x0D; Material and Methods: This was a retrospective and observational study of HGNEC patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Cox-regression analyses were used to determine the risk factors independently associated with PFS and OS.&#x0D; Results: One hundred twenty-one patients [uHGNEC (n = 35), SCLC (n = 86)] were analysed. The primary tumour was mostly right-sided, located in the centre of the lungs. The IASLC stage at diagnosis was locally advanced in 43 (35.5%) patients and advanced in 78 (64.5%) patients. uHGNEC and SCLC groups shared similar clinical features. The study population's median PFS and OS were 8.8 (95%Cl 7.29 – 10.30) and 10.9 (95%Cl 9.9 – 11.8) months, respectively. uHGNEC- and SCLC groups had a similar PFS (9.4 vs 8.6 months, p = 0.99) and OS (12 vs 10.7 months, p = 0.51). The six-month, one- and two-year PFS and OS of two groups were also similar. Among all patients, a right-sided tumour (HR: 1.558, 95%Cl 1.044 – 2.325, p = 0.03) and advanced-stage disease (HR: 1.928, 95%Cl 1.292 – 2.877, p = 0.001) were prognostic factors for poor OS. Cox-regression analysis indicated that histopathology did not have an impact on PFS and OS.&#x0D; Conclusion: HGNEC patients who cannot be classified pathologically behave like SCLC.

Prognostic Impact of Tumor-Associated Macrophage-Related Markers in Patients with Adenocarcinoma of the Lung

BackgroundMacrophage polarization is an important pathogenetic factor in neoplastic diseases. Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (phospho-STAT1) regulates the M1 phenotype, and c-Maf regulates the M2 phenotype. However, the role of macrophage phenotype in lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) remains unclear.Patients and MethodsWe examined whether the density of M1 and M2 macrophages was associated with prognosis in patients with LAD using double-labeling immunohistochemistry. In addition, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was investigated. Immune cells coexpressing CD68 and phospho-STAT1 were considered M1 macrophages, whereas those coexpressing CD68 and c-Maf were recognized as M2 macrophages. Patients with LAD (N = 307) were divided into two cohorts (n = 100 and n = 207) to evaluate the associations of M1 and M2 phenotypes with prognosis in patients with LAD. We determined the cut-off values of CD68/phospho-STAT1-positive cells and CD68/c-Maf-positive cells to assess correlations with overall survival (OS) using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in the first cohort.ResultsAccording to the cut-off values of 5 or less CD68/phospho-STAT1-positive cells and more than 11 CD68/c-Maf-positive cells, high expression of CD68/c-Maf and low expression of CD68/Phospho-STAT1 were identified as independent prognostic markers for OS and disease-free survival (DFS). Moreover, the M1/M2 ratio (0.19 or less) was a poor prognostic factor for OS and DFS. However, PD-L1 expression did not correlate with patient outcomes.ConclusionsOverall, these findings suggest that double immunostaining of markers of phospho-STAT1 (M1) and c-Maf (M2) can be used as prognostic indicators for patients with LAD.

Differential efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) according to the types of EGFR mutations and agents in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A real-world study.

e21040 Background: Both 1st and 2nd-generation (gen) EGFR-TKIs are recommended in advanced NSCLC with common EGFR mutations. However, there are few data about the difference in the efficacy of EGFR-TKIs according to types of EGFR mutations and agents. Methods: This retrospective real-world study evaluated the outcome and clinicopathologic characteristics including the type of EGFR mutations in 237 advanced NSCLC patients (pts) treated with 1st or 2nd-gen (afatinib) EGFR TKIs as first-line therapy. Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall-survival (OS) of all pts were 11 months (M) and 25M, respectively. In univariate analysis, pts with exon 19 deletion (del) (n = 130) had significantly longer median OS compared to those with other mutations (L858R: 84, others: 23) (30 vs. 22 M, p = 0.047), without difference in PFS (p = 0.138). Pts treated with afatinib (n = 60) showed significant longer median OS compared to those treated with 1st gen TKIs (gefitinib: 159, erlotinib: 18) (30 vs. 23 M, p = 0.037). In pts with exon 19 del, there was no significant difference in median PFS (p = 0.868) and OS (p = 0.361) between pts treated with afatinib and those with 1st gen TKIs, while significantly better PFS (p = 0.042) and trend in OS (p = 0.069) were observed in pts receiving afatinib in other mutations. Exon 19 del was independently associated with favorable OS (p = 0.028), while age &gt; 70 years (p = 0.017), ECOG performance status ≥2 (p = 0.001), primary metastatic disease (p = 0.007), and synchronous brain metastasis (p = 0.0026) were independent prognostic factors of poor OS. Conclusions: The EGFR exon 19 del was associated with favorable OS in advanced NSCLC pts receiving first-line EGFR TKIs. Moreover, in pts with exon 19 del, first generation TKIs seem to be a reasonable option if osimertinib is unavailable.

