Influência da terapia neoadjuvante na razão de linfonodos / Influence of neoadjuvant therapy on the ratio of lymph nodes

ABSTRACT Background: To evaluate the relationship between the ratio of affected lymph nodes (LNR) and clinical and anatomopathological variables in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma submitted or not to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Methods: The LNR was determined by dividing the number of compromised LNR by the total number of LNR dissected in the surgical specimen. Patients were divided into two groups: with QRT and without QRT. In each group, the relationship between LNR and the following variables was evaluated: degree of cell differentiation, depth of invasion in the rectal wall, angiolymphatic /perineural invasion, degree of tumor regression and occurrence of metastases. The LNR was evaluated in patients with more than 1, LNR (LNR >12) or less (LNR<12) in the surgical specimen with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The results were expressed as the mean with the respective standard deviation. Qualitative variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact test, while quantitative variables were analyzed using the Kruskal -Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. The significance level was 5%. Results: We evaluated 282 patients with QRT and 114 without QRT, between 1995-2011. In the QRT Group, LNR showed a significant association with mucinous tumors (P=0.007) and degree of tumor regression (P=0.003). In both groups, LNR was associated with poorly differentiated tumors (P=0.001, P=0.02), presence of angiolymphatic invasion (P<0.0001 and P=0.01), perineural (P=0.0007, P=0.02), degree of rectal wall invasion (T3>T2; P<0.0001, P=0.02); Compromised LNR (P<0.0001, P<0.01), metastases (P<0.0001, P<0.01). In patients with QRT, LNR<12 was associated with DFS (5.889; 95%CI1.935-19.687; P=0.018) and LNR>12 with DFS and OS (17.984; 95%CI5.931-54.351; P<0.001 and 10.286; 95%CI 2.654-39.854; P=0.007, respectively). Conclusion: LNR was associated with histological aspects of poor prognosis, regardless of the use of QRT. In the occurrence of less than 12 evaluated LNR, the LNR was associated only with the DFS.

RESUMO Contexto: Avaliar a relação entre a razão de linfonodos (RLA) acometidos e variáveis clínicas e anatomopatológicas em portadores de adenocarcinoma de reto submetidos ou não à quimiorradioterapia neoadjuvante. Métodos: A RLA foi determinada dividindo-se o número total de linfonodos (LFNs) dissecados no espécime cirúrgico pelo número de comprometidos. Os doentes foram divididos em dois grupos: com QRT e sem QRT. Em cada grupo foi avaliada a relação entre a RLA e as seguintes variáveis: grau de diferenciação celular, profundidade de invasão na parede retal, invasão angiolinfática/perineural, grau de regressão tumoral e ocorrência de metástases. Avaliou-se a RLA em pacientes com mais do que 12 LFNs (RLA>12) ou menos (RLA<12) na peça cirúrgica com a sobrevida global (SG) e sobrevida livre de doença (SLD). Os resultados foram expressos pela média com o respectivo desvio padrão. As variáveis qualitativas foram analisadas utilizando-se o teste exato de Fisher, enquanto as quantitativas pelos testes de Kruskal-Wallis e Mann-Whitney. O nível de significância foi de 5%. Resultados: Foram avaliados 282 pacientes com QRT e 114 sem QRT, entre 1995-2011. No Grupo QRT, RLA mostrou associação significativa com os tumores mucinosos (P=0,007) e grau de regressão tumoral (P=0,003). Nos dois grupos, a RLA associou-se com tumores pouco diferenciados (P=0,001 e P=0,02), presença de invasão angiolinfática (P<0,0001 e P=0,01), perineural (P=0,0007 e P=0,02), grau de invasão da parede retal (T3>T2; P<0,0001 e P=0,02); LFNs comprometidos (P<0,0001 e P<0,01), metástases (P<0,0001 e P<0,01). Nos pacientes com QRT, a RLA <12 associou-se com a SLD (5,889; IC95%1,935-19,687; P=0,018) e a RLA >12 com SLD e SG (17,984; IC95%5,931-54,351; P<0,001 e 10,286; IC95%2,654-39,854; P=0,007, respectivamente). Conclusão: A RLA associou-se a aspectos histológicos de mau prognóstico, independentemente do emprego de QRT. Na ocorrência de menos de 12 LFNs avaliados, a RLA associou-se apenas com a SLD.

Stem cell markers: A guide to neoadjuvant therapy in breast carcinomas

Aim: This study aims to investigate potential associations between the stem cell population and the degree of tumor regression in breast carcinomas treated with neoadjuvant therapy. Settings and Design: The study included 92 patients with breast carcinoma who received neoadjuvant therapy. Tumor regression was defined based on Miller and Payne grading system. Patients with grade 1 or 2 regression on a 5-point scale were included in group 1 (n = 37), grade 3 regression in group 2 (n = 32), and grade 4 or 5 regression in group 3 (n = 23). Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed on paraffin block sections of every case using CD44, CD24, CD29, CD133, ID4, and ALDH1 antibodies to detect stem cells. Statistical Analysis Used: IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) software was used for statistical analyses, and a P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Histologically high-grade tumors are more common in the near-complete/complete response group (P = 0.004). HER2-positive tumors were more common in the complete/near-complete response group (P = 0.054). Tumor cells positive for stem cell markers CD44 and CD24 were more common in the poor response group (P = 0.027 and P = 0.001, respectively). CD29 expression was reduced in the posttreatment residual tumor tissue in the near-complete/complete response group. Conclusion: High CD44 and CD24 expression may be a predictor of poor response/nonresponse to neoadjuvant therapy in breast carcinomas. Background: In recent years, stem cells have been defined as the main cell population responsible for resistance to anticancer therapies.

