To develop a prognostic model for neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy efficacy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by analyzing the immune microenvironment.

Objective: The choice of neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is controversial. This study aims to provide a basis for clinical treatment selection by establishing a predictive model for the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy (NICT). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 30 patients was conducted, divided into Response and Non-response groups based on whether they achieved major pathological remission (MPR). Differences in genes and immune microenvironment between the two groups were analyzed through next-generation sequencing (NGS) and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF). Variables most closely related to therapeutic efficacy were selected through LASSO regression and ROC curves to establish a predictive model. An additional 48 patients were prospectively collected as a validation set to verify the model's effectiveness. Results: NGS suggested seven differential genes (ATM, ATR, BIVM-ERCC5, MAP3K1, PRG, RBM10, and TSHR) between the two groups (P < 0.05). mIF indicated significant differences in the quantity and location of CD3+, PD-L1+, CD3+PD-L1+, CD4+PD-1+, CD4+LAG-3+, CD8+LAG-3+, LAG-3+ between the two groups before treatment (P < 0.05). Dynamic mIF analysis also indicated that CD3+, CD8+, and CD20+ all increased after treatment in both groups, with a more significant increase in CD8+ and CD20+ in the Response group (P < 0.05), and a more significant decrease in PD-L1+ (P < 0.05). The three variables most closely related to therapeutic efficacy were selected through LASSO regression and ROC curves: Tumor area PD-L1+ (AUC= 0.881), CD3+PD-L1+ (AUC= 0.833), and CD3+ (AUC= 0.826), and a predictive model was established. The model showed high performance in both the training set (AUC= 0.938) and the validation set (AUC= 0.832). Compared to the traditional CPS scoring criteria, the model showed significant improvements in accuracy (83.3% vs 70.8%), sensitivity (0.625 vs 0.312), and specificity (0.937 vs 0.906). Conclusion: NICT treatment may exert anti-tumor effects by enriching immune cells and activating exhausted T cells. Tumor area CD3+, PD-L1+, and CD3+PD-L1+ are closely related to therapeutic efficacy. The model containing these three variables can accurately predict treatment outcomes, providing a reliable basis for the selection of neoadjuvant treatment plans.

Prognostic significance of positive lymph node regression grade to neoadjuvant chemoradiation for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between metastatic lymph node (LN) responder status and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 304 patients with local advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma received NCRT followed by esophagectomy. For 112 patients with positive node, according to the proportion of residual viable tumor cells area within the whole tumor beds of all metastatic LNs, we classified LN-tumor regression grade (LN-TRG) into four categories: grade 1, 0%; 2, <10%; 3, 10%-50%; 4, >50%. Patients with grade 1-2 LN-TRG of were considered LN responders, and those with grades 3-4, as LN nonresponders. Univariate and multivariate analyses of RFS were estimated by a Cox regression model, Kaplan-Meier curve, and log-rank test. RESULTS: The median follow-up time of a total of 112 patients was 29.6 months. Fifty-two (46.4%) patients have experienced recurrence. In Cox univariate analysis, differentiation, AJCC stage LN responder status, nerve invasion, and lymphovascular invasion significantly correlated with RFS. Multivariate analysis for RFS revealed that LN responder status and AJCC stage (p < 0.05) were independent prognostic factor. The 3-year RFS rates for patients with LN-TRG of 1-4 grades were 72.7%, 76.5%, 37.4%, and 28.5%, respectively, and the median RFS times were not reach, 43.56, 28.09, and 22.77, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LN responder status is an independent prognostic factor for RFS in esophageal cancer patients who received NCRT.

COVID-19 infection after minimally invasive esophagectomy: Two cases report / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Two male patients (75 years and 51 years, respectively) suffered infection of novel coronavirus after minimally invasive surgery for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Sichuan Cancer Hospital since December 2022. Both patients developed severe hypoxemia after surgery, and were treated with advanced oxygen therapy, antiviral therapy, hormone shock therapy, antibiotic anti-infection and nutritional support. The two patients stayed in the intensive care unit for 6 days and 8 days respectively. They were transferred to the general ward for symptomatic treatment and were discharged successfully. Both patients required low-flow oxygen maintenance after discharge. On the 20th day of follow-up after discharge, patient 1 still needed low-flow oxygen, his oxygen saturation could be maintained above 97%, but intermittent deoxygenation could be performed for half an hour. Patient 2 was in good condition on 35 days after discharge.

