Characteristics and patient-reported outcomes of long-term cancer survivors after apatinib-based therapy: an online survey.

BACKGROUND: Data on long-term cancer survivors treated with apatinib are lacking. This study aimed to describe the characteristics of long-term cancer survivors after apatinib-based therapy, and to know about their satisfaction degree with apatinib and severity of depression and insomnia. METHODS: Patients with solid tumors who had received apatinib-based therapy for at least 5 years were invited to complete an online questionnaire. Characteristics of patients and treatment, knowledge of apatinib, satisfaction degree, and severity of depression and insomnia assessed by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Insomnia Severity Index were collected. RESULTS: Between December 8, 2023 and March 1, 2024, a total of 436 patients completed the online questionnaire. Most patients were satisfied with the efficacy (96.6%) and safety (93.1%) of apatinib, were willing to continue apatinib treatment (99.5%), and would recommend apatinib to other patients (93.3%). Continuous apatinib treatment resulted in significant negative impact on daily life, work, or study in only two (0.5%) patients. Almost all patients currently had no or mild depression (97.0%) and insomnia (97.9%) problems. The most common patient-reported adverse events were hand-foot syndrome (21.3%) and hypertension (18.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Our survey showed a high satisfaction degree with apatinib in long-term cancer survivors. Long-term apatinib treatment resulted in almost no negative impact on patient's quality of life.

Dissecting the effect of ileal faecal diversion on the intestine using single-cell sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Although ileal faecal diversion is commonly used in clinical settings, complications accompany it. Elucidating the intestinal changes caused by ileal faecal diversion will help resolve postoperative complications and elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of associated intestinal disorders, such as Crohn's disease (CD). Therefore, our study aimed to provide new insights into the effects of ileal faecal diversion on the intestine and the potential mechanisms. METHODS: Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on proximal functional and paired distal defunctioned intestinal mucosae from three patients with ileal faecal diversion. We also performed in vitro cellular and animal experiments, tissue staining and analysed public datasets to validate our findings. RESULTS: We found that the epithelium in the defunctioned intestine tended to be immature, with defective mechanical and mucous barriers. However, the innate immune barrier in the defunctioned intestine was enhanced. Focusing on the changes in goblet cells, we demonstrated that mechanical stimulation promotes the differentiation and maturation of goblet cells through the TRPA1-ERK pathway, indicating that the absence of mechanical stimulation may be the main cause of defects in the goblet cells of the defunctioned intestine. Furthermore, we found obvious fibrosis with a pro-fibrotic microenvironment in the defunctioned intestine and identified that monocytes may be important targets for faecal diversion to alleviate CD. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed the different transcription landscapes of various cell subsets and the potential underlying mechanisms within the defunctioned intestine, when compared to the functional intestine, based on the background of ileal faecal diversion. These findings provide novel insights for understanding the physiological and pathological roles of the faecal stream in the intestine.

Feasibility and preliminary experience of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Overlap esophagojejunostomy for gastric cancer: A study of 10 cases.

Background: This study aimed to explore the feasibility and safety of single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic total gastrectomy (SITG + 1) with Overlap esophagojejunostomy (SITG + 1-Overlap) and to share preliminary experiences. Methods: This retrospective study included 10 patients with gastric cancer located in the cardia or body who underwent SITG + 1-Overlap between August 2020 and October 2021.The demographics, tumor characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and short-term complications of all the enrolled patients were summarized and statistically analyzed. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) if they were normally distributed. Otherwise, Median (Quartile1, Quartile3) was used. Results: In the collective perioperative data of these 10 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy, the median of the length of transumbilical incision and blood loss were 3.0 cm and 100.0 ml respectively, and the mean operation time and 385.5 ± 51.6 min. Postoperative data indicated that the gastric tube was removed on 2.0 (2.0, 3.0) days, and the timing of first feeding, activity, flatus, and defecation was 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) days, 2.0 (2.0, 2.0) days, 3.0 (2.0, 3.0) days, and 3.8 ± 0.6 days, respectively. The timing of drainage tube removal was 4.6 ± 1.0 days after operation. The duration of hospital stay was 7.5 ± 1.2 days and the VAS pain scores for the 3 days following surgery were 3.0 (2.0, 3.3), 2.0 (2.0, 3.0), and 1.5 (1.0, 2.0) respectively. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 30.7 ± 13.2. Most biochemical indicators gradually normalized with the recovery of the patients after surgery. No 30-day postoperative complications were noted. Conclusions: For the first time, our preliminary data indicate the feasibility and safety of Overlap esophagojejunostomy in SITG + 1 surgery. This modified Overlap procedure has the potential to simplify the reconstruction procedure and lower the technical challenge of SITG + 1 radical gastrectomy for cardia or upper gastric cancer in the early and advanced stages.

Single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic gastrectomy versus conventional multi-port laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: We compared short-term perioperative outcomes after single-incision plus one-port laparoscopic gastrectomy (SILG+1) and conventional multi-port laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (C-LAG) for gastric cancer. METHODS: The work was conducted between August 2017 and October 2019. A total of 90 patients with early or advanced gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed: 43 patients of which underwent SILG+1, and 47 of which underwent C-LAG, respectively. These were divided into two groups: the total gastrectomy group (SILT+1 and C-LATG) and the distal gastrectomy group (SILD + 1 and C-LADG). The demographics, tumor characteristics, postoperative outcomes, and short-term complications of all enrolled patients were summarized and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The mean incision length in SILT+1 group was 5.40 cm shorter than that in C-LATG group (3.15 ± 0.43 vs. 8.55 ± 2.72, P < 0.001). This comparison between the SILD + 1 and the C-LADG group produced comparable results. The SILT+1 group underwent a 56.32 min longer operation than the C-LATG group (273.03 ± 66.80 vs. 216.71 ± 82.61, P = 0.0205). SILG+1 group had better postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) and cosmetic score than those of the C-LATG group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in preoperative demographics or 30-day postoperative complication rates between the SILG+1 and C-LAG groups. Tumor-related index, including mass size, histological type, number of retrieved lymph nodes, pathological tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and proximal and distal edges were all equivalent between the SILG+1 and the C-LAG group. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of SILG+1 with D1+ or D2 lymphadenectomy for the treatment of early and advanced gastric cancers, compared with C-LAG.

