Objective:To compare minimally invasive surgery with traditional open surgery, analyze the current application status of health economic evaluations in the treatment of digestive tract cancers, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer by minimally invasive surgery and provide evidence for the rational selection of clinical treatment, alleviation of disease-related economic burdens, and rational allocation of healthcare resources.Methods:By using five databases, i.e. China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang data, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, and Embase, a database was established to retrieve all the papers about health economic studies of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer published until December 31, 2023. Literature was analyzed by using software NoteExpress 3.8, and data were processed using Excel 2021. The quality of included papers was evaluated using the CHEERS 2022 checklist, and Meta-analysis was conducted by using software Stata 17.0.Results:A total of 10 919 relevant papers were retrieved, and 59 studies were included. Only 14 studies (23.7%) used standard health economic evaluation methods. Meta-analysis results revealed no significant differences in direct medical expenditure and total expenditure between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery. However, the expenditure for minimally invasive surgery exhibited a significant increase [mean difference ( MD)=5 973.12 yuan, P<0.001], while hospital stay and indirect expenditure significantly decreased ( MD: -4.85 days and -733.79 yuan, P<0.001). In China, for gastric cancer, the direct medical expenditure of endoscopic surgery was lower than that of open surgery ( MD=-33 000.00 yuan) with no significant difference ( P<0.001). In colorectal cancer cases, the direct medical and surgical expenditures for laparoscopic surgery were higher than those for open surgery ( MD: 4 277.94 yuan and 4 267.80 yuan, P<0.001), while the indirect and total medical expenditures decreased ( MD: -768.34 yuan and -159.10 yuan). Hospital stays in patients who had minimally invasive surgery for all three types of cancer were shorter than those who had open surgery ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery shows higher expenditure, but has advantages, such as shorter hospital stay and lower indirect expenditure, and there were no significant differences in direct medical and total expenditures between the two approaches. When conducting health economic evaluation, factors such as postoperative complications, hospital stay, and patient's economic status should be considered for their impact on total medical expenditure. It is necessary to pay attention to the application of health economic evaluations in healthcare decision-making.

Objective:To compare minimally invasive surgery with traditional open surgery, analyze the current application status of health economic evaluations in the treatment of digestive tract cancers, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer by minimally invasive surgery and provide evidence for the rational selection of clinical treatment, alleviation of disease-related economic burdens, and rational allocation of healthcare resources.Methods:By using five databases, i.e. China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang data, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, and Embase, a database was established to retrieve all the papers about health economic studies of minimally invasive surgery for esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colorectal cancer published until December 31, 2023. Literature was analyzed by using software NoteExpress 3.8, and data were processed using Excel 2021. The quality of included papers was evaluated using the CHEERS 2022 checklist, and Meta-analysis was conducted by using software Stata 17.0.Results:A total of 10 919 relevant papers were retrieved, and 59 studies were included. Only 14 studies (23.7%) used standard health economic evaluation methods. Meta-analysis results revealed no significant differences in direct medical expenditure and total expenditure between minimally invasive surgery and open surgery. However, the expenditure for minimally invasive surgery exhibited a significant increase [mean difference ( MD)=5 973.12 yuan, P<0.001], while hospital stay and indirect expenditure significantly decreased ( MD: -4.85 days and -733.79 yuan, P<0.001). In China, for gastric cancer, the direct medical expenditure of endoscopic surgery was lower than that of open surgery ( MD=-33 000.00 yuan) with no significant difference ( P<0.001). In colorectal cancer cases, the direct medical and surgical expenditures for laparoscopic surgery were higher than those for open surgery ( MD: 4 277.94 yuan and 4 267.80 yuan, P<0.001), while the indirect and total medical expenditures decreased ( MD: -768.34 yuan and -159.10 yuan). Hospital stays in patients who had minimally invasive surgery for all three types of cancer were shorter than those who had open surgery ( P<0.001). Conclusions:In the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer, compared with open surgery, minimally invasive surgery shows higher expenditure, but has advantages, such as shorter hospital stay and lower indirect expenditure, and there were no significant differences in direct medical and total expenditures between the two approaches. When conducting health economic evaluation, factors such as postoperative complications, hospital stay, and patient's economic status should be considered for their impact on total medical expenditure. It is necessary to pay attention to the application of health economic evaluations in healthcare decision-making.

