A primary objective of this review is to summarize the evidence-based pharmacological applications of capsaicin, particularly its use to manage pain and treat various health conditions. A second goal of the review is to research how recent technological advances are improving the bioavailability and therapeutic index of capsaicin, as well as the development of novel capsaicin-mimetics that are able to enhance therapeutic responses in various human diseases.

In the review, numerous human clinical trials and preclinical studies are examined to determine how effective, safe, and optimal dosages of capsaicin can be used in pain management and therapeutic applications. Furthermore, it discusses capsaicin's mechanisms of action, specifically its interactions with the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) channel. As a result of this review, the potential of nanotechnology systems for bypassing the limits of capsaicin's pungency is discussed. The review takes into account individual factors such as pain tolerance and skin sensitivity.

For topical applications, capsaicin is typically used in concentrations ranging from 0.025% to 0.1%, with higher concentrations being used under medical supervision for neuropathic pain. The formulation can come in the form of creams, gels, or patches, which provide sustained release over the course of time. A condition such as arthritis or neuropathy can be relieved with capsaicin as it depletes substance P from nerves. Neuropathy and osteoarthritis as well as musculoskeletal disorders have been treated successfully with this herbal medicine. A major mechanism through which capsaicin relieves pain is through activating TRPV1 channels, which induce calcium influx and neurotransmitter release. Additionally, it affects the transcription of genes related to pain modulation and inflammation, particularly when disease conditions or stress are present. There have been recent developments in technology to reduce capsaicin's pungency and improve its bioavailability, including nanotechnology.

It is proven that capsaicin is effective in pain management as well as a variety of therapeutic conditions because of its ability to deplete substance P and desensitize nerve endings. Although capsaicin is highly pungent and associated with discomfort, advancements in delivery technologies and the development of capsaicin-mimetics promise improved therapeutic outcomes. There is a great deal of complexity in the pharmacological action of capsaicin due to its interaction with TRPV1 channels and its ability to affect gene transcription. There is a need for further research and development in order to optimize capsaicin's clinical applications and to enhance its therapeutic index in a variety of human diseases.

Cardiotoxicity is one of the major concerns in breast cancer treatment, significantly affecting patient outcomes. To improve the likelihood of favorable outcomes for breast cancer survivors, it is essential to carefully balance the potential advantages of treatment methods with the risks of harm to healthy tissues, including the heart. There is currently a lack of comprehensive, data-driven evidence on effective risk stratification strategies. The aim of this study is to investigate the prediction of cardiotoxicity using machine learning methods combined with radiomics, clinical, and dosimetric features.

A cohort of 83 left-sided breast cancer patients without a history of cardiac disease was examined. Two- and three-dimensional echocardiography were performed before and after 6 months of treatment to evaluate cardiotoxicity. Cardiac dose-volume histograms, demographic data, echocardiographic parameters, and ultrasound imaging radiomics features were collected for all patients. Toxicity modeling was developed with three feature selection methods and five classifiers in four separate groups (Dosimetric, Dosimetric + Demographic, Dosimetric + Demographic + Clinical, and Dosimetric + Demographic + Clinical + Imaging). The prediction performance of the models was validated using five-fold cross-validation and evaluated by AUCs.

58% of patients showed cardiotoxicity 6 months after treatment. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction and Global longitudinal strain decreased significantly compared to pre-treatment (p-value < 0.001). After feature selection and prediction modeling, the Dosimetric, Dosimetric + Demographic, Dosimetric + Demographic + Clinical, Dosimetric + Demographic + Clinical + Imaging models showed prediction performance (AUC) up to 73%, 75%, 85%, and 97%, respectively.

Incorporating clinical and imaging features along with dose descriptors are beneficial for predicting cardiotoxicity after radiotherapy.

Lipid nanoparticles are obtaining significant attention in cancer treatment because of their efficacy at delivering drugs and reducing side effects. These things are like a flexible platform for getting anticancer drugs to the tumor site, especially upon HA modification, a polymer that is known to target tumors overexpressing CD44. HA is promising in cancer therapy because it taregtes tumor cells by binding onto CD44 receptors, which are often upregulated in cancer cells. Lipid nanoparticles are not only beneficial in improving solubility and stability of drugs; they also use the EPR effect, meaning they accumulate more in tumor tissue than in healthy tissue. Adding HA to these nanoparticles expands their biocompatibility and makes them more accurate and specific towards tumor cells. Studies show that HA-modified nanoparticles carrying drugs such as paclitaxel or doxorubicin improve how well cells absorb the drugs, reduce drug resistance, and make tumor shrinking. These nanoparticles can respond to tumor microenvironment stimuli in targeted delivery. This targeted delivery diminishes side effects and improves anti-cancer activity of drugs. Thus, lipid-based nanoparticles conjugated with HA are a promising way to treat cancer by delivering drugs effectively, minimizing side effects, and giving us better therapeutic results.

Lung cancer (LC) is the predominant cause of cancer-related fatalities globally, with the highest death rates in both genders, primarily attributed to smoking. The non-kinase transmembrane cell surface glycoprotein, CD44, enhances LC cell migration and invasion, leading to drug resistance and an unfavorable prognosis. This research formulated a cisplatin-loaded gold nanoshell (HCP@GNS) integrated with hyaluronan (HCP@GNS@HA) to enhance targeting capability and realize a synergistic effect of chemo-photothermal therapy (chemo-PTT) against LC. The coating of hyaluronic acid (HA) facilitated the uptake of HCP@GNS@HA into CD44-rich cancer cells, maintaining the superior photothermal conversion capacity of HCP@GNS nanoparticles for hyperthermia and photothermal eradication of tumor tissues under near-infrared exposure. As a nanocarrier, HCP@GNS@HA exhibited high biocompatibility and hemocompatibility, showing stronger cytotoxicity than either the free drug or photothermal therapy alone when combined with NIR irradiation, especially at high cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP) concentrations. The chemo-PTT mediated by HCP@GNS@HA effectively curtailed tumor growth without adverse effects, significantly mobilizing B cells, DC cells, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and NKT cells in the distal tumor against tumor growth. In conclusion, the developed hyaluronic acid (HA)-coated gold nanoshells could potentially serve as a promising candidate for nanomedicine, tackling both primary and distal LC growth.

