Current status of global colorectal cancer prevalence, prevention and control / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: This paper provides a brief overview of the epidemiology of colorectal cancer in China and around the world, and discusses how to prevent colorectal cancer to reduce its disease burden. Method: Using the official database of GLOBOCAN 2020, the China Cancer Registry Annual Report compiled by the National Cancer Center, and data from CONCORD-3.Data management was performed by Microsoft Excel 2016 and R 4.2.1 Relevant graphs were generated using the ggplot2 package for result visualization. Result: An estimated 1 931 590 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer worldwide in 2020 with an age-standardized incidence rate of 19.5 per 100 000. There were about 935 173 deaths caused by colorectal cancer internationally, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 9.0 per 100 000. Overall, colorectal cancer was the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in 2020. In China, the age-standardized incidence rate and mortality rate of colorectal cancer was 17.3 per 100 000 and 7.8 per 100 000, respectively. Gender differences in trends were observed, with a decreasing trend in incidence and mortality among females and an increasing trend in incidence and mortality among males. The primary risk factors for colorectal cancer include age, genetic factors, gastrointestinal disorders, dietary habits, and lifestyle et al. Conclusions: Colorectal cancer poses a significant burden globally and in China. The occurrence of colorectal cancer is closely related to physiology, genetics, behavioral habits, lifestyle, and disease factors. To better control the colorectal cancer burden with the lowest cost, specific measures should be taken to reduce exposure to established risk factors. By combining the disease prevention and control strategies of tertiary prevention in China with the characteristic factors of colorectal cancer, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer may be effectively controlled.

Current status of global colorectal cancer prevalence, prevention and control / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: This paper provides a brief overview of the epidemiology of colorectal cancer in China and around the world, and discusses how to prevent colorectal cancer to reduce its disease burden. Method: Using the official database of GLOBOCAN 2020, the China Cancer Registry Annual Report compiled by the National Cancer Center, and data from CONCORD-3.Data management was performed by Microsoft Excel 2016 and R 4.2.1 Relevant graphs were generated using the ggplot2 package for result visualization. Result: An estimated 1 931 590 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer worldwide in 2020 with an age-standardized incidence rate of 19.5 per 100 000. There were about 935 173 deaths caused by colorectal cancer internationally, with an age-standardized mortality rate of 9.0 per 100 000. Overall, colorectal cancer was the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide in 2020. In China, the age-standardized incidence rate and mortality rate of colorectal cancer was 17.3 per 100 000 and 7.8 per 100 000, respectively. Gender differences in trends were observed, with a decreasing trend in incidence and mortality among females and an increasing trend in incidence and mortality among males. The primary risk factors for colorectal cancer include age, genetic factors, gastrointestinal disorders, dietary habits, and lifestyle et al. Conclusions: Colorectal cancer poses a significant burden globally and in China. The occurrence of colorectal cancer is closely related to physiology, genetics, behavioral habits, lifestyle, and disease factors. To better control the colorectal cancer burden with the lowest cost, specific measures should be taken to reduce exposure to established risk factors. By combining the disease prevention and control strategies of tertiary prevention in China with the characteristic factors of colorectal cancer, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer may be effectively controlled.