Brief introduction of surgical development of esophageal cancer in Japan / 中华外科杂志

Esophageal cancer surgery originated in the early 20th century. However, the true meaning of trans-thoracic esophagectomy and digestive tract reconstruction began in the 1930s. Almost at the same time, Japan and Western countries began the surgical exploration of esophageal cancer. Based on the pathological type of esophageal cancer in Asia, squamous cell carcinoma is the majority, and its biological characteristics and treatment strategies are different from those of European and American patients. After more than eighty years of development, the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer in Japan has been developed from the initial attempt, deep cultivation practice to the pursuit of excellence, and explored a set of more advanced surgical techniques and diagnostic strategies, which is unique in the world. On the basis of the establishment of the Japanese Society of Esophagus, Japanese scholars have developed and irregularly updated the Japanese Classification of Esophageal Cancer and published the professional academic journal Esophagus. The Japanese Clinical Oncology Group organized a number of phase Ⅲ clinical studies on esophageal cancer, providing strong evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of esophageal squamous carcinoma. Focused on the origin, development, current situation and future of esophageal cancer surgery in Japan, this paper summarized the development of esophageal cancer surgery in Japan through literature review, interviews with senior experts and Hot topics of esophageal cancer surgery-questionnaire survey of Japanese experts.

Progress of clinical trials for immunotherapy drugs in advanced esophageal cancer / 中国胸心血管外科临床杂志

@#Early and mid-stage esophageal cancer can achieve a particular effect through surgeries or comprehensive treatment based on surgery. Once the esophageal cancer progresses to the advanced stage, it is still lack of effective remedy for the disease, and the patient's prognosis is poor. Immunotherapy has developed rapidly in recent years, bringing dawn to patients with advanced esophageal cancer. On July 31, 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved KEYTRUDA (Merck) for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and it became the first milestone drug for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In the paper, we will review the progress of immunotherapy in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer on the basis of current clinical researches, which might provide ideas for further studies in the immunotherapy for esophageal cancer.

Molecular Mechanism of Different Signaling Pathways in Regulating PD-L1 Expression in EGFR Mutated Lung Adenocarcinoma / 中国肺癌杂志

The epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and programmed death receptor 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) immune checkpoint inhibitors were landmarks in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the regulation mechanisms of PD-L1 expression were not fully clear in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations. Multiple signaling pathways may be involved in the tumorigenesis regulation. This paper summarized and reviewed the potential EGFR mutations impacting on PD-L1 expression with aims to the development of strategies on immunochemical therapy for NSCLC.
.

RBP2 induces stem-like cancer cells by promoting EMT and is a prognostic marker for renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), one of the most common kidney cancers, has a poor prognosis. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a hallmark of carcinoma invasion and metastasis. Several studies have examined the molecular regulation of EMT, but the relationship between histone demethylases and EMT is little understood. In this study, we investigated the role of retinoblastoma-binding protein-2 (RBP2), a histone demethylase that is highly expressed in RCC and is positively correlated with poor RCC prognosis in the regulation of EMT. We found that ectopic overexpression of RBP2 can induce cancer stem cell-like (CSC) phenotypes through EMT in RCC cells by converting them to a more mesenchymal phenotype. This results in increased resistance to apoptosis, which leads to enhanced tumor growth in xenograft models. Together, our data show that RBP2 is an epigenetic regulator that has an important role in the initiation of CSC phenotypes through EMT, leading to tumor progression. RBP2 is also a novel biomolecule for RCC diagnosis, and prognosis and may be a therapeutic target.

DNA Extraction of Cast-off Cells of Fingerprints from 502 Glue Fumigated Con-tact Samples / 法医学杂志

Objective To establish a method of fingerprint position, sample transfer and fingerprint DNA extraction in contact samples. Methods Sixty-six cases were visualized by 502 glue fingerprint fumiga-tion. Two methods, ordinary wipe and acetone wipe, were used to transfer cast-off cells of fingerprints fromtesting samples, respectively. DNA was extracted and purified by ultramicro magnetic bead kit. The data was resolved on genetic analysis after amplification. Results In 33 samples, 30 samples got better STR analysis by acetone wipe method. The peak range was 1 000-4 000 R FU and peak shapes were equable. It was hard to get ideal STR typing by ordinary wipe method. Conclusion The samples are visualized by 502 glue fingerprint fumigation and the case-off cells are transferred by acetone wipe method. The method shows better STR analysis result, which might be a better method for forensic sci-ence practice.

Analysis of ERCC1 mRNA expression to predict prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy / 重庆医学

Objective To discover the excision repair cross-complementing 1 (ERCC1) expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and explore the prognostic value of ERCC1 .Methods The ERCC1 mRNA expressions in NSCLC was tested from 85 tumor tissues and 34 adjacent tissue samples from patients who were after the surgery were used by semi-quantitative RT-PCR .The data of clinical features and progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were linked to ERCC1 expression by retrospective analysis .Results In 85 patients ,the ERCC1 negative ones had a significantly longer survival than the ERCC1 posi-tive expression ones (PFS ,P=0 .001;OS ,P=0 .001) .During the multivariate analysis ,ERCC1was found to be a significant factor in PFS and OS (P=0 .018 and P=0 .027) .Conclusion NSCLC patients who were undertaken platinum-based adjuvant chemother-apy after surgery could use the detection of ERCC1 mRNA as a determinant factor for the prognosis predicting of individualized treatment .