Gastric cancer with initial bone metastasis: a distinct group of diseases with poor prognosis. Eur J Cancer. 2014;50:2810-2821. [PMID: 25201165 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2014.08.003]

Bone metastasis is a late-onset and unfavorable event in survivors of gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy: Results from a clinical observational cohort

Background

The timing and incidence of recurrent bone metastasis (BM) after radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer (GC) as well as the survival of these patients were not fully understood. The aim of this study was to analyze the data of an observational GC cohort and identify patients who underwent curative gastrectomy and had recurrent BM to describe and clarify the pattern and profile of BM evolution after surgery.

Methods

Data were retrieved from a hospital-based GC cohort, and patients who underwent upfront radical gastrectomy were selected. The time points of specific organ metastatic events were recorded, and the person-year incidence rate of metastatic events was calculated. The latency period of BM events after gastrectomy was measured and compared with that of the other two most common metastatic events, liver metastasis (LM) and distant lymph node metastasis (LNM), using analysis of variance. Propensity score matching and subgroup analysis were used for sensitivity analysis.

Results

A total of 1324 GC cases underwent radical gastrectomy between January 2011 and December 2021. Of these, 67 BM, 218 LM, and 248 LNM occurred before the last follow-up. The incidence of BM events was 1.7/100 person-years, which was approximately 3-fold lower than that of LM and distant LNM events (5.5 and 6.3 per 100 person-years, respectively). BM events had a significantly longer latency (median time, 16.5 months) than LM and LNM events (11.1 and 12.0 months, respectively). Recurrent BM led to a worse prognosis (median survival, 4.5 months) than those of LM and LNM events (median survival, 7.7 and 7.1 months, respectively). However, no difference in overall survival after gastrectomy was observed among the groups.

Conclusions

Compared with other common metastatic events, BM in GC after gastrectomy is a late-onset event indicating poor survival.

Trial registration

No. ChiCTR1800019978; http://www.chictr.org.cn/.

Genomic and Transcriptomic Characterization of Gastric Cancer with Bone Metastasis

PURPOSE

Bone metastasis (BM) adversely affects the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC). We investigated molecular features and immune microenvironment that characterize GC with BM compared to GC without BM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Targeted DNA and whole transcriptome sequencing were performed using formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissues (gastrectomy specimens) of 50 GC cases with distant metastases (14 with BM and 36 without BM). In addition, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for mucin-12 and multiplex IHC for immune cell markers were performed.

RESULTS

Most GC cases with BM had a histologic type of poorly cohesive carcinoma and showed worse overall survival (OS) than GC without BM (p < 0.05). GC with BM tended to have higher mutation rates in TP53, KDR, APC, KDM5A, and RHOA than GC without BM. Chief cell-enriched genes (PGA3, PGC, and LIPF), MUC12, MFSD4A, TSPAN7, and TRIM50 were upregulated in GC with BM compared to GC without BM, which was correlated with poor OS (p < 0.05). However, the expression of SERPINA6, SLC30A2, PMAIP1, and ITIH2 were downregulated in GC with BM. GC with BM was associated with PIK3/AKT/mTOR pathway activation, whereas GC without BM showed the opposite effect. The densities of helper, cytotoxic, and regulatory T cells did not differ between the two groups, whereas the densities of macrophages were lower in GC with BM (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

GC with BM had different gene mutation and expression profiles than GC without BM, and had more genetic alterations associated with a poor prognosis.

Two web-based dynamic prediction models for the diagnosis and prognosis of gastric cancer with bone metastases: evidence from the SEER database

Purpose

Our aim was to identify the clinical characteristics and develop and validate diagnostic and prognostic web-based dynamic prediction models for gastric cancer (GC) with bone metastasis (BM) using the SEER database.

Method

Our study retrospectively analyzed and extracted the clinical data of patients aged 18-85 years who were diagnosed with gastric cancer between 2010 and 2015 in the SEER database. We randomly divided all patients into a training set and a validation set according to the ratio of 7 to 3. Independent factors were identified using logistic regression and Cox regression analyses. Furthermore, we developed and validated two web-based clinical prediction models. We evaluated the prediction models using the C-index, ROC, calibration curve, and DCA.

