Effect of peripheral blood lymphocyte count on the efficacy of immunotherapy combined with TKI in the treatment of advanced liver cancer.

Background And Aims: Compared with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy, TKI combined with PD1 can improve the therapeutic effect of liver cancer and has been widely used in clinical practice. However, there is a lack of effective biomarkers to identify patients who would benefit more from this combination therapy. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate whether baseline lymphocyte counts can identify patients with liver cancer who would benefit from targeted immune combination therapy.

Phenotypic characterization and genetic mapping of the semi-dwarf mutant sdw9 in maize.

In summary, we characterized a maize semi-dwarf mutant, sdw9, and successfully isolated the responsible gene, which encodes a GRAS protein, through a combination of map-based cloning and Re-sequencing (Re-seq). Our findings demonstrate that the candidate gene ZmGRAS42 regulates BR signaling genes, thereby influencing internode development. This regulatory function likely involves processes such as cell division, cell cycle regulation and cell wall synthesis.

Radiotherapy enhances the anti-tumor effect of CAR-NK cells for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-NK cell therapy has shown remarkable clinical efficacy and safety in the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, this efficacy was limited in solid tumors owing to hostile tumor microenvironment (TME). Radiotherapy is commonly used for solid tumors and proved to improve the TME.

Death receptors 4/5 mediate tumour sensitivity to natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity in mismatch repair deficient colorectal cancer.

Background: Identifying the target of natural killer (NK) cells in colorectal cancer (CRC) is critical for optimising the clinical use of NK cell-mediated immunotherapy. Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) is associated with high immune cell infiltration and MHC Class I defects. Whether dMMR CRC responses to NK cell therapy remains unclear.

Suppression of microRNA168 enhances salt tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Background: Rice is a salt-sensitive crop. Complex gene regulatory cascades are likely involved in salinity stress in rice roots. microRNA168 (miR168) is a conserved miRNA among different plant species.

Tumor-derived lactate inhibit the efficacy of lenvatinib through regulating PD-L1 expression on neutrophil in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Neutrophils play a controversial role in tumor development. The function of programmed cell death-1 ligand (PD-L1) neutrophils, however, may inhibit the cytotoxicity of anti-tumor immunity. In this study, we elucidate the stimulators of PD-L1 neutrophils in tumor microenvironment (TME) and explore the optimal combination to enhance the effect of lenvatinib by inhibiting PD-L1 neutrophils in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Risk factors and prevention of postoperative pancreatic fistula after insulinoma enucleation:a retrospective study from a high-volume center.

Background/objectives: Enucleation is an effective surgical method to treat pancreatic insulinoma, however, the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) is high. We aim to investigate the risk factors for CR-POPF which have not been well characterized and develop effective methods to prevent CR-POPF after enucleation.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 161 patients diagnosed with insulinoma from June 2016 to July 2020 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

Effects of Antiviral Therapy on HBV Reactivation and Survival in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Hepatic Artery Infusion Chemotherapy.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the influence of hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) on hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) as well as evaluate the role of antiviral prophylaxis in these patients.

Methods: We enrolled 170 HBsAg-positive advanced HCC patients receiving HAIC using mFOLFOX regimen, of which 137 patients received antiviral prophylaxis. Risk factors for HBV reactivation were analyzed.

SPC25 overexpression promotes tumor proliferation and is prognostic of poor survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: The nuclear division cycle 80 (NDC80) complex assures proper chromosome segregation during the cell cycle progression. SPC25 is a crucial component of NDC80, and its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been explored recently. This study characterized the differential expression of SPC25 in HCC patients of different races and HBV infection status.

Changes in colorectal cancer incidence by site and age from 1973 to 2015: a SEER database analysis.

Previous studies have reported incidence and mortality declines for colorectal cancer (CRC). We evaluated recent temporal trends of colorectal cancer in the United States for the last 4 decades. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we identified primary CRCs diagnosed between 1973 and 2015.

Dual Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibition Elicits Antitumor Immunity and Enhances Programmed Cell Death-1 Checkpoint Blockade in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background And Aims: Combining anti-angiogenic therapy with immune checkpoint blockade with anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) antibodies is a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are well-known anti-angiogenic agents and offer potential for combination with anti-PD-1 antibodies. This study investigated the possible underlying immunomodulatory mechanisms of combined therapy.

Comparison of Mismatch Repair Status Between Primary and Matched Metastatic Sites in Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Differences between the features of primary cancer and matched metastatic cancer have recently drawn attention in research. This study investigated the concordance in microsatellite instability (MSI) and mismatch repair (MMR) status between primary and corresponding metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods: Consecutive patients with metastatic CRC who had both primary and metastatic tumors diagnosed at our institution in January 2008 through December 2016 were identified.

Circulating Lymphocytes, PD-L1 Expression on Tumor-infiltrating Lymphocytes, and Survival of Colorectal Cancer Patients with Different Mismatch Repair Gene Status.

Clinical outcomes of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy on colorectal cancer (CRC) are influenced by mismatch repair (MMR) gene status, which is associated with distinct tumor immune infiltrates and systemic inflammatory response status. However, the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression and the systemic inflammatory response for patients with MMR deficiency has not been fully investigated. In this study, we examined the association of systemic inflammatory markers, PD-1/PD-L1 pathway expression, microsatellite instability (MSI) status, and clinicopathological characteristics of CRC with patient survival between MMR-deficient (dMMR) group (N=168) and MMR-proficient (pMMR) group (N=169).