Complete pathological response in patients with HER2 positive breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy in Colombia / Respuesta patológica completa de pacientes con cáncer de mama HER2 positivo tratadas con quimioterapia neoadyuvante en Colombia

Introduction. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and the leading cause of death by cancer in women in Colombia. Approximately 15 to 20% of breast cancers overexpress HER2. Objective. To analyze the relationship between multiple clinical and histological variables and pathological complete response in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy in a specialized cancer center in Colombia. Materials and methods. We performed a retrospective analysis of non-metastatic HER2- positive breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant therapy between 2007 and 2020 at the Instituto de Cancerología Las Americas Auna (Medellín, Colombia). Assessed parameters were tumor grade, proliferation index, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2 status, type of neoadjuvant therapy, pathologic complete response rates, and overall survival. Results. Variables associated with low pathologic complete response rates were tumor grades 1-2 (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.37-0.81; p = 0.03), estrogen receptor positivity (OR = 0.65; 95%; CI = 0.43-0.97; p=0.04), and progesterone receptor positivity (OR = 0.44; 95% CI = 0.29-0.65; p = 0.0001). HER2 strong positivity (score 3+) was associated with high pathological complete response rates (OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.3-8.35; p=0.013). Five-year overall survival was 91.5% (95% CI = 82.6-95.9) in patients with pathological complete response and 73.6% (95% CI = 66.4-79.6) in patients who did not achieve pathological complete response (p = 0.001). Additionally, the pathological complete response rate was three times higher in patients receiving combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy with anti- HER2 therapy than in those with chemotherapy alone (48% versus 16%). Conclusion. In patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, tumor grade 3, estrogen receptor negativity, progesterone receptor negativity, strong HER2 positivity (score 3+), and the use of the neoadjuvant trastuzumab are associated with higher pathological complete response rates.

Introducción. El adenocarcinoma de seno es el tipo de cáncer más frecuente y con mayor tasa de mortalidad asociada en mujeres en Colombia. Aproximadamente entre el 15 al 20 % de estos cánceres sobreexpresan el gen HER2. Objetivo. Analizar las asociaciones existentes entre múltiples variables clínicas e histológicas con respecto a la respuesta patológica completa en pacientes con cáncer de mama HER2 positivo que fueron tratadas con quimioterapia neoadyuvante en un centro especializado en el tratamiento del cáncer en Colombia. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un análisis retrospectivo de las pacientes con cáncer de mama HER2 positivo, no metastásicas, que recibieron quimioterapia neoadyuvante entre el 2007 y el 2020 en el Instituto de Cancerología Las Américas Auna (Medellín, Colombia). Se evaluaron los parámetros de grado tumoral, índice de proliferación, estatus de receptores de estrógeno y de progesterona, tipo de quimioterapia neoadyuvante recibida, tasas de respuesta patológica completa y supervivencia global. Resultados. Las variables asociadas con tasas de respuesta patológica completa más bajas fueron grados tumorales 1-2 (OR = 0,55; IC 95% = 0,37-0,81; p= 0,03), positividad de receptores de estrógeno (OR = 0,65; IC 95 % = 0,43-0,97; p = 0,04) y positividad de receptores de progesterona (OR = 0,44; IC 95 % = 0,29-0,65; p = 0,0001). La positividad fuerte para HER2 (puntaje 3+) se asoció a tasas de respuesta patológica completa más altas (OR = 3.3; IC 95 % = 1,3-8,35; p = 0,013). La supervivencia global a cinco años fue del 91,5 % (IC 95 % = 82,6-95,9) en pacientes con respuesta patológica completa y del 73,6 % (IC 95 % = 66.4-79.6) en pacientes sin respuesta patológica completa (p = 0.001). La tasa de respuesta patológica completa fue tres veces mayor en los pacientes que recibieron quimioterapia neoadyuvante con terapia anti-HER2 comparado con aquellos que recibieron quimioterapia sola sin agentes anti-HER2 (48 % versus 16 %). Conclusión. En pacientes con cáncer de mama con sobreexpresión de HER2, grado tumoral tres, receptores de estrógeno y progesterona negativos, positividad fuerte para HER2 (puntaje 3+) y uso de quimioterapia neoadyuvante con trastuzumab se asociaron con mayores tasas de respuesta patológica completa.

Oncological outcomes of visibly complete transurethral resection prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for bladder cancer

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the potential oncologic benefit of a visibly complete transurethral resection of a bladder tumor (TURBT) prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and radical cystectomy (RC). Materials and Methods: We identified patients who received NAC and RC between 2011-2021. Records were reviewed to assess TURBT completeness. The primary outcome was pathologic downstaging (<ypT2N0), with complete pathologic response (ypT0N0) and survival as secondary endpoints. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were utilized. Results: We identified 153 patients, including 116 (76%) with a complete TURBT. Sixty-four (42%) achieved <ypT2N0 and 43 (28%) achieved ypT0N0. When comparing those with and without a complete TURBT, there was no significant difference in the proportion with <ypT2N0 (43% vs 38%, P=0.57) or ypT0N0 (28% vs 27%, P=0.87). After median follow-up of 3.6 years (IQR 1.5-5.1), 86 patients died, 37 died from bladder cancer, and 61 had recurrence. We did not observe a statistically significant association of complete TURBT with cancer-specific or recurrence-free survival (p≥0.20), although the hazard of death from any cause was significantly higher among those with incomplete TURBT even after adjusting for ECOG and pathologic T stage, HR 1.77 (95% CI 1.04-3.00, P=.034). Conclusions: A visibly complete TURBT was not associated with pathologic downstaging, cancer-specific or recurrence-free survival following NAC and RC. These data do not support the need for repeat TURBT to achieve a visibly complete resection if NAC and RC are planned.

