bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Whole-brain radiation therapy alone vs. combined therapy with stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of limited brain metastases: A systematic review
Authors: Wan Chao , Chen Biao , Liu Yuanshi , Xu Ximing 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) used alone and combined with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in the treatment of limited (1-4) brain metastases.

Methods
We searched for randomized controlled and matched-pair analysis trials comparing WBRT plus SRS versus WBRT alone for brain metastases. The primary outcomes were the overall survival (OS), intracranial control (IC), and localcontrol (LC). The secondary outcome was radiation toxicity. The log hazard ratios (lnHRs) and their variances were extracted from published Kaplan-Meier curves and pooled using the generic inverse variance method in the RevMan 5.3 software. The non-pooled outcome measures were evaluated using descriptive analysis.

Results
Three randomized controlled trials and two matched-pair analysis studies were included. There was no difference in the OS for limited brain metastases between the two groups [lnHR 0.91 (95% CI 0.76-1.09, P = 0.32) vs. 0.72 (95% CI 0.44-1.19, P = 0.20)]. The LC and IC were significantly higher in the combined treatment group [lnHR 0.69 (95% CI 0.55-0.86, P = 0.001) vs. 0.41 (95% CI 0.29-0.58, P < 0.0001)]. For patients with a single lesion, one trial showed a higher survival in the combined treatment group (median OS: 6.5 months vs. 4.9 months, P = 0.04). The combined treatment was not associated with significantly higher incidence of radiation toxicity.

Conclusion
Combined treatment with WBRT plus SRS should be recommended for patients with limited brain metastases based on the better LC and IC without increased toxicity. It should also be considered a routine treatment option for patients with solitary brain metastases based on the prolonged OS.
The prognostic potential of pretreatment C-reactive protein to albumin ratio in stage IE/IIE extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma*
Authors: Quan Xiaoying , Wu Chunzhi , Lei Lei , Chen Xiaoyan , Ye Bin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CRP/Alb) for stage IE/IIE upper aerodigestive tract extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma patients.

Methods
One hundred and fourteen patients diagnosed with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from September 2011 to November 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. An optimal cutoff value of CRP/Alb for overall survival rate as an endpoint was obtained using the receiver operating curve (ROC).

Results
The optimal cutoff value of CRP/Alb was 0.15. For the low CRP/Alb group, the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 78.6% and the 3-year overall survival (OS) was 80.7%. The 3-year PFS and OS values for the high CRP/Alb group were 41.6% and 45.2%, respectively. Differences for PFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001) between the two groups were statistically significant. Univariate analysis showed that ECOG, IPI, CRP, GPS, and CRP/Alb were significantly associated with PFS. Similarly, all five were also significantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis further confirmed that ECOG and CRP/Alb were independent prognostic factors for both PFS and OS. Moreover, the cutoff value of CRP/Alb showed superior prognostic ability in discriminating between patients with different outcomes in low-risk group based on GPS, IPI, and KPI scores.

Conclusion
CRP/Alb is a promising prognostic marker for early-stage extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma.
Identifying peptides that specifically bind to MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells*
Authors: Dai Xiaoli , Zhang Qing , Zhang Huili , Xu Hongtao 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
To use phage display technique to screen for small polypeptides that specifically bind to MDAMB-468 cells.

Methods
A random heptapeptide phage display library was used for in vitro screening against target MDA-MB-468 cells. SC1180 cells were used for subtractive selection. High-affinity phage DNA was extracted, and peptides were sequenced.

Results
(1) The original library capacity of the polypeptide library was 2 × 1013 pfu/mL, and phage titer was determined over 4 rounds. The average library capacity was 1.8 × 1013 pfu/mL. (2) Subtractive screening showed that the phage library volume of each round was 1.8 × 1012 pfu/mL, and that there was an enrichment effect in each subsequent round. Screening was stopped after the fourth round. (3) PCR results showed that the size of 39 products (78.0%) and 11 products (22%), were 300 bp and 258 bp, respectively. Thirty positive phages were selected for DNA extraction and sequencing, and the corresponding amino acid sequence was LMTRXSK. The sequence had no homology with known genes or proteins.

Conclusion
Using the phage display technique, we identified that the short polypeptide, LMTRXSK, specifically binds MDA-MB-468 human breast cancer cells.
Expression and significance of PAX8 gene in ovarian cancer based on Oncomine database Meta-analysis
Authors: Yan Kun , Yan Hua , Zhou Qin , Wan Min , Ge Yanyan , Lu Jin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
Although great progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer, this disease is still the leading cause of death due to female reproductive system tumors. It has been reported that the paired box 8 (PAX8) gene is involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of human tumors. However, few researchers have investigated this phenomenon in detail.

