Gastric cancer: Epidemiology, risk factors and prevention strategies

Eupafolin hinders cross-talk between gastric cancer cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts by abrogating the IL18/IL18RAP signaling axis

BACKGROUND

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are involved in the progression of gastric cancer (GC) as a critical component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), yet specific interventions remain limited. Natural products hold a promising application prospect in the field of anti-tumor in view of their high activity and ease of binding with biological macromolecules. However, the role of natural products in modulating the cross-talk between CAFs and GC cells has not been fully investigated.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to identify a potential therapeutic target in CAFs and then screen for natural small molecule drugs with anti-tumor activity against this target.

METHODS

Integrating bioinformatics analysis of public databases and experimental validation of human samples and cell lines to identify a candidate target in CAFs. Molecular docking and biolayer interferometry technique were utilized for screening potential natural small molecule drugs. The efficacy and underlying mechanisms of the candidates were explored in vitro and in vivo through techniques such as lentiviral infection, cell spheroids culture, immunoprecipitation and cells-derived xenografts.

RESULTS

IL18 receptor accessory protein (IL18RAP) was found to be overexpressed in CAFs derived from GC tissues and facilitated the protumor function of CAFs on GC. Based on virtual screening and experimental validation, we identified a natural product, eupafolin, that interfered with IL18 signaling. Phenotyping studies confirmed that the proliferation, spheroids formation and tumorigenesis of GC cells facilitated by CAFs were greatly attenuated by eupafolin both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, eupafolin impeded the formation of IL18 receptor (IL18R) complex by directly binding to IL18RAP, thus blocking IL18-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation and reduced the synthesis and secretion of IL6 in CAFs. As a consequence, it inactivated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in GC cells.

CONCLUSION

This study provides new evidence that IL18 signaling regulates the cross-talk between GC cells and CAFs. And it highlights a novel pharmacological role of eupafolin in inhibiting IL18 signaling, thereby curbing the development of GC via modulating CAFs.

Tetraspanins in digestive‑system cancers: Expression, function and therapeutic potential (Review)

The tetraspanin family of membrane proteins is essential for controlling different biological processes such as cell migration, penetration, adhesion, growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis. The present review summarized the current knowledge regarding the expression and roles of tetraspanins in different types of cancer of the digestive system, including gastric, liver, colorectal, pancreatic, esophageal and oral cancer. Depending on the type and context of cancer, tetraspanins can act as either tumor promoters or suppressors. In the present review, the importance of tetraspanins in serving as biomarkers and targets for different types of digestive system‑related cancer was emphasized. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of tetraspanins in cancer progression and metastasis were explored. Furthermore, the current challenges are addressed and future research directions for advancing investigations related to tetraspanins in the context of digestive system malignancies are proposed.

Effectiveness of long-term low-dose aspirin in the prevention of gastric cancer after Helicobacter pylori eradication: study design and rationale of Ardabil gastric cancer randomized placebo-controlled prevention trial (AGCPT)

BACKGROUND

In addition to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection eradication, some medications, including aspirin, metformin, and statins, have been suggested to have protective effects against gastric cancer (GC) development in observational studies. We launched the Ardabil gastric cancer randomized placebo-controlled prevention trial (AGCPT) to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term low-dose aspirin use for the prevention of development and mortality of GC after H. pylori eradication.

METHODS/DESIGN

AGCPT is a prospective population-based double-blind, randomized clinical trial. The study sample was targeted at 21,000 participants aged from 35 to 70 years old, both sexes, in Ardabil, a province in northwest Iran with relatively high rates of GC incidence and mortality. All eligible participants were initially tested for H. pylori infection using a H. pylori stool antigen test. Participants with positive tests undergo H. pylori eradication by standard treatment regimens. All participants with a negative test and those with a positive test with a subsequent confirmed H. pylori eradication test were entered into the intervention phase. In the intervention phase, participants were allocated randomly into either the treatment (daily oral consumption of 81 mg enteric-coated aspirin tablets) arm or the control (placebo) arm using permuted balanced blocks. Subjects will be followed for an average period of 10 years to evaluate the incidence and mortality rates of GC.

DISCUSSION

In addition to preventing other diseases like cardiovascular events, aspirin may prevent GC incidence and mortality. AGCPT will investigate the difference between the two study arms in the proportion of the cumulative incidence and mortality rates of GC. The study's results may help policymakers and researchers update the strategies for GC prevention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial with the registry name of "The effect of Low-dose Aspirin in the Prevention of Gastric Cancer" was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT.ir, under the identifier IRCT201105082032N3. Registered on April 21, 2017.

Melatonin for gastric cancer treatment: where do we stand?

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third leading reason of death in men and the fourth in women. Studies have documented an inhibitory function of melatonin on the proliferation, progression and invasion of GC cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play an important function in regulation of biological processes and gene expression of the cells. Some studies reported that melatonin can suppress the progression of GC by regulating the exosomal miRNAs. Thus, melatonin represents a promising potential therapeutic agent for subjects with GC. Herein, we evaluate the existing data of both in vivo and in vitro studies to clarify the molecular processes involved in the therapeutic effects of melatonin in GC. The data emphasize the critical function of melatonin in several signaling ways by which it may inhibit cancer cell proliferation, decrease chemo-resistance, induce apoptosis as well as limit invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This review provides a resource that identifies some of the mechanisms by which melatonin controls GC enlargement. In light of the findings, melatonin should be considered a novel and testable therapeutic mediator for GC treatment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis, precancerous lesions and gastric cancer

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG), precancerous lesions of gastric cancer (PLGC), and gastric cancer (GC), seriously threaten human health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been employed in the treatment of chronic diseases for a long time and has shown remarkable efficacy.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Recently, there has been an increasing use of TCM in treating CAG, PLGC, and GC. The objective of this study is to compile a comprehensive overview of the existing research on the effects and molecular mechanisms of TCM, including formulas, single herbs, and active components.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To obtain a comprehensive understanding of traditional use of TCM in treating these diseases, we reviewed ancient books and Chinese literature. In addition, keywords such as "TCM", "CAG", "PLGC", "GC", and "active ingredients" were used to collect modern research on TCM published in databases such as CNKI, Web of Science, and Pubmed up to April 2024. All collected information was then summarized and analyzed.

RESULTS

This study analyzed 174 articles, which covered the research progress of 20 TCM formulas, 14 single herbs, and 50 active ingredients in treating CAG, PLGC, and GC. Sources, effects, and molecular mechanisms of the TCM were summarized.

CONCLUSIONS

This article reviews the progress of TCM in the management of CAG, PLGC, and GC, which will provide a foundation for the clinical application and further development of TCM.

Global epidemiology of early-onset upper gastrointestinal cancer: trend from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND AND AIM

In recent years, there has been a growing incidence of gastrointestinal cancer in young individuals. Despite its significant morbidity and mortality, research on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer in young populations has been relatively limited. Therefore, studies on the epidemiological changes of this cancer are needed.

METHODS

Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, we examined the incidence, death, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from UGI cancers in the young, namely, early-onset esophageal cancer (EOEC) and early-onset gastric cancer (EOGC). These results were stratified by sex, geographical region, country, and sociodemographic index.

RESULTS

There was a total of 185 140 cases, 120 289 deaths, and 5.70 million DALYs attributable to early-onset UGI cancers globally. From 2010 to 2019, the global incidence, death, and DALYs rates of early-onset UGI cancers decreased. In contrast, the incidence rates increased in both EOEC (+1.15%) and EOGC (+0.21%) in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the past decade, the burden of UGI cancer in the young has decreased. However, it has increased in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Further research to elucidate the attributable risk factors in this population is warranted.

Common variants of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and risk of gastric cancer: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

While earlier studies have suggested that variations in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene could influence the susceptibility to gastric cancer (GC), the results have shown inconsistency. This meta-analysis aimed to examine the association of 5 common polymorphisms in VDR, including Taq1 rs731236 (T > C), FokI rs2228570 (C > T), Cdx2 rs11568820 (G > A), BsmI rs1544410 (G > A), and ApaI rs7975232 (G > T) with the risk of GC.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus to identify relevant studies published until January 2024. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to assess the magnitude of associations.

