Proceedings of Anticancer Research

Current Status and Progress in Integrative Treatment of Acute Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease

Zhe Bian — 2024-11-13

Acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease (AICD) poses a severe threat to human health, characterized by high incidence and disability rates. Western medicine currently offers multiple treatment methods, such as thrombolysis, anticoagulation, and cerebral circulation improvement, while traditional Chinese medicine demonstrates unique advantages in herbal prescriptions, proprietary Chinese medicines, acupuncture, and massage therapies. Integrative treatment approaches combining Chinese and Western medicine have become widespread in clinical practice, yet challenges remain in optimizing specific treatment plans and elucidating mechanisms of action. This paper aims to comprehensively analyze the current status of integrative treatment for AICD, outline its developmental trajectory, and provide insights for enhancing treatment efficacy.

Exploring the Role of Liver Cancer Stem Cells in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Metastasis

Maria Fatima — 2024-11-22

Metastasis refers to disseminating cancerous tumors from their primary site to distant locations inside the body. Cancer cells must go through a sequence of events called the “metastatic cascade” to develop metastases. Each stage necessitates a unique functional alteration. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a crucial role in tumor metastasis, but understanding their dynamic behavior and regulating mechanisms remains incomplete. This review explores the influence of liver CSCs on the biological processes that drive the spread and growth of cancer cells, as described by the “metastatic cascade” concept. Liver CSCs can spread to other organs by undergoing epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This alteration in the microenvironment facilitates cellular dissemination, immune surveillance evasion, dormancy induction, and subsequent reactivation. To effectively prevent and treat advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastases, it is crucial to understand the heterogeneity and features of liver CSCs involved in these processes.

Study on the Mechanism of miR-124-3p Regulating Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

Zhongwei Zhang — 2024-11-25

Objective: To investigate the role of miR-124-3p in ischemia-reperfusion injury following ischemic stroke and to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of miR-124-3p inhibition on neurological outcomes, infarct size, and apoptosis. Methods: A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to induce ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. Experimental groups included a sham surgery group, an MCAO group, an MCAO + miR-124-3p NC group, and an MCAO + miR-124-3p antagomir group. Neurological deficits were assessed at 2, 8, and 24 hours post-ischemia. Infarct size and apoptosis levels were measured using brain tissue weight analysis and TUNEL assay, respectively, to evaluate the extent of ischemic damage and cell death. Results: The MCAO group showed progressively worsening neurological deficits, increased infarct size, and extensive apoptosis. In contrast, miR-124-3p inhibition significantly reduced neurological deficits, with lower scores at all time points. The MCAO + miR-124-3p inhibitor group demonstrated a significant reduction in infarct size compared to the MCAO group and the NC group, suggesting tissue preservation. Additionally, the miR-124-3p inhibitor group showed markedly reduced apoptosis, as evidenced by decreased TUNEL-positive signals, indicating a reduction in cell death following ischemia-reperfusion injury. Conclusion: Inhibition of miR-124-3p plays a neuroprotective role in ischemia-reperfusion injury by mitigating neurological deficits, reducing infarct size, and lowering apoptosis levels. These findings suggest that miR-124-3p inhibition could be a promising therapeutic target for minimizing brain damage and improving recovery in ischemic stroke patients.

Bioinformatic Analysis and Experimental Verification Reveals KBTBD6 as a Novel Prognostic Genes Associated with Immune Infiltration in OSCC

Dunhui Yang — 2024-11-25

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors and has a poor prognosis. Kelch repeat and BTB domain-containing protein 6 (KBTBD6) regulates the cytoskeleton, cell proliferation, and cell migration as part of the CUL3 (KBTBD6/7) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, and has been associated with the development of pituitary adenomas. Here, a bioinformatics analysis was conducted using data from OSCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Results indicate that KBTBD6 levels in OSCC patient tissues were significantly higher than in normal tissues. Additionally, high KBTBD6 expression correlated with poor prognosis. Functional annotation of differentially expressed genes associated with KBTBD6 in the OSCC cohort revealed significant enrichment of the interleukin-17 signaling pathway. Furthermore, KBTBD6 expression also correlated significantly with immune cell subset infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression. These findings suggest that KBTBD6 is a promising therapeutic target and prognostic indicator in OSCC.

