1.Pre-operative risk assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence in liver transplant recipients by non-invasive detection of pre-existing genetic lesions
Suqin YANG ; Sunbin LING ; Jianhua LI ; Yan WANG ; Jiapei WANG ; Qiwei HUANG ; Fanming LIU ; Yiqi ZHUANG ; Yingyu ZHENG ; Rui WANG ; Zhe YANG ; Xiaoping ZHENG ; Kai WANG ; Zhikun LIU ; Jun CHEN ; Jianguo WANG ; Haiyang XIE ; Lin ZHOU ; Leiming CHEN ; Guoqiang CAO ; Dandan CHEN ; Junfang JI ; Bin ZHAO ; Chao JIANG ; Di LU ; Xuyong WEI ; Hangjin JIANG ; Qiaonan SHAN ; Hengbo SHI ; Yong-Zhen XU ; Shusen ZHENG ; Zhengxin WANG ; Shengda LIN ; Xiao XU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2026;32(2):884-903
Background/Aims:
Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy.
Methods:
We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues.
Results:
We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.
2.Research on safety risk signals of five drugs for Gaucher disease
Cheng YI ; Qiwei HAN ; Jing XU ; Nianfeng GUO ; Mengru BAI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(12):1607-1613
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the characteristics of adverse drug event (ADE) associated with five therapeutic agents for Gaucher disease(imiglucerase, velaglucerase alfa, taliglucerase alfa, eliglustat,and miglustat). METHODS ADE reports related to the above five drugs were retrieved from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from January 2004 to September 2025. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) and proportional reporting ratio (PRR) methods were applied for data mining. system organ class (SOC) and preferred term (PT) from the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA, version 26.0) drug ADE terminology were used for classification and statistical analysis of ADE. RESULTS A total of 4 329, 1 740, 500, 1 329 and 998 ADE reports were retrieved for the aforementioned five drugs, respectively, generating 4 612, 2 605, 776, 1 157 and 2 185 ADE signals. These signals involved 26 SOC, affecting 25, 26, 16, 19, and 19 SOC, respectively. The predominant SOCs were various injuries, poisoning and procedural complications, as well as infections and infestations. The top one PTs of each drug were as follows: bone infarction, zinc deficiency, failure to perform drug monitoring steps, ichthyosis, abnormal nerve conduction examination. New suspected PTs included weight gain and spontaneous abortion for imiglucerase and velaglucerase alfa, weight gain for taliglucerase alfa and eliglustat, and neuropsychiatric manifestations such as dementia and apathy for miglustat. In terms of severe ADEs, other serious medical events were predominant for imiglucerase and taliglucerase alfa; prolonged hospital stays were the main severe ADE for velaglucerase alfa and eliglustat; and death was the leading severe ADE for miglustat. CONCLUSIONS In clinical medication, apart from common ADE,for imiglucerase, clinicians should be alert to bone infarction, weight gain and spontaneous abortion, and strengthen monitoring related to bones, metabolism and pregnancy. For velaglucerase alfa, attention should be paid to zinc deficiency, bone infarction, weight gain and spontaneous abortion, with focused monitoring of nutritional status and pregnancy risks. For taliglucerase alfa, failure to perform drug monitoring steps and weight gain require vigilance, and medication procedures should be standardized along with regular weight monitoring. For eliglustat, clinicians need to watch out for ichthyosis and weight gain and pay close attention to skin conditions. For miglustat, bone infarction, abnormal nerve conduction examination and dementia should be closely monitored, with enhanced surveillance on nervous system function, infections and prognosis of critically ill patients,to ensure patient medication safety.