Evaluation of the response rate to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma: a retrospective long-term study in two terciary reference centers

Objectives: To evaluate the complete response (CR) rate and surgeries performed in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant therapy (NT) at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo and at Hospital São Paulo, in Ribeirão Preto, from January 2007 to December 2017. Methods: We evaluated 166 medical records of patients with locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma (T3, T4 or N+) who underwent NT. The regimen consisted of performing conventional (2D) or conformational (three-dimensional-3D/ radiotherapy with modulated intensity - IMRT) at a dose of 45-50.4Gy associated with capecitabine 1650mg/m2 or 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and leucovorin (LV). The following variables were analyzed: gender, age, pretreatment stage, radiotherapy, CR index, local and distant recurrence rates. Surgical treatment and complications were also evaluated. Results: The CR index was 28.3%. Patients treated with 3D/IMRT radiotherapy had a higher rate of CR (36.3% x 4.8%; p < 0.001), higher rates of clinical follow-up (21% x 0%; p < 0.001), lower surgery rates (79% x 100%; p < 0.001), higher rates of transanal resection (37.1% x 9.5%; p = 0.001), lower rates of abdominal rectosigmoidectomy (25.8% x 50%; p = 0.007) and lower rates of abdominoperineal resection of the rectum (16.1% x 40.5%; p = 0.002), when compared to patients treated with 2D radiotherapy. Conclusion Modern radiotherapy techniques such as 3D conformal and IMRT, by offering greater adequacy and precision of treatment, could result in better local control and less toxicity in organs at risk, enabling organ preservation strategies and less invasive approaches in selected cases. (AU)

Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Locally Advanced Gastric Adenocarcinoma in Terms of Downstaging and Resectability in a Tertiary Cancer Hospital

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in carcinoma stomach was introduced in an effort to eliminate micro-metastasis and to improve resectablity before surgery which improves R0 resection rates. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on downstaging and resectability rate in locally advanced gastric cancer. Material & Methods: This was a single-center quasi-experimental study conducted in the Department of Surgical Oncology in collaboration with the Departments of Medical Oncology, Radiation oncology, and Pathology at the National Institute of Cancer Research and hospital, Dhaka, which is a tertiary care cancer hospital in Bangladesh, between January 2021 and June 2022.Patients with locally advanced adenocarcinoma stomach staged by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) were randomly included in this study by purposive sampling. Patients in Group I underwent upfront surgery Patients in Group II were started on neoadjuvant chemotherapy, either XELOX or FLOT regimen. Surgery was done following the response assessment CECT. We assessed R0 resection rate, age, sex, comorbidities, tumour size, TNM stage and complications were compared between the two groups. Response to NACT was assessed in Group II. Results: The mean age of patients in groups 1 & 2 was 56 ± 11.06 and 55.70 ± 10.46 years of age respectively (p > 0.05). Majority of the respondents (55/74) were male and 19 patients (26%) were female. Male to female ratio was (24/37 &31/37) in group 1 and (31/37 & 6/37) groups respectively (p > 0.05). Out of 37 patients who received NACT, in 9 patients (24.32%) complete response was noted. Partial response was found in 20 cases (54.05%), p-value (<.0001) while a stable disease was reported in three (8.1%) cases. 5 patients (13.51%) had progressive disease. In the upfront surgery group, R0 resection was feasible in 16 (43.2%) cases, and in the NACT plus surgery group, R0 resection was done in 29 (78.4%) cases. In group 1, R1 resection was done in considerable numbers (19/37) compared to group 2 (5/37), P=0.001. Three patients (8.1%) in group 2 and one (2.7) in group 1 had irresectable lesions. Conclusion: In this study it can be concluded that neoadjuvant chemotherapy could downstage tumour and increase tumor resectability rate in patients with locally-advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. However, further studies are necessary to confirm the effect of this modality on patients’ overall survival. We await survival analysis to further validate the role of NACT.

Respuesta tumoral a la quimioterapia neoadyuvante en subtipos moleculares de cáncer de mama en Medellín, Colombia. Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo / Tumor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in molecular breast cancer subtypes in Medellin, Colombia. Retrospective cohort study

Objetivos: Describir la frecuencia de la respuesta clínica y patológica, entre los diferentes subtipos moleculares de cáncer de mama, en pacientes que previamente recibieron quimioterapia neoadyuvante. Materiales y métodos: Cohorte retrospectiva, descriptiva. Se incluyeron mujeres mayores de 18 años, con diagnóstico histológico de carcinoma invasivo de mama, en estadios IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB y IIIC, con clasificación por subtipos moleculares, que hubieran recibido quimioterapia neoadyuvante, atendidas en una clínica de alto nivel de complejidad localizada en Medellín (Colombia), entre el 1 de julio de 2017 y el 30 de julio de 2019. Las variables recolectadas fueron edad, estadio clínico, características histológicas, clasificación molecular y la respuesta clínica y patológica completa por subtipo molecular. Se realizó análisis descriptivo. Resultados: 255 pacientes cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. La edad media fue de 55,2 años; los estadios clínicos con mayor prevalencia fueron IIIB (28,6 %) y IIB (26,3 %), respecto al grado histológico, los más frecuentes fueron grado 3 (48,2 %) y 2 (37,3 %). La frecuencia por subtipos moleculares fue: luminal A (10,2 %), luminal B HER2 negativo (39,6 %), triple negativo (23,1 %), luminal B HER2 positivo (13,7 %), y HER2 puro (13,3 %). La respuesta clínica completa posquimioterapia por subtipo molecular fue: luminal A (26,9 %), luminal B HER2 negativo (37,6 %), luminal B HER2 positivo (48,6 %), HER2 puro (41,2 %), triple negativo (45,8 %); se logró respuesta patológica completa por subtipo molecular, así: luminal A (19,2 %), luminal B HER2 negativo (32,7 %), luminal B HER2 positivo (54,3 %), HER2 puro (50 %), triple negativo (42,4 %). Conclusiones: En la práctica clínica, la clasificación por subtipos moleculares en cáncer de mama permite hacer una aproximación a la respuesta de la quimioterapia neoadyuvante. Se requieren estudios prospectivos en la región para determinar la capacidad predictiva de la respuesta patológica completa respecto a la sobrevida global y libre de enfermedad.

