A propensity­matched analysis of the prognostic value of advanced lung cancer inflammation index in patients with gastric cancer after curative resection.

The prognostic significance of inflammation, immune response and nutritional status in patients with cancer is well-documented. The advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) has emerged as a novel prognostic indicator, reflecting both inflammation and nutritional status. This study aimed to assess the prognostic relevance of preoperative ALI in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Data of 459 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for GC between December 2013 and November 2017 at the Kanagawa Cancer Center (Yokohama, Japan) were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative ALI was calculated from blood tests. Patients were divided into the high- and low-ALI groups. This study investigated the association between preoperative ALI, clinicopathological features, overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) after propensity-matched analysis. Comparative analysis revealed that patients in the low-ALI group tended to be older, were predominantly female, had lower body mass index and had a higher incidence of lymphatic invasion compared with those in the high-ALI group before propensity-matched analysis. Notably, the low-ALI group exhibited significantly reduced OS and RFS post-gastrectomy (85.5% vs. 93.8%, P=0.01; and 82.1% vs. 91.8%, P=0.02, respectively). Multivariate analysis identified low ALI as an independent prognostic factor for both OS and RFS. In conclusion, preoperative ALI could provide a valuable prognostic tool for patients with GC undergoing curative resection, offering insights into patient survival outcomes based on their inflammatory and nutritional status.

Clinical Significance of Tryptophanyl-tRNA Synthetase 1 Gene Expression in Patients With Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase 1 gene (WARS1), encodes a tryptophan-tRNA synthetase involved in the amino acidification of tryptophan-tRNA and has been reported to be involved in cancer cell growth, metastasis promotion, and drug resistance in a variety of cancers. This study investigated the clinical significance of WARS1 expression as a biomarker in gastric cancer tissues obtained from patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (GC) who underwent radical resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: WARS1 expression in GC tissues and adjacent normal gastric mucosa of 253 patients with pStage II/III GC who underwent curative resection was determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Association of WARS1 expression levels, categorized into high and low expression based on the median expression levels, with clinicopathological factors and overall survival (OS) of these patients was assessed. RESULTS: The low-WARS1 expression group had significantly higher serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, venous invasion, and pathological stage than did the high-WARS1 expression group. OS was significantly worse in the low- than in the high-WARS1 expression group (5-year survival 52.2% vs. 75.9%; p=0.0001). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, low WARS1 expression was an independent predictor for poor OS (hazard ratio=2.101; 95% confidence interval=1.328-3.322; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: In patients with locally advanced GC, after curative resection, WARS1 expression in GC tissue may be a useful prognostic marker.

Clinical Impact of the C-reactive Protein-albumin-lymphocyte Index in Post-gastrectomy Patients With Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Recently, preoperative inflammatory, immune, and nutritional statuses have attracted attention as prognostic factors in post-curative gastrectomy patients with gastric cancer (GC). The usefulness of the C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index as a prognostic factor in patients with various cancers, has been reported. However, reports on the clinical significance of the CALLY index in patients with GC after gastrectomy remain inadequate. In this prospective study, we focused on the preoperative CALLY index and investigated its usefulness as a prognostic factor in patients with GC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 459 patients who underwent gastrectomy for GC between December 2013 and November 2017 at Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa, Japan. The preoperative CALLY index was calculated based on the preoperative blood test data. Patients were divided into high- and low-CALLY groups. The associations of the preoperative CALLY scores with clinicopathological factors, overall survival (OS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after gastrectomy for GC were evaluated. RESULTS: The low-CALLY group was significantly older, had higher venous invasion, and a more progressive pStage than did the high-CALLY group. OS and RFS after gastrectomy in the low-CALLY group were significantly worse than those in the high-CALLY group (77.9% vs. 88.9%; p<0.001 and 73.8% vs. 87.1%; p<0.001, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, a low CALLY score was an independent prognostic factor of worse OS and RFS. CONCLUSION: Preoperative CALLY levels may be a useful prognostic predictor in patients with GC after curative gastrectomy.