Clinicopathologic characterization of cervical metastasis from an unknown primary tumor: a multicenter study in Korea.

Research regarding cervical metastasis from an unknown primary tumor (CUP) according to human papillomavirus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status in Korea has been sporadic and small-scale. This study aims to analyze and understand the characteristics of CUP in Korea according to viral and p16 and p53 status through a multicenter study. Ninety-five cases of CUP retrieved from six hospitals in Korea between January 2006 and December 2016 were subjected to high-risk HPV detection (DNA in situ hybridization [ISH] or real-time polymerase chain reaction), EBV detection (ISH), and immunohistochemistry for p16 and p53. CUP was HPV-related in 37 cases (38.9%), EBV-related in five cases (5.3%), and unrelated to HPV or EBV in 46 cases (48.4%). HPV-related CUP cases had the best overall survival (OS) (p = .004). According to the multivariate analysis, virus-unrelated disease (p = .023) and longer smoking duration (p < .005) were prognostic factors for poor OS. Cystic change (p = .016) and basaloid pattern (p < .001) were more frequent in HPV-related cases, and lymphoepithelial lesion was frequent in EBV-related cases (p = .010). There was no significant association between viral status and p53 positivity (p = .341), smoking status (p = .728), or smoking duration (p = .187). Korean data differ from Western data in the absence of an association among HPV, p53 positivity, and smoking history. Virus-unrelated CUP in Korea had the highest frequency among all CUP cases. HPV-related CUP is similar to HPV-mediated oropharyngeal cancer and EBVrelated CUP is similar to nasopharyngeal cancer in terms of characteristics, respectively.

Survival outcomes of minimally invasive versus open radical hysterectomy in patients with early-stage IB1 to IIA2 cervical cancer: A single-center retrospective study.

This study aimed to investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors associated with the surgical approach in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. We retrospectively analyzed 245 patients with stage IB1 to IIA2 cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy between 2004 and 2019 at Dong-A University Hospital. A total of 59 patients underwent minimally invasive surgery (MIS), and 186 patients underwent open surgery. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups, except for stromal invasion (P < .001), lymphovascular invasion (P = .001), and requirement for adjuvant therapy (P < .001). There were no significant differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) based on the surgical approach. However, multivariate analyses showed MIS was an independent poor prognostic factor of DFS (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 230; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 086-0.614, P = .003) and OS (adjusted HR: 135; 95% CI: 041-0.451, P = .001). Adjuvant therapy was a poor prognostic factor for DFS (adjusted HR: 6.546; 95% CI: 1.384-30.952; P = .018), and deep stromal invasion was a poor prognostic factor for OS (adjusted HR: 8.715; 95% CI: 1.636-46.429; P = .01). MIS may be an independent poor prognostic factor for DFS and OS in patients who undergo radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer.

Prognostic Factors in Children and Adolescents with Lymphomas and Vertical Transmission of HIV in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A Multicentric Hospital-Based Survival Analysis Study.

