Cancer Medicine

BACKGROUND: Chronic infections by pathogenic microorganisms play a significant role in cancer development, disrupting the body's immune system and microenvironment. This interference impairs the body's ability to eliminate these microorganisms promptly, allowing them to persist by evading immune defenses. AIMS: This study aimed to explore how chronic pathogenic infections influence the immune microenvironment, impacting tumorigenesis, cancer progression, and treatment strategies...

BACKGROUND: High-grade endometrial cancers (EAC) are aggressive tumors with a high risk of progression after treatment. As EAC may harbor mutations in the RAS/MAPK pathways, we evaluated the preclinical in vitro and in vivo efficacy of avutometinib, a RAF/MEK clamp, in combination with the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) inhibitors defactinib or VS-4718, against multiple primary EAC cell lines and xenografts. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used to evaluate the genetic landscape of five primary EAC cell lines...

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment. The combination of blinatumomab and a TKI in the frontline setting has shown the safety and efficacy of the chemotherapy-free treatment approach in patients with Ph + ALL. This retrospective analysis included 19 patients with Ph + ALL and Ph-like ALL treated with the combination of blinatumomab and a TKI. Of the 14 newly diagnosed patients, the overall response, complete remission (CR), and molecular response (CMR) rates after one cycle of blinatumomab were 100% (10/10), 90% (9/10), and 57% (8/14), respectively...

BACKGROUND: The therapeutic advantage of thoracic radiotherapy (tRT) as an adjunct to first-line immunotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) remains unclear. We sought to elucidate this in a retrospective cohort study comparing the effectiveness and safety of tRT in combination with first-line immunotherapy and chemotherapy. METHODS: Our retrospective study included patients with ES-SCLC, treated at the West China Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022...

BACKGROUND: Most primary cutaneous melanomas have pathogenesis driven by ultraviolet exposure and genetic mutations, whereas acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) and metastatic melanoma are much less, if at all, linked with the former. Thus, we evaluated both ultraviolet related and non-ultraviolet related melanomas. Mutations in the MUC16 and TTN genes commonly occur concurrently in these melanoma patients, but their combined prognostic significance stratified by gender and cancer subtype remains unclear...

INTRODUCTION: To better understand the SDOH-health equity landscape within a community oncology setting to answer the research question, "Which SDOH can have the highest impact in community oncology to advance patient care equity and improve health outcomes?" METHODS: Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review framework was used to identify evidence related to SDOH and health equity in community oncology. The study was guided by the "10-Step Framework for Continuous Patient Engagement" and a Community Advisory Board to assure relevance to patients and community providers...

BACKGROUND: T cells, the "superstar" of the immune system, play a crucial role in antitumor immunity. T-cell receptors (TCR) are crucial molecules that enable T cells to identify antigens and start immunological responses. The body has evolved a unique method for rearrangement, resulting in a vast diversity of TCR repertoires. A healthy TCR repertoire is essential for the particular identification of antigens by T cells. METHODS: In this article, we systematically summarized the TCR creation mechanisms and analysis methodologies, particularly focusing on the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology...

INTRODUCTION: Hotspots (HS) mutations in the PIK3CA gene may lead to poorer oncological outcomes and endocrine resistance in advanced breast cancer (BC), but their prognostic role in early-stage disease remains controversial. The overall agreement within plasma and tissue methods has not been well explored. Our aim was to correlate tissue and plasma approaches and to analyze the prognostic impact of PIK3CA mutations (PIK3CAm) in HR+/HER2- BC. METHODS: A retrospective and unicentric analysis of PIK3CA mutational status in tissue and plasma samples by Cobas®PIK3CA Mutation Kit in patients with HR+/HER2- BC...

BACKGROUND: Currently, creating more effector T cells and augmenting their functions is a focal point in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) treatment research. T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain molecule 4 (TIM-4), known for promoting cancer progression in various malignancies, is implicated in the suppressive immune microenvironment of tumors. Analyzing of the role of TIM-4 in the immune regulation of PDAC can offer novel insights for immune therapy. METHODS: We analyzed the TIM-4 expression in tumor specimens from PDAC patients...

INTRODUCTION: Rural cancer caregivers experience obstacles in accessing services, obtaining respite, and ensuring their care recipients receive quality care. These challenges warrant opportunities to participate in evidence-based behavioral intervention trials to fill support gaps. Adaptation to rural settings can facilitate appropriate fit, given higher caregiver service needs and unique challenges. We present findings from the adaptation process of a psychoeducational intervention designed to support cancer caregivers in rural settings...

