Cancer Research and Treatment最新文献

Purpose: We compared the local control rate and toxicity of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) versus wedge resection for colorectal pulmonary metastases.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical charts and imaging of patients treated with SABR or wedge resection between 2010 and 2017 at a single institution.

Results: There were 404 patients who were treated with local therapy for 528 pulmonary metastatic lesions. While surgery was frequently used upfront for smaller, solitary metastases without other site involvement, SABR was often used for larger, multiple lesions and disease burdens beyond the lungs. The 3-year local control rate was 88.6% following surgery, which was not significantly different from that with SABR at 86.7% (p=0.174). No major postoperative complications or mortality were observed in the surgery group, and 2.8% of patients in the SABR group experienced grade 3-4 radiation pneumonitis.

Conclusion: SABR was used in patients with a higher risk of progression compared to those undergoing surgery, yet it has similar local control rates to wedge resection.

Purpose: Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) can be used to relieve psychological symptoms in patients with cancer. We investigated the nationwide use of APDs during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with lung cancer and its association with overall survival (OS).

Materials and methods: The National Health Service database was used in this retrospective cohort study. Patients diagnosed with lung cancer between 2010 and 2020 who received cisplatin-based CCRT were included. The APDs included in the analysis were aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, risperidone, haloperidol, and chlorpromazine, and the APD prescription details included prescription time, dosage, and duration.

Results: Among the 23,099 patients with lung cancer treated with CCRT, 2,662 (11.5%) took APDs concurrently. Quetiapine (47.3%) and chlorpromazine (36.6%) were the frequently prescribed APDs. In the univariate analysis, patients prescribed APDs during CCRT had a significantly worse OS than those who did not take APDs. The 2-year OS rates for APD (+) and APD (-) patients were 20.4% and 36.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). Multivariable analyses revealed that APD prescription, male, age >80 years, and comorbidities, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and depressive disorder, significantly influenced OS. In patients who used APDs during CCRT, APD prescription timing (pre-CCRT vs. during CCRT), dosage (low vs. high) and duration (within 6 months vs. over 6 months) had no significant difference.

Conclusion: Overall, 11.5% of patients with lung cancer used APDs during CCRT. Patients who used APDs during CCRT had poorer survival than those who did not. Further studies are required to elucidate the effects of APDs on patients with cancer.

Purpose: We aimed to develop a preoperative risk scoring system to predict early recurrence (ER) of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) after resection, utilizing clinical and computed tomography (CT) features.

Materials and methods: This multicenter study included 365 patients who underwent curative-intent surgical resection for ICCA at six institutions between 2009 and 2016. Of these, 264 patients from one institution constituted the development cohort, while 101 patients from the other institutions constituted the external validation cohort. Logistic regression models were constructed to predict ER based on preoperative variables and were subsequently translated into a risk-scoring system. The discrimination performance of the risk-scoring system was validated using external data and compared to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system.

Results: Among the 365 patients (mean age, 62±10 years), 153 had ER. A preoperative risk scoring system that incorporated both clinical and CT features demonstrated superior discriminatory performance compared to the postoperative AJCC TNM staging system in both the development (area under the curve [AUC], 0.78 vs. 0.68; p=0.002) and validation cohorts (AUC, 0.69 vs. 0.66; p=0.641). The preoperative risk scoring system effectively stratified patients based on their risk for ER: the 1-year recurrence-free survival rates for the low, intermediate, and high-risk groups were 85.5%, 56.6%, and 15.6%, respectively (p<0.001) in the development cohort, and 87.5%, 58.5%, and 25.0%, respectively (p<0.001) in the validation cohort.

Conclusion: A preoperative risk scoring system that incorporates clinical and CT imaging features was valuable in identifying high-risk patients with ICCA for ER following resection.

Purpose: Esophageal cancer (EC) is a rapidly progressing malignancy characterized by a low survival rate and limited treatment success, largely due to late-stage detection, frequent recurrence, and a high propensity for metastasis, despite ongoing advances in therapeutic strategies. While oxaliplatin (L-OHP) is a potent chemotherapeutic agent that induces apoptosis in EC cells, its effectiveness is significantly hindered by the development of resistance.

Materials and methods: The assessment of gene and protein expression was conducted through a combination of RT-qPCR, Western blot, and IHC staining. Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. The interactions among ALYREF, TBL1XR1, KMT2E, and APOC1 were investigated through RIP, ChIP, ChIP-reChIP, RNA pulldown, and dual-luciferase assays. An in vivo mouse model of EC was established.