Result

A total of 23,156 patients with gastric cancer were included in this study, of whom 975 developed bone metastases. Age, site, grade, T stage, N stage, brain metastasis, liver metastasis, and lung metastasis were identified as independent risk factors for the development of BM in GC patients. T stage, surgery, and chemotherapy were identified as independent prognostic factors for GC with BM. The AUCs of the diagnostic nomogram were 0.79 and 0.81 in the training and test sets, respectively. The AUCs of the prognostic nomogram at 6, 9, and 12 months were 0.93, 0.86, 0.78, and 0.65, 0.69, 0.70 in the training and test sets, respectively. The calibration curve and DCA showed good performance of the nomogram.

Conclusions

We established two web-based dynamic prediction models in our study. It could be used to predict the risk score and overall survival time of developing bone metastasis in patients with gastric cancer. In addition, we also hope that these two web-based applications will help physicians comprehensively manage gastric cancer patients with bone metastases.

Artificial intelligence annotated clinical-pathologic risk model to predict outcomes of advanced gastric cancer

Background

Gastric cancer with synchronous distant metastases indicates a dismal prognosis. The success in survival improvement mainly relies on our ability to predict the potential benefit of a therapy. Our objective is to develop an artificial intelligence annotated clinical-pathologic risk model to predict its outcomes.

Methods

In participants (n=47553) with gastric cancer of the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results program, we selected patients with distant metastases at first diagnosis, complete clinical-pathologic data and follow-up information. Patients were randomly divided into the training and test cohort at 7:3 ratio. 93 patients with advanced gastric cancer from six other cancer centers were collected as the external validation cohort. Multivariable analysis was used to identify the prognosis-related clinical-pathologic features. Then a survival prediction model was established and validated. Importantly, we provided explanations to the prediction with artificial intelligence SHAP (Shapley additive explanations) method. We also provide novel insights into treatment options.

Results

Data from a total 2549 patients were included in model development and internal test (median age, 61 years [range, 53-69 years]; 1725 [67.7%] male). Data from an additional 93 patients were collected as the external validation cohort (median age, 59 years [range, 48-66 years]; 51 [54.8%] male). The clinical-pathologic model achieved a consistently high accuracy for predicting prognosis in the training (C-index: 0.705 [range, 0.690-0.720]), test (C-index: 0.737 [range, 0.717-0.757]), and external validation (C-index: 0.694 [range, 0.562-0.826]) cohorts. Shapley values indicated that undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, young, absence of lung metastases and well differentiated were the top 5 contributors to the high likelihood of survival. A combination of surgery and chemotherapy had the greatest benefit. However, aggressive treatment did not equate to a survival benefit. SHAP dependence plots demonstrated insightful nonlinear interactive associations among predictors in survival benefit prediction. For example, patients who were elderly, or poor differentiated, or presence of lung or bone metastases had a worse prognosis if they undergo surgery or chemotherapy, while patients with metastases to liver alone seemed to gain benefit from surgery and chemotherapy.

Conclusion

In this large multicenter cohort study, we developed an artificial intelligence annotated clinical-pathologic risk model to predict outcomes of advanced gastric cancer. It could be used to discuss treatment options.

Bone Metastases from Gastric Cancer Resembling Paget's Disease: A Case Report

Systemic osteosclerotic lesions are frequently caused by multiple bone metastases or systemic metabolic disorders. However, bone metastasis from gastric cancer is rare. Herein, we describe such a case, with radiographic and clinical findings resembling Paget's disease. The patient was an 80-year-old Japanese woman with a history of early gastric cancer, treated by partial gastrectomy 2 years prior. The patient sought medical care for chronic low back pain. On imaging, systemic sclerotic lesions were observed throughout the spine and pelvis, with an increase in bone mineral density from 0.86 g/cm³ (2 years prior) to 1.38g/cm³ (current visit) in the lumbar spine. Elevated serum levels of osteoblastic and osteolytic markers were identified. A bone biopsy was used to confirm the diagnosis of metastatic gastric cancer. The patient was treated with TS-1 and denosumab, with normalization of abnormal metabolic markers and alleviation of the back pain. Bone metastasis is reported in only 10% of cases of gastric cancer and, thus, is relatively rare. Therefore, our case of gastric cancer recurrence presenting with mixed osteoblastic and osteolytic bone lesions similar to Paget's disease is relevant to the report. Bone biopsy is necessary for an accurate diagnosis.