The Effect of Ginger Slice Acupoint Application Combined with Moxibustion on Chemotherapy-Induced Vomiting in Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients

Xiangyu Guo — 2024-11-25

Objective: To investigate the effect of ginger slice acupoint application combined with moxibustion on chemotherapy-induced vomiting in postoperative breast cancer patients. Methods: Sixty postoperative breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 30 patients in each group. The control group received antiemetic treatment with dolasetron, while the observation group received ginger slice acupoint application combined with moxibustion in addition to antiemetic treatment to address chemotherapy-induced vomiting. The vomiting response on days 1–3 was compared between the two groups, along with R-INVR retching scores and patient satisfaction with the intervention methods. Results: On days 2 and 3 of chemotherapy, the observation group showed significantly less vomiting than the control group, with differences reaching a highly significant level (P < 0.001). On day 3, the R-INVR score in the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group, with a highly significant difference (P < 0.001). The satisfaction score in the observation group was 8.38 ± 0.81, higher than the control group’s 7.65 ± 0.71, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ginger slice acupoint application combined with moxibustion effectively alleviates chemotherapy-induced vomiting in postoperative breast cancer patients, improves quality of life, and is worth promoting clinically.

New Insights on the Roles of miR-21 in Cancer Development and Proliferation

Ahmad Hayat — 2024-11-22

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs strongly implicated in the control of gene expression post-transcriptionally. They account for a wide range of functions recognized as characteristic cancer signatures, including apoptosis, invasion, metastasis, and proliferation. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is well-recognized for its crucial role in various solid tumors, such as glioblastoma, ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and many others. In numerous malignancies, miR-21 selectively targets multiple key components and influences a broad spectrum of cellular processes, including cancer stemness and cell death. The miR-21 gene exhibits both cancer-promoting and cancer-suppressing properties, though most research highlights its facilitative role in cancer development. MiR-21 mediates PTEN reduction to enhance PI3K/Akt signaling in cancer progression. Its overexpression inhibits apoptosis and significantly promotes pro-survival autophagy. The notable upregulation of miR-21 in cancerous tissues positions it as a promising cancer biomarker with considerable diagnostic and prognostic potential. This study aims to define the functional roles of miR-21 as a crucial regulator in various cancers and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Analysis of the Impact of Pharmacological Intervention on the Outcome of High-Risk HPV Infections

Juan Du — 2024-11-25

This study aims to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of different drug treatment regimens for cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Through literature review and randomized group experiment design, the study compares the HPV-DNA clearance rate, TCT results, and colposcopic biopsy findings among the control group, interferon group, and combination treatment group after six months of treatment. The results indicate that recombinant human interferon-2b vaginal effervescent tablets can effectively improve HPV clearance and reduce the risk of lesion progression, although individual responses to treatment vary. Combination therapy may enhance treatment efficacy by boosting immune response. The study also explores the relationship between drug treatment, viral load, cervical lesions, and vaginal microecology, providing scientific support for clinical medication decisions and offering a detailed analysis of the role of pharmacological intervention in the prognosis of HR-HPV infections.

Clinical Analysis of Trastuzumab-Targeted and Chemotherapy Treatment for Breast Cancer Patients

Ying Liang — 2024-11-27

Objective: To explore the clinical effectiveness and safety of trastuzumab combined with chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Methods: Eighty patients with postoperative local recurrence of breast cancer were divided into a control group (chemotherapy only) and an observation group (chemotherapy plus trastuzumab-targeted therapy). The clinical efficacy, adverse reactions, and complications were compared between groups. Results: The overall effective rate of clinical treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions showed no difference between the groups (P > 0.05), while the complication rate was significantly lower in the observation group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Trastuzumab-targeted therapy combined with chemotherapy can significantly improve clinical treatment outcomes for breast cancer patients, reduce the risk of complications, and maintain good safety, making it suitable for clinical promotion.