RESULTS

Nine studies, with 2837 participants (1215 GC cases and 1622 healthy controls), were eligible. The FokI rs2228570 polymorphism showed a significant correlation with heightened susceptibility to GC under the recessive model (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.06-2.19) and homozygote comparison (TT vs CC; OR = 1.59; 95% CI: 1.09-2.31). Taq1 rs731236 was also linked to an elevated risk of GC under the same models (recessive OR = 1.65; 95% CI: 1.14-2.39; homozygote OR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.11-2.54). In the sensitivity analysis, when studies not adhering to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were excluded, the relationship between FokI rs2228570 polymorphism and GC disappeared, while the association for Taq1 rs731236 remained consistent. No significant association was identified for BsmI rs1544410, ApaI rs7975232, and Cdx2 rs11568820.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that FokI rs2228570 and Taq1 rs731236 polymorphisms of VDR might be linked to the odds of GC.

ABCC2 induces metabolic vulnerability and cellular ferroptosis via enhanced glutathione efflux in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Although it is traditionally believed that ATP binding cassette subfamily C member 2 (ABCC2) is a multidrug resistance-associated protein correlated with a worse prognosis, our previous and several other studies demonstrated the contrary to be true in gastric cancer (GC). We aim to explore the underlying mechanism of this discovery.

METHODS

Our study utilized whole-exome sequencing (WES), RNA sequencing, and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) analysis of 80 gastric cancer samples, along with comprehensive immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis of 1044 human GC tissue samples.By utilizing CRISPRCas9 to genetically modify cell lines with the ABCC2-24C > T (rs717620) point mutation and conducting dual-luciferase reporter assays, we identified that transcription factors SOX9 and ETS1 serve as negative regulators of ABCC2 expression. Seahorse assay and mass spectrometry were used to discover altered metabolic patterns. Gain and loss-of-function experiments in GC cell lines and preclinical models were carried out to validate ABCC2 biological function.

RESULTS

ABCC2 high expression correlated with better prognosis, and rs717620 can influence ABCC2 expression by disrupting the binding of ETS1 and SOX9. Gain and loss-of-function experiments in GC cell lines demonstrated amino acid deprivation reduces proliferation, migration, and drug resistance in ABCC2-high GC cells. ABCC2 leads to reduced intracellular amino acid pools and disruption of cellular energy metabolism. This phenomenon depended on ABCC2-mediated GSH extrusion, resulting in alterations in redox status, thereby increasing the cell's susceptibility to ferroptosis. Furthermore, patient-derived organoids and patient-derived tumor-like cell clusters were used to observe impact of ABCC2 on therapeutic effect. In the xenograft model with high ABCC2 expression, we observed that constricting amino acid intake in conjunction with GPX4 inactivation resulted in notable tumor regression.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate a significant role of ABCC2 in amino acid metabolism and ferroptosis by mediating GSH efflux in GC. This discovery underlines the potential of combining multiple ferroptosis targets as a promising therapeutic strategy for GC with high ABCC2 expression.

HIGHLIGHTS

ABCC2 plays a crucial role in inducing metabolic vulnerability and ferroptosis in gastric cancer through enhanced glutathione efflux. The ABCC2 24C > T polymorphism is a key factor influencing its expression. These results highlight the potential of ABCC2 as a predictive biomarker and therapeutic target in gastric cancer.

Helicobacter pylori promotes gastric cancer through CagA-mediated mitochondrial cholesterol accumulation by targeting CYP11A1 redistribution

Cholesterol and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are both risk factors for gastric cancer (GC). However, the relationship between cholesterol and H. pylori and their function in the progression of GC are controversial. In this study, we addressed that H. pylori could induce mitochondrial cholesterol accumulation and promote GC proliferation and protect GC cells against apoptosis via cholesterol. Metabolomic and transcriptomic sequencing were used to identify CYP11A1 responsible for H. pylori-induced cholesterol accumulation. In vitro and in vivo function experiments revealed that cholesterol could promote the proliferation of GC and inhibit apoptosis. Mechanically, the interaction of Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) and CYP11A1 redistributed mitochondrial CYP11A1 outside the mitochondria and subsequently caused mitochondrial cholesterol accumulation. The CYP11A1-knockdown upregulated cholesterol accumulation and reproduced the effect of cholesterol on GC in a cholesterol-dependent manner. Moreover, CYP11A1-knockdown or H. pylori infection inhibited mitophagy and maintained the mitochondria homeostasis. H. pylori could contribute to the progression of GC through the CagA/CYP11A1-mitoCHO axis. This study demonstrates that H. pylori can contribute to the progression of GC via cholesterol, and eradicating H. pylori is still prognostically beneficial to GC patients.

Multi-omics analysis of the prognostic and biological role of cuproptosis-related gene in gastric cancer

Background

A considerable number of gastric cancer (GC) patients cannot receive benefits from current treatments. We aimed to identify possible biomarkers of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in GC patients, which may help guide precision medicine-based decision-making.

Methods

RNA sequencing data, copy number variations (CNVs) data, and single nucleotide variant (SNV) data were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene Set Cancer Analysis (GSCA) database. Chi-squared test was adopted to screen differentially expressed CRGs (DE-CRGs) between samples from 14 kinds of carcinoma and adjacent tissue samples. Then, GC samples were divided into high- and low-expressed groups based on DE-CRGs for further survival analyses and the selection of biomarkers. Methylation sites related with biomarkers were acquired. The correlation between immune cells and biomarkers was verified. Finally, miRNA-mRNA, TFs-mRNA, and co-expression networks were established to detect factors with regulating effects on biomarkers.

Results

Three CRGs including LIAS, GLS, and CDKN2A were identified as biomarkers in GC patients. Three methylation sites with a significant survival effect including cg13601799, 07562918, and 07253264 were acquired. Then, we found that B cells native was significantly correlated with CDKN2A, four immune cells such as T cells regulatory are significantly correlated with GLS, and two immune cells such as T cells CD4 memory activated were significantly correlated with LIAS. Moreover, 10 miRNAs in the miRNA-mRNA network and three transcription factors (TFs) in the TFs-mRNA network had a significant correlation with overall survival (OS). Finally, 20 enrichment functions were obtained on the basis of the co-expression network.

Conclusions

Three biomarkers with a prognosis prediction value of GC were found, and multi-factor regulatory networks were constructed to screen out 13 factors with regulating influences of biomarkers.

Structure-based design of small molecule inhibitors of the cagT4SS ATPase Cagα of Helicobacter pylori

We here describe the structure-based design of small molecule inhibitors of the type IV secretion system of Helicobacter pylori. The secretion system is encoded by the cag pathogenicity island, and we chose Cagα, a hexameric ATPase and member of the family of VirB11-like proteins, as target for inhibitor design. We first solved the crystal structure of Cagα in a complex with the previously identified small molecule inhibitor 1G2. The molecule binds at the interface between two Cagα subunits and mutagenesis of the binding site identified Cagα residues F39 and R73 as critical for 1G2 binding. Based on the inhibitor binding site we synthesized 98 small molecule derivates of 1G2 to improve binding of the inhibitor. We used the production of interleukin-8 of gastric cancer cells during H. pylori infection to screen the potency of inhibitors and we identified five molecules (1G2_1313, 1G2_1338, 1G2_2886, 1G2_2889, and 1G2_2902) that have similar or higher potency than 1G2. Differential scanning fluorimetry suggested that these five molecules bind Cagα, and enzyme assays demonstrated that some are more potent ATPase inhibitors than 1G2. Finally, scanning electron microscopy revealed that 1G2 and its derivatives inhibit the assembly of T4SS-determined extracellular pili suggesting a mechanism for their anti-virulence effect.

Enhanced multi-class pathology lesion detection in gastric neoplasms using deep learning-based approach and validation

This study developed a new convolutional neural network model to detect and classify gastric lesions as malignant, premalignant, and benign. We used 10,181 white-light endoscopy images from 2606 patients in an 8:1:1 ratio. Lesions were categorized as early gastric cancer (EGC), advanced gastric cancer (AGC), gastric dysplasia, benign gastric ulcer (BGU), benign polyp, and benign erosion. We assessed the lesion detection and classification model using six-class, cancer versus non-cancer, and neoplasm versus non-neoplasm categories, as well as T-stage estimation in cancer lesions (T1, T2-T4). The lesion detection rate was 95.22% (219/230 patients) on a per-patient basis: 100% for EGC, 97.22% for AGC, 96.49% for dysplasia, 75.00% for BGU, 97.22% for benign polyps, and 80.49% for benign erosion. The six-class category exhibited an accuracy of 73.43%, sensitivity of 80.90%, specificity of 83.32%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 73.68%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 88.53%. The sensitivity and NPV were 78.62% and 88.57% for the cancer versus non-cancer category, and 83.26% and 89.80% for the neoplasm versus non-neoplasm category, respectively. The T stage estimation model achieved an accuracy of 85.17%, sensitivity of 88.68%, specificity of 79.81%, PPV of 87.04%, and NPV of 82.18%. The novel CNN-based model remarkably detected and classified malignant, premalignant, and benign gastric lesions and accurately estimated gastric cancer T-stages.

