Pristimerin, which is one of the compounds present in Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae, has antitumor effects. However, its mechanism of action in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of pristimerin on ESCC in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of pristimerin on cell growth was assessed using trypan blue exclusion and colony formation assays. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Gene and protein expressions were analyzed through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was employed to identify significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Cell transfection and RNA interference assays were utilized to examine the role of key proteins in pristimerin?s effect. Xenograft models were established to evaluate the antitumor efficiency of pristimerin in vivo. Pristimerin inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in ESCC cells. Upregulation of Noxa was crucial for pristimerin-induced apoptosis. Pristimerin activated the Forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) signaling pathway and triggered FoxO3a recruitment to the Noxa promoter, leading to Noxa transcription. Blocking FoxO3a reversed pristimerin-induced Noxa upregulation and cell apoptosis. Pristimerin treatment suppressed xenograft tumors in nude mice, but these effects were largely negated in Noxa-KO tumors. Furthermore, the chemosensitization effects of pristimerin in vitro and in vivo were mediated by Noxa. This study demonstrates that pristimerin exerts an antitumor effect on ESCC by inducing AKT/FoxO3a-mediated Noxa upregulation. These findings suggest that pristimerin may serve as a potent anticancer agent for ESCC treatment.
Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/physiopathology* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Male ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/drug effects*

Minimally invasive enucleation of pancreatic tumors has become a focal topic in the field of pancreatic surgery. This technique, which allows for complete tumor removal while preserving maximal pancreatic function, has seen widespread application in clinical practice in recent years. Preoperative evaluation is essential, requiring a thorough assessment of the necessity, feasibility, and appropriateness of surgery, and a careful choice between follow-up observation, parenchyma-sparing resection, or radical resection. If the lesion carries a potential risk of malignancy, radical resection, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy, should be performed. During minimally invasive local resection, selecting an appropriate surgical approach, accurately localizing the tumor, protecting the main pancreatic duct (MPD), and effectively repairing and reconstructing the MPD in case of injury are key to ensuring both surgical safety and efficacy. In addition, pancreatic wound management and the long-term prognosis of patients who undergo MPD repair and reconstruction are also areas of significant concern.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a lethal malignancy prone to gemcitabine resistance. The single-strand selective monofunctional uracil DNA glycosylase (SMUG1), which is responsible for initiating base excision repair, has been reported to predict the outcomes of different cancer types. However, the function of SMUG1 in pancreatic cancer is still unclear. METHODS: Gene and protein expression of SMUG1 as well as survival outcomes were assessed by bioinformatic analysis and verified in a cohort from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Subsequently, the effect of SMUG1 on proliferation, cell cycle, and migration abilities of SMUG1 cells were detected in vitro . DNA damage repair, apoptosis, and gemcitabine resistance were also tested. RNA sequencing was performed to determine the differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways, followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting verification. The cancer-promoting effect of forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1) and SMUG1 on the ubiquitylation of myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) was also evaluated. Finally, a xenograft model was established to verify the results. RESULTS: SMUG1 was highly expressed in pancreatic tumor tissues and cells, which also predicted a poor prognosis. Downregulation of SMUG1 inhibited the proliferation, G1 to S transition, migration, and DNA damage repair ability against gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells. SMUG1 exerted its function by binding with FOXQ1 to activate the Protein Kinase B (AKT)/p21 and p27 pathway. Moreover, SMUG1 also stabilized the c-Myc protein via AKT signaling in pancreatic cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS SMUG1 promotes proliferation, migration, gemcitabine resistance, and c-Myc protein stability in pancreatic cancer via protein kinase B signaling through binding with FOXQ1. Furthermore, SMUG1 may be a new potential prognostic and gemcitabine resistance predictor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/physiology* ; Mice ; Uracil-DNA Glycosidase/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Gemcitabine ; Mice, Nude ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives* ; Cell Movement/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of tibial transverse transport (TTT) in treating Wagner grade 3-4 type 2 diabetic foot ulcers and analyze