Verification of the Prediction Accuracy of a Biomarker-Based Prognostic for Veno-Occlusive Disease/Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome (VOD/SOS) After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation (HCT).

BACKGROUND: Veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) is a potentially life-threatening complication of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), especially in severe cases. Patient outcomes are improved with prompt treatment; however, diagnosing this disease is challenging as many clinical symptoms of VOD/SOS overlap with other post-HCT complications. A biomarker-based prognostic test for the assessment of VOD/SOS risk, termed "VODCheck" was developed in a previous study but has not yet been validated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to validate the accuracy of VODCheck as a prognostic test for VOD/SOS in an independent cohort of patients. STUDY DESIGN: VODCheck incorporates hyaluronan (HA), angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2), and thrombomodulin (TM) based on their association with VOD/SOS, their analytical characteristics, and their ability to complement each other in a multivariate prognostic model. To validate VODCheck we measured plasma biomarker levels from a subset of patients enrolled in the control arm of a phase 3 study that tested VOD/SOS prophylaxis. We used a hierarchical design with prespecified primary (day 7), secondary A (day 15), and secondary B (day 1) hypotheses to verify the prognostic accuracy of VODCheck post-HCT. The cases of VOD/SOS (n = 22) were age-matched ∼1:3 with controls (n = 65). RESULTS: VODCheck was prognostic of VOD/SOS risk at all 3 time points with an area under the curve (AUC) of .815 (P < .001) for day 7, .836 (P < .001) for day 15, and .706 (P = .002) for day 1 post-HCT. A multivariate analysis confirmed the prognostic accuracy of VODCheck after adjustment for confounders such as age, VOD/SOS risk status, primary disease, and ozogamicin treatment. CONCLUSION: VODCheck was validated as an independent predictor of risk for VOD/SOS within 15 days post-HCT and appears to provide clinicians with actionable information to improve patient care.

Washed microbiota transplantation for Crohn's disease: A metagenomic, metatranscriptomic, and metabolomic-based study.

BACKGROUND: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a promising therapeutic approach for treating Crohn's disease (CD). The new method of FMT, based on the automatic washing process, was named as washed microbiota transplantation (WMT). Most existing studies have focused on observing the clinical phenomena. However, the mechanism of action of FMT for the effective management of CD-particularly in-depth multi-omics analysis involving the metagenome, metatranscriptome, and metabolome-has not yet been reported. AIM: To assess the efficacy of WMT for CD and explore alterations in the microbiome and metabolome in response to WMT. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, open-label, single-center clinical study. Eleven CD patients underwent WMT. Their clinical responses (defined as a decrease in their CD Activity Index score of > 100 points) and their microbiome (metagenome, metatranscriptome) and metabolome profiles were evaluated three months after the procedure. RESULTS: Seven of the 11 patients (63.6%) showed an optimal clinical response three months post-WMT. Gut microbiome diversity significantly increased after WMT, consistent with improved clinical symptoms. Comparison of the metagenome and metatranscriptome analyses revealed consistent alterations in certain strains, such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Roseburia intestinalis, and Escherichia coli. In addition, metabolomics analyses demonstrated that CD patients had elevated levels of various amino acids before treatment compared to the donors. However, levels of vital amino acids that may be associated with disease progression (e.g., L-glutamic acid, gamma-glutamyl-leucine, and prolyl-glutamine) were reduced after WMT. CONCLUSION: WMT demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in CD treatment, likely due to the effective reconstruction of the patient's microbiome. Multi-omics techniques can effectively help decipher the potential mechanisms of WMT in treating CD.

Access to colorectal cancer screening in populations in China, 2020: A coverage-focused synthesis analysis.