Tumors are among the most predominant health problems in the world, and the annual incidence of cancer is increasing globally; therefore, there is an urgent need to identify effective therapeutic targets. Chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) belongs to the family of chloride intracellular channels (CLICs), which are widely expressed in various tissues and organs, such as the brain, lung, pancreas, colorectum, and ovary, and play important roles in promoting apoptosis, promoting angiogenesis, maintaining normal proliferation of endothelial cells, and regulating the assembly and reconstruction of the cytoskeleton. The expression and function of CLIC4 in tumors varies. It has been reported that CLIC4 is low expressed in gastric cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer, suggesting a tumor suppressor role. Interestingly, CLIC4 is overexpressed in pancreatic, ovarian and breast cancers, indicating a cancer-promoting role. CLIC4 expression is dysregulated in some solid tumors, which may be because CLIC4 is involved in the growth, migration or invasion of some cancer cells through various mechanisms. Regulation of CLIC4 expression may be a potential therapeutic strategy for some tumors. CLIC4 may be a promising therapeutic target and a biomarker for some cancers. In this study, we review the role of CLIC4 in several cancers and its value in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.

This study examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number of colorectal cancer surgeries performed in Japan.

We selected patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgeries between January, 2017 and December, 2020 from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. The COVID-19 pandemic was divided into three waves. We evaluated the changes in the number of surgeries performed for colorectal cancer during each wave, stratified by cancer stage using Poisson regression.

During the first wave, the rate ratio (RR) for stage III colon cancer decreased significantly (RR, 0.94), whereas those for stages 0 to II (RR, 1.01) and stage IV (RR, 1.04) were not different. During the second and third waves, the RR for stage 0 to II colon cancer decreased significantly (RR, 0.96), that for stage IV increased (RR, 1.09), and that for stage III was not different (RR, 0.97). During the first wave, the RR for stage 0 to II rectal cancer increased significantly (RR, 1.09), that for stage IV decreased (RR, 0.84), and that for stage III was not different (RR, 0.97).

The number of colorectal cancer surgeries changed during the pandemic and varied according to the stage of disease.

This nationwide Danish cohort study compared overall survival (OS) between non-Western immigrant patients and Danish-born patients with lymphoma in Denmark. Furthermore, differences in clinical and socioeconomic variables were compared, and mediators of OS differences were explored to explain possible outcome differences.

The study included a total of 540 non-Western patients and 16,294 Danish-born patients diagnosed with lymphoma in the period 2000-2020. Inverse probability weighting and mediation analysis using a natural effects Cox model were used to investigate the causal relationship between immigration status and OS.

Indirect effects mediated through differences in performance status and income indicated a trend towards inferior OS for non-Western immigrant patients with HRs of 1.06 (0.99-1.14) and 1.06 (0.99-1.14). However, no total causal effect of immigration status on OS was observed overall (HR: 0.94 [0.79-1.12]) and within subtype-specific analyses, except for classical Hodgkin lymphoma.

No significant differences in OS between non-Western immigrant patients and Danish-born patients were discovered.

Pathologic vertebral fractures (PVF) are common and serious complications in patients with metastatic lesions affecting the spine. Accurate assessment of cancer patients' PVF risk is an unmet clinical need. Load-to-strength ratios (LSRs) evaluated in vivo by estimating vertebral loading from biomechanical modeling and strength from computed tomography imaging (CT) have been associated with osteoporotic vertebral fractures in older adults. Here, for the first time, we investigate LSRs of thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of 135 spine metastases patients compared to LSRs of 246 healthy adults, comparable by age and sex, from the Framingham Heart Study under four loading tasks. Findings include: (1) Osteolytic vertebrae have higher LSRs than osteosclerotic and mixed vertebrae; (2). In patients' vertebrae without CT observed metastases, LSRs were greater than healthy controls. (3) LSRs depend on the spinal region (Thoracic, Thoracolumbar, Lumbar). These findings suggest that LSRs may contribute to identifying patients at risk of incident PVF in metastatic spine disease patients. The lesion-mediated difference suggests that risk thresholds should be established based on spinal region, simulated task, and metastatic lesion type.

Radiation therapy can cause acute and long-term side effects despite advances in treatment delivery techniques. While significant research has been conducted to prevent the occurrence of toxicity, there is a need for evidence-based supportive care measures to manage radiation side effects. This analysis aims to examine the current state of supportive care trials in radiation oncology and identify areas that require further study.

A Clinicaltrials.gov search was conducted using the term "radiation toxicity" to identify registered trials with a primary endpoint of toxicity management. These studies were further classified as supportive care interventions or toxicity prevention. Study details were evaluated for all supportive care trials.

Of the thirty-eight supportive care trials identified, most were observational/uncategorized (50%), in phase III (28.9%), or phase II (13.2%). Head and neck (42.1%), genitourinary (18.4%), and breast (13.2%) were the most studied disease sites. Xerostomia (23.7%), mucositis (18.4%), and dermatitis (18.4%) were the most evaluated toxicities. Medication-based (28.9%), procedures (28.9%), and topical agents (21.1%) were the most common interventions. Thirty-two studies included patient-reported outcomes (PROs; 84.2%), of which seventeen trials (53.1%) had PROs as a primary endpoint.

Only a small portion of supportive care trials generate high-level evidence to evaluate interventions with patient-reported endpoints. More supportive care trials are needed to effectively manage radiation toxicities and promote compliance and long-term quality of life during and after radiation therapy. Increased funding from government and industry sponsors is required to support this research.

Although docetaxel and ARSI are picked up as treatment options against chemo-naïve metastatic CRPC in clinical guidelines for prostate cancer, there is no clear evidence which agent should be introduced as first line treatment. Therefore, we investigated our CRPC cohort treated with docetaxel or ARSI as first-line agent against chemo-naïve CRPC to solve these clinical questions.

A total of 345 chemotherapy-naïve CRPC patients introduced to first-line docetaxel or ARSI (abiraterone or enzalutamide) between March 2006 and April 2017 at Jikei University Hospital and its affiliated institutions were included in this study. Propensity score matching method was used to minimize the patients' background. The outcome measures were PSA response rate, PSA decline ≥ 90%, cancer specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS).

PSA decline correlated OS and CSS (p = 0.027, < 0.001, respectively) and median PSA decline rate was 60.4% in docetaxel group and 85.7% in ARSI group (p = 0.0311). Median OS was 33 m (95%CI: 27-53) in docetaxel group and 61 m (95%CI: 47-NA) in ARSI group (p = 0.0246). Median CSS was 34 m (95%CI: 27-53) in docetaxel group and NR (not reached) (95%CI: 61-NA) in ARSI group (p = 0.000133) in propensity score matching cohort. In multivariate analysis, ARSI induction first showed significantly better for OS and CSS (p = 0.0033 and < 0.001, respectively).

