The guidelines advocate for preoperative neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cases of middle and low locally advanced rectal cancer. While some patients achieved pathological complete response (pCR), which is favorable and allows for potential organ preservation, treatment sensitivity varies and not all patients reach pCR. Identifying the factors influencing pCR is important for enhancing the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy and improving patient outcomes. Previous research has identified various factors associated with response to neoadjuvant therapy, which can serve as predictors of pCR. This study reviews recent literature on imaging, pathological, genetic, and molecular characteristics, laboratory indices, and therapeutic factors related to tumor response, both domestically and internationally. The aim is to summarize the latest advancements in understanding the factors associated with pCR in patients with locally advanced middle and low rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for standardized clinical treatment approaches.

The guidelines advocate for preoperative neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in cases of middle and low locally advanced rectal cancer. While some patients achieved pathological complete response (pCR), which is favorable and allows for potential organ preservation, treatment sensitivity varies and not all patients reach pCR. Identifying the factors influencing pCR is important for enhancing the effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy and improving patient outcomes. Previous research has identified various factors associated with response to neoadjuvant therapy, which can serve as predictors of pCR. This study reviews recent literature on imaging, pathological, genetic, and molecular characteristics, laboratory indices, and therapeutic factors related to tumor response, both domestically and internationally. The aim is to summarize the latest advancements in understanding the factors associated with pCR in patients with locally advanced middle and low rectal cancer undergoing neoadjuvant therapy, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for standardized clinical treatment approaches.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of salidroside (Sal) on bone loss in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) rats by regulating the osteoprotegerin(OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL) pathway. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into(12 rats/group) control group,OSAS group,Sal-L,Sal-M,and Sal-H groups(17.5,35,70 mg/kg). Except for the control group,all other groups were used to replicate the OSAS rat model through hypoxia and reoxygenation cycles. Bone density meters,three-point bending experiments,and Micro CT were applied to measure the bone density,biomechanics,and microstructural changes of the femur in rats. ELISA method was applied to detect serum levels of osteocalcin(BGP),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen(CTX-I). RT-PCR was applied to detect OPG and RANKL mRNA levels in the femur. Western blotting was applied to detect the expression of OPG/RANKL pathway proteins in the femur. RESULTS Compared with the control group,the bone density,maximum intensity,maximum load,trabecular bone volume fraction(Tb.BV/TV),trabecular number(Tb.N),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),BGP,ALP,OPG mRNA and protein expression,OPG/RANKL ratio of rats in the OSAS group were decreased,the mRNA and protein expression of CTX-I and RANKL were increased(P<0.05). Compared with the OSAS group,the bone density,maximum intensity,maximum load,Tb.BV/TV,Tb.N,Tb.Th,BGP,ALP,OPG mRNA and protein expression,OPG/RANKL ratio of rats in the Sal-L,Sal-M,and Sal-H groups were increased sequentially,the mRNA and protein expression of CTX-I and RANKL were decreased sequentially,the above changes were most great in the Sal-H group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Salidroside promotes bone formation and inhibits bone resorption by increasing OPG expression and decreasing RANKL expression,thereby reducing bone loss in OSAS rats.

Objective:To explore the significance of immunological indicators of lymph node for disease free survival of pathological stage Ⅱ colorectal cancer based on two age groups.Methods:Data of clinicopathological characteristics of 813 pathological stage Ⅱ CRC patients undergoing surgery between Jan 2011 and Dec 2017 at Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on age, including < 60 years and ≥ 60 years group. The clinicopathological characteristics especially the immunological indicators of lymph node between the two groups were compared. Then, the univariate and multivariate COX regression analysis were conducted in both groups.Results:Compared to age ≥ 60 years group, body mass index > 24 kg/m 2, the number of patients with adjuvant therapy and with deficient mismatch repair were higher in age < 60 years group, while the rate of comorbidity was less in age < 60 years group, the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=6.615, P=0.037; χ2=35.086, P<0.001; χ2=7.678, P=0.006; χ2=13.905, P<0.001). Meanwhile, patients with age<60 years group had larger lymph nodes and more harvested lymph nodes, the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.149, P=0.032; t=3.892, P<0.001). Sex ( P=0.043), tumor location ( P=0.005) and size of lymph nodes ( P<0.001) were independent risk factors in age<60 years group. Tumor location ( P=0.022)and differentiation (well and moderate vs. poor, P=0.034), pathological T stage ( P=0.041)and clinical lymph node stage ( P=0.036) were independent risk factors in age≥60 years group. Conclusion:The immunological indicators of lymph node could predict the disease free survival of pathological stage Ⅱ colorectal cancer in different age group.