Tumor Microenvironment, Clinical Features, and Advances in Therapy for Bone Metastasis in Gastric Cancer

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most malignant neoplasms worldwide, accounting for about 770,000 deaths in 2020. The incidence of gastric cancer bone metastasis (GC-BM) is low, about 0.9–13.4%, and GC patients develop GC-BM because of a suitable bone microenvironment. Osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and tumor cells interact with each other, secreting cytokines such as PTHrP, RANK-L, IL-6, and other growth factors that disrupt the normal bone balance and promote tumor growth. The functions and numbers of immune cells in the bone microenvironment are continuously inhibited, resulting in bone balance disorder due to the cytokines released from destroyed bone and growing tumor cells. Patients with GC-BM are generally younger than 65 years old and they often present with a later stage of the disease, as well as more aggressive tumors. They usually have shorter overall survival (OS) because of the occurrence of skeletal-related events (SREs) and undetected bone destruction due to the untimely bone inspection. Current treatments of GC-BM focus mainly on gastric cancer and SRE-related treatment. This article reviews the clinical features, possible molecular pathogeneses, and the most commonly used diagnostic methods and treatments of bone metastasis in gastric cancer.

Bone Metastasis From Gastric Adenocarcinoma-What Are the Risk Factors and Associated Survival? A Large Comprehensive Population-Based Cohort Study

Background

While bone metastasis is not common in gastric adenocarcinoma (GaC), it can have important impacts on prognosis. This large cohort study aimed at exploring factors associated with bone metastasis in GaC and investigating the time-dependent cumulative mortalities and prognostic factors in GaC patients with bone metastasis at the population level.

Methods

Data on patients with GaC diagnosed in 2010–2016 were retrieved from a large population-based database. We explored factors associated with bone metastasis using the multivariable-adjusted logistic model. We then calculated the time-dependent cancer-specific mortalities in GaC patients with bone metastasis using the cumulative incidence function and compared mortalities across subgroups using Gray’s test. We further assessed factors associated with mortality using the multivariable-adjusted Fine–Gray subdistribution hazard model.

Results

Together 11,072 eligible patients with metastatic GaC were enrolled, which comprised 1,511 (14%) people with bone metastasis and 9,561 (86%) with other metastasis, encompassing 6,999 person-years of follow-up. Bone metastasis was more frequently detected in 2014 or later, in younger patients, in patients with gastric cardia cancers, in people with signet-ring cell carcinoma, and in those with poorly differentiated/undifferentiated cancers; it was less commonly observed in black patients. Bone metastasis was associated with more frequent brain and lung metastases. The median survival of patients with bone metastasis was 4 months; the 6-month and 3-year cancer-specific cumulative mortalities were 56% and 85%, respectively. In patients receiving chemotherapy, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, patients with gastric antrum/pylorus cancers, and those with positive lymph nodes had higher mortality risks, while those undergoing resection had lower mortality hazards.

Conclusion

In GaC patients, bone metastasis was associated with various clinicopathologic factors including age, ethnicity, tumor location, histology, differentiation, and metastasis to other sites. Patients with bone metastasis had poor prognosis which was associated with ethnicity, tumor location, lymph node involvement, and treatment. Our findings provide important hints for tailed patient management and for further mechanistic investigations.

Left Femur Neck Fracture and Left Eye Esotropia as Initial Clinical Presentations of Gastric Cancer in a 54-Year-Old Female Patient: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Although the incidence of gastric cancer has decreased worldwide, it is still among the most common cancers worldwide. Usual manifestations of gastric cancer include gastrointestinal-related symptoms such as weight loss and abdominal pain. Isolated symptomatic bony metastasis at initial presentation is very rare. Here, we present an infrequent case of a middle-aged lady who presented with a left femur neck fracture and left eye esotropia as the initial presenting clinical manifestations of gastric cancer. She was found to have an isolated bone metastasis seen throughout the body skeleton with no extraosseous metastasis. The patient was treated conservatively and received external beam radiation therapy as part of palliative therapy. This report signifies the importance of considering the diagnosis of gastric cancer in middle-aged patients with isolated symptomatic bone metastasis. It also reviews the overall poor prognosis of such cases and recommends further studies on the role of chemotherapy and radiation therapy in such cases.