BACKGROUND: Chromosomal 1q gains and amplifications (+1q21) are frequently observed in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). However, the interpretation of the high-risk (HR) prognostic implications stemming from 1q21 abnormalities remain challenging to implement effectively. METHODS: In a comprehensive analysis of 367 consecutive patients with symptomatic MM, we assessed the prognostic significance of +1q21 using FISH with a threshold of 7.4%. The patient cohort was randomly divided into a training set (66...

BACKGROUND: Gut bacteria are related to colorectal cancer (CRC) and its clinicopathologic characteristics. OBJECTIVE: To develop gut bacterial subtypes and explore potential microbial targets for CRC. METHODS: Stool samples from 914 volunteers (376 CRCs, 363 advanced adenomas, and 175 normal controls) were included for 16S rRNA sequencing. Unsupervised learning was used to generate gut microbial subtypes. Gut bacterial community composition and clustering effects were plotted...

BACKGROUND: With the burden of colorectal cancer in Canada, there is a need to address the psycho-oncologic challenges, including mental health. This study aims to explore the lived mental health experiences in patients with CRC across the phases of the CRC care continuum. METHODS: We employed a patient-oriented constructivist grounded theory design and recruited English speaking participants ≥18 years, diagnosed with CRC within the last 10 years, residing in Canada...

BACKGROUD: Supernatants from various cytological samples, including body cavity effusion, sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and needle aspiration, have been validated for detecting genetic alterations using cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the sensitivity of fusion variations detection remains challenging. The protection of cell-free RNA (cfRNA) is critical for resolving the issue. METHODS: A protective solution (PS) was applied for preserving cfRNA in cytological supernatant (CS), and the quality of protected cfRNA was assessed by cycle threshold (CT) values from reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)...

BACKGROUND: Cancer cachexia affects more than half of all cancer patients, reducing survival rates. Evidence-based approaches are urgently needed to optimize treatment. METHODS: A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of different pharmacotherapies for cancer cachexia. Three databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched for the period from January 1, 2000, to March 20, 2024. The netmeta package in R software was used to calculate the pooled effect, employing a random effects model...

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare monoclonal gammopathy, associated with short survival. Because of its very low incidence, only a few cohorts have been reported and thus, information on this disease is scarce. The goal of this study was to better understand the clinical features, prognostic factors, and efficacy of modern treatments in both primary PCL (pPCL) and secondary PCL (sPCL). METHODS: We performed a retrospective, multicenter study of patients diagnosed with PCL, defined as circulating plasma cells ≥20% of total leukocytes and/or ≥2 × 109 /L...

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent and lethal tumor, with metastasis being the leading cause of mortality. Previous research has indicated that the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CCAT2 is involved in the regulation of various tumor progression mechanisms. However, the precise role of CCAT2 in CRC proliferation and metastasis remains ambiguous. This study seeks to elucidate the mechanisms through which CCAT2 influences CRC. METHODS: High-throughput sequencing and RT-qPCR were used to detect CCAT2 expression in CRC...

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of multiple doses of pegylated irinotecan (JK1201I) as a second-line monotherapy for treating small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patients. METHODS: According to the "3 + 3" dose-escalation principle, patients received intravenous JK1201I at 180 or 220 mg/m2 once every 3 weeks for four cycles. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), median progression-free survival (mPFS), and median overall survival (mOS) were evaluated...

BACKGROUND: Although nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) are thought to reduce the risk of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the effect of NA discontinuation on the prognosis of HBV-related HCC after hepatectomy is rarely reported. We aimed to investigate the potential for hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg)-negative HBV-related HCC patients to discontinue NAs based on preoperative hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) status. METHODS: This historical cohort study involved 1232 NA-treated HBeAg-negative patients who underwent curative hepatectomy for HBV-related HCC from 2014 to 2019...

BACKGROUND: Lymphoma is the most common secondary cause of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in adults. Lymphoma-associated HLH (LA-HLH) in the elderly population is not rare, however, little has been reported regarding clinicopathological characteristics, prognostic factors, and outcomes of LA-HLH in the elderly population. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a multicenter cohort of elderly patients with LA-HLH. Clinicopathological features and treatment information were collected...