In this study, better survival outcome with ARSI induction first than docetaxel against chemo-naïve CRPC. And the candidates who had survival benefit by induction docetaxel first could not be found in this study.

In 2015, the ATA updated the guidelines to advocate for a lobectomy for tumors <1.0 ​cm and total thyroidectomy for tumors >4.0 ​cm. Treatment for tumors of intermediate size 1.0-4.0 ​cm is dependent on high-risk characteristics. There is limited research comparing the impact of the updated ATA guidelines on clinical practice on intermediate-sized tumors. In this study, the impact of the 2015 ATA guidelines on the surgical treatment of intermediated-sized FTC will be evaluated using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. A total of 9983 patients were included; 7769 patients (74.1 ​%) were diagnosed pre-ATA guidelines and 2709 patients (25.9 ​%) post-ATA guidelines. The mean rate of lobectomy for intermediate-sized tumors was 22.1 ​% which increased to 33.4 ​% post-ATA updates. The results of the logistic regression showed the rate of lobectomy increased significantly in the post-ATA changes period (p ​< ​0.001). Future research could benefit from evaluating how these trends impact patient outcome measures.

Myeloid neoplasms post cytotoxic therapy (MN-pCT) are a category includes AML, MDS, and MDS/MPN arising in patients exposed to cytotoxic (DNA-damaging) therapy for an unrelated condition in 2022 version World Health Organization (WHO) classification. With improved survival of patients with tumors, the incidence of MN-pCT after chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy among patients with tumors has gradually risen. However, the outcome of MN-pCT is poorer than that of primary myeloid neoplasms. This review summarizes the current understanding based on existing research, as a foundation for further research on MN-pCT.

This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in evaluating axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) status in breast cancer patients.

We retrospectively analyzed 590 female breast cancer patients who had undergone both ultrasound and MRI to assess ALNs prior to any invasive procedures. Using pathological results as the standard, we compared the diagnostic performance of the two imaging modalities.

For differentiating between malignancy and benign ALNs, the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ultrasound were 68.98%, 38.14%, 86.67%, 62.12% and 70.96%, respectively. MRI demonstrated corresponding values of 72.03%, 38.60%, 91.20%, 71.55% and 72.15%. In assessing the burden status of ALNs (high vs low), ultrasound yielded values of 78.47%, 52.75%, 83.17%, 36.36% and 90.61%, while MRI showed corresponding values of 81.19%, 52.75%, 86.37%, 41.38% and 90.93%. There were no statistically significant differences between the two imaging modalities in their ability to evaluate ALN malignancy or burden status.

Both ultrasound and MRI offer comparable value in assessing ALN status. Whether evaluating for metastatic involvement or determining ALN burden, it may not be necessary for patients to undergo both imaging tests.

Melanoma is an aggressive tumor with a high mortality rate. Metformin, a commonly prescribed diabetes medication, has shown promise in cancer prevention and treatment. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-protein-coding RNA molecules that play a key role in tumor development by interacting with cellular chromatins. Despite the benefits of metformin, the anticancer mechanism underlying its effect on the regulation of lncRNAs in melanoma remains unclear.

We investigated the lncRNA profiles of human melanoma cells with and without metformin treatment using a next-generation sequencing approach (NGS). Utilizing public databases, we analyzed the expression levels and clinical impacts of LINC00094 and miR-1270 in melanoma. The expression levels of LINC00094 and miR-1270 were verified in human cell lines and clinical samples by real-time PCR and in situ hybridization. The biological roles of LINC00094 and miR-1270 in cell growth, proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and motility were studied using in vitro assays.

We identify a novel long noncoding RNA, namely LINC00094, whose expression considerably decreased in melanoma cells after metformin treatment. In situ hybridization analysis revealed substantially higher expression of LINC00094 in cutaneous melanoma tissue compared with adjacent normal epidermis and normal control tissues (P < 0.001). In nondiabetic patients with melanoma, the overall survival of high LINC00094 expression group was shorter than the low LINC00094 expression group with borderline statistical significance (log-rank test, P = 0.057). Coexpression analysis of LINC00094 indicated its involvement in the mitochondrial respiratory pathway, with its knockdown suppressing genes associated with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, antioxidant production, and metabolite levels. Functional analysis revealed that silencing-LINC00094 inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration of melanoma cells. Cell cycle analysis following LINC00094 knockdown revealed G1 phase arrest with reduced cell cycle protein expression. Combined TargetScan and reporter assays revealed a direct link between miR-1270 and LINC00094. Ectopic miR-1270 expression inhibited melanoma cell growth and motility while inducing apoptosis. Finally, through in silico analysis, we identified two miR-1270 target genes, CD276 and centromere protein M (CENPM), which may be involved in the biological functions of LINC00094.

Overall, LINC00094 expression may regulate melanoma cell growth and motility by modulating the expression of miR-1270, and targeting genes of CD276 and CENPM indicating its therapeutic potential in melanoma treatment.

Drug-induced cardiotoxicity (DICT) poses a significant challenge in the prognosis of cancer patients, particularly with the use of antineoplastic agents like anthracyclines and targeted therapies such as trastuzumab. This review delves into the intricate interplay between drugs and proteins within cardiac cells, focusing on the role of proteostasis as a therapeutic target for mitigating cardiotoxicity. We explore the in vivo modeling of proteostasis, highlighting the complex intracellular environment and the emerging techniques for monitoring proteostasis. Additionally, we discuss how cardiotoxic drugs disrupt protein homeostasis through direct chemical denaturation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, unfolded protein response, chaperone dysfunction, impairment of the proteasome system, and dysregulation of autophagy. Finally, we provide insights into the applications of cardioprotective drugs targeting proteostasis to prevent cardiotoxicity and the adoption of structural proteomics to evaluate potential cardiotoxicity. By gaining a deeper understanding of the role of proteostasis underlying DICT, we can pave the way for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to safeguard cardiac function while maximizing the therapeutic potential of antineoplastic drugs.