3.Effect of the preservation of infrapatellar fat pad on pain,incision healing and function recovery in patients with knee osteoarthritis after joint replacement
Yang ZHAO ; Weili XU ; Xingxing LI ; Dong FANG ; Liang ZHOU ; Qiwei WANG ; Qiangbing DOU
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(3):321-324
Objective To explore the effect of the preservation of infrapatellar fat pad on pain,incision healing and function recovery in patients with knee osteoarthritis after joint replacement.Methods The clinical data of 127 patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent joint replacement in the hospital from June 2019 to September 2022 were retrospectively collected.According to the preservation of infrapatellar fat pad,the subjects were divided into a control group(removing infrapatellar fat pad,67 cases)and an observation group(preserving infrapatellar fat pad,60 cases).The changes in length of patellar tendon,pain,knee function and range of motion were analyzed.The occurrence of adverse reactions was statistically analyzed.Results At 12 months after surgery,the length of patellar tendon was reduced.The length of patellar tendon in observation group[(38.8±6.24)mm]was longer than that in control group[(36.2±6.71)mm](P<0.05).Observation group of patellar tendon length rate is lower than the control group[(4.1±1.18)%vs(10.7±3.01)%],there was statistical significance between the two groups(P<0.05).Pain in both groups was alleviated at 1 month,3 months,6 months and 12 months after surgery.The changes in observation group were greater than those in control group(P<0.05).During follow-up,the incidence of adverse reactions in observation group(6.67%)was lower than that in control group(14.93%)(P>0.05).The range of motion and function of knee joint were improved at 12 months after surgery,and the improvement in observation group was greater than that in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Preserving infrapatellar fat pad is more beneficial to relieving postoperative pain and restoring knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis after joint replacement.Therefore,the intact infrapatellar fat pad should be preserved as possible in clinical practice.
4.Efficacy of revision surgery for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease after sleeve gastrectomy
Chongwen ZHAN ; Lili LIU ; Qiwei SHEN ; Bo XU ; Xiaojian FU ; Yikai SHAO ; Rong HUA ; Qiyuan YAO
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(4):668-675
Background and Aims:Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)is a common complication following sleeve gastrectomy(SG),particularly in patients with concomitant hiatal hernia,where symptoms tend to be more persistent and refractory,significantly impairing postoperative quality of life.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair combined with gastroesophageal fixation in SG patients with severe GERD and hiatal hernia,providing clinical reference for revisional surgical strategies.Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with severe GERD after SG who underwent laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and gastroesophageal fixation at Huashan Hospital,Fudan University,between January 2023 and June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.GerdQ scores,proportion of endoscopically confirmed reflux esophagitis,and proton pump inhibitor(PPI)usage were compared before and after surgery.Surgical parameters and follow-up outcomes were also recorded.Results:All patients successfully completed the surgery without major intraoperative complications,and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.22 d.After a mean follow-up period of 15.27 months,the GerdQ score significantly decreased from 11.67±2.00 to 7.22±1.48.The proportion of patients with GerdQ score≥8 decreased from 100.00%to 44.44%,and the rate of endoscopically confirmed GERD dropped from 88.89%to 11.11%;PPI use also significantly declined,with all differences reaching statistical significance(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair combined with gastroesophageal fixation can effectively alleviate reflux symptoms in SG patients with coexisting hiatal hernia,demonstrating favorable short-term efficacy and high safety.This approach may be a preferable surgical option for selected patients.
5.Efficacy of revision surgery for hiatal hernia with gastroesophageal reflux disease after sleeve gastrectomy
Chongwen ZHAN ; Lili LIU ; Qiwei SHEN ; Bo XU ; Xiaojian FU ; Yikai SHAO ; Rong HUA ; Qiyuan YAO
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(4):668-675
Background and Aims:Gastroesophageal reflux disease(GERD)is a common complication following sleeve gastrectomy(SG),particularly in patients with concomitant hiatal hernia,where symptoms tend to be more persistent and refractory,significantly impairing postoperative quality of life.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair combined with gastroesophageal fixation in SG patients with severe GERD and hiatal hernia,providing clinical reference for revisional surgical strategies.Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with severe GERD after SG who underwent laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and gastroesophageal fixation at Huashan Hospital,Fudan University,between January 2023 and June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.GerdQ scores,proportion of endoscopically confirmed reflux esophagitis,and proton pump inhibitor(PPI)usage were compared before and after surgery.Surgical parameters and follow-up outcomes were also recorded.Results:All patients successfully completed the surgery without major intraoperative complications,and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.22 d.After a mean follow-up period of 15.27 months,the GerdQ score significantly decreased from 11.67±2.00 to 7.22±1.48.The proportion of patients with GerdQ score≥8 decreased from 100.00%to 44.44%,and the rate of endoscopically confirmed GERD dropped from 88.89%to 11.11%;PPI use also significantly declined,with all differences reaching statistical significance(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair combined with gastroesophageal fixation can effectively alleviate reflux symptoms in SG patients with coexisting hiatal hernia,demonstrating favorable short-term efficacy and high safety.This approach may be a preferable surgical option for selected patients.