Objectives: To describe the frequency of clinical and pathological response in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer, in patients receiving prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Materials and methods: Descriptive retrospective cohort. The study population consisted of women 18 years of age and older with a histological diagnosis of invasive breast cancer stages IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB and IIIC, with a classification by molecular subtypes, who had received prior neoadjuvant chemotherapy, seen at a high complexity clinic in Medellin (Colombia), between July 1, 2017, and July 30, 2019. We measured age clinical stage, histological characteristics, molecular classification, and complete clinical and pathological responses by molecular subtype. A descriptive analysis was conducted. Results: Overall, 255 patients met the inclusion criteria. Mean age was 55.2 years; the clinical stages with the highest prevalence were IIIB (28.6 %) and IIB (26.3 %), and the most frequent by histologic grading were grades 3 (48.2 %) and 2 (37.3 %). Frequency by molecular types was as follows: luminal A (10.2 %), HER2-negative luminal B (39.6 %), triple-negative (23.1%), HER2-positive luminal B (13.7 %), and pure HER2 (13.3 %). Complete clinical response following chemotherapy, by molecular type, was as follows: luminal A (26.9 %), HER2-negative luminal B (37.6 %), HER2-positive luminal B (48.6 %), pure HER2 (41.2 %), triple-negative (45.8 %). Complete pathological response by molecular subtype was achieved in the luminal A (19.2 %), HER2-negative luminal B (32.7 %), HER2-positive luminal B (54.3 %), pure HER2 (50 %) and triple-negative (42.4 %) subtypes. Conclusions: In clinical practice, breast cancer classification by molecular subtypes is a means to approach the assess the to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Se requieren estudios prospectivos en la región para determinar la capacidad predictiva de la respuesta patológica completa respecto a la sobrevida global y libre de enfermedad.

Perioperative mortality for radical cystectomy in the modern Era: experience from a tertiary referral center

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the perioperative mortality and contributing variables among patients who underwent radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer in recent decades, with comparison between modern (after 2010) and premodern (before 2010) eras. Materials and Methods Using our institutional review board-approved database, we reviewed the records of patients who underwent RC for primary urothelial bladder carcinoma with curative intent from January 2003 to December 2019. The primary and secondary outcomes were 90- and 30-day mortality. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to assess the impact of perioperative variables on 90-day mortality. Results A total of 2047 patients with a mean±SD age of 69.6±10.6 years were included. The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 1.3% and 4.9%, respectively, and consistent during the past two decades. Among 100 deaths within 90 days, 18 occurred during index hospitalization. Infectious, pulmonary, and cardiac complications were the leading mortality causes. Multivariable analysis showed that age (Odds Ratio: OR 1.05), Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 2 (OR 1.82), blood transfusion (OR 1.95), and pathological node disease (OR 2.85) were independently associated with 90-day mortality. Nevertheless, the surgical approach and enhanced recovery protocols had no significant effect on 90-day mortality. Conclusion The 90-day mortality for RC is approaching five percent, with infectious, pulmonary, and cardiac complications as the leading mortality causes. Older age, higher comorbidity, blood transfusion, and pathological lymph node involvement are independently associated with 90-day mortality.

Radioquimioterapia neoadyuvante en cáncer de recto: Relevancia clínica del downstaging y la respuesta patológica completa

Antecedentes: La radioquimioterapia neoadyuvante es uno de los pilares del tratamiento del cáncer de recto localmente avanzado. La neoadyuvancia ha demostrado disminuir la recidiva local, generando también un downstaging tumoral, llegando incluso a una respuesta patológica completa (RPC), esta última relacionada con una mejor sobrevida global (SG) y sobrevida libre de enfermedad (SLE). Objetivo: Reportar los resultados anátomo-patológicos del tratamiento con radioquimioterapia en cáncer de recto, analizando su relación con la SG y la SLE. Material y Método: Estudio de cohorte prospectivo. Se analiza base de datos de cirugías coloproctológicas del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, entre los años 20042019, incluyendo pacientes con cáncer de recto medio y bajo localmente avanzados, los cuales recibieron neoadyuvancia y posteriormente cirugía. Se realizó el análisis de sobrevida con el método de Kaplan-Meier y el test Log-rank para su comparación. Se consideró estadísticamente significativo un valor de p < 0,05. Resultados: 411 pacientes fueron operados por cáncer de recto, 143 pacientes recibieron neoadyuvancia, el 19% registró RPC. La SG del grupo con RPC fue 94% (IC 95%; 59,79-79,41%) mientras que la del grupo sin RPC fue 71% (IC 95%; 66,64-99,20%) (p = 0,018), la SLE en aquellos pacientes con RPC alcanzó un 100%, mientras que en aquellos sin RPC fue 74% (IC 95%; 64,08-81,28) (p = 0,008). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con RPC mostraron mejores resultados a largo plazo que aquellos sin RPC. La RPC podría indicar un perfil tumoral biológico favorable, con menos tendencia a la recurrencia y mejor supervivencia.

