Predictive and prognostic value of excision repair cross-complementing group 1 in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

Background: To define the optimal chemotherapy regimen for each patient we therefore used tissue from patients to identify molecular prognostic or predictive biomarkers.

Methods: Endoscopic biopsy specimens from primary lesions and surgical specimens on a phase III trial in patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer treated with docetaxel with cisplatin plus S-1 (DCS) or cisplatin plus S-1 (CS), were collected. We measured the mRNA expression of ERCC1 and analyzed SNPs in GSTP1 and ERCC1.

Different efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors by KIT and PGFRA mutations identified in circulating tumor DNA for the treatment of refractory gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Background: While advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are primarily treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), acquired resistance from specific mutations in KIT or PDGFRA frequently occurs. We aimed to assess the utility of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a modality of therapeutic decision-making in advanced GIST.

Methods: We conducted a pooled analysis of SCRUM-Japan studies for advanced GIST patients.

Real-world treatment costs of first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: a survey of the JCOG colorectal cancer study group.

Background: Although treatment outcomes for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) have dramatically improved over the past few decades, drug costs have also significantly increased. This study aimed to investigate which first-line treatment regimens for mCRC are actually used (frequency) in Japanese practice and at what cost.

Methods: We collected data on patients with mCRC who received first-line treatment at 37 institutions of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group Colorectal Cancer Study Group from July 2021 to June 2022, and calculated the cost of regimens.

Synthesis of Phosphine Chalcogenides Using Tetrabutylammonium Chalcogenocyanates.

The new chalcogenylation of phosphines using BuN‧XCN (X = S, Se) is described. The reaction in 1,2-dichloroethane at 120 °C provided the corresponding phosphine sulfides in good to high yields. The protocol could be extended to the synthesis of phosphinic acid derivatives as well as sulfurization of poly(styrene-co-4-styryldiphenylphosphine).

Palliative use of self-expanding metal stents in initially anticancer treatment-intolerant patients with esophageal cancer.

Background: The post-insertion clinical course of esophageal self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) in initially frail patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC) with dysphagia remains unclear. This study aimed to assess dysphagia improvement and evaluate prognosis in initially frail patients with advanced EC following SEMS insertion.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed EC patients with EC who underwent esophageal SEMS insertion at our institution between January 2014 and March 2023.