Research on applying genetic and environmental risk score in risk-adapted colorectal cancer screening / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a risk-adapted colorectal cancer screening strategy constructed utilizing genetic and environmental risk score (ERS). Methods: A polygenic risk score (PRS) was constructed based on 20 previously published single nucleotide polymorphisms for colorectal cancer in East Asian populations, using 2 160 samples with MassARRAY test results from a multicenter randomized controlled trial of colorectal cancer screening in China. The ERS was calculated using the Asia-Pacific Colorectal Screening Score system. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between PRS alone and PRS combined with ERS and colorectal neoplasms risk, respectively. We also designed a risk-adapted screening strategy based on PRS and ERS (high-risk participants undergo a single colonoscopy, low-risk participants undergo an annual fecal immunochemical test, and those with positive results undergo further diagnostic colonoscopy) and compared its effectiveness with the all-acceptance colonoscopy strategy. Results: The high PRS group had a 26% increased risk of colorectal neoplasms compared with the low PRS group (OR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.03-1.54, P=0.026). Participants with the highest PRS and ERS were 3.03 times more likely to develop advanced colorectal neoplasms than those with the lowest score (95%CI: 1.87-4.90, P<0.001). As the risk-adapted screening simulation reached the third round, the detection rate of the PRS combined with ERS strategy was not statistically different from the all-acceptance colonoscopy strategy (8.79% vs. 10.46%, P=0.075) and had a higher positive predictive value (14.11% vs. 10.46%, P<0.001) and lower number of colonoscopies per advanced neoplasms detected (7.1 vs. 9.6, P<0.001). Conclusion: The risk-adapted screening strategy combining PRS and ERS helps achieve population risk stratification and better effectiveness than the traditional colonoscopy-based screening strategy.

Value of fecal immunochemical test in colorectal cancer screening / 中华肿瘤杂志

Screening and early diagnosis and treatment have been proven effective in reducing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy combined with pathological examination is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. However, due to the invasiveness, high cost and the need for professional endoscopists of colonoscopy, it is not feasible to directly use this method for mass population screening. Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is one of the screening techniques recommended by authoritative international guidelines for colorectal cancer screening, and has been widely used in population-based colorectal cancer screening programs in countries around the world. This paper elaborates on the value of FIT in colorectal cancer screening from different aspects, such as the technical principles, the screening efficiency, the screening strategies, and the population effects and benefits. Additionally, it describes the current situation of colorectal cancer screening in China and summarizes the challenges faced in colorectal cancer screening in order to optimize the FIT-based colorectal cancer screening strategies in the population and provide theoretical reference for effective colorectal cancer screening.

Participation rate and detection of colorectal neoplasms based on multi-round fecal immunochemical testing for colorectal cancer screening in the Chinese population / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To evaluate the participation rate and detection of colorectal neoplasms based on annual fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for three consecutive years in a population-based colorectal cancer screening program in China. Methods: Based on a population-based colorectal cancer screening program conducted from May 2018 to May 2021 in 6 centers in China, 7 793 eligible participants aged 50-74 were included and offered free FIT and colonoscopy (for those who were FIT-positive on initial screening). At baseline, all participants were invited to receive FIT. In subsequent screening rounds, only FIT-positive participants who did not undergo colonoscopy or FIT-negative participants were invited to have repeated FIT screening. FIT-positive participants were recommended to undertake colonoscopy and pathological examination (if abnormalities were found during colonoscopy). An overall of three rounds of annual FIT screening were conducted. The primary outcomes of the study were the participation rate of FIT screening, the compliance rate of colonoscopy for FIT-positive participants, and the detection rate of colorectal neoplasms. Results: Among the 7 793 participants included in this study, 3 310 (42.5%) were male, with age of (60.50±6.49) years. The overall participation rates for the first, second and third round of FIT screening were 94.0%(7 327/7 793), 86.8% (6 048/6 968) and 91.3% (6 113/6 693), respectively. Overall, 7 742 out of 7 793 participants (99.3%) attended at least one round of screening, and 5 163 out of 7 793 participants (66.3%) attended all three rounds of screening. The positivity rate was significantly higher in the first (14.6%, 1 071/7 327) round compared with the second (5.6%, 3 41/6 048) and third (5.5%, 3 39/6 113) screening rounds (P<0.001). The overall compliance rates of colonoscopy examination among FIT-positive subjects were over 70% in three rounds, which were 76.3% (817/1 071), 75.7% (258/341) and 71.7% (243/339), respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression model considering factors including sex, education background, smoking, alcohol drinking, previous colonoscopy examination, colonic polyp history and family history of colorectal cancer among first-degree relatives, gender and smoking status were related factors affecting the participation rate of FIT screening, with higher rate in males and non-smokers. In addition, logistic regression analysis also found that age was negatively correlated with the compliance rate of colonoscopy in FIT positive patients. The detection rate of advanced tumors (colorectal cancer + advanced adenoma) declined from the first round to subsequent rounds [1st round: 1.15% (90/7 793); 2nd round: 0.57% (40/6 968); and 3rd round: 0.58% (39/6 693)], however, the positive predictive value for advanced neoplasms increased round by round, and was 11.02% in the first screening round, 15.50% in the second screening round, and 16.05 % in the third screening round. In each screening round, the detection rate for advanced neoplasms was higher in men than that in women, and increased with age. Conclusions: Annual repeated FIT screening has high acceptance and satisfying detection rates in the Chinese population. To optimize and improve the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening, multi-round repeated FIT screening should be implemented while ensuring high participation rates.