Background: One of the mainstays in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer is neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Neoadjuvant therapy have demonstrated to decrease local recurrence, also generating tumor downstaging, even leading to a pathological complete response (PCR), the latter related to better overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (SLE). Aim: To report the anatomo-pathological results of treatment with chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer, analyzing the relationship with OS and SLE. Material and Method: Prospective cohort study. A database of colorectal surgeries from the Clinical Hospital of the University of Chile between the years 2004-2019, including patients with locally advanced low and middle rectal cancer, who received neoadjuvant and later surgery. Survival analysis was made with the Kaplan-Meier method and the Log-rank test for comparison. A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 411 patients underwent surgery for rectal cancer, 143 patients received neoadjuvant therapy, 19% registered PCR. The OS of the group with PCR was 94% (95% CI; 59.79-79.41%) while that of the group without PCR was 71% (95% CI; 66.64-99.20%) (p = 0.018), the SLE in those patients with PCR reached 100%, while in those without PCR it was 74% (95% CI; 64.08-81.28) (p = 0.008). Conclusions: Patients with PCR have better long-term results than those without PCR. PCR could indicate a favorable biological tumor profile, with less tendency to recurrence and improved survival.

The role of MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT with respect to evaluation of pathological response in the rectal cancer patients after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy

Background: We aimed to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography朿omputed tomography (PET-CT) in determining the correct stage and predicting the pathological response. Methods: Seventy one patients with pathologic proven rectal adenocarcinoma, clinical stage IIA-IVA, and neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) were evaluated retrospectively. Radiotherapy was delivered 45� Gy in 25 fractions with concomitant oral capecitabine. Pelvic MRI, colonoscopy, and 18F-FDG PET-CT were performed before the neoadjuvant treatment (NAT). After NAT, MRI and PET-CT were performed for re-evaluation. Results: The median follow-up time was 25 months (range: 3� months). Of the 71 patients who underwent NAT, 57 patients underwent surgery. Downstaging was recorded in 48 (84.2%) of 57 patients who underwent surgery. There was no statistically significant difference between both MRI and PET-CT with pathology results in terms of response evaluation. As a result of the comparison of MRI and PET-CT with pathological results; sensitivity and specificity were 91.6% (44/48) and 22.2% (2/9) for MRI, and 100% (47/47) and 12.5% (1/8) for PET-CT, respectively. Conclusion: PET-CT and MRI are effective in predicting response to NAT and predictive for the pathological response. A more accurate response can be judged when both PET-CT and MRI are executed together in restaging after NAT

Predicting response to neoadjuvant therapy with glucose transporter-1 in breast cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Glucose transporter-1 is a marker involved in energy transport in cancer cells. It has been shown to be a poor prognostic factor in many cancer types, including breast cancer. However, there is no satisfactory parameter predicting treatment in breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. This study investigated the effect of glucose transporter-1 in predicting the treatment response of patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. METHODS: In this study, glucose transporter-1 immunohistochemistry was applied to tru-cut biopsy of patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer and received neoadjuvant therapy between 2010 and 2021. A built-in scoring system was used to evaluate both the pattern and intensity of glucose transporter-1 immunohistochemistry staining. The relationship between glucose transporter-1 immunohistochemistry staining and other clinicopathological parameters was examined. In addition, the relationship of glucose transporter-1 with response to treatment was investigated. RESULTS: A relationship was found between high glucose transporter-1 expression and other clinicopathological parameters (such as estrogen and progesterone receptor negativity, high Ki-67, triple-negative, and Her2 status). Cases with high glucose transporter-1 expression had either a complete or a partial pathologic response. The result was statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Glucose transporter-1 has the potential to be a biomarker that can be evaluated more objectively as an alternative to Ki-67 labeling index in evaluating the response to treatment in patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy.

A logarithmic model for hormone receptor-positive and breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the predictive importance of the previously validated log(ER)*log(PgR)/Ki-67 predictive model in a larger patient population. METHODS: Patients with hormone receptor positive/HER-2 negative and clinical node positive before chemotherapy were included. Log(ER)*log(PgR)/Ki-67 values of the patients were determined, and the ideal cutoff value was calculated using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. It was analyzed with a logistic regression model along with other clinical and pathological characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 181 patients were included in the study. The ideal cutoff value for pathological response was 0.12 (area under the curve=0.585, p=0.032). In the univariate analysis, no statistical correlation was observed between luminal subtype (p=0.294), histological type (p=0.238), clinical t-stage (p=0.927), progesterone receptor level (p=0.261), Ki-67 cutoff value (p=0.425), and pathological complete response. There was a positive relationship between numerical increase in age and residual disease. As the grade of the patients increased, the probability of residual disease decreased. Patients with log(ER)*log(PgR)/Ki-67 above 0.12 had an approximately threefold increased risk of residual disease when compared to patients with 0.12 and below (odds ratio: 3.17, 95% confidence interval: 1.48-6.75, p=0.003). When age, grade, and logarithmic formula were assessed together, the logarithmic formula maintained its statistical significance (odds ratio: 2.47, 95% confidence interval: 1.07-5.69, p=0.034). CONCLUSION: In hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the logarithmic model has been shown in a larger patient population to be an inexpensive, easy, and rapidly applicable predictive marker that can be used to predict response.

