Objective To investigate the effects of two driving pressure-based methods to set positive end-expiratory pressure on pulmonary mechanics and oxygenation in patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy.Methods Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy were divided into two groups(n=30 each):incremental group(group Ⅰ)and decremental group(group D).PEEP titration was performed in both groups during thoracoscopy and laparoscopy.Respiratory mechanics parameters,hemodynamic parameters,and blood gas analysis were collected for analysis before preoxygenation(T0),10 minutes after intuba-tion(T1),20 minutes after PEEP application for one-lung ventilation(T2),20 minutes after PEEP application for two-lung ventilation(T3),before extubation(T4),and 30 minutes after extubation(Ts).The postoperative pulmonary complications within 3 days and 7 days after operation,hospitalization duration,and costs were recorded.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,patients in group D showed higher oxygenation index and pulmonary compliance during surgery(P＜0.05).In both groups,driving pressure decreased and compliance increased after PEEP titration(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both driving pressure-guided incremental and decremental titration of individualized PEEP improved intraoperative respiratory mechanics in patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esopha-gectomy,and decremental titration was more effective in improving intraoperative respiratory mechanics and oxygenation in patients during operation.

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of bronchial arterial chemoembolization(BACE)combined with tislelizumab for advanced non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods A total of 30 patients in First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ NSCLC from December 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled in this study.All the patients received BACE,which was followed by 200 mg tislelizumab once every 3 weeks until the disease progressed,or the patient developed intolerable adverse effects,or the investigator decided to terminate this drug treatment.The primary study endpoint was progression-free survival(PFS),and the secondary study endpoints included overall survival(OS),objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),safety,and quality of life(QoL).Results The median follow-up time was 12 months(range of 1.5-12 months),the median PFS was 10.5 months(95％CI:7.8-13.2 months),and the median OS was not available.The 3-month,6-month,and 12-month ORRs were 63.3％(95％CI:43.9％-80.1％),56.7％(95％CI:37.4％-74.5％),and 30.4％(95％CI:13.2％-52.9％)respectively.The 3-month,6-month,and 12-month DCRs were 80％(95％CI:61.4％-92.3％),76.7％(95％CI:57.7％-90.1％),and 47.8％(95％CI:26.8％-69.4％)respectively.The expression ratio of PD-L1 ≥50％(HR=0.29,P=0.039),tumor having a single feeding artery(HR=0.35,P=0.028),and completion of＞10 cycles of tislelizumab therapy(HR=0.42,P=0.064)were the protective factors for PFS.No ≥grade Ⅲ treatment-related adverse events(TRAEs)occurred.The common below grade Ⅱ TRAEs were nausea,fever,and cough.After one cycle of treatment,the patient's QoL,including overall quality of life,physical functioning,and emotional functioning,was significantly improved.Conclusion For the treatment of patients with advanced NSCLC,BACE plus tislelizumab has satisfactory clinical efficacy and safety.