Lymphomas related to HIV are generally aggressive and have a poor prognosis, despite the use of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and effective chemotherapy treatment. To determine survival and prognostic factors in children and adolescents living with HIV (CLWH) in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brazil, who developed lymphomas, we performed a retrospective and observational study of vertically infected CLWH aged from 0 to 20 incomplete years during1995 to 2018 at five reference centers for cancer and HIV/AIDS treatment. Of the 25 lymphomas, 19 were AIDS-defining malignancies (ADM) and 6 were non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year event-free survival (EFS) probabilities were both 32.00% (95% CI = 13.72-50.23%), and the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) probability was 53.30% (95% CI = 28.02-78.58%). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, performance status 4 (PS 4) was considered a poor prognostic factor for OS (HR 4.85, 95% CI = 1.81-12.97, p = 0.002) and EFS (HR 4.95, 95% CI = 1.84-13.34, p = 0.002). For the DFS, higher CD4+ T-cell counts were considered a better prognostic factor (HR 0.86, 95% CI = 0.76-0.97, p = 0.017) in the multivariate Cox regression analysis. This study demonstrates, for the first time, survival and prognostic factors for CLWH who developed lymphomas in RJ, Brazil.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of an Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor in Combination with Regorafenib Therapy as Second-Line Regimen for Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a combination of programmed death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor and regorafenib as second-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively analyzed the data of 38 patients with unresectable HCC who were treated with PD-1 inhibitor in combination with regorafenib as a second⁃line therapy as well as the data of 32 patients treated with regorafenib only therapy as a control. The clinical data, previous treatment strategies, follow-up imaging results, and adverse events during follow-ups were recorded. The mRECIST Criteria were used to evaluate the treatment outcome of intrahepatic lesions, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate survival time. Up to the last follow-up, the rego-PD-1 group had higher objective response rate (39.5% vs 15.6%, P = 0.028), longer progression-free survival (median 5.9 vs 4.6 months; P = 0.044), and better overall survival (OS) (median 14.5 vs 9.5 months; P = 0.041) than the regorafenib only group. Among the 38 patients in rego-PD-1 group, 1 patient (2.7%) achieved complete response, 14 patients (36.8%) achieved partial response, 14 patients (36.8%) achieved stable disease, and 9 patients (23.7%) achieved progressive disease. Among the 32 patients in regorafenib alone, 5 (15.6%) achieved partial response, 12 (37.5%) achieved stable disease, and 15 (46.9%) achieved progressive disease. Regorafenib alone, Child-Pugh B, and tumors >3 were independent prognostic factors for poor OS. The difference in the incidence of grade 3/4 adverse events between the two groups was not statistically significant (36.8% vs 28.1%; P = 0.439). Grade ≥3 treatment-related adverse events included hypertension and diarrhea. PD-1 inhibitor combined with regorafenib is a promising regimen in treating patients with unresectable HCC owing to its safety and effectiveness as well as low incidence of serious adverse events with its use.

Prognostic Value of Serum Transferrin Level before Radiotherapy on Radio-Sensitivity and Survival in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

To investigate the prognostic value of serum transferrin (TRF) level before intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on radio-sensitivity and overall survival (OS) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). From October 2012 to October 2016, a total of 348 patients with NPC in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were retrospectively analyzed in our study. The concentration of serum TRF was detected by the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In the whole group, 46 patients received IMRT, and 302 patients received IMRT plus chemotherapy. The radio-sensitive tumor was defined when the local tumor lesions disappeared completely in the nasopharyngeal MRI scan and no tumor residues were found under the electronic nasopharyngoscope one month after the end of radiotherapy. The serum TRF level before IMRT was (1.34-3.89) g/L, with a median of 2.16 g/L and a mean of (2.20 ± 0.42) g/L. In the whole group, 242 cases (69.5%) were radiosensitive, and 106 cases (30.5%) were insensitive. The number of radiosensitive patients in the group of HTRF (transferrin > 2.16 g/L) and LTRF (transferrin ≤ 2.16 g/L) before radiotherapy was 129 (74.6%) and 113 (64.6%), respectively. The difference in radio-sensitivity between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2 = 4.103, p = 0.043). Logistic regression analysis showed that the level of TRF before radiotherapy (OR = 1.702; 95% CI 1.044~2.775; p = 0.033) was an independent factor for radio-sensitivity. The log-rank test showed that patients in the LTRF group achieved a significantly worse OS (χ2 = 5.388, p = 0.02) than those in the HTRF group. Cox regression analysis showed that baseline TRF level (HR = 1.706; 95% CI 1.065~2.731; p = 0.026) was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. The low level of TRF before IMRT is a risk factor for radio-sensitivity and a prognostic factor for poor OS in NPC patients. It may be a promising marker to predict radio-sensitivity and OS in NPC patients who accept IMRT.

Prognostic Value of Sarcopenia and Metabolic Parameters of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in Patients with Advanced Gastroesophageal Cancer.