A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study on the Histopathology of Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Endoscopic Biopsy in Dyspeptic Patients

Background Dyspepsia is one of the most common GI complaints encountered in clinical practice. Histopathological assessment of endoscopic gastric mucosa biopsy is crucial to delineate the exact cause of dyspepsia to guide patients' management. Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the histopathological spectrum of upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract endoscopic biopsies and to study the age and sex distribution of the predominant upper GI lesions. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India, from January 2022 to December 2023. All endoscopic mucosal biopsies of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first and second parts) lesions were examined under a microscope for histopathological findings. Results Out of 250 endoscopic biopsies studied, there were 76 cases of esophageal biopsies, 149 cases of gastric biopsies, and 25 cases of duodenal biopsies. The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. Non-neoplastic lesions were more common than neoplastic lesions. The most common lesions encountered were esophagitis in the esophagus, gastritis in the stomach, and duodenitis in the duodenum. Conclusion The main organic cause of dyspepsia in our setting was chronic gastritis. We conclude that endoscopy of the upper GI tract and histopathological examination help in the earlier detection of both benign and malignant lesions. This aids in better timely management of the patients and improves the overall treatment provided resulting in a better prognosis.

E-learning system to improve the endoscopic diagnosis of early gastric cancer

We developed three e-learning systems for endoscopists to acquire the necessary skills to improve the diagnosis of early gastric cancer (EGC) and demonstrated their usefulness using randomized controlled trials. The subjects of the three e-learning systems were "detec-tion", "characterization", and "preoperative assessment". The contents of each e-learning system included "technique", "knowledge", and "obtaining experience". All e-learning systems proved useful for endoscopists to learn how to diagnose EGC. Lecture videos describing "the technique" and "the knowledge" can be beneficial. In addition, repeating 100 self-study cases allows learners to gain "experience" and improve their diagnostic skills further. Web-based e-learning systems have more advantages than other teaching methods because the number of participants is unlimited. Histopathological diagnosis is the gold standard for the diagnosis of gastric cancer. Therefore, we developed a comprehensive diagnostic algorithm to standardize the histopathological diagnosis of gastric cancer. Once we have successfully shown that this algorithm is helpful for the accurate histopathological diagnosis of cancer, we will complete a series of e-learning systems designed to assess EGC accurately.

Impact of endoscopic surveillance on the early diagnosis and endoscopic resection likelihood of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Endoscopy could help detect early gastric cancer (EGC) and improve the prognosis of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of endoscopy and endoscopic surveillance on the early detection of gastric cancer (GC), GC staging, and treatment selection.

METHODS

Patients with GC diagnosed at our center from 2010 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and allocated to the short-interval group (had received endoscopy within 3 years before diagnosis), the long-interval group (had received endoscopy more than 3 years before diagnosis), and the unchecked group (had not received endoscopy before diagnosis). The differences in GC staging and treatment modalities among the three groups were analyzed, and the differences in the clinical and pathological features of EGC were further analyzed.

RESULTS

One thousand and twenty-five GC patients were included, with 395 cases of EGC and 630 cases of advanced GC. The proportions of EGC in the short-interval, long-interval, and unchecked groups were 98.0%, 84.2%, and 29.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). Among the 387 lesions of 367 EGC patients were resected by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), 341 (88.1%) exhibited curative resection, and 46 (11.9%) involved noncurative resections. Lesions of EGC differed significantly in diameter, depth of invasion, and curative resection rate (p = 0.033, 0.019, and 0.005, respectively). In the short-interval group, 87.8% of the lesions were ≤ 2 cm, 95.6% of the invasion depths were confined to the mucosal layer, and 96.7% of the eCura scores were A or B. Compared with the unchecked group, they had smaller diameters (RR = 0.419, 95% CI 0.234-0.752), shallower invasion depths (RR = 0.286, 95% CI 0.105-0.777), and a higher curative resection rate (RR = 0.215, 95% CI 0.068-0.676).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic surveillance at 3-year intervals can help detect EGC, and the EGC lesions found have smaller diameters and shallower depths of invasion, helping improve the curative resection rate of ESD.

Molecular insights into gastric cancer: The impact of TGFBR2 and hsa-mir-107 revealed by microarray sequencing and bioinformatics

BACKGROUND

Gastric carcinoma (GC) remains a significant therapeutic challenge, garnering widespread attention. Oxymatrine (OMT), an active component of the traditional Chinese medicine compound Kushen injection (CKI), has shown promising results in combination with chemotherapy for the treatment of GC. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying OMT's therapeutic effects in GC have yet to be elucidated.

METHODS

The transcriptomic expression data of HGC-27 post-OMT intervention were obtained through microarray sequencing, while the miRNA and mRNA sequencing data for GC patients were sourced from the TCGA database. The mechanism of OMT intervention in GC is analyzed in multiple aspects, including Protein-Protein Interactions (PPI), Competitive Endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, correlation and co-expression analyses, immune infiltration, and clinical implications.

RESULTS

By analyzing key modules, five critical mRNAs were identified, and their interacting miRNAs were predicted to construct a ceRNA network. Among these, TGFBR2 and hsa-miR-107 have correlations or co-expression relationships with other genes in the network. They are differentially expressed in most other cancers, associated with prognosis, and have diagnostic value. TGFBR2 also exhibits immune infiltration phenomena, and its high expression is linked to poor patient prognosis. Low expression of hsa-miR-107 is associated with poor patient prognosis. OMT may act on the TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway or negatively regulate the WNT signaling pathway through the hsa-miR-107/BTRC axis, thereby inhibiting the onset and progression of GC.

CONCLUSION

The mechanisms of OMT intervention in GC are diverse, TGFBR2 and hsa-miR-107 may serve as prognostic molecular biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets.

A Clinical Study of Intraoperative Perfusion Chemotherapy in Gastric Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third largest cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with major geographic disparities in incidence and outcomes. Sociodemographic indicators, food habits, and genetic predispositions all add to the load. Despite advances in systemic treatments, peritoneal metastasis remains a concern, with intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) emerging as a promising treatment option.

METHODS

A prospective cohort research was done, with 30 GC patients receiving cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by lobaplatin-based intraoperative chemotherapy. The study evaluated postoperative complications, survival rates, and disease recurrence using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Armonk, NY) for data analysis. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness, safety, and dependability of lobaplatin as an intraoperative chemotherapeutic agent in patients having gastric cancer surgery, with a particular emphasis on those patients who do not have distant metastases.

RESULTS

The study population had a balanced gender distribution, with an average age of 44.83 years. Most patients had advanced-stage cancer (T3 and T4), and lobaplatin treatment resulted in a low frequency of serious postoperative sequelae. Preliminary studies suggest that lobaplatin is a safe and potentially effective IPC drug for GC, with few side effects and adequate survival rates.

CONCLUSION

Lobaplatin shows promise as an intraoperative chemotherapeutic treatment for gastric cancer, necessitating more research in bigger, randomized controlled studies to determine its efficacy and safety profile. The study emphasizes the need for novel treatment strategies to enhance the prognosis of GC patients, particularly those with peritoneal involvement.

Hemorrhagic cystitis in gastric cancer after nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel: A case report

BACKGROUND

The advanced first-line regimen for advanced gastric cancer is based on a combination of fluoropyrimidine and platinum and/or paclitaxel (PTX), forming a two- or three-drug regimen. Compared to conventional PTX, nanoparticle albumin-bound PTX (Nab-PTX) has better therapeutic effects and fewer adverse effects reported in studies. Nab-PTX is a great option for patients presenting with advanced gastric cancer. Herein, we highlight an adverse event (hemorrhagic cystitis) of Nab-PTX in advanced gastric cancer.

CASE SUMMARY

A 55-year-old male was diagnosed with lymph node metastasis after a laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer that was treated by Nab-PTX and S-1 (AS). On the 15th day after treatment with AS, he was diagnosed with hemorrhagic cystitis.