Automatic analysis of pathologic vertebrae from computed tomography (CT) scans could significantly improve the diagnostic management of patients with metastatic spine disease. We provide the first publicly available annotated imaging dataset of cancerous CT spines to help develop artificial intelligence frameworks for automatic vertebrae segmentation and classification. This collection contains a dataset of 55 CT scans collected on patients with various types of primary cancers at two different institutions. In addition to raw images, data include manual segmentations and contours, vertebral level labeling, vertebral lesion-type classifications, and patient demographic details. Our automated segmentation model uses nnU-Net, a freely available open-source framework for deep learning in healthcare imaging, and is made publicly available. This data will facilitate the development and validation of models for predicting the mechanical response to loading and the resulting risk of fractures and spinal deformity.

Research on breast cancer risk factors and mortality is gaining recognition and attention globally; there is need to add more information on its determinants among patients admitted in hospital. Some studies on risk factors and mortality of breast cancer in Nigeria hospitals conducted in the urban and suburban areas have been documented. Therefore, an addition of a study conducted in the setting of a rural health institution is necessary. This study assessed the risk factors and determinants of mortality among patients admitted for breast cancer in rural Southwestern Nigeria.

A retrospective observational study was conducted on 260 patients who were admitted for breast cancer between January 2010 and December 2023 using a data form and a standardized information form. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The risk factors and the determinants of mortality of patients with breast cancer were identified using multivariate regression model.

The breast cancer risk factors were old age, family history, tobacco smoking, combined oral contraceptives, and hormonal therapy use. The case fatality rate was 38.1%, and its determinants of mortality were patients who were older (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.956; 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.341-4.333), obese (AOR, 2.635; 95% CI: 1.485-6.778), stage IV (AOR, 1.895; 95% CI: 1.146-8.9742), mastectomy (AOR, 2.512; 95% CI: 1.003-6.569), discontinued adjuvant chemotherapy (AOR, 1.785; 95% CI: 1.092-4.6311), and yet to commence adjuvant chemotherapy (AOR, 2.568; 95% CI: 1.367-5.002).

The study revealed that patients with breast cancer were associated with high mortality. Sustained health education to promote early diagnosis, managed co-morbidities, and access to treatment may contribute to reduction in breast cancer mortality in rural Nigeria.

The optimal subsequent treatment strategy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and consolidative durvalumab therapy remains unknown. We aimed to determine the optimal subsequent treatment strategy for this clinical population.

We retrospectively enrolled 523 consecutive patients with LA-NSCLC treated with CRT and analyzed the treatment outcomes of subsequent therapy after progression following CRT and consolidative durvalumab therapy. Patients who received tyrosine kinase inhibitors as subsequent therapy were excluded.

Out of 122 patients who received subsequent chemotherapy, 55% underwent platinum-based, 25% non-platinum-based, and 20% immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-containing therapies. In the platinum-based group, patients with a durvalumab-progression-free survival (Dur-PFS) ≥ 1 year had a significantly longer median subsequent therapy-PFS (SubTx-PFS) than those with Dur-PFS < 1 year (13.2 months vs. 4.7 months; hazard ratio, 0.45; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.97; P = .04). Furthermore, among patients receiving non-platinum-based chemotherapy, the median SubTx-PFS was longer in the combined with angiogenesis inhibitor group than in the without group, although the difference was not statistically significant. No significant difference of SubTx-PFS was observed between the reason for durvalumab discontinuation and the outcomes of ICI-containing therapy.

In clinical practice, platinum-based chemotherapy rechallenge is frequently employed following progression subsequent to CRT and consolidative durvalumab therapy for LA-NSCLC. Optimal treatment strategies may consider Dur-PFS and angiogenesis inhibitor feasibility. Further research is warranted to identify clinical biomarkers that can help identify patients who would benefit from ICI rechallenge.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common lymphoma entity, and its incidence increases with age. There is a paucity of data regarding use of biweekly R-CHOP (R-CHOP-14) in patients ≥80 years of age. We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with DLBCL aged ≥80 years treated with R-CHOP-14 and R-miniCHOP in two academic tertiary centers in Germany between 01/01/2005 and 12/30/2019. Overall, 79 patients were included. Median age was 84 years (range 80-91). Despite higher CR rates with R-CHOP-14 (71.4% vs. 52.4%), no statistically significant difference could be found between patients treated with R-CHOP-14 and R-miniCHOP regarding overall survival (OS) (p = .88, HR 0.94, 95% CI = 0.47-1.90) and progression-free survival (PFS) (p = .26, HR 0.66, 95% CI = 0.32-1.36). At a median follow-up of 40 months, the 2-year OS rates were 56% with R-CHOP-14 and 53% with R-miniCHOP. Two-year PFS rates were 46% for R-CHOP-14 and 50% for R-mini-CHOP. Relative dose intensity of chemotherapy did not correlate with OS (p = .72). With the caveat of a retrospective cohort study, we conclude that lacking a difference in OS, R-miniCHOP should be preferred for most patients with untreated DLBCL aged ≥80 years.

The risk of cardiac disease mortality has recently become a focal point of concern within the medical community for patients with prostate cancer (PCa). Given that radical prostatectomy (RP) and external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) are the main treatment modalities for localized PCa, their specific impact on cardiovascular-specific mortality (CSM) remains unclear. This study explored the specific effects of RP and EBRT on CSM risk to guide clinical treatment decisions.

Data from patients aged 45-74 years, who were diagnosed with T1-2N0M0 stage PCa from the SEER database (2010-2015), were used. Multivariate statistical methods, including propensity score matching (PSM), competing risk regression, COX regression analysis, and Fine-Gray testing, were applied to assess the impact of RP and EBRT on CSM risk.

Among 146,082 T1-2 stage PCa patients, cardiac disease emerged as the primary cause of death, surpassing PCa itself. Multifactorial COX regression and competing risk regression analyses indicated that local treatments do not increase CSM risk. Further analysis revealed a significant increase in CSM risk for patients undergoing only EBRT compared with those undergoing only RP (hazard ratio [HR]  = 2.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.96-3.74, P < 0.001), with subsequent PSM adjustment, further confirming a significantly reduced risk in the RP treatment group (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.13-0.40, P < 0.001).

T1-2 stage PCa patients face a significant risk of CSM, with RP offering a potential advantage over EBRT in reducing this risk. These findings encourage clinicians to comprehensively consider the potential impact on cardiac health when formulating treatment plans, providing crucial guidance for optimizing treatment strategies.

Solid tumors often develop hypoxic regions, leading to aggressive behavior and increased drug resistance.

