Delays in chemotherapy and radiotherapy of breast cancer during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals were overwhelmed with infected patients, leading to a disruption in the delivery of services. Patients with cancer, including breast cancer, rely on timely treatment, as delays can reduce survival rates. In this study, we investigated delays in treatment and the factors contributing to delays in chemotherapy and radiotherapy for these patients.

Peptide-based PET/CT imaging visualizes PD-L1-driven radioresistance in glioblastoma.

Radioresistance remains a great challenge for radiotherapy in the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). PD-L1 expression is a key contributor to radioresistance and immune escape in GBM. The lack of effective methods to monitor the change of PD-L1 during radiotherapy in patients limits timely intervention and management of the resistance.

Reevaluating Anti-Inflammatory Therapy: Targeting Senescence to Balance Anti-Cancer Efficacy and Vascular Disease.

Modulating immune function is a critical strategy in cancer and atherosclerosis treatments. For cancer, boosting or maintaining the immune system is crucial to prevent tumor growth. However, in vascular disease, mitigating immune responses can decrease inflammation and slow atherosclerosis progression.

Normal tissue complication probability model for severe radiation-induced lymphopenia in patients with pancreatic cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Background And Purpose: Radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) may be associated with a worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to develop a normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model to predict severe RIL in patients with pancreatic cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Materials And Methods: We reviewed pancreatic cancer patients treated at our facility for model training and internal validation.

Scoping review of robotics technology in spinal surgery with highlights of the Annual Seattle Science Foundation Course.

Background: Robotic assistance has become increasingly prevalent in spinal surgery in recent years, emerging as a tool to increase accuracy and precision and lower complication rates and radiation exposure. The 7 and 8 Annual Seattle Science Foundation (SSF) Robotics Courses showcased presentations and demonstrations from some of the field's most experiences leaders on latest topics in robotics and spinal surgery, including cutting-edge preoperative planning technologies, augmented reality (AR) in the operating room, cervical fusion with transpedicular screws, and neuro-oncologic management. We provide a scoping review of the use of robotics technology in spinal surgery featuring highlights from the 7 and 8 Annual SSF Robotics Courses.

Multi-omic insights into molecular mechanism and therapeutic targets in spinocerebellar ataxia type 7.

Recent advances in molecular science have significantly enlightened our mechanistic understanding of spinocerebellar ataxia type 7. To further close remaining gaps, we performed a multi-omics analysis using SCA7 mice. Entire brain tissue samples were collected from 12-week-old mice, and RNA sequencing, methylation analysis, and proteomic analysis were performed.

Unbalanced long-chain fatty acid beta-oxidation in newborns with cystic fibrosis and congenital hypothyroidism.

Background: Immediately after birth, adaptation to the extrauterine environment includes an upregulation of fatty acid catabolism. Cystic fibrosis and untreated hypothyroidism exert a life-long impact on fatty acid metabolism, but their influence during this transitional period is unknown. Children and adults with cystic fibrosis exhibit unbalanced fatty acid composition, most prominently a relative deficit of linoleic acid.

IINS Vs CALLY Index: A Battle of Prognostic Value in NSCLC Patients Following Surgery.

Objective: This research sought to assess the predictive potential of the inflammation-immunity-nutrition score (IINS) and the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index in individuals with NSCLC post-surgery.

Methods: The study enrolled 506 patients with NSCLC undergoing R0 resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. The training cohort was analyzed utilizing X-tile software to identify the ideal threshold values for categorizing high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, albumin, lymphocyte count, and the CALLY index.

IRF5 as a potential immunological biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: In the clinic, the primary conventional treatments of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promise in optimizing therapeutic benefits when combined with other immunotherapies or standard therapies. However, effective biomarkers for distant metastasis or recurrence have yet to be identified, making it difficult to determine the best therapeutic approaches.

PTPMT1 inhibition induces apoptosis and growth arrest of human SCLC cells by disrupting mitochondrial metabolism.

Background: Many cancer cells exhibit aberrant metabolic reprogramming through abnormal mitochondrial respiration. Protein tyrosine phosphatase mitochondrial 1 (PTPMT1) is a protein tyrosine phosphatase localized to the mitochondria and linked to mitochondrial respiration. However, the expression and role of PTPMT1 in regulating the biological characteristics of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) has not yet been explored.

Prognostic value of CTF1 in glioma and its role in the tumor microenvironment.

Background: Within the realm of primary brain tumors, specifically glioblastoma (GBM), presents a notable obstacle due to their unfavorable prognosis and differing median survival rates contingent upon tumor grade and subtype. Despite a plethora of research connecting cardiotrophin-1 (CTF1) modifications to a range of illnesses, its correlation with glioma remains uncertain. This study investigated the clinical value of CTF1 in glioma and its potential as a biomarker of the disease.

