Efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) created using covered stents of different diameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to make a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the stent diameter (8 mm vs. 10 mm) that conveys better safety and clinical efficacy for transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Materials and methodsFour databases were used to identify clinical trials published from inception until March 2020. Data were extracted to estimate and compare one-year and three-year overall survivals, hepatic encephalopathy, variceal rebleeding, and shunt dysfunction rates between patients with 8 mm covered stents and those with 10 mm covered stents.ResultsFive eligible studies were selected, which included 489 patients (316 men, 173 women). The 8 mm covered stent group had higher efficacy regarding one-year or three-year overall survival (odds ratio [OR], 2.88; P = 0.003) and (OR, 1.81; P = 0.04) and lower hepatic encephalopathy (OR, 0.69; P = 0.04) compared with 10 mm covered stent group. There were no significant differences in variceal rebleeding rate (OR 0.80; P = 0.67). However, shunt dysfunction was lower in 10 mm covered stent group (OR, 2.26; P = 0.003).ConclusionsOur results suggest that the use of 8 mm covered stents should be preferred to that of 10 mm covered stents for TIPS placement when portal pressure is frequently monitored.     

Immune microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma,intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and liver metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma: Relationship with histopathological and molecular classifications

Tumor tissue is composed of tumor cells and tumor stroma. Tumor stroma contains various immune cells and non-immune stromal cells, forming a complex tumor microenvironment which plays pivotal roles in regulating tumor growth. Recent successes in immunotherapies against tumors, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, have further raised interests in the immune microenvironment of liver carcinoma. The immune microenvironment of tumors is formed because of interactions among tumor cells, immune cells and non-immune stromal cells, including fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Different patterns of immune microenvironment are observed among different tumor subtypes, and their clinicopathological significance and intertumor/intratumor heterogeneity are being intensively studied. Here, we review the immune microenvironment of hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and liver metastasis of colorectal adenocarcinoma, focusing on its histopathological appearance, clinicopathological significance, and relationship with histological and molecular classifications. Understanding the comprehensive histopathological picture of a tumor immune microenvironment, in addition to molecular and genetic approaches, will further potentiate the effort for precision medicine in the era of tumor-targeting immunotherapy.     

Role of surgical treatments in high-grade or advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms

Over the last 40 years, the incidence and prevalence of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) have continued to increase. Compared to other epithelial neoplasms in the same organ, GEP-NENs exhibit indolent biological behavior, resulting in more chances to undergo surgery. However, the role of surgery in high-grade or advanced GEP-NENs is still controversial. Surgery is associated with survival improvement of well-differentiated high-grade GEP-NENs, whereas poorly differentiated GEP-NENs that may benefit from resection require careful selection based on Ki67 and other tissue biomarkers. Additionally, surgery also plays an important role in locally advanced and metastatic disease. For locally advanced GEP-NENs, isolated major vascular involvement is no longer an absolute contraindication. In the setting of metastatic GEP-NENs, radical intended surgery is recommended for patients with low-grade and resectable metastases. For unresectable metastatic disease, a variety of surgical approaches, including cytoreduction of liver metastasis, liver transplantation, and surgery after neoadjuvant treatment, show survival benefits. Primary tumor resection in GEP-NENs with unresectable metastatic disease is associated with symptom control, prolonged survival, and improved sensitivity toward systemic therapies. Although there is no established neoadjuvant or adjuvant strategy, increasing attention has been given to this emerging research area. Some studies have reported that neoadjuvant therapy effectively reduces tumor burden, improves the effectiveness of subsequent surgery, and decreases surgical complications.     

直肠癌淋巴结转移的深度神经网络评判研究进展

正目前,临床上对于直肠癌常用的影像评估方法有MRI、螺旋CT、PET-CT、直肠腔内超声(ERUS)等。而MRI作为首选检查方式,对肿瘤位置、浸润深度、淋巴结转移、血管侵犯、环周切缘及周围器官侵犯等方面的评估均具有明显优势~([1-2])。通过MRI诊断淋巴结的方法通常是影像科医师逐层浏览每一幅图像,从中识别淋巴结的形状、界限及密度来判断,这种传统方式耗时较长且存在主观偏倚,导致     

Recent advances in preclinical in vitro approaches towards quantitative prediction of hepatic clearance and drug-drug interactions involving organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B transporters