Results: Expression levels of both APOC1 and ALYREF were elevated in L-OHP-resistant EC tissues and cell lines, and their silencing enhanced sensitivity to L-OHP. TBL1XR1 and KMT2E synergistically upregulated APOC1 expression. Moreover, ALYREF recognized the m5C sites on TBL1XR1 and KMT2E mRNAs, stabilizing these transcripts and promoting APOC1 expression. The regulatory role of these interactions was further validated in vivo.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ALYREF interacted with the m5C sites on TBL1XR1 and KMT2E mRNAs, enhancing their stability and leading to increased transcription of APOC1, which in turn contributed to L-OHP resistance in EC. These findings suggest that targeting APOC1 could be a promising strategy for overcoming L-OHP resistance in EC.

Purpose: Previous studies suggested an association between alcohol consumption and reduced kidney cancer risk. Given a potential interaction between alcohol's insulin-sensitizing effect and hyperglycemia-related insulin resistance, we aimed to assess whether the dose-response association between alcohol intake and kidney cancer risk varies based on glycemic status.

Materials and methods: This nationwide cohort study analyzed data from 9,492,331 adults who underwent a national health screening program in 2009 and were followed until 2018. Multivariable-adjusted Cox regression models were applied to estimate the hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: Over a median follow-up period of 8.3 years, 12,381 participants were diagnosed with kidney cancer. A U-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and kidney cancer risk was observed among individuals with normoglycemia (light-to-moderate; HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99 and heavy; HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.91-1.09, respectively). In prediabetic individuals, alcohol consumption was not significantly associated with kidney cancer risk. In individuals with diabetes, a dose-dependent increase in kidney cancer risk was noted with higher alcohol consumption (light-to-moderate consumption: HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.03-1.22; heavy consumption: HR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09-1.42; P for trend <0.01).

Conclusion: A modest U-shaped dose-response association between alcohol consumption and kidney cancer risk was observed exclusively in individuals with normoglycemia. Individuals with diabetes demonstrated a dose-dependent increased risk of kidney cancer with higher alcohol consumption. Tailored patient education and personalized risk assessments regarding alcohol consumption and kidney cancer risk should be emphasized over a generalized 'one-size-fits-all' approach.

Purpose: Widely used breast cancer risk-prediction tools are based on data from Western countries, but risk factors may differ for Asian women. Hence, we aimed to develop a risk assessment tool for breast cancer in Asian women using a nationwide, population-based mammographic screening cohort.

Materials and methods: Women aged ≥40 years who underwent breast cancer screening and general health examination in 2009 were included. Age, body mass index (BMI), breast density, lifestyle and reproductive factors, and comorbidities were used to develop 5-year breast cancer risk-prediction models for premenopausal (n=771,856) and postmenopausal (n=1,108,047) women at baseline. The best-fit risk prediction model was constructed using backward stepwise selection in a Cox proportional hazards model and was transformed into a risk score nomogram. The performance was assessed by discrimination and calibration.

Results: In premenopausal women, high BMI, low parity, short breastfeeding period, early age at menarche, high breast density, a history of benign breast masses, and family history of breast cancer contributed to the risk prediction of breast cancer. In postmenopausal women, age, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, late-onset menopause, and hormone replacement therapy use were additional risk predictors of breast cancer. Our risk-prediction model showed a concordant statistic of 0.58 (0.57-0.59) for premenopausal women and 0.64 (0.63-0.65) for postmenopausal women. The calibration plot demonstrated good correlations for both models.

Conclusion: Our breast cancer risk-prediction model demonstrated performance comparable to that of Western countries, especially among postmenopausal women. This provides a foundation for implementing risk-based screening recommendations in Asian women.

Purpose: The TRIUMPH trial was a biomarker-driven umbrella trial for patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). This analysis focuses on the PIK3CAɑ inhibitor alpelisib (arm 1) in patients with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway alterations.

Materials and methods: Patients with PI3K pathway altered tumors were enrolled in the alpelisib arm of the TRIUMPH study. We conducted a detailed analysis of the correlation between PI3K pathway mutations and treatment outcomes including disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS).

Results: From Oct 2017 and Aug 2020, 203 were enrolled, with 42 treated with alpelisib. Response evaluation was possible for 33 patients. Genomic profiles revealed PIK3CA amplifications in 26.2%, and point mutations in E542K (26.2%), E545K (23.8%), and H1047R (9.5%). Neither PIK3CA amplification nor co-occurring TP53 mutations had a notable influence on alpelisib response or survival outcomes. Although the overall response rates were similar between helical domain mutations (E542, E545) and kinase domain mutations (H1047), patients with H1047 mutations exhibited significantly poorer PFS compared to those with non-H1047 PIK3CA alterations (1.6 vs. 7.3 months, p=0.017). OS in patients with H1047 kinase domain mutations showed a trend toward being shorter compared to others, though this difference did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusion: Alpelisib showed differential efficacy based on PI3K pathway alterations in patients with R/M HNSCC and was well-tolerated. These findings suggest the usefulness of NGS testing-based decision-making when using the targeted agents in R/M HNSCC. We need to confirm results in larger cohorts.

