A health-risk appraisal model and endoscopic mass screening for esophageal cancer in Japanese men

Alcohol consumption, multiple Lugol-voiding lesions, and field cancerization

The development of multiple squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in the upper aerodigestive tract, which includes the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus, is explained by field cancerization and is associated with alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking. We reviewed the association between alcohol consumption, multiple Lugol-voiding lesions, and field cancerization, mainly based on the Japan Esophageal Cohort study. The Japan Esophageal Cohort study is a prospective cohort study that enrolled patients with esophageal SCC after endoscopic resection. Enrolled patients received surveillance by gastrointestinal endoscopy every 6 months and surveillance by an otolaryngologist every 12 months. The Japan Esophageal Cohort study showed that esophageal SCC and head and neck SCC that developed after endoscopic resection for esophageal SCC were associated with genetic polymorphisms related to alcohol metabolism. They were also associated with Lugol-voiding lesions grade in the background esophageal mucosa, the score of the health risk appraisal model for predicting the risk of esophageal SCC, macrocytosis, and score on alcohol use disorders identification test. The standardized incidence ratio of head and neck SCC in patients with esophageal SCC after endoscopic resection was extremely high compared to the general population. Drinking and smoking cessation is strongly recommended to reduce the risk of metachronous esophageal SCC after treatment of esophageal SCC. Risk factors for field cancerization provide opportunities for early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment. Lifestyle guidance of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking for esophageal precancerous conditions, which are endoscopically visualized as multiple Lugol-voiding lesions, may play a pivotal role in decreasing the incidence and mortality of esophageal SCC.

Development and Validation of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk Prediction Models Based on an Endoscopic Screening Program

IMPORTANCE

Assessment tools are lacking for screening of esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) in China, especially for the follow-up stage. Risk prediction to optimize the screening procedure is urgently needed.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate ESCC prediction models for identifying people at high risk for follow-up decision-making.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This open, prospective multicenter diagnostic study has been performed since September 1, 2006, in Shandong Province, China. This study used baseline and follow-up data until December 31, 2021. The data were analyzed between April 6 and May 31, 2022. Eligibility criteria consisted of rural residents aged 40 to 69 years who had no contraindications for endoscopy. Among 161 212 eligible participants, those diagnosed with cancer or who had cancer at baseline, did not complete the questionnaire, were younger than 40 years or older than 69 years, or were detected with severe dysplasia or worse lesions were eliminated from the analysis.

EXPOSURES

Risk factors obtained by questionnaire and endoscopy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Pathological diagnosis of ESCC and confirmation by cancer registry data.

RESULTS

In this diagnostic study of 104 129 participants (56.39% women; mean [SD] age, 54.31 [7.64] years), 59 481 (mean [SD] age, 53.83 [7.64] years; 58.55% women) formed the derivation set while 44 648 (mean [SD] age, 54.95 [7.60] years; 53.51% women) formed the validation set. A total of 252 new cases of ESCC were diagnosed during 424 903.50 person-years of follow-up in the derivation cohort and 61 new cases from 177 094.10 person-years follow-up in the validation cohort. Model A included the covariates age, sex, and number of lesions; model B included age, sex, smoking status, alcohol use status, body mass index, annual household income, history of gastrointestinal tract diseases, consumption of pickled food, number of lesions, distinct lesions, and mild or moderate dysplasia. The Harrell C statistic of model A was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.77-0.83) in the derivation set and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.87-0.93) in the validation set; the Harrell C statistic of model B was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.81-0.86) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.88-0.95), respectively. The models also had good calibration performance and clinical usefulness.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The findings of this diagnostic study suggest that the models developed are suitable for selecting high-risk populations for follow-up decision-making and optimizing the cancer screening process.

Alcohol Consumption, ALDH2 Polymorphism as Risk Factors for Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer Progression and Prognosis

The upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) is highly susceptible to multiple primary cancers originated from squamous epithelia and constitutes a field of cancerization. Patients with head and neck cancer (head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, HNSCC) are at high risk of developing multiple cancers in the esophagus (esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, ESCC). Conversely, esophageal cancer patients are prone to develop multiple primary tumors in the head and neck region. The East Asian-specific dysfunctional ALDH2*2 missense mutation is a genetic risk factor for UADT cancer. It is not only associated with increased incidences of UADT cancer, but is also implicated in faster cancer progression and poorer prognosis. Alcohol use is a major lifestyle risk factor which causes UADT cancer among ALDH2*2 carriers. The accumulation of the immediate metabolite of alcohol, acetaldehyde, is likely the genotoxic agents that is involved in the process of tumorigenesis. This review summarizes recent publications on the risk and association of ALDH2*2 mutation, alcohol consumption in synchronous, metachronous UADT cancer. Possible molecular mechanisms involved in cancer initiation, progress and prognosis are discussed. The review also highlights a need for precision medicine-based preventive and therapeutic strategies by integrating lifestyle and genetic risk factors, such as alcohol consumption, genotypes of the alcohol metabolizing genes, ADH1B and ALDH2, into a risk assessment model for better screening, surveillance and treatment outcome.

