Objective To investigate the effects of Weidiao-3(WD-3)Mixture on the clinical efficacy of immunotherapy for advanced gastric cancer and the intestinal flora.Methods Fifty-one patients with advanced gastric cancer treated in Wuxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were randomized into a WD-3 group(immunotherapy + WD-3 Mixture,one dose per day)(n=25)and a gastric cancer(GC) group(only immunotherapy)(n=26)according to the admission time.Ten healthy volunteers were included as the healthy control group.The Karnofsky score and the Quality of Life Questionnare-Core score were evaluated before and after treatment,and the clinical efficacy was compared after treatment.After treatment,the stool samples were collected for 16SrRNA gene high-throughput sequencing and targeted metabolomics.The α and β diversity and structure of the intestinal flora and the content of short-chain fatty acids were compared between groups.Results The quality of life in both groups improved after treatment and was better in the WD-3 group than in the GC group(P=0.035).The dry mouth(P=0.038)and altered taste(P=0.008)were mitigated in the WD-3 group after treatment,and the reflux(P=0.001)and dry mouth(P=0.022)were mitigated in the GC group after treatment.After treatment,the WD-3 group outperformed the GC group in terms of dysphagia(P=0.047)and dry mouth(P=0.045).The WD-3 group was superior to the GC group in terms of objective remission rate and disease control rate,with prolonged median progression-free survival and median overall survival(P=0.039,P=0.043).The α and β diversity indexes of the intestinal flora showed no significant differences between WD-3 and GC groups(all P>0.05).At the phylum level,WD-3 and GC groups had lower relative abundance of Firmicutes(P=0.038,P=0.042)and higher relative abundance of Proteobacteria(P=0.016,P=0.015)than the healthy control group.The relative abundance of Actinomycetes in the GC group was lower than that in the healthy control group(P=0.035)and the WD-3 group(P=0.046).At the genus level,the GC group had lower relative abundance of Bifidobacteria and Coprococcus than the healthy control group and the WD-3 group(all P<0.001).LEfSe revealed the differences in the relative abundance of 6 intestinal bacterial taxa between the WD-3 group and the GC group.At the genus level,Saccharopolyspora had higher relative abundance in the WD-3 group than in the healthy control group and only existed in the WD-3 group.The content of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid in the WD-3 group was higher than that in the healthy control group(P=0.037,P=0.004).Conclusion WD-3 Mixture may increase the relative abundance of Bifidobacteria and Coprococcus and the content of isobutyric acid and isovaleric acid to alter the intestinal microecology,thereby improving the efficacy of immunotherapy for gastric cancer.
Humans ; Isobutyrates ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Quality of Life ; Stomach Neoplasms/therapy* ; Immunotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Peritoneal tumours have a large population and a poor prognosis with limited therapeutic options available, and are common originated from gastric, colorectal, appendix and other cancers. Traditionally, peritoneal tumours have long been considered to be a terminal condition with a median survival of 3-6 months, and the palliative symptomatic treatment is recommended. Recently, the multimodal therapeutic strategy of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) has resulted in more effective on the prevention and treatment of peritoneal metastasis, which can significantly improve the survival and quality of life. Under the guidance of the China Anti-Cancer Association (CACA), the "CACA Guidelines for Holistic Integrative Management of Cancer-Peritoneal Tumours" was jointly completed by experts in related fields organized by the Chinese Society of Peritoneal Oncology. This guideline is guided by the concept of integrative medicine and focuses on the domestic epidemiology, genetic background and original studies. It emphasizes the multidisciplinary team to holistic integrative medicine (MDT to HIM), and pays attention to the whole-course management of "prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation". This guideline mainly focuses on peritoneal metastasis from gastrointestinal tumours, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment process, and jointly promote the management of peritoneal metastasis in China.
Humans ; Peritoneal Neoplasms/secondary* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Quality of Life ; Prognosis ; Hyperthermia, Induced/methods* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Colorectal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Survival Rate