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with donafenib and programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors and TACE combined with donafenib in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).Methods:Clinical data of 148 patients with uHCC treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 127 males and 21 females, aged (56.6±9.9) years. Patients were divided into two groups: the TACE combined with donafenib and PD-1 inhibitors group (TACE+ DP, n=73) and TACE combined with single donafenib (TACE+ D, n=75). The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and the occurrence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of the two groups of patients were observed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival assessment, and the log-rank test was used for comparison. The related factors affecting the prognosis of patients were indentified and analyzed. Results:The median PFS of patients in the TACE+ D group and the TACE+ DP group were 7.2 months (95% CI: 5.7-8.3 months) and 10.5months (95% CI: 8.9-11.3 months), respectively. The median OS was 13.2 months (95% CI: 12.3-13.7 months) and 16.9 months (95% CI: 15.1-19.8 months), respectively. All these differences were statistically significant ( χ2=17.81, 26.92, respectively, both P<0.001). The ORR and DCR of TACE+ DP group were both higher than those in TACE+ D group [53.4% (39/73) vs 36.0% (27/75), χ2=4.55, P=0.031; and 90.4% (66/73) vs 77.3% (58/75), χ2=4.66, P=0.044]. No grade 4 or above adverse events occurred in either the TACE+ DP or the TACE+ D group. The most common treatment-related adverse events in TACE+ D and TACE+ DP group were hand-foot syndrome [46.7% (35/75) vs 49.3% (36/73)], hypertension [26.7% (20/75) vs 30.1% (22/73)], fatigue [22.7% (17/75) vs 24.7% (18/73)], diarrhea [26.7% (20/75) vs 28.8% (21/73)], and thrombocytopenia [25.3% (19/75) vs 28.8% (21/73)]. There was no significant difference in the incidence and severity of TRAEs between the groups ( χ2=0.08, P=0.774). TACE+ DP treatment was a favorable prognostic factor for PFS ( HR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.22-0.49, P<0.001) and OS ( HR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.11-0.33, P<0.001) of patients. Conclusion:Compared to TACE combined with donafenib, TACE combined with donafenib and PD-1 inhibitors, with good efficacy and safety, significantly improved the treatment response and survival in patients with uHCC.

Objective:To compare the safety and efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with donafenib and programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors and TACE combined with donafenib in the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC).Methods:Clinical data of 148 patients with uHCC treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 127 males and 21 females, aged (56.6±9.9) years. Patients were divided into two groups: the TACE combined with donafenib and PD-1 inhibitors group (TACE+ DP, n=73) and TACE combined with single donafenib (TACE+ D, n=75). The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and the occurrence of treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of the two groups of patients were observed. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used for survival assessment, and the log-rank test was used for comparison. The related factors affecting the prognosis of patients were indentified and analyzed. Results:The median PFS of patients in the TACE+ D group and the TACE+ DP group were 7.2 months (95% CI: 5.7-8.3 months) and 10.5months (95% CI: 8.9-11.3 months), respectively. The median OS was 13.2 months (95% CI: 12.3-13.7 months) and 16.9 months (95% CI: 15.1-19.8 months), respectively. All these differences were statistically significant ( χ2=17.81, 26.92, respectively, both P<0.001). The ORR and DCR of TACE+ DP group were both higher than those in TACE+ D group [53.4% (39/73) vs 36.0% (27/75), χ2=4.55, P=0.031; and 90.4% (66/73) vs 77.3% (58/75), χ2=4.66, P=0.044]. No grade 4 or above adverse events occurred in either the TACE+ DP or the TACE+ D group. The most common treatment-related adverse events in TACE+ D and TACE+ DP group were hand-foot syndrome [46.7% (35/75) vs 49.3% (36/73)], hypertension [26.7% (20/75) vs 30.1% (22/73)], fatigue [22.7% (17/75) vs 24.7% (18/73)], diarrhea [26.7% (20/75) vs 28.8% (21/73)], and thrombocytopenia [25.3% (19/75) vs 28.8% (21/73)]. There was no significant difference in the incidence and severity of TRAEs between the groups ( χ2=0.08, P=0.774). TACE+ DP treatment was a favorable prognostic factor for PFS ( HR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.22-0.49, P<0.001) and OS ( HR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.11-0.33, P<0.001) of patients. Conclusion:Compared to TACE combined with donafenib, TACE combined with donafenib and PD-1 inhibitors, with good efficacy and safety, significantly improved the treatment response and survival in patients with uHCC.