Value of fecal immunochemical test in colorectal cancer screening / 中华肿瘤杂志

Screening and early diagnosis and treatment have been proven effective in reducing the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy combined with pathological examination is the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. However, due to the invasiveness, high cost and the need for professional endoscopists of colonoscopy, it is not feasible to directly use this method for mass population screening. Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is one of the screening techniques recommended by authoritative international guidelines for colorectal cancer screening, and has been widely used in population-based colorectal cancer screening programs in countries around the world. This paper elaborates on the value of FIT in colorectal cancer screening from different aspects, such as the technical principles, the screening efficiency, the screening strategies, and the population effects and benefits. Additionally, it describes the current situation of colorectal cancer screening in China and summarizes the challenges faced in colorectal cancer screening in order to optimize the FIT-based colorectal cancer screening strategies in the population and provide theoretical reference for effective colorectal cancer screening.

Participation rate and detection of colorectal neoplasms based on multi-round fecal immunochemical testing for colorectal cancer screening in the Chinese population / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To evaluate the participation rate and detection of colorectal neoplasms based on annual fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) for three consecutive years in a population-based colorectal cancer screening program in China. Methods: Based on a population-based colorectal cancer screening program conducted from May 2018 to May 2021 in 6 centers in China, 7 793 eligible participants aged 50-74 were included and offered free FIT and colonoscopy (for those who were FIT-positive on initial screening). At baseline, all participants were invited to receive FIT. In subsequent screening rounds, only FIT-positive participants who did not undergo colonoscopy or FIT-negative participants were invited to have repeated FIT screening. FIT-positive participants were recommended to undertake colonoscopy and pathological examination (if abnormalities were found during colonoscopy). An overall of three rounds of annual FIT screening were conducted. The primary outcomes of the study were the participation rate of FIT screening, the compliance rate of colonoscopy for FIT-positive participants, and the detection rate of colorectal neoplasms. Results: Among the 7 793 participants included in this study, 3 310 (42.5%) were male, with age of (60.50±6.49) years. The overall participation rates for the first, second and third round of FIT screening were 94.0%(7 327/7 793), 86.8% (6 048/6 968) and 91.3% (6 113/6 693), respectively. Overall, 7 742 out of 7 793 participants (99.3%) attended at least one round of screening, and 5 163 out of 7 793 participants (66.3%) attended all three rounds of screening. The positivity rate was significantly higher in the first (14.6%, 1 071/7 327) round compared with the second (5.6%, 3 41/6 048) and third (5.5%, 3 39/6 113) screening rounds (P<0.001). The overall compliance rates of colonoscopy examination among FIT-positive subjects were over 70% in three rounds, which were 76.3% (817/1 071), 75.7% (258/341) and 71.7% (243/339), respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression model considering factors including sex, education background, smoking, alcohol drinking, previous colonoscopy examination, colonic polyp history and family history of colorectal cancer among first-degree relatives, gender and smoking status were related factors affecting the participation rate of FIT screening, with higher rate in males and non-smokers. In addition, logistic regression analysis also found that age was negatively correlated with the compliance rate of colonoscopy in FIT positive patients. The detection rate of advanced tumors (colorectal cancer + advanced adenoma) declined from the first round to subsequent rounds [1st round: 1.15% (90/7 793); 2nd round: 0.57% (40/6 968); and 3rd round: 0.58% (39/6 693)], however, the positive predictive value for advanced neoplasms increased round by round, and was 11.02% in the first screening round, 15.50% in the second screening round, and 16.05 % in the third screening round. In each screening round, the detection rate for advanced neoplasms was higher in men than that in women, and increased with age. Conclusions: Annual repeated FIT screening has high acceptance and satisfying detection rates in the Chinese population. To optimize and improve the effectiveness of colorectal cancer screening, multi-round repeated FIT screening should be implemented while ensuring high participation rates.

