Senescent fibroblasts secrete CTHRC1 to promote cancer stemness in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Cellular senescence plays a significant role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Substantial evidence indicates that senescence occurs in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), the predominant stromal component within the tumor microenvironment (TME), which profoundly impacts tumor biology. However, despite growing evidence of stromal cell involvement in cancer progression, the specific mechanisms and clinical implications of senescent CAFs (SCAFs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not been fully elucidated.

Cancer-associated fibroblast-derived extracellular vesicles facilitate metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma by delivering CTGF.

Purpose: The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in cancer progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key components of the TME and play critical roles in tumor development and metastasis. However, the mechanisms by which CAFs influence hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis are not fully understood.

Anti-CTGF/PD-1 bispecific antibody Y126S restrains desmoplastic and immunosuppressive microenvironment in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by a desmoplastic and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), limiting the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1).

Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Y126S, a recombinant IgG1/IgG2 hybrid bispecific antibody (BsAb), in reshaping the immunotherapy-resistant TME in PDAC. Orthotopic PDAC and KPC (Kras; Trp53; Pdx1-Cre) mouse models were established and treated with Y126S, α-connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), α-PD-1, or a combination of α-CTGF and α-PD-1.

The cancer-associated fibroblast facilitates YAP liquid-liquid phase separation to promote cancer cell stemness in HCC.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are strongly associated with the refractory characteristics of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the complex interaction between CSCs and the tumor microenvironment remains incompletely understood. In this study, we identified a novel long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1 in cancer-associated fibroblast (CAFs)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) that play a critical role in the induction of CSCs and HCC tumorigenesis.

PPY-Induced iCAFs Cultivate an Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Pancreatic Cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by cancer cells surrounded by affluent stromal components, which may underlie their limited response to various therapeutic interventions, including immunotherapy. Inflammatory cancer-associated fibroblasts (iCAFs), a crucial subset of CAFs within the PDAC microenvironment, play a pivotal role in shaping an immunosuppressive microenvironment. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing analysis is performed to screen for cancer cells-secreted proteins associated with iCAF induction, and PPY (pancreatic polypeptide) is validated as a potent inducer.

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Brachytherapy of Yttrium-90 Implantation Into Pancreas: A Dose-Escalation Pilot Study.

Intratumoral brachytherapy enables higher dose treatment and reduces damage to adjacent tissues. We first validated the feasibility and safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided Yttrium-90 (Y) microspheres implantation in a porcine model. Under EUS guidance, Y-loaded microspheres were implanted into the pancreas of 10 miniature pigs.

Revealing the role of cancer-associated fibroblast senescence in prognosis and immune landscape in pancreatic cancer.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent a major contributor to tumor growth. Cellular senescence is a state of cell-cycle arrest characterized by a pro-inflammatory phenotype. The potential impact of CAF senescence on tumor progression and the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains to be elucidated.

Establishing a new-onset diabetes-related metabolism signature for predicting the prognosis and immune landscape in pancreatic cancer.

New-onset diabetes (NOD) is a common condition among patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) and is related to poor clinical outcomes. The potential impact of NOD on PAAD progression and the tumor microenvironment remains unclear. Here, we revealed that NOD in PAAD was associated with metabolic disorders.

Fine needle biopsy fine needle aspiration in the diagnosis of immunohistochemistry-required lesions: A multicenter study with prospective evaluation.

Objectives: The superiority of EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) over fine-needle aspiration (FNA) remains controversial. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of FNB and FNA in immunohistochemistry (IHC)-required lesions, including, type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP), neuroendocrine tumor (NET), mesenchymal tumor, and lymphoma.

Methods: In this multicenter study, specimens from all eligible patients who underwent EUS-FNB/FNA with these specific lesions were prospectively evaluated.

Exosome-derived tRNA fragments tRF-GluCTC-0005 promotes pancreatic cancer liver metastasis by activating hepatic stellate cells.

Early metastasis is the primary factor in the very poor prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with liver metastasis being the most common form of distant metastasis in PDAC. To investigate the mechanism of PDAC liver metastasis, we found that PDAC cells can promote the formation of pre-metastatic niches (PMNs) through exosomes to facilitate liver metastasis in the early stage. In our study, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were treated with PDAC-derived exosomes (PDAC-exo), and the activation of HSCs was detected.

Liquid-liquid phase separation-related lncRNA prognostic signature and ZNF32-AS2 as a novel biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) enhances oncogenic signaling pathways and advances cancer progression, and has been proposed as a promising cancer biomarker and intervention target. Nevertheless, doubts remain about the prognostic importance of LLPS-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: An LLPS-related lncRNA prognostic signature was generated by drivers and regulators of LLPS, and was validated in external datasets.

Comparison of Fine-Needle Biopsy (FNB) versus Fine-Needle Aspiration (FNA) Combined with Flow Cytometry in the Diagnosis of Deep-Seated Lymphoma.