Objective To investigate the effects of two driving pressure-based methods to set positive end-expiratory pressure on pulmonary mechanics and oxygenation in patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy.Methods Sixty patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esophagectomy were divided into two groups(n=30 each):incremental group(group Ⅰ)and decremental group(group D).PEEP titration was performed in both groups during thoracoscopy and laparoscopy.Respiratory mechanics parameters,hemodynamic parameters,and blood gas analysis were collected for analysis before preoxygenation(T0),10 minutes after intuba-tion(T1),20 minutes after PEEP application for one-lung ventilation(T2),20 minutes after PEEP application for two-lung ventilation(T3),before extubation(T4),and 30 minutes after extubation(Ts).The postoperative pulmonary complications within 3 days and 7 days after operation,hospitalization duration,and costs were recorded.Results Compared with group Ⅰ,patients in group D showed higher oxygenation index and pulmonary compliance during surgery(P＜0.05).In both groups,driving pressure decreased and compliance increased after PEEP titration(P＜0.05).Conclusion Both driving pressure-guided incremental and decremental titration of individualized PEEP improved intraoperative respiratory mechanics in patients undergoing laparoscopic and thoracoscopic esopha-gectomy,and decremental titration was more effective in improving intraoperative respiratory mechanics and oxygenation in patients during operation.

Adenosine has been proved to have immunosuppressive effect in many different diseases, and the activity of ecto-5’-nucleotidase(CD73) on the cell surface is the rate-limiting step of extracellular adenosine production. CD73 has a profound and lasting impact on tumor immune regulation of regulatory T cells, B cells, macrophages and natural killer cells. CD73-mediated adenosine pathway is significant in signal transduction during cancer progression in tumor microenvironment, making CD73 a novel immune checkpoint. Therefore, CD73 inhibition is a emergent and promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. At present, a variety of monoclonal antibodies and small molecule inhibitors have been in clinical development. This review comprehensively summarizes the frontier research progress of reported small molecule CD73 inhibitors, which can provide guidance for the investigation of novel CD73 inhibitors for cancer therapy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application value of commonly used preoperative indicators of sarcopenia in predicting postoperative pneumonia in patients aged 70 years and above with esophageal cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 398 elderly patients(≥70 years old)with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who underwent thoracic laparoscopic radical resection of esophageal cancer in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2021.The study aimed to investigate the correlation between clinical pathological indicators and commonly used measurement indicators of sarcopenia and postoperative pneumonia.Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the data.Results:The study found that the proportion of postoperative pneumonia in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients aged 70 years and above was 27.9%(111 out of 398). The pneumonia group had significantly lower preoperative BMI and peak expiratory flow(PEF)measurements compared to the non-pneumonia group, with statistically significant differences( t=2.799, 2.674, both P<0.05). Logistic multivariate analysis revealed that low PEF, low psoas major muscle index(PMI), and low psoas muscle density(PMD)were the primary risk factors for postoperative pneumonia in esophageal cancer patients aged 70 years and above(Wald χ2 values were 7.577, 6.091, 6.845, all P<0.05). The risk of postoperative pneumonia in esophageal cancer patients aged 70 years and above with low PEF, low PMI, and low PMD was found to be 1.969 times higher(95% CI: 1.215-3.185, P=0.006), 1.912 times higher(95% CI: 1.143-3.205, P=0.014), and 1.832 times higher(95% CI: 1.164-2.882, P=0.009)respectively, compared to patients with high PEF, high PMI, and high PMD. Conclusions:Low PEF, low PMI, and low PMD are significant risk factors for postoperative pneumonia in esophageal cancer patients aged 70 years and older.Preoperative PEF, PMI, and PMD, which are commonly utilized measurement indicators for sarcopenia, can be utilized as early screening indicators for postoperative pneumonia.