Advances in the study of peptide drugs in oral drug delivery system / 药学学报

Peptide drugs exhibit an irreplaceable role in clinics due to their high specificity, efficiency and low toxicity. At present, more than 80 peptide drugs have been approved for marketing with global sales exceeding $50 billion in 2019. However, with large molecular weights, high hydrophilicity and instability in digestive tract, oral peptide drugs encounter substantial physiological barriers leading to low oral bioavailability. Therefore, peptide drugs are mostly administered by parenteral routes. Although parenteral delivery of peptide drugs achieves high bioavailability, this is associated with inconvenience and discomfort, even causing severe side effects compared with the oral route possessing a high degree of patient compliance. Therefore, numerous studies concentrate on novel strategies to improve the oral bioavailability of peptide drugs. Some delivery technologies such as Eligen™ and Axcess™ have been successfully applied to the oral dosage form of therapeutic peptides and have accelerated relevant oral formulations for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and clinical treatment. In this review, we focus on the oral peptide delivery, mainly summarizing the progress of recent strategies used to overcome oral barriers and the commercialization applications of related patents, which could facilitate the research and development (R&D) of clinical applications of oral delivery techniques for peptide drugs.

Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality: the current status, temporal trends and their attributable risk factors in 60 countries in 2000-2019 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) imposes a substantial burden on healthcare systems and confers considerable medical expenditures. We aimed to evaluate the global and regional burden in epidemiological trends and factors associated with the incidence and mortality of CRC.@*METHODS@#We used data from the GLOBOCAN database to estimate CRC incidence and mortality worldwide in 2020 and their association with the human development index (HDI). Trends of age-standardized rates of incidence and mortality in 60 countries (2000-2019) were evaluated by Joinpoint regression analysis using data of Global Burden of Disease 2019. The association between exposure to country-level lifestyle, metabolic and socioeconomic factors obtained from the World Health Organization Global Health Observatory and World Bank DataBank data and CRC incidence and mortality was determined by multivariable linear regression.@*RESULTS@#CRC incidence and mortality varied greatly in the 60 selected countries, and much higher incidence and mortality were observed in countries with higher HDIs, and vice versa. From 2000 to 2019, significant increases of incidence and mortality were observed for 33 countries (average annual percent changes [AAPCs], 0.24-3.82) and 18 countries (AAPCs, 0.41-2.22), respectively. A stronger increase in incidence was observed among males (AAPCs, 0.36-4.54) and individuals <50 years (AAPCs, 0.56-3.86). Notably, 15 countries showed significant decreases in both incidence (AAPCs, -0.24 to -2.19) and mortality (AAPCs, -0.84 to -2.74). A significant increase of incidence among individuals <50 years was observed in 30 countries (AAPCs, 0.28-3.62). Countries with higher incidence were more likely to have a higher prevalence of alcohol drinking, higher level of cholesterol level, higher level of unemployment, and a poorer healthcare system.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Some high-HDI countries showed decreasing trends in CRC incidence and mortality, whereas developing countries that previously had low disease burden showed significantly increased incidence and mortality trends, especially in males and populations ≥50 years, which require targeted preventive health programs.