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on postoperative ileus after laparotomy for gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS: A total of 90 patients with postoperative ileus after laparotomy for gastrointestinal cancer were randomized into an EA group and a conventional treatment group, 45 cases in each one. In the conventional treatment group, the postoperative fast track surgical regimen was accepted. In the EA group, on the base of the treatment as the conventional treatment group, acupuncture was applied to Zusanli (ST 36), Shangjuxu (ST 37), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Taichong (LR 3) and electric stimulation was attached on Zusanli (ST 36) and Yinlingquan (SP 9), with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency and 3-5 mA in intensity. Acupuncture was provided once daily till the onset of postoperative exhaust and defecation. The first postoperative exhaust time, the first postoperative defecation time, the postoperative hospital stay and the wound pain under standing on the next morning after entering group were compared in the patients between the two groups. The impact of the EA expectation was analyzed on the first postoperative exhaust time, the first postoperative defecation time and the postoperative hospital stay separately. RESULTS: The first postoperative exhaust time and the first postoperative defecation time in the EA group were earlier than the conventional treatment group (P<0.05), the postoperative hospital stay was shorter than the conventional treatment group (P<0.05), and the rate of wound pain in the postoperative standing was lower than the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). EA expectation had no obvious correlation with the clinical therapeutic effect (P>0.05). CONCLUSION EA can relieve postoperative ileus symptoms, alleviate pain and shorten hospital stay in the patients after laparotomy for gastrointestinal cancer.
Acupuncture Points ; Electroacupuncture ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Ileus/therapy* ; Laparotomy/adverse effects*

The incidence and mortality rates of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer remain high. Despite constant improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, the early diagnosis, mid- and late-stage treatment, drug tolerance, and cancer recurrence and metastasis in GI cancer remain challenging. In this review article we summarize the recent research advance in the roles of keratins in GI cancer, with the hope that they will become efficient biomarkers for the prediction, diagnosis, or treatment of these malignancies.
Biomarkers, Tumor ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/therapy* ; Humans ; Keratins

Peritoneal metastasis is one of the common metastasis of gastrointestinal malignancy. Intraperitoneal chemotherapy (including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy) not only can effectively increase the peritoneal drug concentration, but also can reduce side effects of systemic chemotherapy. It can significantly prolong the long term survival of patients with peritoneal metastasis and improve the quality of life. In order to standardize the popularization and application of intraperitoneal chemotherapy, relevant professional committees have formulated expert consensus on intraperitoneal chemotherapy. However, there is no systematic guidance on the prevention and treatment of related complications of intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Under the guidance of the Complications Management Committee of the Colorectal Cancer Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Association and the Colorectal Cancer Professional Committee of the Chinese Anti-cancer Association, we organized domestic experts in relevant fields to formulate this consensus according to the procedural specifications and relevant literature reports. This consensus aims to summarize the causes of common complications of intraperitoneal chemotherapy such as pneumonia, intraperitoneal hemorrhage, fever, peritonitis, ileus, intestinal dysfunction, anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic leakage, leakage or infection of perfusion tube, nausea and vomiting, myelosuppression, hepatic or nephritic dysfunction. After repeatedly soliciting the opinions of domestic authoritative experts and their discussion and modification, a consensus was formed to provide effective reference for the prevention and treatment of complications.
Humans ; Peritoneal Neoplasms/secondary* ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Consensus ; Quality of Life ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/therapy* ; Perfusion ; Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery* ; China

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of patients with cardiac metastases from digestive system tumors. Methods: This retrospective study collected and analyzed the medical records of patients with cardiac metastases from digestive system tumors who received treatments in the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 1999 and January 2021. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Results: A total of 19 patients were identified. The primary tumors were esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (n=7), gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (n=6), hepatobiliary cancers (n=3) and colorectal cancers (n=3). 16 patients had pericardial metastases, 2 patients had right atrium metastases, and 1 patient had left ventricle metastasis. The most common symptom was dyspnea, which was present in 8 cases. 7 patients received locoregional treatment, while 11 patients underwent systemic therapies. The median overall survival from diagnosis of primary cancer was 31.4 months, and the median overall survival time from diagnosis of cardiac metastasis was 4.7 months. Conclusion: Cardiac metastasis from digestive system tumors is associated with low incidence and a poor prognosis. Systemic treatment remains the cornerstone of management, while novel anti-tumor drugs may improve therapeutic efficacy.
Humans ; Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma ; Digestive System Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms

Gastrointestinal cancer and related treatments (surgery and chemoradiotherapy) are associated with declined functional status (FS) that has impact on quality of life, clinical outcome and continuum of care. Psychological distress drives an impressive burden of physiological and psychiatric conditions in oncologic care. Cancer patients often experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and fears of recurrence and death. Cancer prehabilitation is a process from cancer diagnosis to the beginning of treatment, which includes psychological, physical and nutritional assessments for a baseline functional level, identification of comorbidity, and targeted interventions that improve patient's health and functional capacity to reduce the incidence and the severity of current and future impairments with cancer, chemoradiotherapy and surgery. Multimodal prehabilitation program encompasses a series of planned, structured, repeatable and purposive interventions including comprehensive physical exercise, nutritional therapy, and relieving anxiety and depression, which integrates into best perioperative management ERAS pathway and aims at using the preoperative period to prevent or attenuate the surgery-related functional decline, to cope with surgical stress and to improve the consequences. However, a number of questions remain in regards to prehabilitation in gastrointestinal cancer surgery, which consists of the optimal makeup of training programs, the timing and approach of the intervention, how to improve compliance, how to measure functional capacity, and how to make cost-effective analysis. Therefore, more high-level evidence-based studies are expected to evaluate the value of implementation of prehabilitation into standard practice.
Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/psychology* ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/therapy* ; Humans ; Preoperative Care ; Preoperative Exercise ; Quality of Life ; Recovery of Function

Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Lung ; Naphthyridines/therapeutic use* ; Urea/analogs & derivatives*

Peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer is an independent factor that seriously affects the prognosis of patients. The "seed-soil" theory is considered to be the main theory to explain peritoneal metastasis. Because of the small size of peritoneal metastatic nodules at the initial stage, early diagnosis is particularly difficult, therefore, the risk assessment of peritoneal metastasis is very important. Recently, the diagnosis methods have gradually developed from clinicopathological factors to cytology and molecular level. In addition, the integrated assessment of multiple groups including radiomics further enriches the accurate diagnosis of peritoneal metastasis. Peritoneal metastasis is a big challenge in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer which may also lead to refractory malignant ascites, intestinal obstruction, cachexia and other related complications. At present, the treatment is based on systemic chemotherapy. The combination of surgery, intraperitoneal chemotherapy and HIPEC is an effective treatment for peritoneal metastasis of gastrointestinal cancer. How to enrich peritoneal metastasis patients with potential benefits, how to determine the timing of conversion surgery, how to further optimize the existing treatment plan, especially how to formulate treatment plan for patients after conversion surgery, call for improved study design and prospective randomized controlled trials. The goal of continuous efforts is to effectively prolong the survival of gastrointestinal cancer trials patients with peritoneal metastasis.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Humans ; Hyperthermia, Induced ; Peritoneal Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Peritoneum ; Prospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/therapy*

The incidence of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN) is continuously increasing with gastrointestinal tract and pancreas being the most common primary sites. Currently, the guidelines proposed by European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and North American Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (NANETS) are being widely applied. Among these, ENETS and NANETS guidelines were proposed in 2017 while ESMO and NCCN recently updated their guidelines for gastroenteropancreatic NEN in 2020 and 2021, respectively. This article interprets the diagnosis and treatment of gastroenteropancreatic NEN based on the newly updated ESMO and NCCN guidelines. The diagnosis of gastroenteropancreatic NEN depends on histological assessment including morphological evaluation, grading and immunohistochemistry results. Combination of different imaging methods can help determine tumor staging and risk assessment. Decision-making of treatment and follow-up strategies is based on primary tumor site, tumor classification, tumor grade, tumor type, functional status etc.
Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/therapy* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neuroendocrine Tumors/therapy*