Loss of tubal ciliated cells as a risk for “ovarian” or pelvic serous carcinoma

Recent advances suggest the fallopian tube as the main anatomic site for high-grade ovarian or pelvic serous carcinoma (O/PSC). Many studies on the biologic role of tubal secretory cells in O/PSC development has been performed in the last decade. However, the role of tubal ciliated cells in this regard has rarely been explored. The purpose of this study was to determine if the change of the tubal ciliated cells is associated with serous neoplasia within the female pelvis. This study included 3 groups (low-risk or benign control, high-risk, and O/PSC) of patients and they were age-matched. Age of patients ranged from 20 to 85 and the age-associated data was stratified by 10-year intervals. The number of tubal ciliated cells was determined by microscopy and by tubulin immunohistochemical staining. The data was then professionally analyzed. The results showed that the absolute number of tubal ciliated cells decreased significantly with age within each age group. A reduction in ciliated cell counts within the tubal segments remained a significant risk factor for the development of serous cancers within the female pelvis after age adjustment. A dramatic decrease of tubal ciliated cells was identified in patients with high-risk and with O/PSC compared to those in the benign control or low-risk group (P < 0.001). Further, within the tubal fimbria, the number of ciliated cells reduction was more prominent in the high-risk group when compared to those of O/PSC patients. Our findings suggest that a decreased number of ciliated cells within women’s fallopian tubes represents another histologic hallmark for early serous carcinogenesis. There is a relationship between loss of tubal ciliated cells and aging, the presence of high-risk factors for tubal-ovarian cancer, and co-existing O/PSCs. This represents an initial study identifying the role of tubal ciliated cells in the development of high-grade serous carcinoma in women’s pelvis.     

Referral,Genetic Counselling,and BRCA Testing in the Manitoba High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Population, 2004–2019

Simple SummaryThis study was performed to better understand rates and factors that influence patients in accepting a referral to genetics or testing for genes that predispose them to ovarian cancer (BRCA1/2). Using multiple provincial databases and registries, the study team looked at data from 944 patients with high-grade ovarian cancer between 2004–2019. We found that the rate of genetic referrals fluctuated over time; however, the rate of genetic testing increased over the entire timeframe. Factors found to increase rates of referral and testing included age, cancer histology, history of oral contraceptive use, and family history of ovarian cancer. Increasing the rate of genetic testing will help patients and their health care team plan clinical management and treatment.Abstract(1) Background: The primary objective of this study was to examine the rate of genetic referral, BRCA testing, and BRCA positivity amongst all patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) from 2004–2019. The secondary objective was to analyze secondary factors that may affect the rates of referral and testing. (2) Methods: This population-based cohort study included all women diagnosed with HGSOC using the Manitoba Cancer Registry, CervixCheck registry, Medical Claims database at Manitoba Health, the Hospital Discharge abstract, the Population Registry, and Winnipeg Regional Health Authority genetics data. Data were examined for three different time cohorts (2004–2013, 2014–2016; 2017–2019) correlating to practice pattern changes. (3) Results: A total of 944 patients were diagnosed with HGSOC. The rate of genetic referrals changed over the three timeframes (20.0% → 56.7% → 36.6%) and rate of genetic testing increased over the entire timeframe. Factors found to increase rates of referral and testing included age, histology, history of oral contraceptive use, and family history of ovarian cancer. Prior health care utilization indicators did not affect genetic referral or testing. (4) Conclusion: The rate of genetic referral (2004–2016) and BRCA1/2 testing (2004–2019) for patients with a diagnosis of HGSOC increased over time. A minority of patients received a consultation for genetics counselling, and even fewer received testing for a BRCA1/2. Without a genetic result, it is difficult for clinicians to inform treatment decisions. Additional efforts are needed to increase genetics consultation and testing for Manitoban patients with HGSOC. Effects of routine tumour testing on rates of genetic referral will have to be examined in future studies.     