In populations in China, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening can be mainly accessed through organized screening, opportunistic screening, and physical examination. This screening intervention is found to be effective but the exact coverage rate is difficult to measure. Based on data from published articles, official websites, and available program reports, the screening coverage rate and related indicators were quantified. A rapid review was then conducted to estimate the overall and the breakdown coverage rates of the sub-type screening services, by leveraging the numbers of articles and the by-type median sample sizes. Up to 2020, two central government-funded and four provincial/municipal-level organized CRC screening programs have been initiated and included in this analysis. For populations aged 40-74, the estimated coverage rate of organized programs in China was 2.7% in 2020, and the 2-year cumulative coverage rate in 2019-2020 was 5.3% and the 3-year cumulative coverage rate in 2018-2020 was 7.7%. The corresponding coverage rates of 50-74-year-olds were estimated to be 3.4%, 7.1%, and 10.3%, respectively. Based on the rapid review approach, the overall screening coverage rate for 40-74 years, considering organized screening programs, opportunistic screening, and physical examinations, was then estimated to be 3.0% in China in 2020. However, comparing the findings of this study with the number of health check-ups reported in the local national health statistics yearbooks suggests that the number of CRC physical examinations may be underestimated in this study. The findings suggest that further efforts are needed to improve population access to CRC screening in China. Furthermore, evidence for access to opportunistic CRC screening and physical examination is limited, and more quantitative investigation is needed.

Removal of a guide-wire sliding into abdominal cavity via transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Guidewire slippage into the peritoneal cavity during clinical operations is extremely rare. Therefore, this paper aims to report a successful case of guidewire removal using transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The goal is to enhance physicians' understanding of the management plan for this unique scenario and provide a valuable reference for clinical practice. CASE SUMMARY: A 64-year-old man presented with abdominal distension and was diagnosed with cirrhosis combined with massive ascites. To proceed with treatment, the patient underwent ultrasound-guided peritoneal puncture and underwent catheterization and drainage. Unfortunately, a 0.035-inch guidewire slipped into the abdominal cavity during the procedure. Following a comprehensive evaluation and consultation by a multidisciplinary team, the guidewire was successfully removed using NOTES. CONCLUSION: This case highlights the potential consideration of transgastric NOTES removal when encountering a foreign body, such as a guidewire, within the abdominal cavity.

OTUD1 promotes hypertensive kidney fibrosis and injury by deubiquitinating CDK9 in renal epithelial cells.

Hypertensive renal disease (HRD) contributes to the progression of kidney dysfunction and ultimately leads to end-stage renal disease. Understanding the mechanisms underlying HRD is critical for the development of therapeutic strategies. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) have been recently highlighted in renal pathophysiology. In this study, we investigated the role of a DUB, OTU Domain-Containing Protein 1 (OTUD1), in HRD models. HRD was induced in wild-type or Otud1 knockout mice by chronic infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 1 µg/kg per min) through a micro-osmotic pump for 4 weeks. We found that OTUD1 expression levels were significantly elevated in the kidney tissues of Ang II-treated mice. Otud1 knockout significantly ameliorated Ang II-induced HRD, whereas OTUD1 overexpression exacerbated Ang II-induced kidney damage and fibrosis. Similar results were observed in TCMK-1 cells but not in SV40 MES-13 cells following Ang II (1 µM) treatment. In Ang II-challenged TCMK-1 cells, we demonstrated that OTUD1 bound to CDK9 and induced CDK9 deubiquitination: OTUD1 catalyzed K63 deubiquitination on CDK9 with its Cys320 playing a critical role, promoting CDK9 phosphorylation and activation to induce inflammatory responses and fibrosis in kidney epithelial cells. Administration of a CDK9 inhibitor NVP-2 significantly ameliorated Ang II-induced HRD in mice. This study demonstrates that OTUD1 mediates HRD by targeting CDK9 in kidney epithelial cells, suggesting OTUD1 is a potential target in treating this disease.