Risk Factors and Their Diagnostic Values for Ocular Metastases in Gastric Adenocarcinoma

Objective

Gastric adenocarcinoma originates from the glands in the superficial layer or mucosa of the stomach. It is prone to metastases, of which ocular metastasis (OM) is rare, but once it occurs the disease is considered more serious. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for OM in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were recruited to this study between June 2003 and July 2019. Demographic data and serological indicators (SI) were compared between patients with and without OM, and binary logistic regression was used to explore whether the relevant SI may be risk factors for OM of gastric adenocarcinoma. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze different SIs for OM in gastric cancer patients.

Results

Chi-square tests showed significant between-groups difference in gender composition (P < 0.05), but not in age or histological grade (P > 0.05). t-test results showed that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and carbohydrate antigen-724 (CA724) were significantly higher in patients with than without OM (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that LDL was an independent risk factor for OM (P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves (AUC) for LDL and CA724 were 0.903 and 0.913 respectively, with higher AUC for combined LDL and CA724 (0.934; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

LDL and CA724 have value as predictors for OM in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, with higher predictive value when these factors are combined.

LINC00943 is correlated with gastric cancer and regulates cancer cell proliferation and chemosensitivity via hsa-miR-101-3p

BACKGROUND

Non-coding RNAs have emerged as important regulators in human cancers. In this work, we investigated the role of long intergenic non-protein-coding RNA 943 (LINC00943) in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

LINC00943 expression was evaluated in GC patient tissues and cell lines. In SNU-5 and MKN-45 cells, LINC00943 was knocked down to investigate its roles in regulating GC cell proliferation, 5-FU chemosensitivity and in vivo explant growth. Possible downstream target of LINC00943, human mature microRNA-101-3p (hsa-miR-101-3p) was also evaluated.

RESULTS

LINC00943 was aberrantly overexpressed in in situ GC tumors and immortal GC cell lines. LINC00943 overexpression was associated with GC patients' poor prognosis. LINC00943 knockdown reduced GC cell proliferation, 5-FU resistance and in vivo explant growth. Hsa-miR-101-3p was found to be regulated by LINC00943 in GC. Hsa-miR-101-3p downregulation reversed the tumor-suppressing functions of LINC00943 knockdown in GC cells.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our results indicated that LINC00943 was correlated with gastric cancer and regulates cancer cell proliferation and chemosensitivity via hsa-miR-101-3p.

Survival Outcomes and Treatment Decision by Human Papillomavirus Status Among Patients With Stage IVC Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose

To investigate the influence of human papillomavirus (HPV) status on survival outcomes and treatment decisions for patients with de novo stage IV head and neck squamous cell cancers (HNSCC).

Methods

Patients initially diagnosed with de novo stage IVC HNSCC between 2010 and 2015 were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Cox multivariable analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors associated with head and neck cancers specific survival (HNCSS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

We identified 303 patients who received chemotherapy in this study, including 52.5% of them had HPV-positive disease. HPV-positive HNSCC had better HNCSS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001) compared to those with HPV-negative disease. The results of Cox multivariable analyses showed that HPV-negative status (P = 0.007), N3 stage (P = 0.004), bone metastases (P < 0.001), and lung metastases (P = 0.003) were associated with worse HNCSS. Similar results were found regarding the OS. The sensitivity analyses indicated that HPV-positive HNSCC patients who were treated with radiotherapy had better survival outcomes. However, no survival benefits were found in those with HPV-positive disease receiving surgery. For HPV-negative patients, no survival benefit was observed among those treated with radiotherapy or surgery.

Conclusions

Approximately half of the stage IVC HNSCC patients are HPV-related. The presence of HPV infection appears to be strongly associated with the survival outcome in patients with de novo stage IV HNSCC. Determination of HPV status may help guide clinicians in prognostic assessment and treatment decision-making in this population.

Can conventional clinical chemistry tests help doctors in the monitoring of oncology patients?

The use of laboratory assays in the diagnostic care of oncology patients can markedly increase the efficacy of cancer treatments. Many cancer-specific biomarker assays have been developed. However, the use of these has some limitations due to their cost. Moreover, not every diagnostic laboratory can perform a complete set of these assays. On the other hand, the smart use of conventional clinical chemistry tests could improve the management of cancer. They could be especially valuable tools in the long-term care of patients with a verified diagnosis. In this review, we discuss the utilization of the conventional clinical chemistry assays for the diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of various oncological diseases. The use of conventional blood tests to assess the levels of chemical elements, metabolites and proteins (including enzymatic activity measurements) in the care of oncology patients is discussed. We have shown that some clinical chemistry assays could be used in the management of distinct kinds of cancer.