Evidence comparing ultrasound endoscopy-guided fine-needle biopsy (EUS-FNB) with EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) in deep-seated lymphoma tissue sampling is insufficient. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of immunohistochemistry (IHC) or flow cytometry (FCM) on specimens obtained from EUS-FNB and EUS-FNA in the diagnosis and staging of deep-seated lymphomas. This real-world, dual-center study prospectively evaluated all eligible specimens from patients who underwent EUS-FNB/FNA over an 8-year period.

The stromal-tumor amplifying STC1-Notch1 feedforward signal promotes the stemness of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), an important component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), play crucial roles in tumor stemness. It has been shown in various cancer studies that stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) is secreted by CAFs, however, its function in HCC is still not clear.

Methods: The serum concentration and intracellular expression level of STC1 were quantified by ELISA and western blotting, respectively.

An exosome-related lncRNA signature correlates with prognosis, immune microenvironment, and therapeutic responses in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Exosomes act as essential modulators of cancer development and progression in hepatocellular carcinoma. However, little is known about the potential prognostic value and underlying molecular features of exosome-related long non-coding RNAs.

Methods: Genes associated with exosome biogenesis, exosome secretion, and exosome biomarkers were collected.

CD44v6+ Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells Maintain Stemness Properties through Met/cJun/Nanog Signaling.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are characterized by their self-renewal and differentiation abilities. CD44v6 is a novel CSC marker that can activate various signaling pathways. Here, we hypothesized that the HGF/Met signaling pathway promotes stemness properties in CD44v6+ hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells via overexpression of the transcription factor, cJun, thus representing a valuable target for HCC therapy.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Values of KRAS Mutations on EUS-FNA Specimens and Circulating Tumor DNA in Patients With Pancreatic Cancer.

Introduction: The ability of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) to differentiate pancreatic cancer from other benign pancreatic lesions is unsatisfactory. This study explored the diagnostic value of KRAS gene mutations and plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Methods: The prospective cohort study comprised 149 consecutive patients with solid pancreatic lesions who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).

Targeted intervention of eIF4A1 inhibits EMT and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells via c-MYC/miR-9 signaling.

Background: Owing to the lack of effective treatment options, early metastasis remains the major cause of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) recurrence and mortality. However, the molecular mechanism of early metastasis is largely unknown. We characterized the function of eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs) in epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) and metastasis in pancreatic cancer cells to investigate whether eIFs and downstream c-MYC affect EMT and metastasis by joint interference.

Combined With Quadruple Therapy for Eradication Decreased the Duration and Severity of Diarrhea: A Multi-Center Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Whether probiotics helped the () eradication was still highly controversial. The non-bacterial () has demonstrated its efficacy in the treatment of antibiotic-associated and infectious diarrhea. We aimed to evaluate the effects of combined with quadruple therapy for eradication and associated side effects.

Spindle and kinetochore-associated complex subunit 3 (SKA3) promotes stem cell-like properties of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through activating Notch signaling pathway.

Background: Cancer stemness contributes to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) initiation, metastasis, drug resistance, and recurrence. The spindle and kinetochore-associated (SKA) complex has been shown to be involved in tumor progression; however, its effects on cancer stem cell-like properties have not yet been examined. This research sought to study each subunit of the SKA complex in HCC systematically.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of unresectable pancreatic cancer with low ablation power and multiple applications: a preliminary study of 11 patients.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a novel modality in the treatment of solid tumours. The aim of the study is to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety and efficacy of multiple-round EUS-RFA with low ablation power for unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of eleven cases with unresectable pancreatic cancer who underwent EUS-RFA between November 2013 and November 2018.

A retrospective multicenter study comparing bupivacaine and ropivacaine in endoscopic ultrasound guided celiac plexus neurolysis.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus neurolysis (EUS-CPN) is widely practiced to palliate cancer pain in patients with inoperable abdominal malignancy. During CPN, the dehydrated alcohol is injected to ablate neural tissue and local anesthetics is to minimize the discomfort from alcohol injection. This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of bupivacaine and ropivacaine in EUS-CPN.

Performing EUS during COVID-19 postendemic period: A report from endoscopy center in Wuhan.

In early April 2020, the 3-month-long city-wide lockdown was lifted in Wuhan, the epicenter of China during Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. However, continuing precautions are still practiced considering the risk of transmission from asymptomatic carriers. Given that COVID-19 is spread via airborne droplets, including aspiration of oral and fecal material through endoscopes, our endoscopy center has strategically assigned health-care providers to ensure triage workflow and to minimize concomitant exposure from potential asymptomatic carriers.

Wet- versus dry-suction techniques for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration of solid lesions: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Background: The optimal sampling techniques for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) remain unclear and have not been standardized. The aim of this study was to compare the wet-suction and dry-suction techniques for sampling solid lesions in the pancreas, mediastinum, and abdomen.

Methods: This was a multicenter, crossover, randomized controlled trial with randomized order of sampling techniques.

Musashi2 contributes to the maintenance of CD44v6+ liver cancer stem cells via notch1 signaling pathway.

Background: Liver cancer stem cells (LCSCs) contribute to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, metastasis, and drug resistance. MSI2 and Notch1 signaling are involved in the maintenance of CSCs. However, it is unknown whether MSI2 and Notch1 are involved in the maintenance of CD44v6+ LCSCs.