Application of Zhao Shi Lei-huo-jiu Based on ERAS Concept in Managing Postoperative Gastrointestinal Symptom Cluster in Rectal Cancer

Lili Bu — 2024-11-25

This study explores the application value of Zhao Shi Lei-huo-jiu in managing common postoperative gastrointestinal symptom clusters following rectal cancer surgery, under the framework of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) concept. By detailing the development, core elements, and application of ERAS in colorectal surgery, combined with the historical origins, unique techniques, and mechanisms of Zhao Shi Lei-huo-jiu, this paper highlights the innovation of integrating traditional Chinese medicine treatments with modern surgical recovery principles. Through a rigorously designed research process, rectal cancer postoperative patients were selected as research subjects, and the data collection and implementation steps were explicitly outlined. The study results provide scientific evidence for the practical efficacy and advantages of Zhao Shi Lei-huo-jiu in postoperative rehabilitation for rectal cancer, offering significant practical implications for guiding clinical practice and promoting early patient recovery.

Study on the Diagnostic Value of Serum Tumor Markers CEA, CA153, and CYFRA21 in Invasive Breast Cancer

Donghong Xu — 2024-11-22

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of serum tumor markers CEA, AFP, CA199, CA125, CA153, CYFRA21, CA724, and NSE in invasive breast cancer. Methods: A total of 314 patients with invasive breast cancer from Baoding First Central Hospital between January 2021 and December 2022, and 31 patients with benign breast diseases (including mastitis, breast fibroadenoma, breast adenosis, adenoma of the breast, benign phyllodes tumor of the breast, and intraductal papilloma) were randomly selected as the control group. The levels of CEA, AFP, CA199, CA125, CA153, CYFRA21, CA724, and NSE were measured using electrochemiluminescence. Results: The serum concentrations of CEA, CA153, and CYFRA21 showed significant statistical differences between the invasive breast cancer group and the benign breast disease group (P < 0.01). ROC curve analysis revealed that CA153 had the highest sensitivity for diagnosing invasive breast cancer, while CEA had the highest specificity, at 84.4% and 77.4%, respectively. When multiple tumor markers were used for the diagnosis of invasive breast cancer, the combination of CEA and CA153 showed the highest specificity at 90.3%, while the combination of CEA and CYFRA21 had the highest sensitivity at 88.2%. The combined detection of CEA, CYFRA21, and CA153 had the largest area under the curve (AUC) on the ROC curve, at 0.802, indicating that the combination of these three markers provided the best diagnostic performance for invasive breast cancer. Conclusion: CEA, CA153, and CYFRA21 can be used for the diagnosis of invasive breast cancer, and the combined detection of these three markers offers the best diagnostic efficacy for invasive breast cancer.

Application of Hand-Sewn Anastomosis in Totally Laparoscopic Radical Resection of Colorectal Cancer with Transanal Specimen Extraction

Jingyu Wu — 2024-11-25

Objective: To explore the value of hand-sewn anastomosis in totally laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer with transanal specimen extraction. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. Clinical data of 54 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent total laparoscopic transrectal specimen extraction surgery between January 2019 and December 2023 at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Bayannur City Hospital, were collected. All patients underwent digestive tract reconstruction using hand-sewn end-to-end colonic or rectal anastomosis. Intraoperative and postoperative general conditions, pathological results, complications, and follow-up data were analyzed. Results: Among the 54 cases, 37 were male, and 17 were female. The cases included 26 sigmoid colon cancers, 27 high rectal cancers, and 1 descending colon cancer. All patients underwent total laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer with transrectal specimen extraction. The average surgical duration was 187.87 ± 61.36 minutes, with 16 (14–19) minutes required for hand-sewn anastomosis. Intraoperative blood loss was 16 (10–200) mL, with no conversions to open surgery or blood transfusions. Postoperative outcomes included first flatus time of 1 (1–3) day, liquid diet resumption on 2 (2–3) days, postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain score of 2 (2–3), and hospital stay duration of 8 (7–9) days. The total hospitalization cost was 41,011 (25,655–148,589) Chinese yuan, with an average cost of 42,558.81 ± 8,599.30 Chinese yuan after excluding three cases with complications. Pathological examination revealed all cases to be adenocarcinomas: 20 well-differentiated, 32 moderately differentiated, and 2 poorly differentiated. All resection margins were negative. An average of 16.85 ± 7.97 lymph nodes were dissected. Pathological staging included 18 stage I, 17 stage II, and 19 stage III cases. Postoperative complications included 2 cases of anastomotic leakage (3.7%), 1 case of anastomotic stricture (1.8%), and 1 case of pulmonary infection (1.8%). No unplanned readmissions or postoperative deaths occurred during the 30-day follow-up period. Conclusion: Hand-sewn anastomosis in totally laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer with transanal specimen extraction is safe and feasible.