Effect of Preoperative Gastric Shape on Loss of Lean Body Mass After Distal Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Based on gastric shape, patients with gastric cancer can be divided into storage (hook-shaped and ptotic stomach) and reverse outflow (steer-horn and cascade stomach) groups. In patients with gastric cancer, postoperative loss of lean body mass (LBM) is associated with a poor prognosis. This study investigated the influence of preoperative gastric shape on LBM loss 1 month after curative distal gastrectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2011 and May 2019, we enrolled 487 patients with pathological stage IA/IB/IIA gastric cancer who underwent curative distal gastrectomy and did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients were divided into storage (n=370) and outflow (n=117) groups according to whether barium was stored in the stomach during the preoperative fluoroscopic examination. Clinicopathological features, LBM 1 month after gastrectomy, and predictors of postoperative LBM loss were compared between the groups using multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The incidence of >5% LBM loss and >7.5% body weight loss 1 month postoperatively were significantly higher in the storage group than in the outflow group (p=0.003 and p=0.009, respectively). Multivariable analysis revealed that gastric shape [odds ratio (OR)=3.30, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.95-5.59, p<0.001], male sex (OR=3.20, 95% CI=2.07-4.96, p<0.001), and Roux-en-Y reconstruction (OR=1.69, 95% CI=1.08-2.64, p=0.02) were independent predictors of LBM loss. Postoperative dietary problems, especially dumping syndrome, diarrhea, and reflux were more common in the storage group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Gastric shape may be a useful independent predictor of postoperative LBM loss in patients with gastric cancer undergoing distal gastrectomy.

Clinical Significance of Prealbumin Level Measurement Before Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Elderly Patients With Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Radical esophagectomy after preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is the standard treatment for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, careful treatment selection is required when considering organ function in elderly patients. Prealbumin, a rapid turnover protein, is a short-term dynamic nutritional index, and its relationship with long-term postoperative survival in various cancers has been previously reported. However, the association between serum prealbumin level before NAC and survival in elderly patients remains unclear. This study investigated the clinical significance of prealbumin level measurement before NAC in elderly patients with locally advanced ESCC who underwent surgery after NAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighty patients aged ≥65 years diagnosed with cStage II/III ESCC and undergoing radical esophagectomy after cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil therapy as NAC, were included. The cutoff value of the serum prealbumin level before NAC was set at 18.2 mg/dl using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and postoperative complications, recurrence, and overall survival were compared between the low and high prealbumin groups. RESULTS: There were no differences in patient background, clinicopathological characteristics, postoperative complications, or recurrence-free survival between the two groups. Overall survival (OS) was significantly worse in the low prealbumin group than in the high prealbumin group (5-year survival, 33.3% vs. 67.0%; p=0.0341). Furthermore, on univariate and multivariate analysis, low prealbumin level was an independent poor OS factor (p=0.036). CONCLUSION: In elderly patients with locally advanced ESCC, serum prealbumin level before NAC may be a useful prognostic factor and may be important in selecting a treatment strategy that considers individual organ function.

Significance of Preoperative Modified Nutritional Risk Index in Patients With Gastric Cancer After Curative Resection.

BACKGROUND/AIM: A new modified nutritional risk index (mNRI), calculated using serum albumin (g/l)+body mass index (BMI) [weight (kg_/height2 (m2)], is a good predictor of postoperative complications and cancer survival. However, no study has used this index in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of the preoperative mNRI values in patients with GC who underwent curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined 449 patients who underwent curative resection for GC at Kanagawa Cancer Center between 2013 and 2017. The mNRI cutoff value obtained using a receiver operating characteristic analysis was 23.31. Patients were divided into high and low mNRI groups according to the cutoff value, and the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: In terms of clinicopathological characteristics, the high mNRI group had a higher proportion of men, higher BMI, and a higher proportion of patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status class 2/3 compared with the low mNRI group; the low mNRI group had significantly worse 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) than the high mNRI group (OS, p=0.005) (OS, p=0.006; RFS, p=0.018) did. In the multivariate analysis, a low mNRI was an independent predictor of OS (p=0.006) and RFS (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: Preoperative mNRI may be a useful recurrence and prognostic biomarker in patients with GC who have undergone curative resection.