Comparative Efficacy and Safety of Anterograde vs. Retrograde Iodine Staining During Esophageal Chromoendoscopy: A Single-Center, Prospective, Parallel-Group, Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blind Trial

Background and Aim: Chromoendoscopy with iodine staining is an important diagnostic method for esophageal carcinomas or precancerous lesions. Unfortunately, iodine staining can be associated with numerous adverse events (AEs). We found that the starting position of spraying iodine solution is likely the main reason of causing AEs. We conducted this work to determine whether clinical outcomes from anterograde iodine staining were superior to those achieved after retrograde iodine staining.

Methods: A total of 134 subjects with a health risk appraisal flushing (HRA-F) score of >6 for esophageal cancer were randomly assigned to receive anterograde or retrograde iodine staining in the esophagus. The primary endpoints were the pain and the amount of iodine solution consumption. The secondary endpoints were iodine-staining effect, detection yield, and response to starch indicator.

Results: Nine patients suffered from pain and six patients revealed positive response to starch indicator in retrograde iodine-staining group; however, no patient reported pain (0/67) and all patients revealed a negative response to starch indicator in anterograde iodine-staining group. The amount of iodine solution consumption in anterograde iodine-staining group (4.97 mL) was significantly lower than that (6.23 mL) in retrograde iodine-staining group; however, the iodine-staining effect and detection yield were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions: Anterograde iodine staining during Lugol chromoendoscopy appears to be as effective, but significantly safer than retrograde iodine staining.

Development and Validation of an Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Risk Prediction Model for Rural Chinese: Multicenter Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

There are rare prediction models for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) for rural Chinese population. We aimed to develop and validate a prediction model for ESCC based on a cohort study for the population.

METHODS

Data of 115,686 participants were collected from esophageal cancer (EC) early diagnosis and treatment of cancer program as derivation cohort while data of 54,750 participants were collected as validation cohort. Risk factors considered included age, sex, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, body mass index (BMI), tea drinking status, marital status, annual household income, source of drinking water, education level, and diet habit. Cox proportional hazards model was used to develop ESCC prediction model at 5 years. Calibration ability, discrimination ability, and decision curve analysis were analyzed in both derivation and validation cohort. A score model was developed based on prediction model.

RESULTS

One hundred eighty-six cases were diagnosed during 556,949.40 person-years follow-up in the derivation cohort while 120 cases from 277,302.70 in the validation cohort. Prediction model included the following variables: age, sex, alcohol drinking status, BMI, tea drinking status, and fresh fruit. The model had good discrimination and calibration performance: R 2, D statistic, and Harrell's C statistic of prediction model were 43.56%, 1.70, and 0.798 in derivation cohort and 45.19%, 1.62, and 0.787 in validation cohort. The calibration analysis showed good coherence between predicted probabilities and observed probabilities while decision curve analysis showed clinical usefulness. The score model was as follows: age (3 for 45-49 years old; 4 for 50-54 years old; 7 for 55-59 years old; 9 for 60-64 years; 10 for 65-69 years), sex (5 for men), BMI (1 for ≤25), alcohol drinking status (2 for alcohol drinkers), tea drinking status (2 for tea drinkers), and fresh fruit (2 for never) and showed good discrimination ability with area under the curve and its 95% confidence interval of 0.792 (0.761,0.822) in the deviation cohort and 0.773 (0.736,0.811) in the validation cohort. The calibration analysis showed great coherence between predicted probabilities and observed probabilities.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed and validated an ESCC prediction model using cohort study with good discrimination and calibration capability which can be used for EC screening for rural Chinese population.

Tolerability and efficacy of the concentration of iodine solution during esophageal chromoendoscopy: a double-blind randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Esophageal chromoendoscopy with iodine solution is an important diagnostic method for the detection of superficial esophageal cancer. However, the concentration of iodine solution has differed among reports. This study aimed to evaluate patient discomfort with different iodine concentrations.