Tumor microenvironment classification based on T-cell infiltration and PD-L1 in patients with mismatch repair-proficient and -deficient colorectal cancer.

The classification of tumor microenvironments according to the presence or absence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression has been used to predict the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor antibodies in several cancer types, not including colorectal cancer (CRC). The current study investigated the TIL/PD-L1 status of patients with CRC, particularly patients who presented as mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) and mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR). A total of 243 patients with CRC were enrolled and defined as pMMR (121 patients) or dMMR (122 patients).

Brain metastases in newly diagnosed colorectal cancer: a population-based study.

Background: Population-based incidence evaluations and prognosis assessments of brain metastasis (BM) at diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) are lacking. Our study sought to determine the incidence of BM in CRC patients, median survival of patients with BM, and the risk factors of BM in CRC.

Patients And Methods: Patients diagnosed with CRC were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.

The systemic immune-inflammation index is an independent predictor of survival for metastatic colorectal cancer and its association with the lymphocytic response to the tumor.

Background: Systemic inflammation and immune dysfunction has been proved to be significantly associated with cancer progression and metastasis in many cancer types, including colorectal cancer. We examined the prognostic significance of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and the relationship between the lymphocytic response to the tumor and this index.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 240 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed stage IV mCRC who underwent surgical resection.

Mechanism and prognostic value of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) is a tryptophan-metabolizing enzyme that is widely distributed in normal or malignant tissues and contributes to immunologic tolerance and immune escape. However, in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the characteristics and mechanism of IDO1 expression have not been well defined. In this study, IDO1 expression in tumor cells (T-IDO1) was frequently detected (109/112) by immunohistochemistry in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from HCC patients, and the expression patterns were mostly focal (102/109).

Systemic neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and mismatch repair status in colorectal cancer patients: correlation and prognostic value.

Mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with increased local immune response as compared with mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR) CRC. We evaluated the relationship between MMR status and systemic inflammatory factors, including neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP). We also assessed the prognostic value of these parameters.

Association of low skeletal muscle index with increased systematic inflammatory responses and interferon γ-induced protein 10 levels in patients with colon cancer.

Background: Skeletal muscle depletion is a prognostic factor in patients with cancer. Here, we evaluated the association between the skeletal muscle index (SMI) and local and systemic responses in patients with colon cancer.

Patients And Methods: We analyzed the relationships of the SMI with neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, and platelet counts; the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; albumin levels; and C-reactive protein levels in a cohort of 561 patients, and with the circulating levels of 39 cytokines in a cohort of 125 patients.

CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for lung neoplasms adjacent to the pericardium.

Objective: To assess the safety and effectiveness of computed-tomography-guided (CT-guided) percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for lung neoplasms adjacent to the pericardium.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study was approved by the institutional ethics committee, and all patients provided written informed consent. Between January 1, 2012 and March 31, 2016, 49 consecutive patients (32 men and 17 women; mean age 47.

Comparison of immunological characteristics between paired mismatch repair-proficient and -deficient colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Currently, mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR) status is a promising candidate for targeted immune checkpoint inhibition therapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, however, the potential immunological mechanism has not yet been well clarified and some other predictors need to be excavated as well.

Methods: We collected 330 CRC patients by the match of mismatch repair-proficient (167) and dMMR (163), explored the relationship between MMR status and some important immune molecules including MHC class I, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD56, programmed death-1 and programmed death ligand-1, and investigated the risk factors for dMMR status as well as low MHC class I expression. The Pearson Chi square test was used for analyzing the associations between clinicopathological and immune characteristics and MMR status, and two categories logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analysis to predict the odds ratio of risk factors for dMMR status and low MHC class I expression.

An increased number of negative lymph nodes is associated with a higher immune response and longer survival in colon cancer patients.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among the number of negative lymph nodes (LNs), the local and systemic immune response, and survival in patients with colon cancer.

Patients And Methods: One thousand one hundred and fifty-seven patients with colon cancer who underwent surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 2009 and 2014 were included. We examined negative LNs in relation to the local and systemic immune response, including percentage carcinoma, neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration, Crohn's-like reaction, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, platelets, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte as a prognostic biomarker in stage IV colorectal cancer should take into account the metastatic status and operation modality.

Background: Although tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have been understood for years as a favorable prognostic factor for colorectal cancers (CRCs) after complete surgical resection, its prognostic role in metastatic CRC (mCRC) remains poorly defined, and it is largely unknown how this prognostic benefit relates to the metastatic status and operation modality.

Materials And Methods: After reviewing 2215 consecutive cases of surgically resected CRC, 332 patients newly diagnosed with stage IV CRC and treated at the Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center between 2009 and 2014 were included. H&E-stained (HES) slides from surgical specimens were evaluated for the extent of TILs.

Prognostic value of total number of lymph nodes retrieved differs between left-sided colon cancer and right-sided colon cancer in stage III patients with colon cancer.

Background: The consensus is that a minimum of 12 lymph nodes should be analyzed at colectomy for colon cancer. However, right colon cancer and left colon cancer have different characteristics, and this threshold value for total number of lymph nodes retrieved may not be universally applicable.

Methods: The data of 63,243 patients with colon cancer treated between 2004 and 2012 were retrieved from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database.