Clinical Significance of Chitinase-3-like Protein 1 Gene Expression in Patients With Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1), encoded by CHI3L1, is thought to be involved in growth, invasion, migration, and resistance to chemotherapy in cancer. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of CHI3L1 expression as a biomarker in gastric cancer (GC) tissues of patients with locally advanced GC after curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to determined CHI3L1 expression in GC tissues and adjacent normal gastric mucosa of 253 patients with pStage II/III GC who underwent curative resection. We compared the expression levels in GC tissues and adjacent normal gastric mucosa, and examined the relationship between expression in GC tissues and clinicopathological factors and overall survival (OS) in these patients. RESULTS: CHI3L1 expression was significantly associated with lymph-node metastasis and venous invasion. OS rate was significantly lower in the high- than in the low-CHI3L1 expression group (5-year survival 55.5% vs. 72.6%; p=0.009). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, high CHI3L1 gene expression was an independent factor for poor OS (hazard ratio=2.030; 95% confidence interval=1.318-3.127; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients with locally advanced GC after curative resection, expression of the CHI3L1 in GC tissue may be a useful prognostic marker.

Clinical Significance of Pregnancy Zone Protein Expression in Patients With Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer After Curative Resection.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Pregnancy zone protein (PZP), encoded by PZP, belongs to the α-2-macroglobulin superfamily, and plays an important role in inflammatory responses and immune cell activation in cancer. However, the relationship between gastric cancer (GC) and PZP is poorly studied. This study investigated the clinical significance of PZP expression in GC tissues of patients with locally advanced GC after curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we measured PZP expression in GC tissues and adjacent normal gastric mucosa of 253 patients with pStage II/III GC who underwent curative resection. We compared the expression levels of PZP in GC tissues and adjacent normal gastric mucosa and examined the relationship of PZP expression in GC tissues with clinicopathological factors and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: PZP expression was significantly associated with histology, venous invasion, and pathological stage. The high PZP expression group had significantly worse OS than did the low expression group (5-year survival 48.6% vs. 68.5%, p=0.0003). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, high PZP expression was an independent factor for poor OS (hazard ratio=1.984, 95% confidence interval=1.307-3.012, p=0.0013). CONCLUSION: In post-curative resection patients with locally advanced GC, PZP expression in GC tissue may be a useful prognostic marker.

Asialoglycoprotein Receptor 2 Expression in Patients With Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer After Curative Resection.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The asialoglycoprotein receptor 2 gene (ASGR2) encodes a subunit of the asialoglycoprotein receptor, a transmembrane protein, which has recently been reported to be involved in gastric cancer (GC) progression. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of ASGR2 expression in GC tissues of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) after curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ASGR2 expression was measured in GC tissues and adjacent normal gastric mucosa in 253 patients with pStage II/III GC who underwent curative resection, by using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We compared the expression levels in GC tissues and adjacent normal stomach mucosa, and evaluated the relationship of its expression in GC tissues with clinicopathological factors and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: ASGR2 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and venous invasion. The high ASGR2-expression group demonstrated significantly lower survival than the low expression group (5-year survival 55.5% vs. 72.6%; p=0.009). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, high ASGR2 expression was an independent factor for poor OS (hazard ratio=2.030; 95% confidence interval=1.318-3.127; p=0.001). CONCLUSION: ASGR2 expression in GC tissues may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with LAGC after curative resection.

Dietary Intake After Surgery in Patients With Gastric Cancer Who Underwent Laparoscopic-assisted Versus Those Who Underwent Conventional Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Dietary intake (DI) loss after gastrectomy is a serious problem for patients with gastric cancer. This study compared the dietary intake after surgery in patients with early gastric cancer who received laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) versus those who underwent conventional open distal gastrectomy (ODG). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study enrolling patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Dietary intake was assessed using the food frequency questionnaire with eighty-two food items (FFQW82) at nutritional counseling before surgery and one and three months after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were included. Among them, 69 (58.5%) were male, and 49 (41.5%) were female. Seventy-five (63.6%) received LDG, and 43 (36.4%) received ODG. At 1 month postoperatively, the median DI in the LDG group was 1,540 (1,014-2,195) kcal/day, whereas that in the ODG group was 1547 (986-2,143) kcal/day (p=0.891). At 3 months postoperatively, the median DI in the LDG group was 1,624 (1,050-2,443) kcal/day, and that in the ODG group was 1,652 (917-2,144) kcal/day (p=0.749). There was no significant difference in the DI loss rate at 1 month (median: -8.2% vs. -9.3%, p=0.398) and 3 months (median: -3.2% vs. -3.7%, p=0.635) between the LDG and ODG groups. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery may not prevent postoperative DI loss after distal gastrectomy. Therefore, methods other than laparoscopic surgery are needed to prevent post-gastrectomy DI loss.