Methods
Here, the BioGPS database was used to analyze the expression of the PAX8 gene in normal tissues. The Oncomine database was used to search for PAX8 gene information, and the findings were analyzed via a meta-analysis with regard to the significance of this gene in ovarian cancer. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter database was used to analyze the prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer. The Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) was used only for obtaining cell line analysis data regarding the PAX8 gene.

Results
The relevant results of the BioGPS database analysis showed that PAX8 is not expressed or under-expressed in normal ovarian tissues. Oncomine data showed 454 different results; there were 417 study samples in total, with 9 results showing a significant statistical difference in PAX8 expression, 5 of which were related to high expression of PAX8 and 4 of which were related to low PAX8 expression. Cell line analysis data of the PAX8 gene obtained from CCLE showed high expression in ovarian cancer, which is consistent with the high expression of PAX8 in ovarian cancer research found using the Oncomine database. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter database showed that the expression level of PAX8 had a significant effect on the overall survival time of patients (P = 0.042). Compared with the low expression group, the overall survival time of ovarian cancer patients in the high expression group of PAX8 was significantly low (P < 0.05).

Conclusion
Through an in-depth study of the gene information of ovarian cancer-related genes using the gene chip data in the Oncomine database, it was concluded that PAX8 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer tissues and directly correlates to the prognostic survival of ovarian cancer patients. These findings provide an important basis for the development of clinical gene-targeted cancer therapeutic drugs.
Clinical significance of S100A7 protein in predicting recurrence of breast cancer in patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery with radiotherapy*
Authors: Zhang Chao , Li Changyou , Lin Gaoyang , Qi Yao , Li Zhenfeng , Xu Jing , Su Tianhui , Liu Xin , Zou Xiao 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the relationship between the expression of S100A7 protein and prediction of recurrence and prognosis of breast cancer in patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery combined with radiotherapy.

Methods
349 samples of carcinoma tissue wax blocks were selected from January 2011 to January 2014 in Qingdao Central Hospital. All the patients had undergone breast-conserving surgery. We analyzed S100A7 expression in tumor tissue by immunohistochemical staining. Using univariate and multivariate analyses, we evaluated the relationship between S100A7 and clinical results, to explore independent risk factors for local regional recurrence (LRR).

Results
The positive expression of S100A7 in the recurrence group (66.7%) was significantly higher than in the non-recurrence group (38.4%), P = 0.025. A log-rank test showed that high S100A7 expression was significantly correlated with 5-year regional recurrence free survival rate (RFS) (94.9% vs 89.5%, P = 0.0408), distant metastasis free survival rate (DFS) (95.4% vs 83.5%, P < 0.001), and overall survival rate (OS) (99.0% vs 92.5%, P = 0.0011). Histological grade, vessel carcinoma embolus, lymph node metastasis, S100A7 expression, and tumor size were factors that influenced RFS. Multivariate analysis of the Cox proportional hazard model showed that high S100A7 expression was an independent risk factor that affected breast cancer RFS (HR = 6.864, 95 % CI: 1.575 - 29.915, P = 0.01). Thus, we concluded that high S100A7 expression is associated with increased risk of LRR and distant metastasis of breast cancer after breast-conserving surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. S100A7 can be used as a molecular marker to screen for patients with high recurrence risk after breast-conserving surgery.
Value of partial hepatectomy for the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: a Meta-analysis study*
Authors: Yang Ming , Zhang Yanhong , Cui Miaohang , Chen Jianhua , Liu JinLong 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
To discuss the value of partial hepatectomy in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods
English articles related to hilar cholangiocarcinoma were screened from January 1, 1990 to May 12, 2019 in the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Information on postoperative radical cure, survival, morbidity, and mortality after surgery were extracted from articles that met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analysis.

Results
Twenty-two articles that met the inclusion criteria were classified into 4 study groups: the hepatectomy radical cure group (19 articles), the hepatectomy survival group (16 articles), the hepatectomy morbidity group (9 articles), and the hepatectomy mortality group (17 articles). We found that the rate of radical cure after partial hepatectomy (odds ratio [OR] 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20-0.51) and the survival rate (hazard ratio [HR] 0.67, 95% CI 0.58-0.79) were significantly higher than after simple bile duct resection, but that morbidity (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.37-2.90) and mortality (OR 2.71, 95% CI 1.47-4.98) in patients within the partial hepatectomy group were also higher than in the simple bile duct resection group, taking into account the significant heterogeneity in the articles pertaining to the hepatectomy radical cure group (I
2 = 68.3%, P = 0.000), a sub-group analysis was subsequently conducted. Its results showed that when the branches of the secondary bile ducts were not involved during hilar cholangiocarcinoma, then a bile duct resection had a similar radical cure outcome as combined partial hepatectomy (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.54-1.65).

