Robotic natural orifice specimen extraction surgery versus robotic transabdominal specimen extraction surgery for early-stage rectal cancer: a multicenter propensity score-matched analysis (in China).

BACKGROUND: Despite the global increase in the adoption of robotic natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (R-NOSES), its advantages over robotic transabdominal specimen extraction surgery (R-TSES) for treating early-stage rectal cancer remain debated. There is scant nationwide, multicenter studies comparing the surgical quality and short-term outcomes between R-NOSES and R-TSES for this condition. OBJECTIVE: This retrospective cohort study was conducted nationally across multiple centers to compare the surgical quality and short-term outcomes between R-NOSES and R-TSES in early-stage rectal cancer. DESIGN: Multicenter retrospective cohort trial. SETTING: Eight experienced surgeons from 8 high-volume Chinese colorectal cancer treatment centers. PATIENTS: The study included 1086 patients who underwent R-NOSES or R-TSES from October 2015 to November 2023 at the 8 centers. Inclusion criteria were: (1) histologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma; (2) robotic total mesorectal excision; (3) postoperative pathological staging of TisN0M0 or T1-2N0M0; (4) availability of complete surgical and postoperative follow-up data. Patients were matched 1:1 in the R-NOSES and R-TSES groups using the propensity score matching (PSM) technique. RESULTS: After PSM, 318 matched pairs with well-balanced patient characteristics were identified. The operation time for the R-NOSES group was significantly longer than that for the R-TSES group [140 min (125-170 min) vs. 140 min (120-160 min), P = 0.032]. Conversely, the times to first flatus and initial oral intake in the R-NOSES group were significantly shorter than those in the R-TSES group [48 h (41-56 h) vs. 48 h (44-62 h), P = 0.049 and 77 h (72-94 h) vs. 82 h (72-96 h), P = 0.008], respectively. Additionally, the length of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the R-NOSES group compared with the R-TSES group [7 day (7-9 day) vs. 8 day (7-9 day), P = 0.005]. The overall postoperative complication rates were similar between the groups (10.7% in the R-NOSES group vs. 11.9% in the R-TSES group, P = 0.617). However, the R-NOSES group had a lower incidence of wound complications compared to the R-TSES group (0.0% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.015). Regarding surgical stress response, the R-NOSES group showed superior outcomes. Additionally, patients in the R-NOSES group required fewer additional analgesics on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5 and reported lower pain scores compared to the R-TSES group. The body image scale (BIS) and cosmetic scale (CS) scores were also significantly higher in the R-NOSES group. Furthermore, the R-NOSES group demonstrated significantly better outcomes in functional dimensions such as physical, role, emotional, social, and cognitive functioning, and in symptoms like fatigue and pain, when compared to the R-TSES group. LIMITATIONS: It is imperative to ensure the safe and standardized implementation of R-NOSES through the establishment of a uniform training protocol. CONCLUSIONS: These results affirm that R-NOSES is a safe and effective treatment for early-stage rectal cancer when meticulously executed by skilled surgeons.

Association of tea and its extracts with colorectal adenomas: meta-analysis and systematic review.

Background: There are many studies on the association of tea and its extracts with colorectal adenomas, but the results have varied. The study aims to investigate the effect of tea and its extracts on colorectal adenomas using meta analysis and systematic review. Methods: Literature was obtained through PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Chinese BioMedical Literature Service System since the establishment of the database until April 31, 2023. Search terms include adenomas, polyps, colorectal, rectal, rectum, tea, epigallocatechin, drinking and beverages. Meta-regression analysis was used to infer the source of heterogeneity. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics and Q test. The effect measures were odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Stata17.0 software was used for data processing. Results: The findings indicated that study design (t = 0.78, P = 0.454), types of tea intake (t = 1.35, P = 0.205), occurrences (t = -0.19, P = 0.852), regions (t = 1.13, P = 0.281) and grades of adenomas (t = 0.06, P = 0.952) were statistical homogeneity. Tea and its extracts were negatively correlated with the risk of colorectal adenomas (OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.66-0.98). No publication bias was found in this study (t = -0.22, P = 0.828) and the results are robust. Conclusion: This study suggests that tea and its extracts have a certain protective effect on colorectal adenomas, which provides scientific evidence for preventive strategies for colorectal adenomas. As for the causal relationship between tea and its extracts on colorectal adenomas, further prospective studies are needed.

Association between dietary factors and colorectal serrated polyps: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dietary factors may affect the incidence of colorectal serrated polyps (SP). However, its effects on SP are unclear as epidemiological studies on this topic have showed inconsistent results. The present systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the effects of dietary factors on SPs. Methods: Studies regarding the association between dietary factors and SPs were identified by searching PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase and Chinese Biomedical Literature database from inception until 27 February 2023. Search terms include serrated, hyperplastic, adenoma, polyps, colorectal, rectal, rectum and risk. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics. The meta-analysis was conducted by using a random-effects model, and the pooled effects were expressed with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Probable sources of heterogeneity were identified through meta-regression. Subgroup analysis were based on lesion types, study designs, countries, and so on. Results: 28 studies were ultimately eligible after scanning, and five dietary factors including vitamin D, calcium, folate, fiber and red or processed meat were excerpted. Higher intakes of vitamin D (OR = 0.95, 95%CI:0.90-1.02), calcium (OR = 0.97, 95%CI: 0.91-1.03) and folate (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.6-1.13) were not significantly associated with SP. Fiber intake (OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82-0.99) was a protective factor against SPs. Red meat intake increased the risk of SPs by 30% for the highest versus lowest intakes (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13-1.51). For different lesion types, higher folate intake was associated with a decreased risk of HPs (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.44-0.79), and higher vitamin D intake decreased the risk of SPs including SSA/P (OR = 0.93, 95%CI: 0.88-0.98). Conclusions: Higher dietary fiber intake plays an effective role in preventing SP, while red meat intake is associated with an increased risk of SP. This evidence provides guidance for us to prevent SP from a dietary perspective. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, RecordID=340750.