Estimating the economic burden of colorectal cancer in China, 2019-2030: A population-level prevalence-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Comprehensive data on the economic burden of CRC at a population-level is critical in informing policymaking, but such data are currently limited in China. METHODS: From a societal perspective, the economic burden of CRC in 2019 was estimated, including direct medical and nonmedical expenditure, disability, and premature-death-related indirect expenditure. Data on disease burden was taken from the GBD 2019 and analyzed using a prevalence-based approach. The per-person direct expenditure and work loss days were from a multicenter study; the premature-death-related expenditure was estimated using a human capital approach. Projections were conducted in different simulated scenarios. All expenditure data were in Chinese Yuan (CNY) and discounted to 2019. RESULTS: In 2019, the estimated overall economic burden of CRC in China was CNY170.5 billion (0.189% of the local GDP). The direct expenditure was CNY106.4 billion (62.4% of the total economic burden), 91.4% of which was a direct medical expenditure. The indirect expenditure was CNY64.1 billion, of which 63.7% was related to premature death. The predicted burden would reach CNY560.0 billion in 2030 given constant trends for disease burden; however, it would be alternatively reduced to

Evaluation of an innovative mHealth-based integrated modality for smoking cessation in Chinese smokers: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Developing accessible, affordable, and effective approaches to smoking cessation is crucial for tobacco control. Mobile health (mHealth) based interventions have the potential to aid smokers in quitting, and integrating treatments from multiple sources may further enhance their accessibility and effectiveness. As part of our efforts in smoking cessation, we developed a novel behavioral intervention delivery modality for smoking cessation that integrated three interventions using the WeChat app, called the "Way to Quit" modality (WQ modality). It is presented here the protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of the WQ modality in Chinese smokers. METHODS: Eligible participants (n = 460) will be recruited via online advertisement in Beijing, China. They will be randomly assigned to receive either quitline-based treatment (QT, n = 230) or WQ modality-based treatment (WQ, n = 230) using a block randomization method. Participants in the QT group will receive telephone-assisted treatment over a four-week period (multi-call quitline protocol), while those in the WQ group will receive integrated interventions based on the WQ modality for four weeks. A four-week supply of nicotine replacement therapy (gums) will be provided to all participants. Participants will be asked to complete phone or online follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12-months. At 1-month follow-up, individuals with self-reported smoking abstinence for more than 7 days will be invited to receive an exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) test for biochemical validation. The primary aim is to determine whether the WQ modality is effective in assisting smokers in quitting smoking. The secondary aims are to evaluate the acceptability, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness of the WQ modality. DISCUSSION: If the WQ modality is determined to be effective, acceptable, and affordable, it will be relatively easy to reach and provide professional cessation treatments to the communities, thus helping to reduce the disparities in smoking cessation services between different regions and socioeconomic groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2200066427, Registered December 5, 2022.

Prognostic Biomarkers for Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease/Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome in Myeloablative Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: Results from the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network 1202 Study.

Hepatic veno-occlusive disease/sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (VOD/SOS) is a potentially life-threatening complication of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This study aimed to determine a blood biomarker signature early post-HCT that identifies patients at high risk for VOD/SOS. A set of 23 plasma biomarkers, selected from the VOD/SOS literature, was measured on days 0, 7, and 14 after myeloablative HCT using blood samples from patients enrolled in the Blood and Marrow Transplant Clinical Trials Network (BMT CTN) Protocol 1202. Eligible cases were diagnosed with VOD/SOS in BMT CTN 1202 using the Baltimore criteria. Controls (without VOD/SOS) were matched to cases for conditioning regimen and age. Significant biomarkers were identified using the Bonferroni-adjusted Wilcoxon rank-sum test (P ≤ .002). Thirty-three patients with mild or severe VOD/SOS were identified (cases) and matched to 107 controls. Two, 8, and 5 biomarkers measured from the plasma of these patients were significantly associated with the development of VOD/SOS at days 0, 7, and 14, respectively, with the strongest associations on days 7 and 14. Biomarker associations were stronger for severe VOD/SOS risk and were stronger prognostic markers for VOD/SOS cases occurring within 28 days of HCT. Hyaluronan was most strongly associated with VOD/SOS risk, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of .81 on day 7 and .79 on day 14. Multivariate models of up to 5 biomarkers generated AUCs ranging from .82 to .85. All associations with VOD/SOS risk were independent of clinical risk factors. This study confirms previously identified biomarkers of VOD/SOS risk and identified novel prognostic biomarker signatures that identify patients at risk for VOD/SOS shortly after HCT. Multivariate analysis suggests that a combination of up to 5 of these protein biomarkers may provide a prognostic tool for identifying patients at risk for VOD/SOS.

