Circular RNA as a source of neoantigens for cancer vaccines.

Background: The effectiveness of somatic neoantigen-based immunotherapy is often hindered by the limited number of mutations in tumors with low to moderate mutation burden. Focusing on microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (CRC), this study investigates the potential of tumor-associated circular RNAs (circRNAs) as an alternative source of neoepitopes in CRC.

Methods: Tumor-associated circRNAs in CRC were identified using the MiOncoCirc database and ribo-depletion RNA sequencing of paired clinical normal and tumor samples.

A functional personalised oncology approach against metastatic colorectal cancer in matched patient derived organoids.

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently occurring cancer. Progression on to an advanced metastatic malignancy (metCRC) is often indicative of poor prognosis, as the 5-year survival rates of patients decline rapidly. Despite the availability of many systemic therapies for the management of metCRC, the long-term efficacies of these regimens are often hindered by the emergence of treatment resistance due to intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity.

Preoperative Quality of Life and Mental Health Can Predict Postoperative Outcomes and Quality of Life after Colorectal Cancer Surgery.

: It remains unclear which domains of preoperative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mental health are predictive of postoperative clinical and patient-reported outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. A prospective cohort of 78 CRC patients undergoing elective curative surgery was recruited. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and HADS questionnaires were administered preoperatively and one month after surgery.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome: An unusual cause of abdominal compartment syndrome and bilateral lower limb ischemia.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare, unusual cause of proximal intestinal obstruction. It is characterized by compression of the third part of the duodenum secondary to narrowing of the anatomical space between the SMA and the aorta due to a loss of the intervening mesenteric fat pad. This case highlights the challenge in obtaining a pre-operative radiological diagnosis in an extreme case of gastric outlet obstruction in SMA syndrome, fatally complicated by ACS and bilateral lower limb ischemia.

MiR-138 is a potent regulator of the heterogenous MYC transcript population in cancers.

3'UTR shortening in cancer has been shown to activate oncogenes, partly through the loss of microRNA-mediated repression. This suggests that many reported microRNA-oncogene target interactions may not be present in cancer cells. One of the most well-studied oncogenes is the transcription factor MYC, which is overexpressed in more than half of all cancers.

Early weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy predicts midterm weight loss in morbidly obese Asians.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a popular bariatric procedure in morbidly obese Asians.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of initial weight loss on midterm weight maintenance and remission of co-morbidities after laparoscopic SG in morbidly obese Asians.

Setting: University Hospital, Singapore.

Are hemoglobin levels really lower in faecal immunochemical test positive patients with colorectal cancer?

Introduction: Faecal immunochemical test (FIT) is advocated in many colorectal cancer-screening programs. A positive FIT translates to the need for a colonoscopy. However, waiting times for diagnostic colonoscopy is long.

To LIFT or to flap? Which surgery to perform following seton insertion for high anal fistula?

Background: The ideal surgery following seton insertion for high anal fistulas remains debatable.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the success between the endorectal advancement flap and the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract techniques as the definitive procedure following seton placement.

Design: This study is a retrospective review.

The anatomy of failures following the ligation of intersphincteric tract technique for anal fistula: a review of 93 patients over 4 years.

Background: Although the ligation of intersphincteric tract technique is a promising sphincter-preserving option in managing anal fistulas, failures are still seen.

Objective: This study aimed to illustrate the patterns of failures and recurrences following the ligation of intersphincteric tract procedure for anal fistulas.

Design: This study is a retrospective review.