Recurrence-free Survival as a Surrogate Endpoint for Overall Survival in Resectable Esophageal Cancer: Integrated Analysis of Individual Patient Data From Phase III Trials.

Objective: This study evaluated recurrence-free survival (RFS) as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival (OS) in esophageal cancer.

Background: OS is regarded as the gold-standard efficacy endpoint of oncological treatments but requires long follow-up.

Methods: An integrated analysis of individual patient data (IPD) from phase III trials comparing perioperative therapies for resectable esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancer was conducted.

Midterm Outcomes of Selective Aortic Side Branch Embolisation Guided by Four Dimensional Flow Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Prevent Aneurysm Sac Enlargement due to Type II Endoleak in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm.

Objective: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) offers short term survival benefits over open repair for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) but has a high long term re-intervention rate due to endoleaks. While type II endoleaks (T2ELs) can spontaneously resolve, persistent T2ELs may cause aneurysm sac enlargement. Although pre-EVAR aortic side branch embolisation can help prevent T2ELs, it has certain limitations, including cost and procedural time.

Prevalence of median arcuate ligament syndrome and associated visceral artery aneurysms: Insights from computed tomography radiology reports in a single institution and management strategies.

Purpose: This study investigated the prevalence of median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) and its association with visceral artery aneurysms based on radiological computed tomography (CT) reports from a single institution.

Methods: Among 392,111 abdominal CT scans (211,685 unique patients), 128 (0.06%) of celiac artery stenosis caused by MAL compression were identified after excluding calcified stenosis.

Investigating the Synergistic Effects of Pembrolizumab and Chemotherapy in Gastric and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancer.

Purpose: Although immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chemotherapy combinations have been approved for the treatment of gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC), whether immunochemotherapy (ICT) offers advantages over the simple addition of individual monotherapies remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether ICT has a synergistic effect in patients with advanced GC/GEJC.

Materials And Methods: Reconstructed individual patient data were electronically extracted from the Kaplan-Meier curves of 3 randomized controlled trials comparing pembrolizumab (KEYNOTE-061, KEYNOTE-062, and KEYNOTE-859).

Risk of Metastasis and Local Residual Cancer After Non-Curative Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Esophageal Cancer.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is widely used to treat early-stage esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, the risk of recurrence in non-curative cases remains uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate the risk of local and metastatic recurrence of esophageal SCC treated with ESD.

Comprehensive registry of esophageal cancer in Japan, 2016.

Background: The registration committee for esophageal cancer in the Japan Esophageal Society (JES) has collected the characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of patients who underwent any treatment in 2016 in Japan.

Methods: We analyzed data on patients who had visited the participating hospitals in 2016. We collected the data using the National Clinical Database with a web-based data collection system.

A Case of Elbow Extension Limitation Caused by Phlebosclerosis Following Peripheral Intravenous Chemotherapy: A Case Report and Literature Review.

We report a rare case of phlebosclerosis in the left antecubital region after peripheral intravenous chemotherapy, which caused elbow contracture. A 54-year-old woman with breast cancer underwent partial mastectomy of the right breast and 8 courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 6 of which were administered via venipuncture in the left forearm. She developed progressive flexion contracture of the left elbow despite rehabilitation.

Evaluation of pathological complete response as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival in resectable oesophageal cancer: integrated analysis of individual patient data from phase III trials.

Background: Overall survival (OS) is the standard endpoint for oncological treatment efficacy, but requires long follow-up. The aim of this study was to evaluate pCR as a surrogate for OS in oesophageal cancer.

Methods: An integrated analysis of individual patient data (IPD) from phase III trials comparing perioperative therapies for resectable oesophageal and gastro-oesophageal junction cancer was conducted.

Impact of Dissected Lymph Node Count and Positive Lymph Node Ratio Following Esophagectomy on Long-Term Outcomes in Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis evaluated how the number of lymph nodes dissected (LND) and the positive lymph node ratio (LNR) following esophagectomy influence long-term outcomes in esophageal cancer.

Background: Esophagectomy is a critical treatment for esophageal cancer, but the optimal extent of lymphadenectomy remains debated, especially in the era of modern neoadjuvant protocols.

Methods: A systematic electronic search of Embase, Medline, and the Cochrane Library was performed for studies published between 2000 and 2024.

Current advances and challenges in minimally invasive esophagectomy.

Advances in endoscopic equipment and thoracoscopic surgery have contributed to the increasing adoption of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). Compared with open esophagectomy (OE), MIE is associated with longer operative times and offers many advantages, such as reduced blood loss and a lower incidence of pulmonary complications, including pneumonia. Two patient positions are commonly used for thoracoscopic esophagectomy (TE): left lateral decubitus position and prone position.

Retrospective Study of 43 Cases of Visceral Artery Aneurysms: Evaluation of Surgical Indications Based on the 2020 Revised Guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery.

Advancements in imaging technology have led to an increase in the incidental detection of visceral artery aneurysms (VAAs), which are associated with high mortality when ruptured. In 2020, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) released updated guidelines, replacing the previous 2005 ACC/AHA recommendations. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the new guidelines through a retrospective analysis of VAA cases treated at our department.