Estimating disability-adjusted life years for breast cancer and the impact of screening in female populations in China, 2015-2030: an exploratory prevalence-based analysis applying local weights.

BACKGROUND: Most cancer disability-adjusted life year (DALY) studies worldwide have used broad, generic disability weights (DWs); however, differences exist among populations and types of cancers. Using breast cancer as example, this study aimed to estimate the population-level DALYs in females in China and the impact of screening as well as applying local DWs. METHODS: Using multisource data, a prevalence-based model was constructed. (1) Overall years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated by using numbers of prevalence cases, stage-specific proportions, and local DWs for breast cancer. Numbers of females and new breast cancer cases as well as local survival rates were used to calculate the number of prevalence cases. (2) Years of life lost (YLLs) were estimated using breast cancer mortality rates, female numbers and standard life expectancies. (3) The prevalence of and mortality due to breast cancer and associated DALYs from 2020 to 2030 were predicted using Joinpoint regression. (4) Assumptions considered for screening predictions included expanding coverage, reducing mortality due to breast cancer and improving early-stage proportion for breast cancer. RESULTS: In Chinese females, the estimated number of breast cancer DALYs was 2251.5 thousand (of 17.3% were YLDs) in 2015, which is predicted to increase by 26.7% (60.3% among those aged ≥ 65 years) in 2030 (2852.8 thousand) if the screening coverage (25.7%) stays unchanged. However, if the coverage can be achieved to 40.7% in 2030 (deduced from the "Healthy China Initiative"), DALYs would decrease by 1.5% among the screened age groups. Sensitivity analyses found that using local DWs would change the base-case values by ~ 10%. CONCLUSION: Estimates of DALYs due to breast cancer in China were lower (with a higher proportion of YLDs) than Global Burden of Disease Study numbers (2527.0 thousand, 8.2% were YLDs), suggesting the importance of the application of population-specific DWs. If the screening coverage remains unchanged, breast cancer-caused DALYs would continue to increase, especially among elderly individuals.

Association Between Baseline C-Reactive Protein and the Risk of Lung Cancer: A Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study.

C-reactive protein (CRP), a systemic marker of diagnosing chronic inflammation, has been associated with the incidence of multiple types of cancer. However, little is known about the impact of CRP on lung cancer incidence in Chinese population. A total of 97,950 participants without cancer at baseline (2006-2007) of the Kailuan Cohort Study were followed up. The concentration of plasma high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) was tested for all participants at baseline interview. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the association between levels of hsCRP and incident lung cancer. During 8.7-year follow-up, 890 incident lung cancer cases occurred and were divided into three groups according to the level of hsCRP. The risk of incident lung cancer was significantly increased with elevated levels of hsCRP [HRMedium/Low, 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-1.42; HRHigh/Low, 1.42, 95% CI, 1.20-1.68; Ptrend < 0.001], compared with the low group after adjusting confounders. Moreover, after stratifying by BMI, the significantly positive associations between the hsCRP level and the risk of lung cancer were found among those with BMI < 24 (HRHigh/Low, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.18-1.94; Ptrend = 0.001) and BMI = 24-28 (HRHigh/Low, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.13-1.92; Ptrend = 0.003), but not among those with BMI ≥ 28 (HRHigh/Low, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.64-1.57; Ptrend = 0.991). There was an antagonistic interaction between hsCRP levels and BMI that contributed to development of lung cancer (Pinteraction = 0.049). In conclusion, these findings indicate a dose-dependent relationship between hsCRP and lung cancer risk among Chinese population, especially in nonobese participants, suggesting that CRP could serve as a potential biomarker for prediction of lung cancer risk and identification of high-risk population. PREVENTION RELEVANCE: In this prospective population-based cohort study, we found an association between higher plasma hsCRP and an increased risk of developing lung cancer, with stronger associations observed among nonobese participants.