Factors Associated with “Survivor Identity” in Men with Breast Cancer

Cancer patients vary in their comfort with the label “survivor”. Here, we explore how comfortable males with breast cancer (BC) are about accepting the label cancer “survivor”. Separate univariate logistic regressions were performed to assess whether time since diagnosis, age, treatment status, and cancer stage were associated with comfort with the “survivor” label. Of the 70 males treated for BC who participated in the study, 58% moderately-to-strongly liked the term “survivor”, 26% were neutral, and 16% moderately-to-strongly disliked the term. Of the factors we explored, only a longer time since diagnosis was significantly associated with the men endorsing a survivor identity (OR = 1.02, p = 0.05). We discuss how our findings compare with literature reports on the comfort with the label “survivor” for women with BC and men with prostate cancer. Unlike males with prostate cancer, males with BC identify as “survivors” in line with women with BC. This suggests that survivor identity is more influenced by disease type and treatments received than with sex/gender identities.     

Application of “twelve-step” approach based on SEEKflex for difficult awake tracheal intubation in patients with cervical spinal tumor

Difficult airway always occurs in patients with cervical spinal tumor. Awake tracheal intubation (ATI) is usually a primary safe approach for clinical doctors in these intractable difficult airways. It is of great significance to establish specific strategies to reduce related acute airway accidents. A novel “twelve-step” approach of awake tracheal intubation based on an improved introducer (Safe Easy Endotracheal Kit-flexible, “SEEK^flex”) was developed and practiced in model successfully. Patients with cervical spinal tumor in a single tertiary hospital were chosen to secure airway with this approach. Primary outcomes were safety and feasibility, defined as completion of ATI without serious adverse events, Secondary outcome was the first intubation attempt rate, total intubation time, satisfaction of patients in the whole process and relevant complications. We performed awake tracheal intubation with this approach to solve the difficult airway in five patients with cervical spinal tumor. The courses went successfully in all patients without any relevant complications. This novel “twelve-step” approach based on SEEK^flex for ATI can be considered as one of optional safe choices for difficult airway in patients with cervical spinal tumor.     

尼古丁乙酰胆碱受体基因CHRNA3的多态性和中国汉族人群肺癌风险关系的研究及其在晚期非小细胞肺癌中的预后分析

目的:研究编码尼古丁乙酰胆碱受体(nicotinic acetylcholine receptors,nAChRs)的候选基因CHRNA3的多态性与中国汉族人群肺癌风险的关系,进一步探讨其对晚期非小细胞肺癌(non-small celllung cancer,NSCLC)患者预后的影响.方法:对就诊于上海交通大学附属上海市胸科医院的547例肺癌患者,和上海市浦东新区和宝山区的567例健康人群进行病例.对照研究.选取候选基因CHRNA3上的3个SNPs位点(rs3743073,rs3743076和rs3743078),运用Taqman荧光定量基因分型技术,对该1114例中国汉族人进行基因型分析.采用非条件logistic回归分析法,比较各基因型在病例组与对照组中分布频率的差异,探讨其与肺癌的关系.进一步在101例不可手术ⅢB期/Ⅳ期NSCLC患者中探讨基因CHRNA3的多态性变化与预后的关系.结果:(1)候选基因CHRNA3上多态位点的频率分布在肺癌病例组和对照组之间的差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).调整了年龄、性别和吸烟后,证实候选基因CHRNA3上rs3743073位点的多态性变化与肺癌发病相关(OR=1.352,95%CI=1.116-1.640,P=0.002).rs3743073位点上携带TG者患肺癌的风险性是TT者的1.602倍(95%CI=1.150-2.232),携带GG者是TT者的1.824倍(95%CI=1.239-2.686).在非吸烟患者的分层分析中,同样证实rs3743073位点上的多态性变化与肺癌发生相关(OR=1.325,95%CI=1.048-1.674,P=0.019).(2)单因素生存分析(P=0.013)和Cox多因素生存分析(P=0.017)均证实,候选基因CHRNA3上rs3743078位点的多态性变化是影响不可手术ⅢB期/Ⅳ期NSCLC患者的独立预后因素.结论:nAChRs基因上CHRNA3的多态性与中国汉族人群的肺癌发病相关.是影响晚期NSCLC患者的独立预后因素