Synergistic Inhibition of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Biyan Qingdu Granule and Micro-Radiation: An Experimental Study

Ziye Shi — 2024-11-25

Objective: To investigate the role of Biyan Qingdu Granule combined with micro-radiation in suppressing nasopharyngeal carcinoma and to explore its mechanism of action. Methods: FAT cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were injected into the hind limb axilla of F344 rats to establish a rat nasopharyngeal carcinoma tumor model. X-ray radiation was applied to the oral cavity of the rats, delivering a micro-dose of radiation to the distant hind limb axilla tumor. The general condition of the rats, including oral mucosal inflammation, the size of the nasopharyngeal tumor mass, pathological changes in the tumor tissue, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, IL-12, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 in the tumor tissue, were assessed. Results: Oral administration of Biyan Qingdu Granule improved the rats’ overall condition and reduced oral mucosal inflammation. Pathological examination revealed tumor cell degeneration and necrosis. ELISA analysis of tumor tissue showed significant reductions in TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 levels, along with a notable increase in IL-18 levels. Conclusion: Biyan Qingdu Granule, when combined with micro-radiation, can inhibit tumor growth and reduce tumor volume. Its mechanism of action may involve enhancing immune function and suppressing inflammatory factors.

Diagnostic Value of Abnormal Prothrombin for Primary Liver Cancer

Hanyu Qiu — 2024-11-25

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of abnormal serum prothrombin levels in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: A total of 298 patients were diagnosed with HCC at Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2024, through imaging or liver biopsy, along with 100 patients with cirrhosis, 100 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, and 89 healthy controls, were included in the study. Basic demographic information, as well as levels of abnormal serum prothrombin and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), were collected. The levels of abnormal serum prothrombin and AFP across the four groups were compared, and their diagnostic efficacy for HCC was analyzed using ROC curve analysis. Results: Abnormal prothrombin levels were significantly higher in the liver cancer group compared to the cirrhosis, hepatitis, and healthy control groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences in abnormal serum prothrombin levels were observed among the cirrhosis, hepatitis, and healthy control groups (P > 0.05). Serum AFP levels were significantly higher in the liver cancer group compared to the cirrhosis, hepatitis, and healthy control groups (P < 0.05) and were higher in the hepatitis group compared to the cirrhosis and healthy control groups (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in AFP levels was found between the cirrhosis and healthy control groups (P > 0.05). ROC curve analysis indicated that the area under the curve (AUC) for abnormal serum prothrombin and AFP in diagnosing HCC was 0.925 (95% CI: 0.901–0.949) and 0.810 (95% CI: 0.775–0.845), respectively, with sensitivities and specificities of 84% and 75% for abnormal prothrombin and 94% and 76% for AFP. For the diagnosis of AFP-negative HCC, the AUC for abnormal serum prothrombin was 0.838 (95% CI: 0.774–0.901), with a sensitivity and specificity of 65% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum abnormal prothrombin levels are highly expressed in HCC patients and demonstrate strong diagnostic efficacy for HCC.