The chemical composition of Cymbopogon citratus essential oil (EO) was analyzed using GC-MS. Alginate nanoparticles containing the EO and its primary component, citral, were synthesized via the ionic gelation method. Encapsulation was confirmed using ATR-FTIR analysis. The anticancer efficacy of C. citratus EO, citral, and their respective alginate nanoparticles was evaluated under normoxic (21% oxygen) and hypoxic (1% oxygen) conditions on breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) and melanoma (A-375) cell lines. Additionally, qPCR and flow cytometry were used to assess apoptosis gene expression ratios (Bax/Bcl-2) and levels of apoptosis.

Citral (80.98%) was identified as the major component of the EO. Alginate nanoparticles containing C. citratus EO and citral (C. citratus-AlgNPs and citral-AlgNPs) were synthesized with particle sizes of 195 ± 4 nm and 222 ± 9 nm, and zeta potentials of -22 ± 3 mV and - 17 ± 1 mV, respectively. Both samples demonstrated significantly greater efficacy under hypoxic conditions. Citral and C. citratus-AlgNPs had IC50 values of 27 (19-39) µg/mL and 25 (4-147) µg/mL, respectively, against MDA-MB-231 and A-375 cells. Flow cytometry showed increased apoptosis under hypoxic conditions, with the highest rates observed for citral-AlgNPs and C. citratus-AlgNPs (84 ± 5 and 92 ± 5% in MDA-MB-231 and A-375 cells, respectively).

This study demonstrates that alginate nanoparticles enhance the anticancer activity of C. citratus-AlgNPs and citral, particularly under hypoxic conditions, highlighting their potential for hypoxia-targeted cancer therapies.

In the past two decades, melanoma incidence among Hispanic people has risen greatly. This qualitative study explored Hispanic people's perceived barriers and facilitators to skin cancer-related preventive behaviors.

Five focus groups among Hispanic people (2 in Spanish and 3 in English; n = 34; 11 Spanish-preferring and 23 English-preferring) were conducted, where participants discussed their perceptions and behaviors relating to skin cancer, sun protection, and skin self-examination. Additionally, healthcare providers (n = 9) and Hispanic community leaders (n = 6) were recruited for individual interviews to complement the results of focus groups. A thematic analysis was conducted on all transcripts.

Perceived barriers to sun protection included: 1) Low levels of knowledge and awareness/misperception; 2) low perceived importance or not a priority, 3) economic issues or limited access, 4) downsides/concerns about engaging in sun protection behaviors, and 5) Hispanic cultural norms (e.g., machismo). Facilitators to sun protection included: 1) relevance/care for family, 2) negative consequences of sun exposure, and 3) Hispanic cultural norms (e.g., familismo). Barriers to skin examination included: 1) low levels of knowledge and awareness, 2) lack of insurance coverage or access, and 3) difficulty or discomfort associated with practicing skin self-examination. Facilitators to skin examination included: 1) relevance/previous experience and 2) having insurance coverage or access.

Future interventions should focus on individual, community, and system-level strategies to address misperceptions in the Hispanic community, increase knowledge and awareness, address perceptions of cultures regarding skin cancer preventive activities, and emphasize the importance or priority of health issues related to skin cancer.

In the past 2 decades, melanoma incidence among Hispanic individuals has risen by 20%. The mortality rate of Hispanic individuals is higher than that for non-Hispanic White individuals. Skin cancer can largely be prevented with regular sun protection, and skin cancer outcomes can be improved through early detection, for example, by skin self-examination. Alarmingly, Hispanic individuals are less aware of the symptoms and harms of skin cancers, tend to have misperceptions regarding the risks and benefits of skin cancer prevention behaviors, and engage in less sun protection behaviors than non-Hispanic White individuals.

This study aimed to use a community-engaged approach and conduct both group and individual interviews among Hispanic individuals and relevant key stakeholders to explore the potential design of a mobile-based skin cancer prevention intervention for Hispanic individuals.

This study used a qualitative design (focus groups and individual interviews). Participants were recruited from local community organizations' social media, local events, and contact lists (eg, email). Zoom interviews were conducted to examine whether Hispanic individuals would be interested in a mobile-based skin cancer intervention and to explore their preferences and suggestions to inform skin cancer prevention intervention design.

Five focus groups (2 in Spanish and 3 in English) among self-identified Hispanic individuals (n=34) and 15 semistructured, in-depth individual interviews among key stakeholders (health care providers and community leaders; eg, dermatologist, nurse practitioner, licensed social worker, and church leader) were conducted. The main themes and subthemes emerging from the group discussions and individual interviews were organized into the following categories: intervention platform, delivery frequency and format, message design, engagement plan, and activities. WhatsApp and Facebook were identified as suitable platforms for the intervention. Messages including short videos, visuals (eg, images and photographs), and simple texts messages were preferred. Recommendations for message design included personalized messages, personal stories and narratives, culturally relevant design (eg, incorporating family values), and community-trusted sources. Potential engagement and retention recommendations were also discussed. Additional details and exemplar quotes of each theme and subtheme are described.

This study provides important insights and directions for the design of a mobile, digital skin cancer intervention to modify Hispanic individuals' sun protection and skin self-examination behaviors to help improve skin cancer outcomes. Insights gathered from community leaders and health care providers provided valuable additions to the community-derived data. Leveraging popular digital platforms among Hispanic individuals such as WhatsApp or Facebook could be a promising approach to skin cancer prevention. Recommendations from the community included the use of concise videos, illustrative images, clear text messages, tailored communications, narratives featuring personal experiences, designs that reflect cultural significance, and information from sources that are trusted by the community, which provided useful strategies for future intervention design among Hispanic individuals.

The prognosis of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poor despite the addition of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, as it has been shown to improve 5-year absolute benefit survival by only 5%. Recently, neoadjuvant immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), combined with chemotherapy has shown promise in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC. For NSCLC invading the main bronchus, sleeve resection has become the preferred modality to avoid pneumonectomy and reserve more cardiac or pulmonary function and to reduce postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, there has been a paucity of evidence to evaluate the safety and efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy on bronchial-vascular reconstruction owing to the limited number of patients treated by sleeve lobectomy. Despite promising initial results, key knowledge gaps remain, including the impact on bronchial-vascular reconstruction, biomarkers predictive of ICI response, and the potential for specific perioperative complications associated with neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in the context of sleeve resection. This review summarizes the latest literature evidence on the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy approaches to address the unmet needs of sleeve resection of NSCLC treatment, describes the biomarkers predictive of ICI responses, and perioperative outcomes of sleeve resection after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) poses a significant risk following sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) and axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), particularly affecting ethnic minorities, with a twofold increased risk. Axillary reverse mapping (ARM), a novel technique, shows potential in reducing BCRL rates, yet its utility in ethnic minorities lacks sufficient exploration. Therefore, our study aims to investigate the utility and outcomes of ARM on BCRL in an ethnic diverse group.