We investigated the prognostic value of sarcopenia measurements and metabolic parameters of primary tumors derived from 18F-FDG-PET/CT among patients with primary, metastatic esophageal and gastroesophageal cancer. A total of 128 patients (26 females; 102 males; mean age 63.5 ± 11.7 years; age range: 29-91 years) with advanced metastatic gastroesophageal cancer who underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT as part of their initial staging between November 2008 and December 2019 were included. Mean and maximum standardized uptake value (SUV) and SUV normalized by lean body mass (SUL) were measured. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was measured at the level of L3 on the CT component of the 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Sarcopenia was defined as SMI < 34.4 cm2/m2 in women and <45.4 cm2/m2 in men. A total of 60/128 patients (47%) had sarcopenia on baseline 18F-FDG-PET/CT. Mean SMI in patients with sarcopenia was 29.7 cm2/m2 in females and 37.5 cm2/m2 in males. In a univariable analysis, ECOG (<0.001), bone metastases (p = 0.028), SMI (p = 0.0075) and dichotomized sarcopenia score (p = 0.033) were significant prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Age was a poor prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.017). Standard metabolic parameters were not statistically significant in the univariable analysis and thus were not evaluated further. In a multivariable analysis, ECOG (p < 0.001) and bone metastases (p = 0.019) remained significant poor prognostic factors for OS and PFS. The final model demonstrated improved OS and PFS prognostication when combining clinical parameters with imaging-derived sarcopenia measurements but not metabolic tumor parameters. In summary, the combination of clinical parameters and sarcopenia status, but not standard metabolic values from 18F-FDG-PET/CT, may improve survival prognostication in patients with advanced, metastatic gastroesophageal cancer.

Fat Loss in Patients with Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors

The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic impact of fat loss after immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Data from 60 patients treated with ICI therapy for metastatic ccRCC were retrospectively analyzed. Changes in cross-sectional areas of subcutaneous fat (SF) between the pre-treatment and post-treatment abdominal computed tomography (CT) images were expressed as percentages and were divided by the interval between the CT scans to calculate ΔSF (%/month). SF loss was defined as ΔSF < -5%/month. Survival analyses for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were performed. Patients with SF loss had shorter OS (median, 9.5 months vs. not reached; p < 0.001) and PFS (median, 2.6 months vs. 33.5 months; p < 0.001) than patients without SF loss. ΔSF was independently associated with OS (adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-2.07; p = 0.020) and PFS (adjusted HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.17-2.12; p = 0.003), with a 5%/month decrease in SF increasing the risk of death and progression by 49% and 57%, respectively. In conclusion, Loss of SF after treatment initiation is a significant and independent poor prognostic factor for OS and PFS in patients with metastatic ccRCC who receive ICI therapy.

Efficacy and Safety of Regorafenib Plus Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors with or Without TACE as a Second-Line Treatment for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

We compare the efficacy and safety of regorafenib plus immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with transarterial chemoembolization (R+ICIs+TACE) versus regorafenib plus ICIs (R+ICIs) as the second-line treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective study included patients with advanced HCC who received R+ICIs+TACE or R+ICIs as the second-line treatment from January 2019 to April 2022. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were compared between the two groups. The propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce the influence of confounding factors on the outcomes. Factors affecting PFS and OS were analyzed using a Cox proportional-hazards regression model. In total, 52 patients were included in this study, of whom 28 patients received R+ICIs+TACE and 24 patients received R+ICIs. After PSM (n=23 in each group), patients who received R+ICIs+TACE had a higher ORR (34.8% vs 4.3%, P=0.009), a longer PFS (5.8 vs 2.6 months, P<0.0001), and a longer OS (15.0 vs 7.5 months, P=0.014) than those who received R+ICIs. Age ≤ 50 years old, Child-Pugh class A6 and B7, and R+ICIs were found as independent prognostic factors for poor PFS. R+ICIs, α-fetoprotein >400 ng/mL, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio >133 were noted as independent prognostic factors for poor OS. The difference in the incidence of TRAEs between the two groups was not statistically significant (P> 0.05). Compared to regorafenib plus ICIs, regorafenib plus ICIs with TACE was tolerated and improved survival as the second-line treatment for patients with advanced HCC.

Expression and Clinical Significance of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 4E in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Multiple Myeloma

To explore the expression and clinical significance of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E(eIF4E) in bone marrow samples of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. Immunohistochemical staining was used to analyze the expression of eIF4E protein in bone marrow biopsy samples from 75 NDMM patients and 25 patients with benign bone marrow disease. Clinical data were collected to analyze the correlation between eIF4E protein expression and clinical features and its prognostic significance in bone marrow samples of NDMM patients. The positive rate of eIF4E protein expression in bone marrow samples of NDMM patients was higher than that in patients with benign bone marrow disease (P<0.001). Positive expression of eIF4E protein was correlated with elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase in MM patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that positive expression of eIF4E protein was significantly associated with shortened overall survival (OS) in NDMM patients, and was an independent risk factor affecting OS in NDMM patients. Positive expression of eIF4E protein is an independent poor prognostic factor for OS in NDMM patients.