Intraoperative Blood Loss Impacts Recurrence and Survival in Patients With Locally Advanced Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Intraoperative blood loss (IBL) has been reported to decrease survival after surgical resection of some malignancies; however, there are few reports on the effects of IBL on recurrence and survival in locally advanced esophageal cancer. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between IBL and postoperative recurrence and overall survival in patients who underwent surgery for esophageal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and ninety-eight patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who underwent preoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and curative resection as standard treatment were included in this study. Based on a defined cut-off value for IBL, 27 and 171 patients were classified into the high and low IBL groups, respectively. The relationship between each group and clinicopathological factors, postoperative recurrence, and overall survival were investigated. RESULTS: In terms of the relationship between IBL and clinicopathological factors, the high IBL group had significantly more patients with pathological T4, longer operative time, and higher incidence of postoperative complications than the low IBL group. Both recurrence-free and overall survival were significantly worse in the high IBL group than in the low IBL group. Furthermore, multivariate analysis identified high IBL as an independent factor for predicting poor reference free survival and overall survival. CONCLUSION: Heavy IBL in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer may be a useful predictor of postoperative recurrence and overall survival.

Influence of the Oral Health Assessment Tool Score on Survival of Patients With Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We investigated the influence of the preoperative Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT) score on the outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer after curative surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study included 90 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent curative surgery and who were screened with the OHAT between 2008 and 2021. The OHAT consists of eight categories with three possible scores. The risk factors for 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were identified. RESULTS: Patients were divided into healthy (n=42) and unhealthy (n=48) groups. The OHAT score was identified as a significant risk factor for postoperative pneumonia (11.9% vs. 43.8%, p=0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (20.5 days vs. 50.1 days, p=0.042). The 5-year OS rate after surgery was 71.2% in the healthy group and 43.2% in the unhealthy group, which was a significant difference (p=0.015). A multivariate analysis showed that a high OHAT score was a significant independent factor for 5-year OS (p=0.034). CONCLUSION: The OHAT score was a useful prognostic marker in patients who underwent curative surgery for esophageal cancer. To improve the oncological outcomes of patients with esophageal cancer, it is necessary to carefully plan perioperative oral/dental care using the OHAT score.

Clinical Effect of the C-Reactive Protein to Serum Albumin Ratio in Patients with Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Treated with Trifluridine/Tipiracil.

Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is an oral anticancer agent used as a third- or later-line treatment for patients with metastatic gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC). The C-reactive protein-to-serum albumin ratio (CAR) is an inflammation-based prognostic marker in gastric cancer. This retrospective study evaluated CAR's clinical significance as a prognostic factor in 64 patients with mGC/GEJC administered FTD/TPI as a third- or later-line therapy. Patients were categorized into high- and low-CAR groups based on pre-treatment blood data. This study evaluated associations between CAR and overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), clinicopathological features, treatment efficacy, and adverse events. The high-CAR group had significantly worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, a higher prevalence of patients administered with a single course of FTD/TPI, and a higher rate of patients not administered chemotherapy after FTD/TPI therapy than the low-CAR group. Median OS and PFS were significantly poorer in the high-CAR group than in the low-CAR group (113 vs. 399 days; p < 0.001 and 39 vs. 112 days; p < 0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, high CAR was an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS. The overall response rate was not significantly different between the high- and low-CAR groups. Regarding adverse events, the high-CAR group had a significantly lower incidence of neutropenia and a higher incidence of fatigue than the low-CAR group. Therefore, CAR may be a potentially useful prognostic factor for patients with mGC/GEJC treated with FTD/TPI as third- or later-line chemotherapy.

