Comprehensive analysis of subtypes and risk model based on complement system associated genes in ccRCC.

BACKGROUND: Immune therapy is widely used in treating clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), yet identifying patient subgroups that are expected to response remains challenging. As complement system can mediate immune effects, including the progression of tumors, a correlation between complement system and immune therapy may exist. METHODS: Based on 11 complement system associated genes (CSAGs) identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we performed unsupervised clustering and classified the tumors into two different complement system (CS) patterns. The clinical significance, tumor microenvironment (TME), functional enrichment, and immune infiltration were further analyzed. A novel scoring system named CSscore was developed based on the expression levels of the 11 CSAGs. RESULTS: Two distinct CS patterns were identified, classified as Cluster1 and Cluster2, and Cluster1 showed poor clinical outcome. Further analysis of functional enrichment, immune cell infiltration, and genetic variation revealed that Cluster1 had high infiltration of TME immune cells, but also exhibited high immune escape. The novel prognostic model, CSscore could act as an independent prognostic factor and effectively predict patients' prognosis and distinguish the therapeutic efficacy of different immune treatment strategies. The pan-cancer analysis of the CSscore indicates its potential to be further generalized to other types of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Two distinct CS patterns were identified and were further analyzed in terms of infiltration of TME immune cells and immune escape, providing potential explanations for the impact on prognosis of ccRCC. Our CSscore prognostic model may offer a novel perspective in the management of ccRCC patients, and potentially other types of cancer as well.

The predictive value of perioperative circulating markers on surgical complications in patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of postoperative complications was associated with poor outcomes for patients undergoing robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. A prediction model with easily accessible indices could provide valuable information for surgeons. This study aims to identify novel predictive circulating biomarkers significantly associated with surgical complications. METHODS: We consecutively assessed all multiport robotic-assisted radical prostatectomies performed between 2021 and 2022. The clinicopathological factors and perioperative levels of multiple circulating markers were retrospectively obtained from the included patients. The associations of these indices with Clavien-Dindo grade II or greater complications, and surgical site infection were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Further, the models were validated for the overall performance, discrimination, and calibration. RESULTS: In total, 229 patients with prostate cancer were enrolled in this study. Prolonged operative time could independently predict surgical site infection (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 1.09-10.54). Higher RBC (day 1-pre) implied lower risks of grade II or greater complications (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07-0.76) and surgical site infection (OR, 0.23; 95% CI, 0.07-0.78). Additionally, RBC (day 1-pre) independently predicted grade II or greater complications of obese patients (P value = 0.005) as well as those in higher NCCN risk groups (P value = 0.012). Regarding the inflammatory markers, NLR (day 1-pre) (OR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.37-9.21) and CRP (day 1-pre) (OR, 4.16; 95% CI, 1.69-10.23) were significantly associated with the risk of grade II or greater complications, and both the indices were independent predictors in those with higher Gleason score, or in higher NCCN risk groups (P value < 0.05). The NLR (day 0-pre) could also predict the occurrence of surgical site infection (OR, 5.04; 95% CI, 1.07-23.74). CONCLUSIONS: The study successfully identified novel circulating markers to assess the risk of surgical complications. Postoperative increase of NLR and CRP were independent predictors for grade II or greater complications, especially in those with higher Gleason score, or in higher NCCN risk groups. Additionally, a marked decrease of RBC after the surgery also indicated a higher possibility of surgical complications, especially for the relatively difficult procedures.