To explore the clinical outcomes of fertility-sparing treatment (FST) in patients with POLE-mutated endometrioid carcinoma (EEC). A total of 9 EEC patients who received FST and were classified to the POLE-mutated subtype in Peking University People's Hospital from April 2020 to October 2023, were retrospectively collected. Clinical and pathological data were analyzed to describe the outcomes of FST in patients with POLE-mutated EEC.A total of 9 patients with EEC including 6 cases with well-differentiated (G1) and 3 cases with moderately-differentiated (G2). The average age was 34.8±2.1 years. POLE mutation sites were P286R (5 cases), V411L (2 cases), L424I (1 cases), and S459F (1 cases), respectively.The median follow-up time was 16 months (9–41 months). The complete response (CR) rate was 88.9% (8/9), with a median time to CR of 5.5 months (3–18 months). The partial response (PR) rate was 11.1% (1/9). The relapse rate was 50.0% (4/8), with a median recurrence time of 9.5 months (5–25 months). Of these, 75% (3/4) underwent secondary FST, with all achieving CR again (3/3). Three of 5 who were out-of-indication patients achieved CR by individual therapy. FST in patients with POLE-mutated EEC achieve a CR rate of 88.9% in this study, the largest number of retrievable reports. In certain patients who are out-ofindication, individualized treatment may also result in remission. However, unlike surgical patients, some patients experience disease recurrence and whether POLE-mutated EEC is sensitive to conventional therapy in FST is controversial given its pathogenesis.

Objective:To analyze the lympho-vascular space invasion (LVSI) in different molecular subtypes of the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) molecular subtypes of endometrial cancer (EC) and to evaluate the prognostic value of LVSI in EC patients with different molecular subtypes.Methods:A total of 258 patients diagnosed EC undergoing surgery in Peking University People′s Hospital from January 2016 to June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Among 258 patients, 14 cases were classified as POLE-ultramutated subtype, 43 as high-microsatellite instability (MSI-H) subtype, 155 as copy-number low (CNL) subtype, and 46 as copy-number high (CNH) subtype. Fifty-four patients were positive for LVSI, while 203 tested negative.Results:(1) The incidence of LVSI was found to be highest in the CNH subtype (32.6%,15/46), followed by the MSI-H subtype (27.9%, 12/43), the CNL subtype (16.9%, 26/154), and the POLE-ultramutated subtype (1/14), with statistically significant differences ( χ2=7.79, P=0.044). (2) Staging and deep myometrial invasion were higher in the LVSI positive group than those in the LVSI negative group (all P<0.05), except for the POLE-ultramutated subtype. The grade, lymph node metastasis, and the expression of nuclear antigen associated with cell proliferation (Ki-67) were significantly higher in LVSI positive patients than those in LVSI negative EC patients with both MSI-H and CNL subtypes (all P<0.05). In CNL subtypes patients, LVSI was also associated with age, histology subtype,and progesterone receptor (PR; all P<0.05). (3) Of the 257 EC patients, 25 cases recurred during the follow-up period, with a recurrence rate of 9.7% (25/257); among them, the recurrence rate of LVSI positive patients was 22.2% (12/54), which was significantly higher than those with LVSI negative (6.4%, 13/203; χ2=12.15, P<0.001). During the follow-up period, none of the 14 patients with POLE-ultramutated had recurrence; among CNL patients, the recurrence rate was 19.2% (5/26) in LVSI positive patients, which was significantly higher than that in LVSI negative ones (5.5%, 7/128; χ2=3.94, P=0.047); where as no difference were found in both MSI-H [recurrence rates in LVSI positive and negative patients were 2/12 and 9.7% (3/31), respectively] and CNH subtype [recurrence rates between LVSI positive and negative patients were 5/15 and 9.7% (3/31), respectively] EC patients (both P>0.05). After log-rank test, the 3-year recurrence free survival (RFS) rate were significantly lower in LVSI positive patients from CNL subtype and CNH subtype than those in LVSI negative patients (CNL: 80.8% vs 94.5%; CNH: 66.7% vs 90.3%; both P<0.05). (4) Lymph node metastasis ( HR=6.93, 95% CI: 1.15-41.65; P=0.034) had a significant effect on the 3-year RFS rate of EC patients with MSI-H subtype. Multivariate analysis revealed that PR expression ( HR=0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.14; P<0.001) was significantly associated with the 3-year RFS rate of CNL subtype patients. Conclusions:LVSI has the highest positivity rate in CNH subtype, followed by MSI-H subtype, CNL subtype, and the lowest positivity rate in POLE-ultramutated subtype. LVSI is significantly associated with poor prognosis in CNL subtype patients and may affect the prognosis of CNH subtype patients. However, LVSI is not an independent risk factor for recurrence across all four TCGA molecular subtypes.