A retrospective chart review of ARM patients from January 2019 to July 2022 was conducted, monitoring patients over 24 months at 3-month intervals using SOZO® scores, with comparisons with preoperative baselines.

Of the 212 patients, 83% belonged to ethnic minorities. SLNB was performed in 83%, ALND in 17%, and 62.3% underwent radiation therapy. Positive lymph nodes were found in 31.6%, with 22.2% exhibiting blue nodes and 25.9% exhibiting blue lymphatics. Of identified blue nodes, 70.2% were excised, including 51.5% crossover nodes. Lymphedema occurred in 3 patients, resulting in a BCRL rate of 1.4%. Compared with an historical BCRL incidence of 40.4% following ALND in ethnic minorities, our study reported a significantly lower rate of 8% (p < 0.001).

The ARM procedure can significantly lower BCRL in ethnic minority groups. The combination of ARM and bioimpedance spectroscopy led to a remarkably low BCRL rate of 1.4%. Notably, none of the patients in our study developed an axillary recurrence at 24-month follow-up. Nevertheless, future studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to better understand the utility of the ARM technique in this population.

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term prognosis of contralateral central neck dissection (CND) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with ipsilateral lateral neck metastasis. We compared the actual recurrence rate according to the extent of CND-ipsilateral and contralateral sides.

A total of 708 PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and concomitant ipsilateral or bilateral CND with ipsilateral lateral neck dissection between January 1997 and December 2022 at Samsung Medical Center were retrospectively analyzed.

The median follow-up time was 118 months. Locoregional recurrence was observed in 26 patients (7.9%) and 30 patients (7.9%) in the ipsilateral and bilateral CND groups, respectively. There were 6 contralateral recurrence cases (1.8%) in the ipsilateral CND group and 6 cases (1.6%) in the bilateral CND group. There was only 1 contralateral central neck recurrence in the ipsilateral CND group. The incidence of hypocalcemia (P = 0.007) was higher in the bilateral CND group compared to the ipsilateral CND group.

Surgeons may consider performing only unilateral CND-the side where tumor is for therapeutic purposes to reduce surgical complications.

This study investigates the long-term efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treating locally recurrent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

We retrospectively analyzed 39 consecutive patients with 61 locally recurrent PTCs (14 males, 25 females; mean ± standard deviation age, 52.8 ± 16.7 years; range 21-92 years) who underwent US-guided RFA with curative intent between September 2008 and April 2012. A subgroup of 24 patients with 37 recurrent PTCs who had a follow-up of at least 10 years were analyzed separately. All patients were followed for changes in lesion size on US and thyroglobulin (Tg) levels at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after RFA, with follow-up every 6-12 months thereafter. Any complications were documented during the follow-up period. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were assessed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Long-term outcomes were evaluated in patients with follow-up of at least 10 years.

The follow-up period ranged from 7 to 180 months (median 133 months). The RFS rates for the 39 patients at 3, 5, and 10 years were 86.8%, 75.5%, and 60.6%, respectively. Among the 24 patients with 37 recurrent PTCs followed for more than 10 years, the volume reduction rate was 99.9% (range 96%-100%), and the complete tumor disappearance rate was 91.9%. The mean serum Tg level also decreased significantly, from 2.66 ± 86.5 mIU/L before ablation to 0.43 ± 0.73 mIU/L (P < 0.001) at the final follow-up. In 14 (58.3%) of the 24 patients, Tg levels were undetectable (below 0.08 mIU/L) at the last follow-up. No life-threatening or delayed complications were observed during the 10-year follow-up period.

The high RFS throughout the follow-up period, with efficacy and safety lasting beyond 10 years, supports US-guided RFA as a valuable option for local control of recurrent PTCs.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are a class of oral targeted anticancer drugs that have been demonstrated to significantly inhibit tumor progression and improve clinical prognosis in patients diagnosed with EGFR-mutated tumors, particularly in those with non-small cell lung cancer. However, the sustained usage of EGFR-TKIs may cause potential cardiotoxicity, thus limiting their applicability. The primary objective of this review is to systematically analyze the evolving landscape of research pertaining to EGFR-TKI-induced cardiotoxicity and elucidate its underlying mechanisms, such as PI3K signaling pathway inhibition, ion channel blockade, oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis. Additionally, the review includes an exploration of risk assessment for cardiotoxicity induced by EGFR-TKIs, along with management and response strategies. Prospective research directions are outlined, emphasizing the need for more accurate predictors of cardiotoxicity and the development of innovative intervention strategies. In summation, this review consolidates recent research advances, illuminates the risks associated with EGFR-TKI-induced cardiac toxicity and presents crucial insights for refining clinical dosage protocols, optimizing patient management strategies, and unraveling the intricate mechanisms governing EGFR-TKI-induced cardiotoxicity.

Tumors have always been a major public health concern worldwide, and attempts to look for effective treatments have never ceased. Sialic acid is known to be a crucial element for tumor development and its receptors are highly expressed on tumor-associated immune cells, which perform significant roles in establishing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and further boosting tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis. Obviously, it is essential to consider sophisticated crosstalk between tumors, the immune system, and preparations, and understand the links between pharmaceutics and immunology. Sialic acid-based chemoimmunotherapy enables active targeting drug delivery via mediating the recognition between the sialic acid-modified nano-drug delivery system represented by liposomes and sialic acid-binding receptors on tumor-associated immune cells, which inhibit their activity and utilize their homing ability to deliver drugs. Such a "Trojan horse" strategy has remarkably improved the shortcomings of traditional passive targeting treatments, unexpectedly promoted tumor shedding, and persistently induced robust immunological memory, thus highlighting its prospective application potential for targeting various tumors. Herein, we review recent advances in sialic acid-based active targeting chemoimmunotherapy to promote tumor shedding, summarize the current viewpoints on the tumor shedding mechanism, especially the formation of durable immunological memory, and analyze the challenges and opportunities of this attractive approach.