The population-level economic burden of liver cancer in China, 2019-2030: prevalence-based estimations from a societal perspective.

BACKGROUND: Benchmark data on the population-level economic burden are critical to inform policymakers about liver cancer control. However, comprehensive data in China are currently limited. METHODS: A prevalence-based approach from a societal perspective was used to quantify the annual economic burden of liver cancer in China from 2019 to 2030. Detailed per-case data on medical/non-medical expenditure and work-loss days were extracted from a multicenter survey. The numbers/rates of new/prevalent cases and deaths, survival, and population-related parameters were extracted from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 and the literature. All expenditure data were reported in both 2019 Chinese Yuan (CNY) and United States dollar (US$, for main estimations). RESULT: The overall economic burden of liver cancer was estimated at CNY76.7/US$11.1 billion in China in 2019 (0.047% of the local GDP). The direct expenditure was CNY21.6/US$3.1 billion, including CNY19.7/US$2.9 billion for medical expenditure and CNY1.9/US$0.3 billion for non-medical expenditure. The indirect cost was CNY55.1/US$8.0 billion (71.8% of the overall burden), including CNY3.0/US$0.4 billion due to disability and CNY52.0/US$7.5 billion due to premature death. The total burden would increase to CNY84.2/US$12.2 billion, CNY141.7/US$20.5 billion, and CNY234.3/US$34.0 billion in 2020, 2025, and 2030, accounting for 0.102%, 0.138%, and 0.192% of China's GDP, respectively. However, if China achieves the goals of Healthy China 2030 or the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for non-communicable diseases, the burden in 2030 would be < CNY144.4/US$20.9 billion. CONCLUSIONS: The population-level economic burden of liver cancer in China is currently substantial and will consistently increase in the future. Sustainable efforts in primary and secondary interventions for liver cancer need to be further strengthened.

Catastrophic health expenditure and its determinants in households with lung cancer patients in China: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have examined catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) worldwide, mostly focusing on general or common chronic populations, rather than particularly vulnerable groups. This study assessed the medical expenditure and compensation of lung cancer, and explored the extent and influencing factors of CHE among households with lung cancer patients in China. METHODS: During 2018-2019, a hospital-based multicenter retrospective survey was conducted in seven provinces/municipalities across China as a part of the Cancer Screening Program of Urban China. CHE was measured according to the proportion of out-of-pocket (OOP) health payments of households on non-food expenditures. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis was adjusted to determine the factors that significantly influenced the likelihood of a household with lung cancer patient to incur in CHE. RESULTS: In total, 470 households with lung cancer patients were included in the analysis. Health insurance was shown to protect some households from the impact of CHE. Nonetheless, CHE incidence (78.1%) and intensity (14.02% for average distance and 22.56% for relative distance) were still relatively high among households with lung cancer patients. The incidence was lower in households covered by the Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEMBI) insurance, with higher income level and shorter disease course. CONCLUSION: More attention is needed for CHE incidence among vulnerable populations in China. Households with lung cancer patients were shown to be more likely to develop CHE. Therefore, policy makers should focus on improving the financial protection and reducing the economic burden of this disease.