BACKGROUND: The effect of intra-operative chemotherapy (IOC) on the long-term survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the independent effect of intra-operative infusion of 5-fluorouracil in combination with calcium folinate on the survival of CRC patients following radical resection. METHODS: 1820 patients were recruited, and 1263 received IOC and 557 did not. Clinical and demographic data were collected, including overall survival (OS), clinicopathological features, and treatment strategies. Risk factors for IOC-related deaths were identified using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. A regression model was developed to analyze the independent effects of IOC. RESULTS: Proportional hazard regression analysis showed that IOC (hazard ratio [HR]=0.53, 95% confidence intervals [CI] [0.43, 0.65], P  < 0.001) was a protective factor for the survival of patients. The mean overall survival time in IOC group was 82.50 (95% CI [80.52, 84.49]) months, and 71.21 (95% CI [67.92, 74.50]) months in non-IOC group. The OS in IOC-treated patients were significantly higher than non-IOC-treated patients ( P  < 0.001, log-rank test). Further analysis revealed that IOC decreased the risk of death in patients with CRC in a non-adjusted model (HR=0.53, 95% CI [0.43, 0.65], P  < 0.001), model 2 (adjusted for age and gender, HR=0.52, 95% CI [0.43, 0.64], P  < 0.001), and model 3 (adjusted for all factors, 95% CI 0.71 [0.55, 0.90], P  = 0.006). The subgroup analysis showed that the HR for the effect of IOC on survival was lower in patients with stage II (HR = 0.46, 95% CI [0.31, 0.67]) or III disease (HR=0.59, 95% CI [0.45, 0.76]), regardless of pre-operative radiotherapy (HR=0.55, 95% CI [0.45, 0.68]) or pre-operative chemotherapy (HR=0.54, 95% CI [0.44, 0.66]). CONCLUSIONS: IOC is an independent factor that influences the survival of CRC patients. It improved the OS of patients with stages II and III CRC after radical surgery. TRIAL REGISTRATION chictr.org.cn, ChiCTR 2100043775.
Humans ; Fluorouracil/therapeutic use* ; Leucovorin/therapeutic use* ; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Prognosis

Objective:To investigate the impact of the clinicopathological characteristics of anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) on the prognosis.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 40 ARMM patients undergoing surgery at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from Apr 2012 to Apr 2022 were collected, and the impact of different clinicopathological factors and treatment modalities on the overall survival of ARMM patients was investigated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multifactorial Cox proportional risk model analysis.Results:Among 40 ARMM patients , 16 were male and 24 were female. The median age of onset was 61 yr. The median follow-up period for all patients was 47 (25-69) months, with a median survival of 19 (15-23) months and 1-year and 3-year survival rates of 74.3% and 21.7%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in survival time between the two groups of patients receiving wide local excision and abdominoperineal resection( χ2=1.281, P=0.258). Univariate analysis showed that overall survival in patients with ARMM was related to tumour diameter, depth of infiltration, specimen margin and lymph node metastasis ( χ2=1.281, P=0.039; χ2=3.760, P=0.042; χ2=6.581, P=0.010; χ2=21.683, P<0.001), and multivariate analysis suggested that lymph node metastasis was an independent risk factor for overall survival in patients with ARMM. Conclusion:Tumour diameter, depth of infiltration, specimen margin and lymph node metastasis were important prognostic influences in ARMM, and lymph node metastasis was an independent risk factor for overall survival in ARMM patients.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of radical surgery and explore prognostic factors affecting cancer-specific survival (CSS) in elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).Methods:From Jan 2010 to Dec 2020, a total of 372 elderly (aged over 80 years) CRC patients who underwent curative resection at the National Cancer Center were enrolled. Preoperative clinical features, perioperative outcomes and postoperative pathological characteristics were collected.Results:In the multivariable COX regression analysis, BMI ≥30 kg/m 2 ( HR:2.30, 95% CI: 1.27-4.17, P=0.006) and N1-N2 stage ( HR: 2.97,95% CI:1.48-5.97, P=0.002) correlated with worse CCS. Conclusions:The results of this study demonstrated that radical resection for CRC is safe and feasible for patients over 80 years of age. BMI and N stage were independent prognostic factors for elderly CRC patients after radical resection.