Risk Factors Associated with Rupture of Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms

Yanhua Dong — 2024-11-25

Objective: To identify risk factors associated with multiple intracranial aneurysm (MIA) rupture. Methods: This retrospective study included patients with MIAs diagnosed at the center between February 2010 and December 2015. Patients were grouped based on their history of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) into ruptured and unruptured categories. In the ruptured group, aneurysms were further classified as ruptured MIAs (R-MIAs) and unruptured MIAs (U-MIAs). Patient- and aneurysm-related factors were analyzed using univariate analysis to determine their significance in rupture risk. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was employed to calculate the area under the curve (AUC) and identify optimal thresholds for five morphological parameters distinguishing R-MIAs from U-MIAs. Results: Of 368 enrolled patients, 327 (86 with ruptured aneurysms and 241 unruptured) were included in the analysis. Among the ruptured group, 66 patients had R-MIAs and 96 had U-MIAs. Univariate analysis identified statistically significant factors associated with rupture, including BMI, irregular aneurysm shape, size, aspect ratio, size ratio, and bottleneck (P < 0.05). Size, size ratio, and bottleneck exhibited high AUC values (AUC > 0.7). ROC analysis determined an optimal threshold of 4.6 mm for MIA rupture size. Conclusions: Lower BMI, irregular aneurysm shape, larger size, larger size ratio, and bottleneck are associated with an increased risk of MIA rupture. Notably, MIAs may rupture at smaller sizes compared to single intracranial aneurysms.

Research Progress on Mouse Models of Breast Cancer Metastasis

Minjun Zhao — 2024-11-22

Breast cancer metastasis is a major cause of treatment failure and patient mortality. Mouse tumor models largely replicate the pathophysiological processes of human tumors. Establishing mouse models of breast cancer metastasis helps to elucidate metastatic mechanisms, and in vivo imaging techniques enable dynamic monitoring of tumor cell metastasis in animals. This paper summarizes the mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis, the development, and application of various mouse breast cancer distant metastasis models over the past decade, and evaluates the characteristics and efficacy of each model to provide references for future experimental studies.

Advances in the Prevention and Nursing Care of Venous Thromboembolism After Bone Tumor Surgery

Jiajia Liu — 2024-11-22

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant complication that poses a serious threat to the health of patients following bone tumor surgery. Although bone tumors are relatively rare, they are highly malignant, and the risk of VTE in postoperative patients is increased due to various factors. This article aims to review the latest advancements in the prevention and nursing care of VTE after bone tumor surgery, providing a comprehensive theoretical foundation for clinical practice. The findings aim to optimize preventive and nursing strategies for postoperative VTE and improve the quality of patient outcomes.

Current Status and Considerations on Endoscopic Diagnosis and Treatment of Subepithelial Microlesions in the Digestive Tract

Jian Pang — 2024-11-25

The detection rate of subepithelial lesions in the digestive tract, especially microlesions (≤ 1 cm in diameter), has significantly increased. Historically, periodic follow-up or surgical resection has been recommended by scholars. Due to the potential risk of malignancy, regular follow-up carries certain risks, while surgical resection, though effective, is highly invasive with a high risk of complications. With the rapid development of endoscopic techniques, more and more subepithelial lesions in the digestive tract have been successfully treated through endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic full-thickness resection. However, these methods require a high level of skill and are associated with significant costs for surgical instruments and materials. Therefore, it is worth exploring whether a simpler and more efficient treatment can transition patients from observation to proactive treatment. A modified technique combining snare, long transparency cap, and Argon Plasma Coagulation under endoscopy has advantages over traditional methods, such as being simpler to perform, less prone to complications, and more cost-effective. This article reviews the current status and considerations of endoscopic treatment for subepithelial lesions in the digestive tract.

Inhibition of Cancer Cell Growth by Baicalein via ESR1 Based on Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Chao Kang — 2024-11-22

This study investigates the mechanism by which baicalin inhibits cancer cell growth through estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) using molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that baicalin primarily binds to the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of ESR1, interacting through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. After binding, the overall and local conformations of ESR1 change, affecting its interactions with other proteins and thus modulating the signaling pathways of cancer cells. Binding free energy analysis indicates that the binding of baicalin to ESR1 is spontaneous and relatively stable. Additionally, baicalin can inhibit the binding of ESR1 to estrogen, blocking the estrogen signaling pathway and thereby suppressing the growth and proliferation of cancer cells. This study provides theoretical and experimental foundations for the potential use of baicalin as an anticancer drug, offering new insights and methods for the development of novel anticancer drugs. However, the study has some limitations, such as limited simulation time and simplified systems. Future research can extend the simulation time and consider more physiological factors to more accurately simulate the interactions between baicalin and ESR1.