dynamic changes in immunoglobulin levels. METHODS: The clinical data of 68 patients with Wagner grade 3-4 type 2 diabetic foot ulcers treated with TTT between May 2022 and September 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. The cohort included 49 males and 19 females, aged 44-91 years (mean, 67.3 years), with 40 Wagner grade 3 and 28 grade 4 ulcers. The duration of type 2 diabetes ranged from 5 to 23 years, with an average of 10 years. The number of wound healing cases, healing time, amputation cases, death cases, and complications were observed and recorded. Serum samples were collected at 6 key time points [1 day before TTT and 3 days, 7 days (the first day of upward transverse transfer), 14 days (the first day of downward transverse transfer), 21 days (the first day after the end of transfer), 36 days (the first day after the removal of the transfer device)], and the serum immunoglobulin levels were detected by flow cytometry including immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgA, IgM, IgE, complement C3 (C3), C4, immunoglobulin light chain κ (KAP), immunoglobulin light chain λ (LAM). RESULTS: All the 68 patients were followed up 6 months. Postoperative pin tract infection occurred in 3 cases and incision infection in 2 cases. Amputation occurred in 5 patients (7.4%) at 59-103 days after operation, and 8 patients (11.8%) died at 49-77 days after operation; the wounds of the remaining 55 patients (80.9%) healed in 48-135 days, with an average of 80 days. There was no recurrence of ulcer, peri-osteotomy fracture, or local skin necrosis during follow-up. The serum immunoglobulin levels of 55 patients with wound healing showed that the levels of IgG and IgM decreased significantly on the 3rd and 7th day after operation compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), and gradually returned to the levels before operation after 14 days, and reached the peak on the 36th day. IgA levels continued to decrease with time, and there were significant differences at all time points when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). The level of IgE significantly decreased at 21 days after operation compared with that before operation ( P<0.05), while it was higher at other time points than that before operation, but the difference was not significant ( P>0.05). The level of C3 showed a clear treatment-related increase, which was significantly higher on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days after operation than that before operation ( P<0.05), and the peak appeared on the 14th day. The change trend of C4 level was basically synchronous with that of C3, but the amplitude was smaller, and the difference was significant at 7 and 14 days after operation compared with that before operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in KAP/LAM between different time points before and after operation ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION TTT can accelerate wound healing, effectively treat diabetic foot ulcer, and reduce amputation rate, and has definite effectiveness. The potential mechanisms of TTT in the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers include the dynamic regulation of IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE levels to balance the process of inflammation and repair, and the periodic increase of C3 and C4 levels may promote tissue cleaning, angiogenesis, and anti-infection defense.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Diabetic Foot/immunology* ; Wound Healing ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Treatment Outcome ; Tibia/transplantation* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Amputation, Surgical ; Immunoglobulins/blood* ; Immunoglobulin G/blood*

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor,and its incidence rate has been slowly increasing since 2000.Although the improvement of diagnosis and treatment has led to an increase in the five-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer compared to 50 years ago,it remains one of the discouraging tumor diseases regarding its prognosis.In 2024,many achievements were made in the research of early screening,disease mechanism,clinical diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer,showing a good prospect for clinical application.In early screening,artificial intelligence(AI)technology has empowered early diagnosis and screening of pancreatic cancer,pushing clinical diagnosis and treatment to a new level.Additionally,improvements in the accuracy of technologies such as liquid biopsy have provided new directions for early screening of pancreatic cancer.In terms of research on disease pathogenesis,3D genome mapping technology has revealed the polyclonal origin and genetic heterogeneity of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasm(PanIN).In basic research,a branched organ simulation system that mimics the unique structural characteristics of pancreatic cancer provides a new model for in vitro studies of pancreatic cancer.Lactate,an important tumor metabolite,links the metabolic microenvironment of pancreatic cancer with epigenetic changes,revealing potential therapeutic targets.Defects in the histone H3K36 trimethyltransferase SETD2 contribute to endogenous epigenetic dysregulation in pancreatic cancer and promote mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS)and tumor progression.The platelet-derived growth factor receptor(PDGFR)axis,which facilitates