Purpose: After surgery for lung adenocarcinoma, a patient may experience various states of recurrence, with multiple factors potentially influencing the transitions between these states. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of clinical and pathological factors on tumor recurrence, death, and prognosis across various metastasizing pathways.

Materials and methods: Our study group included 335 patients with all demographic and pathologic data available who underwent surgical resection for lung adenocarcinoma for more than 10 years. The following states of disease were defined: initial state, operation (OP); three intermediate states of local recurrence (LR), metastasis (Meta), and concurrent LR with metastasis (LR+Meta); and a terminal state, death. We identified 8 transitions representing various pathways of tumor progression. We employed a multi-state model (MSM) to separate the impacts of multiple prognostic factors on the transitions following surgery.

Results: After surgery, approximately half of patients experienced recurrence. Specifically, 142 (42.4%), 54 (16.1%), and 7 (2.1%) patients developed Meta, LR+Meta, and LR, respectively. Clinical and pathological factors associated with the transitions were different. Impact of pathological lymph node remained a risk factor for both OP to Meta (λ02, p-value=0.001) and OP to LR+Meta (λ03, p-value = 0.001).

Conclusion: Lung adenocarcinoma displays a broad spectrum of clinical scenarios even after curative surgery. Incidence, risk factors, and prognosis varied across different pathways of recurrence in lung adenocarcinoma patients. The greatest implication of this MSM is its ability to predict the timing and type of clinical intervention that will have the greatest impact on survival.

Purpose: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) shows significant heterogeneity in therapeutic responses. We aimed to develop a gene signature for the stratification of high-risk pediatric AML using publicly available AML datasets, with a focus on literature-based prognostic gene sets.

Materials and methods: We identified 300 genes from 12 well-validated studies on AML-related gene signatures. Clinical and gene expression data were obtained from three datasets: TCGA-LAML, TARGET-AML, and BeatAML. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-Cox regression analysis was used to perform the initial gene selection and to construct a prognostic model using the TCGA database (n=132). The final gene signature was validated with two independent cohorts: BeatAML (n=411) and TARGET-AML (n=187).

Results: We identified a six-gene signature (ETFB, ARL6IP5, PTP4A3, CSK, HS3ST3B1, PLA2G4A), referred to as the literature-based signature 6 (LBS6), that was significantly associated with lower overall survival rates across the TCGA (HR=4.2, 95% CI: 2.59-6.81, p<0.0001), BeatAML (HR=1.52, 95% CI: 1.17-1.96, p=0.0013), and TARGET (HR=2.05, 95% CI: 1.36-3.08, p<0.001) datasets. The high-LBS6 score group exhibited significantly poorer five-year event-free survival compared to the low-LBS6 score group (HR=2.09, 95% CI: 1.38-3.15, p<0.001). After adjusting for key risk factors, including gene mutations (WT1, FLT3, and NPM1), protocol-based risk group, WBC count, and age, the LBS6 score was independently associated with worse survival rates in validation cohorts.

Conclusion: Our literature-driven approach identified a robust gene signature that stratifies AML patients into distinct risk groups. The LBS6 score shows promise in redefining initial risk stratification and identifying high-risk AML patients.

Although gastric cancer remains a significant global health burden, its treatment strategies vary across different geographical regions, leading to distinct guidelines. In Asia, particularly in Korea, D2 gastrectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy has been established as the standard treatment for stage II/III gastric cancer based on landmark clinical trials. However, this "one-size-fits-all" approach requires refinement as emerging evidence suggests heterogeneous outcomes even within the same stage. This review discusses the evolving landscape of adjuvant treatment in gastric cancer, emphasizing the transition towards precision medicine. Recent molecular characterization of gastric cancer has revealed distinct subtypes with varying prognoses and chemotherapy responses, exemplified by the favorable outcomes of microsatellite instability-high tumors without adjuvant chemotherapy. Additionally, clinical factors including sub-stages within stage II/III, patient performance status, comorbidities, and personal preferences should be considered in treatment decisions. The integration of these molecular and clinical factors, along with shared decision-making between physicians and patients, represents a crucial step toward personalized treatment approaches. Looking ahead, the field is poised for further evolution with the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitors, growing evidence for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in selected cases, and the potential of circulating tumor DNA as a biomarker for minimal residual disease. This comprehensive approach to treatment decision-making, considering both tumor biology and patient factors, will be essential for realizing precision medicine in gastric cancer care.