Conclusion
Partial hepatectomy can increase the proportion of radical cure in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma and extend the survival time after surgery. However, the morbidity and mortality after surgery are higher than those in simple bile duct resections. Therefore, simple bile duct resection is still a relevant and efficient tool in the treatment of Bismuth-Corlette Type I and II hilar cholangiocarcinomas.
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of glucocorticoid therapy for hyperbilirubinemia in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who have undergone transcatheter arterial chemoembolization
Authors: Wang Jingyan , Zhang Linzhi , Peng Xiaoming , Zhao Yun , Zhou Lin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to analyze the safety and efficacy of glucocorticoid treatment for hyperbilirubinemia in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have undergone transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).

Methods
We conducted a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 198 patients with HCC who were admitted to The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from June 2014 to August 2019 and underwent TACE therapy. The patients were divided into glucocorticoid (GCC) treatment group and control group. Standard liver-protecting procedures were used in both groups. The treatment group also received intravenous injections of methylprednisolone sodium succinate for 3-5 days. Reduction in bilirubin concentration, mean duration of hospitalization, and complications were compared between the two groups to investigate the safety and efficacy of GCCs for treatment of hyperbilirubinemia after TACE treatment.

Results
Bilirubin concentrations were significantly lower in the treatment group than in control group on days 3 and 5 after GCC/conventional liver-protecting treatment (P < 0.05). The treatment group had significantly shorter durations of total post-surgery hospitalization, and recovery time than the control group (14.5 ± 4.6 days vs. 17.5 ± 6.6 days, P < 0.001; 9.2 ± 3.3 days vs. 11.8 ± 5.4 days, P = 0.001; 7.0 ± 3.3 days vs. 9.3 ± 4.6 days, P < 0.001). No GCC-associated complications were detected in the treatment group.

Conclusion
Short-term use of GCCs to treat hyperbilirubinemia in patients with HCC who have undergone TACE is safe and associated with rapid decline in bilirubin concentration and shorter hospital stay compared with patients who did not receive GCCs.
Prognostic factors for pN2 non-small cell lung cancer: a comprehensive evidence from 73 studies involving 23,772 patients*
Authors: Li Shuo , Feng Yanlin , Liang Chunzi , Tu Jiancheng 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Obojective
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common malignancy. pN2 NSCLC, with pathologically confirmed ipsilateral mediastinal/subcarinal nodes metastasis, has been known as a very heterogeneous subgroup in terms of its anatomical, biological and patient characteristics. Prognostic factors based on patient characteristics were not well determined yet in this subgroup, and there is currently no standard treatment recommendation for these heterogeneous pN2 subjects. Apparent disagreements and inconsistency exist in study reports concerning the prognostic significance of certain factors in pN2 NSCLC, especially regarding to the issue about whether skip N2 metastasis benefit from surgery.

Methods
We therefore performed this comprehensive summary of the published literatures to draw a more precise and less uncertain conclusion. After a comprehensive literature search, a total of 73 studies involving 23,773 subjects were included according to eligibility criteria.

Results
As expected, most of the investigated factors, such as old age, male, advanced pathological T stage, advanced clinical N stage, multiple N2 stations, extended surgical resection (pneumonectomy), and incomplete resection, but not post-operation treatment (eg. chemotherapy and radiotherapy) were significantly associated with poor survival. However, skip N2 metastasis was favourable prognostic factors in operable pN2 NSCLC subjects. Other factors (histological type and primary tumour side) were neutral in terms of association with overall survival. We highlighted a number of important prognostic factors for pN2 NSCLC patients. Particularly, patients with skip N2 disease benefit from surgery.

Conclusion
Our findings could be used as reference information for decision-making in clinical practice and future study design.
Application of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) combined with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in prostate cancer diagnosis
Authors: He Yakun , Wang Min , Deng Heping , Ren Jin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
The aim of the study was to investigate the application of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) combined with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in prostate cancer diagnosis.

Methods
In the outpatient department of our hospital (Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, China), 60 patients diagnosed with prostate disease were selected randomly and included in a prostate cancer group, 60 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were included in a proliferation group, and 60 healthy subjects were included in a control group, from January 2013 to January 2017. Using Siemens Avanto 1.5 T high-field superconducting MRI for DCE-MRI and MRS scans, after the MRS scan was completed, we used the workstation spectroscopy tab spectral analysis, and eventually obtained the crest lines of the prostate metabolites choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), citrate (Cit), and the values of Cho/Cit, and (Cho + Cr)/Cit.

Results
Participants who had undergone 21-s, 1-min, and 2-min dynamic contrast-enhanced MR revealed significant variations among the three groups. The spectral analysis of the three groups revealed a significant variation as well. DCE-MRI and MRS combined had a sensitivity of 89.67%, specificity of 95.78%, and accuracy of 94.34%.

