Multigene Profiling of Circulating Tumor Cells in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Identifies Prognostic Cancer Driver Genes Associated with Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition Progression and Chemoresistance.

We investigated the clinical significance of CTCs in cancer progression by detecting multiple cancer driver genes associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) at the transcript level. The 10-gene panel, comprising , , , , , , , , , and , was established for characterizing CTCs from mouse ESCC xenograft models and clinical ESCC peripheral blood (PB) samples. Correlations between gene expression in CTCs from PB samples ( = 77) and clinicopathological features in ESCC patients ( = 55) were examined.

A Prospective Study Evaluating the Feasibility and Accuracy of Post-operative Laryngeal Ultrasonography (LUSG) in Assessment of Vocal Cord Function After Esophagectomy.

Background: Vocal cord paresis (VCP) is a serious complication after esophagectomy. Conventional diagnosis of VCP relies on flexible laryngoscopy (FL), which is invasive. Laryngeal ultrasonography (LUSG) is non-invasive and convenient.

Percutaneous closure of gastrorenal shunt as adjunctive therapy for esophageal carcinoma.

The embolization of gastric varices is an established technique for acute bleeding in patients with portal hypertension. Here, we report an attempt to embolize a gastrorenal shunt to facilitate esophagectomy in a patient with an esophageal malignancy. To our knowledge, this is the first case in the literature to highlight the role of interventional medicine in the treatment of patients with esophageal malignancy.

Using Genomics Feature Selection Method in Radiomics Pipeline Improves Prognostication Performance in Locally Advanced Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma-A Pilot Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic value of baseline and restaging CT-based radiomics with features associated with gene expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiation (nCRT) plus surgery.

Methods: We enrolled 106 ESCC patients receiving nCRT from two institutions. Gene expression profiles of 28 patients in the training set were used to detect differentially expressed (DE) genes between patients with and without relapse.

Host and viral determinants for efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection of the human lung.

Understanding the factors that contribute to efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection of human cells may provide insights on SARS-CoV-2 transmissibility and pathogenesis, and reveal targets of intervention. Here, we analyze host and viral determinants essential for efficient SARS-CoV-2 infection in both human lung epithelial cells and ex vivo human lung tissues. We identify heparan sulfate as an important attachment factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SARS-CoV-2 Induces a More Robust Innate Immune Response and Replicates Less Efficiently Than SARS-CoV in the Human Intestines: An Ex Vivo Study With Implications on Pathogenesis of COVID-19.

Background And Aims: Besides prominent respiratory involvement, gastrointestinal manifestations are commonly reported in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. We compared infection of ex vivo human intestinal tissues by SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV with respect to their replication kinetics and immune activation profile.

Methods: Human intestinal tissues were obtained from patients while undergoing surgical operations at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.

Elevated levels of serum nidogen-2 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Nidogen-2 (NID2), a secretory basement membrane protein, has been implicated as a potential biomarker in ovarian cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the utility of detecting serum NID2 levels for identification of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients and prediction of poor survival outcome.

Methods: Using an in-house NID2 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), serum samples from 101 ESCC patients and 50 healthy controls were screened for their NID2 levels.

Whole-exome sequencing reveals critical genes underlying metastasis in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most lethal cancers, owing to a high frequency of metastasis. However, little is known about the genomic landscape of metastatic ESCC. To identify the genetic alterations that underlie ESCC metastasis, whole-exome sequencing was performed for 41 primary tumours and 15 lymph nodes (LNs) with metastatic ESCCs.

Cancer cell-secreted IGF2 instigates fibroblasts and bone marrow-derived vascular progenitor cells to promote cancer progression.

Local interactions between cancer cells and stroma can produce systemic effects on distant organs to govern cancer progression. Here we show that IGF2 secreted by inhibitor of differentiation (Id1)-overexpressing oesophageal cancer cells instigates VEGFR1-positive bone marrow cells in the tumour macroenvironment to form pre-metastatic niches at distant sites by increasing VEGF secretion from cancer-associated fibroblasts. Cancer cells are then attracted to the metastatic site via the CXCL5/CXCR2 axis.

PET/CT in the evaluation of treatment response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and prognostication in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the role of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography for the prognostication and evaluation of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy response in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: All consecutive biopsy-proven esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients with PET/computed tomography at baseline (PET0) and 1 month after the completion of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (PET1) between January 2008 and December 2013, followed by esophagectomy, were included. Maximum and mean standard uptake values (SUVmax and SUVmean), metabolic tumor volume, and total lesion glycolysis of all lesions at PET0 and PET1 were analyzed.

Treatment of Gastric Metaplasia or Dysplasia by Endoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation: A Pilot Study.

