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.

Berberine induces apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer cells by upregulating miR-19a targeting tissue factor.

BACKGROUND: Berberine (BBR) from the widely used Chinese herbal medicine Huanglian has an array of pharmacological and biochemical properties, including anti-neoplastic activity. However, the specific mechanisms underlying these properties are unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the anti-tumor mechanisms of BBR in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: The effects of BBR on NSCLC tumor development and programmed cell death were investigated both in vivo and in vitro. Luciferase reporter assays were used to determine whether tissue factor (TF) was a target of miR-19a. RESULTS: BBR suppressed NSCLC growth and promoted apoptosis in NSCLC cells by modulating miR-19a and TF expression. Luciferase assays showed that TF was a direct inhibitory target of miR-19a in NSCLC cells. BBR induced apoptosis through the miR-19a/TF/MAPK axis. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that BBR induces apoptosis of NSCLC cells via the miR-19a/TF/MAPK signaling pathway.

Safety Strategies of Genetically Engineered T Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy.

T-cell therapy using genetically engineered T cells modified with either T cell receptor or chimeric antigen receptor holds great promise for cancer immunotherapy. The concerns about its toxicities still remain despite recent successes in clinical trials. Temporal and spatial control of the engineered therapeutic T cells may improve the safety profile of these treatment regimens. To achieve these goals, numerous approaches have been tested and utilized including the incorporation of a suicide gene, the switch-mediated activation, the combinatorial antigen recognition, etc. This review will summarize the toxicities caused by engineered T cells and novel strategies to overcome them.