To construct chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells targeting epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antigen (anti-EpCAM-CAR-T).

A third-generation CAR-T cell construct used a single-chain variable fragment derived from monoclonal antibody against human EpCAM. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were extracted from volunteers. The proportion of cluster of differentiation 8 positive (CD8+) and CD4 + T cells was measured using flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the expression of EpCAM-CAR. The killing efficiency was detected using the MTT assay and transwell assay, and the secretion of killer cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was detected using the ELISA. The inhibitory effect of EpCAM-CAR-T on colorectal cancer in vivo was detected using xenografts.

It was found that T cells expanded greatly, and the proportion of CD3+, CD8 + and CD4 + T cells was more than 60%. Furthermore, EpCAM-CAR-T cells had a higher tumour inhibition rate in the EpCAM expression positive group than in the negative group (P < 0.05). The secretion of killer cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ in the EpCAM expression positive cell group was higher than that in the negative group (P < 0.05). In the experimental group treated with EpCAM-CAR-T cells, the survival rate of nude mice was higher (P < 0.05), and the tumour was smaller than that in the blank and control groups (P < 0.05). The secretion of serum killer cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ in tumour-bearing nude mice in the experimental group treated with EpCAM-CAR-T cells was higher than that in the blank and control groups (P < 0.05).

This study successfully constructed EpCAM-CAR cells and found that they can target and recognise EpCAM-positive tumour cells, secrete killer cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ and better inhibit the growth and metastasis of colorectal cancer in vitro and in vivo than unmodified T cells.

Breast and lung cancers are leading causes of death among patients, with their global mortality and morbidity rates increasing. Conventional treatments often prove inadequate due to resistance development. The alteration of molecular interactions may accelerate cancer progression and treatment resistance. SOX2, known for its abnormal expression in various human cancers, can either accelerate or impede cancer progression. This review focuses on examining the role of SOX2 in breast and lung cancer development. An imbalance in SOX2 expression can promote the growth and dissemination of these cancers. SOX2 can also block programmed cell death, affecting autophagy and other cell death mechanisms. It plays a significant role in cancer metastasis, mainly by regulating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Additionally, an imbalanced SOX2 expression can cause resistance to chemotherapy and radiation therapy in these cancers. Genetic and epigenetic factors may affect SOX2 levels. Pharmacologically targeting SOX2 could improve the effectiveness of breast and lung cancer treatments.

Breast cancer is one of the top three malignancies worldwide. While radiotherapy, hormone replacement therapys, and chemotherapy are treatments, chemotherapy causes adverse effects that hinder daily life activities.

To assess the prevalence, severity, and association of symptomatic toxicities in female breast cancer patients affecting various organ systems post systemic chemotherapy (adjuvant and neoadjuvant), and their impact on daily activities. Additionally, to determine the severity of adverse effects in specific age groups and their association with family history and disease stage.

An observational study was conducted on 253 female breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at NORI Cancer Hospital from May to October 2023. Data collection tools included the NCI-PRO-CTCAE standardized questionnaire and patient medical records. Analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, T-tests, and Chi-square tests.

Among the 253 patients, 41.4% were aged 41-50. Significant weight changes (p = 0.034) were observed with more than three chemotherapy cycles. Notable associations included increased chemotherapy cycles with gastrointestinal (mouth/throat sores p = 0.031, vomiting p = 0.021), respiratory (cough p = 0.04), cardiovascular (arm/leg swelling p = 0.007, palpitations p = 0.052), integumentary (hair loss p = 0.000, skin dryness p = 0.054), and musculoskeletal (fatigue p = 0.002) adverse effects. Positive family history and the 18-30 age group also showed significant associations with adverse effect severity. Disease stage significantly influenced the nervous system (stage 2 p = 0.007, stage 3 p = 0.01).

The severity of adverse effects varies among age groups, depending on disease stage, genetics, and treatment duration. These patient-reported outcomes highlight the need for better management strategies considering prognostic factors and treatment adverse effects.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) profoundly impacts patients' quality of life, causing heightened depression, anxiety, and physical limitations. Surgical removal of the axillary nodes, combined with radiation therapy, is a significant risk factor for BCRL. Smarter axillary surgery, coupled with early detection and fostering lymphedema education, significantly improves BCRL management, promoting timely diagnosis and treatment. A lymphedema prevention program encompassing all these factors can significantly aid in preventing, treating, and reducing the severity of BCRL cases. Therefore, our study aims to share our insights and experiences gained from implementing a lymphedema prevention program at our institution.

At our institution, axillary reverse mapping (ARM) is performed on all patients undergoing axillary surgery. We surveil these patients with pre- and postoperative SOZO® measurements using bioimpedance spectroscopy to detect sub-clinical lymphedema. Concerning education, we use a 3-pronged approach with surgeons, nurse practitioners, and video representation for patients. We have had 212 patients undergo the ARM procedure since 2019, with three (1.41%) developing persistent lymphedema.

Our study underscores the significance of a comprehensive lymphedema prevention program, integrating smarter axillary surgery, early detection, and patient education. The lymphedema rate of 1.41% not only validates the success rate of these interventions but also advocates for their widespread adoption to enhance the holistic care of breast cancer survivors. As we continue to refine and expand our program, further research, and long-term follow-up are crucial to improve prevention strategies continually and enhance the overall well-being of individuals at risk of BCRL.

Purpose We recently released the multi-institutional real-world analysis about the difference in survival outcomes between abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide against chemo-naïve castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) in a first-line setting. Although reduced dose induction cases were included in that analysis, induction dose reduction might correlate with reduced efficacy. In this study, we analyzed full-dose induction subgroups from our overall cohort and investigated the true difference in efficacy between these agents. Methods A total of 220 chemotherapy-naïve CRPC cases treated with full-dose induction of first-line androgen receptor signaling inhibitor (ARSI) were analyzed. Outcome measures were prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, PSA progression-free survival (PSA-PFS), treatment failure-free survival (TFF), cancer-specific survival (CSS), and overall survival (OS). Results Abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide were administered to 58 and 162 patients, respectively. The median PSA response rate (-65.4% (A) and -81.5% (E), p = 0.0252), PSA decline ≥ 90% (22.4% (A) and 37.0% (E), p = 0.0478), PSA-PFS (median four months (A) and seven months (E), p = 0.00833), TFF (median six months (A) and 15 months (E), p<0.0001), CSS (median 45 months (A) and not reached (E), p < 0.0001), and OS (median 34 months (A) and 80 months (E), p<0.001) were significantly better in the E group. Conclusion This study showed that PSA response, PSA-PFS, TTF, CSS, and OS were better with first-line enzalutamide administration. Direct inhibition of androgen receptor signaling by enzalutamide is associated with better clinical outcomes in the full-dose induction cohort.

