Purification and Characterization of DT389GCSF Fusion Protein: A Unique Immunotoxin Against the Human Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Receptor

Evaluation of the role of inflammatory blood markers in predicting the pathological response after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the role of inflammatory blood markers in predicting the pathological response rate after neoadjuvant chemoradiation (neo-CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective cohort study, we analyzed the data of patients with LARC who underwent neo-CRT and surgical removal of the rectal mass between 2020 and 2022 in a tertiary medical center. Patients were examined weekly during chemoradiation and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) were calculated from weekly laboratory data. Wilcoxon signed-ranks and logistic regression analysis were utilized to determine whether any laboratory parameters during different time point assessments or their relative changes could predict the tumor response based on a permanent pathology review.

RESULTS

Thirty-four patients were recruited for the study. Eighteen patients (53%) achieved good pathologic response. Statistical analysis by Wilcoxon signed-ranks method indicated significant rises in NLR, PLR, MLR, and SII on weekly assessments during chemoradiation. Having an NLR over 3.21 during chemoradiation was correlated with the response on a Pearson chi-squared test (p = 0.04). Also, a significant correlation was found between the PLR ratio over 1.8 and the response (p = 0.02). NLR ratio over 1.82 marginally missed a significant correlation with the response (p = 0.13). On multivariate analysis, a PLR ratio over 1.8 showed a trend for response (odds ratio = 10.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.9-123; p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

In this study, PLR ratio as an inflammatory marker showed a trend in the prediction of response in permanent pathology to neo-CRT.

Do Bacteria Provide an Alternative to Cancer Treatment and What Role Does Lactic Acid Bacteria Play?

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. According to 2022 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), close to 10 million deaths have been reported in 2020 and it is estimated that the number of cancer cases world-wide could increase to 21.6 million by 2030. Breast, lung, thyroid, pancreatic, liver, prostate, bladder, kidney, pelvis, colon, and rectum cancers are the most prevalent. Each year, approximately 400,000 children develop cancer. Treatment between countries vary, but usually includes either surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy. Modern treatments such as hormone-, immuno- and antibody-based therapies are becoming increasingly popular. Several recent reports have been published on toxins, antibiotics, bacteriocins, non-ribosomal peptides, polyketides, phenylpropanoids, phenylflavonoids, purine nucleosides, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and enzymes with anticancer properties. Most of these molecules target cancer cells in a selective manner, either directly or indirectly through specific pathways. This review discusses the role of bacteria, including lactic acid bacteria, and their metabolites in the treatment of cancer.