Correlation of Psychological Stress and Induced Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Expression in Leukemia

Komal Ghafoor — 2024-11-22

Early life exposure to adverse conditions such as social life issues, economic problems, health issues, death and separation of loved ones produces stress. Stressful life events (SLEs) disturb the healthy quality of life in multiple ways. The biological response to SLE includes the production and activation of stress hormones. It has been reported that adrenaline, noradrenalin, pituitary, cortisol, prolactin, growth and adrenocorticotropic hormones are responsive to SLE. It is observed that under psychological stress, the circulating level of cortisol and norepinephrine (NE) is higher than in normal subjects. Under stress glucocorticoids (GC), neuroendocrine, norepinephrine and catecholamine produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). ROS and RNS cause oxidative damage and lower antioxidant capacity and protection. Persistent damaged DNA may lead to the initiation of cancer. It is said that the risk factor of immune dysfunction and cancer may be increased under stress conditions by regulation of iNOS. iNOS is most widely studied as it produces large amounts of nitric oxide which affects many vital processes including apoptosis and angiogenesis in leukemia cells. The regulation of the expression of iNOS is important to control the level of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that can be lethal to the cell and its environment. It is reported that the microenvironment of a cell affects the expression of iNOS. Therefore, it is concluded that different cells breast, colon, esophagus, bladder, lung, oral cavity and prostate might show different expressions of iNOS. Expression of iNOS is higher in tumor cells than in normal controls. Different studies have been conducted to explore the relationship between iNOS and cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of iNOS in acute lymphocytic leukemia under stress conditions. The study was performed on ALL blood samples under stress and non-stressed conditions. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and gene-specific primers were used to see the iNOS expression. The study showed that expression of iNOS is higher in the patient than in control under stress while non-stressed patients showed significant reduction in iNOS expression. Further research is required to validate the importance of psychological factors and iNOS in cancer.

Establishment and Validation of Diagnostic and Prognostic Prediction Models for Liver Metastasis in Patients with Rectal Cancer: A SEER-based Study

Huimin Wang — 2024-11-26

Background: Rectal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal tumors, among which the liver is the most common site of distant metastasis and liver metastasis that leads to poor prognosis. This study aimed to develop and validate a diagnostic nomogram to predict the occurrence of rectal cancer with liver metastasis (RCLM) and a prognostic nomogram to predict cancer-specific survival (CSS) in RCML patients. Methods: Data on patients with rectal cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2013 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Univariate logistic regression and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the independent risk factors of RCLM. Univariate Cox proportional hazards regression and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were used to identify independent prognostic factors for RCLM. This study then developed two novel nomograms, and the results were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: A total of 29367 patients with rectal cancer were included. Among them, 3403 patients (11.59%) had liver metastases at the time of diagnosis. The independent risk factors of RCLM included sex, race, tumor grade, AJCC N, CEA, marital status, tumor size, total number of primary tumors, and histological type. Age, chemotherapy, total number of primary tumors, surgery sites, and histological type were independent prognostic factors of patients with RCLM. The results of ROC curves, calibration curves, and DCA in the development, validation, and testing sets confirmed that the diagnostic nomogram can precisely predict the occurrence of RCLM. The results of ROC curves, calibration curves, DCA, C-indexes, and Kaplan–Meier (K-M) survival curves in the development, validation, and testing sets confirmed that the prognostic nomogram could precisely predict the prognosis of RCLM. Conclusion: The two nomograms are expected to be effective tools for predicting the risk of liver metastasis for patients with rectal cancer and personalized prognosis prediction for patients with RCLM, which may beneﬁt clinical decision-making.