Objective:To examine the safety and feasibility of using fusion indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (FIGFI) technique for intraoperative evaluation of colorectal perfusion in the totally laparoscopic left colectomy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 58 patients with left colon cancer who underwent totally laparoscopic surgery at the Colorectal Surgery Department, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from October 2016 to December 2019. There were 39 males and 19 females, aging (57.0±10.1)years(range:28 to 75 years). According to whether the FIGFI was used during the operation, they were divided into 36 cases in the study group and 22 cases in the control group. The clinical pathological characteristics, operative and postoperative recovery of the two groups were compared by t test, χ 2 test, and Fisher exact test. Results:All the 58 patients underwent R0 resection with totally laparoscopic surgery. In the study group, due to poor bowel blood flow after cutting the mesentery (Sherwinter score = 1), 1 patient had to be expanded the resection range until the blood flow was rich(Sherwinter score≥3), and 1 patient in the control group had the complication of postoperative anastomotic leakage of grade A. Compared with the control group, the operation time in the study group was shorter ((156.3±43.5) minutes vs. (180.4±41.3) minutes, t=-2.083, P=0.042). However, there were no significant differences in the amount of blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative time of anal exhaust, length of bowel resection, number of lymph nodes dissected, and in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. Median follow-up period was 23 months (range: 18 to 37 months). There were no long-term postoperative complications such as ischemic enteritis and anastomotic stenosis in both groups. Conclusions:The FIGFI is safe and feasible to assess the blood supply of intestinal segment and anastomosis during totally laparoscopic left hemicolectomy, and is easy to operate. It is expected to reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage.

Objective:To examine the safety and feasibility of using fusion indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (FIGFI) technique for intraoperative evaluation of colorectal perfusion in the totally laparoscopic left colectomy.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect the clinical data of 58 patients with left colon cancer who underwent totally laparoscopic surgery at the Colorectal Surgery Department, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from October 2016 to December 2019. There were 39 males and 19 females, aging (57.0±10.1)years(range:28 to 75 years). According to whether the FIGFI was used during the operation, they were divided into 36 cases in the study group and 22 cases in the control group. The clinical pathological characteristics, operative and postoperative recovery of the two groups were compared by t test, χ 2 test, and Fisher exact test. Results:All the 58 patients underwent R0 resection with totally laparoscopic surgery. In the study group, due to poor bowel blood flow after cutting the mesentery (Sherwinter score = 1), 1 patient had to be expanded the resection range until the blood flow was rich(Sherwinter score≥3), and 1 patient in the control group had the complication of postoperative anastomotic leakage of grade A. Compared with the control group, the operation time in the study group was shorter ((156.3±43.5) minutes vs. (180.4±41.3) minutes, t=-2.083, P=0.042). However, there were no significant differences in the amount of blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative time of anal exhaust, length of bowel resection, number of lymph nodes dissected, and in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups. Median follow-up period was 23 months (range: 18 to 37 months). There were no long-term postoperative complications such as ischemic enteritis and anastomotic stenosis in both groups. Conclusions:The FIGFI is safe and feasible to assess the blood supply of intestinal segment and anastomosis during totally laparoscopic left hemicolectomy, and is easy to operate. It is expected to reduce the incidence of anastomotic leakage.