[Feasibility and preliminary technical experience of single incision plus one port laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with π-shaped esophagojejunal anastomosis in surgical treatment of gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility, safety, and preliminary technical experience of single incision plus one port laparoscopic total gastrectomy combined with π-shaped esophagojejunal anastomosis (SILT-π) in the surgical treatment of gastric cancer. METHODS: Clinical data of 5 gastric cancer patients undergoing SILT-π operation at the Department of General Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of the Army Medical University from August to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. A 2.5-3.0 cm incision around the umbilicus was made for placing the gloveport as the passage for the lens, and the instruments of the surgeon and the assistant. Another operative port was placed in the left upper quadrant with a 12-mm Trocar for the passage of the energy device, the endoscopic cutting closure, as well as the postoperative drainage tube. A D2 lymph node (LNs) dissection was regularly conducted. After the abdominal esophagus was routinely mobilized, a side-to-side esophagus-jejunum anastomosis was made through a gastric pre-pulling esophagojejunal π-shaped anastomosis. The transection was then performed with a ligation on the cardia (or esophagus above the upper margin of the tumor) using a sterilized hemp rope in order to better expose the abdominal esophagus. Throughout the course of reconstruction, the ligature rope was held by the assistant to hold down the esophagus to allow easier esophagojejunal anastomosis. A hole was then made on the posterior wall of the esophagus, between 2 cm and 3 cm above the ligature rope, and another hole was made at the anti-mesenteric border of the jejunum 40 cm distal to the Treitz ligament. A side-to-side esophagojejunal π-shaped anastomosis was performed through two holes. An entry hole was formed after the anastomosis. After checking the anastomosis, this entry hole was closed through an intestinal mesenteric hole pre-made on its opposite side. The resected esophagus and stomach, together with the afferent loop jejunum, were simultaneously transected above the level of the entry hole by a stapler from the Trocar of the left upper abdominal quadrant. After the gloveport was closed, a side-to-side jejunojejunostomy anastomosis applied with another two staples was performed between the afferent loop stump and the roux limb 30 cm below the esophagojejunal anastomosis. RESULTS: These five patients were all male, and aged (56.8±8.2) years with preoperative clinical stage cT2-4N0-2M0. All the 5 patients underwent SILT-π operation successfully. The average length of surgical incision was (2.9±0.2) cm. The average operation time was (396.0±36.1) minutes. The intraoperative blood loss was (140.0±66.7) ml. Postoperative pathology showed proximal and distal margins were (2.6±1.1) cm and (8.7±2.5) cm apart respectively, and the average number of retrieved lymph node was 25.8±7.2. Perioperative management was based on enhanced recovery following surgical (ERAS) principles. The average time to the first flatus was (2.6±0.5) days, and the average time to defecation was (3.6±0.5) days. The pain score on postoperative day 1 was 1-2, and the average postoperative hospital stay was (7.0±0.7) days. No perioperative complications occurred. CONCLUSIONS: SILT-π procedure is safe and feasible for patients with gastric cancer, and has positive short-term outcomes, satisfactory cosmetic abdominal incision, light postoperative abdominal pain and rapid postoperative recovery. Preliminary observations show that SILT-π procedure has good potential for clinical application in future.

A new intracorporeal Billroth II stapled anastomosis technique in totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: We introduced a new, safe and simple intracorporeal Billroth II (B-II) gastrojejunostomy technique using laparoscopic linear staplers with totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) for gastric cancer. We further compared the short-term operative outcomes between intracorporeal B-II gastrojejunostomy with TLDG and extracorporeal B-II gastrojejunostomy with laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG). METHODS: From January 01, 2012 to January 31, 2013, a total of 36 patients with gastric cancer underwent TLDG and LADG. Overall, 11 patients underwent intracorporeal B-II gastrojejunostomy with TLDG, and 25 patients underwent a mini-laparotomy incision for extracorporeal B-II anastomosis with LADG. Perioperative parameters, including patient and tumor characteristics, short-term postoperative outcomes, and anastomosis-related complications, were analyzed to compare the two operations. RESULTS: The time to first flatus, the time on a liquid diet, and the mean postoperative length of hospital stay were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.05). In the TLDG group, the postoperative time to first flatus and the mean postoperative length of hospital stay were significantly shorter than in the LADG group (2.6 ± 0.20 vs. 3.8 ± 0.1 days; 10 ± 1.84 vs. 12.7 ± 3.35 days). However, the operation-related costs were significantly greater for totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (P < 0.001). The mean number of staples used in TLDG was six compared with four in LADG. CONCLUSION: Our new intracorporeal B-II anastomosis method using laparoscopic linear staplers with TLDG was safe, feasible, and minimally invasive compared with extracorporeal B-II gastrojejunostomy with LADG. At the same time, one of its characteristics of our technique is to avoid stricturing of the efferent loop or afferent loop of the jejunum when the entry hole is closed with a stapler.