Macroporous thin membranes for cell transplant in regenerative medicine

The aim of this paper is to present a method to produce macroporous thin membranes made of poly (ethyl acrylate-co-hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymer network with varying cross-linking density for cell transplantation and prosthesis fabrication. The manufacture process is based on template techniques and anisotropic pore collapse. Pore collapse was produced by swelling the membrane in acetone and subsequently drying and changing the solvent by water to produce 100 microns thick porous membranes. These very thin membranes are porous enough to hold cells to be transplanted to the organism or to be colonized by ingrowth from neighboring tissues in the organism, and they present sufficient tearing stress to be sutured with surgical thread. The obtained pore morphology was observed by Scanning Electron Microscope, and confocal laser microscopy. Mechanical properties were characterized by stress–strain experiments in tension and tearing strength measurements. Morphology and mechanical properties were related to the different initial thickness of the scaffold and the cross-linking density of the polymer network. Seeding efficiency and proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells inside the pore structure were determined at 2 h, 1, 7, 14 and 21 days from seeding.     

Predictive factors of recurrence in adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction in the multimodal era

IntroductionAdenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEGJ) represents a poor prognostic tumor. We evaluated the recurrence pattern and risk factors associated with recurrence in patients undergoing surgical resection by AEJG.MethodsRecurrences were categorized as locoregional, peritoneal, or distant. These three recurrence groups and a non-recurrence group were compared, and overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) for each one was obtained.ResultsWe analyzed 188 patients with curative surgical treatment. Recurrence was observed in 72 (38.3%) patients. Locoregional recurrence was observed in 17 (23.6%); 20 (27.8%) peritoneal recurrence and 35 (48.6%) distant metastasis. DFS was 9, 5, and 8 months, and OS was 21.8, 13.2, and 20.8, respectively. Tumors larger than 5 cm are risk factors for peritoneal recurrence (OR:2.88, p = 0.012). Positive lymph nodes were related to distant metastasis (OR:9.15, p = 0.040), and lymphatic invasion for locoregional recurrence (OR:3.81, p = 0.028).ConclusionAEGJ is associated with high rates of early recurrence.     

Low-dose interleukin-2 treatment increases the proportion of regulatory T cells in patients with rheumatic diseases: A meta-analysis

BackgroundIt is now accepted that immune tolerance disorders caused by inadequate Treg cell function or number are important factors in the development and progression of rheumatic diseases. There is increasing evidence that ld IL-2 treatment increases the proportion of Treg cells in patients' peripheral blood, but this conclusion is still controversial. Here, we performed a meta-analysis of reports documenting the proportion of Treg cells and the rate of adverse events in patients with rheumatic disease before and after the administration of ld IL-2 to better understand its effect and safety on Treg cells in the field of rheumatic diseases.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Web of science databases up to 15th November 2022 and identified studies that reported the proportion of peripheral blood Treg cells before and after ld IL-2 treatment in patients with rheumatic disease. Random-effects model was used to perform a meta-analysis of Treg cell proportions before and after ld IL-2 administration, and a meta-regression analysis was performed to explore heterogeneity. Inconsistency was evaluated using the I-squared index (I²), and publication bias was assessed by examining funnel plot asymmetry using the Egger tests.ResultsEighteen studies involving 1608 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The proportion of Treg cells in peripheral blood of these patients increased significantly after receiving ld IL-2 treatment [1.07 (95% CI 0.86,1.27), p < 0.001, I² = 67.3%]. Next, Meta-regression was performed for 5 variables including publish year, disease type, trail type and dosage and duration of the medication. The results suggest that these variables do not lead to high heterogeneity. (p = 0.698, 0.267, 0.502, 0.843, 0.560, respectively). And finally, statistical analysis showed no difference in adverse reactions between ld IL-2 group and control group in treatment [1.06 (95% CI 0.86,1.31), p = 0.586, I2 = 53.8%], which is unreliable because the data is so small.ConclusionsLd IL-2 does increase the proportion of peripheral blood Treg cells in patients with rheumatism, and single and cumulative doses must be considered when using ld IL-2. In addition, more studies on the safety of ld IL-2 are urgently needed.     

ESMO consensus guidelines for the management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies in Western countries. Over the last 20 years, and the last decade in particular, the clinical outcome for patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) has improved greatly due not only to an increase in the number of patients being referred for and undergoing surgical resection of their localised metastatic disease but also to a more strategic approach to the delivery of systemic therapy and an expansion in the use of ablative techniques. This reflects the increase in the number of patients that are being managed within a multidisciplinary team environment and specialist cancer centres, and the emergence over the same time period not only of improved imaging techniques but also prognostic and predictive molecular markers. Treatment decisions for patients with mCRC must be evidence-based. Thus, these ESMO consensus guidelines have been developed based on the current available evidence to provide a series of evidence-based recommendations to assist in the treatment and management of patients with mCRC in this rapidly evolving treatment setting.