Frontiers in Oncology最新文献

Background: Postoperative pneumonia significantly affects recovery and prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The CALLY index, derived from preoperative hematological parameters, may serve as a predictive marker for such complications.

Objectives: To assess the association between preoperative inflammatory status via the CALLY index and the occurrence of postoperative pneumonia in patients with resectable ESCC.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2020 to December 2022 at The Affiliated Huai'an No. 1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. A total of 215 patients who met inclusion criteria were analyzed. Clinical data, including CALLY indices calculated preoperatively, were collected. Propensity score matching was applied to minimize confounding biases. The predictive value of the CALLY index was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis, and logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with postoperative pneumonia.

Results: ROC curve analysis demonstrated the CALLY index had an area under the curve of 0.764 for predicting postoperative pneumonia, with a cutoff value of 1.97 achieving 67.69% sensitivity and 84.67% specificity. In multivariate analysis, a lower CALLY index was significantly associated with increased pneumonia risk, independent of other factors (adjusted OR = 0.66, p < 0.001). High CALLY index scores correlated with a decreased likelihood of postoperative pneumonia, reinforcing its utility as a non-invasive prognostic marker.

Conclusions: The CALLY index is a robust, independent predictor of postoperative pneumonia in patients with resectable ESCC. Preoperative assessment of this index could enhance risk stratification and guide proactive management strategies to improve postoperative outcomes.

In this report, we present a case of a 32-year-old female previously diagnosed with hereditary multiple exostoses(HME) who was incidentally found to have an asymptomatic anterior mediastinal mass during a routine examination. Computed tomography imaging revealed a well-defined mass measuring approximately 2.3 cm x 4.0 cm x 4.7 cm in the anterior mediastinum with multiple nodular areas of high density within. The mass caused compression and narrowing of the right ventricle. The patient subsequently underwent intralesional resection of the tumor, and histopathological examination confirmed a diagnosis of well-differentiated chondrosarcoma. Given the patient's medical history, the chondrosarcoma was suspected to have originated from malignant transformation of a rib osteochondroma. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy postoperatively and has been followed up for one year with no evidence of recurrence. This case reports a highly rare costal chondrosarcoma secondary to hereditary multiple exostoses, located in the anterior mediastinum and compressing the right ventricle. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of costal chondrosarcoma secondary to HME occurring in the anterior mediastinum, which requires differentiation from other common anterior mediastinal tumors.

As breast cancer incidence continues to rise worldwide, there is a pressing need to understand the environmental factors that contribute to its development. Obesogens, including Bisphenol A (BPA) and Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), are highly prevalent in the environment, and have been associated with obesity and metabolic dysregulation. BPA and DDT, known to disrupt hormone signaling in breast epithelial cells, also promote adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and adipokine secretion in adipose tissue, directly contributing to the pathogenesis of obesity. While the adipose-rich mammary gland may be particularly vulnerable to environmental obesogens, there is a scarcity of research investigating obesogen-mediated changes in adipocytes that drive oncogenic transformation of breast epithelial cells. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical evidence linking BPA and DDT to impaired mammary gland development and breast cancer risk. We discuss how the obesogen-driven mechanisms that contribute to obesity, including changes in adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and adipokine secretion, could provide a pro-inflammatory, nutrient-rich environment that promotes activation of oncogenic pathways in breast epithelial cells. Understanding the role of obesogens in breast cancer risk and progression is essential for informing public health guidelines aimed at minimizing obesogen exposure, to ultimately reduce breast cancer incidence and improve outcomes for women.

Introduction: Lung cancer has a higher incidence and mortality rate than other cancers, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), accounting for 85% of the cases. The role of the circDENND4C/miR-200b/matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) regulatory axis in NSCLC remains largely unknown.

Methods: NSCLC cell lines were used to examine the expression of circDENND4C, miR-200b, and MMP-9 via qRT-PCR or Western blot. The target relationship of circDENND4C, miR-200b, and MMP-9 was examined by RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH), immunofluorescence (IF), dual-luciferase reporter system, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. Then, a cell count kit-8 (CCK-8) experiment, flow cytometry, and migration/invasion assays were performed to assess the biological function of circDENND4C, miR-200b, and MMP-9 by transfecting with their overexpression or knockout plasmids in A549 cells. Finally, the proteins related to cell adhesion and tight junction were further tested by Western blot and IF.