The effect of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in axillary surgery approach after neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the decision to perform axillary surgery by comparing positron emission tomography/computed tomography findings with pathology consistency after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients who were diagnosed for T1-4, cN1/2 breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy in our clinic between January 2016 and February 2021 were evaluated. Clinical and radiological responses, axillary surgery, and histopathological results after neoadjuvant chemotherapy were evaluated. RESULTS: Axillary involvement was not detected in positron emission tomography/computed tomography after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 140 (60.6%) of 231 node-positive patients. In total, 88 (62.8%) of these patients underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy, and axillary lymph node dissection was performed in 29 (33%) of these patients upon detection of 1 or 2 positive lymph nodes. The other 52 (37.1%) patients underwent direct axillary lymph node dissection, and no metastatic lymph nodes were detected in 33 (63.4%) patients. No metastatic lymph node was found pathologically in a total of 92 patients without involvement in positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and the negative predictive value was calculated as 65.7%. Axillary lymph node dissection was performed in 91 (39.4%) patients with axillary involvement in positron emission tomography/computed tomography after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Metastatic lymph nodes were found pathologically in 83 of these patients, and the positive predictive value was calculated as 91.2%. CONCLUSION: Positron emission tomography/computed tomography was found to be useful in the evaluation of clinical response, but it was not sufficient enough to predict a complete pathological response. When planning axillary surgery, axillary lymph node dissection should not be decided only with a positive positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Other radiological images should also be evaluated, and a positive sentinel lymph node biopsy should be the determinant of axillary lymph node dissection.

Effects of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 and mucin 1 expressions on treatment response in breast cancer

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. In the treatment of these patients, pathological complete response is defined as the absence of invasive cancer in breast or lymph node tissue after the completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 and mucin 1 expressions with pathological complete response in patients with breast cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: A total of 151 patients were included in the study. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 and mucin 1 expressions were evaluated in the biopsy materials pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy surgical material, and their relationship with pathological complete response was investigated. RESULTS: The pathological complete response rates were significantly higher among the hormone receptor-negative patients, those with a high Ki-67 score, and patients with HER2-positive. Higher pathological complete response rates were obtained from patients with enhancer of zeste homolog 2 expression positivity pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 expression was found to be completely negative in materials with pathological complete response; that is, in breast tissues considered to be tumor-free. While there was no significant relationship between mucin 1 expression and pathological complete response pre-neoadjuvant chemotherapy, mucin 1 expression was determined to significantly differ between the tissues with and without pathological complete response among the surgical materials examined. CONCLUSION: In our study investigating the relationship between enhancer of zeste homolog 2 and mucin 1 expression and pathological complete response in patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, we found that enhancer of zeste homolog 2 expression could be used as a predictive marker for pathological complete response. However, mucin 1 expression was not associated with pathological complete response.

Clinical efficacy of radical resection of pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant conversion therapy / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of radical resection of pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant conversion therapy.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 23 patients who underwent radical resection of pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant conversion therapy in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School from January 2019 to May 2022 were collected. There were 17 males and 6 females, aged 58(range, 33-73)years. After neoadjuvant conversion therapy, the three-dimensional (3D) visualization was used to evaluate and classify tumor vascular invasion, and surgical plan was planned and implemented. Observation indicators: (1) situations of neoadjuvant conversion therapy; (2) surgical situations; (3) postoperative histopathological examination; (4) postoperative recovery; (5) follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represen-ted as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Situations of neoadjuvant conversion therapy. All 23 patients received the AG combination chemotherapy (albumin-paclitaxel+gemcitabine), including 14 patients combined with stereotactic body radiation therapy. Of the 23 patients, 22 cases achieved partial response, and 1 case showed stable disease. The CA19-9 of the 23 patients was 85.06(29.74,634.5)U/mL and 13.96(9.74,25.02)U/mL before and after neoadjuvant conversion therapy, respectively. (2) Surgical situations. According to the results of preoperative 3D visualization of tumor vascular invasion, 7 of the 23 patients were evaluated as arterial invasion, 8 cases were evaluated as venous invasion, 5 cases were evaluated as arterial and venous invasion, and there were 3 cases showing negative of vascular invasion. Of the 23 patients, 12 cases underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, 4 cases underwent radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy, 7 cases underwent total pancreaticoduodenectomy. For vascular reconstruction, there were 10 patients without vascular reconstruction, and there were 13 patients undergoing artificial vascular vein reconstruction. The operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss of the 23 patients was (524±171)minutes and 1 000(400,1 600)mL, respectively. (3) Postoperative histopathological exami-nation. Results of postoperative histopathological examination in 23 patients showed that there were 2 cases with moderate-well differentiated tumor, 10 cases with moderate differentiated tumor, 7 cases with moderate-poorly differentiated tumor, 2 cases with poorly differentiated tumor, and 2 cases negative of tumor. The number of lymph node dissected in 23 patients was 16±7. There were 5 cases with lymph node metastasis and 18 cases without lymph node metastasis. There were 17 cases with nerve invasion and 6 cases without nerve invasion. All 23 patients were negative of vascular invasion. Of the 23 patients, there were 21 cases with R 0 resection and 2 cases with R 1 resection. For pathological TNM staging, there were 2 cases with 0 stage, 13 cases with Ⅰ stage, 7 cases with Ⅱ stage, and 1 case with Ⅳ stage. For postoperative pathological scoring, there were 2 cases achieved 0 point (complete pathological remission), 16 cases achieved 2 points (partial remission), and 5 cases achieved 3 points (no significant effect). (4) Postoperative recovery. The postoperative duration of hospital stay of 23 patients was 19(14,31)days. There were 17 of 23 patients underwent postoperative complications, including 11 cases with Clavien-Dindo Ⅱ stage complications, 3 cases with Clavien-Dindo Ⅲa stage complications, 1 case with Clavien-Dindo Ⅲb stage complication, 1 case with Clavien-Dindo Ⅳ stage complication, and 1 case with Clavien-Dindo Ⅴ stage complica-tion. (5) Follow-up. There were 22 patients underwent follow-up, with follow-up time as 12(9,23)months. There were 9 patients underwent postoperative recurrence and metastasis, with recurrence and metastasis time as 7.8(range, 6.0-12.0)months. During the follow-up, 15 of the 22 patients survived. Conclusion:Radical resection of pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant conversion therapy is feasible.