Objective:To compare the effects of drug-loaded microsphere TACE (D-TACE) and iodinated oil emulsion TACE (cTACE) on liver fibrosis in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 113 patients with HCC treated with D-TACE or cTACE at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from October 2019 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 96 males and 17 females, aged (56.8±9.8) years old. According to treatment protocol, patients were divided into two groups: the D-TACE group ( n=57) and the cTACE group ( n=56). Liver fibrosis panel, fibrosis index (FIB-4), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and liver stiffness measurement (LSM) were compared between the groups at four timepoints: pre-treatment, one month after the first TACE, one month after the second TACE, and 12 months after the first TACE. Follow-ups were conducted through outpatient visits or telephone reviews to assess patient survivals. Data including the progression-free survival (PFS) and number of TACE sessions were compared between the two groups. Results:The D-TACE group received 2.84±1.12 sessions of treatment during the observation period, compared to 4.05±1.44 sessions of cTACE group ( t=4.94, P<0.001). The median PFS in D-TACE and cTACE groups were 10.0 and 5.0 months, respectively ( P<0.001). At one month after the second TACE and at 12 months after the first TACE, patients in cTACE group had a higher serum levels of fibrosis markers including hyaluronic acid, type IV collagen, type III procollagen N peptide and laminin than those in D-TACE group (all P<0.05). At the same timepoints, patients in cTACE group also had higher APRI, FIB-4 and LSM than those in D-TACE group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared to cTACE, patients in D-TACE group received fewer sessions of treatment during the first year after initial TACE, and the degree of liver fibrosis was also lower in D-TACE group.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of camrelizumab added to second-line therapy after drug- eluting bead transarterial chemoembolization (DTACE) combined with apatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 89 HCC patients with camrelizumab added to second-line therapy who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2019 to December 2020. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after the application of camrelizumab, and the secondary endpoints were objective remission rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves, the Log-rank test was used for stratified analysis of subgroups based on baseline characteristics, and the influencing factors for prognosis were analyzed. Results A total of 89 patients were screened and followed up in this study. The patients were followed up to December 2021, with a median follow-up time of 16 months, a median OS time of 17.0 (95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 15.3-18.7) months, and a median PFS time of 7.0 (95% CI : 6.2-7.8) months. There were significant differences in OS and PFS between the patients with different ECOG-PS scores, liver function Child-Pugh classes, portal vein invasion, patterns of progression, times of DTACE treatment, durations of oral administration of apatinib, and durations of application of camrelizumab (all P < 0.05). At 3 and 6 months after the application of camrelizumab, ORR was 39.3% and 22.4%, respectively, and DCR was 80.9% and 54.1%, respectively. The univariate analysis using the Log-rank test showed that compared with the patients receiving 0 time of DTACE treatment, the patients receiving 3-4 or 1-2 times of DTACE treatment had significant improvements in median OS [22.0 (95% CI : 21.1-22.9) months and 17.0 (95% CI : 15.8-18.2) months vs 10.0 (95% CI : 7.0-13.0) months, χ 2 =31.423, P < 0.001] and PFS [10.0 (95% CI : 7.0-13.0) months and 7.0 (95% CI : 6.2-7.8) months vs 3.0 (95% CI : 1.9-4.1) months, χ 2 =20.741, P < 0.001]; compared with the patients using apatinib for ≤4 months, the patients using apatinib for > 4 months had significant improvements in median OS [21.0 (95% CI : 19.1-22.9) months vs 14.0 (95% CI : 10.4-17.6) months, χ 2 =19.399, P < 0.001] and PFS [9.0 (95% CI : 7.3-10.7) months vs 5.0 (95% CI : 4.0-6.0) months, χ 2 =27.733, P < 0.001]; compared with the patients using camrelizumab for ≤5 months, the patients using camrelizumab for > 5 months had significant improvements in median OS [22.0 (95% CI : 20.2-23.8) months vs 13.0 (95% CI : 9.3-16.7) months, χ 2 =22.336, P < 0.001] and PFS [9.0 (95% CI : 7.0-11.0) months vs 5.0 (95% CI : 4.1-5.9) months, χ 2 =26.141, P < 0.001]. Post-embolization syndrome was the adverse event after DTACE and resolved after symptomatic treatment. Adverse reactions related to targeted drugs and immunotherapy all resolved after symptomatic supportive treatment, with no grade ≥4 adverse reactions, and no patients withdrew from target-free therapy due to TRAEs. Conclusion As for DTACE combined with apatinib in the treatment of unresectable HCC, camrelizumab added after progression has a marked therapeutic efficacy with safe and controllable TRAEs.