6.Correlation between caregiver characteristics and clinical manifestations of patients with Alzheimer′s disease dementia
Jiwei JIANG ; Min ZHAO ; Qiwei REN ; Tianlin JIANG ; Huiying ZHANG ; Shirui JIANG ; Jun XU
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(2):87-92
Objective:To analyze the correlation between caregiver characteristics and clinical manifestations of patients with Alzheimer′s disease (AD) dementia.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 167 patients with AD dementia and 167 matched caregivers from Chinese Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle study of Alzheimer′s Disease (CIBL) study between January 1 and December 31, 2023 were consecutively selected as the study subjects. The data such as gender, age, body max index (BMI), waist to hip ratio, educational years, combined chronic diseases, disease course and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) of the patients were collected. The data such as gender, educational years, the relationship with patients, and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) score in the caregivers were also evaluated. According to the gender of caregivers, the patients were divided into female caregiver group (108 cases) and male caregiver group (59 cases). The Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the impact of the caregiver characteristics on the cognitive function, NPS, activities of daily living, and nutritional status of the patients with AD dementia.Results:Among the 167 patients with AD dementia, 80 cases were men, and 87 cases were women, with a mean age of (68.43±7.51) years. Among the 167 matched caregivers, 59 were spouse, 98 were offspring, and 10 were others (nanny or other relatives). The AD patients in the male caregiver group had lower BMI and MNA scores than those in female caregivers′ group [(23.35±3.70) vs (24.80±3.33) kg/m 2, 22.00 (20.00, 24.50) vs 24.00 (21.00, 26.00) points] (both P<0.05). The educational years of the caregivers was negatively related to the ADL score ( r=-0.196), and was positively related to the MNA score of the patients ( r=0.180) (both P<0.05); while the CBI score of the caregiver was positively related to the age ( r=0.180), NPI score ( r=0.568) and ADL scores ( r=0.702) in the patients, and it was negatively related to the BMI ( r=-0.163), MMSE score ( r=-0.499), MoCA score ( r=-0.491) and MNA scores ( r=-0.387) in the patients (all P<0.05). The shorter educational years and elevated CBI score were independent risk factors for the decline in the MMSE score ( β=0.310, 95% CI: 0.021-0.598; β=-0.225, 95% CI:-0.297--0.154) and MNA score ( β=0.204, 95% CI: 0.067-0.340; β=-0.082, 95% CI:-0.116--0.049), as well as the increase in the NPI score ( β=-0.628, 95% CI:-1.208--0.047; β=0.575, 95% CI: 0.431-0.718) and ADL score ( β=-0.519, 95% CI:-0.860--0.179; β=0.361, 95% CI: 0.277-0.445) in the patients with AD dementia (all P<0.001). Conclusions:A low educational level of caregivers and a heavy caregiver burden are associated with decreased cognitive function, worsening NPS, reduced ADL, and declining nutritional status in patients with AD dementia.