Difficulties and strategies of total mesorectal excision for middle and low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant therapy / 中华消化外科杂志

Patients with local advanced rectal cancer (LARC) can benefit from neoadju-vant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) of reducing local recurrence rate and improving survival rate. However, tissue edema after nCRT may lead to unclear tissue spaces, making it challenging for lymph node dissection and nervous system protection. The difficulty in locating inferior margin of tumor after clinical complete remission or closing to clinical complete remission, as well as the increasing risk of anastomotic leakage after nCRT, pose difficulties and new challenges of total mesorectal excision for middle and low rectal cancer. Based on literatures and clinical experiences, the authors summarize the difficulties and strategies of total mesorectal excision after nCRT, in order to provide reference for colleagues.

Sphincter preservation operation and comprehensive treatment for ultra-low rectal cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

In the past 20 years, the multidisciplinary treatment model based on evidence-based medicine has significantly increased the rate of sphincter-preservation operation for rectal cancer. How to preserve rectum and anal function, avoid permanent colostomy, and improve post-operative quality of life of patients while ensuring radical resection of tumor, remains to be a key and hot topic in surgical treatment of rectal cancer. Based on literatures and clinical experiences, the authors summarize issues of sphincter preservation operation and comprehensive treatment, including intersphincteric resection, conformal sphincter preservation operation, total neoadjuvant therapy and radioimmunotherapy, for ultra-low rectal cancer, in order to provide reference for the colleagues.

Effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the safety of laparoscopic D 2 radical resection and prognosis of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on the safety of laparoscopic D 2 radical resection and prognosis of patients with locally advanced gastric cancer. Methods:The propensity score matching and retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 351 patients with locally advanced gastric cancer who underwent laparos-copic D 2 radical resection in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from December 2016 to December 2021 were collected. There were 256 males and 95 females, aged (58±9)years. Of the 351 patients, 124 cases undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy were divided into the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 227 patients undergoing postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were divided into the adjuvant chemotherapy group. Observation indicators: (1) propensity score matching and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups after matching; (2) effect evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy; (3) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (4) postoperative histopathological examinations; (5) follow-up. Propensity score matching was done by the 1∶1 nearest neighbor matching method. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Measure-ment data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3), and comparison between groups was conducted using the rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves, and the Log-Rank test was used for survival analysis. Results:(1) Propensity score matching conditions and comparison of general data of patients between the two groups of patients after matching. Of 351 patients, 154 cases were successfully matched, including 77 cases in the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group and 77 cases in the adjuvant chemotherapy group. The elimination of gender, age, preoperative body mass index, clinical T staging and clinical N staging confounding bias ensured comparability between the two groups after propensity score matching. (2) Effect evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Of the 77 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, none of patient achieved complete response, 26 patients achieved partial response, 46 patients showed stable disease, 5 patients had progression of disease, showing the objective response rate as 33.8%(26/77) and the disease control rate as 93.5%(72/77). There were 15 males and 11 females sensitive to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, while 46 males and 5 females not sensitive, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=11.05, P<0.05). (3) Intra-operative and postoperative situations. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, cases with intraoperative blood transfusion, time to postoperative first flatus, time to postoperative first liquid food intake, duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with postoperative immediate complications, cost of hospital stay were (308±71)minutes, 100(range, 20?600)mL, 5, 3.0(range, 2.0?10.0)days, 4.0(range, 2.0?12.0)days, 9.0(range, 4.0?31.0)days, 7, 7.96(7.37,8.58) ten thousand yuan in patients of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, versus (296±67)minutes, 100(range, 20?500)mL, 4, 3.5(range, 1.0?14.0)days, 4.0(range, 2.0?15.0)days, 8.0(range, 5.0?45.0)days, 11, 8.18(7.52,9.19) ten thousand yuan in patients of the adjuvant chemotherapy group, showing no signifi-cant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=1.13, Z=?0.37, χ2=0.12, Z=?1.26, ?0.33, ?0.70, χ2=1.01, Z=?1.04, P>0.05). (4) Postoperative histopathological examinations. Results of postoperative histopatho-logical examinations showed that all 154 patients achieving R 0 resection. Cases with pathological T staging as stage T1, stage T2, stage T3, stage T4, cases with pathological N staging as stage N0, stage N1, stage N2, stage N3, number of positive lymph nodes, cases with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (negative, positive) were 3, 7, 5, 62, 27, 19, 19, 12, 1(range, 0?28), 59, 18 in patients of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, versus 0, 0, 2, 75, 17, 15, 21, 24, 3(range, 0?31), 44, 33 in patients of the adjuvant chemotherapy group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=?3.39, ?2.55, ?3.12, χ2=6.60, P<0.05). (5) Follow-up. Of the 154 patients, 143 patients were followed up for 37(range, 5?69)months. The 3-year overall survival rate and 3-year disease-free survival rate was 72.1% and 70.0%, respectively, in patients of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, versus 74.8% and 76.6% in patients of the adjuvant chemo-therapy group, showing no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( χ2=0.14, 0.60, P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared to postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy does not bring additional surgical risks, but can reduce the tumor stage of patients who underwent laparoscopic D 2 radical resection for locally advanced gastric cancer. However, it does not show any advantage in improving survival of patients.