Clinical significance of CA125 in unresectable pancreatic cancer treated with first-line chemotherapy.

745 Background: Serum CA125 is a potential biomarker for diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer. However, its significance of pancreatic cancer (PC) has not been investigated. Therefore, we aimed to clarify association between serum CA125 and ascites burden, and its kinetics during first-line chemotherapy for PC. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study comprised PC patients who received FOLFIRINOX or gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in first-line setting between Jan 2014 and Dec 2021. Patient background and treatment outcome was assessed in CA125 elevated and non-elevated group before chemotherapy. The CA125 kinetics after chemotherapy was calculated based on baseline and first measure of CA125. Further, the association between early CA125 change and clinical response during chemotherapy were evaluated based on optimal cut off value calculated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: A total 109 patients from 3 hospitals were assessable. The overall survival (OS) was significantly shorter in elevated group than that in non-elevated group (median, 10.7 vs. 21.3 months, p = 0.0002). The median value of CA125 before chemotherapy was elevated according to ascites burden (Non, 36U/ml; mild, 173U/ml; moderate/severe, 575U/ml; p &lt; 0.0001). CA125 elevation, CA19-9 elevation, poor performance status and poor glasgow prognostic score were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis. After chemotherapy, the median first-time measure of CA125 was performed in day 41. Among patients with peritoneal dissemination, the median change of CA125 was correlated with clinical response (CR/PR, -0.55%/day; SD, -0.24%/day; PD, 3.35%/day, p = 0.004). After chemotherapy, first-time measure of CA125 was performed in a median of day 41. According to the ROC curve analysis, the optimal cut-off value of increase in CA125 for progressive disease was 1.56 %/day (specificity 94.1%, sensitivity 80%). The median PFS and OS were 1.4 and 6.6 months in increased group and 3.3 months and 14.0 months in non-increased group, respectively (p = 0.016 and p = 0.028). Conclusions: CA125 is considered a clinically useful marker in unresectable PC treated with first-line chemotherapy because CA125 above the ULN is a poor prognostic factor for OS and an increased CA125 can be an early predictor of progression in patients with peritoneal dissemination.

Prognostic factors for long-term outcome in bifocal hepatocellular carcinoma after resection.

This study aimed to evaluate whether the radiological similarity and clinicopathological factors determine the prognosis in bifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (bHCC) stratified by the Milan criteria. Consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed bHCC examined between January 2016 and December 2018 were retrospectively enrolled and grouped based on the Milan criteria. Two radiologists independently evaluated whether the imaging features of both tumors were consistent or not, which was defined as the radiological similarity. The clinicopathological data were also collected. The multivariable Cox regression was applied to separately identify the independent factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in bHCC within and beyond the Milan criteria. A total of 193 patients were evaluated and divided into the within the Milan criteria group (n = 72) and the beyond the Milan criteria group (n = 121). bHCC within the Milan criteria showed a significantly better prognosis than those beyond the criteria. In the within the Milan criteria group, HBV-DNA load >104IU/mL, microvascular invasion (MVI), and different enhancement patterns were independently associated with poor RFS. MVI was an independent prognostic factor for poor OS. In the beyond the Milan criteria group, HBV infection, MVI, increased ratio of the larger to the smaller tumor diameter (RLSD) value, and low comprehensive similarity were associated with shorter RFS, whereas MVI and increased RLSD value were independent predictors for poor OS. Our study revealed that in addition to MVI- and HBV-related factors, similarity in imaging features between lesions of bHCC is associated with the long-term prognosis. • The prognosis of bifocal HCC patients within the Milan criteria is significantly better than those beyond the criteria. • The similarity in imaging features between lesions of bHCC was an independent prognostic factor. • The more similar the bifocal lesions are in imaging features, the better the prognosis is.

Low Barthel index score is a poor prognostic factor for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.