CONCLUSION

Physicians should be aware that hemorrhagic cystitis is a potential adverse event associated with Nab-PTX treatment.

Gastric Cancer: A Comprehensive Literature Review

Gastric cancer stands as a significant global health concern, particularly prevalent in Eastern Asia, with high mortality rates urging urgent attention and research efforts. This article comprehensively explores the epidemiology, anatomy, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, staging, treatment modalities, prevention strategies, and survival rates associated with gastric cancer. Notably, Helicobacter pylori infection, dietary choices, and intricate stomach anatomy play pivotal roles in disease development. Early detection, utilizing staging, grading, and genetic testing for personalized treatment approaches is emphasized. Treatment modalities encompass surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Prevention strategies involve lifestyle changes, screening, and genetic counseling. Survival rates vary by stage, highlighting the need for individualized care. In conclusion, a collaborative global effort is essential to address the impact of gastric cancer and improve outcomes.

The pathological roles and potential mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 in gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the roles and underlying mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) in gastric cancer (GC).

METHODS

VEGFR-3 gene expression profiles in human gastric adenocarcinoma (GAC) tissues were analysed using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Human GC cell lines and were used for in vitro studies. Mouse models of GC and distant metastasis were used for in vivo studies. Silencing of VEGFR-3 gene expression was achieved using small interfering RNA.

RESULTS

VEGFR-3 gene expression was significantly elevated in GAC tissues and GC cells. Higher VEGFR-3 expression was positively correlated with more advanced stages and a greater number of metastatic lymph nodes. In vitro studies in GC cells showed that knockdown of VEGFR-3 gene expression significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration, but promoted apoptosis. In vivo investigations revealed that silencing of VEGFR-3 gene expression exhibited significant inhibition on tumour growth and metastasis. Further mechanistic studies showed that VEGFR-3 exerted its pathological roles by affecting the key molecules in the apoptotic and epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathways.

CONCLUSION

The molecular pathways associated with VEGFR-3-mediated pathological effects could be targets in the development of novel approaches for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of GC.

YAP induces FAK phosphorylation to inhibit gastric cancer cell proliferation via upregulation of HMGB1

Yes associated protein (YAP) is the main effector protein in the Hippo pathway, regulating cell growth by binding to transcription factors in the nucleus. However, the mechanisms by which YAP regulates the development and progression of gastric cancer (GC) remain largely unknown. In this study, bioinformatics analysis determined that YAP was significantly upregulated in GC and associated with poor prognosis. In addition, YAP deletion inhibits proliferation and migration of GC cells in vitro, while overexpression of YAP has the opposite effect. Mechanistically, overexpression of YAP induced FAK phosphorylation in gastric cancer cells, whereas knockdown of YAP had the opposite effect. Importantly, translocation expressed mutant plasmid YAP-S94A (YAP1 mutant without TEAD binding site) did not significantly change the level of FAK phosphorylation. Furthermore, Verteporfin (a small molecule inhibitor of YAP) interrupted the YAP-TEAD interaction and inhibited FAK phosphorylation, confirming that YAP can induce FAK phosphorylation in a TEAD-dependent manner. In addition, the silencing of FAK or the use of FAK inhibitors inhibited the aggregation of YAP proteins in the nucleus, forming a FAK-YAP positive feedback loop. Finally, we identify the FAK upstream gene, HMGB1, as a direct transcriptional target of YAP-TEAD. Silencing HMGB1 reversed YAP-induced FAK activation as well as cell proliferation and migration. Collectively, our results reveal a new signalling axis, YAP/HMGB1/FAK, in the regulation of cell proliferation and migration, and provide new insights into the crosstalk between Hippo signalling and cell proliferation.

Prognosis of EBV-positive gastric cancer with lymphoid stroma: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Although gastric cancer with lymphoid stroma (GCLS) presents better prognosis, uncertainty still exists regarding the association of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection with prognosis of GCLS. Therefore, it is urgent to evaluate the outcome and characteristics of EBV-positive GCLS via a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS

Three medical databases, with a period ranging from 2000 to so far, were searched for observational studies on EBV infection, clinical characteristics and prognosis. Odds ratio (OR) was used to evaluate the mortality and clinical characteristics of EBV-positive GCLS patients. Egger's test and subgroup analysis were conducted to identify the source of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

Nine retrospective studies were finally identified, which involved 618 EBV-positive and 153 EBV-negative GCLS patients. The forest plot indicated that EBV-positive GCLS patients had lower mortality (p = .009; 95% CI: 0.15-0.77; I2 = 48.6%). Both of funnel plot and Egger's tests suggested that there was no publication bias. Nonetheless, subgroup analysis indicated that T1-2 stage ratio more than 50% (p < .001; I2 = 6.7%) and male ratio more than 80% (p < .001; I2 = 0.0%) were valuable for eliminating the heterogeneity. Seven studies including valid information showed that TNM stage of EBV-positive and negative GCLS patients was not statistically different (p = .644; 95% CI: 0.50-1.53; I2 = 0.0%).

CONCLUSIONS

EBV-positive GCLS tends to have lower mortality, suggesting that detection of EBV infection is necessary to predict prognosis of GCLS.

Roles of Rictor alterations in gastrointestinal tumors (Review)

Gastrointestinal tumors account for five of the top 10 causes of mortality from all cancers (colorectal, liver, stomach, esophageal and pancreatic cancer). Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is commonly dysregulated in various human cancers. As a core component of the mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2), Rictor is a key effector molecule of the PI3K/Akt pathway. A high alteration rate of Rictor has been observed in gastrointestinal tumors, and such Rictor alterations are often associated with resistance to chemotherapy and related adverse clinical outcomes. However, the exact roles of Rictor in gastrointestinal tumors remain elusive. The aim of the present study was to critically discuss the following: i) Mutation and biological characteristics of Rictor in tumors with a detailed overview of Rictor in cell proliferation, angiogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy and drug resistance; ii) the role of Rictor in tumors of the digestive system, particularly colorectal, hepatobiliary, gastric, esophageal and pancreatic cancer and cholangiocarcinoma; and iii) the current status and prospects of targeted therapy for Rictor by inhibiting Akt activation. Despite the growing realization of the importance of Rictor/mTORC2 in cancer, the underlying mechanistic details remain poorly understood; this needs to change in order for the development of efficient targeted therapies and re‑sensitization of therapy‑resistant cancers to be made possible.

Not all carotenoids can reduce the risk of gastric cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer is characterized by high invasiveness, heterogeneity, and late diagnosis, leading to high incidence and mortality rates. It is a significant public health concern globally. Early prevention is crucial in reducing the occurrence of gastric cancer, and dietary prevention, particularly focusing on carotenoids, has been considered a convenient and effective approach. However, the association between carotenoid intake and gastric cancer incidence remains controversial.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases from inception to January 5, 2023. Two reviewers independently screened search results, extracted relevant data, and evaluated study quality. Statistical analysis was performed using the "metan" command in STATA 16 software. Random-effects or fixed-effects models were chosen based on the magnitude of heterogeneity among studies.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 35 publications, consisting of 23 case-control studies and 12 cohort studies. Meta-analysis of case-control studies showed that alpha-carotene (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.55-0.92), beta-carotene (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.53-0.72), and lutein (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.69-0.97) significantly reduced the risk of gastric cancer, while beta-cryptoxanthin (OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.75-1.04) and lycopene (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.73-1.00) showed no significant correlation. Meta-analysis of cohort studies indicated no significant associations between any of the five carotenoids and gastric cancer incidence (alpha-carotene: RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.54-1.23; beta-carotene: RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.64-1.16; beta-cryptoxanthin: RR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.64-1.16; lutein: RR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.69-1.29; lycopene: RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.69-1.14).

CONCLUSIONS

The relationship between carotenoids and gastric cancer incidence may vary depending on the type of study conducted. Considering that evidence from cohort studies is generally considered stronger than evidence from case-control studies, and high-quality randomized controlled trials show no significant association between carotenoids and gastric cancer incidence, current evidence does not support the supplementation of carotenoids for gastric cancer prevention. Further targeted research is needed to explore the association between the two.

Intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics predict pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy against advanced gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

To investigate whether intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics may predict pathological responses after neoadjuvant chemotherapy against advanced gastric cancer.

