Tumor Microvessels with Specific Morphology as a Prognostic Factor in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Angiogenesis is essential for tumor progression. Microvessel density (MVD) is a widely used histological method to assess angiogenesis using immunostained sections, but its prognostic significance in esophageal cancer remains controversial. Recently, the evaluation of microvascular architecture has gained importance as a method to assess tumor aggressiveness.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Timing of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Recognition during Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy.

Background: As a first step to prevent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy, we have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based anatomical recognition system for critical anatomical structures in robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE). In the present study, we investigated whether AI would enable surgeons to rapidly recognize the RLN.

Patients And Methods: Five surgical videos of RAMIE were used to validate the AI.

-Associated Pyogenic Osteomyelitis With Direct Extension From Postoperative Empyema.

can cause postoperative empyema. -associated empyema may be associated with osteomyelitis. Rifampicin is a viable therapeutic option for infection.

[Development of Oncolytic Virus Immunotherapy to Improve the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer].

Immunotherapy resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)limits treatment outcomes; therefore, improving the immunosuppressive microenvironment is important for PDAC treatment. We developed an oncolytic adenovirus, OBP-702, carrying the tumor suppressor gene p53, and report its therapeutic potential to induce cytopathic effects and activate antitumor immunity via p53 induction. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of epigenetic modulators in oncolytic viral immunotherapy combined with a dendritic cell vaccine.

The prognostic effect of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy after esophagectomy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A multi-center retrospective study.

Background: Postoperative pneumonia following esophagectomy has been shown to adversely affect prognosis, whereas the prognostic significance of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP) remains unclear. This multicenter Japanese study aimed to evaluate the impact of RLNP on prognosis in patients undergoing esophagectomy for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: A total of 343 patients with clinical Stage I-IVA ESCC who underwent esophagectomy between 2010 and 2019 at five Japanese specialized esophageal cancer centers was retrospectively collected.

HIF-PH inhibitors induce pseudohypoxia in T cells and suppress the growth of microsatellite stable colorectal cancer by enhancing antitumor immune responses.

Background: Recent studies have revealed that CD8 T cells can be activated via genetic upregulation of HIF-1α, thereby augmenting antitumor effector functions. HIF-1α upregulation can be attained by inhibiting HIF-prolyl hydroxylase (HIF-PH) under normoxic conditions, termed pseudohypoxia. This study investigated whether pseudohypoxia induced by HIF-PH inhibitors suppresses Microsatellite stable (MSS) colorectal cancer (CRC) by affecting tumor immune response.

Safe Resection of Esophageal Cancer with a Non-Recurrent Inferior Laryngeal Nerve Associated with an Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery Using Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring.

In thoracic esophageal cancer, lymph node dissection around the recurrent laryngeal nerve is crucial but poses a risk of nerve palsy, affecting postoperative quality of life. In cases with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), the right recurrent laryngeal nerve is absent, and the non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve (NRILN) enters the larynx directly from the vagus nerve in the cervical region. Identifying the course of the NRILN is vital to avoid injury.

A Procedural Transhiatal Approach for the Thoracic Para-Aortic Lymph Node: A Case Report.

The thoracic posterior para-aortic lymph node (TPAN) is classified as an extra-regional lymph node in esophageal cancer, with metastasis indicating poor prognosis. However, some cases with suspected TPAN metastasis may benefit from esophagectomy with lymph node dissection, including TPAN. This report presents the case of a 58-year-old man with upper thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and suspected simultaneous TPAN metastasis who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy and procedural transhiatal TPAN dissection.

Association between accelerometer-measured light-intensity physical activity and tumor regression for male patients with esophageal cancer receiving neoadjuvant therapy: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Physical activity has the potential to promote tumor regression in patients with esophageal cancer receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC); however, the benefits of light-intensity physical activity (LIPA) are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the impact of LIPA on tumor regression in male patients with esophageal cancer during NAC and its optimal cutoff value.

Methods: This retrospective single-center observational study included all male patients who underwent NAC or curative esophagectomy.

