Latest insights into the global epidemiological features, screening, early diagnosis and prognosis prediction of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Rapid screening of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by near-infrared spectroscopy combined with aquaphotomics

Esophageal cancer (EC), the fifth most common cause of cancer-related mortality in China, poses a significant threat to public health. Among the pathological types, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is predominant, comprising approximately 90 % of cases. Screening is crucial for early detection, diagnosis and treatment, thereby reducing ESCC mortality. This study aimed to develop a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective method based on near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with aquaphotomics for ESCC screening. NIR spectra were obtained from plasma samples of both healthy controls and ESCC patients. Subsequently, principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were utilized to identify the water matrix coordinates (WAMACS), thereby delineating the water absorption spectrum pattern (WASP) and constructing an aquagram. The results showed that the PLS-DA screening test model demonstrated high accuracy and precision rates of 95.12 % and 97.10 %, respectively, along with sensitivity and specificity rates of 97.10 % and 84.62 %. The area under the curve (AUC) achieved 0.9064. Aquaphotomic analysis revealed that the WASP of the healthy group predominantly exhibited strong absorption in regions indicative of strong hydrogen bonds (1460 nm, 1480 nm, 1494 nm), while the WASP of the ESCC group showed strong absorption in regions associated with strong hydrogen bonds, weak hydrogen bonds and free water, especially the regions of weak hydrogen bonds (1434 nm) and free water (1390 nm) were significantly different from those of the healthy group. The findings indicated that the rapid screening model for ESCC, integrating NIR spectroscopy with aquaphotomics, is both effective and feasible, with the WASP presenting as a potentially valuable biomarker for ESCC screening.

Effects of FAP+ fibroblasts on cell proliferation migration and immunoregulation of esophageal squamous carcinoma cells through the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) secrete and synthesize fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which could promote proliferation and immunosuppression of multiple cancers including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling could be revitalized by CAFs in cancer cells. Nevertheless, the significance of this interaction in ESCC has yet to be elucidated. Herein, we investigated whether FAP+ CAF cells could promote ESCC cells proliferation, migration and regulate immunity through the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway in vitro and in vivo. The protein expression level of FSP1, FAP, CD8+ and Ki-67 in different sample was estimated by IHC and western blot. qPCR was used to quantify the mRNA level of FSP1, FAP, CD8+ and Ki-67 in different sample. The cell viability, proliferation, migration and invasion of different sample were evaluated by CCK-8, EdU staining, wound healing assay and Transwell assay, respectively. The ELISA was carried out to measure the protein level of IFN-γ, TNF-α, GZMB and IL-2. ESCC xenograft mice model was established to assess the impact of FAP+ CAF. FSP1, FAP, CD8+ and Ki-67 are greatly up-regulated in hESCC tissues. Through CXCL12/CXCR4 axis, FAP-positive CAF was capable of promoting the cell proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC tumor cells and preventing the CD8+ T cells from secreting cytokine. Blocking this signaling with selective CXCR4 antagonist could counteract the effects caused by high-expression of FAP. FAP+ CAFs could inhibit the occurrence and development of tumors. These results indicated that FAP-positive CAF have an impact on cell proliferation migration and immunoregulation of ESCC through the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis.

Case report: Innovative approach to esophageal cancer with right aortic arch: neoadjuvant immunotherapy and 3D reconstruction

Background

We report a rare case of locally advanced esophageal cancer with a right aortic arch (RAA), successfully treated with neoadjuvant immunotherapy and minimally invasive esophagectomy, guided by three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old male with stage III esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (cT3N0M0) and RAA underwent four cycles of neoadjuvant immunotherapy with sintilimab, resulting in significant tumor regression. Minimally invasive esophagectomy was performed with the aid of preoperative 3D reconstruction, which was critical in navigating the complex vascular anatomy and ensuring surgical precision.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunotherapy combined with 3D reconstruction in managing esophageal cancer complicated by vascular anomalies. This approach offers a promising alternative for complex cases where conventional treatments pose higher risks.

Role of AMIGO2 in cancer progression: Novel insights (Review)

Adhesion molecule with IgG-like domain 2 (AMIGO2) is a novel scaffold protein initially identified in cerebellar granule neurons, and inhibits apoptosis of neurons. It is also widely expressed in various malignant tumors, including gastric cancer, colorectal carcinoma, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma. During the past decades, it has been revealed that AMIGO2 can act as an oncogene, participating in tumor occurrence and development, for example by inhibiting apoptosis, accelerating cell proliferation, migration and adhesion, and promoting tumor metastasis and drug resistance. The present review discusses the recent advancements regarding AMIGO2 in the field of cancer, emphasizing its related molecular mechanisms to identify novel therapeutic strategies targeting AMIGO2 for cancer treatment in the future.