METHODS

Clinical, pathological, and CT data from 231 patients with advanced gastric cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy at our hospital between July 2014 and February 2022 were retrospectively collected. Patients were randomly divided into a training group (n = 161) and a validation group (n = 70). The support vector machine classifier was used to establish radiomics models. A clinical model was established based on the selected clinical indicators. Finally, the radiomics and clinical models were combined to generate a radiomics-clinical model. ROC analyses were used to evaluate the prediction efficiency for each model. Calibration curves and decision curves were used to evaluate the optimal model.

RESULTS

A total of 91 cases were recorded with good response and 140 with poor response. The radiomics model demonstrated that the AUC was higher in the combined model than in the intratumoral and peritumoral models (training group: 0.949, 0.943, and 0.846, respectively; validation group: 0.815, 0.778, and 0.701, respectively). Age, Borrmann classification, and Lauren classification were used to construct the clinical model. Among the radiomics-clinical models, the combined-clinical model showed the highest AUC (training group: 0.960; validation group: 0.843), which significantly improved prediction efficiency.

CONCLUSION

The peritumoral model provided additional value in the evaluation of pathological response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy against advanced gastric cancer, and the combined-clinical model showed the highest predictive efficiency.

CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

Intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics can noninvasively predict the pathological response against advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to guide early treatment decision and provide individual treatment for patients.

KEY POINTS

1. Radiomics can predict pathological responses after neoadjuvant chemotherapy against advanced gastric cancer. 2. Peritumoral radiomics has additional predictive value. 3. Radiomics-clinical models can guide early treatment decisions and improve patient prognosis.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is linked to an amended anti-tumorigenic microenvironment in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is a frequently intervention for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (GC). Nevertheless, its impact on the tumor immune microenvironment remains unclear.

METHODS

We used immunohistochemistry to identify T-cell subpopulations, tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the GC microenvironment (GCME) among paired samples (pre-chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy) from 48 NAC-treated patients. Multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) was performed to assess immune biomarkers, including CK, CD4, CD8, FOXP3, PD1, PD-L1, CD163, CD86, myeloperoxidase and Arginase-1 in paired samples from 6 GC patients whose response to NAC were rigorously defined.

RESULTS

NAC was intricately linked to enhanced CD8+:CD4+ ratio, reduced CD163+ M2-like macrophages, augmented CD86+ M1: CD163+ M2-like macrophage ratio, and diminished FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (T-regs) and TANs density. Based on mIF, PD1+CD8+T-cells, FOXP3+T-regs, PD-L1+ TANs, and CD163+ M2-like macrophages exhibited marked reduction and greater co-localization with tumor cells following NAC. The pre-NAC FOXP3+ T-regs and CD163+ M2-like macrophages content was substantially elevated in the response cohort, whereas, the post-NAC CD8+:CD4+ and CD86+ M1: CD163+ M2-like macrophage ratios were intricately linked to the tumor pathologic response. We observed greater CD163+ M2-like macrophages and tumor cells co-localization following NAC, which was correlated with tumor pathologic response. Lastly, multivariate analysis revealed that post-NAC CD8+:CD4+ and CD86+ M1: CD163+ M2-like macrophage ratios were stand-alone indicators of positive patient prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

NAC converts the GCME to an anti-tumorigenic state that is conducive to enhanced patient outcome. These finding can significantly benefit the future planning of highly efficacious and personalized GC immunotherapy.

GPR137 inactivates Hippo signaling to promote gastric cancer cell malignancy

As the fifth most common cancer in the world, gastric cancer (GC) ranks as the third major cause of cancer-related death globally. Although surgical resection and chemotherapy still remains the mainstay of potentially curative treatment for GC, chemotherapy resistance and adverse side effects limit their clinical applications. Thus, further investigation of the mechanisms of carcinogenesis in GC and discovery of novel biomarkers is of great concern. We herein report that the elevated expression of GPR137 is correlated with GC. Overexpression of GPR137 potentiates human gastric cancer AGS cell malignancy, including proliferation, migration, invasion, colony formation and xenograft growth in nude mice in vivo, whereas knockout of GPR137 by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing exerts the opposite effects. Mechanistically, GPR137 could bind to MST, the upstream kinases in Hippo pathway, which disrupts the association of MST with LATS, subsequently activating the transcriptional co-activators, YAP and TAZ, and thereby triggering the target transcription and the alterations in GC cell biological actions consequently. Therefore, our findings may provide with the evidence of developing a potentially novel treatment method with specific target for GC.

Role of lncRNAs in Helicobacter pylori and Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancers

Helicobacter pylori infection is a risk factor for the development of gastric cancer (GC), and the role of co-infection with viruses, such as Epstein-Barr virus, in carcinogenesis cannot be ignored. Furthermore, it is now known that genetic factors such as long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in many diseases, including GC. On the other side, they can also be used as therapeutic goals. Modified lncRNAs can cause aberrant expression of genes encoding proximal proteins, which are essential for the development of carcinoma. In this review, we present the most recent studies on lncRNAs in GC, concentrating on their roles in H. pylori and EBV infections, and discuss some of the molecular mechanisms of these GC-related pathogens. There was also a discussion of the research gaps and future perspectives.

KRT80 expression works as a biomarker and a target for differentiation in gastric cancer

Keratin 80 (KRT80) is a filament protein that participates in cell differentiation and the integrity of the epithelial barrier. Here, KRT80 expression was higher in gastric cancer compared with normal mucosa at both mRNA and protein levels by bioinformatic analysis, qRT-PCR and Western blot (p<0.05), however, the methylation of KRT80 was lower than in normal mucosa (p<0.05). There was a negative relationship between promoter methylation and expression level of KRT80 gene in gastric cancer (p<0.05). KRT80 mRNA and protein expression was positively correlated with the differentiation of gastric cancer (p<0.05), while KRT80 methylation was negatively associated with gastric cancer differentiation and p53 mutation (p<0.05). The expression of KRT80 mRNA was positively linked to the short survival time of gastric cancers (p<0.05). The differential genes of KRT80 mRNA were involved in ligand-receptor interaction, estrogen signal pathway, peptidase, filament and cytoskeleton, keratinocyte differentiation, vitamin D receptor, muscle contraction, and B cell-mediated immunity (p<0.05). KRT80-related genes were classified into cell adhesion and junction, cadherin binding, skin and epidermis development, and so forth (p<0.05). KRT80 knockdown suppressed proliferation, anti-apoptosis, anti-pyroptosis, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer cells (p<0.05). These findings indicated that up-regulated expression of KRT80 played a crucial part in gastric carcinogenesis, and might be considered as a biological marker for aggressive behaviors and poor prognosis. Its silencing might be used as an approach of target therapy for gastric cancer patients.

Endoscopic Characteristics of Early Gastroesophageal Junction Adenocarcinomas and Assessment for Invasion Depth: A Case Series Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Early-stage gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma can be challenging to diagnose and treat promptly using endoscopy. This study aims to summarize the endoscopic characteristics of early GEJ adenocarcinoma and investigate their correlation with pathological grade and invasion depth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective case series study evaluated patients with early GEJ adenocarcinoma who underwent endoscopic or surgical resection at First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University between January 2016 and December 2022.

RESULTS

A total of 71 patients were included in the analysis, with 59 males and a median age of 67 years. The majority of the lesions were located on the posterior side of the GEJ (40.8%) or the lesser curvature side (29.6%). Siewert II lesions accounted for 71.8% of cases, with most occurring on the posterior side (49.0%) and Siewert III lesions mostly occurring on the lesser curvature side (42.9%). Siewert I lesions accounted for only 7.0%, and all originated from Barrett mucosa. Paris classification of Is (P = .015) or IIc (P = .015), lesion size ≥12 mm (P = .017), red color with subsquamous extension (P = .038), and disordered microsurface with local fusion (P < .001) were independently and positively correlated with pathological grade and invasion depth by multivariable ordinal logistic regression.

CONCLUSION

The posterior side and lesser curvature of the GEJ are the high-incidence sites of GEJ adenocarcinoma. Both forward and backward views during endoscopy should be combined to detect the lesion. Endoscopic characteristics such as Is or IIc morphology, larger size, red color with subsquamous extension, and disordered microsurface with local fusion may indicate a higher pathological grade and deeper invasion.

