The investigation of oncolytic viruses in the field of cancer therapy.

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have emerged as a potential strategy for tumor treatment due to their ability to selectively replicate in tumor cells, induce apoptosis, and stimulate immune responses. However, the therapeutic efficacy of single OVs is limited by the complexity and immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME). To overcome these challenges, engineering OVs has become an important research direction. This review focuses on engineering methods and multi-modal combination therapies for OVs aimed at addressing delivery barriers, viral phagocytosis, and antiviral immunity in tumor therapy. The engineering approaches discussed include enhancing in vivo immune response, improving replication efficiency within the tumor cells, enhancing safety profiles, and improving targeting capabilities. In addition, this review describes the potential mechanisms of OVs combined with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, cell therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), and summarizes the data of ongoing clinical trials. By continuously optimizing engineering strategies and combination therapy programs, we can achieve improved treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients.

Key oncogenic signaling pathways affecting tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma: basic principles and recent advances.

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks first among primary liver cancers, and its mortality rate exhibits a consistent annual increase. The treatment of HCC has witnessed a significant surge in recent years, with the emergence of targeted immune therapy as an adjunct to early surgical resection. Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) using tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has shown promising results in other types of solid tumors. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the intricate interactions between different types of TILs and their impact on HCC, elucidate strategies for targeting neoantigens through TILs, and address the challenges encountered in TIL therapies along with potential solutions. Furthermore, this article specifically examines the impact of oncogenic signaling pathways activation within the HCC tumor microenvironment on the infiltration dynamics of TILs. Additionally, a concise overview is provided regarding TIL preparation techniques and an update on clinical trials investigating TIL-based immunotherapy in solid tumors.

Splenogonadal fusion: a case report of three cases and a literature review.

Purpose: This case report aims to enhance the understanding of clinical physicians regarding splenogonadal fusion (SGF) and to help them consider SGF as a differential diagnosis when testicular tumors are suspected, thus avoiding unnecessary orchiectomies. Methods: We report three cases of SGF admitted to our hospital, one of which presented as a suspected testicular tumor. We also searched the literature on scrotal masses from the last 25 years and summarize the characteristics of cases of SGF manifesting as scrotal swelling combined with our cases. Results: After conducting a thorough search, we found a total of 24 publications relevant to this case study, which included 25 testes. All lesions were located on the left side, and the average age of those affected was 20.22 years. Seven cases were of the continuous type. Three cases presented with pain, all of which were intratesticular masses. Thirty cases had a definite onset duration, ranging from 3 weeks to 10 years. Nine patients (36%) underwent orchiectomy, and one underwent partial orchiectomy. Conclusion: It is crucial to identify SGF in the clinic. When a patient presents with scrotal swelling, diagnosing SGF preoperatively is challenging, and it should be considered when there is a long history of a stable testicular mass. An intraoperative frozen section should be performed if a testicular tumor is suspected to avoid unnecessary orchiectomy.

Single-port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal internal ring closure for paediatric inguinal hernia using a needle grasper.

BACKGROUND: Single-site laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure has been widely used for the repair of paediatric inguinal hernia. In this study, we aimed to introduce the usage of a needle grasper in single-port laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in children. METHODS: In our study, 447 children with inguinal hernia underwent single-port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure between October 2018 and October 2021 in Shenzhen Children' hospital were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Among 447 patients, there were 396 males and 51 females with a mean age of 2.24 ± 0.36 years. A contralateral patent processus vaginalis was present in 165 unilateral hernia patients. All patients underwent laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure successfully without converting to open operation. The mean operating time in unilateral and bilateral hernia patients were 10.23 ± 2.25 mine and 14.54 ± 2.81 mine respectively. One patient had subcutaneous emphysema, two male patients had inguinal hernia recurrence and none had complications such as hydrocele and testicular atrophy. Additional 0.3 cm port was done in 4 cases. The mean follow-up time was 22.36 ± 4.56 months. CONCLUSIONS: Single-port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure of paediatric inguinal hernia using a needle grasper is a feasible and safe procedure. It has the advantages of fewer skin surgical incisions, short operating time, low complication and low recurrence rate.

Open Versus Laparoscopic Gubernaculum-Sparing Second-Stage Fowler-Stephens Orchiopexy for Intra-Abdominal Testis: A Long-Term Study.

Background: The benefits of performing open versus laparoscopic gubernaculum-sparing second-stage Fowler-Stephens orchiopexy (FSO) remain unclear. We compared the two techniques to answer this question. Methods: We retrospectively studied a cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic first-stage FSO and open versus laparoscopic gubernaculum-sparing second-stage FSO at our institution between September 2004 and June 2020 (all patients underwent surgery by a single surgeon). We evaluated both procedures based on the incidence of testicular atrophy, testicular ascent, and other complications. Results: The age at initial surgery was 45.7 ± 28.2 months (median, 39). One hundred nine cases were treated with open second-stage gubernaculum-sparing FSO (OFSO), and 96 cases were treated with laparoscopic second-stage gubernaculum-sparing FSO (LFSO). The mean follow-up period was 59.8 months (median, 54; standard deviation, +35). The overall testicular atrophy rate was 1.5%. Atrophy was observed in 2 and 1 patient in the OFSO and LFSO groups, respectively (1.8% versus 1.0%, P > .05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of testicular ascent between both groups (2.8% versus 3.1%). Five and four complications were noted in the OFSO and LFSO groups, respectively (P > .05). Conclusions: Second-stage gubernaculum-sparing FSO achieved high testicular survival rates and satisfactory testicular positions. Neither the open nor laparoscopic approach appeared superior, because the overall testicular survival rates and incidence of testicular ascent and other complications were equivalent between both groups.

Urethroplasty for chordee with a paper-thin hypoplastic urethra: A long-term study.

OBJECTIVES: To establish a standard surgical procedure for children with chordee with a paper-thin hypoplastic urethra, which was based on the degree of curvature and urethral plate quality. To guidelines for the management of this disorder. METHODS: We reviewed 58 cases of chordee with a paper-thin hypoplastic urethra, managed between March 2006 and September 2020. The age of the patients ranged from 23 to 89 months. Operative details and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Mild-moderate chordee with a paper-thin hypoplastic urethra correction was performed using a tubularized incised plate (13 cases) or onlay island flap (five cases) technique after penile degloving. Severe chordee with a paper-thin hypoplastic urethra required transection of the urethra and underwent a Duckett (11 cases) or staged (29 cases) urethroplasty. Complications in the tubularized incised plate and onlay island flap groups were 7.7% and 20%, respectively. The overall complication rate was 10.3% in the staged group and 27.3% in the Duckett group. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of the entire hypoplastic urethra should be recommended in the management of chordee with a paper-thin hypoplastic urethra. We propose an algorithm based on the degree of curvature and urethral plate quality. The tubularized incised plate or onlay island flap technique can be used for mild to moderate chordee with a paper-thin hypoplastic urethra, and the outcome of the tubularized incised plate technique tends to be better than that of the onlay island flap technique. Duckett or staged urethroplasty is suitable for severe chordee with a paper-thin hypoplastic urethra, and the staged technique can improve the overall success rate.