Individualized treatment for gastric cancer with rib metastasis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) with bone metastasis is rare, and rib metastasis is even less common. The clinical prognosis of GC with bone metastasis is poor given the lack of an effective treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

A 70 year old man was referred to Shaoxing People’s Hospital with left chest pain and slight dyspnea. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a metastatic lesion in the left 3rd rib. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed several ulcers in the angle and antrum of the stomach, and tumor biomarkers including CEA and CA-199 were clearly increased. In addition, lymph node metastasis in the lesser curvature of the stomach was identified by positron emission tomography/CT scanning. Further pathological examination confirmed metastatic adenocarcinoma in the rib and medium-low differentiated adenocarcinoma in the gastric space. The patient had GC with rib metastasis, and was clinically staged as T₃N_xM₁ (IVB). Based on multidisciplinary team opinions, the patient received five courses of chemotherapy (CAPOX plus aptinib), and then underwent rib resection and laparoscopic radical distal gastrectomy. The patient started four courses of chemotherapy after surgery, and then capecitabine and aptinib were administered orally for 3 mo. Follow-up was performed on an outpatient basis using abdominal/chest CT and tumor biomarkers. The patient exhibited an overall survival greater than 2 years, and the disease-free survival was approximately 18 mo. His adverse events were tolerable.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of GC with rib metastases is extremely low, and patients can obtain more benefits from individualized treatment formulated by multidisciplinary team. Chemotherapy plus surgery might represent an alternative option for GC with rib metastasis.

Long Non-coding RNA FGD5-AS1 Regulates Cancer Cell Proliferation and Chemoresistance in Gastric Cancer Through miR-153-3p/CITED2 Axis

Background

In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of human long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FYVE RhoGEF And PH Domain Containing 5 Antisense RNA 1 (FGD5-AS1) and its downstream epigenetic axis, human microRNA-153-3p (hsa-miR-153-3p)/Cbp/P300-interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain 2 (CITED2) in human gastric cancer.

Methods

Gastric cancer cell lines and clinical tumor samples were used to assess FGD5-AS1 expression levels. Lentivirus containing FGD5-AS1 small interfering RNA (sh-FGD5AS1) was applied to knockdown FGD5-AS1 expression. Cancer cells in vitro and in vivo proliferation, and 5-FU chemoresistance were assessed, respectively. Expressions of hsa-miR-153-3p/CITED2 were also assessed in FGD5-AS1-downregulated gastric cancer cells. Hsa-miR-153-3p was knocked down and CITED2 was upregulated to assess their direct functional correlations with FGD5-AS1 in gastric cancer.

Results

Both gastric cancer cell lines and human tumor samples showed aberrant FGD5-AS1 upregulation. Lentiviral-induced FGD5-AS1 knockdown reduced cancer proliferation, 5-FU chemoresistance in vitro, and tumorigenicity in vivo. Hsa-miR-153-3p/CITED2 axis was confirmed to be downstream of FGD5-AS1 in gastric cancer. Hsa-miR-153-3p inhibition or CITED2 upregulation reversed the tumor-suppressing effects of FGD5-AS1 downregulation on gastric cancer proliferation and 5-FU chemoresistance.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that FGD5-AS1 can regulate human gastric cancer cell functions, possibly through its downstream epigenetic axis of hsa-miR-153-3p/CITED2.

Prognostic factors and skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastasis from gastric cancer

The number of studies on bone metastasis (BM) from gastric cancer (GC) is currently limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the characteristics, skeletal-related events (SREs) and prognosis of GC in patients with BMs. Data from 60 patients with BMs from GC were retrospectively retrieved and patient-, tumor- and BM-related characteristics were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were analyzed using the univariate log-rank test. Multivariate analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model. The median patient age was 63.5 years (range, 26-83 years). Visceral or brain metastases were observed at BM diagnosis in 61.7% of the patients. Multiple BMs were detected in 83.3% and SREs occurred in 76.7% of the patients. The median overall survival (OS) after BM diagnosis and SRE occurrence was 9 months (range, 0-43 months) and 5 months (range, 0-36 months), respectively. On multivariate analysis, poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (P=0.030), the administration of chemotherapy prior to BM diagnosis (P<0.001) and no chemotherapy after BM diagnosis (P=0.002) were significant prognostic factors for unfavorable OS, whereas the non-use of bone-modifying agents (BMAs) was the only independent prognostic factor for poor SRE-free survival (SRS; P=0.022). Among patients without SREs at BM diagnosis, the median SRS duration was 7 months (range, 0-43 months). In conclusion, chemotherapy may confer a survival benefit in GC patients with BMs. In addition, the prognosis for GC patients with BMs presenting with SREs is poor, but treatment with BMAs may prevent or delay the development of SREs.