Robotic versus laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with complete mesocolic excision: a retrospective multicenter study with propensity score matching.

Objective: During the past decade, the concept of complete mesocolic excision (CME) has been developed in an attempt to minimize recurrence for right-sided colon cancer. This study aims to compare outcomes of robotic versus laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with CME for right-sided colon cancer. Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter propensity score matching study. From July 2016 to July 2021, 382 consecutive patients from different Chinese surgical departments were available for inclusion out of an initial cohort of 412, who underwent robotic or laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with CME. Data of all patients were retrospectively collected and reviewed. Of these, 149 cases were performed by a robotic approach, while the other 233 cases were done by laparoscopy. Propensity score matching was applied at a ratio of 1:1 to compare perioperative, pathologic, and oncologic outcomes between the robotic and the laparoscopic groups (n = 142). Results: Before propensity score matching, there were no statistical differences regarding the sex, history of abdominal surgery, body mass index (BMI), American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system, tumor location, and center between groups (p > 0.05), while a significant difference was observed regarding age (p = 0.029). After matching, two comparable groups of 142 cases were obtained with equivalent patient characteristics (p > 0.05). Blood loss, time to oral intake, return of bowel function, length of stay, and complications were not different between groups (p > 0.05). The robotic group showed a significantly lower conversion rate (0% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.03), but a longer operative time (200.9 min vs. 182.3 min, p < 0.001) and a higher total hospital cost (85,016 RMB vs. 58,266 RMB, p < 0.001) compared with the laparoscopic group. The number of harvested lymph nodes was comparable (20.4 vs. 20.5, p = 0.861). Incidence of complications, mortality, and pathologic outcomes were similar between groups (p > 0.05). The 2-year disease-free survival rates were 84.9% and 87.1% (p = 0.679), and the overall survival rates between groups were 83.8% and 80.7% (p = 0.943). Conclusion: Despite the limitations of a retrospective analysis, the outcomes of robotic right hemicolectomy with CME were comparable to the laparoscopic procedures with fewer conversions to open surgery. More clinical advantages of the robotic surgery system need to be further confirmed by well-conducted randomized clinical trials with large cohorts of patients.

Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: a multicentric cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) has recently emerged as a promising novel surgical procedure for rectal cancer. It is believed to hold the potential advantage of providing better access to mobilize the distal rectum and achieving better pathologic results. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of taTME for rectal cancer and summarize the preliminary experience in 10 Chinese hospitals. METHODS: A total of 211 patients were enrolled in this study. Variables for evaluation of safety, feasibility, and oncologic outcomes were retrospectively collected and analysed. RESULTS: The median distance between the tumor and the anal verge was 5.9 cm (range, 1.5-12 cm). The median operating time was 280 min (range, 70-600 min) and the median estimated intra-operative blood loss was 50 mL (range, 10-1,500 mL). The overall rate of complication was 27.9%. Among the 211 patients, 175 (82.9%) had complete TME and 33 (15.6%) had near complete TME. The circumferential resection margin was negative in 97.7% of patients. The patients were followed for a median of 35 months (range, 2-86 months). There was 7.6% (16) mortality, 6.2% (13) had local recurrence, and 12.8% (27) had systemic recurrence. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that 1-, 2-, and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 94.8%, 89.3%, and 80.2%, respectively, and 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 97.4%, 95.7%, and 92.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although limited by its retrospective nature, taTME was safe and feasible in selected patients. Future work with rigorous data recording is warranted.

Hyperthermia exposure induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation in HCT116 cells by upregulating miR-34a and causing transcriptional activation of p53.

Hyperthermia, as an anticancer therapeutic strategy, presents notable advantages in conjunction with irradiation and/or chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. A number of studies have documented that hyperthermia inhibits cancer progression through transcriptional activation of p53, which promotes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of hyperthermia-regulated apoptosis and proliferation dependent on p53 remain largely unknown. To investigate the effects and molecular mechanism of hyperthermia on the apoptosis and proliferation of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) HCT116 cells, the present study assessed cell apoptosis and proliferation following exposure to hyperthermia (42°C for 2-4 h). The results indicated that, compared with the control group at 0 h, hyperthermia exposure for 2 and 4 h induced the apoptosis of HCT116 cells (P<0.05), inhibited cell proliferation by causing cell cycle arrest at G1/G0 phase (P<0.05), and significantly increased microRNA (miR)-34a expression (P<0.05), but not miR-34b, miR-34c, miR-215 and miR-504 expression. The transcriptional activity of p53 on its consensus sequence and downstream target genes, namely p21, B cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein, mouse double minute 2 homolog, p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis and growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible 45α, was subsequently detected. The data indicated significantly higher transcriptional activity of p53 following hyperthermia exposure for 2 and 4 h (P<0.05), and these observations were similar to the effects of transfection with miR-34a mimics in HCT116 cells. Furthermore, transfection with miR-34a antagomiR supressed hyperthermia-induced apoptosis and promoted cell cycle progression following hyperthermia exposure when compared with transfection controls (P<0.05). Collectively, these findings indicate that miR-34a may serve an important role in hyperthermia-regulated apoptosis and proliferation in HCT116 cells by influencing the transcriptional activity of p53.