The value of immune inflammatory index in predicting the therapeutic efficacy of neoadju-vant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the value of immune inflammatory index in predic-ting the therapeutic efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carci-noma (ESCC).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopatholo-gical data of 163 patients with ESCC who were admitted to Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from December 2015 to December 2020 were collected. There were 135 males and 28 females, aged (62±8)years. All 163 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and radical resection for ESCC. Observation indicators: (1) relationship between immune inflammatory index and clinical characteristic in patients; (2) relationship between immune inflammatory index and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients; (3) influencing factor analysis for pathologic complete response and good response of tumor regression grade after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; (4) efficiency of immune inflammatory index in predicting efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD. Count data were described as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using chi-square test. Comparison of ordinal data was conducted using the rank sum test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value. Univariate and multi-variate analyses were conducted using the Logistic regression model. The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC curve was used to evaluate the efficiency of predictive model. Results:(1) Relationship between immune inflammatory index and clinical characteristic in patients. ① Optimal cut-off value of systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-lympho-cyte ratio (PLR). Results of ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC of SII, NLR, PLR in predicting efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for patients with ESCC was 0.70(95% confidence interval as 0.61?0.77), 0.78(95% confidence interval as 0.69?0.84), 0.79(95% confidence interval as 0.70?0.85), respectively, with the maximum value of Youden index and the optimal cut-off value as 0.25, 0.32, 0.52 and 446×10 9/L, 2.09, 138. ② Relationship between SII, NLR, PLR and clinical charac-teristic in patients. According to the optimal cut-off value of SII, NLR, PLR, all 163 patients were divided into cases with SII <446×10 9/L as 99, cases with SII ≥446×10 9/L as 64, cases with NLR <2.09 as 107, cases with NLR ≥2.09 as 56, cases with PLR<138 as 88, cases with PLR ≥138 as 75, respectively. There was a significant difference in clinical N staging of tumor in patients with SII <446×10 9/L and SII ≥446×10 9/L ( P<0.05). There were significant differences in clinical N staging and clinical TNM staging of tumor in patients with NLR<2.09 and NLR≥2.09 ( P<0.05). (2) Relationship between immune inflammatory index and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients. Of 163 patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, there were 54 cases with pathologic complete response and 109 cases without pathologic complete response, 94 cases with good response of tumor regression grade and 69 cases with poor response of tumor regression grade. Of the 54 patients with pathologic complete response, cases with SII <446×10 9/L and SII ≥446×10 9/L, cases with NLR <2.09 and NLR ≥2.09, cases with PLR <138 and PLR ≥138 before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were 42 and 12, 47 and 7, 48 and 6, respectively. The above indicators were 57 and 52, 60 and 49, 40 and 69 in the 109 cases without pathologic complete response. There were significant differences in the above indicators between patients with pathologic complete response and without pathologic complete response ( χ2=9.83, 16.39, 39.60, P<0.05). Of the 94 cases with good response of tumor regression grade, cases with SII <446×10 9/L and SII ≥446×10 9/L, cases with NLR <2.09 and NLR ≥2.09, cases with PLR <138 and PLR ≥138 before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were 59 and 35, 78 and 16, 56 and 38, respectively. The above indicators were 40 and 29, 29 and 40, 32 and 37 in the 69 cases with poor response of tumor regression grade. There was no significant difference in the SII and PLR ( χ2=0.38, 2.79, P>0.05) and there was a significant difference in the NLR ( χ2=29.59, P<0.05) between patients with good response of tumor regression grade and poor response of tumor regre-ssion grade. (3) Influencing factor analysis for pathologic complete response and good response of tumor regression grade after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Results of multivariate analysis showed that PLR <138 before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was an independent protective factor for pathologic complete response in ESCC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy ( odds ratio=1.98, 95% confidence interval as 1.56?2.51, P<0.05) and NLR <2.09 before neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy was an independent protective factor for good response of tumor regression grade ( odds ratio=2.50, 95% confidence interval as 1.40?4.46, P<0.05). (4) Efficiency of immune inflam-matory index in predicting efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradio-therapy. The AUC of PLR <138 before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in predicting pathologic complete response of ESCC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was 0.79(95% confidence interval as 0.64?0.87, P<0.05), with the sensitivity, specificity and Youden index as 0.89, 0.63 and 0.52, respectively. The AUC of NLR <2.09 before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in predic-ting good response of tumor regression grade of ESCC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradio-therapy was 0.76 (95% confidence interval as 0.64?0.81, P<0.05), with the sensitivity, specificity and Youden index as 0.83, 0.58 and 0.41, respectively. Conclusion:The PLR<138 and NLR <2.09 before neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy are independent protective factors for the pathologic complete response and good response of tumor regression grade, respectively, of ESCC patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and both of them can predict the curative effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy well.

New advances of research in minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer / 中华消化外科杂志

With the 30 years' development of minimally invasive surgery, the field of gastric cancer surgery is undergoing a paradigm shift from traditional laparotomy to minimally invasive surgery. To chart new trends and directions in the development of gastric surgery, the author briefly reviews the latest advances, mainly focusing on new evidence, new techniques, new models, and new trends in the clinical research of gastric cancer surgery. The long-term non-inferiority outcomes of 5-year overall survival of minimally invasive surgery for locally advanced distal gastric cancer has been confirmed by the CLASS-01 and KLASS-02 trials. Upgrading and innovation of minimally invasive technology, function-preserving surgery, new modes of neoadjuvant therapy, and the application of new technologies are continuing to inject new vitality into minimally invasive surgery for gastric cancer.