Objective: To evaluate the methodological quality of papers that performed meta-analyzed and systematically reviewed acupoint selections for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD) and to identify the ideal acupoint combinations for FD. Methods: Chinese databases including China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP), China Biology Medicine (CBM), and Wanfang Database, as well as English databases including PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched to retrieve papers about meta-analysis and systematic literature reviews on acupuncture for FD. The time span for the paper retrieval was set from the foundation of the databases to April 30, 2022. The Veritas scores of the papers based on their publication year, study type, Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR2), Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), heterogeneity, and publication bias were rated to assess the methodological quality of the included studies. Then, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were extracted from those meta-analysis papers or systematic literature reviews for analyzing acupoints frequency, meridian frequency, and association rules with the use of R software (V 4.3.1). Results: Eight meta-analysis papers were included in the study after screening. The mean Veritas scores of the papers based on publication year, type of study, AMSTAR2, PRISMA, heterogeneity, and publication bias were 4.50, 8.00, 4.63, 4.63, 4.50, and 6.13, respectively. The analysis of the scores revealed insufficiencies in the reviews pertaining to the methodology, comprehension of the research strategy, detailed list of excluded studies, sources of funding, assessment of potential bias risks impact on meta-analysis results in each study, explanation of heterogeneity, and identification of potential conflicts of interest. Furthermore, a total of 85 RCTs were obtained from the eight meta-analysis papers involving 85 acupuncture prescriptions and 67 acupoints for subsequent data mining. The most commonly used meridian was Stomach meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST). Zusanli (ST36), Neiguan (PC6), Zhongwan (CV12), Taichong (LR3), Tianshu (ST25), Gongsun (SP4), Weishu (BL21), Pishu (BL20), Neiting (ST44), and Yinlingquan (SP9) topped the list of frequently selected acupoints. Additionally, a total of 28 association rules were identified, including 10 second-order, 15 third-order, and 3 fourth-order association rules. The top-ranking association rules in each order were “Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)” “Zhongwan (CV12) + Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)” and “Zhongwan (CV12) + Taichong (LR3) + Neiguan (PC6) → Zusanli (ST36)”, respectively. Conclusion Acupuncture could alleviate the clinical symptoms of FD. However, the quality of methodology applied in the meta-analysis papers on the subject needs to be improved. Through data mining, a combination of Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36), Zhongwan (CV12), and Taichong (LR3) was identified as an essential acupoint combination for the treatment of FD.

Background::Non-smokers account for a large proportion of lung cancer patients, especially in Asia, but the attention paid to them is limited compared with smokers. In non-smokers, males display a risk for lung cancer incidence distinct from the females—even after excluding the influence of smoking; but the knowledge regarding the factors causing the difference is sparse. Based on a large multicenter prospective cancer screening cohort in China, we aimed to elucidate the interpretable sex differences caused by known factors and provide clues for primary and secondary prevention.Methods::Risk factors including demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, family history of cancer, and baseline comorbidity were obtained from 796,283 Chinese non-smoking participants by the baseline risk assessment completed in 2013 to 2018. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess the sex difference in the risk of lung cancer, and the hazard ratios (HRs) that were adjusted for different known factors were calculated and compared to determine the proportion of excess risk and to explain the existing risk factors.Results::With a median follow-up of 4.80 years, 3351 subjects who were diagnosed with lung cancer were selected in the analysis. The lung cancer risk of males was significantly higher than that of females; the HRs in all male non-smokers were 1.29 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-1.38) after adjusting for the age and 1.38 (95% CI: 1.28-1.50) after adjusting for all factors, which suggested that known factors could not explain the sex difference in the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers. Known factors were 7% (|1.29-1.38|/1.29) more harmful in women than in men. For adenocarcinoma, women showed excess risk higher than men, contrary to squamous cell carcinoma; after adjusting for all factors, 47% ([1.30-1.16]/[1.30-1]) and 4% ([7.02-6.75]/[7.02-1])) of the excess risk was explainable in adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The main causes of gender differences in lung cancer risk were lifestyle factors, baseline comorbidity, and family history.Conclusions::Significant gender differences in the risk of lung cancer were discovered in China non-smokers. Existing risk factors did not explain the excess lung cancer risk of all non-smoking men, and the internal causes for the excess risk still need to be explored; most known risk factors were more harmful to non-smoking women; further exploring the causes of the sex difference would help to improve the prevention and screening programs and protect the non-smoking males from lung cancers.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk of breast cancer in Chinese females.Methods:From May 2006 to December 2015, based on the Kailuan Women′s Dynamic Cohort,a total of 25 618 female employees and retirees of the Kailuan Group were included and followed. Questionnaire surveys, physical measurements and laboratory tests were used to collect baseline sociodemographic characteristics, height, weight, blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, tumor incidence and outcome information. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the relationship between MS and its components (body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipid) and the risk of breast cancer in females.Results:The age of 25 618 women was (47.65±12.02) years old and median follow-up time was 8.78 years; 235 new cases of breast cancer were detected, and the incidence density was 113.19/100 000 person-years. After adjusting for age, education, income, smoking status, drinking status and other factors, people who were overweight or obese had a higher risk of breast cancer, with HR (95% CI) about 1.47 (1.12-1.93), than those with normal body mass index. Compared with those without MS abnormal components, women with two MS abnormal components had an increased risk of breast cancer ( HR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.16-2.50). With the increase of the number of MS abnormal components, the risk of breast cancer increased gradually ( Ptrend value<0.05). Conclusion:Overweight/obesity and the number of abnormal components of MS can increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