The basic activities of daily life may affect the prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) patients and the Barthel index (BI) is currently the most widely used tool to evaluate basic activities of daily life, but few studies have evaluated its prognostic value in MM. We retrospectively enrolled patients with newly diagnosed MM and analyzed the association between the BI and the survival of newly diagnosed MM patients. We totally analyzed 538 patients and found that median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were significantly shorter in the low BI (≤ 85) group compared with the high BI (> 85) group. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed that the low BI was associated with shorter OS and PFS. It was also confirmed that the low BI was poor prognostic factor for OS and PFS in multivariable analyses. In the propensity score matching analysis, patients with low BI also had shorter OS and PFS. Our study suggested that the low BI was a poor prognostic factor for patients with newly diagnosed MM.

Outcomes of elderly patients following thoracoscopic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy (TE) is widely used for esophageal cancer treatment. However, the short- and long-term outcomes of TE in older patients remain unknown. Thus, we investigated those outcomes as well as the effectivity of TE in this patient cohort. A total of 228 consecutive patients who underwent TE for esophageal cancer from 2002 to 2015 were included in the study and categorized into the elderly (≥ 75years) and non-elderly (< 75years) groups. The background was adjusted by propensity score matching. The short- and long-term outcomes were then compared between the two groups. There was no difference in the short-term outcomes between the two groups. The elderly group had significantly lower overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) than the non-elderly group. When pulmonary complications occurred, the OS and RFS were significantly decreased in the elderly group but not in the non-elderly group. Without pulmonary complications, the OS and RFS in the elderly group did not differ from those in the non-elderly group. The multivariate analysis showed that pulmonary complications were independent poor prognostic factors for OS and RFS in the elderly group but not in the non-elderly group. TE is safe and feasible for older patients. However, the OS and RFS of the elderly group were significantly worse than those of the non-elderly group, especially when pulmonary complications occurred. Therefore, perioperative management to prevent pulmonary complications is essential to improve the long-term outcomes of older patients receiving TE.

The impact of postoperative blood glucose levels on complications and prognosis after esophagectomy in patients with esophageal cancer.

This study aimed to characterize postoperative blood glucose fluctuation in patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, and to define its impact on complications and prognosis. The subjects of this retrospective study were 284 patients who underwent esophagectomy at Osaka University Hospital between 2015 and 2017. Data analyzed included clinicopathological background, the immediate postoperative blood glucose level (IPBG), postoperative blood glucose variability (PBGV), insulin dosage, postoperative complications, and prognosis. The median IPBG and PBGV were 170 (64-260) mg/dl and 64.5 (11-217) mg/dl, respectively. Postoperative pneumonia was more common in patients with PBGV > 100mg/dl (P = 0.015). Patients with IPBG < 170mg/dl had significantly worse 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) than those with IPBG > 170mg/dl (54.5% vs. 80.4%, respectively, [P < 0.001] and 44.3% vs. 69.3%, respectively, [P = 0.001]). The 5-year OS rates were 43.5%, 68.3%, 80.6%, and 79.0% for patients with IPBG < 154, 154-170, 170-190, and ≥ 190mg/dl, respectively. The corresponding 5-year RFS rates were 38.1%, 52.4%, 77.0%, and 61.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that IPBG < 154mg/dl and pathological stage were independent poor prognostic factors for OS. PBGV was associated with postoperative pneumonia, and low IPBG was an independent poor prognostic factor for patients with esophageal cancer.

The relationship between systemic immune-inflammation indexes and treatment response in locally advanced esophageal cancer

Aim: Systemic immune-inflammation indexes have been reported to be associated with clinical outcomes in several malignancies. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the potential relationship between prognostic nutritional index (PNI), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), the neutrophil- to- lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the monocyte- to- lymphocyte ratio (MLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the treatment response in patients with esophageal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT).Material and Method: Esophageal cancer (EC) patients who underwent neoadjuvant CRT were retrospectively enrolled in the study. Immune-inflammation indexes were calculated from pretreatment blood counts in samples obtained. The relationships between PNI, SII, NLR, MLR, PLR values, treatment response, and overall survival (OS) rates were examined.Results: The data of 103 patients with EC who were referred to the Radiation Oncology Clinic of Dr Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. In the univariate analysis for OS, alcohol consumption, CRT agent, NLR, MLR, PLR, SII and PNI were found as prognostic factors. Also alcohol consumption was found as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analyzes (HR:5.201, 95% CI:1.9-14.2, p=0.01). Conclusion: In our study, high SII and low PNI values ​​were not found to be independent poor prognostic factors for OS, but lower OS rates were observed in patients with high SII and low PNI values.