Real-world Efficacy Analysis of Combined Chinese and Western Medicine in the Treatment of Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

Kai Tan — 2024-11-22

Objective: To explore the efficacy of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in the treatment of extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Methods: Patients who were hospitalized and outpatients in the Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine from April 1, 2018, to April 1, 2023, were selected and screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 161 patients were included, of which the control group was chemotherapy combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and the experimental group was chemotherapy + immunotherapy combined with TCM. The primary endpoint of this study was overall survival (OS), and secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS), objective remission rate (ORR), and disease control rate (DCR). SPSS 25.0 statistical software and R software (version 4.2.1) were used for processing and data analysis. Results: The prognosis of patients treated with chemotherapy + immunotherapy combined with TCM was significantly better than that of the chemotherapy combined with TCM group, with median OS (15.07 months vs. 13.3 months, P = 0.02) and median PFS (6.87 months vs. 5.97 months, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Based on adjuvant therapy with TCM, chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy has more advantages than chemotherapy alone in prolonging the median OS and PFS. It can improve the general condition of patients after treatment, enhance their tolerance, and provide basic guarantees for subsequent treatment.

Comprehensive Bioinformatics Analysis Reveals Kirsten Rat Sarcoma Virus Oncogene (KRAS) as the Potential Biomarker of Esophageal Carcinoma

Muhammad Akram — 2024-11-22

In the current study, the expression of the Kirsten rat sarcoma virus oncogene (KRAS) in esophageal carcinoma (ESCA) was examined for its medical and therapeutic relevance. ESCA has a 20% five-year survival rate, placing it seventh in the world in terms of overall rate of mortality. GEPIA2, UALCAN, OncoDB, cBioPortal, STRING, DAVID, and TIMER2 databases are among the bioinformatics tools used to conduct this investigation. According to the analysis, KRAS was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in ESCA samples in contrast to normal tissues, demonstrating that it might play an active role in the proliferation of malignancies. Additionally, the study based on several clinicopathological features showed that KRAS were significantly up-regulated. ESCA patients had a worse overall survival rate (OS) as KRAS was significantly overexpressed. Besides this, the study carried out analyses of drug sensitivity, enrichment, and promoter methylation to inquire about their relationships to KRAS expression in ESCA. The KRAS mutation was demonstrated to have a significant impact on the progression of ESCA via the genetic changes that were observed using cBioPortal. In conclusion, the comprehensive analysis of the findings emphasizes the significance of KRAS up-regulation in the development of ESCA and its potential as a potential biomarker.

A Prognostic Nomogram Based on Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes for Patients with Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Jinsheng Xu — 2024-11-22

Objective: To explore the prognostic value of log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) in patients with gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEPNET) and to develop nomograms based on LODDS for predicting 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Methods: This retrospective cohort study was based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. Demographic data, clinical data, and survival status were extracted, with endpoints of OS and CSS. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis assessed predictors associated with OS and CSS, with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) evaluated. Nomogram performance was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). Results: A total of 1,673 patients were included and divided into a training set (n = 1,172) and a testing set (n = 501). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses identified LODDS as an independent prognostic factor for OS (HR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.44–2.24) and CSS (HR = 1.81, 95% CI: 1.41–2.31). The OS and CSS nomograms, developed from multivariate Cox regression analyses, showed good performance, with AUCs of 0.858, 0.878, and 0.852 for predicting 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS, and AUCs of 0.859, 0.887, and 0.865 for 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year CSS in the testing set. The nomograms are accessible online (OS: https://zhmte.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp/; CSS: https://zhmty.shinyapps.io/DynNomapp/). Conclusions: LODDS serves as an independent prognostic factor in GEPNET. Online nomograms based on LODDS demonstrated effective performance in predicting OS and CSS in GEPNET patients, providing a convenient tool for clinical application.