Health economic evaluation on population-based Helicobacter pylori eradication and endoscopic screening for gastric cancer prevention

Gastric cancer is a global public health burden, nearly one million new cases are diagnosed per year worldwide, of which 44% of cases occur in China. The prognosis of gastric cancer varies remarkably by the stage of cancer, and most of the patients in China are diagnosed at advanced stages, resulting in poor prognoses. Effective strategies to reduce the burden of gastric cancer include primary prevention through testing and treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and secondary prevention by screening and early detection. Although many countries have issued management guidelines and consensus reports concerning these strategies, the limited availability of healthcare resources often precludes their widespread implementation. Therefore, assessing the costs, benefits, and harms of population-based intervention measures through health economic evaluation is necessary for informed health policy decisions. Accordingly, we synthesize management approaches from different countries on H. pylori eradication and endoscopic screening, and also summarize recent advancements in health economic evaluations on population-based preventive strategies. The goal of the review is to provide empirical evidence supporting optimal resource allocation, maximizing benefits for the population, and ultimately reducing the burden of gastric cancer.

GIPC1 promotes tumor growth and migration in gastric cancer via activating PDGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling

The high mortality rate associated with gastric cancer (GC) has resulted in an urgent need to identify novel therapeutic targets for GC. This study aimed to investigate whether GAIP interacting protein, C terminus 1 (GIPC1) represents a therapeutic target and its regulating mechanism in GC. GIPC1 expression was elevated in GC tissues, liver metastasis tissues, and lymph node metastases. GIPC1 knockdown or GIPC1 blocking peptide blocked the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and inhibited the proliferation and migration of GC cells. Conversely, GIPC1 overexpression markedly activated the PDGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and promoted GC cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGF-BB) cytokines and the AKT inhibitor attenuated the effect of differential GIPC1 expression. Moreover, GIPC1 silencing decreased tumor growth and migration in BALB/c nude mice, while GIPC1 overexpression had contrasting effects. Taken together, our findings suggest that GIPC1 functions as an oncogene in GC and plays a central role in regulating cell proliferation and migration via the PDGFR/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) promotes lactylation modifications by regulating lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in gastric cancer

OBJECTIVES

Glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) plays a major role in glycolysis and glucose metabolism in cancer cells. We aimed to investigate the correlation between GLUT3 and histone lactylation modification in the occurrence and progression of gastric cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We initially used single-cell sequencing data to determine the expression levels of GLUT3 and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in primary tumor, tumor-adjacent normal, and metastasis tumor tissues. Immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted to measure GLUT3, LDHA, and L-lactyl levels in gastric normal and cancer tissues. Transwell and scratch assays were performed to evaluate the metastatic and invasive capacity of gastric cancer cell lines. Western blotting was used to measure L-lactyl and histone lactylation levels in gastric cancer cell lines.

RESULTS

Single-cell sequencing data showed that GLUT3 expression was significantly increased in primary tumor and metastasis tumor tissues. In addition, GLUT3 expression was positively correlated with that of LDHA expression and lactylation-related pathways. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that GLUT3 was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines. GLUT3 knockdown in gastric cancer cell lines inhibited their metastatic and invasive capacity to various degrees. Additionally, the levels of LDHA, L-lactyl, H3K9, H3K18, and H3K56 significantly decreased after GLUT3 knockdown, indicating that GLUT3 affects lactylation in gastric cancer cells. Moreover, LDHA overexpression in a GLUT3 knockdown cell line reversed the levels of lactylation and EMT-related markers, and the EMT functional phenotype induced by GLUT3 knockdown. The in vivo results were consistent with the in vitro results.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests the important role of histone lactylation in the occurrence and progression of gastric cancer, and GLUT3 may be a new diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Animal experimental study on magnetic anchor technique-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection of early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer (GC) has high morbidity and mortality. Moreover, because GC has no typical symptoms in the early stages, most cases are already in the advanced stages by the time the symptoms appear, thus resulting in poor prognosis and a low survival rate. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) can realize the early detection and diagnosis of GC and become the main surgical method for early GC. However, ESD has a steep learning curve and high technical skill requirements for endoscopists, which is not conducive to its widespread implementation and advancement. Therefore, a series of auxiliary techniques have been derived.

AIM

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of magnetic anchor technique (MAT)-assisted ESD in early GC.

METHODS

This was an ex vivo animal experiment. The experimental models were the isolated stomachs of pigs, which were divided into two groups, namely the study group (n = 6) with MAT-assisted ESD and the control group (n = 6) with traditional ESD. Comparing the total surgical time, incidence of surgical complications, complete mucosal resection rate, specimen size, and the scores of endoscopist’s satisfaction with the procedure reflected their feelings about convenience during the surgical procedure between the two groups. The magnetic anchor device for auxiliary ESD in the study group comprised three parts, an anchor magnet (AM), a target magnet (TM), and a soft tissue clip. Under gastroscopic guidance, the soft tissue clip and the TM were delivered to the pre-marked mucosal lesion through the gastroscopic operating hole. The soft tissue clip and the TM were connected by a thin wire through the TM tail structure. The soft tissue clip was released by manipulating the operating handle of the soft tissue clip in a way that the soft tissue clip and the TM were fixed to the lesion mucosa. In vitro, ESD is aided by maneuvering the AM such that the mucosal dissection surface is exposed.

RESULTS

The total surgical time was shorter in the study group than in the control group (26.57 ± 0.19 vs 29.97 ± 0.28, P < 0.001), and the scores of endoscopist’s satisfaction with the procedure were higher in the study group than in the control group (9.53 ± 0.10 vs 8.00 ± 0.22, P < 0.001). During the operation in the study group, there was no detachment of the soft tissue clip and TM and no mucosal tearing. The magnetic force between the AM and TM provided good mucosal exposure and sufficient tissue tension for ESD. The mucosal lesion was completely peeled off, and the operation was successful. There were no significant differences in the incidence of surgical complications (100% vs 83.3%), complete mucosal resection rate (100% vs 66.7%, P = 0.439), and specimen size (2.44 ± 0.04 cm vs 2.49 ± 0.02, P = 0.328) between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

MAT-ESD is safe and effective for early GC. It provides a preliminary basis for subsequent internal animal experiments and clinical research.

Paradigm Shift in Gastric Cancer Prevention: Harnessing the Potential of Aristolochia olivieri Extract

Gastric cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, is a significant global health concern. Environmental risk factors, such as Helicobacter pylori infection and diet, play a role in its development. This study aimed to characterize the chemical composition and evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and antitumor activities of an Aristolochia olivieri Colleg. ex Boiss. Leaves' methanolic extract (AOME). Additionally, morphological changes in gastric cancer cell lines were analyzed. AOME was analyzed using HPLC-MS/MS, and its antibacterial activity against H. pylori was assessed using the broth microdilution method. MIC and MBC values were determined, and positive and negative controls were included in the evaluation. Anticancer effects were assessed through in vitro experiments using AGS, KATO-III, and SNU-1 cancer cell lines. The morphological changes were examined through SEM and TEM analyses. AOME contained several compounds, including caffeic acid, rutin, and hyperoside. The extract displayed significant antimicrobial effects against H. pylori, with consistent MIC and MBC values of 3.70 ± 0.09 mg/mL. AOME reduced cell viability in all gastric cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Morphological analyses revealed significant ultrastructural changes in all tumor cell lines, suggesting the occurrence of cellular apoptosis. This study demonstrated that AOME possesses antimicrobial activity against H. pylori and potent antineoplastic properties in gastric cancer cell lines. AOME holds promise as a natural resource for innovative nutraceutical approaches in gastric cancer management. Further research and in vivo studies are warranted to validate its potential clinical applications.

Traditional Banxia Xiexin decoction inhibits invasion, metastasis, and epithelial mesenchymal transition in gastric cancer by reducing lncRNA TUC338 expression

Background

Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD) is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula clinically used to treat chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastric cancer, and many other gastrointestinal diseases. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play an important role in maintaining the malignant phenotype of tumors. However, no relevant studies have shown whether Banxia Xiexin decoction regulates and controls lncRNA TUC338, and the effect of TUC338 on the regulation of gastric cancer invasion and metastasis remains unclear.

Purpose

To investigate the ability of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Banxia Xiexin decoction (BXD) to inhibit the migration and invasion of human gastric cancer AGS cells by regulating the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) TUC338.