A Population-Based Analysis of Distant Metastasis in Stage IV Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND Distant metastasis (DM) is a crucial problem in management of patients with gastric cancer. Identification of the risk factors for development of DM and the prognostic factors for patients with DM is essential in development of individualized treatment of patients at the advanced stage with specific metastasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Records of patients with gastric cancer were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Survival duration of patients with specific DM was estimated, and the prognostic factors were investigated using the Cox proportional hazard regression model. The logistic regression model was used to reveal the inherent risk factors for development of DM. RESULTS Eventually, 32.6% (11,918 out of 36,588) of gastric cancer patients were diagnosed with DM between 2010 and 2015, among whom 5,361, 1,778, 1,495, and 231 patients were diagnosed with liver, lung, bone, and brain metastasis, respectively. The median overall survival for patients with DM was 5.0 (95% CI: 4.8-5.2) months, with a 5-year survival rate of 3.9%. Primary tumor site, histology types, tumor grade, T stage, N stage, surgery, chemotherapy, and the number of metastases were associated with worse survival. Younger age and higher tumor grade were positively associated with the development of DM. CONCLUSIONS Initial DM was found in 32.6% of patients with gastric cancer. Homogenous and heterogenous predictive factors were identified for patients with a specific metastatic site, which can be used in targeted screening and individualized treatment.

Successful Neurological Recovery with Multimodality Therapy without Surgery for Spinal Metastases from Advanced Gastric Cancer

Advanced gastric cancer with bone metastasis has a very poor prognosis with short median survival. To the best of our knowledge, no reports in literature have described extensive recovery of paralysis with multimodality treatment without surgery in these cases. This report describes the case of a 52-year-old severely paralyzed female patient with spinal metastasis from advanced gastric cancer. She was inoperable, owing to a large thrombus in the inferior vena cava; alternative multimodality treatments, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, were administered. The paralysis and the bladder and rectal dysfunction improved considerably. In addition, the performance status (PS) and Frankel grade also improved dramatically, from 4 to 1 and grade B to D, respectively. At 1 year after initiation of treatment, she is ambulatory. Patients with poor PS are often offered palliative therapy. However, this case demonstrates that poor PS solely due to paralysis from spinal metastasis may necessitate multimodality treatment instead of palliative care.

Gastric cancer initially presenting as bone metastasis: Two case reports and a literature review

Gastric cancer frequently spreads to the regional lymph nodes, liver and lungs following surgery or late in the clinical course. However, an initial clinical presentation of bone metastasis in gastric cancer patients is relatively rare. The current study presents two cases of gastric cancer diffusely metastasized to the spinal vertebrae and with a single metastasis to the trapezium, respectively. The initial presentations were an increased alkaline phosphatase level without any symptoms associated with bone metastasis in the first case and a swelling in the right carpometacarpal joint of the thumb in the second case. These clinical manifestations are also extremely rare in gastric cancer with bone metastasis. The study emphasizes that a diagnosis of gastric cancer should be considered in patients with increased alkaline phosphatase without clinical symptoms or with a single bone metastasis.

Long-term survival after gastrectomy and metastasectomy for gastric cancer with synchronous bone metastasis

Bone metastasis is a rare event in patients with gastric cancer, but pathologic fracture, paralysis, pain and hematological disorders associated with the bone metastasis may influence the quality of life. We report herein the case of a 53-year-old man who presented with primary remnant gastric cancer with bone metastasis. The patient requested further investigations after detection of a metastatic lesion in the 2^nd lumbar vertebra during evaluation for back pain that had persisted for 3 mo. No other metastatic lesions were detected. He underwent total gastrectomy and palliative metastasectomy to aid in reduction of symptoms, and he received combination chemotherapy with tegafur (S-1) and cisplatin. The patient survived for about 60 mo after surgery. Currently, there is no treatment guideline for gastric cancer with bone metastasis, and we believe that gastrectomy plus metastasectomy may be an effective therapeutic option for improving quality of life and survival in patients with resectable primary gastric cancer and bone metastasis.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha Correlates with Tumor-Associated Macrophages Infiltration, Influences Survival of Gastric Cancer Patients