communication between stromal cells and cancer cells,forms a bidirectional secretory circuit and may become a new therapeutic target.Chimeric antigen receptor macrophage(CAR-M)therapy targeting the tyrosine kinase receptor c-MET demonstrates potential for synergistic enhancement with chemotherapy drugs.Macrophages in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment promote the development of pancreatic cancer cachexia through the CCL5/TRAF6/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)pathway,suggesting that macrophages could be an effective target for predicting and intervening in the development of pancreatic cancer cachexia.In terms of advancements in diagnosis and treatment,surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy can improve overall survival(OS)in resectable and borderline resectable patients,but further optimization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols is needed.The first clinically effective KRASG12D-targeted drug has been reported,and research on inhibitors of a wide range of KRAS mutants is continually emerging.Patient stratification based on glycolysis-related scores(GRS)can further guide the selection of treatment protocols."Intelligent exosomes"(ExoSmart)enhance cellular uptake capacity to assist in improving chemotherapy efficacy.The implementation of clinical trials combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy is expected to synergistically improve the efficacy of pancreatic cancer treatment.Pembrolizumab and anlotinib combined with albumin-bound paclitaxel/gemcitabine(PAAG)have shown great efficacy and safety in first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer(mPC)patients.The cancer vaccine ELI-002 2P,which targets KRAS mutation-encoded neoantigens,can induce an antitumor immune response.Oncolytic adenovirus therapy can synergistically improve the efficacy of treatment in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients when combined with chemotherapy.This article reviewed the latest major progress in the field of basic research and diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer in 2024.

Minimally invasive enucleation of pancreatic tumors has become a focal topic in the field of pancreatic surgery. This technique, which allows for complete tumor removal while preserving maximal pancreatic function, has seen widespread application in clinical practice in recent years. Preoperative evaluation is essential, requiring a thorough assessment of the necessity, feasibility, and appropriateness of surgery, and a careful choice between follow-up observation, parenchyma-sparing resection, or radical resection. If the lesion carries a potential risk of malignancy, radical resection, such as pancreaticoduodenectomy, should be performed. During minimally invasive local resection, selecting an appropriate surgical approach, accurately localizing the tumor, protecting the main pancreatic duct (MPD), and effectively repairing and reconstructing the MPD in case of injury are key to ensuring both surgical safety and efficacy. In addition, pancreatic wound management and the long-term prognosis of patients who undergo MPD repair and reconstruction are also areas of significant concern.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor,and its incidence rate has been slowly increasing since 2000.Although the improvement of diagnosis and treatment has led to an increase in the five-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer compared to 50 years ago,it remains one of the discouraging tumor diseases regarding its prognosis.In 2024,many achievements were made in the research of early screening,disease mechanism,clinical diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer,showing a good prospect for clinical application.In early screening,artificial intelligence(AI)technology has empowered early diagnosis and screening of pancreatic cancer,pushing clinical diagnosis and treatment to a new level.Additionally,improvements in the accuracy of technologies such as liquid biopsy have provided new directions for early screening of pancreatic cancer.In terms of research on disease pathogenesis,3D genome mapping technology has revealed the polyclonal origin and genetic heterogeneity of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasm(PanIN).In basic research,a branched organ simulation system that mimics the unique structural characteristics of pancreatic cancer provides a new model for in vitro studies of pancreatic cancer.Lactate,an important tumor metabolite,links the metabolic microenvironment of pancreatic cancer with epigenetic changes,revealing potential therapeutic targets.Defects in the histone H3K36 trimethyltransferase SETD2 contribute to endogenous epigenetic dysregulation in pancreatic cancer and promote mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation(OXPHOS)and tumor progression.The platelet-derived growth factor receptor(PDGFR)axis,which facilitates communication between stromal cells and cancer cells,forms a bidirectional secretory circuit and may become a new therapeutic target.Chimeric antigen receptor macrophage(CAR-M)therapy targeting the tyrosine kinase receptor c-MET demonstrates potential for synergistic enhancement with chemotherapy drugs.Macrophages in the pancreatic cancer microenvironment promote the development of pancreatic cancer cachexia through the CCL5/TRAF6/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)pathway,suggesting