Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer and the Comparison With Sporadic Colorectal Cancer in Taiwan.

Introduction: We explored the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) and compared with sporadic colorectal cancer in Taiwan.

Methods: In this retrospective study spanning 1987-2022, CACs diagnosed according to endoscopic and pathological reports from 14 tertiary centers were reported to our cohort. Clinical demographics, endoscopic findings, histological results, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed.

Combining moderate dosage of Bevacizumab with TAS-102 provides longer progression-free time in refractory metastatic colorectal Cancer.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of moderate doses of bevacizumab in combination with TAS-102 for the treatment of refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.

Methods: A total of 261 patients with refractory mCRC were enrolled and categorized into two groups: TAS-102 combined with bevacizumab and TAS-102 alone. Patients in the bevacizumab combination group were divided into two subgroups based on a median dose of 3.

CT45A1-mediated MLC2 (MYL9) phosphorylation promotes natural killer cell resistance and outer cell fate in a cell-in-cell structure, potentiating the progression of microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancer.

Patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) colorectal cancer (CRC) have high tumor mutation burden and tumor immunogenicity, exhibiting a higher response rate to immunotherapy and better survival. However, a portion of MSI-H CRC patients still experience adverse disease outcomes. We aimed to identify the tumor-autonomous regulators determining these heterogeneous clinical outcomes.

Management of Crohn's disease in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease updated in 2023.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic, fluctuating inflammatory condition that primarily affects the gastrointestinal tract. Although the incidence of CD in Taiwan is lower than that in Western countries, the severity of CD presentation appears to be similar between Asia and the West. This observation indicates the urgency for devising revised guidelines tailored to the unique reimbursement system, and patient requirements in Taiwan.

Management of ulcerative colitis in Taiwan: consensus guideline of the Taiwan Society of Inflammatory Bowel Disease updated in 2023.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and is characterized by alternating periods of inflammation and remission. Although UC incidence is lower in Taiwan than in Western countries, its impact remains considerable, demanding updated guidelines for addressing local healthcare challenges and patient needs. The revised guidelines employ international standards and recent research, emphasizing practical implementation within the Taiwanese healthcare system.

Normal-Incidence Germanium Photodetectors Integrated with Polymer Microlenses for Optical Fiber Communication Applications.

We present a novel photon-acid diffusion method to integrate polymer microlenses (MLs) on a four-channel, high-speed photo-receiver consisting of normal-incidence germanium (Ge) p-i-n photodiodes (PDs) fabricated on a 200 mm Si substrate. For a 29 µm diameter PD capped with a 54 µm diameter ML, its dark current, responsivity, 3 dB bandwidth (BW), and effective aperture size at -3 V bias and 850 nm wavelength are measured to be 138 nA, 0.6 A/W, 21.

Short-term outcomes of short- and long-course chemoradiotherapy before total mesorectal excision for locally advanced rectal tumors: A single-center study in Taiwan utilizing propensity score matching.

Background: Locally advanced rectal tumors are typically treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Short-course chemoradiotherapy (SCRT, 2500 cGy in five fractions) is a convenient alternative to concurrent chemoradiotherapy with long-course radiotherapy (CCRT, 4500 cGy in 25 fractions) without sacrificing efficacy. We aimed to compare the short-term outcomes of SCRT and CCRT in patients with mid- and low- rectal tumors who underwent total mesorectal excision using real-world data.

The salvage lenvatinib-based regimen provides survival benefit in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.

Salvage treatment for refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has yet to be identified. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a salvage lenvatinib-based regimen for refractory mCRC. In total, 371 patients were categorized into lenvatinib-based and non-lenvatinib-based groups.

The survival outcome differs between left-sided colon cancer and middle/low rectal cancer after colorectal hepatic metastasectomy.

Background: The clinical outcomes between left-sided colon cancer and middle/low rectal cancer seem to be different. This study aimed to examine the effect of primary tumor location regarding the left-sided colon and middle/low rectum on the overall survival (OS) of patients who underwent colorectal hepatic metastasectomy.

Methods: Patients who underwent colorectal hepatic metastasectomy were retrospectively enrolled.

Interferon Gamma Induces Higher Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Leading to Tumor-Killing Activity in Microsatellite Stable Colorectal Cancer.

Many patients with colorectal cancer do not respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy, highlighting the urgent need to understand tumor resistance mechanisms. Recently, the link between the IFNγ signaling pathway integrity and ICB resistance in the colorectal cancer tumor microenvironment has been revealed. The immunosuppressive microenvironment poses a significant challenge to antitumor immunity in colorectal cancer development.

Adenocarcinoma of sigmoid colon with metastasis to an ovarian mature teratoma: A case report.

Background: Colorectal cancer ranks third in global cancer-related mortality, often due to metastases to liver and lungs. Ovarian metastases are less common, accounting for 3.6% to 7.