Preoperative Nutritional Status Influences Enteral Nutrition Weaning 6 Months Post-Surgery in Patients with Esophageal Cancer.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify whether nutritional status at admission affects enteral nutrition weaning 6 months after surgery in patients with esophageal cancer.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 81 patients who underwent subtotal esophageal cancer resection between April 2014 and February 2016. The survey items were as follows: 1) sex, 2) age, 3) presence or absence of family members living together, 4) clinical stage, 5) surgical procedure, 6) reconstructed organs, 7) nutritional status at admission, 8) presence or absence of postoperative complications (anastomotic leakage, chylothorax, and recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis), and 9) presence or absence of treatment other than surgery (chemo- or radiotherapy).

Association Between Early Mobilization and Postoperative Pneumonia Following Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy in Patients with Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: The objective of this study was to confirm that early mobilization (EM) could reduce pneumonia in patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) for thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (TESCC).

Methods: Postoperative pneumonia was defined as physician-diagnosed pneumonia using the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group definition of pneumonia with a Clavien-Dindo classification grade II-V on postoperative day (POD) 3-5. EM was defined as achieving an ICU Mobility Scale (IMS) ≥7 by POD 2.

Novel treatment strategy targeting interleukin-6 induced by cancer associated fibroblasts for peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a crucial component in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of peritoneal metastasis (PM), where they contribute to tumor progression and metastasis via secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6). Here, we investigated the role of IL-6 in PM of gastric cancer (GC) and assessed whether anti-IL-6 receptor antibody (anti-IL-6R Ab) could inhibit PM of GC. We conducted immunohistochemical analysis of IL-6 and α-smooth muscle (α-SMA) expressions in clinical samples of GC and PM, and investigated the interactions between CAFs and GC cells in vitro.

Association Between Change in Prognostic Nutritional Index During Neoadjuvant Therapy and Dental Occlusal Support in Patients with Esophageal Cancer Under Neoadjuvant Therapy: A Retrospective Longitudinal Pilot Study.

A high prognostic nutritional index (PNI) is associated with good prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer. However, nutritional status often decreases during neoadjuvant therapy. Functional tooth units (FTUs) provide an index for the status of posterior occlusal support.

Effect of Oral Nutritional Supplements Composed of High Protein on Body Weight Loss After Gastrectomy.

Background/aim: Body weight loss (BWL) after gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) decreases postoperative quality of life and survival in patients with GC. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral nutritional supplements composed of high protein on BWL in the early period following gastrectomy.

Patients And Methods: Pre- and postoperative body weight and skeletal muscle mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients undergoing radical gastrectomy for GC and analyzed retrospectively.

[Combined Efficacy of Dendritic Cell Vaccine and Oncolytic Adenovirus in Colorectal Cancer].

Dendritic cell(DC)vaccine therapy has been widely studied as cancer immunotherapy that potently induces cytotoxic T lymphocytes. However, their efficacy in clinical practice has not yet been established. We have developed an oncolytic adenovirus OBP-702 carrying the tumor suppressor gene p53 and have demonstrated its therapeutic potential to induce cytopathic effect and activate antitumor immunity via p53 induction.

Gastro-tracheal fistula following esophageal cancer surgery through the retrosternal route: a case report.

Background: Gastro-tracheal fistula is a rare but serious complication after esophageal surgery, often requiring long-term treatment and invasive procedures. Gastro-tracheal fistula usually occurs through the posterior mediastinal route and rarely through the retrosternal route. No previous reports have described gastro-tracheal fistula after retrosternal route reconstruction was cured by conservative treatment.

Senescent Fibroblasts Potentiate Peritoneal Metastasis of Diffuse-type Gastric Cancer Cells IL-8-mediated Crosstalk.

Background/aim: Diffuse-type gastric cancer (DGC) often forms peritoneal metastases, leading to poor prognosis. However, the underlying mechanism of DGC-mediated peritoneal metastasis is poorly understood. DGC is characterized by desmoplastic stroma, in which heterogeneous cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), including myofibroblastic CAFs (myCAFs) and senescent CAFs (sCAFs), play a crucial role during tumor progression.