Objective:To analyze the compliance and related factors of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening among the high-risk population of lung cancer in three provinces participating in the cancer early diagnosis and early treatment program in urban areas of China.Methods:From October 2017 to October 2018, 17 983 people aged between 40 and 74 years old at high risk of lung cancer were recruited from Zhejiang, Anhui and Liaoning provinces. The basic demographic characteristics, living habits, history of the disease and family history of cancer were collected by using a cancer risk assessment questionnaire, and the data of participants examined by LDCT were obtained from the hospitals participating in the program. The screening compliance was quantified by the screening participation rate, and it was calculated as the proportion of participants completing LDCT scan among high-risk population. The related factors of LDCT screening compliance were analyzed by using a multivariate logistic regression model.Results:The age of 17 983 participants was (56.52±8.22) years old. Males accounted for 51.9% (N=9 332), and 69.5% (N=12 495) had ever smoked, including former smokers and current smokers. A total of 6 269 participants were screened by LDCT, and the screening participation rate was 34.86%. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age group of 50 to 69 years old, female, passive smokers, alcohol consumption, family history of lung cancer and history of chronic respiratory diseases were more likely to be screened by LDCT, while the compliance of LDCT screening in current smokers was low.Conclusions:The LDCT screening compliance of the high-risk population of lung cancer in urban areas of China still needs to be improved. Age, sex, smoking, drinking, family history of lung cancer and history of chronic respiratory disease are associated with screening compliance.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and the risk of breast cancer in Chinese females.Methods:From May 2006 to December 2015, based on the Kailuan Women′s Dynamic Cohort,a total of 25 618 female employees and retirees of the Kailuan Group were included and followed. Questionnaire surveys, physical measurements and laboratory tests were used to collect baseline sociodemographic characteristics, height, weight, blood glucose, blood lipids, blood pressure, tumor incidence and outcome information. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to analyze the relationship between MS and its components (body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipid) and the risk of breast cancer in females.Results:The age of 25 618 women was (47.65±12.02) years old and median follow-up time was 8.78 years; 235 new cases of breast cancer were detected, and the incidence density was 113.19/100 000 person-years. After adjusting for age, education, income, smoking status, drinking status and other factors, people who were overweight or obese had a higher risk of breast cancer, with HR (95% CI) about 1.47 (1.12-1.93), than those with normal body mass index. Compared with those without MS abnormal components, women with two MS abnormal components had an increased risk of breast cancer ( HR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.16-2.50). With the increase of the number of MS abnormal components, the risk of breast cancer increased gradually ( Ptrend value<0.05). Conclusion:Overweight/obesity and the number of abnormal components of MS can increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

Objective:To analyze the compliance and related factors of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening among the high-risk population of lung cancer in three provinces participating in the cancer early diagnosis and early treatment program in urban areas of China.Methods:From October 2017 to October 2018, 17 983 people aged between 40 and 74 years old at high risk of lung cancer were recruited from Zhejiang, Anhui and Liaoning provinces. The basic demographic characteristics, living habits, history of the disease and family history of cancer were collected by using a cancer risk assessment questionnaire, and the data of participants examined by LDCT were obtained from the hospitals participating in the program. The screening compliance was quantified by the screening participation rate, and it was calculated as the proportion of participants completing LDCT scan among high-risk population. The related factors of LDCT screening compliance were analyzed by using a multivariate logistic regression model.Results:The age of 17 983 participants was (56.52±8.22) years old. Males accounted for 51.9% (N=9 332), and 69.5% (N=12 495) had ever smoked, including former smokers and current smokers. A total of 6 269 participants were screened by LDCT, and the screening participation rate was 34.86%. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the age group of 50 to 69 years old, female, passive smokers, alcohol consumption, family history of lung cancer and history of chronic respiratory diseases were more likely to be screened by LDCT, while the compliance of LDCT screening in current smokers was low.Conclusions:The LDCT screening compliance of the high-risk population of lung cancer in urban areas of China still needs to be improved. Age, sex, smoking, drinking, family history of lung cancer and history of chronic respiratory disease are associated with screening compliance.