Epigenetics encompasses reversible and heritable chemical modifications of non-nuclear DNA sequences, including DNA and RNA methylation, histone modifications, non-coding RNA modifications, and chromatin rearrangements. In addition to well-studied DNA and histone methylation, RNA methylation has emerged as a hot topic in biological sciences over the past decade. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most common and abundant modification in eukaryotic mRNA, affecting all RNA stages, including transcription, translation, and degradation. Advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies made it feasible to identify the chemical basis and biological functions of m6A RNA. Dysregulation of m6A levels and associated modifying proteins can both inhibit and promote cancer, highlighting the importance of the tumor microenvironment in diverse biological processes. Gastrointestinal tract cancers, including gastric, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers, are among the most common and deadly malignancies in humans. Growing evidence suggests a close association between m6A levels and the progression of gastrointestinal tumors. Global m6A modification levels are substantially modified in gastrointestinal tumor tissues and cell lines compared to healthy tissues and cells, possibly influencing various biological behaviors such as tumor cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and drug resistance. Exploring the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of m6A-related proteins is critical from a clinical standpoint. Developing more specific and effective m6A modulators offers new options for treating these tumors and deeper insights into gastrointestinal tract cancers.

A series of combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) derivatives were designed and synthesized, which contain stilbene core structure with different linker, predominantly piperazine derivatives. These compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against four cancer cell lines, HCT116, A549, AGS, and SK-MES-1. Among them, compound 13 displayed the best effectiveness with IC50 values of 0.227 μM and 0.253 μM against HCT116 and A549 cells, respectively, showing low toxicity to normal cells. Mechanistic studies showed that 13 inhibited HCT116 proliferation via arresting cell cycle at the G2/M phase through disrupting the microtubule network and inducing autophagy in HCT116 cells by regulating the expression levels of autophagy-related proteins. In addition, 13 displayed antiproliferative activities against A549 cells through blocking the cell cycle and inducing A549 cells apoptosis. Because of the poor water solubility of 13, four carbohydrate conjugates were synthesized which exhibited better water solubility. Further investigations revealed that 13 showed positive effects in vivo anticancer study with HCT116 xenograft models. These data suggest that 13 could be served as a promising lead compound for further development of anti-colon carcinoma agent.

To uncover the mechanisms underlying the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), we applied bioinformatic analyses to identify key genes and experimentally validated their possible roles in CRC onset and progression.

We performed Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis on differentially expressed genes (DEGs), constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network to find the top 10 hub genes, and analyzed their expression in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) and rectum adenocarcinoma (READ). We also studied the correlation between these genes and immune cell infiltration and prognosis and validated the expression of SLC9A2 in CRC tissues and cell lines using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Functional experiments were conducted in vitro to investigate the effects of SLC9A2 on tumor growth and metastasis.

We found 130 DEGs, with 45 up-regulated and 85 down-regulated in CRC. GO analysis indicated that these DEGs were primarily enriched in functions related to the regulation of cellular pH, zymogen granules, and transmembrane transporter activity. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the DEGs played pivotal roles in pancreatic secretion, rheumatoid arthritis, and the IL-17 signaling pathway. We identified 10 hub genes: CXCL1, SLC26A3, CXCL2, MMP7, MMP1, SLC9A2, SLC4A4, CLCA1, CLCA4, and ZG16. GO enrichment analysis showed that these hub genes were predominantly involved in the positive regulation of transcription. Gene expression analysis revealed that CXCL1, CXCL2, MMP1, and MMP7 were highly expressed in CRC, whereas CLCA1, CLCA4, SLC4A4, SLC9A2, SLC26A3, and ZG16 were expressed at lower levels. Survival analysis revealed that 5 key genes were significantly associated with the prognosis of CRC. Both mRNA and protein expression levels of SLC9A2 were markedly reduced in CRC tissues and cell lines. Importantly, SLC9A2 overexpression in SW480 cells led to a notable inhibition of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Western blotting analysis revealed that the expression levels of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) and phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) proteins were significantly increased, whereas there were no significant changes in the expression levels of ERK and JNK following SLC9A2 overexpression. Correlation analysis indicated a potential link between SLC9A2 expression and the MAPK signaling pathway.

Our study suggests that SLC9A2 acts as a tumor suppressor through the MAPK pathway and could be a potential target for CRC diagnosis and therapy.

Background Advances in cancer treatment have markedly improved survival rates but have also heightened morbidity due to treatment-related side effects. Despite this, the literature remains scarce on predicting the incidence of acute cardiac toxicity resulting from chemotherapy. We conducted a prospective evaluation to assess the incidence, timing, clinical correlates, global longitudinal strain (GLS), and response to heart failure (HF) therapy in patients experiencing cardiotoxicity. Aims and objectives Our study aimed to assess the cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy in breast cancer patients, with particular emphasis on therapy-related cardiac dysfunction. Materials and methods We conducted a prospective observational study to detect chemotherapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) in breast cancer patients attending the outpatient department (OPD) or admitted to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), Ludhiana, Punjab, between March 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021. We assessed left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at baseline, mid-chemotherapy, and post-chemotherapy. Patients who developed left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) had their chemotherapy regimen modified and were initiated on HF therapy. Results Ninety-seven patients (mean age: 50.74±10.30 years) were enrolled and categorized into the LVD group (n=13) and non-LVD group (n=84). CTRCD developed in 13 patients (13.4%). Patients with estrogen receptor (ER) positive, progesterone receptor (PR) positive, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive status, as well as those in cancer stages III and IV, are at higher risk of developing LV dysfunction. Among the 13 patients, 10 (77%) experienced complete recovery, while three (23%) had partial recovery. Markers for partial recovery included cancer stages III-IV, younger age, lower body mass index (BMI), lower radiotherapy dosage, lower mean chemotherapy dosage, and left breast involvement. Conclusion Our findings suggest that acute cardiotoxicity is not linked to the cumulative dose of anthracyclines. Early detection, modification of chemotherapy regimens, and prompt initiation of CTRCD therapy can lead to substantial recovery of cardiac dysfunction.