Background: Hypoxia was a common feature for accelerating tumor metastasis by both inducting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of tumor cells and polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). The association and roles between hypoxia, EMT and TAMs in the biological behavior of gastric cancer (GC) for the time being recurrence is unclear. Material and methods: hypoixa by expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α), polarized functional status of infiltrated TAMs by immunohistochemical staining of CD68 and CD163, and the expression of E-cadherin as EMT property had been evaluated in 236 patients consecutive with histologically confirmed GC. Clinical significance was assessed for all these patients. Results: High expression of HIF-1α was found in patients with aggressive features, especially for recurrent patients. High infiltration of TAMs and abnormal expression of EMT-marker were also related to aggressive characteristics and predicted poor prognosis in GC. Meanwwhile, there existed a significant correlation among expression of HIF-1α, infiltration of TAMs and EMT marker in GC tissues. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that high expression of HIF-1α combined TAMs infiltration were independent prognostic factors for disease-specific survival rate. Conclusion: HIF-1α is an unfavorable indicator for prognosis, may promote tumor progression through the induction of EMT and establishment of a pro-tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. Further investigation into the therapeutic effects of blocking hypoxia is possible a potential strategy for GC treatment.

Knockdown of Cbp/P300-interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain 2 inhibits cell division and increases apoptosis in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Cbp/P300-interacting transactivator with Glu/Asp-rich carboxy-terminal domain 2 (CITED2) is a pleiotropic protein associated with numerous cell functions, including transcription and differentiation. The role of CITED2 has been investigated in a number of malignancies; however, the roles of this protein in gastric cancers remain unclear. Therefore, we determined the role of CITED2 in gastric cancers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gastric cancer cell lines (MKN74, MKN28, 7901, and AGS) were used to assess CITED2 transcript levels. Messenger RNA levels were determined using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Lentiviral vectors containing CITED2 small interfering RNA were used to knockdown CITED2 expression. Cell proliferation was assessed with fluorescent imaging and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Apoptosis and cell cycle stages were assessed through flow cytometry, and formation of colonies was determined using a fluorescent microscope.

RESULTS

All cell lines tested in this study expressed CITED2. The cell line expressing the highest levels of CITED2 (MKN74) showed significant knockdown of endogenous CITED2 expression on lentiviral infection. Cell proliferation was shown to be lower in CITED2 knockdown MKN74 cells. G1/S-phase cell cycle arrest was observed on silencing of CITED2 in MKN74 cells. A significant increase in apoptosis was observed on CITED2 knock down in MKN74 cells, while colony forming ability was significantly inhibited after knock down of CITED2.

CONCLUSIONS

CITED2 supports gastric cancer cell colony formation and proliferation while inhibiting apoptosis making it a potential gene therapy target for gastric cancer.

Symptom prevalence in patients with advanced skin cancer

Knowledge of the prevalence of symptoms in patients with incurable cancer in the terminal stage is important for clinicians. However, there has been no report on the prevalence of symptoms in patients with incurable skin cancer. We analyzed the prevalence of symptoms in 224 patients who died due to skin cancer in our center. These data were obtained from medical records compiled by a miscellaneous population of medical staff retrospectively. We evaluated the symptoms at 3 months, 1 month, 2 weeks, 1 week and 3 days before the patients died. Data for symptoms included Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and the presence or absence of the following 13 symptoms: (i) bleeding or exudate; (ii) pain or necessity for an analgesic; (iii) fatigue; (iv) anorexia; (v) nausea; (vi) dyspnea or need for oxygen administration; (vii) bloating; (viii) insomnia; (ix) delirium; (x) drowsiness; (xi) anemia; (xii) spasm; and (xiii) paralysis. The average performance status gradually progressed. Pain and anorexia were the most common symptoms in patients with advanced skin cancer. Dyspnea, anemia and drowsiness also tended to be frequent as death approached despite the fact that the frequencies of these symptoms were not high 3 months before death. We considered that frequencies of prevalence of pain and dyspnea were due to bone and lung metastases. Bleeding or exudate from lesions is a characteristic symptom in patients with skin cancer. Our results regarding the prevalence of symptoms in patients with advanced skin cancer will be helpful for medical professionals to assess patients' conditions and to plan treatment.