Detecting microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer using Transformer-based colonoscopy image classification and retrieval.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major global health concern, with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) being a defining characteristic of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome and affecting 15% of sporadic CRCs. Tumors with MSI-H have unique features and better prognosis compared to MSI-L and microsatellite stable (MSS) tumors. This study proposed establishing a MSI prediction model using more available and low-cost colonoscopy images instead of histopathology.

Safety and Efficacy of Oral Nalbuphine on Postoperative Pain in Hemorrhoidectomy Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Pivotal Trial.

Objectives: Severe postoperative pain requiring opioid treatment has been reported in 20% to 40% of hemorrhoidectomy patients. Compared with morphine, nalbuphine offers better hemodynamic stability, a lower risk of respiratory depression, and a lower potential for addiction. Nalbuphine was developed from the intravenous form into an oral form (PHN131) to alleviate moderate-to-severe pain.

The emergence of RAS mutations in patients with RAS wild-type mCRC receiving cetuximab as first-line treatment: a noninterventional, uncontrolled multicenter study.

Absrtact: BACKGROUND: Patients treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) will ultimately develop acquired resistance promoted by clonal selection, mainly the emergence of mutations in the MAPK pathway (mostly RAS mutations). Baseline assessment of RAS mutations in the blood of patients correlates well with RAS tumour tissue testing and is currently an alternative option in routine clinical practice to guide first-line therapy. The aim of this study was the prevalence of acquired genomic alterations detected in the auxiliary tool of ctDNA testing and investigated the role of RAS ctDNA status for detecting tumour response and predicting benefit to anti-EGFR therapy.

Surgical strategy for colorectal cancer with synchronous liver and extrahepatic metastases: A scoring system and decision tree model.

Background: The role of hepatectomy in a specific group of patients with synchronous colorectal cancer with liver metastases (SCRLM) and synchronous extrahepatic disease (SEHD) is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of liver surgery and define the selection criteria for surgical candidates in patients with SCRLM + SEHD.

Methods: Between July 2007 and October 2018, 475 patients with colorectal cancer with liver metastases (CRLM) who underwent liver resection were retrospectively reviewed.

Anti-VEGF Therapy Possibly Extends Survival in Patients With Colorectal Brain Metastasis by Protecting Patients From Neurologic Disability.

Background: Colorectal brain metastases (CBMs) are rare with poor prognosis. There is still no standard systemic treatment for multiple or unresectable CBM. our study aimed to explore the impact of anti-VEGF therapy on overall survival, brain-specific disease control, and neurologic symptom burden in patients with CBM.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on inflammatory bowel disease care in Taiwan: A multicenter study.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a great impact on healthcare system and patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perceptions of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Methods: This prospective multicenter study was conducted between July 2021 and December 2021.

MiSelect R System: the validation of a new detection system of CTCs and their correlation with prognosis in non-metastatic CRC patients.

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood are accepted as a prognostic marker for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). However, there is limited data on the use of CTCs as a prognostic marker for non-metastatic patients. In the current study, we used a rare cell automated analysis platform, the MiSelect R System, to enumerate CTCs from blood in non-metastatic CRC patients, and corelated the number of CTCs with the clinical staging and survival.

Enhanced prognostic value of combined circulating tumor cells and serum carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have been investigated as a potential biomarker for predicting prognosis and monitoring therapeutic responses in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the sensitivity of CTCs detection is low, thus limiting the clinical utility of CTCs. We aim to examine the clinicopathological parameters that improve prognosis prediction for CRC using CTCs as a biomarker.

Protective loop ileostomy or colostomy? A risk evaluation of all common complications.

Purpose: Protective ileostomy and colostomy are performed in patients undergoing low anterior resection with a high leakage risk. We aimed to compare surgical, medical, and daily care complications between these 2 ostomies in order to make individual choice.

Methods: Patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal tumors with protective stomas between January 2011 and September 2018 were enrolled.

Perioperative optimization of Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly affecting the gastrointestinal tract. With the increased availability of modalities in the last two decades, the treatment of CD has advanced remarkably. Although medical treatment is the mainstay of therapy, most patients require surgery during the course of their illness, especially those who experience complications.

Real-World Evidence of Effectiveness and Safety of Vedolizumab for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Taiwan: A Prospective Nationwide Registry (VIOLET) Study.

Background: This nationwide prospective registry study investigated the real-world effectiveness, safety, and persistence of vedolizumab (VDZ) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients in Taiwan. Disease relapse rates after VDZ discontinuation due to reimbursement restriction were assessed.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively (January 2018 to May 2020) from the Taiwan Society of IBD registry.

The Negative Prognostic Impact of Lymph Node Skip Metastasis in Stage III Colon Cancer With pN1 Disease: A Single-Center and Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: Lymph node skip metastasis is a subgroup of lymph node metastatic patterns with low incidence in node-positive colon cancer. Its clinical significance is still unclear.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic impact of lymph node skip metastasis in stage III colon cancer.