Evaluation of Irinotecan and Trifluridine/Tipiracil as Fourth-line Treatments After Third-line Nivolumab for Advanced Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Irinotecan and trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) are fourth-line treatment options after third-line nivolumab for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). However, the efficacy and safety of irinotecan and FTD/TPI in the fourth-line setting after third-line nivolumab remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of irinotecan and FTD/TPI in the fourth-line setting after third-line nivolumab. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 137 AGC patients treated with nivolumab as third-line treatment in our institute between October 2017 and July 2021. Of these, we recruited 19 AGC patients who initiated irinotecan and 23 AGC patients who initiated FTD/TPI in the fourth-line setting until September 2021. RESULTS: The median overall survival was 5.83 months for irinotecan and 6.31 months for FTD/TPI. Median time-to-treatment failure was 2.07 months for irinotecan and 1.64 months for FTD/TPI. While the frequency of all-grade diarrhea was higher in irinotecan (36% vs. 17%), grade ≥3 neutropenia tended to be higher in FTD/TPI (21% vs. 35%). CONCLUSION: Irinotecan and FTD/TPI may be clinically useful as fourth-line treatments after nivolumab.

Clinical Effects of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio/Serum Albumin Ratio in Patients with Gastric Cancer after Gastrectomy.

Preoperative inflammatory and nutritional statuses have potential prognostic effects on patients with gastric cancer (GC) after curative gastrectomy. We investigated the prognostic usefulness of the preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio/albumin ratio (NLR/Alb) in patients with GC. Among 483 patients who underwent gastrectomy for GC, the preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI), NLR, and NLR/Alb were calculated using preoperative blood test data. The patients were divided into the high and low PNI, NLR, and NLR/Alb groups. The associations of preoperative PNI, NLR, and NLR/Alb with clinicopathological features, 3-year (3Y) overall survival (OS) rates, and relapse-free survival (RFS) rates after gastrectomy for GC were evaluated. The number of female individuals and the C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in the high- compared to the low-NLR/Alb group (both p < 0.05). The 3Y OS and 3Y RFS rates following gastrectomy were significantly lower in the high- compared to the low-NLR/Alb group (88.2% vs. 97.8%, p = 0.003 and 84.2% vs. 95.6%, p = 0.002, respectively). In multivariate analysis, high NLR/Alb could independently predict prognosis and recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.26-13.55; p = 0.02 and HR: 3.16; 95% CI: 1.34-7.45, p = 0.009, respectively). Preoperative NLR/Alb might be a useful prognostic factor for patients with GC after curative gastrectomy.

Clinical Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio/Serum Albumin Ratio in Patients With Metastatic Gastric or Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer Administered Trifluridine/Tipiracil.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Trifluridine/tipiracil (FTD/TPI) is an anticancer-agent that is administered as third-line or later chemotherapy for metastatic gastric/gastroesophageal junction cancer (mGC/GEJC). Although inflammatory and nutritional statuses have attracted attention as prognostic factors for patients with mGC/GEJC in this therapy, their usefulness has not been fully clarified. Thus, this study investigated the clinical significance of prognostic nutritional index (PNI), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and NLR/serum albumin (Alb) ratio in patients administered FTD/TPI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 patients who underwent FTD/TPI treatment for mGC/GEJC at Kanagawa Cancer Center, Kanagawa, Japan, between October 2019 and June 2022. Patients were divided into high and low PNI, NLR, and NLR/Alb groups according to their pretreatment blood data. This study evaluated the associations between the inflammatory and nutritional indexes and survivals. RESULTS: Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with low PNI were significantly poorer than those with high PNI. However, low PNI was not an independent prognostic factor for OS and PFS. There was no significant association between NLR and OS or PFS. In contrast, the OS of patients with high NLR/Alb was significantly poorer than those with high PNI and low NLR/Alb. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that high NLR/Alb was an independent prognostic factor for OS. CONCLUSION: The NLR/Alb may be a useful prognostic factor in patients with mGC/GEJC being administered FTD/TPI as third-line or later chemotherapy.

