Anemia of inflammation in patients with colorectal cancer: Correlation with Interleukin-1, Interleukin-33 and Galectin-1

Correlation of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ levels with clinical prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients and analysis of risk factors

Background

This study aims to investigate the correlation between serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferong (IFN-g) and the clinical prognosis of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Additionally, the study aims to analyse the risk factors associated with this correlation.

Methods

The clinical data of 195 NPC patients admitted to our hospital from October 2020 to October 2022 were selected for a retrospective study. Based on the Glasgow score, patients were divided into two groups: the good prognosis group (group g), consisting of patients who scored 0 points, and the poor prognosis group (group p), consisting of patients who scored 1-2 points. The levels of serum IL-2 and IFN-g were compared between the two groups, and the clinical values of serum IL-2 and IFN-g in the prognosis of patients were analysed. The clinical parameters of the patients were collected, and the risk factors affecting the prognosis of NPC were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression.

Association between different types of preoperative anemia and tumor characteristics, systemic inflammation, and survival in colorectal cancer

Background

Patients with colorectal cancer often have anemia and other symptoms after diagnosis, especially in patients with advanced colorectal cancer. This study explored the association between different types of preoperative anemia and tumor characteristics and inflammatory response in patients with colorectal cancer and to evaluate the prognosis of patients with different types of anemia before operation.

Methods

The clinical data of 95 patients with colorectal cancer treated in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February 2016 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the hemoglobin concentration (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean hemoglobin content (MCH) and mean hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), the patients were divided into the non-anemia group, normal cell anemia group, and small cell anemia group. The three groups' general data, oncological characteristics, and mGPS scores were compared. The patients were followed up for five years, and the survival analysis was carried out. The cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients with colorectal cancer.

Results

The preoperative anemia rate of patients with colorectal cancer was 43.15% (41/95). There were significant differences in gender, weight loss, CA724, tumor location, tumor size, TNM stage, mGPS score, and positive expression rate of Ki-67 among different anemia groups. There was a significant difference in survival time among a non-anemia group, small cell anemia group, and normal cell anemia group (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size, TNM stage, distant metastasis, mGPS score, Ki-67 positive expression rate, and anemia type were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The oncological characteristics of colorectal cancer patients with different types of preoperative anemia are different. Preoperative anemia and systemic inflammatory status are independent risk factors for the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

Galectin-1 in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: Bridging Tumor Biology, Immune Evasion, and Therapeutic Opportunities

Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, with a complex interplay of molecular pathways contributing to its aggressive nature. Galectin-1 (Gal-1), a member of the galectin family, has emerged as a pivotal player in the PDAC microenvironment, influencing various aspects from tumor growth and angiogenesis to immune modulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted role of Galectin-1 in PDAC. We delve into its contributions to tumor stroma remodeling, angiogenesis, metabolic reprogramming, and potential implications for therapeutic interventions. The challenges associated with targeting Gal-1 are discussed, given its pleiotropic functions and complexities in different cellular conditions. Additionally, the promising prospects of Gal-1 inhibition, including the utilization of nanotechnology and theranostics, are highlighted. By integrating recent findings and shedding light on the intricacies of Gal-1's involvement in PDAC, this review aims to provide insights that could guide future research and therapeutic strategies.

Combined preoperative prognostic nutritional index and D-dimer score predicts outcome in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and D-dimer (DD) levels represent useful prognostic indicators in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, a combination of these indicators, namely, the PNI and DD score (PDS) was less addressed.

METHODS

A retrospective study with 183 patients after curative surgery was conducted. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups: PDS 0, decreased PNI and increased DD levels; PDS 1, decreased or increased PNI and DD levels; PDS 2, increased PNI and decreased DD levels. The differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared among these subgroups, and risk factors for outcome were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 56, 65 and 62 patients were assigned to the PDS 0, 1 and 2 subgroups, respectively. PDS was significant in predicting both the DFS (area under the curve (AUC) = 0.68, P < 0.001) and OS (AUC = 0.74, P < 0.001). PDS 0 patients were more likely to be associated with old age (P = 0.032), laparotomy (P < 0.001), elevated CEA (P = 0.001), T₃ + T₄ (P = 0.001) and advanced TNM stage (P = 0.031). PDS 0 patients had significantly inferior DFS (log rank = 18.35, P < 0.001) and OS (log rank = 28.34, P < 0.001) than PDS 1 or 2 patients. PDS was identified as an independent risk factor for both DFS (PDS 1: HR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.30-1.00, P = 0.049; PDS 2: HR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.20-0.79, P = 0.009) and OS (PDS 1: HR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.22-0.88, P = 0.020; PDS 2: HR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06-0.45, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The PDS is a useful prognostic indicator for CRC patients after curative surgery, and PDS 0 patients have inferior survival. Additional future studies are needed to validate these findings.

Iron metabolism: pathways and proteins in homeostasis

Iron is essential to human survival. The biological role and trafficking of this trace essential inorganic element which is also a potential toxin is constantly being researched and unfolded. Vital for oxygen transport, DNA synthesis, electron transport, neurotransmitter biosynthesis and present in numerous other heme and non-heme enzymes the physiological roles are immense. Understanding the molecules and pathways that regulate this essential element at systemic and cellular levels are of importance in improving therapeutic strategies for iron related disorders. This review highlights the progress in understanding the metabolism and trafficking of iron along with the pathophysiology of iron related disorders.