Medical expenditure for lung cancer in China: a multicenter, hospital-based retrospective survey.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer, and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in China. The aim of this study was to estimate the direct medical expenditure incurred for lung cancer care and analyze the trend therein for the period 2002-2011 using nationally representative data in China METHODS: This study was based on 10-year, multicenter retrospective expenditure data collected from hospital records, covering 15,437 lung cancer patients from 13 provinces diagnosed during the period 2002-2011. All expenditure data were adjusted to 2011 to eliminate the effects of inflation using China's annual consumer price index. RESULTS: The direct medical expenditure for lung cancer care (in 2011) was 39,015 CNY (US$6,041) per case, with an annual growth rate of 7.55% from 2002 to 2011. Drug costs were the highest proportionally in the total medical expenditure (54.27%), followed by treatment expenditure (14.32%) and surgical expenditure (8.10%). Medical expenditures for the disease varied based on region, hospital level, type, and stage. CONCLUSION: The medical expenditure for lung cancer care is substantial in China. Drug costs and laboratory test are the main factors increasing medical costs.

Catastrophic Health Expenditure and Its Determinants Among Households With Breast Cancer Patients in China: A Multicentre, Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: Although numerous studies have examined catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) worldwide, most focus on the general population, not on specific vulnerable groups. We aimed to analyse the extent and the influencing factors of CHE in households with breast cancer patients in China, and explore the ability of different insurances to protect these households from CHE. Methods: A multicentre, cross-sectional interview surveys was conducted in households with breast cancer patients across seven provinces/municipalities in China. CHE were defined as out-of-pocket expenditures ≥ 40% of households' non-food expenditures. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the determinants of CHE in household with breast cancer patients. Results: In the 639 participating households with breast cancer patients, the mean out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure accounted for ~55.20% of the mean households' non-food expenditures. The overall incidence of CHE was 87.95 and 66.28% before and after insurance compensation, respectively. The logistic regression model revealed that education, disease course, health insurance, treatment method, and income were significant predictors of CHE. Conclusions: The results indicated that medical insurance protects some households with breast cancer patients from the impact of CHE. However, their reimbursement rates were relatively low. Therefore, breast cancer still had a significant catastrophic effect on the economy of households. Policy efforts should focus on improving insurance compensation rates and relieving the economic burden of critical illnesses such as breast cancer.

Risk factors for gastric cancer: a large-scale, population-based case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of gastric cancer (GC) has been the topic of major efforts in China. This study aimed to explore the risk factors associated with GC and to provide evidence for the selection of a high-risk population of GC. METHODS: Based on the cancer screening cohort of the National Cancer Screening Program in Urban China, GC patients diagnosed by endoscopy and pathological examinations constituted the case group, and controls were 1:3 matched by sex and age (±5 years) individually. The variables were selected by univariable analysis of factors such as body mass index (BMI), dietary habits, lifestyle, stomach disease history, and family history of GC; and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of GC and to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of related factors and its 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: A total of 215 GC cases and 645 matched healthy controls were included in the final analysis, with a median age of 61 years for the case and control groups. Overall analysis showed that high educational level (above primary school) (OR = 0.362, 95% CI = 0.219-0.599, P < 0.001), overweight/obesity (BMI ≥24 kg/m2; OR = 0.489, 95% CI = 0.329-0.726, P < 0.001), cigarette smoking (OR = 3.069, 95% CI = 1.700-5.540, P < 0.001), alcohol consumption (OR = 1.661, 95% CI = 1.028-2.683, P = 0.038), history of stomach disease (OR = 6.917, 95% CI = 4.594-10.416, P < 0.001), and family history of GC in first-degree relatives (OR = 4.291, 95% CI = 1.661-11.084, P = 0.003) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of GC. Subgroup analyses by age and gender indicated that GC risk was still increased in the presence of a history of stomach disease. A history of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, or gastric polyposis was positively associated with GC, with adjusted ORs of 4.155 (95% CI = 2.711-6.368), 1.839 (95% CI = 1.028-3.288), and 2.752 (95% CI = 1.197-6.326). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects who smoke, drink, with history of stomach disease and family history of GC in first-degree relatives are the high-risk populations for GC. Therefore, attention should be paid to these subjects for GC screening.