Safety and efficacy of mecapegfilgrastim in preventing neutropenia in patients with head and neck cancer: a multicenter, prospective, observational, real-world study.

Background: Mecapegfilgrastim, a long-acting granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, is approved in China for neutropenia prevention. However, data on its safety and efficacy in patients with head and neck cancer remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mecapegfilgrastim in preventing neutropenia among these patients undergoing chemotherapy, particularly those receiving chemoradiotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy.

The Association of Plasma Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Concentrations and Inflammation Markers in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Objectives: Nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is an emerging molecule that is highlighted in carcinogenesis and tumor progression in lung cancer. Since elevated concentrations of ADMA are observed in lung cancer patients, we aimed to explore its associations with inflammation markers and established prognostic indices.

The impact of a communal multidisciplinary tumour board on medical education.

Introduction: Numerous challenges hinder the development of multidisciplinary medical education in a resource-constrained environment. Communal tumour boards built through networking could be a suitable model for the effective management of diseases and enhancement of medical education. This study evaluated the impact of an integrated care pathway for patients with musculoskeletal tumours via multi-institutional networking in a metropolis.

Intrathecal pemetrexed in NSCLC patients with leptomeningeal metastasis.

Spread of lung cancer to the leptomeninges is rare and difficult to treat. Standard therapy comprises CNS-penetrant targeted agents with or without intrathecal chemotherapy. We performed a retrospective analysis of 16 patients with advanced NSCLC and leptomeningeal disease treated with intrathecal pemetrexed 50 mg.

Basophils may as a risk factor for upper gastrointestinal cancer: a Mendelian randomization (MR) study.

Objective: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers, including esophageal (EC) and gastric (GC) cancers, pose a significant global health challenge. Previous studies have indicated a fundamental correlation between basophil count and the risk of UGI cancer. However, confirming a causal relationship demands further investigation.

Health literacy and breast cancer preventive practices among market women in Oshodi Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria.

Background: Health literacy connotes understanding health-related issues and applying a clear understanding of implications in making decisions about one's healthcare needs. Early detection and prompt treatment are cornerstone strategies of breast cancer control. This study assessed the relationship between health literacy and breast cancer prevention practices.

The causal relationship between immune cells and hepatocellular carcinoma: a Mendelian randomization (MR).

Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex and multifaceted disease that is increasingly prevalent globally. The involvement of immune cells in the tumour microenvironment has been linked to the progression of HCC, but the exact cause-and-effect relationship is not yet clear. In this study, we utilise Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the potential causal links between immune factors and the development of HCC.

Optic nerve glioma successfully treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy in a limited-resource setting: a case report.

Optic nerve gliomas (ONG) are benign central nervous system tumours and the most common tumours of the optic nerve in children, often occurring before age 20. These tumours are slow-growing and can be treated with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Surgical resection is, however, associated with significant morbidity and loss of vision in the affected eye.

Real world data of Ewing sarcoma from a resource-limited setting with poor compliance to treatment leading to poor outcomes.

Background: There is limited data from India on Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients. We analysed the demographic and clinical profile of ES patients, the systemic chemotherapy, local treatment and outcomes in patients with localised, metastatic and recurrent disease.

Methods: Data of ES patients reporting from 2010 to 2019 to a tertiary care referral centre in north India was evaluated.

Unravelling Eribulin's role in metastatic breast cancer: evaluating benefits for both triple negative and non-triple negative patients in real-world scenarios in resource-constrained settings.

Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients have numerous options for treatment. However, it is essential to consider treatments with favorable toxicity profiles and convenient modes of administration. Eribulin has shown effectiveness in aggressive MBC, but there is a lack of sufficient real-world data specific to Indian patients.

Models and Biomarkers for Local Response Prediction in Early-Stage and Oligometastatic Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Using Machine Learning.

Background A minority of patients receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are not good responders. Radiomic features can be used to generate predictive algorithms and biomarkers that can determine treatment outcomes and stratify patients to their therapeutic options. This study investigated and attempted to validate the radiomic and clinical features obtained from early-stage and oligometastatic NSCLC patients who underwent SBRT, to predict local response.

Assessing the value of computed tomography (CT) of the chest in the follow-up of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Following tumor resection, imaging recommendation for the follow-up of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCCA) include frequent chest, abdomen and pelvis computed tomography (CT) imaging. The appropriateness of additional imaging studies is usually derived from their clinical utility. The purpose of this work is to determine the value of chest CT imaging in the follow-up of patients with IHCCA.

Regorafenib with or without chemotherapy/immunotherapy in second-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a single-center retrospective analysis.

Background: Regorafenib, approved in China for the third-line treatment of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), targets multiple tyrosine kinases. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of regorafenib, both as monotherapy and in combination with capecitabine or immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), as a second-line treatment for patients unable to access hospital-based care due to limited hospital visits during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on individual patient data from Peking University Third Hospital, covering the period from January 2020 to September 2023.