7.Effect of the preservation of infrapatellar fat pad on pain,incision healing and function recovery in patients with knee osteoarthritis after joint replacement
Yang ZHAO ; Weili XU ; Xingxing LI ; Dong FANG ; Liang ZHOU ; Qiwei WANG ; Qiangbing DOU
Journal of Clinical Surgery 2025;33(3):321-324
Objective To explore the effect of the preservation of infrapatellar fat pad on pain,incision healing and function recovery in patients with knee osteoarthritis after joint replacement.Methods The clinical data of 127 patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent joint replacement in the hospital from June 2019 to September 2022 were retrospectively collected.According to the preservation of infrapatellar fat pad,the subjects were divided into a control group(removing infrapatellar fat pad,67 cases)and an observation group(preserving infrapatellar fat pad,60 cases).The changes in length of patellar tendon,pain,knee function and range of motion were analyzed.The occurrence of adverse reactions was statistically analyzed.Results At 12 months after surgery,the length of patellar tendon was reduced.The length of patellar tendon in observation group[(38.8±6.24)mm]was longer than that in control group[(36.2±6.71)mm](P<0.05).Observation group of patellar tendon length rate is lower than the control group[(4.1±1.18)%vs(10.7±3.01)%],there was statistical significance between the two groups(P<0.05).Pain in both groups was alleviated at 1 month,3 months,6 months and 12 months after surgery.The changes in observation group were greater than those in control group(P<0.05).During follow-up,the incidence of adverse reactions in observation group(6.67%)was lower than that in control group(14.93%)(P>0.05).The range of motion and function of knee joint were improved at 12 months after surgery,and the improvement in observation group was greater than that in control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Preserving infrapatellar fat pad is more beneficial to relieving postoperative pain and restoring knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis after joint replacement.Therefore,the intact infrapatellar fat pad should be preserved as possible in clinical practice.
8.Correlation between caregiver characteristics and clinical manifestations of patients with Alzheimer′s disease dementia
Jiwei JIANG ; Min ZHAO ; Qiwei REN ; Tianlin JIANG ; Huiying ZHANG ; Shirui JIANG ; Jun XU
Chinese Journal of Health Management 2025;19(2):87-92
Objective:To analyze the correlation between caregiver characteristics and clinical manifestations of patients with Alzheimer′s disease (AD) dementia.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. A total of 167 patients with AD dementia and 167 matched caregivers from Chinese Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle study of Alzheimer′s Disease (CIBL) study between January 1 and December 31, 2023 were consecutively selected as the study subjects. The data such as gender, age, body max index (BMI), waist to hip ratio, educational years, combined chronic diseases, disease course and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) of the patients were collected. The data such as gender, educational years, the relationship with patients, and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) score in the caregivers were also evaluated. According to the gender of caregivers, the patients were divided into female caregiver group (108 cases) and male caregiver group (59 cases). The Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the impact of the caregiver characteristics on the cognitive function, NPS, activities of daily living, and nutritional status of the patients with AD dementia.Results:Among the 167 patients with AD dementia, 80 cases were men, and 87 cases were women, with a mean age of (68.43±7.51) years. Among the 167 matched caregivers, 59 were spouse, 98 were offspring, and 10 were others (nanny or other relatives). The AD patients in the male caregiver group had lower BMI and MNA scores than those in female caregivers′ group [(23.35±3.70) vs (24.80±3.33) kg/m 2, 22.00 (20.00, 24.50) vs 24.00 (21.00, 26.00) points] (both P<0.05). The educational years of the caregivers was negatively related to the ADL score ( r=-0.196), and was positively related to the MNA score of the patients ( r=0.180) (both P<0.05); while the CBI score of the caregiver was positively related to the age ( r=0.180), NPI score ( r=0.568) and ADL scores ( r=0.702) in the patients, and it was negatively related to the BMI ( r=-0.163), MMSE score ( r=-0.499), MoCA score ( r=-0.491) and MNA scores ( r=-0.387) in the patients (all P<0.05). The shorter educational years and elevated CBI score were independent risk factors for the decline in the MMSE score ( β=0.310, 95% CI: 0.021-0.598; β=-0.225, 95% CI:-0.297--0.154) and MNA score ( β=0.204, 95% CI: 0.067-0.340; β=-0.082, 95% CI:-0.116--0.049), as well as the increase in the NPI score ( β=-0.628, 95% CI:-1.208--0.047; β=0.575, 95% CI: 0.431-0.718) and ADL score ( β=-0.519, 95% CI:-0.860--0.179; β=0.361, 95% CI: 0.277-0.445) in the patients with AD dementia (all P<0.001). Conclusions:A low educational level of caregivers and a heavy caregiver burden are associated with decreased cognitive function, worsening NPS, reduced ADL, and declining nutritional status in patients with AD dementia.