Results: circDENND4C and MMP-9 were found to be highly expressed in NSCLC cell lines, while miR-200b was lowly expressed in NSCLC cell lines. Moreover, circDENND4C could sponge miR-200b to target MMP-9. Subsequently, it was observed that knockdown of circDENND4C and MMP-9 or the upregulation of miR-200b repressed cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, increased cell apoptosis, and hindered cell migration and invasion. Finally, it was also found that the circDENND4C/miR-200b/MMP-9 regulatory axis might be involved with cell adhesion and tight junction to influence tumor metastasis.

Conclusions: Altogether, our study reveals a novel regulatory loop in which the circDENND4C/miR-200b/MMP-9 axis may modulate NSCLC progression, indicating potential biomarkers for the diagnosis or treatment of NSCLC.

Background: Lip and oral cavity cancer (LOC) is one of the common malignant tumors of the head and neck, posing significant health and economic burdens. The BRICS, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, represent a large global population, presenting unique public health challenges. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological trends and variations in the burden of LOC across BRICS in a timely manner.

Methods: Data on the number, all-age rate, age-standardized rate, and relative change in LOC incidence from 1992 to 2021 within BRICS were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD) 2021, and we analyzed global and BRICS-specific LOC incidence trends over 30 years. Furthermore, age-period-cohort model was applied to estimate net drift, local drift, age, period and cohort effects between 1992 and 2021.

Results: In 2021, the BRICS nations reported 194.74 thousand new LOC cases, constituting 46.2% of the global total. From 1992 to 2021, all BRICS countries witnessed a significant rise in LOC cases, with China leading at 259.06%. The age-standardized incidence of LOC increased by over 20% in the Russian Federation, India, and China, while Brazil and South Africa exhibited marginal changes (Brazil: 0.75%; South Africa: -7.87%). Rising LOC trends were prevalent across most age groups in China, India, and the Russian Federation, particularly affecting older adults (60-94 years). Age, period, and cohort effects were deteriorating in China and India, contrasting with improvements in Brazil and South Africa.

Conclusion: LOC incidence has increased across BRICS, with temporal trends not consistently aligning with economic growth and exhibiting significant variation among countries. Brazil's experience highlights the efficacy of oral health and tobacco control measures in mitigating LOC, especially in fast-developing nations. Prevention should target men and elderly in China and India, and women in other areas.

Introduction: Due to risk and response-adapted treatment strategies, more than 80% of newly diagnosed adult classical Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients at any stage can be cured and become long-term survivors. A well-known side effect is cognitive dysfunction that appears in HL patients after chemotherapy (chemobrain). In the present longitudinal study, we measured cognitive function in our HL patients, in search of potential correlations between patient-related factors, the signs and symptoms of their diseases, and therapeutic factors.

Methods: Patients underwent a computer-assisted assessment (CANTAB) of cognitive function (especially domains of visual memory, attention, working memory, and planning) and filled out psychological questionnaires (standardized, self-administered and validated for Hungarian language) before treatment (n=30, T1) and after the first-line treatment (n=25, T2), and 8.6 years after the end of chemotherapy (n=19, T3).

Results: The median age of 16 females and 14 males was 35 years (20-69), 35 years (21-63) after chemotherapy, and 43 years (29-70) at the end of the long-term follow-up, when the study was completed. 77% of all patients showed cognitive impairment before treatment. A close correlation was found between attention and unfavorable prognostic factors (III-IV. stage, age, bulky) baseline comorbidities (T2DM, psoriasis, HTN) and place of residence. Visual memory was affected by comorbidities and the place of residence. Working memory and planning was influenced by single marital status, and bulk disease. Post-treatment cognitive impairment was evaluated in 77% of the HL patients. In the working memory and planning domain, the Stockings of Cambridge (SOC) subtest significantly improved after treatment, while visual memory and attention remained unchanged. The cumulative dose of bleomycin associated with SOC.

Conclusion: The study highlights the fact that cognitive functions of HL patients were already impaired before treatment, especially attention, working memory, and planning. Long-term improvement in cognitive function was observed post-treatment. Employment status, place of residence and unfavorable prognosis have an impact on cognitive domains. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential to maintain patients' quality of life throughout and after treatment.

Background: Pediatric AML prognosis research has advanced significantly, yet gaps in understanding genetic and molecular interactions persist. Despite improved outcomes, relapse/refractory cases and personalized treatment integration remain critical clinical challenges.

Objective: To analyze the global research landscape on pediatric AML prognosis, highlight influential components and collaborations, and identify major potential research trends.

Methods: Publications on pediatric AML prognosis research from 1999 to 2023 were retrieved from the Clarivate Analytics Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Bibliometric analysis was conducted using CiteSpace and VOSviewer to identify leading countries, prominent institutions, high-impact journals, key research categories, influential authors, and emerging research topics.