that macrophages could be an effective target for predicting and intervening in the development of pancreatic cancer cachexia.In terms of advancements in diagnosis and treatment,surgery following neoadjuvant chemotherapy can improve overall survival(OS)in resectable and borderline resectable patients,but further optimization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols is needed.The first clinically effective KRASG12D-targeted drug has been reported,and research on inhibitors of a wide range of KRAS mutants is continually emerging.Patient stratification based on glycolysis-related scores(GRS)can further guide the selection of treatment protocols."Intelligent exosomes"(ExoSmart)enhance cellular uptake capacity to assist in improving chemotherapy efficacy.The implementation of clinical trials combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy is expected to synergistically improve the efficacy of pancreatic cancer treatment.Pembrolizumab and anlotinib combined with albumin-bound paclitaxel/gemcitabine(PAAG)have shown great efficacy and safety in first-line treatment of metastatic pancreatic cancer(mPC)patients.The cancer vaccine ELI-002 2P,which targets KRAS mutation-encoded neoantigens,can induce an antitumor immune response.Oncolytic adenovirus therapy can synergistically improve the efficacy of treatment in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients when combined with chemotherapy.This article reviewed the latest major progress in the field of basic research and diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer in 2024.

Objective:To explore the surgical intervention strategy for metastatic cervical lymph nodes surrounding the carotid artery in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:A total of 62 patients with advanced head and neck tumors and carotid wrap by disease treated in Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, the Affiliated BenQ Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between June 2019 and December 2023 were reviewed, of whom 9 patients presented with metastatic squamous cell carcinoma in cervical lymph nodes of unknown primary or with no recurrence of primary lesion and all the 9 patients were males, aged from 48 to 79 years old, with≤level 2 of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-Performance Status (ECOG-PS). Radiographically common carotid artery (CCA) and/or internal carotid artery (ICA) were surrounded by≥270° with tumor. All the 9 patients received implantation of covered stent in carotid artery and radical resection of metastatic cervical lymph nodes. The success rate, complications, surgery-related complications, local recurrence rate, quality of life (QOL) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. The QOL of patients was compared by paired rank sum test, and P<0.05 indicated statistically significant difference. The OS was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier. Results:The success rate of stent implantation was 100%, with no implantation-related complications. R0 resection was performed in 8 cases and R1 resection in 1 case. The QOL of patients after surgery was improved, and the improvements in "pain", "mood" and "anxiety" were statistically significant( Z values were -2.236, -2.460 and -2.200, respectively, and all P values were<0.05). Follow-up was 1-18 months, with a median of 7 months, and 1 case was lost to follow-up. Local recurrence occurred in 3 patients with an incidence of 37.5% (3/8). OS was 59.9% at 12 months after surgery. Conclusion:Implantation of covered stent in carotid artery combined with radical resection is an effective method for the treatment of cervical lymph node metastasis.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant digestive tract tumor with hidden symptoms,limited treatment options and rapid progression.With an increasing incidence rate year by year,pancreatic cancer has increasingly become a prominent issue endangering public health,causing a huge social burden.Although there was no significant improvement in survival rates for pancreatic cancer patients in the past two decades,recent progress in epidemiology,basic research and clinical research of pancreatic cancer has accelerated significantly compared to the past.Some findings have already enabled a small proportion of pancreatic cancer patients to achieve better survival.This article provided a review of the significant progress made in research,diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer in 2023.

Pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant tumor in the digestive system, and radical surgery is the only possible means to cure pancreatic cancer at present. In the past decade, pancreatic surgery has been developing rapidly, with various new technologies and concepts emerging, among which the use of minimally invasive techniques and the popularization of neoadjuvant therapy concepts are the most notable. At the same time, the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer still has a long way to go, and many problems need to be solved urgently. This article introduces the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer in the 2024 edition of the NCCN guidelines, focusing on minimally invasive and open surgical treatments, expanded lymph node dissection, combined vascular resection and reconstruction, surgical treatment of pancreatic neck cancer and neoadjuvant therapy, and briefly discussing the unresolved issues.