Comparison of different surgical methods and strategies for inguinal lymph node dissection in patients with penile cancer.

To compare the clinical feasibility and oncological outcome of different surgical techniques for inguinal lymphadenectomy (ILND) in patients suffering from penile cancer. This study included data from 109 cN0-2 patients diagnosed with penile cancer who received ILND. 80 laparoscopic ILND were performed on 40 patients, while 138 open surgeries were performed on 69 patients. Perioperative complications and prognosis were compared between different surgical techniques. Compared with the open surgery group, the laparoscopy group had a shorter hospital stay (8.88 ± 7.86 days vs. 13.94 ± 10.09 days, P = 0.004), and a lower wound healing delay rate (8.75% vs. 22.46%, P = 0.017), but also had longer drainage time (10.91 ± 9.66 vs. 8.70 ± 4.62, P = 0.002). There were no significant differences in terms of other intraoperative parameters, complications, and survival between open and laparoscopic group. Compared with saphenous vein ligated subgroup, preserved subgroup showed no significant reducing of complication rate. There was no significant difference among complication between different open surgery subgroup. Immediate ILND showed no prognostic advantage over delayed ILND regardless of clinical lymph node status. Compared with open surgery, the minimally invasive ILND technique has similar oncological efficiency and a lower complication rate. Saphenous vein preservation has limited value in reducing complications. Delayed lymphadenectomy might be a more reasonable option for ILND.

Sarcopenia predicts prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Sarcopenia, a concept reflecting the loss of skeletal muscle mass, was reported to be associated with the prognosis of several tumors. However, the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cancer remains unclear. We carried out this metaanalysis and systematic review to evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cell carcinomas. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 2018. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled together. A total of 5 studies consisting of 771 patients were enrolled in this quantitative analysis, 347 (45.0%) of which had sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia (HR=1.76; 95%CI, 1.35-2.31; P <0.001). In the subgroup of patients with localized and advanced/metastatic diseases, sarcopenia was also associated with poor OS (HR=1.48, P=0.039; HR=2.14, P <0.001; respectively). With a limited sample size, we did not observe difference of PFS between two groups (HR=1.56, 95% CI, 0.69-3.50, P=0.282). In the present meta-analysis, we observed that patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia in RCC. Larger, preferably prospective studies, are needed to confirm and update our findings.

Identification of Pannexin 2 as a Novel Marker Correlating with Ferroptosis and Malignant Phenotypes of Prostate Cancer Cells.

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a widespread urinary neoplasm and one of the most prevalent and second most frequent malignancies diagnosed in males worldwide. This study aimed to identify a candidate marker and explore its molecular mechanism in PCa. METHODS: Gene expression datasets, GSE55945 (n=21) and GSE46602 (n=50), were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Bioinformatic approaches were applied to identify potential markers. Effects of the candidate marker on proliferation, migration, invasion, and ferroptosis (ferrous iron and malondialdehyde (MDA)) in PCa cells and its mechanism were assessed after performing cell transfection. RESULTS: A total of 1435 common differentially expressed genes were identified in GSE55945 and GSE46602. Five key gene modules were listed based on a protein-protein interaction network, containing five hub genes. Pannexin 2 (PANX2), a candidate marker was identified, and findings revealed substantial upregulation of its expression levels in PCa cell lines. Blocking expression of PANX2 resulted in suppression of proliferation, migration, and invasion in PCa cells, while increasing ferrous iron and MDA levels. However, these effects were rescued by Nrf2 activator, oltipraz. The Nrf2 signaling pathway was consequently applied to determine underlying mechanism of PANX2 in PCa cells. We established that silencing PANX2 remarkably reduced protein expression levels in members of Nrf2 signaling pathway (Nrf2, HO-1, and FTH1). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that PANX2 is implicated in the pathogenesis of PCa, which regulates malignant phenotypes and ferroptosis through Nrf2 signaling pathway, and maybe a potential therapeutic target for PCa.

C-reactive Protein Is a Predictor of Prognosis of Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Increasing evidence suggested that inflammation is associated with the pathogenesis and progression of several solid tumors. This study was conducted to explore the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and survival of prostate cancer (PCa). An electronic search was completed on the basis of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted. Studies evaluating the relation between pretreatment levels of CRP and survival of PCa were included. Sixteen articles incorporating 17,833 patients were eligible for the present meta-analysis. Elevated pretreatment CRP level was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR=1.58, 95% CI 1.31-1.91, P<0.001), cancer-specific survival (CSS) (HR=1.83, 95% CI 1.19-2.80, P=0.006), progression-free survival (PFS) (HR=1.64, 95%CI 1.03-2.61, P=0.036), and biochemical-recurrence free survival (BC-RFS) (HR=1.29, 95% CI 1.11-1.51, P=0.001). Elevated pretreatment serum CRP level is strongly correlated with worse prognosis in patients with PCa, including OS, CSS, PFS and BC-RFS.

Sarcopenia predicts prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sarcopenia, a concept reflecting the loss of skeletal muscle mass, was reported to be associated with the prognosis of several tumors. However, the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cancer remains unclear. We carried out this meta-analysis and systematic review to evaluate the prognostic value of sarcopenia in patients with renal cell carcinomas. We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to December 2018. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were pooled together. A total of 5 studies consisting of 771 patients were enrolled in this quantitative analysis, 347 (45.0%) of which had sarcopenia. Patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia (HR=1.76; 95%CI, 1.35-2.31; P<0.001). In the subgroup of patients with localized and advanced/metastatic diseases, sarcopenia was also associated with poor OS (HR=1.48, P=0.039; HR=2.14, P<0.001; respectively). With a limited sample size, we did not observe difference of PFS between two groups (HR=1.56, 95% CI, 0.69-3.50, P=0.282). In the present meta-analysis, we observed that patients with sarcopenia had a worse OS compared with those without sarcopenia in RCC. Larger, preferably prospective studies, are needed to confirm and update our findings.