Liquid biopsy: circulating tumor DNA monitors neoadjuvant chemotherapy response and prognosis in stage II/III gastric cancer.

A good response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is strongly associated with a higher curative resection rate and favorable outcomes for patients with gastric cancer (GC). We examined the utility of serial circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) testing for monitoring NACT response and prognosis in stage II-III GC. Seventy-nine patients were enrolled to receive two cycles of NACT following gastrectomy with D2-lymphadenectomy.

Comparison of the somatic mutations between circulating tumor DNA and tissue DNA in Chinese patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Non-invasive liquid biopsies of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a rapidly growing field in the research of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, factors affecting the concordance of mutations in paired plasma and tissue and the detection rate of ctDNA in real-world Chinese patients with NSCLC were identified.

Methods: Peripheral blood and paired formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples from 125 NSCLC patients were collected and analyzed by sequencing 15 genes.

Inhibitory effects of silybin on the efflux pump of methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Bacterial multidrug resistance efflux systems serve an important role in antimicrobial resistance. Thus, identifying novel and effective efflux pump inhibitors that are safe with no adverse side effects is urgently required. Silybin is a flavonolignan component of the extract from the milk thistle seed.