Clinical characteristics, medical service utilization, and expenditure for colorectal cancer in China, 2005 to 2014: Overall design and results from a multicenter retrospective epidemiologic survey.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in China, however, publicly available, descriptive information on the clinical epidemiology of CRC is limited. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with primary CRC during 2005 through 2014 were sampled from 13 tertiary hospitals in 9 provinces across China. Data related to sociodemographic characteristics, the use of diagnostic technology, treatment adoption, and expenditure were extracted from individual medical records. RESULTS: In the full cohort of 8465 patients, the mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 59.3 ± 12.8 years, 57.2% were men, and 58.7% had rectal cancer. On average, 14.4% of patients were diagnosed with stage IV disease, and this proportion increased from 13.5% in 2005 to 20.5% in 2014 (P value for trend < .05). For diagnostic techniques, along with less use of x-rays (average, 81.6%; decreased from 90.0% to 65.7%), there were increases in the use of computed tomography (average, 70.4%; increased from 4.5% to 90.5%) and magnetic resonance imaging (average, 8.8%; increased from 0.1% to 20.4%) over the study period from 2005 to 2014. With regard to treatment, surgery alone was the most common (average, 50.1%), but its use decreased from 51.3% to 39.8% during 2005 through 2014; and the use of other treatments increased simultaneously, such as chemotherapy alone (average, 4.1%; increased from 4.1% to 11.9%). The average medical expenditure per patient was 66,291 Chinese Yuan (2014 value) and increased from 47,259 to 86,709 Chinese Yuan. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing proportion of late-stage diagnoses presents a challenge for CRC control in China. Changes in diagnostic and treatment options and increased expenditures are clearly illustrated in this study. Coupled with the recent introduction of screening initiatives, these data provide an understanding of changes over time and may form a benchmark for future related evaluations of CRC interventions in China.

Health economic evaluation of primary human papillomavirus screening in urban populations in China.

BACKGROUND: On Nov 17, 2020, WHO launched a global initiative to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer through the implementation of HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening and treatment for precancer and cancer. China has the largest burden of cervical cancer in the world, but only has a national cervical cancer screening program in rural areas since 2009. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of cervical cancer screening in urban China, using Shenzhen City as an example. METHODS: We use an extensively validated platform ('Policy1-Cervix'), calibrated to data from Shenzhen city and Guandong Province. We evaluated a range of strategies that have previously been implemented as pilot studies in China, or recommended as guidelines within China and globally, spanning primary HPV, cytology and co-testing strategies. We additionally considered alternate triaging methods, age ranges and screening intervals, resulting in 19 algorithms in total. RESULTS: Of the 19 strategies considered, the most effective approach involved primary HPV testing. At 3- to 10-yearly intervals, primary HPV testing reduced the age-standardized cancer mortality rate by 37-71 %. The most cost-effective strategy was 5-yearly primary HPV testing with partial genotyping triage for ages 25-65, discharging to 10-yearly screening for low-risk women (ICER = US$7191/QALYS using 2018 costs; willingness-to-pay threshold<1xGDP [US$9771]). This strategy gave an incidence and mortality reduction of 56 % and 63 %, respectively. This remained the most cost-effective strategy under most conditions in sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: Primary HPV testing would be cost-effective in Shenzhen and could more than halve cervical cancer incidence rates to 6 per 100,000 over the long term. In order to achieve rates below 4 per 100,000, the elimination threshold set by the World Health Organization, vaccination will likely also be necessary.

Comparing EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L performance in common cancers: suggestions for instrument choosing.

