IGF-1-mediated FOXC1 overexpression induces stem-like properties through upregulating CBX7 and IGF-1R in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Substantial evidence attests to the pivotal role of cancer stem cells (CSC) in both tumorigenesis and drug resistance. A member of the forkhead box (FOX) family, FOXC1, assumes significance in embryonic development and organogenesis. Furthermore, FOXC1 functions as an overexpressed transcription factor in various tumors, fostering proliferation, enhancing migratory capabilities, and promoting drug resistance, while maintaining stem-cell-like properties.

Transcription factor 3 promotes migration and invasion potential and maintains cancer stemness by activating ID1 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Transcription factor 3 (TCF3) is a member of the basic Helix - Loop - Helix (bHLH) transcription factor (TF) family and is encoded by the TCF3 gene (also known as E2A). It has been shown that TCF3 functions as a key transcription factor in the pathogenesis of several human cancers and plays an important role in stem cell maintenance and carcinogenesis. However, the effect of TCF3 in the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is poorly known.

Muscular injury as an independent risk factor for esophageal stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection of esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Background And Aims: Stenosis after esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has a high incidence, and muscular injury is an important risk factor for esophageal stenosis. Hence, this study aimed to classify muscular injury degrees and investigate their association with postoperative stenosis.

Methods: This retrospective study included 1033 patients with esophageal mucosal lesions treated with ESD between August 2015 and March 2021.

Assessment of Autologous Blood marker localIzation and intraoperative coLonoscopy localIzation in laparoscopic colorecTal cancer surgery (ABILITY): a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been proved to have similar oncological outcomes with open surgery. Due to the lack of tactile perception, surgeons may have misjudgments in laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Therefore, the accurate localization of a tumor before surgery is important, especially in the early stages of cancer.

No-touch endoscopic full-thickness resection technique for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND : There remain concerns regarding the technical feasibility of endoscopic resection for large gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), mainly relating to the risk of tumor rupture and the adequacy of the resection margins. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic outcomes of the newly developed no-touch endoscopic full-thickness resection (NT-EFTR) technique for GISTs. METHODS : In this retrospective study, 92 patients with gastric GISTs undergoing NT-EFTR were included.

A prediction model and nomogram for technical difficulty of peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Background And Aims: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a promising endoscopic technique for achalasia. We aimed to establish a regression model and develop a simple nomogram to predict the technical difficulty of POEM in a single center with large volume cases.

Methods: 3385 achalasia patients treated with POEM were included, and the technical difficulty was systemically evaluated.

Predictors of difficult endoscopic resection of submucosal tumors originating from the muscularis propria layer at the esophagogastric junction.

Background: Endoscopic resection approaches, including endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) and endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR), have been widely used for the treatment of submucosal tumors (SMTs) located in the upper gastrointestinal tract. However, compared to SMTs located in the esophagus or stomach, endoscopic resection of SMTs from the esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is much more difficult because of the sharp angle and narrow lumen of the EGJ. SMTs originating from the muscularis propria (MP) in the EGJ, especially those that grow extraluminally and adhere closely to the serosa, make endoscopic resection even more difficult.

Endoscopic radial incision versus endoscopic balloon dilation as initial treatments of benign esophageal anastomotic stricture.

Background And Aim: We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic radial incision (ERI) versus endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) treatment of naïve, recurrent, and refractory benign esophageal anastomotic strictures.

Methods: One hundred and one ERI, 145 EBD, and 42 ERI combined with EBD sessions were performed in 136 consecutive patients with benign esophageal anastomotic stricture after esophagectomy at Zhongshan Hospital from January 2016 to August 2021. Baseline characteristics, operational procedures, and clinical outcomes data were retrospectively evaluated.

ETV5 overexpression promotes progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by upregulating SKA1 and TRPV2.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is notorious for the rapid progression especially early tumor metastasis due to the unclear mechanism. Recently, ETV5 attracts much attention for its potential role as an oncogenic transcription factor involved in multiple cancers. However, no one reported the mechanism behind the association between ETV5 expression and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression.

Endoscopic resection of upper GI extraluminal tumors (with videos).

Background And Aims: Endoscopic resection is a feasible treatment for GI extraluminal tumors but remains a challenging procedure with limited data. In this study, we assessed the safety and efficacy of endoscopic resection for extraluminal tumors in the upper GI tract.

Methods: From May 2016 to December 2021, 109 patients undergoing endoscopic resection for extraluminal tumors in the upper GI tract were retrospectively included.

Submucosal Tunneling Endoscopic Resection for Submucosal Tumors in the Proximal Esophagus.

Background: Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) is widely applied for treatment of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs) originating from the muscularis propria layer. However, the tumor location within the proximal esophagus makes STER a challenge for the endoscopists. The aim of this study was to summarize the technique skill and evaluate the outcomes of proximal esophageal STER.

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic septum division for esophageal diverticulum with a median follow-up of 39 months: a multicenter cohort study.