Risk factors for gastric cancer: a large-scale, population-based case-control study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Early detection of gastric cancer (GC) has been the topic of major efforts in China. This study aimed to explore the risk factors associated with GC and to provide evidence for the selection of a high-risk population of GC.@*METHODS@#Based on the cancer screening cohort of the National Cancer Screening Program in Urban China, GC patients diagnosed by endoscopy and pathological examinations constituted the case group, and controls were 1:3 matched by sex and age (±5 years) individually. The variables were selected by univariable analysis of factors such as body mass index (BMI), dietary habits, lifestyle, stomach disease history, and family history of GC; and multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of GC and to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of related factors and its 95% confidence interval (CI).@*RESULTS@#A total of 215 GC cases and 645 matched healthy controls were included in the final analysis, with a median age of 61 years for the case and control groups. Overall analysis showed that high educational level (above primary school) (OR = 0.362, 95% CI = 0.219-0.599, P < 0.001), overweight/obesity (BMI ≥24 kg/m2; OR = 0.489, 95% CI = 0.329-0.726, P < 0.001), cigarette smoking (OR = 3.069, 95% CI = 1.700-5.540, P < 0.001), alcohol consumption (OR = 1.661, 95% CI = 1.028-2.683, P = 0.038), history of stomach disease (OR = 6.917, 95% CI = 4.594-10.416, P < 0.001), and family history of GC in first-degree relatives (OR = 4.291, 95% CI = 1.661-11.084, P = 0.003) were significantly correlated with the occurrence of GC. Subgroup analyses by age and gender indicated that GC risk was still increased in the presence of a history of stomach disease. A history of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, or gastric polyposis was positively associated with GC, with adjusted ORs of 4.155 (95% CI = 2.711-6.368), 1.839 (95% CI = 1.028-3.288), and 2.752 (95% CI = 1.197-6.326).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Subjects who smoke, drink, with history of stomach disease and family history of GC in first-degree relatives are the high-risk populations for GC. Therefore, attention should be paid to these subjects for GC screening.

Changing profiles of cancer burden worldwide and in China: a secondary analysis of the global cancer statistics 2020 / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally, but its burden is not uniform. GLOBOCAN 2020 has newly updated the estimates of cancer burden. This study summarizes the most recent changing profiles of cancer burden worldwide and in China and compares the cancer data of China with those of other regions.@*METHODS@#We conducted a descriptive secondary analysis of the GLOBOCAN 2020 data. To depict the changing global profile of the leading cancer types in 2020 compared with 2018, we extracted the numbers of cases and deaths in 2018 from GLOBOCAN 2018. We also obtained cancer incidence and mortality from the 2015 National Cancer Registry Report in China when sorting the leading cancer types by new cases and deaths. For the leading cancer types according to sex in China, we summarized the estimated numbers of incidence and mortality, and calculated China's percentage of the global new cases and deaths.@*RESULTS@#Breast cancer displaced lung cancer to become the most leading diagnosed cancer worldwide in 2020. Lung, liver, stomach, breast, and colon cancers were the top five leading causes of cancer-related death, among which liver cancer changed from the third-highest cancer mortality in 2018 to the second-highest in 2020. China accounted for 24% of newly diagnosed cases and 30% of the cancer-related deaths worldwide in 2020. Among the 185 countries included in the database, China's age-standardized incidence rate (204.8 per 100,000) ranked 65th and the age-standardized mortality rate (129.4 per 100,000) ranked 13th. The two rates were above the global average. Lung cancer remained the most common cancer type and the leading cause of cancer death in China. However, breast cancer became the most frequent cancer type among women if the incidence was stratified by sex. Incidences of colorectal cancer and breast cancer increased rapidly. The leading causes of cancer death varied minimally in ranking from 2015 to 2020 in China. Gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach, colorectal, liver, and esophageal cancers, contributed to a massive burden of cancer for both sexes.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The burden of breast cancer is increasing globally. China is undergoing cancer transition with an increasing burden of lung cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, and breast cancers. The mortality rate of cancer in China is high. Comprehensive strategies are urgently needed to target China's changing profiles of the cancer burden.