Conclusion
DCE-MRI combined with MRS is of great value in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Assessing anxiety, depression, and stress among inpatients with cancer*
Authors: Xu Honghong , Xue Ruotong , Cheng Yi , Zhang Yujie , Rao Jie , Liu Mei , Yu Shiying , Liu Lingxiang , Liu Yiqian , Shu Yongqian , Yang Liuqing , Shi Hanping 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to assess anxiety, depression, and stress among inpatients with cancer.

Methods
Two hundred thirty-five hospitalized patients with cancer were surveyed with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (simplified Chinese Version). The software program SPSS 25.0 was used for statistical analysis of the survey data.

Results
The average scores of depression, anxiety, and stress of inpatients with cancer were 12.17, 11.84, and 13.98 respectively, which were higher than the normal range. The scores of anxiety and stress of inpatients with different caregivers were statistically different (P = 0.024/0.036). The anxiety and stress scores of inpatients with spouses as caregivers were higher than those of inpatients with children as caregivers. There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of stress between inpatients with cancer with religious beliefs and inpatients with cancer without religious beliefs (P = 0.026), and those with religious beliefs had greater incidence of stress. The score of anxiety was significantly higher for inpatients with children than for inpatients without children (P = 0.040).

Conclusion
The anxiety, depression, and stress levels of inpatients with cancer are relatively high. It is necessary to pay special attention to the psychological status of these patients during clinical diagnosis and treatment to improve their quality of life.
Combination of TACE and FOLFOX4 in the treatment of unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a prospective cohort study*
Authors: Wang Jingyan , Zhang Linzhi , Peng Xiaoming , Zhao Yun , Zhou Lin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of a combined therapy with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and FOLFOX4, in patients with unresectable advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsIn this study, patients with advanced HCC, that received treatment between November 2015 and October 2017, were recruited. Among these, 30 patients were treated with TACE only (TACE group); whereas 33 patients were treated with a combination of FOLFOX4 chemotherapy and TACE (combination group). Survival analyses, including overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) analysis, were performed for both groups. Following this, the responses of patients to treatment were evaluated every 3 months, and the toxic and adverse events were observed.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 9.2 months (3-36 months). In the combination group, at 3 months, a disease control rate (DCR) of 60.6%, and a median OS of 9.1 months was obtained [95% confidence interval (CI) 6.5-11.7]. In the TACE group, the DCR and OS were 33.3% and 5.5 months (95% CI 4.3-6.7), respectively. On the other hand, the PFS in the combination and TACE groups were observed as 5.6 months (95% CI 3.6-7.6) and 2.6 months (95% CI 2.0-3.2), respectively. Both these findings indicate a statistically significant difference (P = 0.01) between both the groups. Similar TACE associated adverse events were observed in both groups. In the combination group, frequently observed FOLFOX4 related adverse effects included nausea (90.9%), leukopenia (75.8%), thrombocytopenia (69.7%), and vomiting (69.7%). Most adverse reactions were between grades I-III and were alleviated after symptomatic treatments.ConclusionThe combination of TACE with FOLFOX4 therapy has better effectivity and safety than TACE alone.
Link between miR-19b and the mTOR signaling pathway in cancer prognosis*
Authors: Feng Yanlin , Maman Souraka Tapara Dramani , Li Shuo , He Dingdong , Tu Jiancheng 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
Previous studies have reported differing conclusions regarding the prognostic value of miR-19b in cancers. Moreover, miR-19b may affect tumor growth by different pathways, mainly targeting PTEN-PI3K-AKT, which activates the downstream mTOR pathway. Therefore, we performed data mining to explore the possible correlation between miR-19b and mTOR in cancer prognosis.

Methods
We conducted online search and collected a total of 943 articles. According to different authors cross check and our study including/excluding criteria we at end retained 21 articles with 25 studies in this meta-analysis. Then TCGA data containing miR-19b level with cancer progression were obtained using OncomiR. Furthermore, Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) was performed to determine whether the results of our meta-analysis could be used in clinical applications. After that, articles regarding the mechanism of miR-19b in various cancers were analyzed and KEGG pathway database was used to find the main regulatory function of miR-19b in human cancers.

Results
Overall hazard ratio (HR) results showed that higher levels of miR-19b expression were correlated with shorter overall survival time [HR = 1.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.20-1.98] by promoting distant metastasis, but had no correlation with disease-free survival (DFS)/progression-free survival (PFS; HR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.31-1.19). Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas also revealed the role of miR-19b in tumorigenesis. According to trial sequential analysis results, more evidence is required to confirm that miR-19b is not correlated with DFS/PFS. Exploration of the mechanism revealed a possible link between miR-19b and the mTOR pathway.

Conclusion
miR-19b may have a pro-carcinogenic role through the mTOR pathway and thus, it is likely to be a therapeutic target for cancers.