Clinical Significance of SEC11A Expression in Patients With Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: SEC11A gene encodes the SPC18 protein, which has been implicated in tumour progression by inducing the secretion of various growth factors. We investigated the clinical significance of SEC11A expression in gastric cancer (GC) tissues in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) after curative resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We estimated SEC11A expression in cancer tissues from 253 pStage II/III GC patients who underwent curative resection using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and investigated the relationship of SEC11A expression with clinicopathological factors and survival. RESULTS: SEC11A expression was significantly related to serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, and pathological stage. The high-SEC11A expression group had a significantly lower survival rate than the low group (5-year survival 52.3% vs. 75.9%; p<0.005). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, high-SEC11A expression was an independent factor of poor survival (hazard ratio, 2.010; 95% confidence interval=1.303-3.100; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: SEC11A expression in cancer tissue may be a useful prognostic marker in patients with LAGC after curative resection.

Evaluating prognostic significance of preoperative C-reactive protein to albumin ratio in older patients with pathological stage II/III colorectal cancer.

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) in older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) undergoing curative resection. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 244 older patients (aged 75 years or higher) with pathological stage II/III CRC who underwent curative surgery between 2008 and 2016. The optimal value of CAR was calculated and its correlation with the clinicopathological factors and prognosis was examined. Results: The optimal cutoff value of the CAR was 0.085. High preoperative CAR was significantly associated with high carcinoembryonic antigen levels (P=0.001), larger tumor size (P<0.001), and T pathological (pT) factor (P=0.001). On multivariate analysis, high CAR was independent prognostic factor for relapse-free survival (P=0.042) and overall survival (P=0.001). Conclusion: Preoperative elevated CAR could be considered as an adverse predictor of both relapse-free survival and overall survival in older patients with CRC undergoing curative surgery.

The Clinical Impact of Synchronous and Metachronous Other Primary Cancer in Gastric Cancer Patients Who Receive Curative Treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The present study evaluated the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of gastric cancer (GC) patients with synchronous and metachronous other primary cancer who received curative treatment for GC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 244 patients who underwent curative treatment for GC between 2005 and 2018. The risk factors for the overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were identified. RESULTS: A total of 244 patients were included in this study. Among them, 58 patients were diagnosed with synchronous and metachronous other primary cancer. When comparing the patient background characteristics and clinical course between GC patients without and with synchronous and metachronous other primary cancer, the background, postoperative surgical complications, and details of adjuvant treatment were similar between the two groups. The 3- and 5-year OS rates in GC patients with synchronous and metachronous other primary cancer were 69.7% and 48.0%, respectively, while those in patients without synchronous and metachronous other primary cancer were 80.6% and 74.3%, respectively, showing a statistically significant difference (p<0.001) The synchronous and metachronous other primary cancer status was included in the final multivariate analysis model (hazard ratio=2.201; 95% confidence interval=1.229-3.942; p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Synchronous and metachronous other primary cancer status is a prognostic factor in GC patients. Therefore, synchronous and metachronous other primary cancer patients need both other primary cancer and GC follow-up to improve their survival.

The Albumin-Bilirubin Score Is a Prognostic Factor for Gastric Cancer Patients Who Receive Curative Treatment.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score is a promising tool for the evaluation of the perioperative hepatic function. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical impact of the preoperative ALBI status in patients with gastric cancer (GC) who received curative treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study included 244 patients who underwent curative treatment for GC between 2005 and 2018. The risk factors for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were identified. RESULTS: Based on the 3- and 5-year OS rates, we set the cut-off value for the ALBI score at -2.7849. The 3- and 5-year OS rates were 87.3% and 80.9%, respectively, in the ALBI-low group, and 66.9% and 60.6% in the ALBI-high group; these differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). The ALBI score was included in the final multivariate analysis model [Hazard ratio (HR)=2.120, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.177-3.818, p=0.012]. Similar results were observed for RFS. In addition, the ALBI score correlated with the introduction of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: The preoperative ALBI score correlated with both the OS and RFS of GC patients as well as the clinical course of adjuvant chemotherapy. Taken together, the ALBI score is a promising prognostic factor for GC.