PURPOSE: To compare the performance of three-level EuroQol five-dimensions (EQ-5D-3L) and five-level EuroQol five-dimensions (EQ-5D-5L) among common cancer patients in urban China. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in three provinces from 2016 to 2018 in urban China. Patients with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, or lung cancer were recruited to complete the EQ-5D-3L and EQ-5D-5L questionnaires. Response distribution, discriminatory power (indicator: Shannon index [H'] and Shannon evenness index [J']), ceiling effect (the proportion of full health state), convergent validity, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were compared between the two instruments. RESULTS: A total of 1802 cancer patients (breast cancer: 601, colorectal cancer: 601, lung cancer: 600) were included, with the mean age of 55.6 years. The average inconsistency rate was 4.4%. Compared with EQ-5D-3L (average: H' = 1.100, J' = 0.696), an improved discriminatory power was observed in EQ-5D-5L (H' = 1.473, J' = 0.932), especially contributing to anxiety/depression dimensions. The ceiling effect was diminished in EQ-5D-5L (26.5%) in comparison with EQ-5D-3L (34.5%) (p < 0.001), mainly reflected in the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression dimensions. The overall utility score was 0.790 (95% CI 0.778-0.801) for EQ-5D-3L and 0.803 (0.790-0.816) for EQ-5D-5L (p < 0.001). A similar pattern was also observed in the detailed cancer-specific analysis. CONCLUSIONS: With greater discriminatory power, convergent validity and lower ceiling, EQ-5D-5L may be preferable to EQ-5D-3L for the assessment of HRQoL among cancer patients. However, higher utility scores derived form EQ-5D-5L may also lead to lower QALY gains than those of 3L potentially in cost-utility studies and underestimation in the burden of disease.

Health-related quality of life of patients with colorectal neoplasms in China: A multicenter cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: This study aimed to clarify health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with colorectal precancer and colorectal cancer (CRC) in China and to better understand related utility scores. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in precancer and CRC patients from 2012 to 2014, covering 12 provinces in China. HRQoL was assessed with EuroQol 5-Dimensions 3-Levels. Utility scores were derived using Chinese value set. A multivariate regression model was established to explore potential predictors of utility scores. RESULTS: A total of 376 precancer (mean age 58.7 years, 61.2% men) and 2470 CRC patients (mean age 58.6 years, 57.6% men) were included. In five dimensions, there was a certain percentage of problem reported among precancer (range: 12.0% to 36.7%) and CRC (range: 32.4% to 50.3%) patients, with pain/discomfort being the most serious dimension. Utility scores of precancer and CRC patients were 0.870 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.855-0.886) and 0.751 (95% CI, 0.742-0.759), both of which were lower than those of general Chinese population (0.960 [95% CI, 0.960-0.960]). Utilities for patients at stage I to stage IV were 0.742 (95% CI, 0.715-0.769), 0.722 (95% CI, 0.705-0.740), 0.756 (95% CI, 0.741-0.772), and 0.745 (95% CI, 0.742-0.767), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that therapeutic regimen, time point of the interview, education, occupation, annual household income, and geographic region were associated with utilities of CRC patients. CONCLUSION: Health-related quality of life of both precancer and CRC patients in China declined considerably. Utility scores differed by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and findings of these utilities may facilitate implementation of further cost-utility evaluations.

Is it possible to halve the incidence of liver cancer in China by 2050?

A substantial proportion of liver cancers is attributable to chronic infection with hepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV). Liver cancer could become the second cancer, after cervical, to be effectively controlled globally, if proven interventions such as vaccination can be implemented on a large scale. In 2018, the global mortality rate for liver cancer was estimated to be 8.5 per 100 000 individuals. Given patterns of HBV infection and immigration across countries, liver cancer control requires combined, global action. Liver cancer trends vary between countries, in some Western countries, the incidence rates were relatively low but have increased in recent decades; conversely, in several Asian countries, the incidence rates have decreased over time. China has in the past contributed more than half of the global burden of liver cancer but more recently a national decline in liver cancer incidence has been observed. Here, we review the liver cancer burden and exposure to risk factors in China, compared to other countries. We also review the implementation status for primary and secondary prevention interventions and major outcomes achieved over the past three decades. Using Bayesian age-period-cohort analysis, we examine recent trends and based on these, predict that by 2050, the incidence of liver cancer in China could fall by half. We additionally survey the literature to identify current research needs, and review relevant national policies on liver cancer control in China. A comprehensive set of interventions is proposed to progress toward the long-term goal of liver cancer elimination based on the natural history and evidence-based interventions.