Methods

UHPLC‒MS/MS was used to analyze the chemical components of BXD. MTT was performed to determine the effects of BXD on the proliferation of AGS cells. qRT‒PCR was used to determine the expression of lncRNA TUC338 in gastric cancer tissues, paracarcinoma tissues, AGS human gastric cancer cells and GES-1 normal gastric mucosa cells and to evaluate the effects of BXD on the expression of lncRNA TUC338 in AGS cells. Lentiviral transfection was used to establish human gastric cancer AGS cells with knocked down lncRNA TUC338 expression. The effects of lncRNA TUC338 knockdown on the migration and invasion of AGS cells were observed by a scratch assay and Transwell migration assay, respectively. Western blotting was performed to analyze the effects of lncRNA TUC338 knockdown on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in AGS cells. We performed quality control on three batches of BXD. We used UHPLC‒MS/MS to control the quality of three random batches of BXD used throughout the study.

Results

Ninety-five chemical components were identified from the water extract of BXD, some of which have anticancer effects. The expression of TUC.338 in gastric cancer tissues was higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues. BXD inhibited the invasion and migration of gastric cancer cells by inhibiting the expression of lncRNA TUC338, which reduced EMT. After knockdown of lncRNA TUC338, the migration and invasion of AGS cells were reduced; the expression of the EMT-related protein E-cadherin was increased, and the expression of N-cadherin and vimentin was reduced.

Conclusions

The present results suggest that BXD has potential as an effective treatment for gastric cancer through the inhibition of lncRNA TUC338 expression.

Immunotherapy Efficacy-related Risk Classifier Differentiate Prognostic Characteristics of Gastric Cancer-A Large-scale Retrospective Study

Prognostic signatures related to the efficacy of immunotherapy have not been determined in gastric cancer (GC). We identified the differentially expressed genes between the CR/PR and SD/PD groups with the R package "limma" (false discovery rate <0.05) in the IMvigor210 data set. The GSE13861 (n=65), GSE15459 (n=192), GSE26899 (n=93), GSE26901 (n=109), GSE28541 (n=40), GSE34942 (n=56), and GSE62254 (n=300) cohorts were merged into a training cohort (n=855). Univariate Cox regression analysis, LASSO penalized Cox regression analysis, and multivariate Cox regression analysis were jointly applied to construct the prognostic model. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)-STAD (n=371), GSE84437 (n=433), GSE26253 (n=432), and IMvigor210 (n=348) cohorts were utilized for external validation. The GC patients were divided into 16 subgroups according to clinical features for universal applicability validation. Repeated validation confirmed that the overall survival of the high-risk (HR) group was significantly reduced compared with that of the low-risk (LR) group. The HR group showed a higher infiltration abundance of regulatory T cells, macrophages, T follicular helper cells, and natural killer T cells, whereas the infiltration levels of activated CD4 T cells and monocytes were upregulated in the LR group. The calcium, TGF-β, MAPK, Hedgehog, and KRAS signaling pathways were overactivated in the HR group, while the hallmarks related to DNA damage repair and metabolism were enriched in the LR group. In addition, the LR group had high tumor mutation burden, FLG, and OBSCN mutations. A prognostic risk classifier for GC patients was identified and validated by carrying out a multicenter retrospective study.

Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals crucial oncogenic signatures and its associative cell types involved in gastric cancer

The intricate association of oncogenic markers negatively impacts accurate gastric cancer diagnosis and leads to the proliferation of mortality rate. Molecular heterogeneity is inevitable in determining gastric cancer's progression state with multiple cell types involved. Identification of pathogenic gene signatures is imperative to understand the disease's etiology. This study demonstrates a systematic approach to identifying oncogenic gastric cancer genes linked with different cell types. The raw counts of adjacent normal and gastric cancer samples are subjected to a quality control step. The dimensionality reduction and multidimensional clustering are performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) techniques. The adjacent normal and gastric cancer sample cell clusters are annotated with the Human Primary Cell Atlas database using the "SingleR." Cellular state transition between the distinct groups is characterized using trajectory analysis. The ligand-receptor interaction between Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and cell clusters unveils crucial molecular pathways in gastric cancer progression. Chondrocytes, Smooth muscle cells, and fibroblast cell clusters contain genes contributing to poor survival rates based on hazard ratio during survival analysis. The GC-related oncogenic signatures are isolated by comparing the gene set with the DisGeNET database. Twelve gastric cancer biomarkers (SPARC, KLF5, HLA-DRB1, IGFBP3, TIMP3, LGALS1, IGFBP6, COL18A1, F3, COL4A1, PDGFRB, COL5A2) are linked with gastric cancer and further validated through gene set enrichment analysis. Drug-gene interaction found PDGFRB, interacting with various anti-cancer drugs, as a potential inhibitor for gastric cancer. Further investigations on these molecular signatures will assist the development of precision therapeutics, promising longevity among gastric cancer patients.

Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Risk of Gastric Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Available results on the association between the Mediterranean diet (MD) and gastric cancer (GC) incidence are controversial. The present study aimed to determine the correlation between different subtypes of GC and MD adherence. This meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021284432). We searched Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception through 22 April 2023 to retrieve relevant studies. A random-effects model was used to pool odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Eleven studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled analyses revealed that adherence to the MD was inversely associated with GC risk (ORcc, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.63; ORcoh, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.77 to 0.92). Higher MD adherence was significantly associated with a reduced GC risk in male (ORcc, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.93; ORcoh, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.65 to 1.01), but not in female (ORcc, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.68 to 1.01; ORcoh, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.31). Furthermore, adherence to the MD possibly decreased the risk of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) (ORcc, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.83; ORcoh, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.76 to 1.02) and gastric non-cardia adenocarcinoma (GNCA) (ORcc, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.79; ORcoh, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78 to 0.94). Our results indicate that adherence to the MD reduces the risk of GC and its subtypes.

Photodynamic therapy improves the outcome of immune checkpoint inhibitors via remodelling anti-tumour immunity in patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) plays an immunoregulatory role in tumours. Here, we conducted a retrospective patient analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of PDT plus immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in gastric cancer. Further, we performed a dynamic analysis of gastric cancer patients receiving PDT to clarify its effects on anti-tumour immunity.

METHODS

Forty ICI-treated patients that received PDT or not were retrospectively analysed. Five patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were enrolled for sample collection before and after PDT. Single-cell RNA/T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, flow cytometry and histological exanimation were used to analyse the collected specimens.

RESULTS

Patients in PDT group had a significantly better OS after ICI treatment than those in No PDT group. Single-cell analysis identified ten cell types in gastric cancer tissues and four sub-populations of T cells. Immune cell infiltration increased in the tumours after PDT and the circular immune cells showed consistent alterations. TCR analysis revealed a specific clonal expansion after PDT in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), but a constriction in Tregs. The B2M gene is upregulated in tumour cells after PDT and is associated with immune cell infiltration. Several pathways involving the positive regulation of immunity were enriched in tumour cells in the post-PDT group. The interactions following PDT were increased between tumour cells and effector cells but decreased between Tregs and other immune cells. Some co-stimulatory signaling emerged, whereas co-inhibitory signaling disappeared in intercellular communication after PDT.

CONCLUSIONS

PDT elicits an anti-tumour response through various mechanisms and is promising as an adjuvant to enhance ICI benefit.

Role of N6-methyladenosine RNA modification in gastric cancer

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is the most prevalent internal modification of mammalian messenger RNA. The m6A modification affects multiple aspects of RNA metabolism, including processing, splicing, export, stability, and translation through the reversible regulation of methyltransferases (Writers), demethylases (Erasers), and recognition binding proteins (Readers). Accumulating evidence indicates that altered m6A levels are associated with a variety of human cancers. Recently, dysregulation of m6A methylation was shown to be involved in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer (GC) through various pathways. Thus, elucidating the relationship between m6A and the pathogenesis of GC has important clinical implications for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of GC patients. In this review, we evaluate the potential role and clinical significance of m6A-related proteins which function in GC in an m6A-dependent manner. We discuss current issues regarding m6A-targeted inhibition of GC, explore new methods for GC diagnosis and prognosis, consider new targets for GC treatment, and provide a reasonable outlook for the future of GC research.