METHODS

We performed a prospective, double-blind, randomized study. We prospectively enrolled and analyzed 77 patients who were at high risk for esophageal carcinoma and scheduled to undergo EGD from March 2018 to January 2019. All patients were divided into 2 groups before the procedure to compare pain measurements: a 1% iodine solution group (group A) and a 2% iodine solution group (group B). The primary endpoint of this study was the difference in pain measurement between 1% and 2% iodine solution chromoendoscopy. Secondary endpoints were safety, detection yield, and color evaluation based on both the endoscopist's survey and color values, as determined using the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage (CIELAB, Vienna, Austria) color evaluation system, in the iodine-faded and iodine-stained area of each group.

RESULTS

Heartburn and retrosternal pain in group A were significantly lower than those in group B (P = .02). Eleven patients reported heartburn and retrosternal pain (group A, 2; group B, 9). Four patients reported pain above the sternal angle and 7 below the sternal angle. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with regard to detection yield, color evaluation by the endoscopist's assessment, or color values. No patients had any adverse events, and all safely completed this study.

CONCLUSIONS

The 2% iodine solution resulted in significantly greater pain than the 1% iodine solution, and the color of the stained esophageal images of each group was the same from this study. Therefore, the 1% iodine solution is recommended for esophageal chromoendoscopy. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN 000029796.).

A nomogram for endoscopic screening in a high esophageal squamous cell cancer risk area: results from a population-based study

Background

Endoscopy is the main approach used for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) screening, especially in high-risk areas. However, little consensus has been achieved in recent ESCC screening programs, and endoscopists have selected patients only by age and family history.

Patients and methods

To generate a proper strategy for selecting an eligible population for endoscopic screening based on demographic factors, lifestyle, and eating habits, a total of 7,830 residents in an area with a high risk of ESCC were recruited for this study. All participants underwent endoscopic examinations that were conducted by experienced endoscopists. Risk factors for ESCC and other lesions were selected by univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. A nomogram for the prediction of ESCC and premalignant lesions was constructed, which included information on age, sex, occupation, labor intensity, income, and mining exposure. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to present the predictive accuracy of the nomograms.

Results

The area under the curve (95% CI) was 0.749 (0.711–0.788) for this nomogram. By applying this nomogram, we could exclude 60% (4704/7830) of patients before endoscopy screening and detect all ESCC cases as well as most esophageal lesions in the remaining population.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we provided a ready-to-use preclinical tool with the potential to select eligible people with high risk of ESCC for endoscopy screening.

A suggested framework for conducting esophageal cancer screening in China

Esophageal cancer is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide. Because of its challenging clinical characteristics, esophageal cancer is a major disease burden on the economy, society, and individuals. There is an urgent need to establish a beneficial policy to reduce the burden and to improve the health-related quality of life of patients. Primary prevention with smoking cessation and reduction of drinking alcohol are highly recommended. Screening, early diagnosis and treatment are suggested. This study intended to establish a modified future screening model from the social perspective that deploys different strategies for different populations. Risk assessment and community-based screening are proposed for high-risk populations. Health education in low-risk areas could help promote primary prevention to mitigate lifestyle factors and to increase public awareness and potentially to increase screening and early detection.

Alcohol abstinence and risk assessment for second esophageal cancer in Japanese men after mucosectomy for early esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Alcohol consumption combined with inactive aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) and the presence of multiple esophageal Lugol-voiding lesions (LVLs; dysplasia) are strong predictors for multiple development of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in East Asians. We invented a health risk appraisal (HRA) model for predicting the risk of ESCC based on drinking, smoking, dietary habits, and alcohol flushing, i.e., past or present facial flushing after drinking a glass of beer, a surrogate marker for inactive ALDH2.

METHODS

Prospective follow-up examinations (median follow-up time, 50.3 months) were performed in 278 Japanese men after endoscopic mucosectomy for early ESCC (UMIN Clinical Trials Registry ID: UMIN000001676).

RESULTS

Sixty-four subjects developed metachronous ESCC. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed that HRA scores ≥12 best predicted the development of metachronous ESCC. The ESCC detection rate per 100 person-years was 9.8 in the high-HRA-score group (n = 104) and 4.5 in the low-HRA-score group (n = 174), and the risk of development of metachronous ESCC was higher in the high-HRA-score group than in the low-HRA-score group (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.00 [95% CI: 1.12-3.30]). Multiple LVLs was a very strong predictor of the development of metachronous SCC, but high HRA scores predicted it independently. The cumulative incidences of metachronous ESCC decreased after drinking cessation in the high-HRA-score drinker group (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.37 [0.14-0.97]).

CONCLUSIONS

Both the HRA model that included alcohol flushing and the multiple LVL grade predicted the development of metachronous ESCC in Japanese men after endoscopic mucosectomy for ESCC. Drinking cessation in the high-HRA-score drinker group reduced the rate of metachronous ESCC.