Background And Aims: Submucosal tunneling endoscopic septum division (STESD) is an endoscopic minimally invasive technique for treating esophageal diverticulum. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety and efficacy of STESD and its impact on patients' quality of life.

Methods: This study included consecutive patients who underwent STESD for esophageal diverticulum from April 2016 to August 2020 in 2 centers (Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Tianjin First Central Hospital).

Landscape of esophageal submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection-related adverse events in a standardized lexicon: a large volume of 1701 cases.

Background: Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) has been widely applied for esophageal submucosal tumors. This large volume study aims to provide a standard landscape of STER-related AEs for reference.

Methods: 1701 patients with esophageal SMTs undergoing STER were included at Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University.

Repeat endoscopic submucosal dissection as salvage treatment for local recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after initial endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background And Aims: Local recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after endoscopic resection does not have an established treatment. The efficacy and safety of repeat endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for recurrent ESCC were determined in the study.

Methods: Forty-three consecutive patients with 45 locally recurrent superficial ESCC lesions undergoing repeat ESD and 909 first ESD lesions for propensity score matching (PSM) at Zhongshan Hospital between January 2011 and January 2020 were retrospectively enrolled.

Controlled hypertension under hemostasis prevents post-gastric endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a prominent minimally invasive operative technique for treating early gastrointestinal tumors but can result in postoperative bleeding. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether increasing blood pressure under hemostasis during gastric ESD to identify potential bleeding spots reduces the risk of post-ESD bleeding.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled, single-blinded clinical trial, 309 patients with early gastric cancer who were admitted to a hospital to undergo ESD were recruited from March 2017 to February 2018 and were randomized into intervention and control groups.

Short- and long-term outcomes of endoscopic submucosal dissection for superficial esophageal squamous cell cancer in patients with prior gastrectomy.

Background: The surgery for esophageal cancer arising after prior gastrectomy is technically difficult with high morbidity and mortality. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment for superficial SCC with high curative resection rate. But few studies are concerned about ESD under these circumstances.

Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for large symptomatic submucosal tumors of the esophagus: A clinical analysis of 24 cases.

Background/aims: Studies evaluating submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs) have recently increased. However, the efficacy and safety of STER for the treatment of large symptomatic SMTs in the esophagus have not been well investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of STER for the treatment of large symptomatic SMTs in the esophagus.

Effect of peroral endoscopic myotomy in geriatric patients: a propensity score matching study.

Background: Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a safe and effective approach for achalasia. However, the safety, feasibility, perioperative and long-term efficacy in treating geriatric patients has not been well evaluated.

Methods: Data of 2367 patients diagnosed with achalasia and treated with POEM in the Endoscopy Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from August 2010 to December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed.

A risk-scoring system to predict clinical failure for patients with achalasia after peroral endoscopic myotomy.

Background And Aims: We aimed to establish a predictive model and develop a simple risk-scoring system (Zhongshan POEM Score) to help clinicians to characterize high-risk patients for clinical failure after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).

Methods: A total of 1538 patients with achalasia treated with POEM with available follow-up data were included in this study and were randomly classified to the training cohort (n = 769) or internal validation cohort (n = 769). A risk-scoring system was developed using multivariate Cox regression analysis in the training cohort.

The efficacy of dental floss and a hemoclip as a traction method for the endoscopic full-thickness resection of submucosal tumors in the gastric fundus.

Background: Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) provides a significant advancement to the treatment of gastrointestinal submucosal tumors (SMTs). However, technological challenges, particularly in the gastric fundus, hinder its wider application. Here, we investigated the efficacy of a simple traction method that used dental floss and a hemoclip (DFC) to facilitate EFTR.

Cordycepin Induces Apoptosis and G2/M Phase Arrest through the ERK Pathways in Esophageal Cancer Cells.

Esophageal cancer is one of the most aggressive and lethal gastrointestinal tract malignancies, with a poor overall five-year survival rate. Cordycepin, a major compound of Cordyceps sinensis, has been shown to have anticancer potential. This study focuses on the anticancer properties of cordycepin that target esophageal cancer and reveals molecular aspects underlying these effects.

Experience in Simultaneous Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Treating Synchronous Multiple Primary Early Esophageal Cancers.

Synchronous multiple primary early esophageal cancers (SMPEEC) are rare and aggressive. Early detection of esophageal cancer can improve survival rate. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a minimally invasive endoscopic treatment of early esophageal cancers.

Microscopic positive tumor margin does not increase the rate of recurrence in endoscopic resected gastric mesenchymal tumors compared to negative tumor margin.

Background: The endoscopic resection of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors (GIMTs) is widely accepted because of its minimal invasiveness. However, one major concern is the high rate of positive microscopic margins remaining following endoscopic resection, which was thought to be related to a higher risk of recurrence. This study aimed to determine whether positive margins affect the recurrence rate of gastric GIMTs and the factors associated with positive margins.