TRIM28 promotes the escape of gastric cancer cells from immune surveillance by increasing PD-L1 abundance

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) offers a new opportunity for treatment for gastric cancer (G.C.). Understanding the upstream regulation of immune checkpoints is crucial to further improve the efficacy of ICB therapy. Herein, using the CRISPR-Cas9-based genome-wide screening, we identified TRIM28 as one of the most significant regulators of PD-L1, a checkpoint protein, in G.C. cells. Mechanistically, TRIM28 directly binds to and stabilizes PD-L1 by inhibiting PD-L1 ubiquitination and promoting PD-L1 SUMOylation. Furthermore, TRIM28 facilitates K63 polyubiquitination of TBK1, activating TBK1-IRF1 and TBK1-mTOR pathways, resulting in enhanced PD-L1 transcription. It was found that TRIM28 was positively correlated with PD-L1 in G.C. cells. Moreover, high TRIM28 expression suggests poor survival in a cohort of 466 patients with G.C., and this observation is consistent while analyzing data from publicly available databases. Ectopic TRIM28 expression facilitated tumor growth, increased PD-L1 expression, and suppressed T cell activation in mice. Administration of the PD-L1 or TBK1 inhibitor significantly alleviated the TRIM28-induced tumor progression. Furthermore, combining the TBK1 inhibitor with CTLA4 immune checkpoint blockade has synergistic effects on G.C., and provides a novel strategy for G.C. therapy.

Dishevelled segment polarity protein 2 promotes gastric cancer progression through Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Dishevelled family proteins (DVL1-3), key scaffold proteins, act on canonical and non-canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. DVL has been implicated in various tumor progression. However, its role and underlying mechanisms in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of DVL in GC development using cell lines and 209 GC specimens. We analyzed three orthologs of DVL in GC tissues and paired adjacent non-tumor tissues, and only DVL2 is highly expressed in GC tissues. We also analyzed clinicopathological data on DVL2 expression in gastric cancer specimens. In immunohistochemistry, DVL2 expression was up-regulated in GC tissues compared with paired adjacent non-tumor tissues (153/209, 73.2%). DVL2 expression level was significantly correlated with many clinicopathological parameters such as T stage (P < 0.001) and N stage (P < 0.001). Survival analysis showed that the overall survival (OS) of patients with high expression of DVL2 was significantly shorter than those with low expression. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that DVL2 expression was an important and independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer patients (P = 0.011, HR=1.78, 95%CI (1.14-2.79). Depletion of endogenous DVL2 using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The abnormal activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is mainly achieved through the abnormal expression of DVL2. DVL2 is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues, which may be a new independent risk factor for the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. In gastric cancer, DVL2 overexpression plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of gastric cancer, so it may become a new, effective and complementary therapeutic target for gastric cancer.

Five-year long-term comparison of robotic and laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a large single-center cohort study

BACKGROUND

Robotic gastrectomy (RG) has been reported to be technically feasible and safe for patients with gastric cancer. However, 5-year long-term survival and recurrence outcomes for advanced gastric cancer have rarely been reported. This study aimed to compare the long-term oncologic outcomes between RG and laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer.

METHODS

The general clinicopathological data of 1905 consecutive patients who underwent RG and LG were retrospectively collected at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between November 2011 and October 2017. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match groups. The primary endpoints were 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

After PSM, a well-balanced cohort of 283 patients in the RG group and 701 patients in the LG group were included in the analysis. The 5-year cumulative DFS rates were 67.28% in the robotic group and 70.41% in the laparoscopic group. The 5-year OS rate was 69.01% in the robotic group and 69.58% in the laparoscopic group. No significant differences in Kaplan-Meier survival curves for DFS (HR = 1.08, 95% CI 0.83-1.39, Log-rank P = 0.557) and OS (HR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.78-1.34, Log-rank P = 0.850) were observed between the 2 groups. In the subgroup analyses for potential confounding variables, there were no significant differences in 5-year DFS and 5-year OS survival between the 2 groups (P > 0.05), except for patients with pathological stage III and pathological stage N3 (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For patients with early gastric cancer, robotic and laparoscopic approaches have similar long-term survival. For patients with advanced gastric cancer, further studies need to be conducted to assess the long-term survival outcomes of RG.

Comprehensive transcriptomic analyses identify KDM genes-related subtypes with different TME infiltrates in gastric cancer

Histone lysine demethylases (KDMs) have been reported in various malignances, which affect transcriptional regulation of tumor suppressor or oncogenes. However, the relationship between KDMs and formation of tumor microenvironment (TME) in gastric cancer (GC) remain unclear and need to be comprehensively analyzed.In the present study, 24 KDMs were obtained and consensus molecular subtyping was performed using the "NMF" method to stratify TCGA-STAD into three clusters. The ssGSEA and CIBERSORT algorithms were employed to assess the relative infiltration levels of various cell types in the TME. The KDM_score was devised to predict patient survival outcomes and responses to both immunotherapy and chemotherapy.Three KDM genes-related molecular subtypes were Figured out in GC with distinctive clinicopathological and prognostic features. Based on the robust KDM genes-related risk_score and nomogram, established in our work, GC patients' clinical outcome can be well predicted. Furthermore, low KDM genes-related risk_score exhibited the more effective response to immunotherapy and chemotherapy.This study characterized three KDM genes-related TME pattern with unique immune infiltration and prognosis by comprehensively analyses of transcriptomic profiling. Risk_score was also built to help clinicians decide personalized anticancer treatment for GC patients, including in prediction of immunotherapy and chemotherapy response for patients.

Gastric Cancer Risk in Association with Underweight, Overweight, and Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to investigate the risk of gastric cancer (GC) in abnormal body mass index (BMI) groups. A systematic search was carried out on Embase, PubMed/Medline, and Scopus from January 2000 to January 2023. The pooled risk ratio (RR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was assessed using a random-effect model. Thirteen studies with total of 14,020,031 participants were included in this systematic review. The pooled RR of GC was 1.124 (95% CI, 0.968-1.304, I²: 89.08%) in underweight class, 1.155 (95% CI, 1.051-1.270, I²: 95.18%) in overweight class, and in 1.218 (95% CI, 1.070-1.386, I²: 97.65%) obesity class. There is no difference between cardia and non-cardia gastric cancer, while non-Asian race and female gender have higher risk of cancer, as Meta-regression of obesity and overweight classes showed. These findings suggest that there is a positive association between excess body weight and the risk of GC, with a higher impact in women than men and in non-Asian than Asian populations. Since abnormal weight is tied to various diseases, including GC, healthcare experts, and policymakers should continue interventions aiming to achieve a normal BMI range.

Updated Epidemiology of Gastric Cancer in Asia: Decreased Incidence but Still a Big Challenge

Despite the decline in incidence and mortality rates, gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. The incidence and mortality of GC are exceptionally high in Asia due to high H. pylori infection, dietary habits, smoking behaviors, and heavy alcohol consumption. In Asia, males are more susceptible to developing GC than females. Variations in H. pylori strains and prevalence rates may contribute to the differences in incidence and mortality rates across Asian countries. Large-scale H. pylori eradication was one of the effective ways to reduce GC incidences. Treatment methods and clinical trials have evolved, but the 5-year survival rate of advanced GC is still low. Efforts should be put towards large-scale screening and early diagnosis, precision medicine, and deep mechanism studies on the interplay of GC cells and microenvironments for dealing with peritoneal metastasis and prolonging patients' survival.

Intersections between innate immune response and gastric cancer development

Worldwide, gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most commonly diagnosed malignancy. It has a reduced prevalence but has maintained its poor prognosis being the fourth leading cause of deaths related to cancer. The highest mortality rates occur in Asian and Latin American countries, where cases are usually diagnosed at advanced stages. Overall, GC is viewed as the consequence of a multifactorial process, involving the virulence of the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains, as well as some environmental factors, dietary habits, and host intrinsic factors. The tumor microenvironment in GC appears to be chronically inflamed which promotes tumor progression and reduces the therapeutic opportunities. It has been suggested that inflammation assessment needs to be measured qualitatively and quantitatively, considering cell-infiltration types, availability of receptors to detect damage and pathogens, and presence or absence of aggressive H. pylori strains. Gastrointestinal epithelial cells express several Toll-like receptors and determine the first defensive line against pathogens, and have been also described as mediators of tumorigenesis. However, other molecules, such as cytokines related to inflammation and innate immunity, including immune checkpoint molecules, interferon-gamma pathway and NETosis have been associated with an increased risk of GC. Therefore, this review will explore innate immune activation in the context of premalignant lesions of the gastric epithelium and established gastric tumors.