Results: The bibliometric analysis encompassed 924 publications, with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital emerging as the most prolific institution. The United States leads globally in terms of countries, institutions, journals, and authors. Todd A. Alonzo ranks highest in publication volume, while U. Creutzig leads in citations. The top research categories were Oncology, Hematology, and Pediatrics. Key research topics included genomics, transcriptomics, epigenomics, targeted therapies, immune therapy, and integrative diagnostic approaches.

Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis highlights significant advancements in pediatric AML prognosis over the past 25 years, driven by the integration of genetic markers, immunological insights, transcriptomics, and epigenomics, which have collectively transformed risk stratification and treatment strategies. Overcoming challenges, such as discovering new therapeutic targets and enhancing treatment combinations, will depend on global collaboration and advanced technologies to propel the field forward.

Objective: Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is an uncommon mesenchymal neoplasm that exhibits a broad spectrum of biological behaviors. Few studies relative to clinical-pathologic features and radiologic manifestations of SFTs have been reported. This study aimed to correlate the radiologic findings of SFTs with the clinical and histopathologic features.

Methods: The clinical, surgical, and histopathologic records; and CT or MR images in 38 pathologically proved cases of SFTs were retrospectively evaluated.

Results: All tumors were seen as oval (n=18) or irregular (n=20), well-defined (n=36) or ill-defined (n=2) masses with a mean size of 11.0 cm. On CT images, most tumors showed a heterogeneous density on precontrast image, and the mean density of the tumor parenchyma was 40.7 hounsfield units. Intratumoral calcification was seen in 6 tumors. After contrast media administration, most tumors showed moderate to marked enhancement (n=34). Multiple intratumoral vessels were seen in 23 tumors. Collateral feeding vessels were seen in 19 tumors. On MR images, all 6 tumors showed a low signal intensity on T1 weighted images and high signal intensity with separate foci of hypointensity on T2 weighted images, as well as significantly imhomogeneous enhancement after contrast administration.

Conclusion: The presence of a large, well-defined, highly vascular soft tissue tumor with map-like enhancement and prominent collateral feeding vessels should alert the radiologist to the possible diagnosis of SFT. Diagnostic imaging coupled with clinicopathologic analysis allows accurate localization, identification, and resection of SFTs.

Background: Pneumonia is one of the most common complications after esophagectomy and a risk factor affecting postoperative survival of esophageal cancer. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors and construct a predictive model for postoperative pneumonia (POP) in esophageal cancer.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included esophageal cancer patients who underwent therapeutic esophagectomy from June 2019 to December 2023. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to screen predictive factors for POP, and a nomogram was constructed based on the selected predictive factors after screening. The performance of the model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

Results: A total of 667 esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy were included, of whom 61 (9.1%) developed postoperative pneumonia. After LASSO regression analysis, factors independently associated with POP included mechanical ventilation for more than 2 days (P=0.000) and blood transfusion (P=0.003). A nomogram was constructed based on these independent risk factors. The AUC of the predictive model for POP was 0.839 (95%CI: 0.768-0.911). The internal verification result showed a good discriminative power and the DCA results demonstrated a good predictive value.

Conclusion: The predictive model constructed in this study can predict the risk of POP in patients with esophageal cancer, and may promote early intervention for high-risk patients by clinicians to reduce the incidence of POP.

MYCN, an oncogene implicated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is predominantly expressed in cancer stem-like HCC cells. It drives tumorigenicity, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. In this study, we hypothesized that the pharmacological inhibition of MYCN could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for HCC. To identify inhibitors of MYCN expression, we developed an unbiased, high-throughput screening platform. With this platform, we identified MI202 as a potent inhibitor of MYCN expression. MI202 significantly reduced MYCN promoter activity and mRNA levels in HCC cells, inhibiting cell proliferation, spheroid formation, and colony growth and promoting apoptosis. Notably, MI202 selectively inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells but not of normal hepatic cells, highlighting its potential for HCC-specific therapy. Genome-wide CRISPR knockout screening has identified acyl-CoA thioesterase 2 (ACOT2), a key regulator of lipid metabolism, as a molecular target of MI202. ACOT2 downregulation by MI202 was associated with reduced MYCN expression, suggesting that ACOT2 may mediate MYCN-driven tumorigenesis through lipid desaturation. Overall, this study presents a robust high-throughput screening platform to identify MYCN inhibitors and highlights the potential of pharmacological downregulation of MYCN as a therapeutic strategy for targeting HCC.