9.Porphyromonas gingivalis promotes the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via an inflammatory microenvironment
Haijun XU ; Yijun QI ; Dangrou WU ; Qiwei LIU ; Pan CHEN ; Mengxiang LI ; Yelin JIAO ; Haojie RUAN ; Zhitao LI ; Shegan GAO
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):746-754
Objective:To investigate the role of an inflammatory microenvironment induced by Porphyromonasgingivalis ( P. gingivalis) in the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in mice. Methods:A total of 180 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e. control group, P. gingivalis group, 4NQO group, 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, 4NQO + P. gingivalis + celecoxib group, and 4NQO + P. gingivalis + antibiotic cocktail (ABC, including metronidazole, neomycin, ampicillin, and vancomycin) group, with 30 mice in each group, using the random number table. All mice were normalized by treatment with ABC in drinking water for 2 weeks. In the following 2 weeks, the mice in the control group and the P. gingivalis group were given drinking water, while the other 4 groups were treated with 30 μg/ml 4NQO in the drinking water. In weeks 11-12, the mice in the P. gingivalis group, the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the 4NQO + P. gingivalis + celecoxib group, and the 4NQO + P. gingivalis + ABC group were subjected to ligation of the second molar in oral cavity followed by oral P. gingivalis infection thrice weekly for 24 weeks in weeks 11-34. In weeks 13-34, the mice in 4NQO + P. gingivalis+celecoxib group and 4NQO + P. gingivalis + ABC group were administered with celecoxib and ABC for 22 weeks, respectively. At the end of 34 weeks, gross and microscopic alterations were examined followed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry to examine the expression profiles of inflammatory- and tumor-molecules in esophagi of mice. Results:At 34 weeks, 4NQO treatment alone did not affect the foci of papillary hyperproliferation, diseased area, and the thickness of the esophageal wall, but significantly enhanced the foci of hyperproliferation (median 1.00, P<0.05) and mild/moderate dysplasia (median 2.00, P<0.01). In addition, the expression levels of IL-6 [8.35(3.45,8.99)], IL-1β [6.90(2.01,9.72)], TNF-α [12.04(3.31,14.08)], c-myc [2.21(1.80,3.04)], pSTAT3, Ki-67, and pH2AX were higher than those in the control group. The pathological changes of the esophageal mucosa were significantly more overt in the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group in terms of the foci of papillary hyperproliferation (median 2.00), diseased area (median 2.51 mm 2), the thickness of the esophageal wall (median 172.52 μm), the foci of hyperproliferation (median 1.00, P<0.05), and mild/moderate dysplasia (median 1.00, P<0.01). In mice of the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the expression levels of IL-6 [12.27(5.35,22.08)], IL-1β [13.89(10.04,15.96)], TNF-α [19.56(6.07,20.36)], IFN-γ [11.37(8.23,20.07)], c-myc [2.62(1.51,4.25)], cyclin D1 [4.52(2.68,7.83)], nuclear pSTAT3, COX-2, Ki-67, and pH2AX were significantly increased compared with the mice in the control group. In mice of the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the diseased area, invasive malignant foci as well as pSTAT3 and pH2AX expression were significantly blunted by celecoxib. Treatment with ABC markedly reduced the papillary hyperproliferative foci, invasive malignant foci, and pSTAT3 expression but not pH2AX. Conclusions:P. gingivalis promotes the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in mice by inducing an inflammatory microenvironment primed with 4NQO induced DNA damage. Clearance of P. gingivalis with ABC or anti-inflammatory intervention holds promise for prevention of esophageal squamous cell malignant pathogenesis via blockage of IL-6/STAT3 signaling and amelioration of inflammation.