ALDH2 polymorphism and alcohol-related cancers in Asians: a public health perspective

The occurrence of more than 200 diseases, including cancer, can be attributed to alcohol drinking. The global cancer deaths attributed to alcohol-consumption rose from 243,000 in 1990 to 337,400 in 2010. In 2010, cancer deaths due to alcohol consumption accounted for 4.2% of all cancer deaths. Strong epidemiological evidence has established the causal role of alcohol in the development of various cancers, including esophageal cancer, head and neck cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. The evidence for the association between alcohol and other cancers is inconclusive. Because of the high prevalence of ALDH2*2 allele among East Asian populations, East Asians may be more susceptible to the carcinogenic effect of alcohol, with most evidence coming from studies of esophageal cancer and head and neck cancer, while data for other cancers are more limited. The high prevalence of ALDH2*2 allele in East Asian populations may have important public health implications and may be utilized to reduce the occurrence of alcohol-related cancers among East Asians, including: 1) Identification of individuals at high risk of developing alcohol-related cancers by screening for ALDH2 polymorphism; 2) Incorporation of ALDH2 polymorphism screening into behavioral intervention program for promoting alcohol abstinence or reducing alcohol consumption; 3) Using ALDH2 polymorphism as a prognostic indicator for alcohol-related cancers; 4) Targeting ALDH2 for chemoprevention; and 5) Setting guidelines for alcohol consumption among ALDH2 deficient individuals. Future studies should evaluate whether these strategies are effective for preventing the occurrence of alcohol-related cancers.

Value of screening endoscopy in evaluation of esophageal, gastric and colon cancers

Esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancers are deadly diseases that continue to plague our world today. The value of screening endoscopy in evaluating these types of cancers is a critical area of discussion due to a potential reduction in morbidity and mortality. This article describes how to identify a good screening test and explains what are important criteria in the field of screening endoscopy. Furthermore, the current status and progress of screening endoscopy for esophageal, gastric, and colorectal cancer will be evaluated and discussed. Mass screening programs have not been implemented for esophageal and gastric carcinomas in those with average or low risk populations. However, studies of high-risk populations have found value and a cost-benefit in conducting screening endoscopy. Colorectal cancer, on the other hand, has had mass screening programs in place for many years due to the clear evidence of improved outcomes. As the role of endoscopy as a screening tool has continued to develop, newer technology and techniques have emerged to improve its utility. Many new image enhancement techniques and computer processing programs have shown promise and may have a significant role in the future of endoscopic screening. These developments are paving the way for improving the diagnostic and therapeutic capability of endoscopy in the field of gastroenterology.

Genetic polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogense-1B and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2, alcohol flushing, mean corpuscular volume, and aerodigestive tract neoplasia in Japanese drinkers

Genetic polymorphisms of alcohol dehydrogenase-1B (ADH1B) and aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) modulate exposure levels to ethanol/acetaldehyde. Endoscopic screening of 6,014 Japanese alcoholics yielded high detection rates of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; 4.1%) and head and neck SCC (1.0%). The risks of upper aerodigestive tract SCC/dysplasia, especially of multiple SCC/dysplasia, were increased in a multiplicative fashion by the presence of a combination of slow-metabolizing ADH1B*1/*1 and inactive heterozygous ALDH2*1/*2 because of prolonged exposure to higher concentrations of ethanol/acetaldehyde. A questionnaire asking about current and past facial flushing after drinking a glass (≈180 mL) of beer is a reliable tool for detecting the presence of inactive ALDH2. We invented a health-risk appraisal (HRA) model including the flushing questionnaire and drinking, smoking, and dietary habits. Esophageal SCC was detected at a high rate by endoscopic mass-screening in high HRA score persons. A total of 5.0% of 4,879 alcoholics had a history of (4.0%) or newly diagnosed (1.0%) gastric cancer. Their high frequency of a history of gastric cancer is partly explained by gastrectomy being a risk factor for alcoholism because of altered ethanol metabolism, e.g., by blood ethanol level overshooting. The combination of H. pylori-associated atrophic gastritis and ALDH2*1/*2 showed the greatest risk of gastric cancer in alcoholics. High detection rates of advanced colorectal adenoma/carcinoma were found in alcoholics, 15.7% of 744 immunochemical fecal occult blood test (IFOBT)-negative alcoholics and 31.5% of the 393 IFOBT-positive alcoholics. Macrocytosis with an MCV≥106 fl increased the risk of neoplasia in the entire aerodigestive tract of alcoholics, suggesting that poor nutrition as well as ethanol/acetaldehyde exposure plays an important role in neoplasia.