Objective:To investigate the effect of sarcopenia on the perioperative clinical outcomes of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 148 ESCC patients who were admitted to the Affiliated Huaian No.1 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021 were collected. There were 789 males and 359 females, aged (67±7)years. All patients under-went thoracoscopic and laparoscopic radical esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Observation indicators: (1) incidence of sarcopenia in patients with ESCC; (2) comparison of general data between ESCC patients complicated with sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia; (3) comparison of clinical outcomes between ESCC patients complicated with sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia; (4) analysis of influencing factors for sarcopenia in ESCC patients. Measurement data of normal distri-bution were represented by Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the t test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test. Ordinal data was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Logistic regression analysis was used to conduct univariate analysis. Logistic backward stepwise regression model was used to conduct multivariate analysis. Results:(1) Incidence of sarcopenia in patients with ESCC. Among 1 148 ESCC patients, 469 cases were complicated with sarcopenia, 679 were without sarcopenia. The incidence of sarcopenia was 40.854%(469/1 148). Among the 469 patients with sarcopenia, there were 313 males and 156 females. There were 125 cases <65 years old, 145 cases ≥65 years old but <70 years old, 106 cases ≥70 years old but<75 years old, 93 cases ≥75 years old, respectively. (2) Comparison of general data between patients with ESCC complicated with sarco-penia and those without sarcopenia. The age, tumor diameter, body mass index, cases in stage T1, T2, T3, preoperative albumin, preoperative serum prealbumin, psoas muscle index, psoas muscle density were (68±7)years, (3.3±1.5)cm, (22.4±2.9)kg/m 2, 100, 105, 264, (43±4)g/L, (193±38)mg/dL, (3.9±0.8)cm 2/m 2, (48±8)HU of 469 ESCC patients complicated with sarcopenia, versus (66±7)years, (3.2±1.4)cm, (23.8±3.0)kg/m 2, 173, 170, 336, (44±4)g/L, (206±37)mg/dL, (6.0±2.2)cm 2/m 2, (50±7)HU of 679 ESCC patients without sarcopenia, showing significant differences between the two groups ( t=5.74, 2.11, 7.57, Z=-2.93, t=2.25, 5.52,20.36, 4.18, P<0.05). (3) Comparison of clinical outcomes between patients with ESCC complicated with sarcopenia and those without sarcopenia. The duration of postoperative hospital stay, cases with postoperative hospital stay>30 days, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, anastomotic fistula, and abnormal heart rhythm were (17±9)days, 32, 158, 39, 33, and 103 of 469 ESCC patients complicated with sarcopenia, respectively, versus (15±6)days, 15, 102, 18, 19, and 85 of 679 ESCC patients without sarcopenia, showing significant differences between the two groups ( t=4.89, χ2=15.04, 55.17, 18.86, 11.52, 18.06, P<0.05). (4) Analysis of influencing factors for sarcopenia in ESCC patients. Results of multivariate analysis showed that age ≥65 years was an independent risk factor for sarcopenia in ESCC patients ( odds ratio=1.64, 95% confidence interval as 1.26-2.14, P<0.05). Preoperative serum prealbumin ≥200 mg/dL, psoas muscle density ≥48 HU and body mass index >24 kg/m 2 were independent protective factors for sarcopenia in ESCC patients ( odds ratio=0.64, 0.72, 0.53, 95% confidence interval as 0.50-0.82, 0.56-0.92, 0.41-0.69, P<0.05). Conclusions:Age ≥65 years is an independent risk factor for sarcopenia in ESCC patients. Preoperative serum prealbumin ≥200 mg/dL, psoas muscle density ≥48 HU and body mass index >24 kg/m 2 are independent protective factors for sarcopenia in ESCC patients. Compared with patients without sarcopenia, ESCC patients with sarcopenia are more prone to postoperative compli-cations such as pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, anastomotic fistula, and arrhythmia, and have a longer postoperative hospital stay.