Head-to-head comparison of the test performance of self-administered qualitative vs. laboratory-based quantitative fecal immunochemical tests in detecting colorectal neoplasm / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Fecal immunochemical tests (FITs) are the most widely used non-invasive tests in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening. However, evidence about the direct comparison of the test performance of the self-administered qualitative a laboratory-based quantitative FITs in a CRC screening setting is sparse.@*METHODS@#Based on a CRC screening trial (TARGET-C), we included 3144 pre-colonoscopy fecal samples, including 24 CRCs, 230 advanced adenomas, 622 non-advanced adenomas, and 2268 participants without significant findings at colonoscopy. Three self-administered qualitative FITs (Pupu tube) with positivity thresholds of 8.0, 14.4, or 20.8 μg hemoglobin (Hb)/g preset by the manufacturer and one laboratory-based quantitative FIT (OC-Sensor) with a positivity threshold of 20 μg Hb/g recommended by the manufacturer were tested by trained staff in the central laboratory. The diagnostic performance of the FITs for detecting colorectal neoplasms was compared in the different scenarios using the preset and adjusted thresholds (for the quantitative FIT).@*RESULTS@#At the thresholds preset by the manufacturers, apart from the qualitative FIT-3, significantly higher sensitivities for detecting advanced adenoma were observed for the qualitative FIT-1 (33.9% [95% CI: 28.7-39.4%]) and qualitative FIT-2 (22.2% [95% CI: 17.7-27.2%]) compared to the quantitative FIT (11.7% [95% CI: 8.4-15.8%]), while at a cost of significantly lower specificities. However, such difference was not observed for detecting CRC. For scenarios of adjusting the positivity thresholds of the quantitative FIT to yield comparable specificity or comparable positivity rate to the three qualitative FITs accordingly, there were no significant differences in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive values and positive/negative likelihood ratios for detecting CRC or advanced adenoma between the two types of FITs, which was further evidenced in ROC analysis.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Although the self-administered qualitative and the laboratory-based quantitative FITs had varied test performance at the positivity thresholds preset by the manufacturer, such heterogeneity could be overcome by adjusting thresholds to yield comparable specificities or positivity rates. Future CRC screening programs should select appropriate types of FITs and define the thresholds based on the targeted specificities and manageable positivity rates.

Progress in cancer epidemiology research in China in 2019 / 中华疾病控制杂志

@#Cancer is the leading cause of death in China． In recent years，Chinese government has advocated tremendous efforts in advancing research on cancer prevention and control，and has made great advancement． In this review，we briefly summarized the current research progress on cancer epidemiology in China，including the aspects of cancer burden，cancer－related risk factors and its intervention，screening and early detection，implementation plan of cancer prevention and control ( 2019－2022) ，in order to provide technical support and theoretical evidence in implementing effective cancer prevention and control in China in the future．

The relationship between inflammatory factors and the risk of breast cancer in Kailuan cohort / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate whether elevated baseline levels of high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) and neutrophil (NE) are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in Kailuan female cohort. Methods Females from Kailuan cohort (2006-2007) were included in this study. Information on check-up, hsCRP and NE were collected at baseline for all subjects. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) of association between baseline hsCRP and NE values and breast cancer risk. Results By December 31, 2015, a total of 18 866 participants were enrolled in this study. During the follow-up, 183 new cases of breast cancer were observed. All participants were divided into three groups according to the level of hsCRP (3 mg/L). The cumulative incidence of breast cancer were 829/105, 1 211/105 and 1 495/105 in these 3 groups, respectively ( 2=12.08， P=0.002). Compared with participants with lower hsCRP levels (3 mg/L) levels had significantly increased risk of breast cancer (HR=1.71,95%CI: 1.18-2.47, P=0.005), howerver, we didn’t find the statistically significant association between NE level (0.05). Conclusions Elevated levels of hsCRP at baseline might increase the risk of breast cancer in females.