10.Porphyromonas gingivalis promotes the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via an inflammatory microenvironment
Haijun XU ; Yijun QI ; Dangrou WU ; Qiwei LIU ; Pan CHEN ; Mengxiang LI ; Yelin JIAO ; Haojie RUAN ; Zhitao LI ; Shegan GAO
Chinese Journal of Oncology 2024;46(8):746-754
Objective:To investigate the role of an inflammatory microenvironment induced by Porphyromonasgingivalis ( P. gingivalis) in the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in mice. Methods:A total of 180 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e. control group, P. gingivalis group, 4NQO group, 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, 4NQO + P. gingivalis + celecoxib group, and 4NQO + P. gingivalis + antibiotic cocktail (ABC, including metronidazole, neomycin, ampicillin, and vancomycin) group, with 30 mice in each group, using the random number table. All mice were normalized by treatment with ABC in drinking water for 2 weeks. In the following 2 weeks, the mice in the control group and the P. gingivalis group were given drinking water, while the other 4 groups were treated with 30 μg/ml 4NQO in the drinking water. In weeks 11-12, the mice in the P. gingivalis group, the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the 4NQO + P. gingivalis + celecoxib group, and the 4NQO + P. gingivalis + ABC group were subjected to ligation of the second molar in oral cavity followed by oral P. gingivalis infection thrice weekly for 24 weeks in weeks 11-34. In weeks 13-34, the mice in 4NQO + P. gingivalis+celecoxib group and 4NQO + P. gingivalis + ABC group were administered with celecoxib and ABC for 22 weeks, respectively. At the end of 34 weeks, gross and microscopic alterations were examined followed by RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry to examine the expression profiles of inflammatory- and tumor-molecules in esophagi of mice. Results:At 34 weeks, 4NQO treatment alone did not affect the foci of papillary hyperproliferation, diseased area, and the thickness of the esophageal wall, but significantly enhanced the foci of hyperproliferation (median 1.00, P<0.05) and mild/moderate dysplasia (median 2.00, P<0.01). In addition, the expression levels of IL-6 [8.35(3.45,8.99)], IL-1β [6.90(2.01,9.72)], TNF-α [12.04(3.31,14.08)], c-myc [2.21(1.80,3.04)], pSTAT3, Ki-67, and pH2AX were higher than those in the control group. The pathological changes of the esophageal mucosa were significantly more overt in the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group in terms of the foci of papillary hyperproliferation (median 2.00), diseased area (median 2.51 mm 2), the thickness of the esophageal wall (median 172.52 μm), the foci of hyperproliferation (median 1.00, P<0.05), and mild/moderate dysplasia (median 1.00, P<0.01). In mice of the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the expression levels of IL-6 [12.27(5.35,22.08)], IL-1β [13.89(10.04,15.96)], TNF-α [19.56(6.07,20.36)], IFN-γ [11.37(8.23,20.07)], c-myc [2.62(1.51,4.25)], cyclin D1 [4.52(2.68,7.83)], nuclear pSTAT3, COX-2, Ki-67, and pH2AX were significantly increased compared with the mice in the control group. In mice of the 4NQO + P. gingivalis group, the diseased area, invasive malignant foci as well as pSTAT3 and pH2AX expression were significantly blunted by celecoxib. Treatment with ABC markedly reduced the papillary hyperproliferative foci, invasive malignant foci, and pSTAT3 expression but not pH2AX. Conclusions:P. gingivalis promotes the occurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in mice by inducing an inflammatory microenvironment primed with 4NQO induced DNA damage. Clearance of P. gingivalis with ABC or anti-inflammatory intervention holds promise for prevention of esophageal squamous cell malignant pathogenesis via blockage of IL-6/STAT3 signaling and amelioration of inflammation.

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