Prognostic Factors and Skeletal-Related Events in Patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer with Bone Metastases at the Time of Diagnosis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics and prognostic factors of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) with bone metastases. We also investigated the characteristics and predictive factors of skeletal-related events (SREs) in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-one patients who were first diagnosed with SCLC with bone metastases at our institution were included in this retrospective analysis.

RESULTS

The overall survival (OS) of patients with bone metastases was shorter than that of patients without bone metastases (4.13 vs. 6.17 months, p = 0.015). Poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS; ≥2) and higher serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP; above upper normal limit × 2) were independent poor prognostic factors (p = 0.027 for ECOG PS, p = 0.002 for ALP). More than 1 SRE occurred in 21 patients (34.4%). Cervical spine metastasis, thoracic spine metastasis, pelvic bone metastasis, more than 5 bone metastatic regions and higher serum lactate dehydrogenase were correlated with the occurrence of SREs. Thoracic spinal metastasis was a strong predictive factor for the occurrence of SREs (odds ratio = 5.475; 95% CI: 1.080-27.755).

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates the poor prognosis of SCLC patients with bone metastases. Physicians should treat SCLC patients with bone metastases with caution.

HIF targets in bone remodeling and metastatic disease

The bone marrow is a hypoxic microenvironment that is rich in growth factors and blood vessels and is readily colonized by tumor cells disseminated from numerous cancers including tumors of the breast, prostate, lung, and skin. The origin of metastatic growth promoting factors for tumor cells disseminated to the bone marrow is derived from multiple sources: the bone matrix, which is a reservoir for growth factors, and cells residing in the marrow and along bone surfaces, such as osteoblasts, osteoclasts, macrophages, and T cells, which secrete cytokines and chemokines. Low oxygen levels within the bone marrow induce hypoxia signaling pathways such as hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), which is regulated by oxygen requiring prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) and von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor. These hypoxia signaling pathways have profound effects on bone development and homeostasis. Likewise, hypoxic conditions observed in local breast and prostate tumors point to a role for hypoxia-inducible genes in metastasis to and colonization of the bone marrow. This review will explore the role of hypoxia-regulated factors in bone development and remodeling, and how these elements may contribute to solid tumor metastasis to the bone.

The prognostic significance of pretreatment serum CEA levels in gastric cancer: a meta-analysis including 14651 patients

BACKGROUND

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is commonly used as a serum tumor marker in clinical practice; however, its prognostic value for gastric cancer patients remains uncertain. This meta-analysis was performed to assess the prognostic value of CEA and investigate CEA as a tumor marker.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and other databases were searched for potentially eligible studies. Forty-one studies reporting the prognostic effect of pretreatment serum CEA expression in gastric cancer patients were selected. Data on 14651 eligible patients were retrieved for the meta-analysis. Based on the data extracted from the available literature, the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for an adverse prognosis were estimated for gastric cancer patients with elevated pretreatment serum levels of CEA (CEA+) relative to patients with normal pretreatment CEA levels (CEA-).

RESULTS

The CEA+ patients had a significantly poorer prognosis than the CEA- patients in terms of overall survival (OS: HR 1.716, 95% CI 1.594 - 1.848, P< 0.001), disease-specific survival (DSS: HR 1.940, 95% CI 1.563 - 2.408, P< 0.001), and disease-free survival (DFS: HR 2.275, 95% CI 1.836 - 2.818, P< 0.001). Publication bias and an influence of different cut-off values were not observed (all P> 0.05). In the pooled analyses of multivariate-adjusted HRs, the results suggested that pretreatment serum CEA may be an independent prognostic factor in gastric cancer (OS: HR 1.681, 95% CI 1.425 - 1.982; DSS: HR 1.900, 95% CI 1.441 - 2.505; DFS: HR 2.579, 95% CI 1.935 - 3.436).

CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE

The meta-analysis based on the available literature supported the association of elevated pretreatment serum CEA levels with a poor prognosis for gastric cancer and a nearly doubled risk of mortality in gastric cancer patients. CEA may be an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients and may aid in determining appropriate treatment which may preferentially benefit the CEA+ patients.