The Role of High Expression of BECN1 and CD68 in Prognostic Evaluation for Colorectal Cancer Patients

Yan Zhang — 2024-11-22

Objective: To explore the changes in the expression of autophagy-related protein BECN1 and tumor-associated macrophage marker CD68 in colorectal cancer and investigate their association with clinicopathological features and prognosis in colorectal cancer patients. Methods: Sixty colorectal cancer patients were selected as study subjects. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of BECN1 and CD68 in both colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues. Based on immunohistochemistry results, patients were divided into a BECN1 high-expression group (33 cases) and low-expression group (27 cases) and a CD68 high-expression group (33 cases) and low-expression group (27 cases). Survival rates and survival times of the two groups were compared using the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Log-Rank test. The correlation between BECN1 and CD68 expression in colorectal cancer tissues was analyzed. RT-qPCR was employed to examine changes in macrophage-associated markers after BECN1 interference. Results: Expression levels of BECN1 and CD68 in colorectal cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues and were positively correlated with the TNM stage. Survival analysis showed that patients in the BECN1 and CD68 high-expression groups had shorter overall survival compared to those in the low-expression group (P < 0.05). BECN1 and CD68 levels in colorectal cancer patients were positively correlated (P < 0.001). BECN1 interference markedly reduced the expression of macrophage markers and decreased M2 polarization. Conclusion: Abnormal expression of BECN1 and CD68 in colorectal cancer patients is associated with TNM stage and poor prognosis, suggesting that BECN1 and CD68 can serve as important indicators for postoperative prognostic evaluation.

Observation on the Therapeutic Effect of Hypotonic Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy in the Treatment of Advanced Gastric Cancer and Ovarian Cancer Accompanied by Ascites

Wei Mi — 2024-11-27

Objective: To observe the time of ascites disappearance, time to ascites recurrence, improvement rate in quality of life, and the effective rate of ascites treatment in patients with advanced gastric and ovarian cancer with ascites following hypotonic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Methods: Forty patients with advanced gastric and ovarian cancer with ascites, treated in our hospital from January 2021 to August 2024, were selected as research subjects. They were divided into a treatment group and a reference group using a random number table method. The treatment group received hypotonic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, while the reference group received conventional treatment. The treatment effects of the two groups were compared. Results: In the treatment group, the ascite disappearance time was (6.13 ± 1.32) days, and the recurrence time was (22.58 ± 8.21) months. The ascite disappearance time was significantly shorter than that of the reference group, and the ascite recurrence time was significantly longer. Both P-values were less than 0.05, indicating statistical significance. The effective rate of quality of life improvement was 95%, with only 1 patient showing a decrease in quality of life. The effective rate of ascites treatment was 95%, with only 1 patient showing an increase in ascites. Both the quality of life improvement rate and the effective rate of ascites treatment were significantly higher than those of the reference group, with P-values of 0.037 and 0.018, respectively, indicating statistical significance. Conclusion: For patients with advanced gastric and ovarian cancer with ascites, hypotonic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy can accelerate ascites disappearance, prolong the time to recurrence, and significantly improve both the quality of life improvement rate and the effective rate of ascites treatment.

Application Value of 3D Printing Technology in Breast Cancer Treatment

Zhanyi Sun — 2024-11-27

Breast cancer, the most prevalent malignant tumor among women, has shown a rising incidence rate in recent years. Personalized and precise comprehensive treatment is currently considered the optimal approach for breast cancer management. The application of 3D printing technology in the medical field has been expanding, covering areas such as medical devices, anatomical models, tissue engineering scaffolds, tumor models, and drug formulation, drawing significant attention in the field of oncology. This article explores the application value of 3D printing technology in breast cancer treatment, including preoperative planning, radiotherapy, postoperative rehabilitation and adjuvant therapy, and scientific research, aiming to provide new perspectives and methods for clinical breast cancer treatment.

Corrigendum: Clinical Application Study of Super-Mini Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in the Treatment of Kidney Stones

Zehong You — 2024-11-27

Correction

The funding in the original publication (https://www.doi.org/10.26689/par.v8i5.8319) is not included.

The funding is as follows:

The Third Division Tumushuke City Science and Technology Innovation Talent Project “Clinical Application Research of SMP Nephroscope in the Treatment of Kidney Stones” (KJ2023CX07)