Hepatic uptake mediated by organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and 1B3 can serve as a major elimination pathway for various anionic drugs and as a site of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). This article provides an overview of the in vitro approaches used to predict human hepatic clearance (CL_h) and the risk of DDIs involving OATP1Bs. On the basis of the so-called extended clearance concept, in vitro–in vivo extrapolation methods using human hepatocytes as in vitro systems have been used to predict the CL_h involving OATP1B-mediated hepatic uptake. CL_h can be quantitatively predicted using human donor lots possessing adequate OATP1B activities. The contribution of OATP1Bs to hepatic uptake can be estimated by the relative activity factor, the relative expression factor, or selective inhibitor approaches, which offer generally consistent outcomes. In OATP1B1 inhibition assays, substantial substrate dependency was observed. The time-dependent inhibition of OATP1B1 was also noted and may be a mechanism underlying the in vitro–in vivo differences in the inhibition constant of cyclosporine A. Although it is still challenging to quantitatively predict CL_h and DDIs involving OATP1Bs from only preclinical data, understanding the utility and limitation of the current in vitro methods will pave the way for better prediction.     

原发癌灶定位与甲状腺微小癌颈侧区淋巴结转移关系研究

目的 探究原发灶定位与甲状腺乳头状微小癌（PTMC）颈侧区淋巴结转移的关系，评估超声检查预测颈侧区淋巴结转移的准确率。方法 回顾性分析2014年1月至2015年12月天津医科大学肿瘤医院收治的134例PTMC病人的临床资料，均行中央区淋巴结清扫+改良颈侧区淋巴结清扫。依据超声定位分组，分析癌灶位置与颈侧区淋巴结转移的关系。结果 颈侧各分区淋巴结转移发生率分别为：Ⅱ区30.6%、Ⅲ区50.7%、Ⅳ区57.5%、Ⅴ区11.3%。癌灶位于中上极者颈侧区淋巴结转移发生率高于癌灶位于下极者（89.7% vs. 75.7%，P=0.038），靠近外侧者较内侧者更易出现颈侧区淋巴结转移（93.7% vs. 81.4%，P=0.049）。超声检查判定Ⅱ、Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ区淋巴结转移的敏感度分别为43.9%、85.3%、85.7%、14.3%；特异度为91.4%、57.6%、35.1%、99.1%。超声预测Ⅲ、Ⅳ区淋巴结转移敏感度较高，Ⅱ、Ⅴ区淋巴结转移特异度较高。结论 癌灶位置与甲状腺微小癌颈侧区淋巴结转移密切相关，超声可为临床确定颈侧区淋巴结的清扫范围提供依据。     

Oligometastatic prostate cancer: Reality or figment of imagination?

The term “oligometastatic prostate cancer” refers to a heterogeneous group of disease states currently defined solely on the basis of clinical features. Oligorecurrent disease, de novo oligometastases, and oligoprogressive disease likely have unique biologic underpinnings and natural histories. Evidence suggesting the existence of a subset of patients who harbor prostate cancer with limited metastatic potential currently includes disparate and overwhelmingly retrospective reports. Nevertheless, emerging prospective data have corroborated the “better-than-expected,” retrospectively observed outcomes, particularly in the setting of oligorecurrent prostate cancer. Improved functional imaging with prostate-specific membrane antigen-targeted strategies may enhance the identification of patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer in the short term. In the long term, refinement of the oligometastatic case definition likely will require biologic risk-stratification schemes. To determine optimal treatment strategies and identify patients most likely to benefit from metastasis-directed therapy, future efforts should focus on conducting high-quality, prospective trials with much-needed molecular correlative studies.     

转录调节因子c-Myb通过炎症因子Ccl2抑制乳腺癌肺转移的实验研究

目的:研究乳腺癌细胞中转录调节因子c-Myb的表达对肺转移的影响及其分子机制。方法:构建c-Myb高表达的4T1乳腺癌细胞株，种植小鼠构建乳腺癌动物模型，检测实验动物肺转移情况，通过荷瘤抑制试验检测肺转移抑制效果。提取组织进行荧光PCR检测相关炎症因子的表达。利用Medisapiens数据库的生物信息学资源，对c-Myb和Ccl2的表达与乳腺癌患者的预后进行分析。结果:高表达c-Myb的荷瘤小鼠肺部转移灶明显减少，其中炎症相关因子表达受限。由数据库分析得出，c-Myb高表达患者生存期得以延长。结论:乳腺癌中c-Myb的表达能够通过炎症因子Ccl2抑制肺转移从而延长患者生存期。