Inflammatory Aneurysm of the Common Iliac Artery With Elevated Serum Levels of Immunoglobulin G4 Manifesting After Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Case Report.

Inflammatory aneurysms (IAs) are characterized by the thickening of the arterial wall and fibrosis of periarterial tissues. Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4-RD) is related to IAs, and about half of IA cases are considered IgG4-related. Although some cases of inflammation after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) have been reported, its relationship with the serum levels of IgG4 has rarely been discussed.

Postoperative Recurrence Pattern of Clinical Stage I Esophageal Cancer After Esophagectomy with Two- or Three-Field Lymph Node Dissection: Supplementary Analysis from JCOG0502.

Background: Although recurrence after curative surgery for cT1bN0M0 clinical stage I (cStage I) esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is not rare, reports of recurrence analyses are sparse. Detailed data on optimal postoperative follow-up evaluation of cStage I ESCC are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, characteristics, and predictors of postoperative recurrence in patients with cT1bN0M0 cStage I ESCC.

Detection of pathologic complete response using deep neural network-based endoscopic evaluation in patients with esophageal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a nationwide multicenter retrospective study from 46 Japanese esophageal centers.

Background: Detecting pathological complete response (pCR) preoperatively facilitated a non-surgical approach after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). We previously developed a deep neural network-based endoscopic evaluation to determine pCR preoperatively. Its quality warrants improvement with a larger data series for clinical application.

Evaluating the discrepancies between evidence-based and community standard practices in the endoscopic examination of Barrett's esophagus: a nationwide survey in Japan.

Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) is a known precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). EAC is comparatively rare in Japan compared to Western countries, where BE management guidelines have been well established based on robust evidence. This study evaluated for gaps between evidence-based medicine (EBM) and real-world clinical practice for BE management in Japan and examined endoscopist adherence to Japanese and Western guidelines.

A phase I/II trial evaluating the safety of increased-dose S- 1 with oxaliplatin and nivolumab in HER2-negative advanced gastric cancer.

Background: We developed and refined an S-1 dosage formula based on renal function, sex, and body surface area (BSA) to achieve the target area under the concentration-time curve of 5-fluorouracil in two prospective pharmacokinetic studies. The clinical validity of the refined formula (BBT formula) was evaluated using data from the two phase III trials of fist-line chemotherapy including S-1 for advanced gastric cancer, which demonstrated that overall survival and progression-free survival tended to be shorter in patients whose S-1 standard dose, based on BSA alone, was lower than that determined using the BBT formula.

Methods: Chemo-naïve patients with HER2-negative advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction cancer, whose standard S-1 dose is lower than that determined using the BBT formula, receive S-1 at an increased dose based on the BBT formula plus oxaliplatin (130 mg/m) and nivolumab (360 mg/body).

Relationship of phase angle with postoperative pneumonia and survival prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer: A retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: Phase angle (PhA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is an indicator of cell membrane health. Low PhA values reflect poor cellular function and low muscle mass. However, consensus regarding the appropriate cutoff value of PhA remains insufficient, and its impact on outcomes after esophagectomy in patients with esophageal malignancies is not well studied.

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer based on the Nationwide Gastric Cancer Registry in Japan.

The nationwide registry of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association contains data related to the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy and prognostic factors across this patient population; elderly patients with advanced resectable gastric cancer are especially prevalent. Here, we analyzed data from 34,931 patients, who were treated between 2011 and 2013 at 421 hospitals in Japan. Although adjuvant chemotherapy was effective overall, 75 years or older elderly patients had a worse prognosis compared to younger patients.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma with Mutation Achieved Pathological Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Gemcitabine, Cisplatin, and S-1 Therapy: A Case Report.

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly malignant cancer for which surgery is the only curative treatment. The prognosis of ICC is extremely poor, especially in cases of lymph node metastasis (LNM), owing to the high postoperative recurrence rate. Herein, we present a case of advanced ICC with a breast cancer susceptibility gene-2 () mutation, treated with preoperative chemotherapy, including cisplatin, followed by surgery, in which we achieved a pathologic complete response.

Updated insights into the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on recurrence and survival after curative resection of liver or lung metastases in colorectal cancer: a rapid review and meta-analysis.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) frequently metastasizes to the liver and lungs, leading to poor prognosis. Advances in chemotherapy, minimally invasive surgery, and perioperative care have expanded adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) regimens and eligibility for AC. However, the impact of AC after curative resection of distant metastases on recurrence and prognosis remains uncertain.

Investigating the synergistic effects of immunochemotherapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Although combinations of immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) with chemotherapy have been approved for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), it remains unclear whether immunochemotherapy (ICT) offers advantages over the simple addition of individual monotherapies. This study aimed to investigate whether ICT exhibits a synergistic effect in patients with advanced ESCC.

Methods: Reconstructed individual patient data of 3330 patients were electronically extracted from the Kaplan-Meier (KM) curves of eight randomized-controlled trials (ATTRACTION-3, CheckMate648, KEYNOTE-181, KEYNOTE-590, RATIONALE-302, RATIONALE-306, ESCORT, and ESCORT-1st).