Background/aims: Patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia are at increased risk of gastric cancer development. We tested the feasibility of using endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of dysplasia and metaplasia in the stomach.

Methodology: Patients who had histologically confirmed low-grade gastric dysplasia or IM were recruited.

Hospital Authority audit of the outcome of endoscopic resection of superficial upper gastro-intestinal lesions in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To review the short-term outcome of endoscopic resection of superficial upper gastro-intestinal lesions in Hong Kong.

Design: Historical cohort study.

Setting: All Hospital Authority hospitals in Hong Kong.

International Consensus on Standardization of Data Collection for Complications Associated With Esophagectomy: Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG).

Introduction: Perioperative complications influence long- and short-term outcomes after esophagectomy. The absence of a standardized system for defining and recording complications and quality measures after esophageal resection has meant that there is wide variation in evaluating their impact on these outcomes.

Methods: The Esophageal Complications Consensus Group comprised 21 high-volume esophageal surgeons from 14 countries, supported by all the major thoracic and upper gastrointestinal professional societies.

Targeting VEGFR1- and VEGFR2-expressing non-tumor cells is essential for esophageal cancer therapy.

Increasing appreciation of tumor heterogeneity and the tumor-host interaction has stimulated interest in developing novel therapies that target both tumor cells and tumor microenvironment. Bone marrow derived cells (BMDCs) constitute important components of the tumor microenvironment. In this study, we aim to investigate the significance of VEGFR1- and VEGFR2-expressing non-tumor cells, including BMDCs, in esophageal cancer (EC) progression and in VEGFR1/VEGFR2-targeted therapies.

Oncogene GAEC1 regulates CAPN10 expression which predicts survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim: To identify the downstream regulated genes of GAEC1 oncogene in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and their clinicopathological significance.

Methods: The anti-proliferative effect of knocking down the expression of GAEC1 oncogene was studied by using the RNA interference (RNAi) approach through transfecting the GAEC1-overexpressed esophageal carcinoma cell line KYSE150 with the pSilencer vector cloned with a GAEC1-targeted sequence, followed by MTS cell proliferation assay and cell cycle analysis using flow cytometry. RNA was then extracted from the parental, pSilencer-GAEC1-targeted sequence transfected and pSilencer negative control vector transfected KYSE150 cells for further analysis of different patterns in gene expression.

Circulating microRNAs as specific biomarkers for breast cancer detection.

Background: We previously showed microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma are potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer detection. Here, we aimed to develop specific blood-based miRNA assay for breast cancer detection.

Methodology/principal Findings: TaqMan-based miRNA profiling was performed in tumor, adjacent non-tumor, corresponding plasma from breast cancer patients, and plasma from matched healthy controls.

MicroRNA-375 inhibits tumour growth and metastasis in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma through repressing insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor.

Background: To understand the involvement of micro-RNA (miRNA) in the development and progression of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), miRNA profiles were compared between tumour and corresponding non-tumour tissues.

Methods: miRCURY LNA array was used to generate miRNA expressing profile. Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to detectthe expression of miR-375 in ESCC samples and its correlation with insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R).

Characterization of a candidate tumor suppressor gene uroplakin 1A in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is increasing in incidence, but the knowledge of the genetic underpinnings of this disease remains limited. In this study, we identified the tetraspanin cell surface receptor uroplakin 1A (UPK1A) as a candidate tumor suppressor gene (TSG), and we investigated its function and mechanism in ESCC cells. UPK1A downregulation occurred in 68% of primary ESCCs examined, where it was correlated significantly with promoter hypermethylation (P < 0.

Upregulation of Twist in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with neoplastic transformation and distant metastasis.

Background: The antiapoptotic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition activities of Twist have been implicated in the neoplastic transformation and the development of metastasis, respectively. Upregulation of Twist, described in several types of human cancer, also acts as a prognostic marker of poor outcome.

Aim: To investigate Twist expression in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its prognostic value in a Chinese cohort of patients with oesophageal SCC.

Establishment, characterization, karyotyping, and comparative genomic hybridization analysis of HKESC-2 and HKESC-3: two newly established human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cell lines.

The establishment of esophageal cancer cell lines can facilitate the search for molecular mechanisms underlying its pathogenesis. Two novel human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cell lines, HKESC-2 and HKESC-3, were established from a moderately differentiated ESCC of a 46-year-old Chinese woman and a well-differentiated ESCC of a 74-year-old Chinese man, both from Hong Kong. The pathological characteristics (morphological, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic studies), tumorigenicity in nude mice, cytogenetic features, and DNA ploidy of the two cell lines were investigated.