ABSTRACT
Pancreatic fistula is one of the most important complications after pancreatic surgery. The International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula proposed the definition and classification of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) in 2005 firstly, which has promoted the development of pancreatic surgery research. And the International Study Group on Pancreatic Surgery modified the POPF standard in 2016 and paid more attention to clinical relevance. The POPF is often used to evaluate anastomotic methods. However, this grading version is based on clinical outcomes, which more represents the comprehensive treatment effect than reflects the quality of pancreaticojejunostomy. Using the current POPF grading criteria for the purpose of improving anastomosis methods is not very accurate, so an indicator that only reflects anastomosis′ quality is needed for the comparison of various surgical methods. To avoid the influence of non-reconstruction elements on the incidence and degree of POPF, this research team prefer the total drainage fluid amylase(DFA)or the duration of high DFA. And in this way, the comparation among different anastomotic operations could be specific and objective, which further helps to find out an ideal method for pancreatic digestive tract reconstruction.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region (HNSCC) is a common malignant disease accompanied by a high risk of local or distant recurrence after curative-intent treatment. Biomarkers that allow for the prediction of disease outcome can guide clinicians with respect to treatment and surveillance strategies. Here, the methylation status of PITX2 and an adjacent lncRNA (PANCR) were evaluated for their ability to predict overall survival in HNSCC patients. RESULTS: PITX2 hypermethylation was associated with a better overall survival (hazard ratio, HR = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.35-0.74, p<0.001), while PANCR hypermethylation was significantly associated with an increased risk of death (HR = 1.64, 95%CI: 1.12-2.39, p=0.010). METHODS: Quantitative, methylation-specific real-time PCR assays for PITX2 and PANCR were employed to measure bisulfite-converted DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues in a cohort of 399 patients with localized or locally advanced HNSCC who received curative-intent treatment (surgery with optional adjuvant radiochemotherapy or definite radiochemotherapy). CONCLUSIONS: PITX2 and PANCR methylation status were shown to be independent predictors for overall survival in HNSCC patients. Tissue-based methylation testing could therefore potentially be employed to identify patients with a high risk for death who might benefit from a more radical or alternative treatment.
